Activity licence
General Trading License Dubai: when you need one, and when a trading licence is enough
A general trading licence lets one company trade across many unrelated product groups. It costs more than a specific trading licence in most zones, so the first question is whether your product list really needs it.
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Written by Tabish Ahmed, Senior ManagerReviewed by Auj Afreen Ahmad, Founder and Chief Executive OfficerLast updated
The short answer
General Trading License Dubai: when do you need one instead of a trading licence?
A general trading licence lets one company trade in a wide range of unrelated goods instead of a few product groups. In Dubai it is issued on the mainland by the Department of Economy and Tourism and by free zones such as DMCC and JAFZA. Regulated goods still need separate approvals, and importing needs Dubai Customs registration.
The difference
General trading vs trading licence: what is the difference?
The number of product groups: a specific trading licence covers a limited number of activities from one or two groups, while a general trading licence removes that limit. JAFZA charges AED 5,000 a year for one group and AED 15,000 for more than two groups; DMCC charges AED 20,285 for its standard licence and AED 50,265 for general trading.
Trading activities are grouped. A specific (or general purpose) trading licence covers a limited number of activities from one or two groups, such as electronics or textiles. A general trading licence removes that limit. JAFZA's own guidance puts it simply: if you need more than two groups, irrespective of the number of activities, it becomes a general trading licence, with no limit on activities or groups.
How two Dubai free zones draw the line (published authority fees)
| Licence | JAFZA | DMCC |
|---|---|---|
| Specific trading | One group, up to 7 activities: AED 5,000 a year. Two groups, up to 6 activities each: AED 8,500 a year | Standard Trading and Service licence: AED 20,285 a year, covering up to six activities; extra activities are charged separately on DMCC's schedule |
| General trading | More than two groups: AED 15,000 a year, fixed | General Trading licence: AED 50,265 a year |
| What general trading excludes | Not stated on JAFZA's guide | Oil and gas activities, and regulated activities that need third-party approvals |
If your products fit one or two groups, a specific trading licence is usually enough and costs less. General trading makes sense when you deal in many unrelated products, or expect your range to change often. DMCC also charges a separate registration fee for General Trading companies, set out in its schedule of charges.
Mainland
How do you get a general trading licence on the Dubai mainland?
Through the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), which licenses general trading as a commercial activity, usually as an LLC, with 100% foreign ownership available since June 2021. A mainland company can sell anywhere in the UAE, needs premises registered with Ejari, and pays Dubai Chambers membership from AED 1,200. DET quotes the licence fee by activity.
On the mainland, general trading is a commercial activity licensed by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET). Dubai Media Office reported in June 2021 that 100% foreign ownership became available for more than 1,000 commercial and industrial activities, and named general trade among the commercial activities in which investors had sought full ownership. The usual legal form is an LLC.
- Market: a mainland company can sell directly to businesses and consumers anywhere in the UAE.
- Premises: the federal portal says every business needs a physical address, registered with Ejari in Dubai. Visa numbers are usually linked to the premises.
- Dubai Chambers: membership for general trading starts at AED 1,200 on Dubai Chambers' published schedule, ranging up to AED 2,200 by category.
- Licence fee: DET prices by activity and does not publish a fee table on its public pages, so we quote from your activity list.
| Fee | AED | Charged by | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dubai Chambers membership, general trading | 1,200 | Government | dubaichambers.com |
| Dubai Chambers membership, handicraft/e-trader/Intelaq | 300 | Government | dubaichambers.com |
Figures from the authority’s own fee page, last checked 3 November 2026. Some exclude VAT. This is not the whole cost: visas, office, our fee and any approvals are separate. Lines older than 90 days drop off until re-checked.
Free zones
How do DMCC, JAFZA and Shams compare for a free zone general trading licence?
Published general trading lines are AED 50,265 a year at DMCC, AED 15,000 a year at JAFZA and AED 6,500 for one year with lease on the zero-visa Shams Trader Package. All three are 100% foreign-owned and trade inside the zone and internationally, but selling to the mainland usually goes through a distributor, a branch or a permit.
Free zone general trading companies are 100% foreign-owned and trade inside the zone and internationally. Selling to the mainland usually goes through a distributor, a branch or a permit. That is the main trade-off against a mainland licence.
