What is a general trading license?
A general trading license in Dubai is a broad commercial permit to import, export, distribute, and sell multiple (often unrelated) product categories. Compared to a narrow activity permit, this license reduces re-licensing when you add new lines and supports cross-border flows across the UAE.
What it typically covers
- Mixed consumer goods (electronics, textiles, homeware) for wholesale/retail.
- Import/re-export rotations through ports and airports.
- Marketplace and B2B sales under one corporate scope.
General Trading license offers
| Jurisdiction | Package | Cost |
|---|
| IFZA | Trading license + General Trading | From 12,900 AED + 10,000 AED for General Trading |
| UAQ FTZ | Trading license + General Trading | From 7,000 AED |
| Mainland | Trading license + General Trading | 15,000-50,000 AED + 15,000 AED for General Trading |
Mainland vs free zone: key differences
Your route defines how you sell onshore, warehouse stock, issue invoices, and open visas. On the mainland, a license in Dubai is issued via the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), while free zones grant their own permits with 100% foreign ownership and bundled facilities. Many founders combine both: a free zone warehouse for re-export plus a lean mainland arm for citywide sales.
At-a-glance comparison
| Factor | Dubai mainland (DET) | Dubai free zones (DMCC, IFZA, Meydan, Dubai South) | Other UAE zones (RAKEZ, SPCFZ, Ajman) |
|---|
| Ownership | 100% foreign for most activities | 100% foreign | 100% foreign |
| Onshore sales | Direct B2B/B2C | Via distributor/branch for onshore | Similar to Dubai FZs |
| Facilities | Ejari office required | Flexi-desk to warehouse | Flexible, value-focused |
| Visas | Quota tied to office size | Package-based quotas | Package-based quotas |
| Banking | Broad local options | Strong; KYC on cross-border flows | Strong; case-dependent |
| Costs | Moderate-higher | Package-driven, scalable | Often most cost-efficient |
| Tax benefits | High | High (subject to UAE VAT + Corporate Tax rules; 0% may apply on qualifying income where conditions are met) | High (subject to UAE VAT + Corporate Tax rules; 0% may apply on qualifying income where conditions are met) |
| Privacy level | Highest | Moderate | Moderate |
| Documentation | Minimal | Moderate | Extensive |
Popular picks and when they fit
- DMCC: premium trade ecosystem, strong banking perception.
- IFZA: fast onboarding for SMEs and e-commerce.
- Meydan: central address with flexible offices.
- Dubai South: airport/port proximity for fast-turn goods.
- RAKEZ/SPCFZ: cost-savvy warehousing and re-export beyond Dubai.
Decision checklist
- Do you need immediate onshore invoicing, or is re-export your first quarter?
- What facility tier matches your visa plan: flex desk now, warehouse later?
- How will banking and customs view your SKU mix and shipment cadence?
General trading license costs in Dubai
Set your budget around the license and registration, facility, visas, and onboarding (banking + customs). A realistic general trading license cost in Dubai combines government fees with practical overheads and is quoted in AED without VAT. Exact totals depend on route, headcount, and storage needs.
Other first-year expenses (common)
- Banking KYC, minimum balance arrangements, and customs importer code.
- PRO/admin, courier, accounting setup, and basic warehouse insurance.
- Marketplace onboarding, payment gateway, and a small test consignment.
- VAT registration triggers (if applicable) and Corporate Tax bookkeeping/compliance setup.
Step-by-step process to get a general trading license
Map scope, facility, banking, and customs in one timeline before you file — this keeps approvals in the right order. For getting a UAE general umbrella, decide mainland vs free zones, then align drafts and signatures so you can get a general without mid-process rewrites.
Step 1. Choose the route and legal form
Decide between the mainland (DET) or a free zone.
Step 2. Reserve your company name.
Prepare two to three options; screen restricted words early.
Step 3. Initial approval.
List your business activities under a broad general trading scope and flag restricted items.
Step 4. Draft MOA/AOA.
Align the wording with bank KYC and your importer profile.
Step 5. Pick a facility.
Choose a flexi-desk, an office, or a warehouse; the visa quota depends on space.
Step 6. Issue a permit.
Print the commercial certificate once the fees are cleared.Depending on the jurisdiction, this includes issuance of your trade license/commercial certificate once the authority fees are cleared.
Step 7. Open a bank account.
Provide supplier/buyer lists, projected flows, and governance pack.
Step 8. Customs registration.
Get your importer code; soft-test HS codes with a small shipment.
Requirements and documents
Eligibility depends on your route and facility: mainland filings run through the DET, while free zones process their own portals. Before a license in Dubai is issued, lock legal form, activity list, and facility tier so banking and customs align with your catalog. If you plan company formation in Dubai with multiple partners, prepare clean ownership and signature maps to speed reviews.
