Dubai VAT Refund Guide for Tourists: Eligibility & Process

Tourists in Dubai can reclaim 5% VAT paid on eligible purchases by validating receipts and goods at departure points like airports or borders. To claim VAT refund in UAE tourist should ask for a tax-free tag during purchase, validate goods at departure, and choose cash or card refund.

Key Takeaways

• Refund applies only to non-resident tourists aged 18+ who export goods within 90 days of purchase.
• Minimum spend required is AED 250 at stores registered under Planet Tax Free.
• Receipts, tax-free tags, passport, credit card, and goods must be shown at validation kiosks or counters.
• 85% of VAT is refunded after deducting fees; paid via cash (limit AED 35,000) or card.
• Goods must be unused and carried with the traveller services, food, or used items don’t qualify.
• E-commerce refunds are allowed only if the platform is registered under the tourist scheme.

How the Tourist VAT Refund Scheme Works

The UAE Tourist Refund Scheme lets international visitors reclaim VAT on goods they buy in the UAE and take out of the country. The VAT rate is 5%, and the scheme is operated digitally by Planet Tax Free on behalf of the Federal Tax Authority (FTA). 

Key highlights:

• Fully digital system: your passport links purchases to the refund system.
• Operated by Planet: validation and refunds are handled at departure points. 
• Available since 2018, continuously updated with smoother digital tools. 

Who Qualifies for a VAT Refund in Dubai?

In Dubai (and the rest of the UAE), the following tourists can reclaim the VAT they’ve paid on goods they’re taking home:

• Is at least 18 years old
• They are a non-resident visitor
• Buys goods worth a minimum of AED 250 (including VAT) in a single transaction from a store that is a part of the “Tax Refund for Tourists” scheme
• Holds a valid travel document (passport)
• Takes the goods with them when they leave the UAE (within 90 days of purchase)
• Presents the original tax invoices with the official “tax‑free” tags, plus their passport and credit card, at a Planet Tax Free counter or kiosk at the airport, seaport or land border

You cannot claim a refund on anything consumed (even partially) in the UAE, or on goods you don’t actually export when you depart.

When you validate your purchases on exit, you’ll recover 85 per cent of the VAT paid (the remaining 15 per cent is a processing fee, including AED 4.80 per tag). You can get your refund in cash/UAE dirhams or have it credited back to your card.

If you’re just visiting Dubai and stocking up on souvenirs, electronics or designer gear, it’s the tourist scheme you’ll use.

What Items Qualify for a VAT Refund in Dubai?

UAE government has defined the criteria of goods and services on which refunds can be claimed

Eligible Goods: 

Most tangible goods you buy and export unused qualify, such as:

• Clothing, footwear, accessories
• Electronics, mobiles, laptops
• Perfumes/cosmetics (unused)
• Jewellery, watches, souvenirs
• Luxury retail goods

Not Eligible / Excluded Gods and Services

You can’t refund VAT on:

• Services (hotel stays, tours, restaurants, transport, tickets).
• Goods consumed/used in the UAE (food, drinks, opened cosmetics). 
• Motor vehicles (cars, motorcycles, boats, aircraft). 
• Goods shipped separately (must leave with you in luggage). 

Tourist Refund Scheme in the UAE

The Tourist Refund Scheme is a government-backed system that allows international visitors to claim back the 5% Value Added Tax (VAT) they pay on eligible purchases made during their stay in the UAE. The FTA launched it in late 2018 to make shopping more attractive for tourists and align with global practices.

The system is 100% digital and is operated exclusively by Planet Tax Free, which manages the end-to-end process on behalf of the FTA. Most major retailers and shopping outlets across the UAE are part of the scheme.

How to Claim VAT Refund in the UAE for Tourists: VAT Refund Process in Dubai

Follow the steps to get your refund:

Step 1: Ask for “Tax Free” at the Store

When shopping:

• Spend AED 250+ per invoice.
• Tell the cashier you want tax-free shopping.
• Provide your passport.
• The retailer will create a digital tax-free invoice/tag linked to your passport (sometimes also attaching a paper tag). 

Tip: Keep receipts and goods unused and preferably in original packaging.

Step 2: Validate Purchases at Departure

Before leaving the UAE, validate your purchases at:

• Airports (DXB, DWC/Al Maktoum, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, etc.)
• Land borders
• Seaports 

At a Planet Tax Free counter or self-service kiosk, you’ll:

• Scan/show your passport
• Scan/show your boarding pass or travel ticket
• Present receipts/tax-free tags
• Show the goods if requested (random or high-value checks). 

Validation must happen within 90 days of purchase, and right before export. 

Step 3: Collect Your Refund

Once validated, choose your refund method:

• Cash (AED) at the airport refund counter
• Credit/debit card refund
• Digital wallets where supported (e.g., some kiosks). 

Cash limit: Refunds in cash are capped at AED 35,000 per tourist per 24 hours. Anything above that must go to a card/digital method. 

Card refunds typically arrive in about 7–10 business days depending on your bank.

What is the Eligibility for the Dubai VAT Refund?

To qualify for a VAT refund as a tourist in the UAE, you must meet the following conditions:

1. You should be a non-resident tourist. 
2. You are at least 18 years old.
3. The store from which you are making the purchase, must be registered under the "Tax Refund for Tourists" scheme operated by Planet Tax Free. Most major retail outlets are part of this network.
4. Minimum spend per purchase is AED 250 (including VAT).
5. You must request a tax-free tag at the time of purchase
6. You must export the goods within 90 days of the transaction date.
7. Goods must not be consumed or used in the UAE at departure.
8. Before leaving the country (by air, land, or sea), you need to present:

• The original receipts with tax-free tags
• Your passport
• The actual goods
• A credit card (even if you choose to get the refund in cash)

Once validated, you can choose to receive your refund in cash (in AED) or credited back to your card. Keep in mind that you’ll receive 85% of the VAT paid, as AED 4.80 per tag is deducted as a processing fee.

E-Commerce VAT Refund (Online Shopping)

The FTA has also introduced a system for tourists to claim VAT refunds on e-commerce purchases, if the platform is registered under the tourist scheme. In these cases, tourists apply through the registered e-commerce platform before goods are shipped and still follow validation rules when departing. 

Note: If you shop online while in the UAE, confirm the platform supports “VAT Refund for Tourists on E-commerce purchases.”

Conclusion

Even a little goes a long way. If you're visiting Dubai for a vacation or trip then the Tourist Refund Scheme can genuinely save you a decent amount, especially if you're shopping for big-ticket items like electronics, luxury goods, jewellery, souvenirs, etc. 5% refund might seem like a small sum on individual purchases, but it adds up quickly. 

With just a little planning and awareness, you can claim back a good chunk of that money before you leave the country.