Dubai International Advisory Consultants
- +971 568072491
- AA2 504-03, Al Abbas Building 2, Bur Dubai, Dubai
Dubai International Advisory Consultants
Start your trading business with a general trading license in Dubai, offering flexibility to trade multiple product categories, access to international markets, and a streamlined path to setting up a commercial business in one of the world’s most dynamic trade hubs.
A general trading license in Dubai is a commercial license issued by the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), formerly known as the DED, or a designated UAE free zone authority, authorising a business to import, export, buy, and sell a wide range of goods under a single license. Unlike specialist trading licenses that restrict a company to a specific product category, a general trading license covers multiple product groups simultaneously, making it one of the most flexible commercial licenses available in the UAE.
It’s a popular choice for entrepreneurs who want to trade across different sectors without the administrative complexity of holding separate licenses for each product type. A single general trading license allows your business to deal in electronics, textiles, food products, building materials, machinery, and more, all under one registered entity.
General trading companies in Dubai can be established as mainland Limited Liability Companies (LLCs) under the DET, or as free zone companies under authorities such as DMCC, IFZA, Meydan, or Ajman Free Zone. The right choice depends on whether your primary market is within the UAE or international. Our business setup consultants in Dubai provide a free recommendation during the initial consultation based on your specific product categories and target customers.
One of the most common questions from investors is exactly what they can trade under a general trading license in UAE. The answer is broad: almost any tangible product category is permitted under a single license, with a limited set of exceptions that require additional regulatory approvals. Here is a structured breakdown of what your license typically covers:
| Product Category | Examples |
|---|---|
| Electronics and Technology | Computers, mobile phones, home appliances, components, accessories |
| Textiles and Garments | Clothing, fabrics, footwear, accessories, uniforms |
| Food and Beverages | Packaged food, beverages, spices, dry goods (halal-compliant products) |
| Furniture and Home Goods | Office furniture, household items, decor, soft furnishings |
| Building Materials | Steel, cement, tiles, pipes, fittings, glass, insulation |
| Automobiles and Spare Parts | Car parts, accessories, lubricants, tyres, batteries |
| Cosmetics and Personal Care | Skincare, perfumes, toiletries, hair care, beauty products |
| Machinery and Equipment | Industrial tools, agricultural equipment, construction machinery |
| Stationery and Office Supplies | Paper, packaging materials, office equipment, writing instruments |
| Sports and Recreation | Sports equipment, outdoor gear, fitness accessories, toys |
The relevant authority for a given product depends on the product itself, the emirate, and the import route, so treat the list below as a starting point rather than a complete rulebook:
For businesses unsure whether a specific product falls within the permitted scope of a general trading license in Dubai, our team reviews your exact product list against DET activity codes before you commit to a license structure, eliminating the risk of applying for the wrong license type.
A Dubai general trading license delivers a set of competitive advantages that make it a practical license structure for many trading businesses:
Dubai’s position as a connected trade hub reflects deliberate government investment in infrastructure, policy, and business environment design. For anyone considering a general trading business in Dubai, these are the structural advantages worth knowing:
The most important structural decision in your general trading license setup is whether to register in a free zone or on the mainland. Each structure has specific advantages, and the right choice depends on your target customer and supply chain model. It’s also worth knowing that this is no longer a strict either/or choice, Dubai’s Executive Council Resolution No. 11 of 2025 now allows most free zone companies (DIFC entities excepted) to obtain a DET branch licence or a temporary permit to conduct eligible mainland activities, general trading among them, without setting up a fully separate mainland company. See KPMG’s summary of the resolution for the current detail.
Free Zone General Trading License
Mainland General Trading License (DET)
Many growing businesses hold both: a free zone general trading licence for international operations, and either a mainland entity or, where eligible, a DET branch licence or permit for local UAE distribution. We help clients evaluate which structure, or combination, fits their tax position and operational model.
