Table of Contents
- Dubai General Trading License 2026: Complete Cost, Requirements & Setup Guide
- What Is a General Trading License in Dubai?
- General Trading License vs a Standard (Specific) Trading License
- Mainland vs Free Zone: Which Structure Fits a Trading Business?
- What Products Can You Trade, and What’s Restricted?
- Documents Required for a General Trading License
- Step-by-Step Process to Get a Dubai General Trading License in 2026
- Dubai General Trading License Cost in 2026: The Real Breakdown
- Annual Renewal and the Costs Consultants Don’t Always Mention
- Corporate Tax, VAT, and E-Invoicing: What Trading Companies Need to Watch
- Opening a Corporate Bank Account for a General Trading Company
- Visas and Staffing Your Trading Company
- Common Mistakes Founders Make with This License
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Final Thought
Dubai General Trading License 2026: Complete Cost, Requirements & Setup Guide
If you’ve been comparing business setup options in the UAE, chances are the general trading license has come up more than once. It’s one of the most requested license types in Dubai, and for a simple reason: it lets a single company import, export, distribute, and sell a wide mix of unrelated products, from electronics to furniture to foodstuffs, without needing a separate license for every product line you touch.
This guide walks through what the license actually covers, mainland versus free zone trade-offs, the real 2026 cost ranges (including the fees most consultants leave out of the first quote), the documents and step-by-step process, and the compliance work that follows once your license is issued. If you’re still deciding between this and other business license types in Dubai, it’s worth reading that comparison alongside this one before you commit to an activity.
What Is a General Trading License in Dubai?
A general trading license is a commercial license issued by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) for mainland companies, or by a free zone authority, that allows a business to buy, sell, import, export, and distribute goods across multiple, unrelated product categories under one registration. That’s the keyword: unrelated. A standard commercial license usually ties you to one or two specific activity codes, say, “electronics trading” or “furniture trading.” A general trading license removes that restriction, so you can trade electronics, textiles, building materials, and consumer goods all under the same license, without applying for a new activity every time your product mix changes.
It’s officially a distinct product from a standard commercial license, and it carries a higher government fee to reflect that broader scope.
General Trading License vs a Standard (Specific) Trading License
Before you default to “general,” it’s worth checking whether you actually need it. If your business genuinely trades in only two or three product categories, listing them individually on a standard commercial license is usually the more cost-effective route, since the DET’s general trading activity fee alone typically adds AED 15,000 to your annual cost. The general license earns its price when your catalogue is genuinely diverse or likely to expand into categories you can’t predict yet.
Mainland vs Free Zone: Which Structure Fits a Trading Business?
This is the decision that shapes almost everything else, cost, market access, and banking, so it deserves more than a one-line answer. A mainland, free zone, or offshore company structure each carry different implications for a trading business specifically:
- Mainland (DET): unrestricted access to the UAE domestic market, direct retail sales, and eligibility for government contracts. Requires a registered office with an Ejari tenancy contract. The natural choice if your buyers are inside the UAE.
- Free zone (DMCC, JAFZA, IFZA, RAKEZ, Meydan, SHAMS, and others): typically lower entry cost, flexi-desk options instead of a full office, and a strong fit for import/re-export businesses. The trade-off: you can’t sell directly into the mainland UAE market without a distributor or additional structuring.
Here’s how the main jurisdictions compare for a general trading setup in 2026:
| Jurisdiction | Starting License Fee (2026) | Office Requirement | Market Access | Best Suited For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DET Mainland | AED 15,000–25,000 | Mandatory Ejari office | Full UAE market + govt contracts | Local distribution, retail, B2B in UAE |
| DMCC | AED 20,000–35,000 | Flexi-desk or office | International + re-export | Commodity and international trade |
| JAFZA | AED 20,000–40,000 | Flexi-desk or warehouse | International + re-export | Large-scale logistics-heavy trading |
| IFZA | AED 12,500–20,000 | Flexi-desk | International + re-export | Cost-conscious first-time traders |
| RAKEZ | AED 11,000–18,000 | Flexi-desk | International + re-export | Budget-friendly SME setups |
| Meydan / SHAMS | AED 12,500–20,000 | Flexi-desk | International + re-export | Fast setup, flexible packages |
If you’re weighing this decision against your broader company formation plans, our step-by-step Dubai company formation guide covers how jurisdiction choice affects everything from shareholder structure to timelines, not just the trading activity itself.
