Where to buy Arabic perfumes?

Looking to explore the rich world of Arabic perfumes? This guide will walk you through the best trusted online and brick-and-mortar sources to buy authentic Arabic and Middle Eastern fragrances with expert tips to avoid counterfeits and pick the right scent for you.

Why Arabic perfumes are worth the extra care

Arabic perfumes (often referred to as Middle Eastern fragrances) stand out for their intense concentration, luxurious raw materials (like oud, amber, incense, musk) and long-lasting sillage.  Because you’re paying for quality ingredients and heritage, buying from reliable sources matters: counterfeit bottles are sadly common and may lack longevity or authenticity. 

Online vs. In-store: what to choose?

Online shopping: pros & cons

Pros:

• Huge selection of Arabic perfumes from brands and Middle Eastern specialists.
• Often better pricing or sales.
• Easy to compare reviews, shipping policies, and authenticity guarantees. Cons:
• You can’t test the scent directly before buying.
• Greater risk of counterfeits if the seller isn’t reliable.

Brick-and-mortar stores (or specialist boutiques)

Pros:

• You can smell and test the fragrance, check packaging physically.
• Get advice from staff on scent-type, longevity, suitability. Cons:
• Selection might be smaller, sometimes higher price.
• May not always carry rare or niche Arabic fragrance lines.

Our verdict

If you’re serious about buying an authentic Arabic fragrance, a boutique visit is ideal for your first purchase to sample. For follow-ups or to explore more specialised brands, a trusted online store offers flexibility—just ensure you check authenticity carefully.

Top recommended websites and brands

Here are some reliable names worth bookmarking when searching for Arabic perfumes.

1. Golden scents

To start with, I personally buy Arabic and niche perfumes from the one and only Golden scents global website.

Who they are?

Goldenscent.com is an online store developed in Saudi Arabia. With regards to the product range, goldenscent.com specializes in “Personal Care”. You can find the following categories:

• Arabic perfumes
• Niche perfumes
• Home scents
• Bakhoor
• Candles

Does GOLDEN SCENT guarantee the authenticity of its products?

According to their FAQ page, they only sell 100% authentic products at GOLDEN SCENT. They stand behind the authenticity of every product we sell. All of their products are sourced from authorized distributors and are of premier quality.

How long does it take for my order to be delivered?

International shipments will take from 7 to 10 working days

2. Notino (Europe-based beauty retailer)

Notino is the largest online beauty retailer in Europe, operating in 28 countries and serving 20 million customers. We are still growing and planning to expand to many more markets. Buy your Arabic perfume here with competitive prices and discounts all throughout the year.

Why shop on Notino?

• Engraving: Notino also can engrave a personal message of your choice on your beauty product or perfume by using laser. How does it work? It’s easy – just fill in the message on the product page before placing your order.
• 90-day return policy
• More than 82,000 products from 1,500 brands are currently in stock!
• Free shipping on hundreds of products

3. Amazon

Global accessibility means you can find Arabic perfumes from many sellers—including some specialist lines. 

Why to use with caution: Authenticity depends hugely on the seller. On forums, users report both genuine and poor experiences. Example from Reddit:

“I have made the mistake of buying from a trusted official website, and received a fake one.” 

Always check the seller name, batch code, packaging quality, and reviews.

4. Recommended Arabic/neighbourhood-brands

Arabian oud

Arabian Oud is the largest fragrance manufacturer and retailer around the world specializing in incense, oriental perfumes and oil perfumes. Arabian Oud is an international brand with 900 points of sale across 35 countries worldwide.

Here is a selection of Arabian oud best sellers. They are known for their beast-mode performance. I personally own Madawi and Kalemat black and I can ensure you that these perfumes are compliment-getters.

5. Swiss Arabian

Last but not least, Swiss Arabian. You can find this brand on Amazon and Notino websites too. Swiss Arabian Perfumes Group was established in 1974 in UAE. The Group owns several perfume brands, including Swiss Arabian.

Swiss Arabian has a very original 'Scent finder' on their website. You can search for the perfume that better suits your personality and your occasions using their tool.

