Short answer: Is gold cheap in Dubai? For the same purity, gold jewellery in Dubai, and in Bangkok, is often cheaper than in Kathmandu, because both cities price gold close to the international market rate, while Nepal's daily rate also carries import costs and customs duty. Whether you actually save depends on three things: the making charge you negotiate, the VAT you pay and how much of it you reclaim, and Nepal's customs allowance. The Department of Customs FAQ lets a returning Nepali man bring 25 grams and a woman 50 grams of gold jewellery without duty (checked 27 Oct 2026; it is a yearly rule, so verify it before each trip). This guide explains how prices are set in each city, where people buy, how to read hallmarks and receipts, and what to declare at Kathmandu airport. It does not quote live gold prices; it links the official daily rate pages instead.
A trip to Dubai or Bangkok before a wedding season, a Dashain and Tihar visit home from the Gulf, or a parent's holiday hosted by children working abroad often ends with a small box of jewellery in the hand luggage. The questions are always the same: is it really cheaper, is the purity real, and how much can I bring home through Tribhuvan International Airport? This guide sits alongside our full Dubai shopping guide, which covers malls, souks and festivals, and our Dubai travel guide for the wider trip.
One note before we start: this is general travel information, not financial or investment advice. Gold prices move every day, and whether gold suits your savings is a decision for you and, if needed, a qualified adviser.
| Gold buying at a glance | Dubai | Bangkok |
|---|---|---|
| Who publishes the daily rate | Dubai Jewellery Group (dubaicityofgold.com), suggested retail rate per gram in AED | Gold Traders Association (goldtraders.or.th), rate per baht-weight in THB |
| Purities you will see | 24K, 22K, 21K, 18K and 14K | 96.5% is the standard for both bars and ornaments |
| Main buying areas | Gold Souk in Deira, Gold Souk Extension, Gold and Diamond Park, major malls | Yaowarat Road (Chinatown), plus mall gold shops |
| Making charge | Added on top of the gold value; negotiable | Added per piece; varies with the design |
| Sales tax on jewellery | 5% UAE VAT on the selling price, including the making charge | VAT on plain gold ornaments is charged only on the value-added part; gem-set pieces carry VAT on the full price |
| Tourist VAT refund | Yes, through Planet, for eligible purchases of AED 250 or more per transaction | Yes, with form P.P.10, for at least 2,000 baht per shop per day |
| Flight from Kathmandu | Non-stop, about 4 h 25 min to 4 h 40 min | Non-stop, about 3 h 20 min |
| Bringing it into Nepal | Same rule for both: gold jewellery duty free up to 25 g for a man and 50 g for a woman, a further 100 g on payment of duty, excess confiscated (Department of Customs FAQ; verify yearly) | |
Checked: 27 Oct 2026. Sources: dubaicityofgold.com, goldtraders.or.th, tax.gov.ae, vrtmap.rd.go.th, customs.gov.np/faq, Gomayu direct flights guide (flight times checked 8 Oct 2026).
Is gold cheaper in Dubai or Bangkok than in Nepal?
For plain gold jewellery of the same purity, the metal itself usually costs less in Dubai and Bangkok than in Nepal, but the final bill depends on making charges, tax and what happens at Nepali customs. The reason is how each market builds its price. Dubai and Bangkok both start from the international gold price, converted into the local currency, with a modest trade margin. Nepal imports its gold through commercial banks, and the domestic rate published each day by the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers' Association (FENEGOSIDA) reflects the international price plus import costs, the bank premium, the exchange rate and customs duty. That extra layer is why "Dubai gold is cheaper" is a common saying in Nepali households.
The saying is only half the story. A piece of jewellery has four parts to its price: the gold value (weight multiplied by the daily rate for that purity), the making charge, any stones, and tax. Two shops can show the same gold rate on their boards and still give you very different totals because of the making charge. A bargain in the Gold Souk can also disappear at Kathmandu airport if you buy more than your customs allowance.
If your aim is to compare Dubai with the wider cost of the trip, our guide on whether Dubai is expensive shows where the real holiday costs sit.
How is the Dubai gold rate set?
Dubai's retail gold rate is announced by the Dubai Jewellery Group, the industry body for the city's gold and jewellery trade, established in 1996 under the guidance of the Dubai Department of Economic Development (older news reports call it the Dubai Gold and Jewellery Group). On its consumer site, Dubai City of Gold, it publishes "Today's Suggested Retail Gold Jewellery Price Rates" in dirhams per gram for 24K, 22K, 21K, 18K and 14K gold. The rate follows the international market and is revised during the day as that market moves, so the figure on a shop's digital board at 11 am may differ from the one you see in the evening.
