Import, export, and trade multiple product categories under one license. Mainland or Free Zone — Consultycs handles everything from license issuance to visa processing.
A general trading license is a commercial license that lets you import, export, distribute, and sell multiple unrelated product categories — all under one license. Unlike a specific trading license (limited to a single product category), a general trading license gives you the freedom to trade across industries.
It’s issued by the Department of Economic Development (DED) for mainland businesses or by individual free zone authorities. Whether you’re selling electronics, clothing, packaged food, or industrial equipment, this single license covers it all.
This is the go-to license for entrepreneurs, SMEs, and international businesses who want operational flexibility without applying for separate licenses for each product line.
What makes it different from a regular trade license?
A standard trade license restricts you to one product category. A general trading license allows up to 10 commercial activities under a single registration — making it ideal for businesses planning to diversify or scale across product lines.
Commercial activities under one license
Foreign ownership permitted
Dubai trade growth in Q1 2025
Days to full registration
Products you can trade
Dubai isn’t just a trading hub — it’s the trading hub. Here’s what makes it unmatched for general trading companies.
Trade electronics alongside textiles, furniture alongside food — no need for separate licenses. A general trading license covers up to 10 unrelated commercial activities, letting you pivot and diversify without additional paperwork or fees.
Dubai sits at the crossroads of three continents. Jebel Ali — the world’s largest man-made port — connects you to 180+ ports globally. DXB and Al Maktoum airports handle massive cargo volumes. Your goods reach Asia in 4 hours, Europe in 6, and Africa in 5.
UAE mainland companies pay 9% corporate tax on profits exceeding AED 375,000. Free zone companies qualifying for QFZP status pay 0% on qualifying income. No personal income tax. No withholding tax. Your margins stay intact.
The 51% local sponsor requirement is history for most commercial activities. Mainland and free zone general trading licenses now allow full foreign ownership — you retain complete control of your business.
With a setup consultant like Consultycs, your general trading license can be issued digitally in as little as 24 hours. DED’s Instant License program lets you start with no office space for the first year. Some free zones issue licenses within 60 minutes of document approval.
A general trading license lets you sponsor investor visas, employment visas, and dependent visas. Mainland licenses have no cap on visa count (determined by office space). Free zones offer visa quotas based on your package.
This is the first and most important decision. It affects your costs, market access, tax obligations, and visa options.
| Factor | Mainland (DED) | Free Zone |
|---|---|---|
| Ownership | 100% foreign Now Available | 100% foreign Standard |
| UAE Market Access | Unrestricted — sell anywhere in UAE Best | Needs local distributor for UAE sales |
| Starting Cost | AED 15,000 – 50,000 | AED 5,500 – 30,000 Lower |
| Office Requirement | Physical office (Year 1: Instant License with no office OK) | Flexi-desk / Virtual OK Flexible |
| Visa Quotas | Unlimited (based on office space) Best | Package-based (2–6 typical) |
| Corporate Tax | 9% on profits above AED 375K | 0% on qualifying income Tax-Free |
| Import/Re-export | Standard customs procedures | Duty-free imports within zone Advantage |
| Best For | UAE market focus, local retail, scaling teams | Import/re-export, startups, cost-efficiency |
Dubai Mainland General Trading License (DED)
Issued by the Department of Economic Development and Tourism (DET/DED). Choose mainland if you want unrestricted access to sell products anywhere in the UAE — retail shops, offices, warehouses, anywhere.
Key advantages: No restrictions on trading within the local UAE market. No cap on employee visas (depends on office space). Can open retail outlets and showrooms anywhere in Dubai. Accepted by all UAE banks for corporate accounts.
DED Instant License: A fast-track mainland license issued digitally through the Bashr platform (Dubai Economy and Tourism), with no physical office required upfront. Costs start from around AED 9,000 depending on your activity. It’s valid for one year, and you’ll need a physical office with Ejari registration to renew.
Typical total cost: AED 30,000 – 50,000 including license fee, DED activity fees, trade name reservation, office space, and one visa.
Free Zone General Trading License
Issued by individual free zone authorities (IFZA, DMCC, JAFZA, Meydan, RAKEZ, etc.). Choose a free zone if you’re focused on import/export, re-export, or e-commerce with international customers.
Key advantages: 100% foreign ownership (standard). 0% corporate tax on qualifying income. Duty-free imports within the zone. Lower setup costs with flexi-desk options. Digital-first setup — some zones issue licenses in under 60 minutes.
