UAE VAT refund guide for tourists: How to shop tax-free
UAE tourists: Get 87% VAT back and track refunds digitally – no receipts needed
Dubai: Tourists visiting the UAE can claim a refund on the Value Added Tax (VAT) paid on eligible purchases during their stay. The UAE introduced VAT at a rate of 5 per cent in January 2018 and later that year launched a fully digital tax-free shopping service for tourists.
The system is operated by Planet, which has been authorised by the Federal Tax Authority (FTA) to manage the ‘Tax Refund for Tourists Scheme’. It links participating retailers with all ports of entry and exit in the country, making the process seamless and fully electronic.
How to shop tax-free in the UAE
When shopping, tourists must ensure their purchase totals at least AED 250. At the store:
Present a valid travel document, such as a passport or GCC national ID.
The shop assistant will enter your details into Planet’s system.
A tax-free tag will be added to the back of your receipt, and a digital form is created.
This transaction must be validated at the airport or exit point within 90 days of the purchase.
Eligibility for VAT refund
Not all purchases qualify for a refund. You are eligible if:
You are an overseas tourist aged 18 or above.
You are not a resident of an Implementing State.
You are not a flight or ship crew member departing from the UAE.
Note: Always confirm with the store whether they are registered with Planet for the VAT refund scheme. If they are not part of the system, you won’t be able to claim a refund for your purchases from that retailer.
How much VAT Is refunded?
You will receive 87 per cent of the VAT paid on eligible items, after a deduction of Dh4.80 per transaction.
Validating your purchases before departure
Before checking in your luggage, visit a validation point at your airport, seaport or border UAE:
Use a self-service kiosk or manned counter to scan your passport or enter your ID details.
If using a kiosk, follow the on-screen instructions. A green light means validation is successful; a red light requires assistance from Planet staff.
Once validated, select your refund method: cash in UAE dirhams, refund to your credit/debit card, or via WeChat.
Also, there are my Planet VAT refund kiosks that self-service and are conveniently located in almost every major shopping mall in the UAE.
Documents required to claim the refund
To complete the refund process, you must provide:
The original tax invoices from registered stores
A copy of your passport
A copy of your credit card
Paperless option for tax-free shopping
You do not always need to carry receipts with you, Tourists can track their tax-free transactions through the Planet Shopper Portal. It allows users to:
View all transactions and refunds in one place
Check refund status and next steps
Securely enter card details for validated claims
In stores participating in the paperless programme, simply show your passport and request a tax-free purchase. Your details and mobile number will be entered into the digital system, and a tax invoice will be sent to you via SMS. You can also use the link in the message to track your purchases.
If the retailer is not part of the paperless system, you will receive a physical invoice with a tax-free tag. Both the receipt and tag must be presented at the validation point before departure.
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