Planet Tax Free-DUBAI
This story is an original write up from my website
Shopping in Dubai is a boon. From the largest shopping mall to the traditional markets along with the offers accompanying them throughout the year, shoppers are spoiled for choice. The grandeur of the city with shopping malls, amazing food, attractive destinations and the endless shopping options makes Dubai the preferred tourist destination. In addition to the above, the option to claim tax refunds for purchased goods is an icing on the cake for tourists. Let me get into the details!!!!
PLANET TAX FREE
A digital tax refund service for merchants and International shoppers authorized by Federal Tax Authority to operate the Tourist Refund Scheme on its behalf .
How it works:
- This tax refund is applicable only to non-residents of UAE. So if you are on a Tourist visa and have a shopping list, don’t forget to carry your Passport and visa while shopping.
- An eligible purchase with a minimum spend of 250 Dirhams is necessary.
- Check for the tag of tax free planet(as in pic) in the billing counter. You could also inquire about it, with the shop assistant. Most of the shops had these tags stuck to their storefronts.
- While billing, Tourist’s passport and visa information will be collected by the shop assistant, proceeded by the entry of transaction purchase price.
- The TAX FREE TAG is attached to the back of the original sales receipt, and is scanned to link it with the tourist’s passport.
Tadaaa!!! It’s that simple to get a tax free tag.
Claim VAT Refunds for shopped items
There are 2 ways to claim your VAT refund. One can either opt for validation counters in the airport, sea port, border port or use the self-service kiosks in the departure points.
- Visit the VAT Validation points before checking in your luggage.
- Present the original receipt with the tax free tag along with the purchased goods, copies of your passport and bank card.
- Once validation is done, you can claim refund either by cash, or redirecting it to your bank account.
- Thus VAT refunds is processed.
- The validation points are located before the baggage check-in. So plan accordingly to head an hour early to the airport to validate your shopped items.
- Validation can be done in almost 5 airports in UAE –Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Al Maktoum, Al Ain and Ras Al Khaimah airport.
The second method is to use Self-service kiosks
- They are placed at departure points and are fully automated.
- Scan your boarding pass along with passport at the self service kiosks.
- Follow the instruction on screen and if you get a green light,the validation is complete.
- If it’s red light, you might need to take all goods along with tags and receipts to the validation points in the airport before check-in.
- Choose your preferred refund method and refund is processed.
- Self service kiosks are also placed in DUBAI MALL & DFC mall for hassle free option to claim refunds.
- For assistance to use these innovative service, you could ask help from information desk.
- Retain the Tag receipts for validation before leaving UAE
Conditions apply
- Maximum cash refund amount is AED 7000 per tourist in 24 hours. No limit is placed on refund methods through credit/debit card.
- Tourist will receive 85% of the total amount paid minus a fee of AED 4.80 per tag.
- Tourist aged 18 and above, non resident of UAE are eligible for Tax refunds.
- Goods that are consumed partially or fully are not eligible.
- Goods not accompanied, by tourist while leaving UAE are ineligible.
- Tax free tags needs to be validated within 90 days of purchase date.If not done,the tag expires and refund cannot be claimed.
- Motor vehicles, boats and air crafts are not eligible for tax free shopping.
I never knew these details about tax free planet until a few days ago. When inquired, most of them had no clue about such tax refunds. That initiated me to write a post on this, gathering as much as details I could get. Planet tax free is available in many countries, so while planning your next tourist vacation, check out for the country list and their tax refunds from their website https://www.planetpayment.com/en/countries/
Hope this post helps many. Let me know if I had missed out any detail and share your experience with us.Thank you and Have a pleasant day