The process below applies mainly to a standard Dubai mainland general trading company. Free zone stages vary by authority and package, we confirm the specific steps for your chosen zone during your consultation. Here is the mainland path our team follows, with realistic timelines based on current DET processing standards:
Requirements vary by jurisdiction, shareholder profile, and selected activities, not every applicant needs every document below, this is a general checklist that may be requested depending on your specific case:
The cost of a general trading license in Dubai varies across jurisdictions. Here are indicative DIAC planning estimates, reviewed in August 2026, exact authority fees and package inclusions must be confirmed through a current quotation:
| Jurisdiction | License Cost (AED/yr) | Office Requirement | Estimated Total First Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ajman Free Zone | 10,000 – 15,000 | Flexi-desk available | AED 15,000 – 25,000 |
| Meydan Free Zone | 12,500 – 18,000 | Flexi-desk available | AED 20,000 – 30,000 |
| IFZA Free Zone | 14,000 – 22,000 | Flexi-desk available | AED 22,000 – 35,000 |
| Dubai Mainland (DET) | 15,000 – 25,000 | Physical office required | AED 35,000 – 70,000 |
| DMCC Free Zone | 30,000 – 50,000 | Flexi-desk available | AED 40,000 – 65,000 |
These figures cover indicative licence fees only and don’t reflect every authority’s actual package structure, DMCC, for example, publishes separate application, registration, and Articles of Association charges rather than one blended fee. Visa allocation, registration fee, and office inclusion vary by package. Contact us for a current, itemised quotation before budgeting.
Use our free cost calculator for an estimate based on your specific activity and visa count.
Timeline is one of the most practical concerns for anyone starting this process.
| Stage | Timeline | What Happens |
|---|---|---|
| Trade Name Reservation | 1 – 2 days | DET approves your proposed company name |
| Initial DET Approval | 2 – 3 days | Preliminary approval for your business activity |
| Document Preparation | 2 – 5 days | MOA drafting, passport attestation, tenancy coordination |
| Office Lease and Registration | 3 – 5 days | Physical office secured and registered (mainland only) |
| License Issuance | 1 – 2 days | DET issues your general trading license after fee payment |
| Investor Visa Processing | 7 – 14 days | Entry permit, medical test, Emirates ID |
| Total (License Only) | 7 – 14 working days | Mainland DET license. Free zone licenses: 5 – 10 days |
Digital-first free zones like Meydan and IFZA can often issue a license in as little as 5 working days when documents are ready at the start. Mainland DET licenses with a tenancy registration requirement typically take 7 to 14 working days.
Most delays and additional costs in this process stem from a small set of avoidable mistakes:
Setting up a general trading company in Dubai involves coordinating between the DET and several other authorities, where each step depends on the last. A single missed document, mismatched detail, or wrong activity code resets the timeline and generates additional government fees.
If your general trading business also needs to protect a brand name, our trademark registration team can help, and investors considering longer-term UAE residency alongside their trading business can look at the UAE Golden Visa.
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Our Services
Dubai International Advisory Consultants has helped 500-plus businesses obtain their general trading license in Dubai across mainland and free zone jurisdictions. Whether you are an entrepreneur entering the UAE market, an international trader building a distribution hub in Dubai, or a UAE-based business expanding your product range, our team supports every step with accuracy and compliance in mind.
Got Questions? Contact Us
Almost any tangible product category, spanning electronics, textiles, food, building materials, and more, under a single licence. A small set of categories, including alcohol, tobacco, pharmaceuticals, firearms, hazardous chemicals, and precious metals, need an additional permit or a separate licence from the relevant regulator.
Indicative starting costs range from around AED 10,000 for a free zone licence to AED 15,000-plus for a mainland DET licence, before office, visa, and registration costs. Exact figures depend on your jurisdiction and package, request a current quotation before budgeting.
Increasingly, yes. Beyond appointing a mainland distributor, most Dubai free zone companies (DIFC entities aside) can now apply for a DET branch licence or a temporary permit under Executive Council Resolution No. 11 of 2025 to conduct eligible mainland activities directly.
Mainland companies generally require a physical, tenancy-registered office. Free zone companies typically use a flexi-desk arrangement included in their licence package.
Mainland companies generally pay 9% on taxable profits above AED 375,000. Free zone companies may access 0% on qualifying income as a Qualifying Free Zone Person, subject to meeting the relevant conditions, this isn’t automatic.
Yes, general trading licences cover import and export of permitted goods. Customs treatment differs by route: free zone storage and re-export can benefit from specific customs treatment, while goods entering the UAE mainland are generally subject to standard customs duty, commonly around 5% of CIF value with exceptions.
No consultant can guarantee bank account approval, that decision sits with the bank’s own KYC and compliance review. We support document preparation and introductions to banks experienced with general trading companies to improve your approval chances.
