What to bring back from Dubai 2026: gold, dates, perfume and more
Gold by weight, premium dates, Arabic perfume and oud, spices and camel chocolate. Where to buy, how to haggle, and what to reclaim via tax refund.
The short version
From Dubai people bring back gold, dates, Arabic perfume and oud, spices and sweets. In the souks you haggle, in the malls prices are fixed. On purchases over 250 AED on one receipt visitors can reclaim part of the VAT via tax refund, and how that works is in the .
Gold and jewellery
The main spot is the in Deira. Gold is sold by weight plus a making charge of 8–15%, so haggle. Check the hallmark, the UAE polices purity strictly. Malls are pricier but offer brand-name pieces.
Dates and sweets
- Premium dates (Medjool, Khalas), beautifully boxed sets, the Bateel brand.
- Arabic sweets: baklava, kunafa, Turkish delight.
- Al Nassma camel-milk chocolate, an unusual gift.
Perfume, oud and bakhoor
Arabic perfumery is a strong souvenir: oud, bakhoor and scents from Ajmal, Arabian Oud and Amouage. They let you sample, and you can blend a personal scent.
Spices, coffee and textiles
- Saffron, spice blends, dried fruit and nuts, at the Spice Souk.
- Arabic coffee and tea.
- Pashmina, carpets, frankincense.
Where to buy
- The souks (Gold, Spice), authentic, haggling expected. More in the .
- , country pavilions, souvenirs from around the world.
- Malls, fixed prices, brands, gift sets. Navigation in the .
Tip: buy dates and sweets vacuum-packed on your last day, they travel better. Process gold and perfume for tax refund, on a big purchase the rebate is worth it.
Tell us what you want to bring back and for whom, and we will point you to trusted spots and help you not overpay.
