Is grog permitted in UAE?

[Deleted member 29185]

Having just read an AFF 2007 thread which discusses this issue (well something that resembles discussing this issue), can I ask the LEGAL requirement WRT alcohol in the UAE?

I emailed a prospective hotel (Hilton) in response to advice received here on AFF, to ask the legal requirements and their response was "none in lounge as alcohol strictly forbidden in Sharjah". I emailed them back to ask if alcohol was strictly forbidden, what about duty free we may be carrying (given duty free is openly available for purchase). The reply was unusual to say the least. The issue of duty free carried with us was answered not by a simple "yes you can" or "No you cannot" but by giving a link to the Gov't web site where, after much reading, I decided to search "alcohol". Two hits came up.....alcohol in restaurants - strictly prohibited and alcohol......customs - allows the carry in of 2L of wine + 2L of spirits (but only if for non-muslims).

What kind of rubbish is that? Duty free grog allowed in, but it's "strictly" forbidden?????

Also, I believe UAE is 7 separate Emirates? It appears they're different WRT grog.

What is permitted an what isn't? Surely that should be FAQ No.1 when the penalties for failure to comply can be extreme? Can someone help me out......preferably with an official Gov't web site?

BTW, I can abstain from partaking in alcohol, but prefer not to (I enjoy a drink with dinner.....and a nightcap and.......), however I'm of the opinion that it's imperative to know the legalities of the country we intend to visit and I do try to brush up on the oddbod ones before I travel.

 

[Mal]

Which Emirate? For example, in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, hotels serve booze without any issue. Duty free is a bit different, it is illegal for a person to have alcohol without a 'licence' that as a tourist you can't get (AFAIK).
Each emirate has their own rules though, it seems you are thinking about one with very strict alcohol policies.

Edit: aah Sharjah. Yes it appears that booze is banned completely in that Emirate.

 

[markis10]

Which Emirate? For example, in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, hotels serve booze without any issue. Duty free is a bit different, it is illegal for a person to have alcohol without a 'licence' that as a tourist you can't get (AFAIK).

Its illegal for a resident to have alcohol without a licence, those on a tourist visa are exempt from the requirement but you will only be able to get it in hotels etc.

 

[Mal]

Its illegal for a resident to have alcohol without a licence, those on a tourist visa are exempt from the requirement but you will only be able to get it in hotels etc.

Which is what I thought I said. Either way, the situation for a tourist and duty free is murky. I doubt a hotel would care, but you never know what sort of cleaner you might get.

 

[markis10]

Which is what I thought I said. Either way, the situation for a tourist and duty free is murky. I doubt a hotel would care, but you never know what sort of cleaner you might get.

A tourist in possession of duty free alcohol would not be in trouble like a resident without a licence would be is the differentiation. Sharjah is of course a little different, like many of the smaller emirates they are much more hard line than Abu Dhabi and Dubai, best to forget about alcohol if staying there.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

aah Sharjah. Yes it appears that booze is banned completely in that Emirate.

Its illegal for a resident to have alcohol without a licence, those on a tourist visa are exempt from the requirement but you will only be able to get it in hotels etc.

As said, I don't mind going without booze for a few days, but my main concern is carrying duty free.

From the Sharjah gov't website, a specific search on the word alcohol brings up two references:

1) Restaurants......Alcohol and pork are not available in the Emirate of Sharjah.

2) Travel services (then under customs sub-heading)...Duty Free Allowances: 2,000 cigarettes - 400 cigars - 2 kgs tobacco - Alcohol (non-Muslim adults only) 2 litres of wine and 2 litres of spirits.

So from that I'd read in a litteral sense that although grog is not available in Sharjah, a non-muslim adult can bring in duty free. I guess then comes the question of whether one can then consume their duty free in the privacy of ones hotel room?

From the emails back from Hilton Sharjar, I have two references to alcohol...."In accordance with the laws of Sharjah, our hotel does not serve alcohol." and "Alcohol is not served as it is strictly prohibited in Sharjah." As Mal states, the situation does seem murky and I'd hate to be searched (dobbed in by cleaners) and arrested for having contrabnd in the hotel or transfer car simply because we had a couple of bottles of duty free. Perhaps it's preferable to forget about Sharjar.

Are Abu Dhabi and Dubai neighbouring emirates or does one have to traverse another to commute between the two?

 

[markis10]

I would stick to the neighbours of Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

http://guide.theemiratesnetwork.com/maps/uae_maps.php

 

[maninblack]

As said, I don't mind going without booze for a few days, but my main concern is carrying duty free.

So the simple answer is don't.

Saving a few $$$ on duty free booze so you can spend you time worrying about it does not seem sensible. You do not want to run foul of the law in these countries (Emirates) and why upset their local custom anyway irrespective of what seem to be discrepancies in their own laws or regulations.

http://www.amnesty.org/en/region/uae

 

[Deleted member 29185]

So the simple answer is don't.

why upset their local custom anyway irrespective of what seem to be discrepancies in their own laws

Well put. We visit different countries to experience difference.........I hadn't thought of that aspect!

 

[erkpod]

Well put. We visit different countries to experience difference.........I hadn't thought of that aspect!

This is a very interesting conversation to me as I'll be visiting the UAE in June. It'a good to be aware of at least some of the local customs before you leave.