Gold can be cheaper in Dubai, but not automatically. Gold prices everywhere start from the same international gold price. What changes is the local rate, the making charge, the tax, and any customs duty when you take the gold home. Compare those, line by line, for the same karat and weight.
Compare the same three lines
| Line | In Dubai | At home |
|---|---|---|
| Gold value | Weight × the day's rate for the karat. Check the live value on our gold rate page | Weight × your local rate for the same karat, on the same day |
| Making charge | Quoted per gram or for the piece, as a separate figure | Ask for it the same way, as a separate figure |
| Tax | 5% UAE VAT; visitors can claim it back through the tourist refund scheme | Your country's sales tax on gold |
| Bringing it home | Your country's customs allowance and any duty above it. For India, see 24K gold jewellery to take to India | |
Purity is the same everywhere
A karat means the same share of gold in every country: 24K is 99.9%, 22K is 91.6% (stamp 916), 21K is 87.5% (stamp 875) and 18K is 75% (stamp 750). "Dubai gold" is not a different metal. Compare like with like: 22K with 22K, by weight.
Where Dubai can help
- Transparent quotes: ask for the weight, the rate, the making charge and VAT separately, and compare.
- The VAT refund for visitors: through Planet, on purchases of AED 250 or more, validated when you leave within 90 days.
- Choice of karat: 18K, 21K, 22K and 24K under one roof, with gold bars and coins.
What we will not promise
We do not quote a saving, because it depends on the day, the piece and your country's rules. We are jewellers, not customs advisers: check your own allowance before you travel and declare anything above it.
Get a quote to compare
Send us the karat, the type of piece and the weight you have in mind. We reply with the weight, today's rate, the making charge and VAT on separate lines, so you can set it against a quote at home.