Topic Summary
One License Covers Hundreds of Product Lines
A general trading license in Dubai lets a single company import, export, and resell a wide range of physical goods without applying for a separate license per product category. This is ideal for businesses that handle multiple product lines, such as electronics and packaged food, under one entity.
License Fees Start From AED 12,500
At Dubai South Business Hub, a general trading license starts from AED 12,500, with same-day approval available. Costs vary depending on whether you apply through a free zone authority or the mainland Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism.
Free Zones Offer 100% Foreign Ownership
Companies licensed through a free zone like Dubai South can be 100% foreign-owned, which is a major draw for international investors. Mainland DET licenses, by contrast, open access to the full UAE domestic market.
Corporate Tax Is 9% Above AED 375,000 Profit
The UAE corporate tax rate of 9% applies only to net profits exceeding AED 375,000. Free zone companies may qualify for a 0% rate on qualifying income if they meet Federal Tax Authority conditions.
Common Approved Goods Span Many Industries
Approved trading categories typically include electronics, textiles, food and beverages, building materials, household goods, cosmetics, and stationery. Activity codes listed on your license confirm the exact product lines you are permitted to trade.
Some Products Still Require Specialist Permits
A general trading license does not cover financial services, regulated healthcare products, pharmaceuticals, or alcohol, which require separate approvals. Businesses dealing in both general goods and restricted products must hold two distinct licenses.
Dubai Issued Over 50,000 New Licenses in One Year
Dubai issued more than 50,000 new trade licenses in 2025 alone, with general trading licenses ranking among the most popular categories for foreign investors. Over 25,000 businesses already hold licenses at Dubai South, reflecting strong demand for the free zone option.
In 2026, Dubai issued over 50,000 new trade licenses in a single year (Dubai Chamber, 2025). General trading licenses ranked among the most applied-for categories by foreign investors. The license fee at Dubai South Business Hub starts from AED 12,500 (Dubai South Business Hub, 2026). Same-day approval is available. The UAE corporate tax rate is 9% above AED 375,000 net profit (Federal Tax Authority, 2023). Free zone companies can pay 0% on qualifying income if they meet FTA conditions. Over 25,000 businesses already hold licenses at Dubai South.
This guide tells you what a general trading license in Dubai is, what it lets you trade, how much it costs, how to get one step by step, and what rules apply once you are up and running.
What Is a General Trading License in Dubai
A general trading license in Dubai is a trade license that lets one company buy and sell a wide range of goods without needing a separate license for each product. It covers most physical goods, from electronics to food to clothing, under one approval issued by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) or a free zone authority.
How It Differs from a Specific Trading License
A specific trading license covers one product category only. A general trading license in Dubai covers many at once.
General trading costs more upfront. But it removes the need to apply for extra licenses as your product range grows.
Consider an importer moving consumer electronics and packaged food under one company entity instead of two. Under a general trading license, both product lines sit on one approval. Without it, you would need separate licenses for each category. Under ISIC Rev.4, Section G covers wholesale and retail trade of most physical goods, so one license can cover hundreds of product lines. DET issues both single-activity and general trading categories under the same licensing framework (u.ae, 2025).
Which Authority Issues the License
On the mainland, DET issues the license. In a free zone, the free zone authority does.
The issuing body sets the fee, the activity list, and the visa quota attached to the license.
Dubai South Business Hub (DSBH) issues general trading licenses for companies set up inside the Dubai South free zone. A company choosing between a DET mainland license and a DSBH free zone license will find the key difference in who their clients are. Free zone licenses allow 100% foreign ownership. DET mainland licenses open the full UAE domestic market. You can explore the full trading license options at Dubai South to compare activity lists before you apply.
What a General Trading License in Dubai Covers
A general trading license in Dubai covers the import, export, distribution, and resale of most physical goods. Common categories include electronics, textiles, food and beverages, building materials, and consumer products. It does not cover financial services, regulated healthcare products, or activities that need a specialist permit.
Goods You Can Trade
Under a general trading license in Dubai, you can import and resell a broad range of physical goods. Activity codes on your license confirm the exact product lines approved. ISIC Rev.4 Section G underpins most of these categories. A trader sourcing kitchen appliances from Asia and reselling them to UAE retailers is a typical example, all under one license.
Approved categories typically include:
Electronics and electrical equipment
Textiles, clothing, and footwear
Food and packaged beverages (non-alcohol, no extra permit needed)
Building materials and hardware
Household goods and furniture
Cosmetics and personal care products
Stationery and office supplies
Check the full business activities list at Dubai South to confirm which codes apply to your product range.
