Dubai Customs has raised its operational readiness in preparation for the peak summer travel season, coinciding with expectations that around 3 million passengers will pass through Dubai airports during the first half of July.

Dubai Customs has succeeded in reducing the baggage inspection time in the manual inspection area of arrival halls to just 7 seconds for passing through screening devices, which helps reduce waiting times and accelerate passenger flow while maintaining the highest levels of accuracy and customs security.

These preparations came through an integrated operational plan, following a series of coordination meetings with strategic partners at Dubai airports, aimed at reviewing plans, raising readiness levels, ensuring smooth passenger flow during peak season, as well as providing a fast and safe travel experience.

These efforts support the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33) and enhance Dubai's competitiveness as one of the world's top destinations for tourism and business and the most visited city in the world, in line with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, may God protect him.

Dubai Customs manages an advanced system to ensure continuous operational efficiency during peak times and keep pace with the steady growth in visitor numbers, including 19 advanced baggage screening devices and 77 detection and inspection units distributed across various halls and terminals of Dubai airports, enhancing capacity, speeding up inspection procedures, and maintaining the highest security and safety standards.

The department continues to enhance passenger awareness through a guide that explains the materials permitted for entry into the country and the conditions for customs exemptions. The guide allows the entry of personal gifts not exceeding 3,000 dirhams in value without customs duties, in limited quantities not intended for commercial purposes, provided the passenger is not engaged in trading the items in their possession. Customs duties are levied on excess quantities or values, in addition to applicable fees on baggage exceeding permitted limits.

Dubai Customs, in cooperation with Dubai Airports and relevant authorities, is implementing a project to establish specialized rooms for inspecting companion animals in Dubai airport terminals (1, 2, and 3), to provide an equipped environment for conducting veterinary checks efficiently and quickly, and to enhance services for passengers arriving and departing with their animals.

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Khalid Ahmed, Director of Passenger Operations at Dubai Customs, affirmed that preparations for the summer travel season began early with the preparation of integrated operational plans in coordination with strategic partners to accommodate the expected increase and ensure smooth movement in all halls without affecting the speed of procedures or quality of services.

He said that the department continues to invest in developing its operational infrastructure, employing the latest smart technologies, and enhancing the efficiency of its field staff to keep pace with the rapid growth in travel movement, and provide proactive services that improve the passenger experience and maintain the highest levels of customs security.

Ahmed explained that achieving a baggage inspection time of 7 seconds in the manual inspection area reflects the efficiency of modern systems and devices adopted by Dubai Customs, stressing that speeding up procedures enhances inspection efficiency and provides a fast and smooth experience.

He pointed out that the project to establish companion animal inspection rooms is part of ongoing efforts to develop services and meet passenger needs according to best global practices, noting that work is underway with partners to complete the technical and regulatory requirements for launching the project.

He noted that Dubai Customs continues to implement initiatives and development projects that enhance the passenger experience, support the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33), and solidify the emirate's position as a global destination for tourism and business and a leading model in innovation, quality of government services, and ease of travel.