A general trading license is Dubai’s most adaptable commercial license. It lets you buy, sell, import, export, distribute, and re-export a wide mix of goods—even unrelated categories like electronics, textiles, and kitchen appliances—under one license issued by Dubai’s Department of Economy & Tourism (for mainland) or your chosen free zone authority. That flexibility is why it’s popular with startups, SMEs, and international entrepreneurs using Dubai as a regional hub. The timing is strong, too: Dubai trade grew 7.2% year-on-year in Q1 2025, underscoring the city’s pull as a global commerce powerhouse. Beyond breadth, the big win is scalability: as profits grow, you can add product lines without applying for multiple single-activity licenses. Foreign investors and expats can also launch without a local sponsor in free zones (and in many mainland sectors now offer 100% ownership). If you plan to move diverse inventory—think a “Carrefour warehouse” of categories—this license is purpose-built for you.Get a general trading license in Dubai: step-by-step
- Partner with Trade License Zone (TLZ). We streamline paperwork, approvals, and timelines so you can focus on growth.
- Select your business activities. Choose precise activity codes (import/export, wholesale, retail, distribution, storage, re-export, e-commerce, and regulated items where extra approvals apply). Staying within your listed activities avoids penalties and keeps future expansion smooth.
- Choose your jurisdiction.
- Mainland: full UAE market access, physical office (Ejari) required; many sectors now allow 100% foreign ownership.
- Free zone: 100% ownership, tax incentives, fast setup; mainland trading needs a distributor/agent.
- Offshore: holding/asset protection; not permitted to trade in the UAE.
- Decide on a legal structure. LLC, civil company, sole proprietorship, free zone entity, or offshore company—picked for ownership, access, and compliance.
- Reserve a trade name. Must meet UAE naming rules; TLZ secures the reservation certificate.
- Secure a business location. Mainland needs a physical office; free zones offer options from flexi-desks to warehouses.
- Apply for initial approval. Submit shareholder passports/visas, NOC (if applicable), trade name certificate, activity list, and business plan.
- Apply for the license. File with DED or your free zone, aligned to approved activities.
- Open a corporate bank account. TLZ introduces suitable banking partners.
- Register for customs and VAT (if required). Get a Dubai Customs code for imports/exports. VAT registration is mandatory above AED 375,000 turnover (voluntary from AED 187,500) via the FTA e-Services portal; you’ll receive a TRN and must invoice/file returns accordingly.
Costs, documents, and picking mainland vs free zone
Documents: shareholder passports, visas/Emirates IDs (if applicable), trade name reservation, initial approval, MoA, office lease/Ejari (mainland). Regulated goods (food, cosmetics, medical, etc.) may need third-party approvals.
Costs: expect AED 15,000–50,000+ depending on jurisdiction, facilities (virtual office to warehouse), visa quota, customs/VAT needs, and add-ons like translations, insurance, utilities deposits, banking, accounting/audit, and marketing.
Which setup is best?
- Choose mainland if you need unrestricted UAE market access, a local footprint, larger hiring capacity, and direct B2B/B2C sales.
- Choose free zone if you prioritize global reach, 100% ownership, tax efficiencies, faster registration, and simpler facilities—with mainland sales via a local distributor.
Ready to start? TLZ handles end-to-end setup—paperwork, approvals, VAT/customs, banking, and renewals—so you launch faster with confidence. Contact Trade License Zone for a custom quote and get trading.