What the License Does Not Cover
Some goods and services fall outside the scope of a general trading license in Dubai. A company that wants to trade both general goods and pharmaceutical products must hold two separate licenses. The same applies to any regulated category.
Exclusions include:
Pharmaceuticals and controlled medical products (MOHAP governs these imports)
Alcohol trade (needs a specific liquor license from the relevant authority)
Financial products and insurance (Central Bank of the UAE oversees financial product licensing)
Arms, ammunition, and restricted goods (excluded entirely)
Clinical healthcare services (requires a separate DHA or MOHAP approval)
6 Steps to Get Your General Trading License in Dubai
To get a general trading license in Dubai, choose your setup location, book a trade name, pick your activity codes, submit your papers, pay the license fee, and collect your license. The process takes as little as one business day at DSBH and around five to seven days on the mainland via DET.
Step 1 to Step 3: Name, Location, and Activities
A UK entrepreneur who checks name availability online before flying to Dubai saves a wasted trip. DSBH offers same-day name approval. Use the trade name availability search to confirm your preferred name is free before you commit.
Step 1, choose mainland or free zone: Your choice sets the fee, the visa quota, and who you can sell to directly.
Step 2, book your trade name: Check availability and reserve it via the DET portal or the DSBH portal. The name must not duplicate an existing registered name.
Step 3, confirm your activity codes: Pick the codes that match the goods you plan to trade. Get this right before you proceed, because changing codes later adds time and cost.
Mainland vs Free Zone General Trading License in Dubai
Feature | Mainland (DET) | Free Zone (DSBH) |
|---|---|---|
UAE market access | Sell directly to any UAE customer, no distributor needed | Direct mainland sales need a local distributor; international sales unrestricted |
Foreign ownership | Up to 100% in most sectors under 2021 Companies Law reforms | 100% foreign ownership, no local partner required |
Corporate tax rate | 9% on net profit above AED 375,000 | 0% on qualifying income if FTA Qualifying Free Zone Person conditions are met; otherwise 9% |
Office requirement | Physical office required; size drives visa quota | Flexi-desk options available; no physical office mandatory |
Approval timeline | 5 to 7 working days via DET | Same-day approval available at DSBH |
Starting cost | Varies by office size, activity count, and share capital | From AED 12,500 |
Step 4 to Step 6: Papers, Payment, and Collection
A foreign investor can complete the full DSBH setup remotely, without visiting Dubai in person. No physical office visit is required for DSBH free zone applications.
Step 4, submit your papers: Passport copy, passport photo, and a completed application form are the core documents.
Step 5, pay the license fee: Fees start from AED 12,500 at DSBH. Mainland fees vary by activity and office size.
Step 6, collect your license: DSBH offers same-day approval. DET mainland approvals typically take 5 to 7 working days.
Use the business setup cost calculator to get a firm figure before you commit to either route.
Mainland vs Free Zone: Which Setup Suits You
A mainland general trading license in Dubai lets you sell directly to any UAE customer. A free zone license gives you 100% foreign ownership and lower setup costs but restricts direct mainland sales without a local distributor. Your choice depends on where most of your customers are.
When to Choose a Free Zone General Trading License
A Singapore-based trader setting up a DSBH entity to manage Middle East and Africa distribution is a strong fit for the free zone route. DSBH sits 15 minutes from Jebel Ali Port, the largest port in the Middle East. The USD 35 billion expansion of Al Maktoum International Airport (Dubai South, 2024) adds long-term air freight capacity for traders using the zone as a regional hub.
A free zone general trading license suits you if:
You sell mostly to clients outside the UAE or re-export goods.
You want 100% ownership without a local partner.
You need a low-cost setup with a fast approval timeline.
You plan to use the UAE as a logistics hub near Al Maktoum International Airport.
You want to qualify for the 0% corporate tax rate on qualifying income (FTA conditions apply).
Is a mainland general trading license worth the extra cost?
Yes, if most of your customers are inside the UAE. A mainland DET license gives you direct access to the full UAE domestic market without needing a local distributor. The trade-off is a higher setup cost and a physical office requirement. If your revenue comes mostly from UAE-based buyers, the mainland route typically pays for itself faster than a free zone setup with a distributor arrangement.
General Trading License in Dubai: Costs and Timelines
A general trading license in Dubai costs from AED 12,500 at DSBH for a free zone setup. Mainland DET costs vary by office size and activity count. Renewal falls due every year. Same-day approval is available at DSBH; DET mainland approvals typically take five to seven working days.
What You Pay at Setup
DSBH free zone license fees start from AED 12,500. Visa packages are separate from the license fee. An entrepreneur budgeting for a DSBH general trading license should plan for the license fee plus a separate visa package, which starts from AED 3,750 for a single visa.