How to verify authenticity and avoid counterfeits

Since Arabic perfumes can be high-end and much copied, here are guidelines to protect yourself:

• Check packaging & labels carefully: Look for tamper-proof holograms, authenticity stickers, clear batch codes.
• Smell and longevity matter: If the scent fades quickly (within an hour) or lacks projection, it may be fake.
• Check seller credentials: Are they an authorised distributor? Do they have good reviews for authenticity?
• Compare price vs market standard: If an Arabic niche perfume is being sold for a tiny fraction of usual price, treat it with scepticism.
• Return/import policy: Trusted retailers will have clear return policies and shipping details.
• Review unpacking: When you receive the bottle, inspect for consistency with the brand's official packaging (font, embossing, weight, box quality).

Shipping, duty & international vs French/Europe stores

If you’re based in France (or Europe) and buying Arabic perfumes online, here are extra points to consider:

• Shipping time: If buying from the Middle East (e.g., Saudi or UAE) expect longer delivery (7–10 days or more) and possibly import delays.
• Customs & duties: Non-EU shipments may attract customs or VAT upon arrival—check with the retailer whether duties are included.
• European retailers (like Notino) may be more convenient for EU-based buyers (faster shipping, simpler return process, VAT already accounted for).
• Language & payment options: Ensure the site offers language (e.g., French), clear payment terms, and secure checkout.
• Packaging for travel: If you travel, check whether the retailer supports shipping to your region (France/Europe) and whether shipping charges are reasonable.

Picking the right Arabic fragrance for your taste

Arabic perfumes often have bold, opulent profiles. Here’s how to pick one that suits you:

• Identify your preferred scent family: Do you like woody-amber, spice-oriental, floral-oud, or fresh attars?
• Check concentration: Many Arabic perfumes come as Extrait de Parfum or high-concentration Eau de Parfum—longer lasting.
• Consider occasion & season: Heavier scents (oud, leather, incense) work well evenings/cool weather; lighter compositions for day/warm weather.
• Try samples if possible: Many niche Arabic brands or online stores will offer samples so you can test before full bottle purchase.
• Layering and oils: In Arabic fragrance culture, perfume oils (attar) are common. If you prefer less spray, an oil attar might be a good fit.
• Budget-vs-luxury: Know that rare ingredients (e.g., high-grade oud) command higher prices—but you can still find value mid-tier Arabic scents that deliver excellent quality.

Summary: Your roadmap to buying Arabic perfumes

1. Decide whether you want in-person boutique shopping (to test) or online convenience.
2. Choose trusted retailers or brands (see list above).
3. Check authenticity markers, reviews, packaging quality.
4. Understand pricing, shipping & duty implications (especially if buying from outside the EU).
5. Match the fragrance profile, concentration and budget to your taste.
6. Buy, test on your skin, enjoy—and if you like it, consider backing up with a direct-brand purchase for long-term availability.

By following this process, you’ll be better equipped to buy authentic Arabic perfumes that reflect the richness, craftsmanship and heritage the category is known for—without the anxiety of falling into counterfeit traps.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. How can I tell if an Arabic perfume is genuine?

Look for authenticity stickers/holograms, correct batch code, robust packaging and check how it performs (genuine ones last longer). 

Q2. Are Arabic perfumes better than regular Western perfumes?

“Better” depends on your preference: Arabic perfumes often have bolder, richer and longer-lasting profiles—so if you like that style, yes.

Q3. Can I buy Arabic perfumes from European stores shipping to France?

Yes—many European retailers (like Notino) ship to France/EU, often with simplerVAT/returns.

Q4. What price range should I expect for a good Arabic perfume?

Entry-level might run ~€50-150, mid-tier ~€150-300, premium/limited-edition can go higher. 

Q5. Are perfume oils (attars) better than sprays?

Not necessarily “better,” just different: oils are more concentrated, closer to the skin and may last longer—but sprays offer more versatility.

Q6. What should I do if I receive a perfume that fades too quickly?

Contact the seller immediately, check the return policy. It may be counterfeit or low-quality. Ensure you have documentation/batch code to support your claim.