UAE Free Zone Company for Import of Gold and Precious Metals 2026
UAE is the world third-largest gold trading hub. Here is the 2026 guide for gold and precious metals import/export through a UAE free zone company.
In this guide:
UAE Gold Trading Overview
- UAE gold trade: USD 75+ billion annually; Dubai Gold Souk is iconic; Jebel Ali is a major gold import/re-export hub
- DMCC: The world premier commodities hub; DMCC Gold and Diamond Park; hundreds of gold trading companies registered
- Origin: Gold enters UAE from Africa, Americas, and Asia; re-exported to India, China, Turkey, and global markets
Requirements for Gold Trading in UAE
- Free zone company: DMCC preferred for gold trading; specific Gold Trader/Refiner activities
- DMCC membership: Required for DMCC gold and diamond park
- Good Delivery: Major gold trading companies refine gold to LBMA Good Delivery standards
- Anti-Money Laundering (AML): CBUAE reporting requirements for large gold transactions; strict KYC for suppliers
UAE Gold Import Duties and VAT
- UAE VAT on investment gold: 0% (zero-rated); gold bars and coins over 99% purity are VAT-zero-rated
- UAE customs duty on gold: 5% standard GCC duty rate on gold; but investment-grade gold from many countries is duty-free under UAE-GCC rules
- Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC): Companies within DMCC free zone pay no UAE customs duties on imports within the free zone
UAE Gold Trader AML Compliance
- Designated Non-Financial Businesses and Professions (DNFBPs): Gold dealers are DNFBPs under UAE AML law
- Customer Due Diligence (CDD): Required for all gold transactions
- Suspicious Transaction Reporting: Must file STR with UAE Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU)