If you shopped in Dubai as a tourist, you can claim back most of the 5% VAT you paid before you leave — but only if your purchases were tagged at the shop and validated at the airport. The scheme is run by Planet Tax Free for the Federal Tax Authority, and validation at Dubai International (DXB) or Al Maktoum (DWC) takes just a few minutes if you arrive prepared.
Quick facts
- Who qualifies: Visitors aged 18+ who are not UAE residents and are leaving the UAE
- Minimum spend: AED 250 per tax-free tag from the same retailer on the same day
- Refund: You get back 85% of the VAT paid, minus a small fee per tag — typically around AED 4.80 per tag
- Where: Planet validation points at DXB Terminals 1, 2 and 3, DWC, and land/sea exits
- Time needed: 10-20 minutes at the airport, plus shop time — arrive at DXB at least 3 hours before your flight
- Validity: Tags must be validated within 90 days of purchase
How to claim, step by step
- Shop at a participating store. Look for the Tax Free Shopping sign. Most malls, Gold Souk shops, electronics stores and department stores in Dubai participate. Tell staff before you pay that you want tax free.
- Show your passport at the till. Staff will scan your passport and create a digital tax-free tag linked to your purchases. You will get a tag sticker placed on the back of your receipt or an e-tag by SMS/email. Keep every receipt safe.
- Keep goods unused and accessible. Do not pack tagged items deep in checked luggage until after validation. Customs may ask to see high-value items like watches, phones and jewellery.
- Go to the Planet desk before check-in at DXB. Follow signs for VAT Refund / Tax Free in departures. Do this before you drop your bags, especially if the goods are in your suitcase.
- Validate your tags. Present your passport, boarding pass, receipts/tags and the goods if asked. The officer scans everything and approves the tags in the system.
- Choose how you are paid. Pick cash (in AED, up to a limit — typically around AED 35,000), card refund, or in some cases a digital wallet. Card refunds take a few working days. Cash is instant but check the limit at the desk.
- Then check in and fly. Once validated you are free to pack the items and proceed. Keep the stamped paperwork until the money lands.
What you need to bring
You need your original passport used for shopping, your flight ticket or boarding pass, all tax-free receipts/tags, and the purchased goods in case of inspection. A photo of a passport is not enough at the till — shops must scan the machine-readable zone — and the passport you shop with must be the one you travel on. If you entered Dubai on an Emirates ID because you are a GCC visitor, ask the shop what document they can tag; residents with a UAE residence visa do not qualify at all.
Not everything qualifies. Services, hotel stays, dining, motor vehicles bought for use in the UAE, and goods you have fully consumed before departure are excluded. Perfume you have opened and used, for example, may be refused, while a sealed bottle is fine.
Costs and how much you actually get back
VAT in the UAE is 5%. On an AED 1,000 purchase, AED 47.62 of the price is VAT (the shelf price already includes it). You do not get all of it back: Planet retains 15% of the VAT as its fee and deducts a per-tag fee, typically around AED 4.80. So on that AED 1,000 item you would receive roughly AED 35-36 back. It adds up on big purchases — gold, electronics and designer goods are where the scheme is most worthwhile. There is no fee to create a tag in the shop; the deduction happens only from your refund.
Common mistakes that lose you money
The biggest mistake is heading to the desk after checking in your bags with the tagged goods inside them — staff cannot validate what they cannot see, and you may have to pay to retrieve luggage. Second, throwing away receipts or peeling off tag stickers. Third, assuming every shop participates: a small independent store may not, so always ask first. Fourth, leaving it too late: during peak holiday periods the Planet queues at Terminal 3 can be long, so build in extra time. Finally, residents sometimes try to claim on a visiting relative’s passport — do not. The shopper, passport holder and traveller must be the same person, and misuse can lead to refusal and penalties.
A useful tip if you are travelling with family: one person can carry tags for their own purchases only. If your spouse bought the watch, your spouse must validate it with their own passport and boarding pass.
FAQ
Can UAE residents claim a VAT refund if they are leaving for good?
No. While you hold UAE residence you are not eligible. Once your residence visa is formally cancelled and you are travelling as a visitor, purchases made after that point under your passport may qualify — check with Planet at the airport for your exact situation.
What if I am leaving by road or from Abu Dhabi or Sharjah?
The same scheme works at other UAE exits, including Abu Dhabi International Airport, Sharjah Airport and major land borders, as long as you validate before you exit the UAE. You cannot claim after you have left.
How long does a card refund take?
Typically a few working days after validation — usually within 9-10 days at most. Keep your validation receipt and the card you paid with; if the refund has not arrived after two weeks, contact Planet Tax Free with your tag numbers.
