A food trading, import and export business can be setup at Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone in as little as one day with an investment of AED 12,500 per year. Dubai is one of the most strategically located food trading hubs in the world, positioned at the intersection of major food supply routes connecting Asia, Europe, and the Americas with the GCC, South Asia, East Africa, and Central Asian markets. The UAE imports a significant proportion of its food requirements annually and re-exports substantial volumes to regional markets, creating a commercially active food trading environment. 

Food trading import and export at Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone covers the full range of food product categories from wholesale food and beverages through to specialist codes for meat, seafood, poultry, canned goods, and beverages. All food trading codes carry no pre-approval requirements at the licensing stage and are licensable within one business day. 

For a full guide to Dubai business setup pricing, read the cost of starting a business in Dubai guide. 

Get Your Food Trading License 

Precision in budgeting is the hallmark of a professional launch. Before committing to your Food business infrastructure, you must have a clear, itemized understanding of your total investment, especially when accounting for cold-chain logistics and residency visas for your procurement team. The Cost Calculator allows you to get an estimate of your entire setup instantly, starting from a baseline of AED 12,500 per year. By using this tool early, you eliminate financial ambiguity and ensure your trading firm is built on a transparent and predictable fiscal foundation. 

Food Trading Activity Codes Framework 

• 4721.98   Foodstuff and Beverages Trading 

• 4630.00   Wholesale of Food and Beverages 

• 4630.09   Wholesale of Beverages 

• 4721.70   Fresh, Chilled and Frozen Meat Trading 

• 4721.72   Frozen Fish and Seafood Trading 

• 4721.73   Salted, Preserved Fish and Seafood Trading 

• 4721.74   Frozen Poultry Trading 

• 4721.87   Canned and Preserved Food Trading 

Foodstuff and Beverages Trading License: 4721.98 

Foodstuff and Beverages Trading (4721.98) is the broadest and most commercially versatile food trading code at Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone. It covers the commercial import, wholesale supply, and export of general food products and beverages across multiple diverse product categories without restriction to a single product type. For businesses that operate a diverse food product trading portfolio, this is the most commercially flexible single code. No pre-approval required at the licensing stage. 

It is typically used by businesses managing a food trading company importing packaged foods, beverages, and processed products from producers across Europe, Asia, and South America, distributing to UAE food retail chains, food service operators, and re-exporting to GCC and East African markets. 

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

Wholesale of Food and Beverages License: 4630.00 / 4630.09 

Wholesale of Food and Beverages (4630.00) covers direct B2B wholesale supply of food and beverage products to retailers, food service operators, and institutional buyers. Wholesale of Beverages (4630.09) covers specialist wholesale supply of beverages including soft drinks, juices, water, and non-alcoholic drinks. Both codes are appropriate for businesses operating as wholesale distributors rather than direct-to-consumer retailers. 

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

Protein and Seafood Trading License: 4721.70 / 4721.72 / 4721.73 / 4721.74 

Fresh, Chilled and Frozen Meat Trading (4721.70) covers beef, lamb, mutton, and other meat products. Frozen Fish and Seafood Trading (4721.72) covers frozen fish and seafood products. Salted, Preserved Fish and Seafood Trading (4721.73) covers preserved seafood. Frozen Poultry Trading (4721.74) covers chicken, turkey, and other poultry products. The protein trading segment is one of the most commercially active food import categories in Dubai, with strong demand from the UAE hospitality, food service, and retail sectors. 

Third-Party Approval: None for all protein trading codes at licensing stage.   |  AML / DNFBP: Exempt. 

Note: Halal certification and food safety authority registration required for domestic sale. 

Canned and Preserved Food License: 4721.87 

Canned and Preserved Food Trading (4721.87) covers tinned goods, preserved foods, jarred products, and shelf-stable packaged foods. This is a consistently traded category with demand from both retail and food service sectors. No pre-approval required at licensing stage. 

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

Why Choose Dubai South Business Hub for Food Trading? 

Dubai's food import market is one of the largest in the Middle East, with consistent demand driven by a growing population, a large hospitality and tourism sector, and a food service industry that operates year-round. For food trading import and export businesses, the combination of domestic market demand and substantial re-export opportunity to GCC, South Asian, and East African markets makes Dubai one of the most commercially productive and strategically located food trading platforms available. 

Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone is located within a 145 square kilometre master-planned city adjacent to Al Maktoum International Airport and connected to Jebel Ali Port, it offers a strategically positioned base for food trading businesses operating across the UAE and GCC.  

Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone provides a logistics-driven advantage for food trading businesses. 

• License starting from AED 12,500  

• One business day licensing  

• 100% foreign ownership  

• Zero paid-up capital  

• Zero personal income tax  

• Fully digital setup 

For those dealing with moving perishables or bulk commodities, the Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone provides the infrastructure and logistics connectivity required to capture the region’s multi-billion dollar market. With a zero-tax environment and 100% foreign ownership, it is the strategic choice for global food entrepreneurs. 

How to Get Your Food Trading License at Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone 

Before proceeding, your company name must be approved. The name check confirms availability and ensures compliance with UAE naming regulations. Completing this step early prevents delays during the application stage. While licensing starts from AED 12,500 yearly, your total setup cost depends on your business configuration. 

Browse the business activities list to confirm your codes and apply digitally with a passport copy. All food trading import and export codes carry no pre-approval requirements at the licensing stage. Eligible applications are licensed within one business day. Beyond Hub handles post-licensing: visas, banking introductions, and VAT registration.