What you need to know when buying gold in Dubai

Buying gold from Dubai is popular for a reason! The city is known for its beautiful gold jewelry and the Gold Souk, where tourists can purchase real gold on their travels.

But exactly how do you buy gold in Dubai? Let’s take a look at everything you need to know, including top tips and the best places to buy gold.

We’ll also look at Wise – your international transfer alternative. Send and receive your money across the world with just the touch of a button. Let’s dive in.

Table of contents
Pros of buying gold in Dubai What to know before buying gold from Dubai Spend like a local in Dubai with a Wise Account Best places to buy gold in Dubai How to buy gold in Dubai Buying gold in Dubai FAQs

Pros of buying gold in Dubai

In the early 1900s, Dubai merchants started trading in gold. However, it wasn’t until an oil boom in the 1970s that the trade really took off.

Dubai has one of the world’s largest dedicated gold markets – known as the Gold Souk. Tourists and locals alike head to the market to purchase affordable and authentic gold jewelry or gold bars in Dubai.¹

Let’s take a look at some advantages of buying gold in Dubai, whether you’re off on holiday or buying gold online.

Good-quality gold

Dubai gold is known for its superior quality and purity, which is a big draw for US tourists heading overseas.

The gold market in Dubai is also very well-regulated. This should mean the purchasing process is safe and secure – and any gold you buy should be authentic.² However, you’ll still need to do your due diligence.

Affordable prices

In Dubai, you’ll only pay Value-Added Tax (VAT) for your purchase – you won’t typically pay any additional taxes or duties. It’s these costs that can often hike up the price of gold in other countries.¹

The gold rate in Dubai is also very competitive. This allows for affordable gold purchases – and many merchants are open to haggling.²

Lots of choice

Dubai’s gold markets offer a range of different gold products for sale, including necklaces, gold bars, bangles, gold bullion, and coins.

You can purchase different designs and styles, with an unrivalled variety of gold available to buy.

What to know before buying gold from Dubai

There are a few things to think about before buying gold in Dubai. Let’s take a look.

Plan your purchase

You’ll need to carefully plan your purchase. Consider your budget and think about what type of gold you want to buy.

You’ll also need to think about the ideal karatage for your gold. This identifies the percentage of pure gold, as most gold is combined with other metals. The higher the number, the purer the gold.

Look out for 24 karat if you want the highest purity of gold. 18 karat gold contains 75% gold and 25% other metals, such as nickel or iron.³

Check the daily market rate

Before you buy gold, make sure to check the market rate, as this should give you a rough idea of how much your gold will cost.

You can view the daily gold market rate via the Dubai Jewellery Group® (DJG) website. The DJG is the premier trade association for the Dubai jewelry industry.

Some merchants may also display this rate to help you make an informed purchase. This typically means they’re trusted by the DJG.³

Explore your options

You’ll need to explore all your options before making a purchase. There are lots of gold merchants, destinations, and products to choose from in Dubai.

Although the Gold Souk is full of affordable and beautiful gold products for sale, you may find better deals elsewhere. A little research can go a long way!

Spend like a local in Dubai with a Wise Account

Withdrawing your travel money with a card once you arrive in Dubai will usually get you a more favorable exchange rate compared to changing cash in the US. Choose a Wise account and multi-currency card, and you could get an even better deal on spending and withdrawals in Dubai.

Wise Accounts can hold 40+ currencies and always offer the mid-market exchange rate for spending and withdrawals.

That means you can top up your Wise Account in dollars, and switch to AED as and when you need to — or have the Wise Multi-Currency Card auto convert to the currency you need with the lowest available fee for convenience.

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Please see Terms of Use for your region or visit Wise Fees & Pricing for the most up-to-date pricing and fee information

Best places to buy gold in Dubai

Let’s take a look at some of the best places and venues to buy gold from Dubai.

Gold Souk

The Gold Souk is the main place to buy gold in Dubai. It’s the world’s largest gold market – and visiting the Gold Souk is an experience in itself.

Located in the Deira district, you can take the Metro to Al Ras Station or drive. However, parking options are limited.³

Dubai’s Gold Souk has around 400 retailers, all selling premium products like gold, diamonds, pearls, and platinum.⁴

Gold & Diamond Park

Gold & Diamond Park® is a popular destination to buy gold in Dubai, with over 90 retailers in one place. It’s situated next to the Mall of Emirates® – and you can access free parking for your visit.

