AML Requirements for Dealers in precious metals and stones in the UAE
Businesses trading in gold, precious metals or gemstones at any stage of the supply chain, from extraction and refining through wholesale to retail jewellers.
Are dealers in precious metals and stones designated in the UAE mainland?
Yes. The designation follows the business itself, so a firm carrying on this activity in the UAE mainland is within the regime without any further test.
- Designating provision
- Cabinet Resolution No. (134) of 2025, Article 3(3)
- Supervisor
- Ministry of Economy and Tourism
Cash transactions at or above AED 55,000, single or linked.
Reports filed with no suspicion required
- Cash at or above AED 55,000 with a resident individual
- Cash at or above AED 55,000 with a non-resident individual
- Any transaction at or above AED 55,000 with a company or entity, whether in cash or by wire transfer
MoET Supplemental Guidance for Dealers in Precious Metals & Stones (March 2026), section 1.4.1
These are not risk-based. They are due whenever the trigger is met, even where due diligence is complete and nothing looks wrong, which is why an unfiled one is a strict-liability gap rather than a judgement call.
What the regime requires here
Federal Decree-Law No. (10) of 2025 and Cabinet Resolution No. (134) of 2025, Article 3 governs AML in the UAE mainland. Every designated firm owes the same spine of obligations: a documented risk assessment covering money laundering, terrorist financing and proliferation financing; customer due diligence with enhanced measures for higher risk and for high-risk countries; policies approved by senior management; a compliance officer at management level; an independent audit of the controls; immediate implementation of targeted financial sanctions; staff training; and records available to the authorities on request.
- Federal Decree-Law No. (10) of 2025 on AML/CFT/CPF, in force 14 October 2025
- Cabinet Resolution No. (134) of 2025, Executive Regulations, in force 14 December 2025 (DNFBPs: Article 3)
What Federal Decree-Law No. 10 of 2025 changed sets out the obligations and the penalties in full, with each article cited.
See where this firm actually stands
AML Compass assesses a dealers in precious metals and stone against the duties that apply in the UAE mainland, scores its risk and inspection readiness, and produces a report of the gaps citing the provision behind each one.
The same sector elsewhere in the UAE
The designation, the threshold and the supervisor are not the same across jurisdictions, so a firm operating in more than one needs both answers.
Other designated businesses in the UAE mainland
This page summarises published legislation and rulebooks for general information. It is not legal advice, and it does not replace the texts themselves or guidance from your supervisor.