How Much Do You Need to Set Up a General Trading Business in Dubai
Topic Summary
Entry Costs Start at AED 12,500
A general trading business can be established at Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone from AED 12,500. Total setup costs vary depending on visa requirements, workspace configuration, and operational needs.
Dubai's Trade Economy Is Massive
In 2024, Dubai's non-oil foreign trade reached AED 2.2 trillion, cementing its position as a global commerce hub. This scale creates significant opportunity for new general trading businesses entering the market.
Trade Multiple Product Categories Under One License
A general trading license lets you import, export, and wholesale a wide range of goods without being locked into a single product category. This means you can shift your inventory focus as market demand changes without costly license amendments.
Code 4690.97 Offers Maximum Commercial Flexibility
The General Trading code 4690.97 is the most commercially flexible single activity code available at Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone. It covers a broad product portfolio, from household goods to industrial supplies, under one unified structure.
Simplified Administration With One Corporate Setup
Operating under a general trading license allows you to manage all product lines through a single corporate bank account and a unified VAT registration. This significantly reduces administrative overhead compared to holding multiple category-specific licenses.
Supporting Wholesale Codes Strengthen Your Structure
Codes 4690.00, 4690.87, and 4690.98 complement the primary general trading code for businesses focused on supplying UAE retailers or regional distributors. These codes reinforce the wholesale dimension of your business model.
Regulated Goods Require Additional Approvals
Standard general trading under code 4690.97 requires no third-party approval and is exempt from AML and DNFBP obligations. However, regulated categories such as pharmaceuticals, precious metals, and chemicals require specific additional activity codes.
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 unifiedVATregistration, 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