Limitation: You cannot sell directly in the UAE local market without a local distributor or dual license. If your primary customers are in the UAE, mainland is the better choice.
Typical total cost: AED 12,500 – 35,000 depending on the zone, visa count, and office type.
Not sure which regulator fits? Tell us your business model — we'll recommend.
Costs depend on jurisdiction, office type, visa count, and business activities. Here’s the real picture — no vague ranges, no hidden surprises.
Disclaimer: All costs and estimates shown are indicative and based on prevailing government fee schedules and market rates as of early 2026. Actual costs may vary depending on your specific business activities, documentation requirements, visa count, office location, and case-by-case assessments by relevant authorities. Contact Consultycs for a personalized quote.
Trade License Fee
DED Activity Approval
Trade Name Reservation
Office / Ejari (1 Year)
Visa (1 person)
Estimated Total (1 visa)
License Fee
Registration & Name
Flexi-desk / Office
Visa (1 person)
Establishment Card
Banking + visa
Estimated Total (1 visa)
| Free Zone | License From | Visa | Office Type | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ajman Free Zone | AED 5,500 | Optional | Flexi-desk | Cheapest entry |
| RAKEZ | AED 6,000 | Optional | Flexi-desk | Budget + flexibility |
| IFZA | AED 11,900 | Optional | Flexi-desk | Scalable packages |
| Meydan | AED 12,500 | Optional | Flexi-desk | 60-min digital setup |
| DMCC | AED 15,000+ | Package | Flexi / Physical | Commodities trading |
| JAFZA | AED 15,000+ | Package | Physical / Warehouse | Logistics & warehousing |
If you plan to import or export goods, you’ll need a Dubai Customs Client Code, registered through the Dubai Trade portal once your license is issued. The registration fee itself is modest — roughly AED 100–500 depending on company type. Where goods are imported for re-export, Dubai Customs also takes a refundable deposit equal to 5% of the CIF (cost, insurance and freight) value, returned once the goods are re-exported. The code is issued in 1–3 working days and must be renewed annually — without it, your shipments cannot clear any UAE port or airport. Consultycs arranges your customs code alongside the license so there’s no gap before your first shipment.
Opening a corporate bank account for a trading company takes planning. UAE banks typically require a minimum average balance of AED 10,000–50,000 that stays locked in the account, and general trading licenses attract closer compliance review — so expect questions about your suppliers, customers, and expected transaction flow. The process usually takes 2–4 weeks and often includes an in-person meeting. Consultycs prepares your application and introduces you to banks that are comfortable with trading businesses, improving your approval odds.
UAE VAT is charged at 5%. Registration becomes mandatory once your taxable turnover crosses AED 375,000 over a rolling 12-month period, with voluntary registration available from AED 187,500 — worth considering if you want to recover VAT on early setup and inventory costs. Registration itself is free through the Federal Tax Authority’s EmaraTax portal, but late registration carries an AED 10,000 penalty, so timing matters. Most trading businesses also budget for an accountant or tax agent to handle the periodic returns. Consultycs handles both registration and ongoing filing as part of our tax service.
Standard goods trade freely under a general trading license, but restricted categories need extra clearance before you can sell them. Food, cosmetics, health and personal-care products, and certain electronics require approval from the relevant authority — for example Dubai Municipality or the emirate’s food-safety body — and sometimes product registration. Depending on the product, budget anywhere from AED 1,000 to AED 20,000+ per approval. Mainland companies also pay a Dubai Municipality market fee (commonly cited at 2.5–5% of annual office rent), added at renewal. We check your product list against the restricted categories up front, so there are no surprises later.
A handful of costs recur every year. Health insurance is mandatory for each visa holder (roughly AED 800–1,500+ per person per year). If you take physical office or warehouse space, factor in DEWA utility deposits and monthly bills. The license itself renews annually — the DED general trading activity fee is around AED 3,000, plus the Establishment Card renewal (around AED 580), Ejari re-registration, chamber membership, the Dubai Municipality market fee (charged as a percentage of your office rent), and an annual audit. Your exact renewal total depends mainly on your office rent and the number of visas. Renew at least 30 days before expiry to avoid daily late fines. Consultycs manages your renewals and reminders so nothing lapses.
Tell us your business activities and visa needs — we'll send you an itemized quote within 24 hours.
The process is straightforward when you have the right advisor. Here’s exactly what happens.