Published general trading lines (authority websites; see live fee tables below)
| Factor | DMCC | JAFZA | Shams |
|---|---|---|---|
| Authority | Dubai Multi Commodities Centre Authority | Jebel Ali Free Zone Authority | Sharjah Media City Free Zone Authority |
| Published general trading line | AED 50,265 a year (licence) | AED 15,000 a year (licence) | Shams Trader Package, zero visa: AED 6,500 for one year with lease |
| Scope | All activities except oil and gas and regulated activities needing third-party approvals | More than two groups, no limit on activities | General trading and e-commerce only; no other activities on this licence |
| Premises | Flexi-desk to full offices in JLT | Offices, warehouses, light industrial units and land beside Jebel Ali Port | Lease agreement included; no dedicated office stated |
| What is not in this line | Registration, establishment card, visas, office | Registration, visa and office fees: quoted on request | Visas, immigration card, e-channel |
| Fee | AED | Charged by | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Trading licence | 50,265 | Authority | dmcc.ae |
| Flexi Boost package (1 year) | 43,720 | Authority | dmcc.ae |
| Basic Flexi Package | 35,564 | Authority | dmcc.ae |
| Licence (standard Trading & Service) | 20,285 | Authority | dmcc.ae |
| Flexi-Desk (DMCC Business Centre) | 16,000 | Authority | dmcc.ae |
| Registration (new company, standard activities) | 9,020 | Authority | dmcc.ae |
| Industrial licence 50-100 sq m (1-2 units) | 8,265 | Authority | dmcc.ae |
| FreelanceUAE Package 1 (1-year licence) | 4,020 | Authority | dmcc.ae |
| Articles of Association (AoA) preparation | 2,020 | Authority | dmcc.ae |
| Issue company Establishment Card | 1,805 | Government | dmcc.ae |
| Application (company setup) | 1,035 | Authority | dmcc.ae |
Figures from the authority’s own fee page, last checked 17 October 2026. Some exclude VAT. This is not the whole cost: visas, office, our fee and any approvals are separate. Lines older than 90 days drop off until re-checked.
| Fee | AED | Charged by | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Holding license | 30,000 | Authority | jafza.ae |
| Logistics license | 15,000 | Authority | jafza.ae |
| Trading license, more than two groups (General Trading) | 15,000 | Authority | jafza.ae |
| Trading license, two groups (up to 6 activities each) | 8,500 | Authority | jafza.ae |
| National Industries license, one group | 5,500 | Authority | jafza.ae |
| Industrial license, single manufacturing facility (one group) | 5,000 | Authority | jafza.ae |
| Service license, one group (up to 7 activities) | 5,000 | Authority | jafza.ae |
| Trading license, one group (up to 7 activities) | 5,000 | Authority | jafza.ae |
| Additional activity | 500 | Authority | jafza.ae |
Figures from the authority’s own fee page, last checked 17 October 2026. Some exclude VAT. This is not the whole cost: visas, office, our fee and any approvals are separate. Lines older than 90 days drop off until re-checked.
Compare more zones in DMCC vs IFZA, or see the zone pages for DMCC, JAFZA and Shams.
Approvals
What does a general trading licence not cover?
A general trading licence does not cover goods that need special approval: DMCC excludes oil and gas and regulated activities needing third-party approvals, and traders may sell only goods legally approved for trade in the UAE. Dubai Customs examples include medicines, books and media, pets and rough diamonds, which need approval from the relevant authority before release.
General trading does not mean you can trade anything. DMCC's schedule excludes oil and gas and regulated activities that need third-party approvals from its General Trading licence. The Dubai government portal says traders may sell only goods legally approved for trade in the UAE, and must hold off on items needing special approval until it is granted.
Dubai Customs says some goods need special approval from other authorities before release, and gives examples:
- Medicines: subject to Ministry of Health approval, according to Dubai Customs.
- Books, music and audio-visual media: imports controlled by the information authority.
- Pets: an import permit from the environment ministry.
- Rough diamonds: a Kimberley Process certificate.
This is not a full list. Send us your product list and target markets; we check the activity codes and any approvals before you choose a licence, so you do not pay for general trading and then find your main product needs a separate permit.
Import and export
How do you get a Dubai Customs code for import and export?
Register the company with Dubai Customs online through dubaitrade.ae and apply for the customs code, with no office visit needed. A trade licence alone does not let you clear goods. With the code, you can submit customs declarations yourself or through a clearing agent, after arranging any product approvals before the goods arrive.
A trade licence alone does not let you clear goods. Dubai Customs states that any business using its services must register with it, and that the application is made online through dubaitrade.ae, with no office visit needed. For goods sold locally, it says a licence holder should obtain a customs business code, and that any company holding one can submit a customs declaration for clearance.
- Get your trade licence with the right trading activities.