As well as a range of retailers, Gold & Diamond Park also houses local manufacturers, so you can watch Dubai craftsmen design and create their products on-site.⁵

Dubai International Airport

You can even buy gold from Dubai Airport. Merchants on Terminal 1 and 3 sell duty-free gold products aimed at tourists coming in and out of the city.

Many of these shops are open 24/7 – and you can purchase a range of products, such as gold jewelry, gold bars, and gold coins.⁶

How to buy gold in Dubai

Buying gold in Dubai should be a fun and safe process, but there are a few things to keep in mind.

Get the best deal

Once you choose your gold, the merchant will weigh it. Gold is priced by its weight in grams – and you’re allowed to haggle the making price to get a better deal for yourself.

Local gold may be cheaper than gold that has been imported into Dubai. You’ll also need to consider the karatage of the gold and whether your merchant is willing to haggle.³

Authentication and certification

Get authentication for your purchase. Your retailer is required to give you a digital certificate to prove that your gold is authentic.

This certificate will include the karatage and weight of your gold.³ It’s also important to keep any receipts for your purchase.

🚨 Be wary of scams, especially if you’re buying gold online in Dubai. Make sure to do your research to ensure your gold is real and look out for quality and purity markers, such as 24 or 18 karat.

You can also use your gold’s Hallmark Unique Identification (HUID) code to track the purity, weight, and source of your purchase.³

Storing your gold

Once you’ve bought your gold, you can safely store it in one of Dubai’s vaults or professional storage facilities.

Many banks offer secure deposit boxes for storing gold jewelry, gold bullion, and other expensive precious metals.

Look out for reputable and secure storage providers. These facilities are available across the city and they can ensure your gold stays safe until you’re ready to transport it back to the US.⁷

Transporting your gold

Buying gold in Dubai should be a simple process for US tourists. However, some countries like India impose hefty taxes on gold brought into the country.²

You’ll need to pack your gold in your hand luggage and check any restrictions via your country’s Customs website.

Here are some key details about bringing gold into the US:
You won’t pay duty on coins, currency, or bullion You’ll need to fill out a FinCEN form if you travel with more than 10,000 USD There isn’t a limit on how much gold you can take back to the US⁸

Buying gold in Dubai FAQs

Let’s take a look at some frequently-asked questions about buying gold from Dubai – everything you need to know.

Is gold cheaper in Dubai?

Dubai is one of the most affordable places to buy authentic gold. Your purchase shouldn’t include taxes or duties except VAT, which can bring the price down.

You can often pay for your gold by cash, credit or debit card, and even cryptocurrency.

If you don’t want to open a bank account in Dubai, however, you may pay to exchange your US dollars for Emirati dirham. Many US banks add a markup for foreign currency payments abroad.

Buying gold from Dubai is usually cheaper than other countries, but make sure to look into these added costs.

Is it legal to buy gold from Dubai?

Yes, it’s legal and typically very safe to buy gold in Dubai, but you’ll need to get an authentication certificate for your purchase. You can use this to prove its purity.

You can also bring gold back into the US. However, make sure to follow any rules set out by US Customs.

Is there a limit to how much gold you can buy in Dubai?

There isn’t a limit on how much gold you can buy from Dubai, but you’ll need to look into your country’s import limits.

In the US, you may be able to take an unlimited amount of gold back into the country.⁸

How can you calculate the price of Dubai gold?

You can view the daily market rate for gold via the DJG website. The DJG is a reputable gold trade association – and its member merchants will likely display the daily rate via a screen in their shops.

Dubai gold follows the international gold rate, so this is a good place to start. Many sellers will also let you haggle for a better price.

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Dubai gold is renowned for its excellent quality. You can purchase gold jewelry and bars from the Gold Souk, Gold & Diamond Park, and even Dubai International Airport.

Make sure to always get authentication for your purchase and look into the purity of your gold. There’s lots of choice, so don’t be afraid to shop around!

To send low-fee money transfers to Dubai and further afield, open a Wise account today.

Sources

1. Viator - Everything you need to know about buying gold in Dubai
2. Paytm - Buy gold in Dubai
3. Time Out - Buy gold in Dubai
4. Exploring Emirates - Dubai Gold Souk
5. EMAAR Malls- Gold and Diamond Park
6. North Tours - How to buy gold in Dubai airport
7. Buy Gold - Can I store my gold bullion in Dubai?
8. Gold and Silver Central - Can tourists buy gold in Dubai?

Sources checked 3/19/2025