Owais Crawford
Abu Dhabi Airport offers a tax refund for tourists, allowing visitors to claim back 87% of the VAT paid on purchases. To be eligible, tourists must be travelling outside of the UAE and have spent a minimum of 250 AED. The refund can be claimed at the airport, either at a VAT refund counter or via a vending machine, and the process can also be completed via the Tourist Refund app. The refund can be paid in cash or to a credit or debit card, and the maximum refund amount for cash payments is 10,000 AED per tourist.
Is Abu Dhabi Airport Tax-Free?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| VAT refunds | Available for travellers exiting Abu Dhabi |
| VAT refund amount | 87% of the total tax paid |
| Tax-Free Tag fee | AED 4.80 |
| Minimum purchase amount | AED 250 |
| Where to get the refund? | Tax Refund counters in Terminal 1 and Terminal 3 |
| Documents required | Passport, boarding pass, receipts, Tax-Free Tag, credit card |
| Time limit | 90 days from the date of purchase |
| Other options | Tourist Refund app, WeChat app (for Chinese tourists) |
| Duty-free shopping | Available for international travellers with outbound plane tickets |
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What You'll Learn
VAT refunds at Abu Dhabi Airport
To request a tax-free purchase, you must present a valid passport so that the retailer can capture your information using the Planet system. The shop assistant will then place a 'Tax-Free' tag on the back of your sales receipt, and a digital tax-free form will be created. This tag must be validated within 90 days from the date of purchase, or else it will expire, and you will not be able to claim your VAT refund.
When departing the country via Abu Dhabi Airport, you must bring your tagged receipts (e-receipts are accepted) and the purchased goods to the VAT refund counter at Zayed International Airport, Terminal A, next to the Etihad Airways Customer Service Counter. After successful validation, you will be asked to choose your refund method, which can be cash or a credit card. It is important to note that there is a maximum refund amount of AED 35,000 per tourist for cash payments.
Alternatively, you can claim your VAT refund through the Tourist Refund app, available for both Android and Apple phones. When making a purchase from a UAE store, the invoice can be scanned and recorded in the app, and then shown at the airport validation point for the claim. Chinese tourists can also use the WeChat app for VAT refunds, opting for the WeChat Pay refund method after validation.
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Tax-free shopping procedure
Abu Dhabi Airport has a system of tax-free shopping, allowing tourists to claim refunds on the VAT paid on their purchases. Here is a step-by-step guide to the tax-free shopping procedure:
Step 1: Identify Participating Retailers
Before making a purchase, ensure that the store is part of the "Tax Refund for Tourists" scheme. Look for signs or stickers at the entrance or checkout indicating "Tax-Free Shopping" or "Planet Payment." Most popular stores and boutiques at the airport are registered with the scheme.
Step 2: Request a Tax-Free Purchase
When making a purchase, request a tax-free transaction from the retailer. Present a valid passport, which the retailer will scan to capture your information into the Planet system. There may be a minimum expenditure requirement of AED 250 for tax-free purchases.
Step 3: Obtain the Tax-Free Tag
The retailer will place a "Tax-Free" tag on the sales receipt. A digital tax-free form will be created, which you should also keep. Ensure you receive the original receipt with the tax-free tag attached.
Step 4: Keep Records
Keep all evidence of your purchases, including receipts and tax-free tags. You may need to present these at customs when leaving the country. It is advisable to keep them together with your passport.
Step 5: Validate Your Purchases
Within 90 days of the purchase date, you must validate your tax-free purchases at the airport. Present your passport, boarding pass, tax-free tags, and receipts at the designated validation points. You may also need to produce the purchased items for inspection.
Step 6: Choose Your Refund Method
After successful validation, you can choose to receive your refund in cash or have it credited to your credit card. If you opt for cash, there may be certain restrictions on the amount you can receive.
It is important to note that you should complete the tax-free validation process before checking in your luggage, as staff may need to verify the items. Additionally, ensure you allow sufficient time for the processing before your flight.
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Tourist Refund app
In 2018, the UAE introduced a 5% VAT tax, which led to the launch of the Tax Refund for Tourists Scheme system at the country's airports. This allows tourists to claim VAT refunds on items purchased in the emirate before their departure.
The Tourist Refund app was launched by the Federal Tax Authority (FTA) to streamline the process and reduce the time tourists spend in queues. The app is available for both Android and Apple phones and can be downloaded when visiting the UAE.
