Trading

How to Set Up a Jewellery and Precious Metals Trading Business in Dubai South

Manula Ranasinghe

Manula Ranasinghe

Manula Ranasinghe

5 min read
5 min read

Last Updated on

Last Updated on

Topic Summary

  1. What Is How to Set Up Jewellery Precious Metals Trading Dubai South and Why It Matters

    To set up a jewellery and precious metals trading business in Dubai South, you form a company in Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone and obtain a trade license for gold, silver, or jewellery activities. You get full foreign ownership, a legal entity, and residency visa packages.

  2. Choosing Your Gold Trading License Dubai South Activity

    Choosing Your Gold Trading License Dubai South Activity

  3. Step-by-Step Guide to How to Set Up Jewellery Precious Metals Trading Dubai South

    Choose your activity, pick a name, submit documents, complete AML/KYC onboarding, receive your license, then arrange office space and visas. Timelines depend on complete paperwork and the right activity.

  4. AML and KYC Compliance for Precious Metals Traders in Dubai South

    Precious metals dealers in the UAE are treated as high-risk under anti-money laundering rules, notably Federal Decree-Law No. 20 of 2018. You must verify customers, identify beneficial owners, keep records, and report suspicious activity ( Ministry of Economy , 2025).

  5. Cost Breakdown for Your Jewellery Company in a Dubai Free Zone

    A jewellery company in a Dubai free zone pays for the license, registration, workspace, visas, and compliance. Dubai South licenses start from AED 12,500, and first-year totals vary with activity, visa count, and workspace.

  6. Key Benefits of Setting Up a Precious Metals Trading Business in Dubai South

    Dubai South offers full foreign ownership, trading-ready licensing, logistics access, and license-linked visas. That gives you a compliant base and a credible Dubai address.

  7. Dubai South Versus Other Dubai Zones

    Dubai South suits traders wanting flexible licensing, full ownership, and logistics access at manageable cost. Match your zone to your model, compliance capacity, and budget.

Over 25,000 businesses operate in Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone, and licenses start from AED 12,500. This guide shows traders how to set up jewellery precious metals trading Dubai South style, from license choice to visas.

What Is How to Set Up Jewellery Precious Metals Trading Dubai South and Why It Matters

To set up a jewellery and precious metals trading business in Dubai South, you form a company in Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone and obtain a trade license for gold, silver, or jewellery activities. You get full foreign ownership, a legal entity, and residency visa packages.

Why Dubai South Suits Metals and Jewellery Traders

Picture a Mumbai gold jewellery exporter re-exporting pieces to Africa and the GCC. She needs a contracting entity and a logistics-friendly base, not a shopfront. That's exactly how to set up jewellery precious metals trading Dubai South works in practice.

Who Should Consider This Structure

  • Wholesalers and importers.

  • Re-exporters of finished pieces.

  • Silver and platinum bullion dealers selling overseas.

Choosing Your Gold Trading License Dubai South Activity

Infographic: How to Set Up a Jewellery and Precious Metals Trading Business in Dubai South

Your gold trading license Dubai South activity depends on what you handle. Bullion, wholesale, and finished jewellery are separate activities, and the license defines what you may import, sell, and re-export.

A trader selling 999 gold bars needs the non-manufactured precious metal trading license in Dubai. Someone wholesaling 22k bangles fits the gold silver jewellery trading license.

Step-by-Step Guide to How to Set Up Jewellery Precious Metals Trading Dubai South

Choose your activity, pick a name, submit documents, complete AML/KYC onboarding, receive your license, then arrange office space and visas. Timelines depend on complete paperwork and the right activity.

Step 1: Select Activity and Company Name

  • Match the activity to your goods.

  • Choose a compliant trade name.

  • A silver wholesaler picks the wholesale activity.

Step 2: Submit Documents and Complete Onboarding

  • Passport copies and proof of address.

  • A business plan.

  • Source-of-funds declarations from each partner.

Step 3: Receive License, Office, and Visas

  • Collect your license.

  • Pick a flexi-desk or office.

  • Apply for your residency visa, tied to the license.

Wholesalers can read how to start a jewellery wholesale business in Dubai.

AML and KYC Compliance for Precious Metals Traders in Dubai South

Precious metals dealers in the UAE are treated as high-risk under anti-money laundering rules, notably Federal Decree-Law No. 20 of 2018. You must verify customers, identify beneficial owners, keep records, and report suspicious activity (Ministry of Economy, 2025).

Core KYC Obligations for Dealers

  • Identify customers and beneficial owners.

  • Check source of funds and goods origin.

  • Cash deals from AED 55,000 trigger reporting.

Building a Practical Compliance Routine

Appoint a compliance officer, register on the goAML reporting platform, and train staff. A small trader can run one standard KYC checklist per client. Banks regulated by the Central Bank of the UAE will ask for it.

Estimated Setup Cost Components for a Jewellery and Precious Metals Trading Company

Feature

Cost Component

Indicative Range or Note

Trade license (from AED 12,500)

Annual license fee

Varies by activity and tenure

Company registration and fees

Registration and name approval

Confirm with the Dubai South team

Flexi-desk or office space

Workspace rental

Flexi-desk costs less than an office

Residency visa package

Per-visa fees

Scales with partner count

AML/KYC compliance and audit

Officer time and annual review

Budget yearly, not once

Cost Breakdown for Your Jewellery Company in a Dubai Free Zone

A jewellery company in a Dubai free zone pays for the license, registration, workspace, visas, and compliance. Dubai South licenses start from AED 12,500, and first-year totals vary with activity, visa count, and workspace.

Two partners comparing one-visa and two-visa packages will see the biggest swing there. Budget for annual renewal plus a compliance review, and expect banks to want your KYC policy. Profits above AED 375,000 face 9% corporate tax (Ministry of Finance, 2023), so confirm your position before trading.

Key Benefits of Setting Up a Precious Metals Trading Business in Dubai South

Dubai South offers full foreign ownership, trading-ready licensing, logistics access, and license-linked visas. That gives you a compliant base and a credible Dubai address.

  • Full ownership, with license and visas from one provider.

  • Logistics proximity for shipments to East Africa.

  • A licensed entity that eases bank onboarding.

Why does this matter? Documented compliance shortens bank questions. Read more on starting a gold and precious metals trading business.

Dubai South Versus Other Dubai Zones

Dubai South suits traders wanting flexible licensing, full ownership, and logistics access at manageable cost. Match your zone to your model, compliance capacity, and budget.

How Does Dubai South Compare for Gold Traders?

A jewellery wholesaler without refining needs usually values logistics and cost over exchange-linked ecosystems. Confirm requirements before applying.

Can I Add Activities Later?

Yes. You can amend your license, for example expanding from jewellery to precious stones wholesale.

Your Next Move

Knowing how to set up jewellery precious metals trading Dubai South style comes down to four things: the right activity, clean onboarding, AML/KYC discipline, and a realistic budget. Contact the Dubai South Business Hub team to confirm your activity, get a tailored quote, and start formation.

References

  1. Ministry of Economy

  2. Central Bank of the UAE

  3. Ministry of Finance

Frequently Asked Questions

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How to Set Up a Jewellery and Precious Metals Trading Business in Dubai South

Let's get you started