Mainland for UAE market access. Free zone for tax benefits and lower costs. Consultycs helps you pick based on your market, budget, and growth plans.
Pick up to 10 commercial activities for your general trading license. We'll advise which activity codes align with your product range and future plans.
Submit 3 name options to DED or the free zone authority. Must follow UAE naming conventions — no offensive, religious, or geographic terms. We handle the reservation.
Passport copies, photos, business plan (some zones), and MOA for corporate shareholders. Consultycs prepares and submits everything on your behalf.
Physical office, flexi-desk, or virtual office depending on your jurisdiction. Mainland requires Ejari registration. Free zones offer built-in desk solutions.
Once documents are approved, pay the government fees. Your license is issued digitally — typically within 24–48 hours with Consultycs, or up to 1–2 weeks through standard channels.
Visa processing, corporate bank account opening, VAT registration, and customs code. We handle all of this as part of our end-to-end service.
Want Consultycs to handle the entire process end-to-end?
A general trading license is light on documentation. Here’s the standard checklist for individual and corporate shareholders — Consultycs prepares and submits everything on your behalf, so you don’t chase paperwork across government offices.
A general trading license covers a wide range of product categories. Here’s what you can trade — and what requires a separate permit.
Not ready for a full general trading license? The DED e-trader license is designed for individuals selling products through social media or online platforms at a fraction of the cost.
| Feature | E-Trader License | General Trading License |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ~AED 1,070/year Cheapest | AED 12,500+ setup |
| Activities | Limited (social media selling) | Up to 10 commercial activities Flexible |
| Import/Export | Not permitted | Full import/export rights Full Access |
| Visas | No visa sponsorship | Investor + employee visas Full Access |
| Office | Home-based / No office | Office required (flexi-desk OK) |
| Eligibility | UAE/GCC nationals & residents | All nationalities |
| Bank Account | Limited options | Full corporate banking Better |
| Best For | Testing a product, side hustle | Scaling a real trading business |
Starting with an e-trader license? Consultycs can help you upgrade to a full general trading license when you're ready to scale.
License, visa, bank account, VAT registration, customs code — we handle every step so you don’t chase government offices.
We don’t make you wait weeks. Most licenses are issued within 24–48 hours of document submission.
We work across every major UAE free zone and all seven Emirates — not just one zone pushing their own packages.
No hidden fees, no surprise add-ons. You get an itemized quote before you commit to anything.
Our advisors speak English, Hindi, Arabic, Kannada, Tamil, Urdu, and Pashto — communicate in the language you’re comfortable with.
License renewal, business restructuring, compliance, accounting — we stay with you well beyond setup.
No surprises, no runaround. Four steps from enquiry to quote.
You tell us what you'll trade and where you'll sell. We look at your activity mix, visa needs, and operational model.
Mainland vs specific free zone — based on your real business model, not a one-size-fits-all package. If we think Abu Dhabi or RAK is better for you, we'll say so.
Itemized costs, document checklist, visa plan, and timeline. No vague ranges — you see exactly what you're paying for.
Activity confirmation first, then trade name, approvals, office, license, visa. One point of contact throughout. We keep it moving.
That's it. Four steps from enquiry to clarity.
A mainland general trading license costs AED 30,000–50,000 total. Free zone licenses start from AED 5,500 in Ajman Free Zone and AED 12,500 in IFZA/Meydan, with total costs of AED 12,500–35,000 depending on visa count and office type.
The cheapest general trading license in the UAE starts from AED 5,500 at Ajman Free Zone and AED 6,000 at RAKEZ. For Dubai-based free zones, IFZA starts from AED 11,900.
Choose your jurisdiction, select up to 10 business activities, reserve a trade name, submit documents, secure office space, pay government fees, and receive your license. With Consultycs, the entire process takes 24–48 hours.
A commercial license limits you to one product category. A general trading license allows up to 10 activities under one license.
Yes. DED’s Instant License allows year one without physical office space. Free zones offer flexi-desk options.
DMCC general trading licenses start from approximately AED 15,000. Total costs typically range from AED 25,000–50,000.
You can trade electronics, textiles, furniture, packaged food, building materials, industrial equipment, personal care products, and more.
With Consultycs, license issuance takes 24–48 hours. Some free zones issue licenses in under 60 minutes. Standard channels take 1–2 weeks.
Looking for a different license type or service? We handle these too.
