Tourists can claim back most of the 5% VAT on goods from shops in the Tourist Refund Scheme, if each tax invoice is at least AED 250 and the goods leave the UAE within 90 days. You show your passport at the till, collect the Tax Free form, and scan it at a Planet kiosk in the airport before you check in luggage. Hotels, tours and tickets are services and are not refundable. This guide covers the steps, the airport, the real value of a refund and the mistakes that cost people their claim.
By SB Excursions · Published 29 October 2026 · Updated 29 October 2026
Tour on this route: Burj Khalifa Observation Deck — From $55 per person, 1.5-2 hours.
What is the minimum purchase for a VAT refund in Dubai?
AED 250 on a single tax invoice from a shop in the Tourist Refund Scheme. Separate invoices are not added together. At that minimum, the VAT inside the price is about AED 12, and the operator's fee comes off it.
This guide also answers:
- How much of the VAT do tourists get back?
- How long do I have to take the goods out of the UAE?
- How long does the refund take to arrive?
Where visitors claim VAT, and how to do it there
#1
The Dubai Mall: ask at the till
Many large shops in the mall take part in the scheme, and a participating shop shows a Tax Free sign. Ask before you pay, show your passport at the till, and have the Tax Free form made out at the same time, not afterwards. Keep each invoice at or above AED 250, because invoices from different shops are not added together.
#2
Mall of the Emirates and other big malls
The scheme works the same way in every mall: it is the shop, not the mall, that takes part. A fashion store may take part while the café next door does not. Ask at each till, collect a form from each shop that takes part, and check that the invoice total reaches AED 250 on a single bill.
#3
Dubai Marina Mall and smaller malls
Smaller malls have a mix of international chains and independent shops, and independent ones are the least likely to take part. Look for the sign near the entrance or the till. If a shop does not take part, the VAT you paid is simply part of the price, so factor that in before you commit to a purchase.
#4
The Gold Souk: ask before you bargain
Some jewellers take part and many small shops do not, so ask whether the shop issues a Tax Free form before you start bargaining. If it does, the price you agree must be on a tax invoice of at least AED 250, and you keep the receipt with your passport. Our Old Dubai walk shows you where the souks are.
#5
The airport kiosk, before you check in
The Red Line stations at Terminal 1 and Terminal 3 are inside the terminals, so you can reach the departures hall without a taxi. Do the kiosk first, with the goods in your hand luggage in case you are asked to show them, then check in your bags. Allow extra time, because claims take longer than a normal check-in.
VAT refund for tourists in Dubai: the short answer
Visitors who live outside the UAE can claim back most of the 5% VAT on goods from participating shops, when each tax invoice is at least AED 250 and the goods leave the country within 90 days. The scheme is set by the Federal Tax Authority and run by an operator called Planet Tax Free. In practice: show your passport at the till, get the Tax Free form or code with your invoice, then validate it at a Planet self-service kiosk at the airport before you check in your luggage. The refund goes to a bank card or is paid in cash at a refund point.
You do not get the whole VAT back, because the operator takes a fee, and the figure for the current share is on Planet's own pages and at the kiosk. You also cannot claim on services: hotel stays, restaurant bills, tours and entry tickets carry VAT but are not part of the scheme. For the final word on the rules, check the Federal Tax Authority's tourist refund page and Planet Tax Free's website before you shop.
Is the refund worth the queue?
VAT is 5%, and shop prices in the UAE normally include it. That means the VAT inside a price is the price multiplied by 5 and divided by 105, about 4.8% of what you pay. This table shows how much VAT sits in a few typical spends, before the operator's fee is taken off.
| Invoice total | VAT inside the price (about) | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| AED 250 | AED 12 | The minimum; the fee takes a visible bite, so it is barely worth it |
| AED 500 | AED 24 | Worth it only if you are going to the kiosk anyway |
| AED 1,000 | AED 48 | A sensible claim for a watch, perfume or a jacket |
| AED 2,500 | AED 119 | Clearly worth it |
| AED 5,000 | AED 238 | Worth it, and expect the goods to be checked |
VAT figures are the price multiplied by 5 and divided by 105, rounded. You receive most of this, not all of it.
