How to Get a General Trade License in Dubai?

A general trade license in Dubai is very popular for those wanting to do business in the UAE.

If you want this license you want, this post will help. We’ll dive into what a general care license in Dubai is along with how to get one.

What is a General Trading License in Dubai?

A general trade license in Dubai is a permit issued by the DED allowing businesses to import, export, and trade various goods/products without needing separate licenses.

As a result, it enables businesses in Dubai to operate in multiple sectors by simplifying the process of conducting trade activities within the UAE and internationally.

Benefits of a General Trade License in Dubai, UAE

With a general trade license in Dubai, businesses get a lot of benefits. Some of the main benefits include the following.

• High-quality infrastructure and flexible rent/lease plans.
• Easy business setup, usually completed in 3-4 days with proper paperwork.
• Minimal capital requirements as there are no bank guarantees or share capital deposits, and you get 100% capital repatriation.
• Very low taxation, with no taxes below AED 375,000.
• No share capital or audit requirements for mainland licenses.

Difference Between General Trading License and Regular Trade License

Feature	General Trading License	Regular Trading License
Product Range	Wide range of products	Single group of products
Industry Scope	Multiple industries	Single industry
Cost	Higher cost	Lower cost
Business Diversification	Wide scope for diversification	No scope for diversification

General Trading License Activities

The types of general trading license activities are very broad. These include:

• Import and export
• Retail operations
• E-commerce sales
• Diverse product trading
• Medical supplies (with Dubai Health Authority approval)

It’s important to remember, however, that certain products will need special permission.

4 Steps to Get a General Trade License in Dubai

If you want a trade license in Dubai, the process of getting one will look like the following.

Step 1: Choose Your Jurisdiction

Before you do anything, you need to choose your jurisdiction. You have 2 to choose between: Dubai mainland and Dubai free zones.

This is how they compare to one another:

Feature	Dubai Mainland	Dubai Free Zones
Ownership	Requires UAE national partner	100% foreign ownership
Market Access	Access to local UAE market and global markets	Primarily, international market access
Location	Proximity to urban centers and established markets	Specialized infrastructure for specific industries
Licensing	Diverse licensing options but may involve more bureaucracy	Streamlined licensing process tailored for international businesses
Office Space Requirements	Must have physical office space in mainland	Can operate with flexible office solutions
Business Activities	Can engage in more diverse business activities	Often limited to specific industries or activities
Regulatory Environment	May involve more government interaction and regulations	Simplified regulatory frameworks
Costs	Potentially higher costs for office space and operations	Competitive costs, especially for startups

Ultimately, whichever you choose will depend on your business goals and objectives.

Step 2: Choose a Company Name

Once you have chosen your jurisdiction, you need to choose and register a company name.

In Dubai and UAE, they are very flexible when it comes to allowing company names. However, it cannot be offensive, have special characters, or be related to a religious or geographical term.

When choosing a name, you should always consider trademark registration and franchise agreements to protect your business’s identity.

Step 3: Secure Office Space

Next, you need to secure an office space. The office space required will depend on what you’re storing or what you intend to do in the office.

Of course, the office should also be in the jurisdiction you set up in. For instance, if you were setting up a company in mainland Dubai, the office should be on the mainland.

Step 4: Get custom Clearance

After completing the above, you need to get an import code from the customs authority and pay any applicable fees.

Once you’ve done this, you can register your business with the customs authority, providing the necessary documents with regulatory requirements.

What are the Required Documents to obtain General Trade License in Dubai?

The documents required depend on two types of shareholders: individual and corporate.

Document Type	Required Documents
For Individual Shareholders	– Copy of passport – Passport-size photo – Copy of residence visa – Copy of Emirates ID
For Corporate Shareholders	– Certificate of incorporation – Certificate of incumbency or equivalent – Memorandum of association – Board resolution

Costs of a General Trading License in Dubai

When it comes to the cost of a general trade license in Dubai, the prices vary significantly.

You may choose to undergo this process yourself or hire a business consultant. Of course, hiring a business consultant will be more money. However, you ensure you’re legally compliant in the UAE.

That being said, without the help of a business consultant, you pay around the following:

Expense Category	Amount (AED)
Trade name reservation	620
Initial approval	120
Tasheel fees for initial approval	345
Tasheel fees for Memorandum of Association (MOA)	350
License fees (approximate)	12,500 – 15,000
DED activity fees (general trading)	15,000
Immigration card	750
Total Cost	29,685 AED

FAQs – General Trading License in Dubai

Need Help? 

After reading the above, you should have a good understanding of what a general trade license in Dubai is, the benefits, how to get one, and the costs.

By knowing this, you should have much more information to make an informed decision about whether a general trade license is worth getting.

If you want a general trade license in Dubai, you can contact us at Dubai Business Zone.

We help businesses set up the right way in Dubai, holding their hand through the process. We’ll do everything from filling in the necessary paperwork to advising you on the best company formation and jurisdiction to pick based on your goals and activities.