GoldmitraGold Price in India vs UAE: Which Is Cheaper in 2026?
UAE gold runs cheaper than India mainly because it carries no import duty and only 5% VAT — India's 15% customs duty is the real gap, not the making charges or GST.
Rates last updated: 12 Sept 2026, 6:17 am IST
| Metric | India | UAE |
|---|---|---|
| Price/gram (24K) | ₹15,357 | — |
| Price/gram (dominant retail karat) | ₹14,081 (22K) | — |
| Dominant retail karat & purity | 22K · 91.6% | 22K · 91.6% |
| Making charge convention | 8–25%, per gram + disclosed charge | Per-gram rate + disclosed making charge — same convention as India |
| Tax on gold | 3% GST | 5% VAT |
| Import duty (bringing gold into India) | 15% customs duty | See baggage-rules allowance below |
Why the prices differ
The UAE has no import duty on gold and a flat 5% VAT — versus India's 15% customs duty plus 3% GST — which is the single biggest reason UAE gold is cheaper before making charges.
Both markets price per gram at the day's rate plus a separately disclosed making charge, so the two are genuinely comparable in a way India-vs-USA isn't.
22K (91.6% purity) is the dominant standard in both countries, so there's no purity gap to account for the way there is with 14K/10K markets.
Purity standard comparison
India's dominant retail karat is 22K (91.6% purity). UAE's is 22K (91.6% purity) — buying 22K gets you more or equal actual gold content per gram than Indian 22K, regardless of the sticker price.
Jewellery-making & style differences
- Disclosed making charge on top of the day's per-gram 22K/21K/24K rate — same convention as India.
- Heavier, traditional 21K/22K designs common alongside lighter 18K pieces.
- Flat 5% VAT on gold value plus making charges.
- 22K UAE jewellery resells cleanly in India — same purity standard, no conversion loss.
Buying in UAE? What Indian travelers should know
- Returning Indian residents who've lived abroad over a year can bring gold jewellery in duty-free up to a weight limit only — 40g for women, 20g for men/others — with no separate value cap since the 2026 Baggage Rules revision.
- India charges a total 15% customs duty on imported gold (10% Basic Customs Duty + 5% AIDC, hiked from 6% in May 2026), plus 3% GST at sale.
- Yes — the UAE's Tax Refund for Tourists Scheme (via Planet Tax Free kiosks) refunds the 5% VAT on purchases over AED 250, claimed at the airport before departure with the item in hand luggage.
- Resale caution: Indian buyers typically value jewellery against 22K-equivalent purity, so 22K pieces from UAE may resell for less in India than their purchase price suggested.
Frequently asked questions
Is gold really cheaper in the UAE than India?
Usually yes, before making charges — mainly because the UAE has no import duty and only 5% VAT, versus India's 15% customs duty plus 3% GST. Making charges and design premium still apply in both places.
Can I bring gold jewellery from the UAE to India without paying duty?
Only within India's Baggage Rules weight limit (40g for women, 20g for men, for residents abroad over a year) — beyond that, India's 15% customs duty applies on top of what you already paid in the UAE.
Can tourists claim back VAT on gold bought in the UAE?
Yes — through the UAE's Tax Refund for Tourists Scheme via Planet Tax Free kiosks, on purchases over AED 250, claimed at the airport with the item and invoice before checking in.
Is UAE 22K gold the same purity as Indian 22K gold?
Yes — both are 91.6% pure gold. There's no purity conversion needed when comparing UAE and Indian 22K jewellery, unlike comparing against 14K (US) or 10K (Canada) markets.