The honest summary: it is worth the effort for electronics, watches, jewellery and designer goods, and not worth it for a few small souvenirs. Our Dubai budget overview has the typical costs for the rest of the trip.
Who can claim, and what is not refundable
The rules are short, and most failed claims break one of them:
- Visitors only. The scheme is for people who do not live in the UAE; residents cannot claim.
- Participating shops only. Look for the Tax Free sign or ask at the till; a shop that does not take part cannot issue the form.
- AED 250 per tax invoice. Invoices from different shops, or different bills from the same shop, are not added together.
- Show your passport at the till. The purchase is linked to you at the moment you pay, so ask for the form then, not later.
- Leave within 90 days. The goods must be taken out of the UAE within 90 days of the purchase date, and you must carry them out yourself.
- No services. Hotels, tours, tickets, restaurants and taxis are not refundable, and neither are food and drink consumed in the UAE.
Step by step: from the till to the refund
The process has four steps. The first is at the shop, and the other three are at the airport.
| Step | What you do | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| 1. At the till | Ask whether the shop takes part, show your passport and collect the invoice and the Tax Free form or code | Do it before you pay, and check the total reaches AED 250 |
| 2. Keep everything | Keep the goods unused, with the invoice and form, together with your passport | Do not pack them in a suitcase you will check in |
| 3. At the airport kiosk | Scan your passport and your forms at a Planet self-service kiosk in the departures hall | Do it before you check in your bags |
| 4. Verification and refund | If the kiosk asks to see the goods, go to the customs desk; then choose a card refund or cash at a refund point | Card refunds arrive later; cash is paid at the refund point |
The exact kiosk and refund-point locations are on the airport map and in Planet's airport guide.
Planet's own tracking page says a refund can take 2-10 working days to reach your account once your forms are processed, and in some cases up to 30 days. If it does not arrive, Planet has a tracking tool and customer service. Keep your forms until the money is in.
At Dubai airport: where, when and how early
Planet runs the refund service at DXB's three terminals and at other UAE airports and exit points, so the process is the same whichever terminal you leave from. The kiosks are in the departures areas; the airport's own map and signs show the exact position in your terminal, and the Red Line has stations inside Terminals 1 and 3. Our terminals guide shows which one your airline uses.
Allow extra time: an hour more than you would otherwise, longer at peak times, because there may be a queue at the kiosk and a second one at the customs desk. Keep the purchases in hand luggage, or at least on top of a case that you can open, because you may be asked to show them. Leave sealed boxes sealed unless asked.
Mistakes that cost people their refund
Most refunds fail on small things, and all of them are avoidable.
- Forgetting the passport at the till, so the form cannot be issued.
- Splitting a purchase across two bills that are each under AED 250.
- Assuming a shop takes part because it is in a mall: ask first.
- Packing the goods in checked luggage before you have scanned the forms.
- Arriving at the airport with too little time for the kiosk and the customs desk.
- Using or unpacking the goods before you leave, which can lead to a refusal if customs asks to inspect them.
- Leaving the UAE after the 90 days have passed.
Duty free is a different thing
Shops after security at the airport, such as Dubai Duty Free, sell without VAT in the first place, so there is nothing to claim there. They run on separate allowances for alcohol and tobacco, which are explained in our Dubai Duty Free guide. The Tourist Refund Scheme is for what you buy in the city, and duty free is for what you buy in the terminal. Use both if it suits you, but do not expect to claim VAT on duty-free purchases.
For a general idea of what to buy, our guide to souvenirs covers the practical options, and the guide to the best malls compares where to shop.
