Shopping in the UAE as a tourist comes with a genuine perk most visitors don't claim: a refund on the 5% VAT you paid, through the official Tourist Refund Scheme. The rules changed more recently than most guides reflect, so here's what's actually current.
How much do you actually get back?
Tourists recover 87% of the VAT paid on eligible purchases — a 13% administrative fee is deducted, set by FTA Decision No. 9 of 2023. On top of that, a fixed fee of AED 3.60 is deducted per validated tax-free tag, reduced from AED 4.80 by FTA Decision No. 11 of 2026, effective 12 July 2026.
Older guides still quote 85% — that was the original 2018 launch rate before the 2023 fee reduction. If you're seeing 85% quoted anywhere in 2026, it's outdated.
Minimum spend and caps
| Rule | Current figure |
|---|---|
| Minimum eligible spend | AED 250 (VAT-inclusive), per transaction, same retailer |
| Cash refund cap | AED 35,000 per tourist per 24-hour period |
| Card refund cap | No cap |
| Export deadline | 90 days from purchase date |
You can't combine receipts from different stores to hit the AED 250 minimum — it has to be a single transaction with one retailer.
How to actually claim it
- Ask for a tax-free tag at the till when you pay — the retailer needs to be registered with the scheme
- Keep the original tax invoice with the tag attached
- Before departure, validate your tagged invoices and goods at a Planet desk or self-service kiosk (available at airports, seaports, and land borders)
- Choose a cash or card refund at validation
Validate before you check in your luggage — goods need to still be with you at that point, since already-checked-in items generally can't be validated.
Work out your refund
The exact figure isn't simply "5% back" — the 13% admin fee and the per-tag AED 3.60 charge both eat into it. The Tourist VAT Refund Calculator applies the current rates automatically — enter your total spend and number of tags to see the estimated refund.
Planning the rest of your UAE trip? See Things to Do in the UAE for tours and activities to pair with your shopping.