Gold VAT in the UAE
Gold in the UAE is subject to the standard 5% VAT, administered by the Federal Tax Authority (FTA) under the VAT framework in force since 2018. How it applies depends on what you buy.
Jewellery: 5% VAT
Gold jewellery bought for personal use is taxed at 5% on the full invoice, including the making charge, not just the metal. A retailer’s quote should show the metal value, making charge and VAT separately.
Investment gold: zero-rated
Investment-grade gold of 99% purity or higher in tradable form (bars and coins), correctly documented by the supplier, is zero-rated for VAT. This is why 24K bullion is priced closer to the metal value than jewellery.
Reverse-charge mechanism (B2B)
For business-to-business gold transactions, the reverse-charge mechanism (RCM) shifts the VAT reporting to the registered buyer rather than the supplier. This mainly affects traders, not retail shoppers.
Tourists
Visitors can reclaim VAT paid on qualifying jewellery purchases through the UAE Tax Refund for Tourists Scheme before leaving. See our tourist VAT refund guide.
FAQ
Is there VAT on gold in Dubai?
Yes, 5% on jewellery. Investment-grade bars and coins of 99%+ purity can be zero-rated.
Do I pay VAT when I sell my gold?
No, VAT applies to purchases, not to selling your own gold.
Verify current rules with the UAE Federal Tax Authority (tax.gov.ae) before relying on them for a transaction.
Work out the VAT inside your receipt
UAE prices already include 5% VAT, so you divide rather than add. The calculator below pulls the tax out of any total. It also estimates a tourist refund.
| Price before VAT | — |
| VAT inside the price (5%) | — |
| Operator cut and fee | — |
| Estimated refund | — |
An estimate only. The refund operator sets its own service cut and per-tag fee, and both can change. You must be an eligible visitor, request a tax-free tag in store, and validate it before leaving the country.
VAT on different gold products
- Jewellery carries 5% VAT on the full price, metal plus making charge.
- Investment grade bullion can qualify for zero rating depending on purity and seller.
- Second-hand gold may fall under special margin rules for registered dealers.
Always ask for a proper tax invoice. It should show the supplier tax registration number. Keep it for refunds, resale and customs.
If you are visiting
Visitors can reclaim VAT on eligible purchases taken out of the country. Request a tax free tag in store at the time of purchase. Our tourist VAT refund guide covers the airport steps.