Here's how the Tourist Refund app works:
When a tourist makes a purchase at a UAE store, the store staff will scan the invoice and record it in the app. This includes the cost of the purchase and other relevant details. At the airport, the tourist can then head to a Planet validation point and show the invoices via the app to claim their refund. It's important to note that the merchant must be registered with the Planet Tax-free system for a refund to be claimed.
Additionally, there are some requirements and conditions to be aware of:
- The minimum purchase amount is 250 AED UAE.
- The purchase must be made from a seller registered in the Tax Refund for Tourists Scheme system.
- The goods must be exported from the UAE undamaged and with their original packaging and labels.
- Customs verification approval must be obtained within 90 days from the day of purchase, and the goods must be exported within this period as well.
- The maximum refund amount for cash payments is 10,000 AED per tourist. Any additional amount will be paid to a credit or debit card.
By following these steps and meeting the requirements, tourists can conveniently claim their VAT refunds at Abu Dhabi Airport using the Tourist Refund app.
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Duty-free shopping
Duty-free products include fashion and accessories, beauty and fragrances, watches and jewellery, wines and spirits, food and gifts, tobacco, and health and wellness items from luxury brands. The amount you can purchase depends on your next destination, as purchases that exceed your duty-free allowance may be taxed upon arrival.
To claim a VAT refund at Abu Dhabi Airport, present your tagged receipts (or e-receipts) and purchased goods at a Planet validation point. You can also use the Tourist Refund app to scan your invoices and show them via the app for the claim. After validation, choose your refund method, which can be cash or credit card. Please note that certain taxable goods, such as partially consumed items, are not eligible for a refund.
VAT refunds can be claimed within 90 days of the purchase date, and the refund amount is 87% of the total tax paid. A fee of AED 4.80 per Tax-Free tag validated will be charged. To receive the refund, you may need to present your passport, ticket, checks, receipts, and credit card.
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Tax-free tags
In 2018, the UAE introduced a 5% VAT tax, which led to the launch of the Tax Refund for Tourists Scheme system at the country's airports, including Abu Dhabi International Airport.
The Tax-Free Tag is a crucial component of the refund process. Here is a step-by-step guide to understanding and utilising Tax-Free Tags:
Obtaining a Tax-Free Tag
To obtain a Tax-Free Tag, you must first make a purchase from a retailer that is part of the "Tax Refund for Tourists Scheme". Look for a bright sticker at the entrance and checkout that says "Tax-Free Shopping" or "Planet Payment". Ask the seller to arrange a tax refund, and provide them with your passport for scanning to enter your details into the payment database. The retailer will then place a Tax-Free Tag on the back of your sales receipt. This tag has a QR code that allows you to track the refund process.
Validating the Tax-Free Tag
Within 90 days of purchasing the items, you must validate the Tax-Free Tag at a Planet validation point at the airport. Present your passport, tagged receipt, and purchased goods for validation. You may also need to produce the items for further inspection.
Choosing a Refund Method
After successful validation, you can choose your preferred refund method. Refunds can be issued in cash or via credit card, depending on the mode of payment for the original purchase. There is a maximum refund amount for cash payments, which is AED 35,000 per tourist at Zayed Airport and AED 10,000 per tourist at Abu Dhabi International Airport.
Alternative Methods
There are alternative methods to obtain your tax refund. You can use the Tourist Refund app, which is available for Android and Apple phones, to scan and record your invoices. At the airport validation point, you can then show the invoices via the app to claim your refund. Chinese tourists can also use the WeChat app for refunds. Additionally, vending machines with the inscription "Planet Payment" are available at the departure areas of major airports, providing an option for quick refunds on the spot.
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Frequently asked questions
Abu Dhabi Airport has a VAT refund system in place for tourists. This means that while taxes are paid upfront, they can be refunded at the airport.
To get a VAT refund at Abu Dhabi Airport, you need to have your tagged receipts (e-receipts are accepted) and the purchased goods with you. You can then go to a tax refund counter to validate your documents and choose your refund method. You can get your refund in cash or via credit card.
Tourists get back 87% of the total tax paid. A fee of AED 4.80 per Tax-Free tag validated will be charged.
Duty-free shopping allows international travellers to purchase goods in a foreign country for personal use without paying local duties and taxes. However, purchases may still be subject to duties and taxes at your final destination if they exceed your duty-free allowance.