Mainland DET fees depend on your office size, activity count, and share capital. Extra costs on either route include trade name reservation, notary fees, and any attestation charges. Use the Dubai free zone license cost calculator to get a firm number before you commit.
Cost item | DSBH free zone | Mainland (DET) |
|---|---|---|
License fee | From AED 12,500 | Varies by activity and office size |
Residency visa (per person) | From AED 3,750 (separate package) | Varies by visa type and office size |
Trade name reservation | Included in DSBH process | Paid separately via DET portal |
Approval timeline | Same day available | 5 to 7 working days |
Annual renewal | Due every 12 months | Due every 12 months |
Annual Renewal and Ongoing Fees
All Dubai trade licenses must be renewed every year. Renewal fees are similar to setup fees. A trader who misses renewal by 30 days faces a government late fee on top of the standard renewal cost, so the date matters.
At renewal, keep your trade name registration, visa status, and corporate tax filing up to date. DSBH sends renewal reminders before the due date. Late renewal penalties are set by the issuing authority and vary by how long the license has lapsed (u.ae, 2025).
What You Must Comply With After You Get Your License
After you get a general trading license in Dubai, you must register for corporate tax with the FTA, keep financial records for 7 years, renew your license each year, and follow customs rules for any goods you import or export. Free zone companies must also meet FTA qualifying conditions to keep the 0% rate.
Corporate Tax and FTA Rules
Registration
Every UAE company must register for corporate tax with the FTA once it is set up. Your turnover does not matter. Register via the FTA portal at tax.gov.ae. The UAE Corporate Tax Law came into effect in June 2023.
Rates
The standard rate is 9% on net profit above AED 375,000. Free zone companies can pay 0% on qualifying income. You only get that rate if you meet the FTA's Qualifying Free Zone Person conditions. A free zone trading company that misses the FTA registration deadline risks losing its 0% qualifying status entirely.
Customs, Records, and Visa Duties
A general trading company importing goods through Jebel Ali Port must register with Dubai Customs before the first shipment arrives. You need an importer or exporter code before any goods move (Dubai Trade, 2025).
Register with Dubai Customs and get your importer code before your first shipment.
Keep your financial books for at least 7 years. The FTA can ask to see them.
Each visa held under your license must stay valid. The ICP collects overstay fines on a daily basis.
If you have staff, MOHRE rules on employment contracts apply from day one.
For help managing these ongoing duties, the business support services at Dubai South Business Hub cover PRO services, government transactions, and document processing.
Why Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone Works for General Traders
Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone offers general trading licenses from AED 12,500 with same-day approval, 100% foreign ownership, and a location 15 minutes from Jebel Ali Port and adjacent to Al Maktoum International Airport. It suits traders who move goods across the Middle East, Africa, and Asia.
Location and Logistics Advantages
DSBH sits inside Dubai South, directly adjacent to Al Maktoum International Airport. Jebel Ali Port, the largest port in the Middle East, is 15 minutes away. A European food brand using DSBH as its Middle East distribution hub can move product through both air and sea freight within hours of customs clearance.
The USD 35 billion expansion of Al Maktoum International Airport (Dubai South, 2024) adds long-term air freight capacity. Fast customs clearance and bonded warehouse options are available within the zone. For traders who run on tight delivery windows, this location cuts transport time and cost in a way a city-centre office simply cannot.
What DSBH Includes in a License Package
A solo founder can get a general trading license, an investor visa, and a bank account introduction through a single DSBH package. Over 25,000 businesses already hold licenses at Dubai South Business Hub, which is a strong signal of an established, working ecosystem.
License fees from AED 12,500 with same-day approval available.
Visa allocations for founders and staff, added to the same application.
Flexi-desk workspace option, no full office lease required.
PRO services and government transaction support included in packages.
Banking introduction services via DSBH's banking and taxation support.
Residency visas for founders and staff can be added at the same time. The UAE residency visa services at DSBH cover investor visas, Emirates ID applications, and family sponsorship in one place.
A general trading license in Dubai gives you one approval to buy, sell, import, and export a wide range of goods across the UAE and beyond. In 2026, the choice between a mainland DET license and a free zone license at Dubai South Business Hub comes down to where your customers are and how much you want to spend. DSBH offers same-day approval, fees from AED 12,500, and a location that cuts your freight time to Jebel Ali Port and Al Maktoum International Airport. Use the DSBH cost calculator to see your setup cost, check your trade name availability, and speak to a DSBH advisor about which license package fits your trading plans.
References
Dubai Chamber (dubaichamber.com)
Federal Tax Authority (tax.gov.ae)
u.ae (u.ae)
Dubai Trade (dubaitrade.ae)
Frequently Asked Questions
