Tourist VAT
Through this service, the FTA in cooperation with Planet (the service provider for the Tourist Tax Refund Scheme), refunds
the VAT to tourists upon departing the UAE.
Channels and working hours
Services fees details
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Planet’s tax-free manned validation desks at exit points:
-24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
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Self-service Kiosks:
-24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
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*If the manned desk is at exit points such as land borders and sea ports, the standard timings of the location, as determined by the relevant border authority would apply.
*If the Kiosk was in a location that is not open for 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, such as shopping malls, the standard timings of the location would apply.
AED 4.80 for each tax-free tag, Deduction of 15% from the VAT amount requested.
Estimated time to complete application by FTA
-Bank Card Refunds: 9 Days
-Cash Refunds: 3 Minutes.
Estimated time to submit application
-Manned desks: 5 Minutes
-Kiosks: 3 Minutes.
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Required documents and forms
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Original valid passport or GGC national ID card (based on the requirements to enter the UAE)–Copies are not accepted.
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Original tax invoices with the tax refund tag affixed to it. Your name on the receipt should match your name as per your travel document.
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Purchased goods (please present your purchased goods to Planet staff located at Planet's manned validation desks before you check in your luggage).
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Valid ticket or confirmed booking evidencing your departure from the UAE (in cases of departure through air or sea borders).
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Online boarding pass if using kiosks located at shopping malls or hotels (departure must be within 24 hours).
* If tax-free transaction is digital (through Planet's POS Issuing 2.0 solution adopted by select merchants), presentation of tax-free tags and original tax invoices is no longer applicable.
Procedures and steps
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Purchase of goods eligible for refund from retailers registered under the Tourist Tax Refund Scheme, there are three types of register retailers issuing different kind of tax invoices:
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A retailer issuing a Paper Tax Invoice and Tax-Free Tag, you need to keep Tax invoice and tax-free tag and present it if required.
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A retailer issuing Paper Tax Invoice with a Digital Tax-Free Tag (QR code), you need to keep Tax invoice and present it if required.
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A merchant adopting the Paperless Method by issuing digital Tax Invoice, you can track your tax-free transactions by using Planet Shopper Portal, after your purchasing is completed you will receive a link via SMS that direct you to the shopper portal.
2. At the time of departure from the UAE, you may initiate validation of your tax-free transactions by scanning your passport or GGC national ID card at the following locations:
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Planet's self-service kiosks located at exit point
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Planet's self-service kiosks located at leading shopping malls or hotels (to use self-service kiosks located at leading shopping malls and hotels, an online valid boarding pass where your flight is departing within 24 hours is required to initiate the validation process).
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Planet’s tax-free manned validation desks located at UAE's exit points (airports, land borders and sea ports if you are departing within 6 hours).
Your purchased goods may require inspection by Planet staff which can only be done at Planet's Validation desk located at UAE's exit points.
3. If inspection is required, please present the tax-free tag(s), original tax invoice(s) and purchased goods at Planet’s validation desks located at UAE's exit points when you are leaving the country.
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4. Upon successful validation of your transactions, select your preferred refund method (Credit Card or WeChat or Cash).
In case if you choose the cash refund, make sure to visit the cash partner (participating currency exchange offices in the (Tourist Refund Scheme) after the immigration desk.