How Much Gold Can Tourists Carry From Dubai To USA?
This a 2022 update to the question of how much gold tourists can bring from Dubai to the USA.
Dubai has a thriving gold market and offers tourists pure, high-quality gold, either in bars or jewelry. If you’re from the USA and are looking to invest in some gold, you might be wondering what regulations surround the purchase of gold.
So how much gold can tourists carry from Dubai to the USA?
There are no legal limitations on bringing gold into the USA as long as all gold is declared. There is, however, a limit of 10 kilograms per person when passing through customs to leave the UAE.
This article aims to answer the following questions to ensure tourists are well informed when traveling to Dubai and taking gold back to the USA:
- What are the restrictions for taking gold out of Dubai?
- What are the restrictions for taking gold into the USA?
- How much gold can a tourist carry into the USA from Dubai?
- What do I need to know when buying gold as a tourist?
What are the restrictions for taking gold out of Dubai?
Many tourists visit Dubai with the sole intention of investing in gold. A drawcard of the city is the thriving gold market, but also that it is relatively easy for tourists to purchase gold and take it home with them. If you are looking to purchase gold in Dubai, there are a few important things to remember.
Firstly, all gold must be declared at customs as you leave the country. This is a legal customs requirement, and there may be legal consequences if you get caught not declaring your newly purchased gold.
Secondly, always retain the proof of purchase information when buying your gold. Customs will ask to see your paperwork, so keep it together and have it available to avoid any issues.
Thirdly, you need to be aware of the per person limit on gold. Each tourist can legally purchase and leave the country with a maximum of 10 kilograms of gold. Any amount greater than this is illegal, and you risk legal problems, or the gold getting seized should you try and get through customs.
Finally, it is worth noting that there is a customs fee for any gold exceeding the amount of 1 kilogram per person (despite the legal limit being 10 kilograms per person). If you want to go deeper in buying gold be share to check out my article on tips for getting gold in Dubai.
Even if you find a good deal on gold, you need to factor in the customs fee, which is quite expensive (about 36% for every kilogram over 1 kilogram). For this reason, many tourists choose to stick to 1 kilogram of gold per traveler.
As long as you remember to abide by these guidelines, you won’t have any trouble purchasing gold in Dubai and taking it through customs as you leave the country.
Shipping Gold from Dubai to USA
You can ship gold from Dubai to USA as an alternative too. Although there is no duty for taking gold from Dubai to the USA, it is still a requirement to declare it. For example here is what cbp.gov has to say:
“There is no duty on gold coins, medals or bullion but these items must be declared to a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Officer. “
What are the restrictions for taking gold into the USA?
There are no limits on the amount of gold you can take into the USA, although all gold will need to be declared at customs.
There are slightly different processes in place, depending on the type of gold you are taking into the country. For example, there is no customs fee for gold bars, medals, or coins. However, they still must be declared to border protection.
If you have legal foreign currency that is made from gold (including coins) over the value of $10,000, then you will need to complete a FinCEN 105 form to get through customs.
The other option (although less popular) for purchasing gold in Dubai is to buy collectible gold items or fine art with gold elements or framing.
This is where the customs process gets a little more complicated. Pieces like this can be difficult to get through border control as it requires an appraiser and an attorney to be present. The value of the piece needs to be legally determined as custom fees are required for this type of item.
How much gold can tourists carry into the USA from Dubai?
Each tourist is allowed to take up to 10 kilograms of gold with them. The USA has no limit to gold being brought into the country by tourists. However, 10 kilograms of gold is the limit allowed through customs in Dubai when you are leaving the country.
Most tourists choose to stick to a limit of 1 kilogram per person, as this is the maximum gold that can be taken out of the country without customs fees.
What do I need to know when buying gold as a tourist in Dubai?
Buying gold in Dubai is very much part of the cultural experience. It’s a way to interact with locals, invest in high-quality gold, and have fun while you’re at it. To get the most out of your gold shopping in Dubai, it’s worth knowing a few things in advance.
Gold can be purchased from a range of places in Dubai
For a more traditional experience, head to a gold souk. This will provide you with a unique experience as you rub shoulders with locals and try to navigate the chaos.
If air-conditioned shopping malls are more your style, you’re in luck. There are several shopping malls in Dubai that have a range of gold stores. Wherever you choose to go, you will be sure to find high-quality gold in either jewelry or bar form.
You will need to haggle
Gold is purchased through negotiation and this is the only way to get a fair deal for both parties.
Remember that the starting price is always inflated and that you will need to meet somewhere in the middle to ensure nobody comes out with too bad a deal.
Also, you should always be prepared to walk away. If the salesperson really wants the sale and has room to budge on their end, they will come after you.
Make sure you know the current rate of gold
Before going shopping, you should look up the day’s market rate of gold so that you have a better understanding of prices. This way, you will be able to identify which stores are offering a good deal and which are charging too much.
It’s also worth understanding karats and gold purity so that you know exactly what you are paying for.
Gold can be purchased in a range of forms
The most popular options for tourists are gold jewelry or gold bars. Consider what type of piece you would like to invest in before you begin shopping so that you can make your search more targeted.
Summary
Here’s a summary of the key points you should take away from this article:
- Each tourist can take up to 10 kilograms of gold from Dubai to the USA. Most tourists tend to purchase up to 1 kilogram of gold, as this is the maximum amount that can be taken through Dubai customs without having to pay fees.
- Dubai customs requires all gold to be declared on the way out of the country. They will also need to see proof of purchase information and any other relevant documents.
- The USA does not have restrictions on the amount of gold a tourist can bring into the country. That being said, they do require all gold to be declared to border control. The actual customs process varies depending on the type of gold being brought through.
- It is worth doing some research about the local gold trade before you begin shopping. Important information to have is an understanding of karats, the current market rate of gold, and the process of haggling.