In practice the per-gram gold rate is not where bargaining happens. Gulf News' guide to bargaining in UAE souks (6 Sep 2025) describes it as non-negotiable: every shop follows the international market rate shown on its digital board, and the haggling is over the making charge. In a store, check that the rate applied is the current published rate for the karat you are buying.
How do you compare a Dubai or Bangkok price with the Nepal rate?
Compare like with like: the same purity, the same weight unit and the same currency, at the same time of day. Nepal quotes gold per tola and per 10 grams in rupees, Dubai per gram in dirhams, and Bangkok per baht-weight in baht. A simple method:
- Note the Dubai per-gram rate for the karat you want, or the Bangkok rate per baht-weight.
- Convert to grams if needed. One Thai baht-weight of gold ornaments is 15.16 g and of gold bars is 15.244 g. One tola is about 11.66 g.
- Convert the currency into NPR using the rate your bank or card will actually charge, not the headline market rate.
- Adjust for purity. Check which purity the Nepal rate you are comparing with refers to; 22K is about 91.6% pure and Thai gold is 96.5% pure, so a gram of each contains different amounts of pure gold.
- Add the making charge, the VAT you will pay, minus the refund you realistically expect, and any Nepal customs duty above your allowance.
Only after step 5 do you have a fair comparison. Many travellers stop at step 1 and are surprised later.
| Part of the final cost | Dubai | Bangkok | Bought in Nepal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gold value | Weight x daily rate for the karat | Baht-weight x GTA ornament rate | Weight x FENEGOSIDA daily rate |
| Making charge | Separate line, negotiable | Per piece, set by the shop | Charged by the jeweller, usually separately |
| Stones | Priced separately; check the gold weight excludes them | Gem-set pieces carry full VAT | Priced separately |
| Sales tax | 5% VAT on the whole selling price | VAT on the value-added part only for plain gold ornaments | Nepal's own tax rules apply |
| Tourist refund | Part of the VAT, through Planet | Part of the VAT, with form P.P.10 | Not applicable |
| Nepal customs duty | None within the duty-free allowance; duty on the next band; excess confiscated | Not applicable | |
| Resale or exchange | Making charges are usually not returned when you sell or exchange a piece | ||
Checked: 27 Oct 2026. Sources: dubaicityofgold.com, classic.goldtraders.or.th, LBMA "Spotlight on Thailand" (VAT on gold), Gulf News (1 Oct 2026, making charges on resale), customs.gov.np/faq.
Where can you check today's official rates?
Use the trade body's own page in each market rather than a social media screenshot. The three pages below show the current rate; none of them is a price promise from any particular shop.
| Market | Official rate publisher | Unit | Purities shown | Where to check |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dubai | Dubai Jewellery Group | AED per gram (suggested retail) | 24K, 22K, 21K, 18K, 14K | dubaicityofgold.com |
| Thailand | Gold Traders Association (GTA) | THB per baht-weight | 96.5% bars (buy and sell) and 96.5% ornaments (sell) | goldtraders.or.th |
| Nepal | Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers' Association (FENEGOSIDA) | NPR per tola and per 10 g | Gold and silver | fenegosida.org |
Checked: 27 Oct 2026, on each publisher's website. We deliberately do not quote the figures: they change during the day.
Where do people buy gold in Dubai?
Most visitors buy gold in one of four places: the historic Gold Souk in Deira, the newer Gold Souk Extension next to it, the Gold and Diamond Park in Al Quoz, or a jewellery chain inside a large mall. The gold rate is the same everywhere; the experience, the designs and the room for bargaining are what differ.
The Gold Souk in Deira
The Gold Souk is Dubai's most famous market, in old Deira near the creek. Visit Dubai, the city's official tourism site, describes it as selling gold jewellery, gemstones and pearls, and notes that all merchandise is government regulated. A Gulf News visitor guide counts more than 300 retailers, some of them trading for more than 40 years. Shops set their own hours, but most open from mid-morning until about 10 pm, and some close for a few hours in the early afternoon. Late morning is calmer than the evening rush.
The nearest metro stops are Al Ras on the Green Line, about a five minute walk, and Gold Souq station on the same line (renamed from Palm Deira in 2020). Parking nearby is hard to find, so the metro or a taxi is easier. If you want to stay within walking distance of the souks, our guide on where to stay in Dubai covers Deira and Bur Dubai hotels.
The Dubai Jewellery Group says the Gold Souk has a gold purity self-check kiosk where shoppers can verify the purity of their jewellery independently. If a shop's claim and the kiosk disagree, do not complete the purchase.
The Gold Souk Extension
The Gold Souk Extension, opened by the developer Ithra Dubai in April 2022 beside the original souk, added 295 shops along shaded walkways, with covered parking, restaurants and a waterfront promenade nearby. It suits families and older parents who find the narrow lanes of the old souk tiring in the heat. The rate is the same; the atmosphere is more modern.
