Tourists can now get tax refunds at Dubai Mall's new self-service kiosks

Tourists can now claim back VAT on any shopping purchased in the UAE…

If you’re planning on visiting Dubai on holiday, or know someone that is, it’s good to be aware that visitors to Dubai are entitled to claim back any VAT on shopping that they’ve purchased in the Emirate. Now, it couldn’t be easier to do so.

Seven self-service VAT refund kiosks have been installed at The Dubai Mall – aka Dubai’s largest shopping mall and a bonafide tourist destination. This means that during their shopping trip, visitors to the Emirate can claim back any tax incurred on any Dubai purchases and get cash back there and then.

All tourists will need to do is present a valid boarding pass, original passport or GCC national ID which was used for tax-free shopping, the original receipts and tax-free tags issued by the merchant (which need to be within 90 days of purchase).

The kiosk will then guide you throughout the process, reimbursing cash back onto a variety of different methods including credit or debit card, WeChat or cash. Result. The Dubai Mall partnered with payments service provider, Planet, in the scheme, which is described as a ‘pre-validation VAT refund pilot service called ‘City Validation’ in the UAE.

VAT (Value Added Tax) was first introduced in Dubai on January 1, 2018 at a rate of 5 per cent. Since November 18, 2018, it was declared that tourists to the Emirate would be able to request refunds for any tax incurred on any purchases whilst visiting. Find out more here. 

The Dubai Mall is home to some incredible attractions, including an ice rink, vast aquarium, Emirates A380 simulator, VR Park and loads more. Of course, it is also where you will find the world-famous, record-breaking Dubai Fountains.

The Dubai Mall, Downtown Dubai, UAE, daily 10am to 12am. Tel: (800) 38224 6255. @thedubaimall

Images: Provided