Gold making charges in Dubai per gram
Published 10 Nov 2026 · GoldLive team
Gold making charges in Dubai per gram are set by each shop in the UAE, and there is no official rate. The most recent public range we could open came from the chairman of Dubai Jewellery Group, quoted by Gulf News in December 2024, at Dh3 to Dh30 a gram, and this is the part of the bill you can negotiate.
That range is almost two years old and gold has moved a lot since, so treat it as a rough guide and ask the shop for today's figure. The 22K gold value in the box above is the calculated 22K rate in AED. The making charge and VAT come on top of it.
What are gold making charges in Dubai per gram?
The making charge pays for labour, design and the metal lost during production. Gulf News, in its buyer's guide, says the gold rate itself is not negotiable, while making charges vary most and can be negotiated. A plain bangle usually costs less to make than an intricate necklace.
Shops quote the charge in one of two ways, either in dirhams per gram or as a percentage of the gold value. Always convert it to AED per gram before you compare two shops. A percentage looks small until you work it out on a heavy piece.
How making charges and VAT add up
UAE VAT is charged on the value of the supply, which is the price you pay for the item. Jewellery is not in the zero-rated category, so the 5% standard rate applies to the gold value and the making charge together.
Here is an example with round numbers. They are not today's prices.
| Line | Simple chain | Detailed necklace |
|---|---|---|
| Gold value, 10 g at AED 400 a gram (example) | AED 4,000 | AED 4,000 |
| Making charge | AED 100 (AED 10 a gram) | AED 300 (AED 30 a gram) |
| Subtotal | AED 4,100 | AED 4,300 |
| VAT at 5% | AED 205 | AED 215 |
| Total | AED 4,305 | AED 4,515 |
Each extra AED 1 per gram on a 10 g piece adds AED 10.50 to the bill once VAT is included. Try it with your own weight and karat in the Dubai gold calculator, which uses the current calculated rate. The calculated value is an international figure, not the board rate in the souk, so the method page explains how the two can differ.
Gold making charges in Dubai vs India
The comparison people want is simple, but the two countries tax the bill differently.
| Step | Dubai | India |
|---|---|---|
| Starting rate | Dubai board or shop rate in AED | Local rate per gram, which already reflects import duty |
| Making charge | Shop decides, negotiable | Shop decides, negotiable |
| Tax on the total | 5% VAT | 3% GST on the total value of the jewellery |
| Tourist refund | Possible for eligible visitors | Not part of this comparison |
The 3% in India comes from the GST Council FAQ on jewellery, which says GST is 3% of the total transaction value whether or not the making charge is shown separately. India raised its import duty on gold in May 2026, so Indian retail rates now carry a higher duty than before. Our guide to gold limits on the Dubai to India route covers the figures and the notifications.
To compare fairly, work out the full price of the same piece in each place: gold value at that day's 22K rate, the making charge, then the tax. Do not compare a Dubai making charge with an Indian one on its own. Retailers quoted by Gulf News in May 2026 estimated gold in the Gulf could be about 12% cheaper than in India after the duty rise, but that is a trade estimate from one moment, not a measured figure. The Dubai rate page shows the value in rupees so you can do the sum with live numbers.
If you are visiting, part of the VAT may come back, which changes the Dubai total. The gold VAT refund for tourists guide shows how much.
Zero making charges in Dubai: what is the catch?
"Gold without making charges in Dubai" is a real search, and real offers exist, but they are narrower than the headline.
- Khaleej Times reported in April 2026 that jewellers advertised zero making charges around Akshaya Tritiya, while the retailers quoted limited them to selected items or designs.
- Gulf News reported in March 2025 that selling at 0% every day was limited to a few small retailers in the Gold Souq and elsewhere, and that most jewellers offer discounts on making charges instead.
- The same report quoted industry figures who said a true zero is not practical, because labour and metal loss are real costs, and that it can signal the clearance of old stock.
So when you see zero making, look at the full bill. Check that the gold rate per gram on the invoice matches that day's rate, and check the design and weight are what you asked for. Compare the previous days' rates if the number looks odd. A zero making offer on a high per-gram rate may cost more than a normal charge on the day's rate.
What to ask before you pay
Gulf News suggests getting these on the invoice, and they make any comparison easier:
- The gold rate per gram for that day
- Karat and weight, and whether the hallmark is visible
- The making charge, written per gram
- VAT, shown separately
- The return, exchange and buyback terms
UAE consumer law says the invoice must be dated and show the trade name, address, goods, price and quantity, and it must be in Arabic. A shop may add other languages.
These rules were checked on 10 November 2026. Making charges and promotions change often, so confirm with the shop before you pay.
Sources
- Gulf News, making charges quoted at Dh3 to Dh30 a gram, December 2024
- Gulf News, what UAE buyers should ask before paying, June 2025
- Gulf News, zero making charges, March 2025
- Khaleej Times, zero making charges and Akshaya Tritiya, April 2026
- Gulf News, duty hike and the price gap with India, May 2026
- UAE Federal Decree-Law No. 8 of 2017 on VAT, Article 34
- UAE Ministry of Finance, VAT rate and zero-rated sectors
- GST Council sectoral FAQ on gems and jewellery
- UAE government portal, consumer protection
Common questions
What are gold making charges in Dubai per gram?
There is no official rate, each shop sets its own. The chairman of Dubai Jewellery Group put the range at Dh3 to Dh30 a gram in December 2024, so confirm today's figure with the shop and test it in the gold calculator.
Gold making charges in Dubai vs India, which is lower?
You cannot tell from the making charge alone, because the gold rate and the tax differ as well. Compare the full price of the same piece: Dubai adds 5% VAT and India adds 3% GST on the total, and the Dubai rate page shows the value in rupees.
Is zero making charges in Dubai real?
Yes, but reported offers are usually limited to selected items or designs, often during promotions. Check that the per-gram rate on the invoice matches that day's rate, and compare it with the previous days.
Is VAT charged on making charges in Dubai?
Yes. VAT applies to the value of the supply, so the 5% is charged on the gold value and the making charge together, and eligible visitors can read about the VAT refund.
Can I negotiate making charges at the Dubai Gold Souk?
Yes, the making charge is the negotiable part of the bill, while the gold rate per gram is not. Ask for the charge per gram in writing before you pay, then use the 22K rate to check the gold value.