What Does a General and Food Trading License Cost in Dubai?

A combined general and food trading license at Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone starts at AED 12,500 per year. For traders operating across diverse product lines, from consumer electronics to packaged foodstuff, this unified structure is a powerful mechanical necessity. As It allows you to consolidate your entire import, export, and wholesale operation under a single legal entity. Hence, making it one of the most popular business structures for UAE-based traders who operate across multiple product categories. 

Dubai is one of the world's largest food re-export hubs. A significant proportion of UAE food imports are re-exported to GCC countries, East Africa, and South Asia. For general and food trading businesses, this re-export flow creates consistent commercial opportunity alongside the UAE domestic market, making Dubai one of the most commercially productive free zone platforms for multi-category traders in the region.  

General trading and foodstuff trading codes at Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone carry no pre-approval requirements at the licensing stage. A single DWC-LLC entity can hold both general product trading and food trading codes, covering the full commercial scope from one licensed UAE company. 

For a full breakdown of UAE business setup costs, read the cost of starting a business in Dubai guide. 

Establishing General and Food Trading Credibility  

In international trade, your company name is your first point of professional contact. Before finalizing supplier agreements or printing product labels, you must ensure your chosen name is available and compliant with UAE naming conventions. The name check tool allows you to verify availability instantly, ensuring your 24-hour setup remains fast and frictionless. Validating your name early prevents administrative delays during the critical launch phase. 

Get Your General and Food Trading License 

Setup for a combined trading firm begins at AED 12,500 for one year, offering 100% foreign ownership and zero paid-up capital requirements. Use the Cost Calculator to estimate your total first-year investment, including residency visas for your logistics team and corporate bank account assistance. 

In case you require additional support or need clarity, contact the team at Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone.  

Key Business Activity Codes at Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone 

• 4690.97   General Trading 

• 4690.87   General Trading Wholesalers 

• 4690.98   Goods Wholesalers 

• 4721.98   Foodstuff and Beverages Trading 

• 4630.00   Wholesale of Food and Beverages 

General Trading: 4690.97 / 4690.87 / 4690.98 

General Trading (4690.97) covers the commercial trading of a broad range of goods without restriction to a single product category. General Trading Wholesalers (4690.87) emphasises the B2B wholesale distribution dimension. Goods Wholesalers (4690.98) covers the wholesale of diverse goods categories.  

Together these three codes provide the widest possible non-food trading scope on a single Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone license, covering consumer goods, industrial supplies, household products, electronics accessories, and virtually any non-regulated product category. 

This license allows you to own a multi-category trading company importing consumer goods, electronics accessories, and household products from Asian manufacturers alongside foodstuff from regional suppliers, supplying UAE wholesalers, corporate buyers, and re-export clients from one licensed entity. 

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

Foodstuff and Beverages Trading: 4721.98 / 4630.00 

Foodstuff and Beverages Trading (4721.98) is the broadest food trading code, covering the import, wholesale, and export of general food products and beverages across multiple categories. Wholesale of Food and Beverages (4630.00) covers B2B wholesale supply to food retailers, food service operators, hotels, and institutional buyers. Both codes are no-pre-approval at the licensing stage and can be combined with general trading codes on the same Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone license. 

Under this license, you could a food and general trading company importing packed goods, household products, and foodstuff from multiple source markets and distributing through UAE wholesale channels and re-export routes to GCC, East African, and South Asian buyers. 

Third-Party Approval: None at licensing stage. Note: food products require Dubai Municipality or relevant authority operational registration before domestic sale.  |  AML / DNFBP: Exempt. 

What Drives the Total License Cost? 

The total cost of setting up a foodstuff and Beverage trading company in Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone depends on how your business is structured, however, it is impacted by: 

License base fee:  

The base licensing fee is AED 12,500 for one year. It covers company formation and annual license for a Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone DWC-LLC entity. 

Visa allocation:  

Each license comes with a default visa allocation. Additional visas can be added subject to the workspace solutions depending on whether you go for a co-working space or physical address. The number of visa, Emirates ID processing, and medical screening fees are also charged per visa. 

Workspace:  

Flexi-desk is the lowest-cost option. Dedicated offices are available at higher tiers and unlock larger visa quotas. 

Government fees:  

Name registration and establishment card fees are included in or added alongside the base license cost. 

Why Dubai South for Food and General Trading? 

Dubai South's location within the Dubai Logistics Corridor, connecting Al Maktoum International Airport to Jebel Ali Port, gives food and general trading businesses direct access to air and sea freight infrastructure from the same free zone. The free zone environment suspends customs duty on goods re-exported without entering UAE domestic consumption. Low cost of entry, 100% foreign ownership, and zero personal income tax make Dubai South one of the most efficient trading platforms in the region. 

