How silver is priced in the UAE
In the UAE silver is priced in dirhams per gram for jewellery and per kilo or per bar for bullion. Because the dirham is pegged to the US dollar (AED 3.6725), UAE silver prices follow international spot almost exactly. The figures here are spot converted to dirhams, before VAT, dealer premiums and making charges.
VAT on silver in the UAE
The standard 5% VAT applies to silver jewellery, silverware and other silver articles, charged on the full price including making charges. Investment precious metals are zero-rated: silver, like gold and platinum, qualifies when it is of 99% purity or more and in a form tradeable on global bullion markets — typically 999 bars and bullion coins. Sterling (925) items do not qualify. A dealer's invoice should show which treatment applies. Between VAT-registered businesses, silver has been under a reverse-charge mechanism since 25 February 2025; this does not change what a retail buyer pays.
How dealers price silver
UAE dealers price silver from the international spot price in dollars, converted at the fixed peg, and add a premium that is usually larger for small bars and coins than for kilo bars. Banks sell bullion too: Emirates NBD offers branded silver bars in 100 g, 250 g, 500 g and 1 kg sizes. Before buying, compare the dealer's selling price with the live figure on this page, ask for the refiner or mint name and serial number, and check the buy-back price, since resale terms vary between dealers.
Purity and hallmarks
Investment silver is normally 999 or 999.9 fine, while silver jewellery is mostly sterling (925). The UAE's rules on trading and stamping precious metals (Cabinet Resolution No. 45 of 2018) cover silver alongside gold and platinum, and treat silver below 800 parts per thousand as low-carat. When buying jewellery, check the purity stamp and ask for the weight and purity to be shown on the invoice.
Tax and duty information last reviewed October 2026. Rules change — confirm with your dealer or tax authority before a large purchase.