Through this service, the FTA in cooperation with Planet the service provider for the Tourist Tax Refund Scheme, validates and processes VAT refund claims of tourists at the time of their departure from the UAE.

• Planet’s tax-free manned validation desks at designated exit points:
24 hours a day, 7 days a week*
• Self-service Kiosks:
24 hours a day, 7 days a week**

* If the manned validation desk is at certain exit points such as few land borders, seaports, and airports, the standard timings of the locations, as determined by the relevant border authority would apply.

**If the Kiosk is at 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.

Deduction of 13% from the VAT amount requested along with an AED 3.60 for each tax-free transaction.

• Manned validation desks: Average service time is 5 Minutes
• Self-service Kiosks: Average service time is 3 Minutes 

• Bank Card Refunds: within 9 Calendar Days
• Cash Refunds: Average service time is 3 Minutes
• We Chat / Ali Pay: Instant

• Original valid passport or GGC national ID card (based on the travel document used to enter the UAE) – Copies are not accepted.
• Purchased goods (please present your purchased goods to Planet staff located at Planet's manned validation desks before you check in your luggage).
• Valid ticket or confirmed booking evidencing your departure from the UAE (in cases of departure through airports or sea border).
• Online boarding pass if using kiosks located at shopping malls or hotels (departure must be within 24 hours).

 

1. Purchase tax-refund-eligible goods from retail stores registered in the Tourist VAT Refund Scheme, or from websites registered for e-commerce shopping transactions. There are two types of tax-free transactions issued by registered retailers issuing different kind of tax invoices, as per the following:
• A retailer issuing a tax-free transaction for a Paper Tax invoice by uploading a clear image(s) of the tax invoice onto Planet’s system for verification, you can track the status of your tax-free transactions by using Planet’s Mobile App or Shopper Portal. If the verification check fails, you must reach out to the store you shopped at to rectify the issue, before you exit the country, else you will not be able to claim a VAT refund on your purchase.
• A retailor adopting the Paperless Method by issuing digital Tax Invoice, you can track your tax-free transactions by using Planet’s Mobile app or Shopper Portal. Once a digital tax-free transaction is issued to you successfully you will receive a link via SMS that direct you to the Planet shopper portal. Alternatively, you can download the Planet Tax Free ME Mobile App to track your transactions.

2. At the time of departure from the UAE, you may initiate validation of your tax-free transactions by scanning your original passport or GGC national ID card (copies are not accepted) at the following locations:
a. Planet's self-service kiosks located at exit points.
b. Planet's self-service kiosks located at leading shopping malls or hotels (an online valid boarding pass where your flight is departing within 24 hours as well as your original passport is required to be scanned to initiate the validation process).
c. 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.

3. If inspection is required, please present the purchased goods at Planet’s validation desks located at UAE's exit points upon leaving the country.

4. Upon successful validation of your transactions, select your preferred refund method Cash, Card and Digital Wallets (WeChat & AliPay)

5. In case if you choose to claim your VAT refund in cash, please visit the cash partner (participating currency exchange offices in the Tourist Refund Scheme) located after the immigration desk.

1. Can a person other than registered passport / GCC national identity card holder initiate or complete the validation process on behalf of the identity/passport owner?
No one other than registered passport / GCC national identity card holder can initiate or complete the validation process.

2. What is the specified time frame for completing the verification process?
Once tax-free transactions are issued, they must be validated within 90 days from the tax invoice date. The tourist must depart the UAE within 6 hours of completing the validation process. Failure to do so will result in the cancellation of the validation approval, and the tourist will need to repeat the validation process by presenting all the goods, tax invoices once again to Planet staff.

3. Which bank cards are eligible for receiving a refund?
Planet accepts payments to card schemes such as Visa, Mastercard, American Express, JCB and Union Pay.
Planet usually refunds the amount to the bank card in the card's original currency.

The card issuing company or bank determines the foreign exchange rate to be applied on the VAT refund and Planet has no control over this rate.

4. What if the card refund amount was not received within 9 calendars days?
If the card refund is not received within 9 calendars days, the issuing company or bank must be followed up with.

5. Who can I contact if I have any questions?
You may contact Planet Tax Free's Customer Happiness Centre through the following channels, which are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week:
• Email: Tourists@planetpayment.com 
• Contact Number: +971 4 586 4700 
You may also utilize Planet’s Live Chat service, which is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

6. How can I track the request through the Shopper portal?
I. Click on the link sent via SMS or email to the contact details you provided to the store at the time of purchase.
1. Open the link using a web browser.
2. Enter the required details to view your transaction information.
II. You can also track your transactions by downloading the Planet Tax Free ME mobile application. Sign up and log in to your account to access additional information and monitor your transactions.

 Please click on the link below to know more about the system's Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).Tourist FAQ's

1. The tourist should have entered the UAE on a tourist visa.
2. You must be 18 years and above and not a resident in the UAE.
3. The minimum eligible spend per VAT refund transaction is AED 250 (exclusive VAT).
4. The tourist must export validate their tax-free transactions within 90 days from the date of the tax invoices, at the time of their departure from the UAE.
5. The tourist must physically present all relevant goods purchased for inspection, if requested by Planet staff.
6. Tourists may request a refund within one year from the date of export validating their tax-free transactions.
7. The maximum amount of VAT refund that can be claimed in cash is AED 35,000. There is no limit on the VAT refund that can be claimed using a credit/debit card.
8. To get a tax-free transaction issued, tourists should shop at retailers who are registered with Planet under the Tourist Refund Scheme.
9. A VAT refund is applicable only for the goods that are eligible under the Tourist Refund Scheme. Please click on this link:
https://planetpayment.ae/merchants/local-rules