Estimate your VAT refund amount quickly and easily, with an 85% refund rate after AED 4.80 fee deduction per tax-free tag.
Note: Tourists will receive 85% of the total VAT amount paid, after a deduction of AED 4.80 per tax-free tag for processing fees.
Tax-free shopping for tourists in the UAE allows eligible visitors to claim a refund on the VAT paid on their purchases, provided the goods are exported and the necessary documentation is validated. Introduced in January 2018, the UAE's 5% VAT applies to most goods and services. However, tourists can claim back a portion of this VAT when they leave the country, creating a more affordable shopping experience.
Tourists can enjoy tax-free shopping when they make purchases from stores registered under the UAE's tax refund system. To be eligible, tourists must meet specific criteria, including being at least 18 years old and purchasing a minimum of AED 250 worth of goods from participating retailers. After making their purchases, tourists must validate their goods at the airport before departure.
Only non-resident tourists who are 18 years or older and make purchases from registered retailers can claim VAT refunds. To qualify for a refund, the items must be exported (taken out of the UAE) and not consumed within the UAE. Refunds must be claimed within one year from the date of export validation at the departure port.
Once your goods are validated at the airport, you can collect your VAT refund in one of two ways:
The UAE offers a generous refund of 85% of the VAT paid, after deducting a processing fee of AED 4.80 for each tax-free tag issued. This means that you will get back most of the VAT paid on eligible purchases, making it a great incentive for tourists to shop in the UAE.
Certain goods and services are excluded from VAT refunds. These include:
Tourists have up to one year from the date of export validation to claim their VAT refund. It is important to ensure that all documentation, including tax invoices and tags, is kept safe and submitted at the departure port within the time frame.
VAT refunds can be collected at the departure points for tourists leaving the UAE. This includes major international airports, seaports, and land border crossings. Planet, the official operator of the VAT refund system, has dedicated counters and machines at these locations to process the refund.
A: Tax-free shopping allows eligible tourists to claim a refund on the 5% VAT paid on their purchases. The items must be exported, meaning they are taken out of the UAE, and the tax refund process must be completed before departure. The UAE offers this scheme to make shopping more attractive for tourists and support economic diversification.
A: To claim a VAT refund, you must make purchases from retailers registered under the UAE's tax-free shopping scheme. After purchasing, ask for a tax-free tag and keep your receipts. At the airport, validate your purchases and submit the necessary documents at the VAT refund counter before departure. The refund can be processed either in cash or credited to your credit card.
A: Only non-resident tourists who are 18 years or older and who make purchases from registered retailers are eligible for VAT refunds. The goods must be exported (taken out of the UAE) and not consumed in the country. VAT refunds must be claimed within one year of the purchase date.
A: Tourists can claim 85% of the VAT paid on their purchases. This is after a small processing fee of AED 4.80 per tax-free tag. This generous refund is a great way for tourists to save on their shopping expenses while visiting the UAE.
A: No, VAT refunds are not available for goods that have been consumed in the UAE. Also, certain items, such as services or products purchased for resale, may not qualify. Only tangible goods that are exported from the UAE are eligible for the refund. Items like **food** consumed during the stay or **services** like hotel stays do not qualify.
A: To validate your purchases, present your tax-free tags and invoices at the designated VAT refund counters at the airport, seaport, or border when leaving the UAE. You must validate your goods and complete the process within 90 days of your purchase.
A: You must claim your VAT refund within one year from the date of export validation. Make sure to keep all receipts and tax-free tags safe, as these are required to process your refund at the departure port.
A: VAT refunds can be collected at major international airports, seaports, and land border crossings across the UAE. Look for designated refund counters and kiosks operated by Planet, the official VAT refund provider for tourists.
A: To claim your VAT refund, you need to present the following:
A: Currently, the VAT refund system is only applicable to in-store purchases at participating retailers in the UAE. Online shopping does not qualify for tax refunds as the goods must be physically exported from the UAE.
