How Much Do You Need to Set Up a General Trading Business in Dubai?

A general trading business can be established at Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone from AED 12,500, offering a cost-efficient entry into Dubai’s high-volume import and export economy. In 2024, Dubai's non-oil foreign trade reached a staggering AED 2.2 trillion, reinforcing its status as a global commerce powerhouse.  

A general trading license provides businesses with the flexibility to import, export, and wholesale a wide range of products without being restricted to a single category. For founders seeking adaptability in their product mix, this structure allows them to respond to changing market demand without requiring frequent license amendments. 

Under this license structure, businesses can expand or shift their product portfolio over time, making it one of the most commercially flexible trading setups available. This flexibility is one of the primary commercial advantages of the general trading license structure compared to category-specific trading codes. 

For the full picture on Dubai company formation, read the guide to online company registration in Dubai. 

Get Your General Trading License 

Licenses start from AED 12,500, with total setup costs depending on visa requirements, workspace configuration, and operational needs. For a comprehensive and transparent financial breakdown, please utilize our Cost Calculator to generate a full itemised estimate tailored to your needs or simply contact our team. 

Before applying, use the name check tool to ensure your preferred company name is available and compliant with UAE regulations. 

General Trading Key Business Activity Codes at Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone 

• 4690.97   General Trading 

• 4690.00   Non-Specialised Wholesale Trade 

• 4690.87   General Trading Wholesalers 

• 4690.98   Goods Wholesalers 

• 6499.99   General Investments Management & Operation 

General Trading - 4690.97 

General Trading (4690.97) authorises importing, exporting, and wholesale trading across a wide range of goods categories. Unlike restrictive sector-specific codes, this license permits you to adjust your inventory and product focus as global demand fluctuates, General Trading gives your business the maximum scope to trade across categories and adjust your product portfolio over time. This is the most commercially flexible single code available at Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone. 

You could own a multi-category import-export firm that handles household goods, industrial supplies, and apparel simultaneously. The goods are sourced from multiple markets and distributed across regional or international buyers based on demand. This model allows you to operate with a single corporate bank account and a unified VAT registration, drastically simplifying your administrative overhead. 

It is particularly suited for a commodities trader sourcing raw materials or agricultural produce from international clients and supplying UAE manufacturers and processors on spot or forward contracts. The general trading code covers your full product portfolio without requiring separate category-specific amendments as you expand. 

Third-Party Approval: None for 4690.97.   |  AML / DNFBP: Exempt for standard general trading. 

Note: Regulated categories such as pharmaceuticals, precious metals, and chemicals require specific additional codes. 

Non-Specialised Wholesale Trade - 4690.00 / 4690.87 / 4690.98 

Non-Specialised Wholesale Trade (4690.00), General Trading Wholesalers (4690.87), and Goods Wholesalers (4690.98) are the supporting wholesale codes that sit alongside the primary General Trading code. These are ideal for companies whose primary focus is supplying other UAE businesses, retailers, or regional distributors rather than direct consumer sales.They reinforce the wholesale and distribution dimension of your trading business, particularly when your primary commercial model is B2B wholesale supply rather than direct export or import-distribution. 

Third-Party Approval: None for all 4690 series codes.  |  AML / DNFBP: Exempt. 

No Minimum Paid-Up Capital 

Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone requires zero minimum paid-up capital for general trading licenses, ensuring that your initial liquidity remains available for operational growth. Your primary financial commitment is limited to the license fee itself, removing a major barrier to entry for lean trading startups. It removes a significant barrier compared to some other company formation structures. This structural advantage makes Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone the most accessible choice for entrepreneurs at every stage of their journey. 

Dubai South for General Trading 

Dubai South is embedded in the UAE's primary trade infrastructure, adjacent to Al Maktoum International Airport and connected via the Dubai Logistics Corridor to Jebel Ali Port, one of the world's busiest container terminals. For trading businesses sourcing globally and distributing across regions such as the GCC, East Africa, and South Asia, this location supports efficient supply chain movement.  

