Price Transparency & Anti-Gouging in UAE
Reviewed by the Commoner Law Editorial Team. Sourced from UAE federal decrees, laws, and ministerial decisions. Written in plain language for general understanding — this is educational content, not legal advice. Our editorial standards
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 to Do If You Are Charged More Than the Displayed Price in the UAE
- 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.
Common Questions
When does it apply — price transparency & anti-gouging?
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 I do if a store in the UAE charged me more than the price shown on the tag?
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 — price transparency & anti-gouging?
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.