What Products Can You Trade, and What’s Restricted?
A general trading license covers most non-restricted goods: electronics, textiles, furniture, building materials, machinery, consumer goods, office supplies, and industrial equipment, all under one authorisation. That said, several categories need extra clearance before you can trade them, regardless of jurisdiction:
- Food products and foodstuffs (Dubai Municipality approval and food safety compliance)
- Pharmaceuticals and medical supplies (Ministry of Health approval)
- Cosmetics and personal care items (additional registration)
- Tobacco and tobacco-related products
- Chemicals and certain industrial materials
- Precious metals and stones (additional compliance and, often, DMCC-specific licensing)
If your catalogue includes any of the above, budget extra time and a separate approval step; this is the single biggest cause of delayed license issuance we see.
Documents Required for a General Trading License
- Passport copies for all shareholders and the appointed manager
- Visa page or UAE entry stamp copy, where applicable
- Emirates ID (for existing UAE residents)
- Proposed trade names (2–3 options) and a clear description of the goods you intend to trade
- UBO/KYC declaration and an ownership chart for multi-layer or corporate shareholding structures
- For corporate shareholders: incorporation documents, board resolution, and proof of authorised signatory
- Office tenancy contract (mainland) or free zone package confirmation
Exact requirements vary slightly by jurisdiction and shareholder profile. If you’re a first-time founder, it’s worth reviewing the broader requirements for setting up a company in Dubai as a foreigner before you start gathering paperwork, since some documents (like notarised board resolutions) take longer to arrange than the license application itself.
Step-by-Step Process to Get a Dubai General Trading License in 2026
- Confirm your activity and product list. Decide whether mainland or free zone and check your intended goods against the restricted-categories list above.
- Reserve your trade name. Submit 2–3 options through the DET portal (or your chosen free zone’s system); approved names are typically held for 60–90 days.
- Obtain initial approval. This confirms the authority accepts your application in principle, usually within 1–3 business days.
- Draft and notarise the MOA. Required for mainland LLC structures; covers shareholding split and governance terms.
- Secure your premises. Register an Ejari tenancy (mainland) or confirm your flexi-desk/office package (free zone).
- Obtain approvals for any restricted goods identified earlier.
- Pay the license fees and receive your trade license.
- Apply for a customs code if you plan to import or export physically; this is separate from the license and is required for customs clearance.
- Open your establishment card and process employee or investor visas.
With complete documentation and no restricted goods, most applications are issued within 5 to 15 working days. Restricted-category approvals or corporate shareholder chains can extend that timeline.
Dubai General Trading License Cost in 2026: The Real Breakdown
Quotes for this license vary widely because agents rarely price the same scope. Here’s what typically makes up the total, split by jurisdiction type:
| Cost Component | Mainland (DET) | Free Zone (average) |
|---|---|---|
| Trade name reservation | AED 600–1,500 | AED 500–1,000 |
| General trading license/activity fee | AED 10,000–25,000 | AED 8,000–20,000 |
| Office / Ejari or flexi-desk | AED 12,000–40,000/year | AED 5,000–12,000/year |
| MOA notarisation (mainland LLC) | AED 1,500–3,000 | Not applicable |
| Chamber of Commerce membership | AED 1,200–3,000 | Often included in a package |
| Establishment card | AED 2,000 (approx.) | AED 2,000 (approx.) |
| Investor/employee visa (per person) | AED 3,500–7,000 | AED 3,500–7,000 |
| Estimated Year 1 total | AED 38,000–80,000+ | AED 25,000–55,000 |
A useful rule of thumb: mainland general trading typically runs from around AED 15,000 in bare license fees up to AED 65,000+ for a fully set-up company with office and investor visa; free zone entry points sit lower but climb quickly once you add visas and a proper office rather than a flexi-desk.
