At the airport · Duty free and shopping
Duty free that never closes
RAK Duty Free is run by the airport itself rather than a concession, with a shop in the Departure Terminal and a shop in the Arrival Terminal, both open round the clock. If your flight leaves at 04:00, the shop is open at 04:00.
At the airport
What is on the shelves
The categories the airport lists for its own shops. Brand and stock lists are not published, so treat this as the shape of the offer rather than an inventory.
- Alcoholic beverages
- Cigarettes and tobacco
- Perfumes
- Cosmetics and toiletries
- Watches
- Sunglasses
- Fashion accessories
- Electronics
- Confectionery
- Food items
- Gift items
- Souvenirs
Not every airport in the region lets you do this.
Buying on the way in
Because there is a shop in the Arrival Terminal as well as in Departures, you do not have to carry a bottle through a connection to bring it home. Buy on arrival, before you clear customs, and keep the receipt — what you carry through customs still counts against your UAE allowance.
Liquids and the security tray
Anything liquid you buy before screening still has to obey the 100 ml rule: containers of 100 ml or less, packed together in one transparent re-sealable one-litre bag per passenger, presented separately for X-ray. Medicines and dietary requirements, including baby food, are exempt but you may be asked to prove what they are. Buy the large bottle after security, not before it.
Tax free shopping
Claiming the VAT back
The UAE has charged 5 per cent VAT since 2018, and visitors can reclaim it on goods they take home. The scheme is run end to end by Planet, and at Ras Al Khaimah the validation counters are in Departures, opposite the check-in desks.
Shop with a tagged retailer
Come to validation before check-in
Keep the goods reachable
Scan at the kiosk
Export within 90 days
UAE allowances
What you may bring in
UAE customs allowances for arriving passengers, as published by the federal government. Limits apply per traveller.
| Item | Allowance |
|---|---|
| Gifts, perfume and personal effects | Up to AED 3,000 in value |
| Alcoholic beverages | 4 litres, or 2 cartons of beer (24 cans each, up to 355 ml a can). Traveller must be 18 or over. |
| Tobacco | Published figures differ between UAE federal guidance and Dubai Customs. Confirm the current limit with UAE Customs before you buy. Traveller must be 18 or over. |
| Cash and equivalents | Anything above AED 60,000, or the equivalent in another currency, must be declared. |
Prohibited
- Controlled narcotic substances
- Pirated content and counterfeit currency
- Items associated with black magic
- Publications contradicting Islamic values
- Gambling equipment
Restricted — prior approval needed
- Live animals
- Weapons
- Medications
- Media publications
- Nuclear products
- Wireless devices
- Alcoholic beverages
Not published yet
We only publish what the airport has actually confirmed. The items below are genuinely not documented anywhere, and we would rather say so than guess.
- The brand and product list, and whether pre-order and collect on departure is offered.
- Which currencies and cards the shops take, and whether there is an ATM or a bureau de change in either terminal.
- Any retail beyond RAK Duty Free — the airport's own tenant list is not current online.
- Comparative pricing or a price promise of the kind the larger Gulf airports publish.