Gold and Diamond Park
Gold and Diamond Park is a quieter complex of roughly 80 mostly jewellery stores in Al Quoz, near the junction of Sheikh Zayed Road and Umm Suqeim Road, close to a Red Line metro station. Many shoppers go there to commission a custom design, and bargaining on the making charge is still possible.
Malls and branded chains
Large malls such as The Dubai Mall, Mall of the Emirates and Deira City Centre host branded jewellery chains. The gold content follows the same daily rate, making charges are quoted more formally and bargaining is less common, although festival periods such as the Dubai Shopping Festival bring jewellery promotions at participating stores. Malls are also easier in summer heat.
| Where | Best for | Bargaining | Getting there |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gold Souk, Deira | Widest choice, traditional atmosphere, bridal sets | Expected on the making charge | Al Ras or Gold Souq stations, Green Line |
| Gold Souk Extension | Families, shade and parking, newer shopfronts | Possible | Next to the Gold Souk in Deira |
| Gold and Diamond Park | Custom designs, calmer shopping | Possible | Al Quoz, near Sheikh Zayed Road, Red Line |
| Mall jewellery chains | Branded designs, fixed counters, air conditioning | Limited; watch for festival offers | Metro or taxi to the mall |
Checked: 27 Oct 2026. Sources: visitdubai.com (Gold Souk page), Gulf News visitor guide to the Gold Souk (updated 6 Jan 2022), Ithra Dubai launch report (Middle East Construction News, 29 Apr 2022), dubaicityofgold.com compliance page, dubai-online.com (Gold and Diamond Park). Shop hours change; confirm with the shop before a special trip.
Planning a short stop rather than a full holiday? Many Nepali travellers fit a souk visit into a layover; our Dubai stopover guide explains what is realistic between flights. Nepali passport holders need a UAE visa arranged before travel; our visa team keeps the current process on the Gomayu visa page.
Where do people buy gold in Bangkok?
In Bangkok, the classic place to buy gold is Yaowarat Road in Chinatown, where gold shops line the street under red and gold signboards. Yaowarat is the main artery of Bangkok's Chinatown in Samphanthawong District, about 1.5 km long, and is often nicknamed the "Golden Road". Wat Mangkon station on the MRT Blue Line is the nearest train stop. Gold shops also operate in shopping malls across the city.
Thai gold works differently from Dubai gold in three ways, and these are the points Nepali shoppers most often miss:
- One standard purity. The Gold Traders Association says Thai gold is sold to the same 96.5% standard whichever shop you visit. You are not choosing between 22K and 18K as you would in Dubai.
- Priced by baht-weight, not by gram. The "baht" here is a weight, not the currency. One baht-weight of gold ornaments is 15.16 g and one baht-weight of gold bars is 15.244 g, so check which one a quote refers to. Smaller pieces are sold in fractions such as a quarter or half baht-weight.
- The price can change during the day. The GTA FAQ says the first price is announced each morning and that some days have a single price while others see several changes, with no fixed times. Its rate page shows a buying and selling rate for 96.5% bars and a selling rate for 96.5% ornaments.
The making charge in Thailand, called "kha kamnet", covers the work of making the piece plus the shop's running costs and profit. The GTA explains that it depends on how complex the design is, and that the association's suggested minimum per baht-weight is a guide, not a fixed rule, so shops can charge more or less.
Thailand also has a consumer rule worth knowing if you might sell the piece back. The GTA site notes that under the Office of the Consumer Protection Board rule, when you sell gold ornaments back to the shop you bought them from, the shop may deduct no more than 5% from that day's gold bar buying rate. The rule applies only to selling back to the same shop, so keep the receipt.
| Point | Dubai | Bangkok |
|---|---|---|
| Main market | Gold Souk and Gold Souk Extension, Deira | Yaowarat Road, Chinatown (Samphanthawong) |
| Weight unit | Gram | Baht-weight (15.16 g ornaments, 15.244 g bars) |
| Purity choice | 24K, 22K, 21K, 18K, 14K | 96.5% standard |
| Rate publisher | Dubai Jewellery Group | Gold Traders Association |
| Making charge | Negotiable, design dependent | Per piece, design dependent |
| Sell-back rule | Shop policy; ask for written terms | Same shop: deduction capped at 5% of the bar buying rate |
| Receipt to keep | Tax invoice with karat, weights, rate, making charge, VAT | Shop receipt with weight in baht and grams, plus P.P.10 if claiming VAT |
Checked: 27 Oct 2026. Sources: classic.goldtraders.or.th (FAQ and rate page), Thairath (baht-weight in grams, 10 Jun 2026), Yaowarat Road entry on Wikipedia (district, length, MRT station).
