General Trading License In Dubai
Launch your trading business with ease. At Gulf Corporate Services, we secure your General Trading License in Dubai in as little as 5–10 working days, with setup packages starting from AED 18,000. With 14+ years of expertise, we manage customs registration, banking, and visas—so you can trade legally across the UAE and expand internationally.
What is a General Trading License in Dubai?
A General Trading License in Dubai allows you to import, export, distribute, and sell multiple product categories under one approval. It is ideal for wholesalers, retailers, and e-commerce businesses that want flexibility to expand without changing their license each time.
The license is issued by the Dubai Department of Economy & Tourism (DET) for Mainland setups or by Free Zones, and requires registration with Dubai Customs for import/export activities.
With this license, you can open corporate bank accounts, lease warehouses or showrooms, and trade across the UAE and internationally.
Mainland vs Free Zone: Which Is Better?
Choosing between a Mainland and a Free Zone General Trading License depends on your business goals.
- Mainland License: Issued by the Dubai Department of Economy & Tourism (DET), it lets you trade anywhere in the UAE market, work with government contracts, and scale with unlimited visas. It suits businesses targeting local distribution and retail.
- Free Zone License: Offers 100% foreign ownership, tax benefits, and lower setup costs. It is best for companies focused on international trade, e-commerce, or cost-efficient operations, though onshore trading requires a distributor.
Both options are powerful—Mainland gives you wider local reach, while Free Zone offers flexibility and cost savings. The right choice depends on whether your focus is domestic sales or global expansion.
What You Can Trade (and What Needs Extra Approval)
A General Trading License in Dubai gives you the freedom to trade in a wide range of goods, from electronics, fashion, and furniture to food products and building materials. Most categories can be imported, exported, and sold across the UAE without extra steps.
However, some products are considered regulated or restricted and require additional approvals before you can trade them. These include:
- Food and beverages – approval from Dubai Municipality.
- Cosmetics and health products – clearance from the Ministry of Health.
- Electronics and telecom equipment – approval from the Telecommunications and Digital Government Authority (TDRA).
- Medical devices or pharmaceuticals – approval from MOHAP.
At Gulf Corporate Services, we guide you on which items are pre-approved and help secure the necessary permits so your shipments pass smoothly through Dubai Customs.
Step-by-Step: How to Get a General Trading License
Getting a Trading License in Dubai may seem complex, but with the right process, it can be completed smoothly in just a few steps:
Choose Setup Type – Decide between a Mainland license (DET) or a Free Zone license, based on your target market and business model.
Reserve Trade Name – Register a compliant and brand-appropriate company name.
Obtain Initial Approval – Submit application forms, shareholder documents, and KYC for preliminary clearance.
Secure Office or Facility – Lease an Ejari office, warehouse, or showroom for Mainland, or choose a Free Zone flexi-desk or office package.
Prepare Incorporation Documents – Draft and sign the Memorandum of Association (MoA) and related company documents.
License Issuance – Once approved, receive your official General Trading License and company documents.
Post-License Setup – Complete essentials such as Dubai Customs code registration, VAT (if applicable), establishment card, visas, and bank account opening.
At Gulf Corporate Services, we handle each stage end-to-end, ensuring your license is issued quickly and your trading operations start without delays.
Documents Required for General Trading License in Dubai
To apply for a General Trading License, you must submit accurate and complete documents to the Dubai Department of Economy & Tourism (DET) for Mainland or the relevant Free Zone authority.
Standard Documents
- Passport copies of all shareholders and the appointed manager/GM
- Visa page or Emirates ID for UAE residents
- Passport-size photographs (white background)
- Proposed trade name and business activity list
Business Setup Documents
- Ejari (office lease) for Mainland, or facility agreement in Free Zones
- Memorandum of Association (MoA) / Articles of Association
- NOC (No Objection Certificate) if a shareholder or manager already holds a UAE employment visa
Additional Requirements
- Contact details (mobile & email) for e-channel and government OTPs
- Corporate shareholders: parent company incorporation documents, trade license, UBO declaration, and board resolution (attested if issued abroad)
At Gulf Corporate Services, we carefully review every document for compliance, signatures, and attestation levels—ensuring your application is approved on the first submission without unnecessary delays.
General Trading License Cost & Setup Time
There isn’t a one-size price, because total cost depends on where you license, where you sit, and what you sell. We keep it clear and line-itemed.
Primary cost drivers
- License & government fees: Activity selection, number of shareholders, and authority.
- Facility: Ejari office/warehouse (mainland) or free-zone package/flexi-desk.
- Immigration & visas: Investor, dependents, and staff; medicals and Emirates ID.
- External approvals: Only for regulated SKUs; product registrations and conformity files.
- Compliance add-ons: VAT registration (if eligible), accounting setup, insurance.
Typical timelines
- Company setup & license: Usually 2–4 weeks after documents and premises are ready.
