How gold is priced in Oman
In Oman gold is priced in rials per gram, with 22K and 21K the usual karats for jewellery and 24K for bars. The rial is pegged to the US dollar (OMR 0.3845), so Omani prices track the international price closely. The figures here are spot converted to rials, before VAT and making charges.
VAT on gold in Oman
Oman introduced VAT on 16 April 2021 at a standard rate of 5%, which applies to gold jewellery on its full price including making charges. Under the VAT Law and its Executive Regulations, investment gold, silver and platinum — metal of at least 99% purity that is tradeable on global bullion markets — is zero-rated, subject to the conditions in the regulations, so ask for a tax invoice showing the treatment. Imported jewellery typically pays 5% GCC customs duty.
Hallmarking and testing
The Directorate General of Standards and Metrology at the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion runs the Precious Metals Laboratory, which tests and stamps gold before it can be traded and carries out random checks on shops and workshops. The approved gold standards are 916 (22K), 875 (21K) and 750 (18K).
Buying tips
Muscat's Muttrah Souq and the malls are the main places to buy. Shops price from the day's gram rate for each karat plus a making charge, so compare the gram rate with this page and ask for weight, karat and making charge to be itemised. Tola bars (11.66 g) and 10-tola bars are sold alongside gram bars.
Tax and duty information last reviewed October 2026. Rules change — confirm with your dealer or tax authority before a large purchase.