If Bangkok is a stop on a wider Thailand trip, our Thailand travel guide covers the rest, and the guide to flights from Kathmandu to Bangkok explains the non-stop options. For entry rules for Nepali passport holders, see our Thailand visa page.
How do purity and hallmarks differ?
Purity is the share of pure gold in the metal, and the hallmark is the stamp that proves it. In the UAE it is stated in karats; in Thailand the standard is 96.5%; and in all three markets you should see the purity written on the receipt as well as stamped on the piece.
| Purity | Pure gold content | Common stamp | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24K | 99.9% (fineness 1.000 in theory) | 999 | Bars, coins, some plain jewellery; very soft |
| Thai 96.5% | 96.5% (about 23.2K) | 96.5% | Thai ornaments and bars |
| 22K | 91.6% | 916 | Traditional South Asian jewellery, bridal sets |
| 21K | 87.5% | 875 | Widely sold in UAE shops |
| 18K | 75% | 750 | Stone-set and diamond jewellery, daily wear |
| 14K | About 58.3% | 585 | Lighter, harder pieces; the Dubai rate now includes 14K |
Checked: 27 Oct 2026. Sources: Dubai Jewellery Group jewellery guide (karat definitions), Gulf News on UAE hallmarking (26 Jul 2025), Gold Traders Association FAQ (96.5% standard), Khaleej Times (14K rate added, 29 Nov 2025).
How does hallmarking work in the UAE?
Every gold jewellery item sold legally in the UAE must carry an official hallmark. The Dubai Jewellery Group's consumer page says the hallmark ensures the gold is genuine and matches the declared purity, and that all jewellery sold in the UAE carries a mandatory quality assurance mark from the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology. According to a Gulf News explainer (26 Jul 2025), hallmarks in Dubai are approved by the Dubai Central Laboratory, part of Dubai Municipality, which also carries out unannounced inspections and calibrates shop scales; the stamp shows the karat, the manufacturer's mark and an official certification number.
The group's "Know Your Rights" page gives three checks for shoppers: look for the hallmark (symbols, purity mark and product information), insist on a fully transparent invoice with the jeweller's stamp, and use the consumer protection authorities if something goes wrong. Complaints about missing hallmarks, misrepresentation or pricing disputes go to Dubai Consumer Protection at the Department of Economy and Tourism, on 600545555 (from inside the UAE).
Do not be surprised if a jeweller asks for a passport copy. The Dubai Jewellery Group says the sector operates under strict anti-money laundering regulations and that shoppers may be asked for an Emirates ID or passport copy.
What is the difference between gross weight and net gold weight?
Gross weight is the whole piece, including any stones, enamel or beads. Net gold weight is the gold alone. For stone-set jewellery, the gold rate should apply only to the net gold weight, with stones priced separately. Ask the shop to write both weights on the invoice. This matters twice: once for the price you pay, and again at Kathmandu airport, where the allowance is counted in grams of gold.
How are making charges and VAT refunds handled?
In Dubai you pay the gold value plus a making charge, and 5% VAT on the total; as a tourist you can then reclaim part of that VAT through the Planet system before you fly. In Bangkok the making charge is built into the per-piece price, VAT on plain gold ornaments is limited to the value-added part, and tourists claim refunds with form P.P.10. The details below were checked on the official tax pages on 27 Oct 2026.
How do making charges work in Dubai?
The making charge pays for design and labour, not for the gold. Shops quote it in different ways, per gram or as one amount for the piece, so ask how it is calculated and get it as a separate line on the invoice. It is higher for intricate or handmade pieces and lower for simple machine-made chains and bangles.
Practical tips from Gulf News' consumer coverage and our own experience with Nepali travellers:
- Check the official rate on dubaicityofgold.com before you leave the hotel, so you know the gold value of any piece by weight.
- Compare two or three shops for the same type of design. Making charges vary much more than gold value.
- Negotiate politely. Buying several pieces in one shop, or paying by a method the shop prefers, can improve the offer.
- Ask for the buyback and exchange policy in writing. "Full gold value" on exchange may mean store credit, not cash, and the original making charge and tax may be excluded.
- Beware of "zero making charge" offers. Check that the gold rate applied is still today's rate and that the weight is net gold weight.
How does UAE VAT apply to gold?
Gold jewellery bought by a shopper in the UAE is standard rated at 5% VAT, and Gulf News' consumer explainer (1 Oct 2026) notes that VAT generally applies to the taxable selling price, including making charges. When VAT began in 2018, jewellers asked for tax only on the value-added part of a piece, and that request was not accepted, which is why VAT is charged on the whole price. Investment gold is different: gold of at least 99% purity in tradeable forms such as bars, ingots and bullion coins is zero rated, so no VAT is charged and there is nothing to reclaim.
