What is an oil trading license?

An oil trading license grants your company in the UAE the legal right to conduct business involving the trade of oil and petroleum products within the UAE. However, if the product is used solely for internal purposes and not for commercial distribution, a license may not be required.

These exemptions are not automatic. The company must provide a detailed explanation of how the petroleum product is used, along with documentation proving that there are no commercial transactions involved.

What you can do with an oil trading license in the UAE

  • Import and export of petroleum products
  • Storage and transportation of fuel by all types of transport
  • Wholesale and retail distribution of oil products within the UAE
  • Contracting with local and international partners
  • Establishment of infrastructure (offices, warehouses, logistics centers)
  • Participation in exchange trading (including Dubai Mercantile Exchange)
  • Oil-related transport and logistics operations
  • Business activities in UAE free zones and GCC markets
  • Hiring and sponsoring employees
  • Processing and blending of petroleum products (with required permits)

Types of oil and petroleum products subject to licensing in the UAE and their regulatory authorities

Category Petroleum products Regulatory authority
Crude oil Light crude oil, heavy crude oil MOEI, ADNOC, sea port authorities
Refined products Diesel fuel, gasoline, kerosene, naphtha, jet fuel MOEI, Department of Energy Abu Dhabi, Dubai Petroleum Affairs
Hydrocarbon gases Propane, butane,  LPG MOEI, Civil Defense, sea port and custom authorities
Lubricants and oils Lubricating materials, base oils, motor oils, and industrial oils MOEI, ESMA, DED
Asphalt, bitumen Construction and road bitumen MOEI, municipal departments, sea port authorities
Bunker fuel Marine fuel, fuel oil MOEI, port authorities
Petrochemicals Methanol, ethylene, propylene, polyethylen MOEI, ESMA, MOIAT

Who needs an oil trading license?

  • Companies engaged in the trading of oil and petroleum products
  • Logistics operators specializing in oil storage and transshipment
  • Suppliers of bunker fuel for marine transportation
  • Enterprises involved in the processing and blending of petroleum products
  • Trading houses and distributors of oil products
  • Free zone residents conducting commercial activities

Requirements for obtaining an oil trading license in the UAE

The UAE has established basic federal requirements for licensing oil trading that apply across all emirates. However, each jurisdiction (for example, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, or Fujairah) may add its own local conditions and approvals. It is important to consider both federal and local requirements.

General requirements for all Emirates:

  1. Official company registration with the Department of Economic Development or a Free Zone authority.
  2. Clear indication of the business activity in the company’s founding documents.
  3. Submission of a business plan describing sources of raw materials, sales channels, and logistics schemes.
  4. Proof of commercial relationships — preliminary agreements or Letters of Intent (LOIs).
  5. Availability of warehouse facilities — either owned or leased premises.
  6. Compliance with environmental and safety standards adopted to protect people, equipment, and the environment from hazards.
  7. Approvals from regulatory authorities, including the UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, port authorities, and other relevant bodies.

DTEC company formation process

DTEC is one of Dubai’s free zones suitable for cost-effective setup of startups and IT businesses. The DTEC company registration in most cases can be completed without visiting in person. It typically takes around 3–4 weeks from start to finish, depending on initial eligibility screening and document readiness.A key first step is the initial approval, which is issued by the DTEC free zone authorities. Once initial approval is granted, the owner can proceed with the full registration.In practice, DTEC companies usually appoint a UAE-resident manager (often the owner) for smoother ongoing administration, especially if they plan to operate actively from the UAE. DTEC is open to applicants of most nationalities, subject to the standard approval process.

  1. Determine which type of license offered by the DTEC free zone suits you. It is crucial to approach this question carefully, as choosing the wrong activity, registration authority, or location can lead to errors during company registration, creating problems with opening a bank account or getting a residence visa. 

  2. In DTEC, you can establish a company under one of the following legal entities:

    • Branch: Any company already existing in the UAE or abroad can set up a branch in DTEC. Note that the branch's business activity must match the parent company's activity.
    • FZE: Free Zone Establishment is a legal entity with a single shareholder.
    • FZCO: Free Zone Company requires a minimum of two shareholders.

  3. DTEC requires a minimal documentation package.

    • passport with a 6-month validity
    • business plan
    • copy of UAE entry stamp/resident visa and Emirates ID (if applicable)
    • photo
    • residential address 
    • email 
    • educational certificate of General Manager

    Registration can be completed remotely - you don’t need to be physically present. Also you have to pay all the registration and processing fees at this step.

  4. They include:

    • Certificate of incorporation
    • License
    • Lease agreement
    • MoA and Articles of Association

  5. This plastic card contains information about your company and authorizes it to sponsor residence visas. Typically, it is issued within 3 to 5 days.

  6. If you’re outside of the UAE, you will need to come to the country after the document is issued within 60 days to complete the medical test and biometrics for your visa. If you’re in the UAE, a status change will be done from your previous UAE tourist/residency visa to the new one.

  7. Undergo a medical checkup and submit documents for a residence visa. Different registration packages may provide for a varying number of visas available for owners and employees of the company.

  8. Once your visa is issued, secure your Emirates ID card. The processing and issuance of a visa and Emirates ID usually take 5-7 working days after the visa approval.

  9. Apply to a UAE bank to open a corporate bank account in one of local or international banks in the UAE. After receiving the account details, you can start running your business in the UAE.

Expert

With us you can navigate this process quickly and effortlessly. You don`t even have to arrive in Dubai — the registration procedure can be completed remotely. However, you will need to visit the UAE for medical checkups, visa formalities, and account opening.

DTEC license cost

DTEC's pricing structure offers one of the cheapest packages for visa eligible companies in Dubai.

Minimal business setup cost in the DTEC free zone is AED 16,715. It includes:

  • Flexi desk (24/7 access)
  • Service license (5 service activities, up to 5 shareholders)
  • Establishment Card
  •  2 visa quota / allocation
     

If you operate a trading business and need a trade license, the cost for the same setup structure will be around 17,600 AED.

Service license and trade license are separate licenses. If you mix and match activities, you need to pay for both licenses.

Residence visa fees are paid separately. The above-mentioned Dubai business setup cost implies visa eligibility only.

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Answer a few questions on a free 15-minute call — we’ll give you a tailored estimate and a setup plan.

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