How to Start a Food Products Export Business in Dubai

A food products export business can be established at Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone from AED 12,500. Dubai is one of the world's most important food trading hubs, with strategic access to markets across the GCC, South Asia, East Africa, and Central Asia. The UAE re-exports significant volumes of food products annually, and its positioning between major food-producing and food-consuming regions makes it an efficient base for food trading and export businesses. Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone's adjacency to Al Maktoum International Airport and Jebel Ali Port supports efficient logistics for food importers and exporters. 

Food products export at Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone covers wholesale food trading, specific food category trading codes, and beverage wholesale. Standard food trading carries no pre-approval requirements, although certain product categories may require additional regulatory clearances from relevant UAE food authorities at the operational stage. 

For a full overview of business setup costs in Dubai, see the cost of starting a business in Dubai guide. 

Get Your Food Products Export License 

Licenses from AED 12,500. Use the cost calculator for a full estimate, or contact the DSBH team. 

Key Business Activity Codes at Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone 

• 4721.98   Foodstuff and Beverages Trading 

• 4630.00   Wholesale of Food and Beverages 

• 4630.10   Wholesale of Coffee, Tea, Cocoa and Spices 

• 4721.87   Canned and Preserved Food Trading 

• 4721.86   Spices Trading 

• 4721.84   Dates Trading 

• 4721.80   Baby Food Trading 

• 4721.90   Snack Food Trading 

• 4721.72   Frozen Fish and Seafood Trading 

Foodstuff and Beverages Trading License - 4721.98 

Foodstuff and Beverages Trading (4721.98) is the broadest food trading code at Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone. It covers the wholesale and export trading of general food products and beverages across a wide range of categories. For businesses that trade multiple food product types rather than specialising in a single category, this is the most commercially flexible food trading code. No pre-approval is required at the licensing stage. 

You could be... a food trading company sourcing packaged foods from European, Asian, and Middle Eastern manufacturers and distributing them across GCC retail chains, food service operators, and hospitality clients. Your Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone entity manages procurement, import, and export transactions for your full product portfolio. 

Third-Party Approval: None at licensing stage.  |  AML / DNFBP: Exempt. 

Note: specific product categories may require Dubai Municipality or relevant authority registration at the operational stage. 

Wholesale of Food and Beverages License - 4630.00 / 4630.10 

Wholesale of Food and Beverages (4630.00) covers B2B wholesale supply of food and beverage products to retailers, food service operators, and institutional buyers. Wholesale of Coffee, Tea, Cocoa and Spices (4630.10) covers the specialised wholesale of hot beverages and spice products, a commercially significant category given Dubai's role as a major spice and specialty food trading hub. 

Third-Party Approval: None.  |  AML / DNFBP: Exempt. 

Specialist Food Category Codes 

The Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone activity list includes a range of specialist food trading codes for businesses focused on specific product categories. Canned and Preserved Food Trading (4721.87) covers tinned goods, preserved items, and packaged shelf-stable foods. Spices Trading (4721.86) covers dry spices and seasoning products. Dates Trading (4721.84) covers one of the UAE's most commercially significant food export products. Baby Food Trading (4721.80) covers infant formula and baby food products. Snack Food Trading (4721.90) covers packaged snack products. Frozen Fish and Seafood Trading (4721.72) covers chilled and frozen seafood products. 

Third-Party Approval: None for these trading codes. Operational product registration with relevant authorities is separate from licensing.  |  AML / DNFBP: Exempt. 

Dates Trading License - 4721.84 

Dates Trading (4721.84) deserves special mention as a commercially significant code for UAE food exporters. The UAE is one of the world's largest producers and re-exporters of dates, with consistent demand from South Asian, North African, and international markets. Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone's free zone location supports efficient export operations with access to both air freight through Al Maktoum Airport and sea freight through Jebel Ali Port. 

Third-Party Approval: None.  |  AML / DNFBP: Exempt. 