Who can apply
- Natural person (single shareholder): lean business setup for pilots and e-commerce.
- Corporate parent (legal person): suits a scaling general trading company consolidating stock and teams.
- Hybrid structures: free zone warehouse plus a small mainland outlet for onshore invoices.
Core eligibility
You need a valid ID/status, a registered address or facility, and an activity scope under a broad umbrella. Free zones may not require nominal share capital; some banks ask for evidence once flows start, so align share capital with first-year stock turns.
Minimum baselines
Passport + visa page (if resident) and Emirates ID for local signatories.
Ejari/Tawtheeq lease or free zone facility letter tied to visa quota.
Reserved company name and initial approval reflecting a general umbrella.
Documents checklist
Keep digital copies consistent; mismatched names or dates stall a general trading company file. Use the pack below as a working template for the mainland and free zones.
For individual applicants:
- Passport copy, compliant photo
- Emirates ID (if resident) + visa page
- Ejari/Tawtheeq or free zone facility letter
- Preferred company names
- Initial approval (from the DET or free zone administration)
- Capital declaration (if necessary)
- Pre-approvals for regulated goods
For corporate applicants:
- Passports/photos of UBOs/directors
- Local rep Emirates ID (if any)
- arent company name + local brandParent company name + local brand
- Board resolution, MOA/AOA, certificate of incorporation
- Initial approval (from the DET or free zone administration)
- Bank reference (case-by-case)
- Authorized/paid share capital (if necessary)
- Pre-approvals for regulated items + distributor/agent contracts
Tip: keep a parallel folder for translations/legalizations. A tidy trail helps when you open a bank account or apply for an amendment to your trade license in Dubai.
Gemini said
Drafts and signatures
Mainland LLCs sign MOA; free zones issue equivalent formation instruments. Align wording with bank KYC so your company in Dubai can open accounts without redrafting.
Formation essentials
- MOA/AOA listing umbrella activities and any add-ons.
- Manager appointment, specimen signatures, and resolution text matched to banking.
- Facility confirmation sized for visas and early inventory.
How a general trading license differs from a standard trade authorization
A standard authorization locks you to a small SKU set or single activity, creating admin each time you expand. A general trading umbrella lets traders pivot quickly, bundling adjacent goods without rewriting the company scope.
What you can and cannot sell
Most everyday goods are allowed if declared properly and are compliant with labelling and customs. Some lines need prior approvals (“restricted”), and a few categories are strictly prohibited.
Gemini said
| Category | Status | Notes |
|---|
| FMCG, textiles, homeware | Permitted | Usual import rules and documentation |
| Vitamins, medical devices | Restricted | Health approvals before trading |
| Telecom gear, drones | Restricted | TDRA type approval / sector clearance and device registration where applicable |
| Alcohol, tobacco, vaping | Restricted | Special permits and controls |
| Oil, gas, gold | Restricted / regulated | Sector approvals and enhanced due diligence; activity wording and banking scrutiny are higher |
| Weapons, narcotics, counterfeits | Prohibited | Not allowed under any circumstances |
Typical use cases and company models
A general trading license company often operates as a wholesale aggregator, e-commerce consolidator, or re-export hub. If your catalog is simple, start with a narrower trade authorization and upgrade later as product lines grow.
Benefits and limitations
A general trading license in Dubai gives product-range agility, helping traders pivot SKUs without re-licensing each shift. It supports wholesale, retail, and e-commerce in one entity, which is ideal for scaling business in Dubai with lean overheads.
Key benefits
- Broad scope: import, export, and distribution under one umbrella for faster category tests.
- Regional reach: smoother re-export and marketplace onboarding for a growing general trading company.
- Setup flexibility: works on the mainland and in free zones, aligning visas, storage, and banking.
There are boundaries to respect, especially around restricted lines. Missteps raise operating costs and can trigger customs or banking friction for a trading company.
Limitations and controls
- Restricted goods need prior approvals; plan them before you ship.
- Some categories require special storage/labels, raising OPEX for traders.
- Free-zone firms may need a distributor/branch for broad onshore retail.
Common restricted/prohibited items (illustrative)
| Category | Status | What to prepare |
|---|
| Alcohol, tobacco, vaping | Restricted | Special permits and distribution controls |
| Pharmaceuticals/medical devices | Restricted | Health approvals and regulated storage |
| Telecom gear, drones | Restricted | Sector clearances and device registration |
| Gold, gemstones, sensitive chemicals | Restricted | Extra due diligence and custody trails |
| Weapons, narcotics, counterfeits | Prohibited | Not permitted under any circumstances |
Timeframes and renewal
With clean documents, initial approvals and facility selection take about 5–10 working days, followed by permit printing, banking, and customs. Most founders get a company in Dubai running within two to three weeks, then scale visas as operations start. However, bank account approval can take longer (often 2–6+ weeks) depending on KYC, ownership profile, and the trading model. If you need on-day-one importing, align your importer code and a small test shipment before bulk orders.