Can tourists claim VAT back on gold in Dubai?
Yes, visitors can reclaim part of the VAT on eligible jewellery bought from a retailer registered in the UAE's Tax Refund for Tourists scheme, run by Planet. The Federal Tax Authority's page (last updated 25 Aug 2026) sets out these conditions:
| UAE tourist VAT refund rule | What the FTA and Planet pages say |
|---|---|
| Who qualifies | Overseas tourists aged 18 or over, not resident in the UAE, who entered on a tourist visa; crew of the departing flight or ship are excluded |
| Where to buy | Retailers registered with Planet under the scheme; ask for a tax-free transaction at the till |
| Minimum spend | AED 250 per transaction, excluding VAT |
| Validation deadline | Within 90 days of the tax invoice date |
| Leaving the UAE | Leave within 6 hours of completing validation; city kiosks at malls and hotels can be used if your flight departs within 24 hours |
| Inspection | You must show the goods if Planet staff ask, so keep gold in your hand luggage |
| Refund amount | 87% of the VAT paid, minus a fixed AED 3.60 per tax-free transaction (the FTA lists this as a 13% deduction plus AED 3.60) |
| Cash limit | Cash refunds up to AED 35,000; above that, refund to a credit or debit card |
| Claim window | Within one year of export validation |
| Excluded (Planet FAQ) | Goods consumed or used in the UAE, goods not leaving with you, goods sent by cargo, services, vehicles |
Checked: 27 Oct 2026. Sources: Federal Tax Authority, VAT Refund for Tourists (page updated 25 Aug 2026), Planet tourist FAQ. The UAE government portal u.ae (updated 30 Mar 2026) still showed the older 85% refund share and an AED 4.80 per-tag fee; we follow the newer FTA and Planet figures.
Does the refund cover the whole jewellery price or only the making charge? On 27 Oct 2026, neither the FTA page nor Planet's tourist FAQ limited the refund on gold jewellery to the making charge, and jewellery is not in Planet's excluded list, so the refund follows the VAT shown on your tax-free transaction. Some blogs and sales staff say otherwise, and rules can change, so ask the shop to issue the tax-free transaction before you pay and check the VAT amount it shows.
How does the Thai VAT refund work for gold?
Thailand runs a separate scheme through the Revenue Department. According to its conditions page and the Thai government portal:
| Thailand VAT refund rule | What the official page says |
|---|---|
| Where to buy | Shops displaying the "VAT REFUND FOR TOURISTS" sign |
| Minimum spend | At least 2,000 baht including VAT, from the same shop on the same day; each P.P.10 form must show 2,000 baht or more |
| At the shop | Show your passport and ask for form P.P.10 with the original tax invoice |
| Deadline | Goods must leave Thailand with you within 60 days, counting the purchase date as day one |
| Before check-in | Show the goods and P.P.10 to Customs for inspection |
| Gold and luxury items | Gold ornaments, gem-set jewellery, watches and similar items worth 10,000 baht or more per item must be shown again to a Revenue officer at the VAT refund office after passport control, so carry them in hand luggage |
Checked: 27 Oct 2026. Sources: Revenue Department, VAT Refund for Tourists conditions, thailand.go.th (updated 28 Aug 2023), LBMA "Spotlight on Thailand" (VAT on gold).
Because Thai VAT on plain gold ornaments is charged only on the value-added part (essentially the making charge and margin), the refund on a plain gold chain is small. Gem-set jewellery carries VAT on the full price, and gold bullion carries none.
How much gold can you bring into Nepal?
According to the Department of Customs FAQ, a Nepali returning from abroad may bring gold jewellery without duty up to 25 grams for a man and 50 grams for a woman, plus up to a further 100 grams of gold jewellery on payment of duty at the customs point. Raw gold (unworked gold such as bars and biscuits) is never duty free: up to 100 grams may be brought on payment of duty. Gold or gold jewellery above the prescribed limits is confiscated, not just taxed. The Tribhuvan Airport FAQ shows a higher ceiling than this (see the source table below), so plan on the lower Department of Customs figure. One trap for Dubai shoppers: the airport FAQ says plain 24-carat rings, bangles and chain-like pieces made to look like ornaments are not treated as jewellery, so a 24K bangle may be counted as raw gold. This is a yearly rule, set through Nepal's budget and customs law, so verify it every year before you buy.