Setting Up at Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone 

Our setup process is entirely digital and optimized for entrepreneurs who value speed. Before applying, we suggest you browse the complete business activities list to confirm that your selected codes align with your long-term commercial goals. Because general trading codes require no external pre-approvals, eligible applications are typically licensed within a single business day. 

Once your license is issued, our Beyond Hub platform takes over to manage all post-licensing essentials as part of the business setup ecosystem. This includes coordinating your residence visas, assisting with bank account openings to partnering with major brands, and securing your Dubai Customs client code. This integrated support ensures that your business transitions from a digital application to a fully operational trading house without delay. 

Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone offers 100% foreign ownership with no local sponsor requirement, zero paid-up capital, zero personal income tax, and full profit repatriation.  

Frequently Asked Questions 

Q1. How much does a general trading license cost in Dubai? 

The base license fee at Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone starts at AED 12,500. To see how your total first-year costs change based on visa and office requirements, use our Cost Calculator for an instant fully itemised breakdown. 

Q2. What can I trade under a general trading license? 

General Trading code 4690.97 covers the vast majority of consumer and industrial goods, including electronics, textiles, food products, consumer goods, household products, and machinery. However, highly regulated items, such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals, or precious metals, require specific additional codes and approvals from relevant government authorities alongside your general trading license. 

Q3. Is there a minimum paid-up capital requirement? 

No. Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone requires no minimum paid-up capital for general trading licenses and all you need to pay is the license fee. Nothing more is locked up as mandatory capital. This allows you to deploy your resources into inventory and marketing rather than having them held as a mandatory bank deposit, making it a structural advantage favouring Dubai South to founders.

Q4. Can I sell online with a general trading license? 

Yes. By combining General Trading with an E-Commerce (4790.00) activity, your business gains the legal standing to operate on major UAE marketplaces. A valid trade license is a mandatory requirement for all professional sellers on these platforms. This is one of the most commercially versatile code combinations available at Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone. 

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

Absolutely. We permit 100% foreign ownership of general trading companies. You retain full equity and operational control, without sharing ownership with any third party or requirement for a local sponsor or UAE national partner. 

Q6. Do I need a warehouse for a general trading license? 

No, a physical warehouse is not a licensing prerequisite. Many of our traders utilise third-party logistics (3PL) providers or ship directly from suppliers to final destinations, operating without holding local inventory at all. If your model requires physical storage for faster UAE delivery or consolidation, we offer warehousing options within the Dubai South's logistics infrastructure near Al Maktoum Airport and the Jebel Ali corridor. 

Q7. Can I import and re-export with a Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone general trading license? 

Yes. Re-export is a core function of Dubai's free zone model. Your license permits importing goods, consolidating or repackaging as needed, and re-exporting to GCC, East Africa, South Asia, and international markets. Dubai Customs registration is required post-licensing and before your first shipment. 

Q8. How long does a general trading license take? 

Our digital-first approach allows for license issuance within one business day for eligible applications. Simply submit your passport copy through our portal to begin the 24-hour turnaround process. General Trading (4690.97) and all standard wholesale trading codes carry no pre-approval requirements, making Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone one of the fastest free zone licensing processes in Dubai for general trading businesses. 

Q9. Is VAT required for general trading businesses? 

Value Added Tax (5%) registration becomes mandatory once your annual taxable turnover exceeds AED 375,000. However, most traded goods are subject to 5% UAE VAT, certain product categories such as basic food items and healthcare goods may be exempted. 

Once registered, you must issue VAT-inclusive invoices to UAE customers and remit collected VAT to the FTA quarterly. The Beyond Hub team provides expert guidance on Federal Tax Authority compliance to ensure your trading operations stay current with local laws.  

Q10. How do I start a general trading business at Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone? 

First, verify your company name availability using our name check tool. Once you have modeled your budget in the Cost Calculator, you can select your relevant business activities codes and complete your submission online. And eligible applications are licensed in as little as one business day. Beyond Hub handles post-licensing including Dubai Customs client code registration, VAT registration, and PRO services from one integrated platform.