How Tourists Can Claim a VAT Refund in the UAE

Visitors often ask whether they can get back the VAT paid while shopping in the UAE. The tourist refund is a specific scheme for eligible goods bought from participating retailers, not a refund of every amount spent during a trip. The Federal Tax Authority (FTA) works with Planet to validate the purchases and process the refund when the traveller leaves the country.

How does a tourist claim a UAE VAT refund?

The first step happens in the shop. Buy eligible goods from a retailer registered with the Tourist Refund Scheme and ask the retailer to issue a tax-free transaction linked to the same passport or qualifying GCC national identity card used for travel. The shop may create a digital transaction or upload a paper tax invoice. Check that the transaction appears correctly in Planet’s shopper portal or app before leaving the store; an unsuccessful verification needs to be resolved with the retailer before departure.

At departure, validate the tax-free transactions through a Planet self-service kiosk or a staffed validation desk at a designated exit point. The original travel document is required; a photocopy is not accepted. The system may ask for the purchased goods to be inspected, so keep them accessible and complete validation before checking luggage containing those goods. A valid ticket or booking may also be requested.

After successful validation, choose an available refund method. The FTA lists card, cash and supported digital-wallet options. Cash collection takes place through participating exchange partners after immigration. A card refund is processed later, so keep the transaction confirmation and check the status through Planet if it does not arrive within the FTA’s stated processing period.

When should validation take place?

The FTA says a tax-free transaction must be export-validated within 90 days of the tax invoice date. After validation, the tourist must depart the UAE within six hours or the approval is cancelled and validation must be repeated. Some kiosks at malls or hotels permit validation with a boarding pass when the flight is within 24 hours, but goods may still need inspection at the exit point. Plan the airport visit with enough time for a possible check rather than assuming a kiosk scan is the final step.

What should a traveller bring?

• The original passport or qualifying GCC national identity card used for the tax-free transaction.
• The goods purchased, available for inspection before checked baggage is handed over.
• The tax-free transaction details and, where applicable, the paper tax invoice or digital link.
• A valid ticket, booking or boarding pass as required for the chosen validation location.

Why might a VAT refund fail?

Common problems include a shop that is not registered with the scheme, goods that are not eligible, a mismatch between the shopper and travel document, an invalid or unverified tax-free transaction, a missed 90-day validation window, or goods that cannot be presented when inspection is requested. Services such as hotel stays and restaurant meals are not the same as exportable retail goods. A traveller should confirm eligibility at purchase instead of relying on the general fact that VAT was charged.

How much is refunded?

The amount paid back is less than the VAT shown on eligible purchases. The FTA currently lists a deduction of 13% of the VAT amount requested plus AED 3.60 per tax-free transaction. The actual amount is calculated by the scheme at validation, and any card conversion is determined by the payment provider. Review the displayed amount before selecting the refund method.

Where to check the current process

Departure locations, operating arrangements and payment channels can change. The FTA’s Tourist VAT Refund service page is the primary source for current documents, time limits, fees and the Planet contact route. This article explains the steps; the FTA and Planet determine whether a particular purchase is eligible and whether a claim is approved.

For a separate explanation of eligible purchases and participating shops, read UAE tourist VAT refund eligibility.