| Item (returning Nepali passenger) | What the Department of Customs FAQ says | In tola (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Gold jewellery, duty free | Man: up to 25 g. Woman: up to 50 g | Man: about 2.1 tola. Woman: about 4.3 tola |
| Gold jewellery, on payment of duty | A further amount up to 100 g per person, beyond the duty-free amount | About 8.6 tola |
| Raw gold (bars, biscuits) | Up to 100 g, on payment of duty; no duty-free amount | About 8.6 tola |
| Silver jewellery | Up to 500 g, described as on payment of duty (our customs guide reads the 2083 schedule as 500 g duty free, so ask Customs) | About 42.9 tola |
| Gem-set gold or silver jewellery | Up to NPR 1,00,000 in value (the FAQ mentions this both in the duty-free list and as dutiable, so ask Customs) | Not applicable |
| Above the limits | Gold and gold jewellery above the prescribed limits are confiscated (25 g + 100 g for a man, 50 g + 100 g for a woman) | Man: about 10.7 tola. Woman: about 12.9 tola |
Checked: 27 Oct 2026, Department of Customs FAQ (customs.gov.np/faq) and the notice on goods passengers may bring (Nepal Gazette, Part 5, Volume 76, Extra Issue 15(Ka), 15 Jestha 2083). Verify yearly: the figures can change with each Finance Act.
Why do different sources show different gold allowances?
Every current source that gives a figure agrees on the duty-free amount: 25 g of gold jewellery for a man and 50 g for a woman. Where they differ is how much more you may bring on payment of duty, and some older pages still show a single 50 g figure. Read the table row by row; the last column says how much weight to give each source.
| Source (date) | Duty free | Extra allowed on payment of duty | Above that | How to use it |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Department of Customs FAQ, customs.gov.np (undated) | Man 25 g, woman 50 g | Up to 100 g more | Confiscated | The department's own answer. Plan on this. |
| Nepal Gazette notice, 15 Jestha 2083, on customs.gov.np | "Up to the quantity set in Schedule 4, clause (1)" of the Customs Duty Act 2081 | Not stated in the notice | Not stated in the notice | Confirms the legal basis; gives no gram figures. |
| Gomayu Nepal customs allowance guide (schedule read on 9 Oct 2026) | Man 25 g, woman 50 g | 50 g at normal duty, then 50 g with a surcharge (100 g in total) | Confiscated | Same totals as the Customs FAQ, with the duty bands spelled out. |
| Tribhuvan International Airport FAQ, tiairport.com.np | Man 25 g, woman 50 g | 100 g with duty, then a further 100 g with an extra charge | Seized above 225 g (man) or 250 g (woman) | Same duty-free amount, but a higher ceiling than the Customs FAQ. Do not rely on the extra band without asking Customs. |
| Himal Press news report (3 Oct 2024) | 50 g, no split by gender | Not covered | Not covered | Older rule. Out of date. |
| Embassy of India, Kathmandu notice (9 Aug 2019) | Foreign passengers by air: gold ornaments up to 50 g, taken back on exit | Not covered | Not covered | Old, and for foreign passengers only. Not for returning Nepali citizens. |
Checked: 27 Oct 2026 (Customs FAQ, Gazette notice, airport FAQ, Himal Press, Embassy of India); Gomayu guide checked 9 Oct 2026. Where sources disagree, the Department of Customs is the authority. Bottom line: 25 g (man) or 50 g (woman) duty free, and treat 100 g more with duty as the safe maximum.
If you are close to a limit, or travelling on a foreign passport as part of the diaspora, call before you shop. The Department of Customs in Tripureshwor, Kathmandu, lists 9851353353 and the toll-free number 18105121223 on its website, and the Tribhuvan Airport Customs Office handles passenger clearance at the airport. Our full guide to Nepal's customs allowance also covers phones, laptops, liquor and the rules for returning migrant workers.
Do you need to declare gold at Kathmandu airport?
If the gold jewellery you are carrying is within your duty-free amount (25 g for a man, 50 g for a woman), you can normally use the green channel. If you have more, go to the red channel and declare it, show your invoice, and pay the duty the officer calculates. The allowance is per person, so do not pool a family's gold in one bag. Gold above the maximum is confiscated even if you declare it, so the real protection is to buy within the limit. The airport FAQ also says gold, ornaments and money should not go in checked baggage, so keep them in your hand luggage.
Does the UAE have rules when you leave with gold?
Yes, but only above a high threshold. The UAE's Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) requires travellers entering or leaving the UAE to disclose cash, negotiable financial instruments, precious metals and precious stones worth more than AED 60,000 or its equivalent, using the Afseh website or app. Each family member aged 18 or over has their own threshold, and amounts carried by children under 18 are added to the accompanying adult's total. Most holiday jewellery purchases are far below this, but a family buying wedding sets should add up the total value before leaving for the airport.
Checked: 27 Oct 2026. Sources: ICP announcement on disclosure (updated 4 Mar 2023), u.ae customs clearance page (updated 30 Sep 2026).
Which receipts and documents should you keep?
