Can tourists claim VAT in the UAE?

Yes. Eligible tourist purchases tagged at participating retailers can be refunded at airport, port or land border exit points via the federal Planet tax refund system.

Middle East

United Arab Emirates

Although the UAE is not a manufacturing country, Dubai has become one of the world's most important luxury watch retail and trading hubs, hosting major flagship boutiques in The Dubai Mall and Mall of the Emirates and the annual Dubai Watch Week.

Capital

Abu Dhabi

Currency

UAE dirham (AED)

VAT / Tax

The UAE introduced a federal VAT of 5% on 1 January 2018. Tourists can recover VAT on eligible purchases through the federal Tax Refund for Tourists scheme operated by Planet at airport exit points.

Traveler Note

Dubai Watch Week, organised by Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons, is the region's flagship horological event and features brand exhibitions, panel discussions and an auction with Christie's.

Watch Cities in United Arab Emirates

Dubai
Dubai is the watch capital of the Middle East. The Dubai Mall hosts the largest concentration of luxury watch flagships in the region, and Dubai Watch Week - organised by Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons - has become one of the principal industry events in the global calendar.