What to spend on instead: experiences carry VAT too
Because tours and tickets are services, nothing you spend on them can be reclaimed, so it is worth deciding what is worth the money anyway. A Burj Khalifa ticket for Levels 124 and 125 is from $55 per person, with SKY Level 148 from $115, and we confirm the price of your slot on WhatsApp. Payment is in full in advance and tickets cannot be refunded or changed once issued, so check the date and time. Our Old Dubai walking tour, from $35, passes the Spice Souk and the Gold Souk with a local guide, and the shared yacht tour is from $32 per person. If you are building a first trip, our list of the best things to do in Dubai puts them in order.
FAQ
What is the minimum purchase for a VAT refund in Dubai?
AED 250 on a single tax invoice from a shop in the Tourist Refund Scheme. Separate invoices are not added together. At that minimum, the VAT inside the price is about AED 12, and the operator's fee comes off it.
How much of the VAT do tourists get back?
Most of the 5%, but not all of it: the operator, Planet Tax Free, deducts a fee. The current share is shown on Planet's website and at the kiosk, so check it before you decide whether a small purchase is worth claiming.
How long do I have to take the goods out of the UAE?
90 days from the date of purchase. The goods must leave the country with you, and you must have them with you at the airport in case customs asks to see them.
Where do I claim the VAT refund at Dubai airport?
At a Planet self-service kiosk in the departures area of your terminal, before you check in your luggage. If the kiosk asks to see the goods, you are sent to a customs desk, and then you choose a card refund or cash. The airport map shows the exact location.
Can I claim VAT on hotels, tours or restaurants?
No. The scheme covers goods bought from participating shops, not services. Hotel stays, tours, entry tickets, restaurant bills and taxis carry VAT but cannot be claimed.
Can UAE residents claim a VAT refund?
No. The Tourist Refund Scheme is for visitors who do not live in the UAE, and you show your passport at the till when you buy.
How long does the refund take to arrive?
Planet's tracking page says 2-10 working days for a card refund to reach your account after your forms are processed, and in some cases up to 30 days. Cash is paid at the refund point.
Recommended Dubai tours for this guide
Burj Khalifa Observation Deck
It is a ticket, not a guided tour: you pick the date and time slot, we book it and send the e-tickets on WhatsApp, and you make your own way to The Dubai Mall. Levels 124 and 125 suit most visitors; SKY adds Level 148 at 555 m with priority access, a multilingual host and refreshments. On request we also book Sky Views Observatory, The View at The Palm and Dubai Frame.
- Duration
- 1.5-2 hours
- Area
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- Format
- Timed-entry ticket
- Best for
- first-time visitors, couples and families who want Dubai from the observation decks of the 828-metre Burj Khalifa
From $55 per person Full prepayment
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Old Dubai Walking Tour
It is the Dubai that is walked rather than driven: the Creek where the city began as a trading port, the restored wind-tower quarter and the souks that still trade spices and gold. A local guide tells the story along the way. The $35 walk includes the abra, Arabic coffee or tea, dates and water; the $55 option adds street-food tastings.
- Duration
- 3-4 hours
- Area
- Old Dubai: Bur Dubai and Deira
- Format
- Shared group walk
- Best for
- first-time visitors, food lovers and anyone who wants the old trading side of Dubai on foot
From $35 per person Full prepayment
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Dubai Marina Shared Yacht Tour
It is the most stylish way to see the skyline without paying for a private charter: a premium yacht with spacious decks and 5-star hospitality, a red carpet at the pier and the crew helping with photos against JBR and Ain Dubai. Full pre-payment secures your slot — the hourly departures sell out — and the yacht leaves strictly on time.
- Duration
- 1 hour
- Area
- Dubai Marina
- Format
- Shared 1-hour sightseeing cruise
- Best for
- families, couples and anyone who wants the Marina skyline from the water without a private charter
From $32 per person Full prepayment
View tour📚 Keep reading
Photos: The Dubai Mall: ask at the till — Dakstor, CC BY-SA 4.0, Mall of the Emirates and other big malls — Fabio Achilli from Milano, Italy, CC BY 2.0, Dubai Marina Mall and smaller malls — Jpbowen, CC BY-SA 4.0, The Gold Souk: ask before you bargain — Radosław Botev, CC BY 3.0 pl (Wikimedia Commons).