Keep the original tax invoice, the hallmark or purity certificate, and any VAT refund paperwork for every piece, and carry them in your hand luggage with the jewellery. They prove purity and weight when you sell or exchange, they let you claim the VAT refund, and they show Nepal Customs exactly what you are bringing in.
| Document | What it should show | Why you need it |
|---|---|---|
| Tax invoice (Dubai) or shop receipt (Bangkok) | Shop name and stamp, date, karat or 96.5%, gross weight, net gold weight, stone weight, gold rate applied, making charge, VAT | Proof of purchase, purity and weight; needed for refunds, customs and resale |
| Hallmark or purity certificate | Purity, manufacturer's mark, certification number | Confirms the gold matches the invoice |
| UAE tax-free transaction | Digital record from Planet (link by SMS) or a tax-free tag | Needed to validate and claim the UAE VAT refund |
| Thai form P.P.10 | Completed by the shop, with the original tax invoice | Needed for the Thai VAT refund and the luxury goods check |
| Written buyback or exchange terms | Deductions, whether cash or store credit | Avoids surprises when you sell or exchange later |
| Afseh disclosure (UAE) | Only if cash, gold and stones together exceed AED 60,000 per adult | Required when entering or leaving the UAE above the threshold |
| Nepal customs receipt | Duty paid on gold above the duty-free amount | Proof that the gold entered Nepal legally |
Checked: 27 Oct 2026. Sources: Dubai Jewellery Group "Know Your Rights", Gulf News consumer checklists (28 Jun 2025 and 1 Oct 2026), tax.gov.ae, Revenue Department of Thailand, icp.gov.ae, customs.gov.np.
Take photos of every invoice on your phone as a backup, and keep the originals together in a zip pouch. If you are paying by card abroad, our guide to the foreign currency limit when travelling from Nepal explains how much you can carry and spend, and the pre-trip checklist covers the documents to pack before you leave Kathmandu.
How can you avoid common gold-buying mistakes?
Most problems come from comparing the wrong numbers, buying more than the Nepal allowance, or losing the paperwork needed for refunds. These are the mistakes we hear about most often from Nepali travellers and the diaspora.
| Mistake | What goes wrong | How to avoid it |
|---|---|---|
| Comparing 22K in Dubai with fine gold in Nepal | The Dubai price looks much cheaper than it really is, or the other way round | Compare the same purity, per gram, in NPR |
| Forgetting the making charge | A low gold rate hides a high labour charge | Ask for the making charge as a separate written line |
| Paying the gold rate on stone weight | You pay gold prices for stones or beads | Get gross weight and net gold weight on the invoice |
| Buying above the Nepal allowance | Duty at Kathmandu, or confiscation above the maximum | Check the Customs FAQ before you shop and weigh your total |
| Packing gold in checked luggage | Risk of loss, and you cannot show it for VAT validation | Carry gold and invoices in hand luggage |
| Not asking for a tax-free transaction | No UAE VAT refund | Ask at the till before paying; spend at least AED 250 per transaction |
| Leaving VAT validation too late | Missing the 90 day (UAE) or 60 day (Thailand) window, or missing the airport desk | Allow extra time at the airport, especially in festival season |
| Accepting card payment in NPR or another currency at the terminal | The shop's exchange rate may be worse than your bank's | Choose to pay in AED or THB on the card machine |
| Assuming "full value" exchange means cash | The shop only offers store credit | Get buyback and exchange terms in writing |
| Buying from a street tout | No hallmark, no invoice, no recourse | Buy only inside licensed shops that issue tax invoices |
What should Nepali families watch for?
Two situations are worth avoiding. The first is a family on a Dashain and Tihar trip, or parents visiting a son or daughter working in Dubai, who buy jewellery for several people and treat the allowance as a family total. The Customs FAQ sets the duty-free amount per man and per woman, so a father carrying his wife's and daughter's sets in his own bag is carrying more than his own 25 g. Each person should carry their own jewellery and invoices. The second is choosing a heavily worked 22K necklace after comparing only the gold rate, then finding its exchange value much lower because the making charge is not recovered.
How should you plan a gold-shopping trip from Kathmandu?
Plan the gold part of the trip around the rate pages, your allowance and the airport timings, rather than around shopping alone. Both cities are an easy flight from Kathmandu: non-stop flights to Dubai take about 4 h 25 min to 4 h 40 min and to Bangkok about 3 h 20 min, according to our guide to direct flights from Kathmandu (checked 8 Oct 2026).
- Timing. Many Nepali families shop for gold before the wedding season and around Dashain and Tihar. Dubai's cooler months are also the most comfortable for walking the souks; our guide to the best time to visit Dubai explains the seasons and the Dubai Shopping Festival period, when jewellery promotions and gold raffles are common.
- Set your limit first. Decide how many grams each traveller will carry home, using the Nepal Customs FAQ, before you look at designs.