Reasons Founders are Choosing Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone 

Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone sits within the Dubai Logistics Corridor, connecting Al Maktoum International Airport with Jebel Ali Port. This allows trading businesses to manage both air and sea freight from one location, depending on the nature of goods. 

For food and general trading, this flexibility matters. Perishable items can move via air, while bulk shipments can be handled through sea routes without shifting operations. 

The free zone structure also supports re-export activity, with customs duty suspended on goods that do not enter UAE domestic consumption. Combined with 100% foreign ownership, zero personal income tax, and a low entry cost, Dubai South provides a commercially efficient base for businesses operating across multiple product categories. 

Start Your General and Food Trading License Process 

Browse the business activities list to confirm your codes and apply digitally with a passport copy. Once your activity codes are confirmed, the application process is fully digital. 

All general trading and foodstuff trading activities carry no pre-approval requirements, which means eligible applications are typically licensed within one business day. The process requires only a passport copy to begin. 

After licensing, Beyond Hub manages the next steps including visa processing, corporate bank account support, and VAT registration, allowing your business to move into operations without delays. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

Q1. What does a general and food trading license cost in Dubai? 

The license starts at AED 12,500 per year at Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone. Your total cost will vary depending on visas, workspace selection, and additional services. A cost calculator provides a more accurate estimate based on your setup. 

Q2. Can I combine general trading and food trading on one license? 

Yes. General Trading (4690.97) and Foodstuff and Beverages Trading (4721.98) can be combined on a single Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone DWC-LLC license, covering both non-food product trading and food and beverage trading from one UAE entity with one bank account and one VAT registration. 

Q3. Do I need Dubai Municipality approval for food trading? 

Dubai Municipality food safety registration is an operational step that follows licensing, not a pre-approval required before your license is issued. Some product categories require specific registration or import permit before domestic sale in the UAE. At the licensing stage no pre-approval is required for general trading or foodstuff trading codes. Seek product-specific guidance from a UAE food safety consultant before commencing domestic food sales. 

Q4. Can I import and re-export food products? 

Yes. Re-export is a core commercial activity for Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone free zone trading companies. Goods can be imported, stored in free zone facilities if needed, and re-exported to GCC and international markets. The free zone structure suspends UAE customs duty on goods that are re-exported without entering UAE domestic consumption, reducing total landed cost for re-export buyers in GCC and regional markets. 

Q5. Can a foreigner own 100% of a food and general trading company? 

Yes. Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone allows 100% foreign ownership of general trading and food trading businesses. No local sponsor or UAE national partner is required. International traders from any country can establish a fully foreign-owned UAE entity with complete commercial control, retaining 100% of profits and full ability to repatriate funds without restriction. 

Q6. Can I add specialist food category codes to my license? 

Yes. Specialist codes such as Frozen Fish and Seafood Trading (4721.72), Dates Trading (4721.84), Spices Trading (4721.86), Snack Food Trading (4721.90), and Canned and Preserved Food Trading (4721.87) can be added alongside general foodstuff and general trading codes on the same Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone license, covering a broad product portfolio from one entity. 

Q7. Is there a minimum capital requirement for a trading license? 

No. Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone requires zero paid-up capital for DWC-LLC trading entities. You do not need to deposit capital into a bank account as a licensing condition. This significantly reduces the total upfront cost of setting up compared to some other UAE free zone and mainland structures that require minimum capital deposits of AED 50,000 or more. 

Q8. Can I sell products online with a general and food trading license? 

Yes. Adding E-Commerce (4790.00) to your license gives your business the regulatory basis to sell products online through your own platform and UAE marketplace listings including Amazon.ae and Noon, adding a direct-to-consumer digital retail channel alongside your core wholesale and export trading operations. 

Q9. How long does a general and food trading license take? 

For standard activities without approvals, the license is typically issued within one business day. All general trading, general trading wholesalers, goods wholesalers, foodstuff trading, and wholesale food and beverage codes carry no pre-approval requirements at Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone. The fully digital application requires only a passport copy and processes without document notarisation. 

Q10. How do I get a general and food trading license at Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone? 

Begin by checking the business activities list to confirm your relevant general trading and food trading codes, run a company name check, and apply digitally with a passport copy. Eligible applications are licensed within one business day. Beyond Hub handles all post-licensing steps including visas, UAE corporate banking introductions, and VAT registration with the Federal Tax Authority.