Dubai Duty Free (DDF) is the world’s largest airport retailer, having surpassed USD 2 billion in sales in 2018. Indian passengers accounted for 18% of those sales. Of the 90 million passengers that passed through Dubai airports in 2018, 12.2 million were Indians. DDF accepts payment in 15 currencies and offers same change only in AED, USD, EUR and GBP.
Dubai Duty-Free Source: Arabian Business News
From July 1, 2019, DDF started accepting Indian Rupees as its 16th currency. INR is now a valid currency for transactions at outlets at all three terminals at Dubai International airport and also at Al Maktoum airport (Dubai World Central).
Dubai Duty-Free website showing prices in Indian rupees
You can now purchase anything at Dubai Duty-Free with Indian currency notes of denominations INR 100, INR 200, INR 500 and INR 2000 only. Change if any will only be provided in AED. There is a slight markup against AED while purchasing in INR which may be similar if you convert to a different currency and buy the same product.
This is great news for those who travel to Dubai regularly as they can now purchase products in their Indian currency itself rather than having to swap with USD/AED.
I would never use INR as this is a big catch.. On one hand there’s is a limitation of people carrying INR out of India. For people who carry more INR than allowed. If he/she makes a purchase at the airport these purchases require a valid passport. If someone makes a big or huge expense at Dubai airport the customs department at the Indian airport would know who has bought how much worth of goods. The chances are getting harassed will increase.. Please avoid using INR for big purchases.
Passport is scanned for EVERY transaction and has nothing to do with INR purchases. As claimed by you if purchases are being *reported* to Indian customs it will be for ALL transactions and not only for INR transactions. Utter nonsense.
will india issued credit cards be accepted? and the swipe in INR?
It is always better to swipe cards in local currency. The rates provided by your bank will always be better than the one provided during the swipe .
If the POS gives the option to select INR purchases can be made. I have seen pos unit in Thailand, Hong Kong and Canada offering INR l