- Check the rate on the day. Open dubaicityofgold.com or goldtraders.or.th the morning you shop, and note the time.
- Leave airport time for refunds. In Dubai, add time for Planet validation; in Bangkok, for the Customs check before check-in and the Revenue officer check after passport control.
Still deciding between Dubai, Thailand and other easy trips from Nepal? Our roundup of the best travel destinations for Nepalese travellers compares them on season, flight time and budget. If you would rather have hotels, transfers and sightseeing arranged so that a Gold Souk visit fits neatly into the trip, see our Dubai tour packages.
Frequently asked questions
Is Dubai gold really cheaper than gold in Nepal?
Dubai gold is usually cheaper than Nepal gold for the gold content of the same purity, because Dubai prices follow the international rate while Nepal's daily rate also carries import costs and customs duty. The saving narrows once you add making charges and VAT, and disappears if you exceed Nepal's duty-free allowance. Always compare the same purity, per gram, in NPR.
Where can I check today's gold rate in Dubai?
The official Dubai gold rate is published by the Dubai Jewellery Group on dubaicityofgold.com as a suggested retail price per gram in dirhams for 24K, 22K, 21K, 18K and 14K gold. It is revised during the day as the world price moves, and shops display the current rate on digital boards. Check it the morning you plan to shop.
Is Bangkok gold 96.5% pure?
Usually, yes. The Gold Traders Association says the Thai standard is 96.5%, about 23.2 karat, for both bars and ornaments, although a few shops also sell heavier 99.99% pieces. It is priced per baht-weight, which is 15.16 g for ornaments and 15.244 g for bars. Ask the Bangkok shop to show the weight in grams and the purity on the receipt.
How much gold can a Nepali bring from Dubai?
A Nepali returning from Dubai may bring gold jewellery duty free up to 25 g for a man and 50 g for a woman, and a further 100 g of jewellery on payment of duty, according to the Department of Customs FAQ (checked 27 Oct 2026). Raw gold up to 100 g is dutiable. Gold above the limits is confiscated. Verify the rule every year.
Do I need to declare gold at Kathmandu airport?
Declare gold at Kathmandu airport if it is above your duty-free amount of 25 g (men) or 50 g (women) of gold jewellery, or if you carry any raw gold. Use the red channel, show your invoice and pay the duty assessed. Within the duty-free amount, you can normally use the green channel. Keep invoices in your hand luggage.
Can tourists claim VAT back on gold in Dubai?
Yes. Tourists aged 18 or over can reclaim part of the 5% UAE VAT on eligible gold jewellery through Planet, if they buy from a participating shop, spend at least AED 250 per transaction, and validate within 90 days before leaving. The refund is 87% of the VAT minus a small fee. Investment bars and coins have no VAT, so no refund.
Is gold from Dubai hallmarked?
Yes. Every gold jewellery item sold legally in the UAE must carry an official hallmark showing the karat, the manufacturer's mark and a certification number, approved in Dubai by the Dubai Central Laboratory. Check the stamp, make sure it matches the invoice, and use the purity self-check kiosk at the Gold Souk if you are unsure.
What is the difference between 22K and 24K gold?
24K gold is about 99.9% pure and very soft, so it is used mostly for bars, coins and simple pieces. 22K gold is 91.6% pure, mixed with other metals for strength, and is the usual choice for South Asian bridal and everyday jewellery. In Dubai each purity has its own daily rate, so compare prices karat by karat.
Is buying gold coins different from buying jewellery?
Yes. In the UAE, gold bars and bullion coins of 99% purity or more are zero rated for VAT, so there is no tourist refund, and premiums are usually lower than jewellery making charges. In Nepal, raw gold has no duty-free amount and up to 100 g is dutiable. Plain 24K bangles or rings may also be treated as raw gold, so ask Nepal Customs how a piece will be classified before buying.
Is gold cheap in Thailand compared with Dubai?
Thai and Dubai gold both follow the international price, so the gold value is broadly similar after adjusting for purity and currency. The differences are the purity (Thai gold is 96.5%, Dubai offers several karats), the making charge, and tax: Thai VAT on plain gold ornaments applies only to the value-added part, while UAE VAT applies to the whole price.
Dubai bata kati tola sun lyauna painchha?
Bhansar Bibhag ko FAQ anusar bidesh bata pharkine Nepali purushle 25 gram (karib 2.1 tola) ra mahilale 50 gram (karib 4.3 tola) samma sunko gahana mahasul nalagi lyauna paunchhan. Tyo bhanda mathi thap 100 gram samma mahasul tirera lyauna paincha; sima bhanda badhi sun japhat hunchha. (In English: men may bring 25 g and women 50 g of gold jewellery duty free; verify yearly.)
