ID and Cash Limits for Buying Gold in the UAE
There is no legal cap on paying cash for gold in the UAE, but once you pay AED 55,000 or more in cash (in one go or in linked payments) the dealer must take a copy of your Emirates ID or passport and report the sale to the UAE Financial Intelligence Unit on a DPMSR through goAML. Paying by card or bank transfer from a UAE bank doesn't trigger that report.
Facts checked 31 October 2026 · Not financial, legal or tax advice
At a glance
| Situation | Rule | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Buying | ID needed for cash of AED 55,000 or more, single or linked. | Residents: Emirates ID or passport. Tourists and other non-residents: passport or other valid government ID. |
| Paying cash | No legal cap. | Cash of AED 55,000+ is identified and reported; card, cheque and local bank transfers are not reported this way. |
| Selling | Same AED 55,000 cash rule applies when the shop pays you. | Jewellers usually ask for ID and your invoice when you sell or exchange old gold. |
| Reported | Dealer files a DPMSR on goAML within 2 weeks of a cash deal of AED 55,000+. | Suspicious deals are reported at any amount (STR). |
The rules in detail
- Dealers in precious metals and stones fall under the AML law when they make a cash transaction, or several transactions that appear linked, of AED 55,000 or more (Article 3 of Cabinet Resolution No. 134 of 2025). At that point they must identify the customer and check them against sanctions lists.
- The Ministry of Economy's Circular 08/AML/2021 requires a Dealers in Precious Metals and Stones Report (DPMSR) on goAML for cash deals of AED 55,000+ with individuals, resident or not, within 2 weeks, with a copy of the ID. Records are kept for at least 5 years.
- Paying an individual's purchase by credit card, cheque or bank transfer from a UAE bank is exempt from the DPMSR, whatever the amount. Cash instalments and advance payments count when they are received.
- Splitting cash into smaller payments doesn't help: linked payments are added up, and the dealer must file a suspicious transaction report (STR) at any amount if something looks wrong.
- The legal basis changed in 2025: Federal Decree-Law No. 10 of 2025 replaced the 2018 AML law from 14 October 2025, and Cabinet Resolution 134 of 2025 took effect on 14 December 2025. The AED 55,000 threshold stayed the same.
When you sell
- Bring your Emirates ID or passport and, if you have it, the original invoice or certificate.
- If the shop pays you AED 55,000 or more in cash, it must identify you and file a DPMSR.
- There is no tax withheld when an individual sells gold.
Silver and travel
- The rules cover all precious metals and stones, so silver is treated the same.
- Cash, precious metals and stones over AED 60,000 must be declared to customs on entry or exit (Afseh app or website).
Gold ID and Cash Limits in The UAE: FAQ
Is there a limit on paying cash for gold in Dubai?
No. You can pay any amount in cash, but at AED 55,000 or more (including linked payments) the shop must copy your ID and report the deal to the Financial Intelligence Unit.
Do tourists need a passport to buy gold in the UAE?
For cash purchases of AED 55,000 or more, yes: non-residents must show a passport or other valid government ID. Below that, the AML rules don't set a fixed ID requirement, though shops may still ask.
Does paying by card avoid the report?
Card, cheque and bank transfer payments from a UAE bank by an individual are exempt from the DPMSR. Suspicious transactions are still reported whatever the payment method.
Sources (5)
General information for individuals buying or selling gold, checked October 2026. Rules change and dealers may ask for more than the legal minimum; check with the dealer or the regulator. Not legal advice.