- Customs code & Dubai Trade: Often 1–5 working days after license.
- First import clearance: Depends on broker readiness, HS codes, and product approvals. We plan this during setup to keep lead times short.
You receive a transparent proposal with government fees, our professional fees, optional services, and realistic scenario notes (e.g., “add X if you choose a warehouse” or “Y if you add a retail outlet later”). No hidden extras.
| Item | Mainland (AED) | Free Zone (AED) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| License & gov’t fees | 12,500–35,000+ | 10,000–30,000+ | Depends on authority, activity mix |
| Office (Ejari/facility) | 8,000–25,000/yr | 3,000–12,000/yr | Size, zone, location |
| Establishment card | 700–1,200 | 700–1,200 | Authority dependent |
| Investor visa (per visa) | 3,500–7,500 | 3,500–7,500 | Medical + ID extra |
| Employee visa (per visa) | 4,000–7,500 | 4,000–7,500 | Role/quota dependent |
| Customs/Importer Code | 500–2,000 | 500–2,000 | + broker fees if any |
| External approvals | 1,000–10,000+ | 1,000–10,000+ | Per product category |
| Typical timeline | 2–4 weeks | 2–4 weeks | Docs + premises ready |
After Licensing: Dubai Customs Code, Dubai Trade & Banking
Once your General Trading License is issued, there are a few critical steps before you can begin importing and exporting:
- Dubai Customs Code – Every trading company must register with Dubai Customs and obtain a unique importer/exporter code. This code is linked to your trade license and is mandatory for clearing shipments at UAE ports and airports.
- Dubai Trade Portal – Registration on the Dubai Trade online platform gives you access to Mirsal 2 for customs declarations, duty payments, and shipment tracking. It streamlines logistics and ensures compliance with UAE regulations.
- Corporate Bank Account – A valid license and customs registration allow you to open a UAE corporate bank account, integrate payment gateways, and start transacting with suppliers and customers globally.
At Gulf Corporate Services, we manage these post-licensing essentials in the right order—so your business avoids delays and is ready to trade legally, both within the UAE and internationally.
Building a Compliant Trading Operation
Getting licensed is only the beginning—your trading company must also follow UAE rules to stay compliant and build long-term credibility.
Key compliance areas include:
- Customs Declarations – Register and clear shipments properly through Dubai Customs, paying any applicable duties.
- VAT & Tax Reporting – If your turnover crosses the threshold, register with the Federal Tax Authority (FTA) and submit accurate VAT returns.
- Product Approvals – Obtain special permits for restricted categories like food, cosmetics, or medical items.
- Employee Payroll – Use the Wage Protection System (WPS) to process salaries in line with UAE labor law.
At Gulf Corporate Services, we help clients not only get their license but also maintain smooth, compliant operations that earn trust with banks, partners, and government authorities
E-Commerce + General Trading: One License, Two Channels
Many clients sell online and offline. A general trading license is perfect for this hybrid plan.
- Warehousing: Fulfill marketplace orders and wholesale pallets from the same stock.
- Omnichannel pricing: Keep price policies consistent; document channel margins.
- Last-mile: Integrate couriers and COD policies that fit your returns risk.
- Cross-border: Use a free-zone hub for re-export while your mainland entity handles local retail.
We set up the legal, banking, and logistics pieces so both channels run cleanly.
Scaling Up: Add Activities, Branches, or Markets
As you grow, we help you:
- Add activities to your license (e.g., light assembly, simple services).
- Open branches in another emirate or a retail outlet in a mall.
- Build a regional distribution model using bonded warehousing.
- Create agency/distributor contracts for GCC rollouts.
Each change has a clean process and predictable timing when planned early.
Common Pitfalls (and How We Prevent Them)
- Mismatch between products and activity wording: We align activities to your real catalog.
- Shipping restricted items by accident: We pre-screen SKUs and flag approvals.
- Late facility decisions: We secure Ejari or zone packages before the application stalls.
- Bank KYC surprises: We craft a clear profile (sources, corridors, volumes) up front.
- VAT left to the last minute: If you’re eligible, we register early and align invoicing.
Our checklists are built from hundreds of real setups. You benefit from that experience from day one.
Why Choose Gulf Corporate Services?
- 14+ years setting up trading companies across mainland and leading free zones
- Practical advice on mainland vs free zone based on your routes, SKUs, and margins
- End-to-end execution: licensing → Customs Code → Dubai Trade → banking → visas
- Compliance-first approach (product approvals, labeling, VAT, payroll) to keep operations uninterrupted
- Transparent pricing, clear timelines, and a single point of contact
- Post-launch support: renewals, amendments, additional activities, and scale-up planning
How We Will Help You?
Ready to grow your business? Let us help you apply for your general trading license and get started without delays. We handle the entire process, from consultation to final approval, so you can focus on growing your trade.
Contact us today to begin your journey in Dubai’s thriving trading sector!