Buying Pakistani wedding gold from the UAE
UAE-based Pakistani families have a genuine choice that families elsewhere do not: buy in the Dubai or Sharjah souks, or buy in Pakistan. The honest answer depends on purity preference and making charges far more than on the metal rate, because souk pricing and the Karachi board both derive from the same international spot.
21K souk stock versus 22K Pakistani jewellery
Gulf souks stock heavily in 21K, hallmarked 875, because that is the regional preference. Pakistani bridal jewellery is 22K, hallmarked 916. They are different products, and swapping one for the other later means arguing about purity.
If the jewellery will live in Pakistan and may be exchanged there, 22K is the safer choice. If it will be worn in the Gulf and possibly exchanged in a souk, 21K is easier to trade.
Where the price difference actually comes from
Souk metal prices track international spot closely. The Pakistani board adds a local premium reflecting import cost and duty. The souk advantage on metal is real but modest, and it can be entirely erased by making charges.
Dubai making charges on machine-made chain are famously low; on heavy hand-worked bridal sets they are not. Compare like with like, per gram, for the same style of work.
VAT and refunds
The UAE applies 5% VAT. Investment-grade bullion of 99% purity or higher is zero-rated; jewellery is not, so a bridal purchase carries VAT.
Tourists can reclaim VAT on departure, but UAE residents cannot. For a resident family this is a straight 5% on top of metal plus making.
Carrying it to Pakistan
Personal jewellery in reasonable, non-commercial quantities is allowed into Pakistan under FBR baggage rules; bulk identical items or bullion are assessed as imports.
Keep the souk invoice showing weight, karat and making charges. On the Dubai-Karachi route in particular, unreceipted new jewellery in shop packaging draws attention.
Last reviewed 2026-01-15