- Register the company on dubaitrade.ae and apply for the customs code.
- Arrange any product approvals from the relevant authority before the goods arrive.
- Clear shipments yourself or through a clearing agent using your code.
Dubai Customs' FAQ does not list the registration documents, so we confirm them when we prepare your file.
Running the company
What office, warehouse, visas and bank account does a trading company need?
A trading company needs premises that suit its stock: JAFZA says holding inventory requires a trading licence, which does not allow manufacturing, so confirm where stock may be stored and whether you need a warehouse or a desk. Visa quotas follow the office or package, and banks ask about goods, suppliers, buyers and countries before opening an account.
JAFZA's guidance says holding inventory in any form requires a trading licence, and that the licence does not allow manufacturing. If you hold stock, confirm with your licensing authority where it may be stored, and decide early whether you need a warehouse or a desk. Visa quotas follow the office or package; see investor visa for the owner's residence.
Banks decide on accounts, not us. For trading companies, expect questions on the goods, suppliers, buyers and countries involved. We prepare that file with you; see bank account opening.
Questions
General Trading License Dubai: common questions
Anything else? Ask on WhatsApp and the person who handles it will answer.
What is the difference between a trading licence and a general trading licence in Dubai?
A trading licence covers a limited set of activities from one or two groups of goods. A general trading licence covers many unrelated groups. At JAFZA, more than two groups makes it general trading. At DMCC, General Trading gives access to all activities except oil and gas and regulated activities that need third-party approvals. Both licence types still require approvals for regulated goods.
How much does a general trading licence cost in Dubai?
It depends on where you license. Published authority lines include DMCC's General Trading licence at AED 50,265 a year and JAFZA's general trading licence at AED 15,000 a year. Shams in Sharjah publishes a Trader Package at AED 6,500 for one year. DET prices mainland licences by activity and does not publish a fee table, so we quote from your activities.
Can a foreigner own 100% of a general trading company in Dubai?
Yes, in most cases. Dubai Media Office reported in 2021 that 100% foreign ownership opened for more than 1,000 commercial and industrial activities on the mainland, and named general trade among the activities investors had applied for. Activities with a strategic impact are excluded. Free zone companies are 100% foreign-owned. We confirm your specific activities against DET's current listing.
Do I need a Dubai Customs code to import goods?
Dubai Customs says any business that uses its services must register with it, online through dubaitrade.ae. A licence holder clearing goods for local sale should obtain a customs business code, and companies holding one can submit customs declarations. Without registration you would rely on someone else clearing goods in their name, which rarely suits a trading business.
Can a free zone general trading company sell in the UAE mainland?
A free zone company trades inside its zone and internationally. Sales to mainland customers usually go through a distributor, a branch or a permit, and the federal portal notes that additional permissions may be needed. If most of your buyers are on the mainland, compare a DET licence before choosing a free zone.
Can I trade any product with a general trading licence?
No. General trading widens the range of groups, but regulated goods still need approvals. DMCC excludes oil and gas and regulated activities needing third-party approvals. Dubai Customs lists examples of goods released only with another authority's approval, such as medicines, media and pets. Check your product list before you choose the licence.
Sources
Where these facts come from
The official pages we checked. Rules and fees change; we confirm the current position before we advise you.
- Trading licence groups, general trading definition and fees; holding inventory needs a trading licence; no manufacturing — JAFZA: jafza.aeChecked 3 November 2026
- General Trading licence fee and scope exclusions; standard licence fee and activity rules — DMCC schedule of charges: dmcc.aeChecked 3 November 2026
- Shams Trader Package, general trading and e-commerce only, lease agreement included — Sharjah Media City (Shams): shams.aeChecked 3 November 2026
- 100% foreign ownership for 1,000+ commercial and industrial activities; general trade among the activities where full ownership was sought — Dubai Media Office: mediaoffice.aeChecked 3 November 2026
- Full foreign ownership under Decree-Law No. 26 of 2020; strategic impact activities — UAE Government portal: u.aeChecked 3 November 2026
- Physical address and Ejari requirement — UAE Government portal: u.aeChecked 3 November 2026
- Dubai Chambers membership fee for general trading — Dubai Chambers: dubaichambers.comChecked 3 November 2026
- Customs registration, business code and goods needing other authorities' approval — Dubai Customs: dubaicustoms.gov.aeChecked 3 November 2026
- Only legally approved goods; special approvals before sale — Dubai government portal: dubai.aeChecked 3 November 2026
- Free zone companies and mainland sales permissions — UAE Government portal: u.aeChecked 3 November 2026
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