Your rights when buying gold
Last reviewed: 13 November 2026 (3 Jumada al-Akhirah 1448 AH)
Before you pay
- Look for the hallmark and number: 999 for 24K, 916 for 22K, 875 for 21K, 750 for 18K. Plated items are marked «plated».
- Watch the weight on the scale's display yourself.
- Compare the gram price with the price shown in the shop and the raw price on Prices.
- Ask for an Arabic invoice with carat, weight, gram price, making charge and tax, and the shop's commercial registration number.
- Keep the invoice: if there is a defect or the carat differs from what was agreed, you may return or exchange within 15 days.
What the law says
| Topic | Rule | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Selling unhallmarked gold | Forbidden: 3 months to a year in prison and/or a fine of OMR 1,000–1,500 | Precious Metals Control Law (109/2000) |
| Legal carats | 24, 22, 21 and 18 (999, 916, 875, 750); lower carats are marked with their share, e.g. 585 | Precious Metals Control Law (109/2000) |
| Altering an item after hallmarking | 6 months to two years in prison and/or a fine of OMR 1,500–3,000 | Precious Metals Control Law (109/2000) |
| Testing an item | You may ask the hallmarking section to test it; its result is final | Precious Metals Control Law (109/2000) |
| Invoice | You have the right to an Arabic invoice with the commercial registration number | Consumer Protection Law (66/2014) |
| Price | The seller may not charge more than the advertised price | Consumer Protection Law (66/2014) |
| Return and exchange | Within 15 days for a defect or non-conformity | Consumer Protection Law (66/2014) |
| Payment | Amounts of OMR 5,000 or more by electronic payment, cheque or transfer | Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion |
| Tax | 5% on jewellery, 0% on investment gold under its conditions | VAT Law |
If something goes wrong
Talk to the shop first with your invoice. If it is not resolved, complain to the Consumer Protection Authority; it recovered OMR 3,200 for a buyer in Muscat whose carat and engraving differed from the agreement.
A summary for awareness, not a substitute for the official texts: Precious Metals Control Law · Consumer Protection Law · its regulation (Arabic).