Tax-free shopping in United Arab Emirates
Yes. Visitors who don't live in United Arab Emirates can get back about 2.7–4.1% of the price on purchases of at least AED 250 by claiming the VAT refund before they leave.
- VAT
- 5%
- Minimum spend
- AED 250
- Net refund
- 2.7–4.1%
- Refund at till
- No
Minimum basis: Incl. VAT, per purchase from the same participating retailer
Who can claim
- You are not a UAE resident.
- You are 18 or older.
- You are not leaving as working crew of the aircraft or ship.
How to get the money back
- Shop at stores in the Planet tax-free network and show your passport at the till.
- Make sure the retailer issues a digital tax-free tag on your receipt.
- Before check-in, validate at a Planet kiosk or desk if the goods go in checked bags; otherwise validate after passport control.
- Show the goods, receipts and passport if asked.
- Choose card refund or cash at a Planet desk.
Where to validate: At Planet self-service kiosks or manned desks at UAE airports, sea ports and land borders when you leave.
Deadline: Goods must leave the UAE within 90 days of purchase.
Paid out as: Card; Cash at Planet desk (max AED 35,000 per person per 24 hours)
Not refundable
- Services (hotels, meals, car hire)
- Motor vehicles, boats and aircraft
- Goods used or consumed in the UAE
- Goods not taken out with you
Worth knowing
- You get 87% of the VAT minus a fixed AED 3.60 fee per tag (was AED 4.80 before 12 July 2026), so small purchases return less than 3% of the price.
- Online purchases from registered UAE e-commerce sites can also qualify; enter your passport details at checkout.
- Keep goods unused and in their packaging until you validate.
Estimate your refund for United Arab Emirates
Sources
- UAE Federal Tax Authority: VAT refund for tourists
- UAE Government portal (u.ae): VAT refund for tourists
- Planet: Tourist FAQs (UAE)
- IR Global: UAE tourist VAT refund fee reduced from 12 July 2026 (FTA Decision No. 11 of 2026)
- VATupdate: UAE FTA lowers tourist VAT refund claim fee (Aug 2026)
- FTA: Tax refund system for e-commerce purchases by tourists
Rules last checked 24 September 2026. Refund operators and customs can change procedures at short notice; confirm at the store before you buy.
Before you go: check the entry rules for your passport.
Other refund rules: Australia, Austria, China, Croatia, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Morocco, Netherlands, Portugal, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, Vietnam