The UAE Commercial Trade License — 2026 Operations Guide
Last reviewed 2 April 2026 by Amna Farooqi. Data sourced directly from the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) and JAFZA customs portal.
In 80 seconds — the answer you came here for
A commercial trade license allows you to import, export, distribute, and store physical goods. If you are selling software or consulting, you need a professional license. If you are making physical products, you need an industrial license.
You can hold a trade license in a free zone (e.g. IFZA or DMCC) for around AED 13,000, which allows you to import goods into the UAE, store them, and re-export them globally without paying customs duty. Or, you can hold a mainland trade license (around AED 22,000), which allows you to sell those products directly to B2C consumers in the local Dubai market.
Mainland vs. Free Zone for Trading
This is the single most important decision for a trading company. If you get this wrong, your goods will be stopped at Jebel Ali Port by Dubai Customs, and you will be forced to hire a mainland distributor, wiping out your margins.
| Feature | Free Zone Trade License | Mainland Trade License |
|---|---|---|
| Sell directly to UAE consumers (B2C) | No (Requires distributor) | Yes |
| Customs Duty on Import | 0% (In bonded zone) | 5% (Standard GCC rate) |
| Best suited for | Global e-commerce, regional distribution hubs | Local retail, supermarkets, B2B local suppliers |
How to get your Trade License (Step by Step)
- Select your specific product lines: A "General Trading" license is very expensive (usually AED 40,000+). A "Specific Trading" license (e.g. "Garments Trading" or "Electronics Trading") is much cheaper (AED 15,000 - 22,000). You must align your activities with the ISIC 4 unified catalog.
- Choose the jurisdiction: Decide between Mainland (DET) or Free Zone (JAFZA, DMCC, SPC) based on where your end consumers live.
- Initial Approval & Name Reservation: Submit your passport copy to the authority. For mainland, you'll need the DET Initial Approval certificate.
- Sign the Lease (Ejari): Most trading licenses require physical office or warehouse space, not just a flexi-desk. The DET will not issue a commercial license without a verified Ejari (lease registration).
- Customs Registration: Once the license is issued, the company must register with Dubai Customs to receive a Customs Code, which allows your freight forwarder to process airway bills and bills of lading in your company's name.
E-commerce vs General Trading
An "E-commerce License" allows you to sell goods online via a digital portal. However, an E-commerce free zone license still restricts you from acting as the direct importer of record into the mainland without a local distributor.