Annual Renewal and the Costs Consultants Don’t Always Mention
Renewal fees are broadly similar to your initial setup, minus one-off charges like MOA notarisation and trade name reservation. The recurring cost most founders underestimate is office renewal on the mainland, since Ejari rent tends to rise year over year. Also budget for: activity amendment fees (AED 500–5,000) if you add new product categories later, establishment card renewal (roughly every two years), and visa/Emirates ID renewal per employee. Mainland general trading renewal, including the DET activity fee and Chamber membership, typically starts from AED 28,000–38,000 before office rent is added.
Corporate Tax, VAT, and E-Invoicing: What Trading Companies Need to Watch
A general trading license doesn’t just add setup cost; it adds ongoing compliance complexity, because import/export activity usually means higher transaction volume and cross-border VAT considerations. Three things to plan for from day one:
- Corporate tax: UAE corporate tax applies at 9% above the profit threshold, and trading companies with high turnover should plan filings early. Our guide to UAE corporate tax return filing for 2026 covers deadlines, process, and penalties in detail.
- Bookkeeping: With multiple product lines and frequent cross-border transactions, trading companies need tighter record-keeping than most service businesses. See the full accounting and bookkeeping requirements for UAE companies for what the FTA expects.
- E-invoicing: the UAE’s e-invoicing mandate is rolling out through 2026–2027, and high-volume traders will be among the first affected. It’s worth getting ahead of this using our complete e-invoicing in Dubai guide.
Opening a Corporate Bank Account for a General Trading Company
This is the step that catches most new trading companies off guard. UAE banks tend to treat general trading licenses as higher risk purely because of the broad, multi-product exposure, so expect a more thorough due diligence process than you’d face with a single-activity license. Banks will typically want a detailed company profile, expected transaction volumes, and information on your key suppliers and buyers before approving an account.
If you want to understand exactly what documentation smooths this process, our guide on how to open a business bank account in Dubai is the right starting point. And if you’ve already had an application rejected, or want to avoid that outcome entirely, it’s worth reading why Dubai business bank accounts get rejected and how to fix it before you apply, since trading companies are disproportionately represented in that list of common rejection reasons.
Visas and Staffing Your Trading Company
Your license type and jurisdiction determine your visa allocation, and mainland companies with a larger office generally qualify for more visas than a flexi-desk free zone package. If you’re bringing in staff or a business partner from abroad, it’s worth checking current UAE residence visa processing times so your hiring plan and license timeline line up realistically.
Common Mistakes Founders Make with This License
- Choosing “general trading” when a specific, cheaper commercial license would have covered a narrow product range.
- Not checking product categories against the restricted list before applying, causing weeks of delay.
- Underestimating office renewal cost on the mainland when comparing year-one price against free zone options.
- Assuming a free zone license allows direct mainland sales without a distributor or additional structuring.
- Applying for a bank account without a clear, documented transaction and supplier profile is one of the most common causes of rejection for trading companies specifically.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a general trading license in Dubai?
How much does a general trading license cost in Dubai in 2026?
Can a foreigner own 100% of a general trading company in Dubai?
Should I choose the mainland or the free zone for general trading?
What products can't I trade under a general trading license?
How long does it take to get a general trading license?
Do I need a customs code for a general trading license?
Is a general trading license more expensive than a standard trading license?
Final Thought
Choosing between mainland and free zone, budgeting the full first-year cost, and lining up banking and tax compliance before you apply are the three things that separate a smooth trading company launch from a stressful one. If you’d like a personalised cost breakdown for your specific product mix and jurisdiction, book a free consultation with our team, and we’ll map out the right structure for you.
Contact us for a no-obligation initial consultation.
