Tourists paying Bhutan’s SDF can now buy duty-free gold

Thimphu: Tourists paying the 'Sustainable Development Fee' (SDF) in Bhutan can now buy duty-free gold in Phuentsholing and Thimphu, according to reports.

The decision was made by the Department of Tourism (DoT) in collaboration with Bhutan Duty-Free (BDF) to commemorate Bhutan's King's birth anniversary and Losar, the Bhutanese New Year, added reports.

All SDF-paying tourists can now purchase duty-free gold if they stay at a Department of Tourism-certified hotel for at least one night.

The gold is available for purchase in the Bhutanese cities of Phuentsholing and Thimphu from March 1, 2023.

Furthermore, as per reports, the gold is sold by duty-free outlets which normally sell luxury items and are owned by the Bhutanese finance ministry.

Apart from being tax-free, Bhutan's duty-free outlets "will not make any profit as the aim is to promote tourism".

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