Air cargo between the UAE, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan is governed by international dangerous-goods rules (IATA DGR) and the customs requirements of each country. Goods fall into three groups: fully prohibited, restricted and requiring special packaging, labels or permits, and ordinary unrestricted cargo. Incorrect classification at acceptance is one of the most common reasons a shipment is returned to the sender.
Completely prohibited
- Ammunition, weapons and weapon parts without special permits;
- Explosive and highly flammable substances, including certain fireworks and solvents;
- Compressed and liquefied gases in unprotected or damaged containers;
- Corrosive chemicals, acids and radioactive materials;
- Counterfeit goods and products without documents confirming their origin.
Restricted but accepted under specific conditions
- Lithium batteries and devices containing them require special packaging, UN38.3 documentation and, for large batches, a dangerous-goods declaration;
- Perfume and cosmetics with high alcohol content require hazard classification and are limited in quantity per package;
- Live plants and seeds require a phytosanitary certificate from the country of origin;
- Food products of animal origin require veterinary documents for the destination country;
- Jewellery, cash and works of art are not formally prohibited but must be declared and usually require additional insurance.
In practice, disputed items depend not only on general IATA rules but also on the airline and current customs requirements of the destination country, which may be stricter than the international minimum. If you are unsure whether an item is restricted, check with the manager before packing. Some restrictions can be resolved through special packaging or an additional certificate, and confirming this in advance is faster and cheaper than dealing with cargo already held at acceptance.