Typical end-to-end timeline
| Stage | What happens | Usual window |
|---|
| Name reservation | Screen and reserve your company name | 1-2 working days |
| Initial approval | Activities cleared under general umbrella | 2-4 working days |
| MOA/AOA & signatures | Execute instruments and manager appointment | 1-3 working days |
| Facility/lease | Flex desk, office, or warehouse confirmed | 1-5 working days |
| Permit issuance | Commercial certificate printed for your company in Dubai | Same day–2 days |
| Bank & customs | Bank (KYC) + customs importer code (test consignment) | 1–6+ weeks (case-dependent) |
Most delays are caused by mismatched dates, spellings, or unsigned MOA pages, so you should keep all IDs current and file names consistent.
Renewal compliance
Renewals are typically annual. Mainland companies renew via the DET, while free zone packages can bundle license and facility renewal, thus maintaining the enabled visa quotas.
Renewal checklist
- Valid Ejari/zone facility letter and updated company name/activity list.
- Insurance, tenancy, and KYC refreshed before cut-off dates.
- Any scope changes should be filed early to avoid last-minute edits.
What can delay issuance or renewal
- Document mismatches across MOA, passports, or signatures.
- Facility changes (desk → warehouse) not reflected in the file, blocking visas for traders.
- Banking/KYC gaps — unclear volumes or missing supplier/buyer names.
- Restricted goods without pre-approvals, causing customs holds for a trading operation.
Plan a quarterly scope review so your importer data, warehouse category, and permit match reality. It is cheaper to amend early than to fix a renewal-time discrepancy that freezes shipments and cash flow.
Visa planning alongside the permit
Mainland firms renew quotas within the onshore flow, while free zones tie quotas to the package, which suits fast-growing general trading teams. Keep your UAE license and visas aligned so hiring does not stall during audits or inventory ramps.
Why a general trading license matters in 2026
A general trading license in Dubai lets firms scale across categories without re-licensing every pivot, which is crucial in 2026’s fast-moving supply chains. With Dubai positioned as a logistics and re-export hub in the UAE, agile traders reach buyers faster and keep inventory turns high.
What this means for operators
- Quicker category expansion with fewer filings and shorter lead times.
- Smoother import/re-export flows through ports and airports.
- One entity covering wholesale, retail, and marketplace sales.
Role in the Dubai and UAE economy
The model supports retail, e-commerce, and B2B distribution, reinforcing customs revenue and economic development goals. It complements manufacturing and logistics by turning Dubai into a regional exchange point for mixed SKUs.
| Driver | Why it matters | Practical effect |
|---|
| Infrastructure | Ports, airports, corridors | Lower landed cost and faster clearance |
| Market access | Diverse regional buyers | Shorter sales cycles for a general trading company |
| Policy clarity | Digital portals and guidance | Predictable renewals and bankable records |
Popularity among foreign investors
Founders choose it to test multiple lines, then double down on winners without changing the corporate scope. It pairs naturally with company formation in Dubai, payment gateways, and marketplace onboarding.
Why it appeals
- One umbrella for seasonal and trend-driven SKUs.
- Fit for re-export and fulfilment from free-zone facilities.
- Easier supplier onboarding and price discovery.
2026 market context and signals
The focus is on streamlined portals, cleaner KYC, and clearer rules for restricted goods. Teams validating business in Dubai can launch faster by aligning sourcing, warehousing, and banking before the first shipment.
What to track
- Customs guidance on dual-use items to avoid bottlenecks.
- Programs reducing indirect costs for SMEs and exporters.
- Ongoing economic development work to ease residual trade barriers.
Get expert help with your license
If you want speed, compliance, and bank-ready paperwork, work with specialists who handle general trading license in Dubai filings daily. Emirabiz aligns activity scope, facility, banking, and customs so your timeline is realistic and approvals arrive in the right order. This guided path keeps your trading license clean while you focus on sourcing and sales.
What we do for you
- Route strategy (mainland vs free zones), scope wording, and company name reservation.
- DET filings, MOA/AOA drafting, and permit issuance.
- Bank KYC packaging, importer code activation, and a test consignment to validate HS codes.
If you’re planning company formation in Dubai and getting a Dubai general trading license, we also map renewals so visas, facility, and permit move in sync. That way, your general trading operations stay agile through peak seasons and expansions.
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