Tourist VAT Refund on Gold in the UAE
Non-resident visitors can reclaim most of the 5% VAT paid on gold and jewellery bought in the UAE, through the Tax Refund for Tourists Scheme operated with Planet.
Who and what qualifies
- Non-resident tourists only, UAE residents and operating flight crew cannot claim.
- Each tax-free transaction must be at least AED 250.
- Buy from shops enrolled with Planet, look for the “Tax Free” signage and ask for a tax-free tag at purchase.
- Goods must be exported within 90 days of purchase.
How to claim at the airport
Validate your tax-free purchases at the point of exit before check-in. Refunds go to a card or digital wallet within about 9 days, or in cash immediately (subject to limits). Travellers typically recoup up to around 85% of the VAT after processing fees.
Worth doing?
On a large gold purchase the refund is meaningful, 5% VAT on a five-figure buy is a real sum. Keep the piece, tag and receipt together and allow time at the airport.
How the scheme is run
The Federal Tax Authority appointed a single operator to run tourist refunds nationwide. Participating shops are marked with tax free signage at the till. The system is fully digital, so your passport is scanned rather than forms being stamped by hand.
Purchases must reach the minimum spend set by the scheme before they qualify. Several receipts from the same registered retailer can often be combined. Ask in store whether your total qualifies before you leave the counter.
Where validation happens
Self service validation kiosks sit in the departures area at the main UAE airports. Dubai International, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah all operate them. Land and sea exit points also have facilities for departing visitors.
You scan the tax free tag, present the passport used at purchase, and show goods if asked. Validation must be completed before you exit the country. An unvalidated claim cannot be paid afterwards.
The deadlines that catch people out
- The tag must be issued at the time of purchase, never afterwards.
- Goods must leave the UAE within the export window allowed by the scheme.
- Validation must happen before you pass through to the gate.
- Items should be unworn and available for inspection.
How you get paid
Once validated you can take cash at a refund desk or have the amount returned to a card. Cash payouts are usually capped per traveller. Card refunds have no cap but take several days to appear.
The operator keeps a service percentage of the tax plus a small fee per tag. That is why the payout is below the full 5%. Model your own figure with the VAT refund calculator.
Gold specific points
Jewellery is a normal taxable good and follows the standard refund rules. Investment grade bullion is zero rated already, so there is no VAT on it to reclaim. Our gold VAT guide explains which products fall where.
Keep the piece in its packaging with the invoice attached until validation. If you plan to carry gold onward to India, read the customs guide too. Refund paperwork and customs declarations are separate processes.
FAQ
How much VAT can a tourist get back on gold in Dubai?
Up to roughly 85% of the 5% VAT paid, after Planet’s processing fee.
Is there a minimum spend?
Yes, at least AED 250 per tax-free transaction.
Confirm current thresholds and fees with the UAE Federal Tax Authority (tax.gov.ae) and Planet before you travel.
Estimate your refund
Enter your receipt total below to see the VAT inside it. The tool then subtracts the operator cut and per-tag fee. What remains is a realistic payout.
| 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.
Common reasons a claim fails
- No tax free tag was requested at the time of purchase.
- The claim was not validated before leaving the country.
- The goods were already worn or the packaging was opened.
- The shop was not registered in the refund scheme.
Plan the airport step
Validate before check in if the gold travels in hold luggage. Carry the invoice and the items together. Allow extra time during busy travel periods.
For the tax rules themselves, see our gold VAT guide. To compare total cost against home, read is gold cheaper in Dubai.