Gawadar complements Jebal Ali, it will never compete with it. On the other hand till now it has been Karachi port that has been giving Gawadar a tough time.
On the VAT returns:
VAT refund for tourists
Tourists and visitors can claim refund on VAT paid on purchases they made during their stay in the UAE. Recovery of payment will be done through a fully integrated electronic system which connects retailers registered in the ‘Tax Refund for Tourists Scheme’ with all ports of entry and exit from the UAE. Read the details.
Applicable date for Tax Refund for Tourists Scheme
From 18 November 2018, eligible tourists in the UAE will be able to request refunds on the Value Added Tax (VAT) incurred on their purchases while there are in the UAE. Only tax invoices issued from 18 November 2018 will qualify eligible tourists to reclaim taxes on their purchases.
Planet is the exclusive operator of the
tax refund system for tourists which Federal Tax Authority executes in the UAE. Read more about
VAT refunds for tourists.
Conditions for tourists to claim their VAT refunds
For a tourist to claim VAT refund on purchases he made in the UAE, he must fulfill certain conditions:
- Goods must be purchased from a retailer who is participating in the 'Tax Refund for Tourists Scheme'
- Goods are not excluded from the Refund Scheme of the Federal Tax Authority
- He must have the explicit intention to leave the UAE in 90 days from the date of supply, along with the purchased supplies
- He must export the purchased goods out of the UAE within three months from the date of supply
- The process of purchase and export of goods must be carried out according to the requirements and procedures determined by Federal Tax Authority.
Read how you can
shop tax free in the UAE.
Where and how can tourists claim VAT refund for their shopping
Federal Tax Authority has allocated spaces where tourists can reclaim taxes through a fully electronic system managed in partnership with a
global operator. Tourists will receive their refunds through a special device placed at the departure port - airport, seaport, or border port - by submitting the tax invoices for their purchases from the outlets registered in the Scheme, along with copies of their passport and credit card.
Once these documents are submitted, tourists can either recover the VAT in cash in UAE dirhams, or have it transferred to their credit card. Until October 2018, 4,000 retail outlets across the UAE were connected electronically to the system.
These eligible outlets can be identified with posters displayed on their storefronts and visible to visitors.
Updated on 24 Jul 2019
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Self-service VAT refund system for tourists launched across UAE
June 11, 2019
Kiosks are now in place at airports and ports across the country as part of efforts to streamline the refund process
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Self-service kiosks have been set up at exit points across the country to help tourists reclaim VAT refunds more efficiently. Courtesy Federal Tax Authority
Tourists now have an easy way to claim back VAT before departing the UAE thanks to the launch of self-service kiosks across the country.
Planet, the company tasked with overseeing tax refunds on goods purchased while visiting the country by the Federal Tax Authority, is turning to technology to make the process simpler.
Rather than visit an office to complete refund procedures, people can do it themselves by taking advantage of the new fully-automated service, which has been rolled out at airports and ports.
Travellers still requiring the human touch can ask for the assistance of Planet employees, who will be stationed nearby ready to help.
The streamlined procedure identifies the taxes eligible for refunds, verifies that the purchases are with the tourist, and then facilitates tax recovery.
Khalid Ali Al Bustani, director general of the FTA, said money requested is transferred to the person's credit card after the transaction is verified.
“The self-service kiosks are a significant addition where tourists can recover VAT without needing to interact with employees,” said Mr Al Bustani.
“The kiosks were placed at all exit ports included in the Tax Refund Scheme for Tourists, where tourists can submit the tax invoices on their purchases, along with their passport and credit card, to recover VAT.
Read More
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Details of VAT refunds for tourists in UAE revealed
“No limit is placed on the maximum amount that can be recovered if said amount is transferred to the tourist’s credit card, however, in the event that the applicant requests a cash refund, then the maximum amount is set at AED10,000 per day.”
The kiosks can be accessed at 12 locations, including Dubai's two airports, Dubai International Airport and Al Maktoum International Airport, Abu Dhabi International Airport, airports in Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah and ports across the Emirates.
Tourists have been able to claim back 85 per cent their VAT on goods purchased in the UAE since November.
The remaining 15 per cent will be charged in administration fees to Planet, the global operator of the refund system.
The UAE introduced a VAT charge of five per cent in January of last year.
Updated: June 11, 2019 03:55 PM
