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 Dubai South Business Hub 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.
