Buying Gold in Dubai: A Practical Checklist
Dubai is one of the world's best-known places to buy gold, thanks to its huge choice of designs and fierce competition between shops. Getting good value still takes a little preparation. Here is a practical checklist.
1. Know the price before you go
Open the gold price today in Dubai page and note the gram price for the karat you want. Reputable shops follow the global price; the real difference is in the making charge.
2. Pick the right karat
22K and 21K suit everyday jewellery, 18K suits gem-set pieces and 24K is for bars. Our karat guide explains the differences.
3. Choose where to buy
The Deira Gold Souk is the classic destination, with hundreds of shops side by side that make comparison easy. Malls host well-known brands, and the Gold & Diamond Park has jewellery shops and workshops.
4. Separate gold value from making charge
Ask the seller to quote the gram price and the making charge separately. Making charges are often negotiable, especially on heavier purchases.
5. Check the hallmark and the weight
Make sure the piece carries a karat hallmark (875 for 21K, 916 for 22K) and ask to see it weighed on the shop's scale.
6. Understand VAT
Gold jewellery in the UAE carries 5% VAT, while investment bars and coins of 99% purity or more are zero-rated. If you are a tourist, ask whether the shop takes part in the tourist VAT refund scheme.
7. Get an itemised invoice
The invoice should list weight, karat, price per gram, making charge, VAT and the shop's name. You will need it to sell, exchange or travel with the piece.
8. Ask about buy-back
Some shops offer better buy-back terms for their own pieces. Know the policy before you pay.
9. Be careful with "no making charge" offers
They can be genuine, but compare the final price per gram with the live price — sometimes the making charge is hidden in a higher gram price.
10. Travelling home
Check your home country's customs rules on how much gold you can bring in without declaring it, and keep the invoice with you.
