# Dubai Gold Souk Guide: How to Buy Safely in Deira

> How to reach the Dubai Gold Souk, when to go and the five checks to make before you pay: hallmark, weight, rate, making charge and invoice.

Canonical: https://mazimo.ae/journal/deira-gold-souk-visitor-guide

Gold rates · Published 6 October 2026 · 6 min read · Mazimo Jewellery, Dubai

The Dubai Gold Souk is in old Deira, by Dubai Creek, and the safe way to buy there is to make five checks before any money changes hands: the hallmark, the weight on the scale, the day's rate for that karat, the making charge per gram and a full invoice. Reach it on the Metro's Green Line at Gold Souq or Al Ras, compare two or three shops on the same karat and weight, and bargain on the making charge only.

## The five checks before you pay

1. **Hallmark.** A karat or fineness stamp (750, 875, 916 or 999) and the maker's mark, on the piece itself and not only on the tag.
2. **Weight.** The piece on a scale that reads zero first, in front of you, to the hundredth of a gram.
3. **Rate.** The day's rate per gram for that karat, written on the quote.
4. **Making charge.** A figure in dirhams per gram, on its own line.
5. **Invoice.** Karat, weights, rate, making, 5% VAT and the shop's details, handed to you before you leave.

## Getting there: Deira Metro stations, abra, taxi and parking

The Metro is the easiest way in. On the Green Line the stations run Union, Baniyas Square, Gold Souq and Al Ras (RTA codes G20 to G23). Gold Souq and Al Ras are both a short walk from the souk. Baniyas Square is the stop for Naif and for us. From the Red Line, change at Union and take the Green Line towards Creek.

| Way in | Where you arrive |
| --- | --- |
| Metro, Green Line | Gold Souq (G22) or Al Ras (G23); Baniyas Square (G21) for Naif |
| Abra from Bur Dubai | Deira Old Souq landing, about five minutes' walk from the souk |
| Taxi | Ask for the Gold Souk, Deira |
| Car | Paid street parking in Deira and Naif |

Abras cross the Creek between the Bur Dubai and Deira Old Souq landings, and RTA's fare on that crossing is AED 1 a person, cash only. For parking, read the zone sign for the tariff and how to pay.

## When to go: Gold Souk opening times

There is no single opening time, because every shop sets its own. Most trade from mid-morning to late evening, and on Fridays many open later in the day. Hours can also change during Ramadan and on public holidays, so ask the shop you plan to visit. Our own hours are on the [boutique page](https://mazimo.ae/boutique).

Expect bigger crowds around Eid and during the Dubai Shopping Festival. Timing changes the crowd, not the checks. More in [when is the best time to buy gold in Dubai](https://mazimo.ae/journal/best-time-to-buy-gold-dubai).

## How to buy gold in the Gold Souk: hallmark, weight, rate, making

**Hallmark.** Gold sold in Dubai should be stamped. The Dubai Central Laboratory, part of Dubai Municipality, [inspects gold and jewellery shops](https://www.dm.gov.ae/municipality-business/about-laboratory/). The stamp gives the karat or its fineness number (750 for 18K, 875 for 21K, 916 for 22K, 999 for 24K) and usually the maker's mark. If you want proof beyond the stamp, ask for a test in front of you; our guide to [verifying gold purity before you buy](https://mazimo.ae/journal/how-to-verify-gold-purity-in-uae-before-you-buy-jewellery) covers the options.

**Weight.** The display should read zero before the piece goes on. If it holds stones, the gross weight includes them: the gold is priced on the net gold weight and the stones separately, so ask for both figures.

**Rate.** Gold is priced on the day's rate per gram for its karat. Our [live Dubai gold rate](https://mazimo.ae/gold-rates) shows today's figure for each karat, a useful reference for the quotes you collect. If neighbouring shops quote very different rates for the same karat, ask why.

**Making charge.** It pays for the craftsmanship and comes on top of the gold. Ask for it in dirhams per gram; if a shop quotes a percentage or a lump sum, convert it to per gram before comparing. The full breakdown is in [what you actually pay for gold in Dubai](https://mazimo.ae/journal/making-charges-vs-gold-rate-dubai).

## Gold Souk bargaining: the making charge, not the rate

Bargaining works on the making charge. The day's rate is public and moves with the market, and the weight is whatever the scale shows, but the making charge is the shop's own figure, often easier to move on a heavier piece or when you buy several.

