Planet renews exclusive UAE tax-free shopping contract as its AI rollout creates world’s fastest tax refund experience

Planet, the global provider of integrated payment, software and tax-free solutions, has secured a three-year renewal of its exclusive contract to operate the UAE’s tax-free shopping scheme, following a competitive tender led by the UAE Federal Tax Authority.  

The renewal is being announced alongside the rollout of new AI-powered refund technology in the UAE, developed by the Federal Tax Authority in collaboration with Planet.  

The AI-powered, fully paperless tourist VAT refund experience went live this week at Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi, Dubai International Airport and Sharjah International Airport. The technology helps travellers complete requests within minutes and reduces card-payment refund times from nine working days to one, creating what is believed to be one of the world’s fastest tourist tax refund experiences. 

Travellers register through the Planet app using facial recognition, passport and payment-card details. At the airport, they scan a QR code at a tax-refund point; claims not requiring inspection can be completed in the app, while customers needing verification are directed through facial-recognition gates to a self-service kiosk.

“The three-year renewal recognises the strength of the service Planet has built with the Federal Tax Authority and the standards we deliver across the UAE,” said Gary Byrne, President of Tax Free at Planet. “The rollout of AI-supported verification takes that partnership further, giving travellers a faster, simpler and fully paperless refund experience, with faster tax refunds than ever before.”

Working with The Federal Tax Authority, Planet expects continued enhancements to the platform to further improve the tourist VAT refund experience and customer satisfaction.