Export Company Formation at Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone 

Establishing a food export company at Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone provides a high-efficiency gateway to the world's most active consumer markets. By positioning your operations adjacent to Al Maktoum International Airport and Jebel Ali Port, your business gains a massive competitive advantage. This Logistics Corridor enables the world’s fastest sea-to-air cargo flows, offering frictionless access to high-demand regions across the GCC, South Asia, and East Africa. 

Start by browsing the business activities list to confirm your codes and apply digitally with a passport copy.  

All food trading and export activities at Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone carry no pre-approval requirements at the licensing stage, allowing eligible applications to be processed and issued within just one business day. Our support doesn't end with the issuance of your license. Through the Beyond Hub suite, we provide value-added comprehensive post-setup support designed to make business management more streamlined. Through a fully digital, concierge-style approach, we handle the operational and administrative essentials that keep your company running smoothly.    

With 100% foreign ownership, zero paid-up capital, zero personal income tax and location adjacent to Al Maktoum Airport and Jebel Ali Port, food exporters get efficient access to air and sea freight routes to GCC, South Asian, and East African markets. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

Q1. How much does a food products export license cost in Dubai? 

From AED 12,500 at Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone. No pre-approvals are required for food trading codes at the licensing stage. Use the cost calculator for a fully itemised estimate. 

Q2. What food products can I trade with a Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone license? 

The Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone activity list includes a broad range of food trading codes covering general foodstuff and beverages, packaged foods, canned goods, spices, dates, snack foods, baby food, frozen seafood, and wholesale coffee, tea, and cocoa. For most standard food categories, no pre-approval is required at the licensing stage. 

Q3. Can I export food products internationally from a Dubai free zone? 

Yes. Re-export is a core commercial activity for Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone free zone companies. Your food trading license permits importing food products, consolidating if needed, and re-exporting to GCC countries, South Asia, East Africa, and international markets. Dubai's free zone infrastructure is specifically designed for import, consolidation, and re-export operations. 

Q4. Do I need Dubai Municipality approval to trade food products? 

Dubai Municipality food safety registration is typically an operational step that follows licensing, not a pre-approval required before your license is issued. Some product categories may require specific authority approvals before products can be sold in the UAE domestic market. It is important to distinguish between obtaining your Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone trade license, which is fast and straightforward, and the subsequent operational steps required to begin commercial food sales in the UAE market. 

Q5. Can a foreigner own 100% of a food export business in Dubai? 

Yes. Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone permits 100% foreign ownership of food trading and export businesses. No local sponsor or UAE national partner required. 

Q6. What is the advantage of exporting food from Dubai South? 

Dubai South's location adjacent to Al Maktoum International Airport and its connection to Jebel Ali Port via the Dubai Logistics Corridor gives food exporters excellent access to air freight for perishable goods and sea freight for bulk shipments. The free zone environment also provides customs duty suspension on goods that are re-exported without entering UAE domestic consumption. 

Q7. Can I trade frozen seafood with a Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone license? 

Yes. Frozen Fish and Seafood Trading (4721.72) is available at Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone with no pre-approval requirement at the licensing stage. Cold storage and logistics arrangements for perishable products are arranged separately as an operational matter. 

Q8. How long does a food export business license take? 

One business day for eligible applications. All food trading codes carry no pre-approval requirements at Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone at the licensing stage. 

Q9. Is VAT applicable to food exports? 

Exported food products sold to customers outside the UAE are generally zero-rated for UAE VAT. Domestic UAE food sales may be exempt or zero-rated depending on the specific product category under UAE VAT regulations. Packaged consumer goods sold locally are typically subject to 5% UAE VAT above AED 375,000 annual threshold. 

Q10. How do I start a food products export business at Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone? 

To start a food products export business at Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone start by browsing the business activities list to confirm your codes and apply digitally with a passport copy. Eligible applications are licensed within one business day.