Suppose two shops quote the same 20 g bangle at the same rate. One asks AED 12 a gram for making and the other AED 8: on 20 g that is AED 240 against AED 160, AED 80 apart before VAT, however high the rate is that day. Collect the per-gram figure from two or three shops for the same karat and a similar design, then bargain at the one you prefer. If the number will not move, walk away calmly.

## The Gold Souk receipt: what the invoice should show

Under UAE VAT rules even a short tax invoice must carry the words "Tax Invoice", the seller's name, address and tax registration number, the date, a description of what you bought and the total with the VAT charged. For gold, ask for more than the legal minimum:

- the karat and the hallmark you saw on the piece;
- gross weight and net gold weight in grams, with any stones listed;
- the rate per gram used, and the making charge on its own line;
- VAT at 5% on its own line, then the total in dirhams.

Check the karat against the stamp and the weight against the scale. Our guide to [buying certified gold jewellery in Dubai](https://mazimo.ae/journal/buy-certified-gold-jewellery-dubai) sets out what a certificate should say. Keep the invoice: it is your proof for resale, repairs and the tourist refund below.

## Tourists: VAT refund and carrying jewellery home

Visitors can claim back VAT through the Federal Tax Authority's [tourist VAT refund scheme](https://tax.gov.ae/en/services/tourist.vat.refunds.aspx). You must be 18 or over, a non-resident who entered on a tourist visa, buy from a retailer registered in the scheme, spend at least AED 250 before VAT per transaction, and validate the purchase within 90 days of the invoice date. Jewellery is not on the scheme's list of excluded goods, but the shop has to be registered, so ask before you buy. Staff at validation can ask to see the goods, so keep the jewellery in its original packaging and in your hand luggage. The scheme deducts 13% of the VAT and AED 3.60 per transaction from the refund; check the page before you fly, as the terms can change.

The UAE government's [customs guidance](https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/visiting-and-exploring-the-uae/Tourist-services-and-information/Customs-clearance) says anyone entering or leaving the UAE with cash, financial instruments, precious metals or valuable stones worth more than AED 60,000 must declare them. For a large purchase, check with Dubai Customs and your home country's import rules for gold before you fly.

## Souk, boutique or online: choosing where to buy

The souk offers choice and a chance to compare shops in an afternoon, a boutique offers one counter and time to ask questions, and online offers time at home but no scale. The five checks apply to all three. For the full comparison read [Dubai Gold Souk vs online shopping](https://mazimo.ae/journal/dubai-gold-souk-vs-online); this guide is the visit plan. If the purchase is an engagement ring, [where to buy an engagement ring in Dubai](https://mazimo.ae/journal/where-to-buy-engagement-ring-dubai) compares the souk with mall boutiques and made-to-order jewellers.

Mazimo is at Al Manal Center, 22–26 Deira Street, Naif, a few minutes from the Gold Souk; Baniyas Square is the closest Metro station. Pieces are weighed in front of you and priced on the day's rate for the karat plus a stated making charge. Bring a quote from another shop and we will show you how ours is built. Directions and hours are on the [boutique page](https://mazimo.ae/boutique), and if you would like pieces set aside, [book a viewing](https://mazimo.ae/appointment).

## Questions people ask

### Which metro station is nearest the Gold Souk?

Gold Souq (G22) and Al Ras (G23) on the Green Line are both a short walk away. Baniyas Square (G21) is the closest station to Naif and Al Manal Center.

### What time does the Gold Souk open?

Each shop sets its own hours, so there is no single time. Most trade from mid-morning to late evening, and many open later on Fridays.

### Can you bargain in the Gold Souk?

Yes, on the making charge but not on the gold. The day's rate and the weight on the scale are not negotiable, while the per-gram making charge is the shop's own figure.

### Can tourists get VAT back on gold jewellery?

Generally yes: the scheme covers goods bought with 5% VAT from a registered shop, and jewellery is not on its excluded list. You must be 18 or over, a non-resident visitor, spend at least AED 250 before VAT and validate the purchase within 90 days of the invoice date.

Prices and rates mentioned are indicative at the time of writing. For today's number see [today's gold rate](https://mazimo.ae/gold-rates), or [message the boutique](https://mazimo.ae/contact).