Price Transparency & Anti-Gouging
Written in plain language for general understanding. This is educational content, not legal advice. Based on UAE federal decrees, laws, and ministerial decisions.
UAE Federal Law
What is this right?
UAE law requires businesses to be transparent about pricing and prohibits unjustified price increases:
- Clear pricing: All products and services must display prices inclusive of VAT (5%) and any other applicable charges.
- Price tags: Physical stores must have visible price tags on all products. The price at the register must match the displayed price.
- Anti-gouging: The government monitors prices of essential goods (food staples, fuel, medicines) and can set price caps during emergencies or supply disruptions.
- Price manipulation: Businesses cannot collude to fix prices or restrict supply to inflate prices. This is a criminal offence under competition law.
- Promotions: Advertised sale prices must be genuine reductions. Raising a price before a sale to make the discount look bigger is illegal.
When does it apply?
- You are shopping at any retail store, restaurant, or service provider in the UAE.
- You notice a price discrepancy between the displayed price and the amount charged.
- You suspect price gouging on essential goods or services.
What should you do?
- Take a photo of the price tag and your receipt if you are charged more than the displayed price.
- Ask the store to honour the displayed price — the displayed price takes priority over the register price.
- If the store refuses, file a complaint with the DED or the Ministry of Economy.
- Report suspected price gouging through the Ministry of Economy hotline at 800-2225.
What should you NOT do?
- Do not pay a price that does not match the display without raising the issue — you have the right to the advertised price.
- Do not assume sale prices are always genuine — compare with the regular price and report fake discounts.
- Do not ignore receipts — always check your receipt matches what you expected to pay.
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