General Trading License In Dubai
Launch fast, trade legally, scale smart. With 14+ years’ experience, Gulf Corporate Services secures your General Trading License in Dubai and handles customs, banking, visas—so you can sell throughout UAE.
What is a General Trading License in Dubai?
A General Trading License in Dubai lets you import, export, distribute, wholesale, and retail multiple product categories under one flexible license. It suits brands, distributors, marketplace sellers, and B2B traders who want room to expand without rewriting their license each time they add a new line.
With this license you can:
- Open a corporate bank account and onboard payment gateways.
- Sign supplier and distribution agreements with confidence.
- Lease warehousing, showrooms, or run a hybrid e-commerce + wholesale model.
- Trade across the UAE and, if you wish, internationally.
Authorities you’ll engage with include the Dubai Department of Economy & Tourism (DET/DED) for licensing, Dubai Customs for import/export, and platforms like Dubai Trade for declarations and logistics flows. We coordinate each step so the paperwork never slows your sales.
Mainland vs Free Zone: Which Is Better?
Both models work. The “best” choice depends on where you’ll sell, how you’ll fulfill, and your cost plan.
Mainland (DET/DED)
- Direct UAE market access: Sell to retailers, government entities, and end customers across all emirates.
- Tender-ready: Bid for local contracts without intermediaries.
- Presence: Usually requires an Ejari (office/warehouse lease).
- Brand visibility: Ideal if you want physical stores, showrooms, or large local accounts.
Free Zone
- Ownership & packages: 100% foreign ownership with bundled licensing and facilities.
- Cross-border friendly: Great for global sourcing and regional re-export.
- Facility options: Flexi-desk, shared spaces, or bonded warehousing depending on zone.
- Local sales: Often routed via a distributor/agent or through a mainland branch later.
How we advise:
We map your sales channels, incoterms, SKUs, and headcount plan. Then we model total cost of ownership (license + facility + visas + compliance). You get a clear recommendation—no surprises after you sign.
What You Can Trade (and What Needs Extra Approval)
A general trading license covers most everyday goods: electronics, fashion, accessories, homeware, auto accessories, furniture, sports gear, toys, stationery, beauty tools, and more. It’s the most flexible option for multi-category sellers and marketplace brands.
Some SKUs require extra steps before import or sale. Examples:
- Food & Beverages: Product registration and labeling; temperature-controlled logistics if needed.
- Cosmetics & Personal Care: Safety registration, ingredients disclosure, Arabic labeling.
- Electricals & Electronics: Conformity assessments; certain devices need approvals before clearance.
- Health & Medical: Strict approvals and post-market controls (specialized setup recommended).
- Telecom/Radio Equipment: Device conformity and spectrum rules may apply.
- Chemicals, Batteries, Aerosols: Safety sheets, handling permits, and packaging rules.
- Alcohol, Tobacco, Pharma, Precious Metals/Rough Diamonds: Regulated categories—special permits and controls.
Our approach: Before you ship, we audit your SKU list, highlight approvals, register products, and align labels. Your first clearance should feel routine—not a guessing game at the port.
Step-by-Step: How to Get a General Trading License
1) Plan your activity & structure
Pick General Trading as the primary activity. Decide mainland vs free zone. We map the pros/cons to your model, from local retail to pure e-commerce.
2) Trade name reservation
Shortlist options that fit UAE naming rules. We secure a compliant name that still matches your brand.
3) Initial approval
We prepare the forms, KYC documents, and the application dossier. This is where a clean file saves days.
4) Office/Ejari or free-zone facility
Choose a lease (office, warehouse, showroom) or a free-zone desk/space. We source quotes, compare terms, and ensure the facility fits visa quotas and future growth.
5) Incorporation documents
Draft and notarize the MoA/Articles, issue board resolutions if needed, and finalize signatories. We keep signatures, attestations, and translations on track.
6) License issuance
You receive your General Trading License in Dubai with company documents ready for banking and onboarding suppliers.
7) Post-license essentials
Establishment card, investor/staff visas, VAT (if applicable), customs code, and Dubai Trade setup. We process these in the right order to avoid back-and-forth later.
8) Go-live playbook
Broker appointment, tariff classifications (HS codes), first import plan, product registrations, insurance, and SOPs for returns and warranties. We build a simple checklist your team can follow.
Documents Required for General Trading License in Dubai
Have soft copies ready; we’ll format and file them correctly.
- Passports and visa pages of shareholders and the GM/manager
- Passport-size photo (white background)
- Proposed trade name and activity list
- Ejari / facility agreement (as applicable)
- Memorandum of Association / Articles of Association
- Current UAE entry stamp or Emirates ID (if any shareholders are residents)
- NOC from sponsor (only if a shareholder/manager already holds a UAE employment visa)
- Contact details (mobile, email) for e-channels and OTPs
- For corporate shareholders: parent company documents (license/incorporation, board resolution, UBO declaration), attested if foreign
We quality-check every document for names, signatures, and attestation levels so authorities can approve on first pass.
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
Customs Code (Importer/Exporter Code)
To import or export, your company must register with Dubai Customs and obtain a Customs Code. We file, track, and confirm activation.
Dubai Trade account
We create your Dubai Trade account, connect your broker, and set roles for your team. If you’ll file declarations in-house, we’ll help select the right modules and permissions.
Banking & payments
We shortlist banks that match your ownership, turnover, and corridors. We prepare your KYC pack (license, MoA, passport set, customer/supplier list, expected volumes) to speed up account opening. If you need a merchant account or marketplace wallet, we align that in parallel.
Broker & logistics
Pick a customs broker/freight forwarder early. We introduce vetted partners, coordinate tariff classification, and confirm whether shipments need pre-approvals. You’ll know exactly which document the broker expects before the cargo lands.
Product registrations & conformity
Where required (e.g., food, cosmetics, electronics), we register products and ensure conformity before the first shipment. This avoids storage charges and port delays.
Operational hygiene
We help you set simple SOPs for inbound QC, batch tracking, warranty, and returns—practical guardrails that protect margins and customer trust.
Building a Compliant Trading Operation (The Shortlist)
- Correct HS codes: Use the right tariff to avoid penalties and re-assessments.
- Labeling & manuals: Arabic labeling and user instructions where rules require.
- Insurance: Cargo, public liability, and product liability as your categories demand.
- Contracts: Supplier and distributor terms with incoterms, quality, and returns spelled out.
- Accounting & VAT: Bookkeeping, stock reconciliation, and VAT filing where applicable.
- WPS payroll: If you hire staff, keep payroll compliant to avoid service suspensions.
- Renewals calendar: License, Ejari, establishment card, visas—set reminders and never miss a date.
We keep these pieces in one simple dashboard so your team sees what’s due and when.
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!