What Does It Cost to Set Up a General Trading License in Dubai

For businesses that deal across multiple product categories, general trading remains one of the most commercially flexible structures in the UAE. It allows you to import, export, and distribute goods without being limited to a single category, making it suitable for businesses that operate across different supply chains or markets. 

A general trading license at Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone starts at AED 12,500. The total cost of a general trading license at Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone depends on your visa requirements, workspace preference, and whether you choose a shared flexi-desk or a dedicated office. There are no pre-approval requirements for general trading codes, and eligible applications can be licensed within one business day. In a market like Dubai, where trade flows move across regions and industries, this flexibility becomes a practical advantage rather than just a licensing feature. 

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

Business Activity Codes for General Trading License 

• 4690.97   General Trading 

• 4690.87   General Trading Wholesalers 

• 4690.98   Goods Wholesalers 

• 4690.00   Non-Specialised Wholesale Trade 

General Trading License - 4690.97 

General Trading (4690.97) is the primary and most commercially versatile trading code at Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone. These activities define how your business operates commercially, whether that is broad trading, wholesale distribution, or non-specialised trade across categories.  

It covers the import, export, and wholesale trading of a broad range of goods without restriction to a single product category. This is the standard starting point for most general trading businesses in Dubai, providing the flexibility to trade multiple product lines as your business evolves. Because these codes do not require pre-approvals, they allow for faster licensing and fewer regulatory dependencies during setup. 

Under this license, you can run a general trading company importing consumer goods, household products, and industrial supplies from Asian manufacturers and distributing to UAE retailers, corporate buyers, and re-export customers across the GCC and East Africa. 

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

Wholesale Trading Codes - 4690.87 / 4690.98 / 4690.00

General Trading Wholesalers (4690.87) covers the wholesale distribution aspect of general trading, emphasising B2B supply to retailers and other businesses. Goods Wholesalers (4690.98) covers the wholesale of diverse goods categories.  

Non-Specialised Wholesale Trade (4690.00) is the broader ISIC-classification code for wholesale businesses that do not specialise in a single category. Together with 4690.97, these codes provide comprehensive coverage for a wholesale and general trading business. 

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

What Shapes the Total Cost of Your Setup? 

Licenses from AED 12,500, and this starting price gives you a baseline, but the total cost of your general trading setup depends on how your business is structured: 

License fee: Starts from AED 12,500. This covers the DWC-LLC company formation and the Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone annual license fee. 

Visa allocation: Each license comes with a default visa allocation. Additional visas can be added subject to workspace requirements. Visa fees, Emirates ID, and medical screening add per-visa costs. 

Workspace: A flexi-desk is the most cost-effective option. Private offices are available at higher price points. Workspace determines your visa allocation capacity. 

Government fees: Name registration, establishment card, and other standard government processing fees are included in or added to the base license cost depending on your configuration. 

Instead of estimating this manually, most businesses use the cost calculator to see how these elements impact the final number based on their specific requirements. 

Why Dubai South for General Trading Businesses? 

Dubai South is one of the most logistics-efficient locations in the UAE for general trading businesses. The Dubai Logistics Corridor connects Al Maktoum International Airport to Jebel Ali Port, giving traders access to air and sea freight infrastructure from the same free zone location. 

The free zone environment suspends customs duty on goods re-exported without entering UAE domestic consumption. Low cost of entry, zero personal income tax, and 100% foreign ownership make Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone one of the most commercially attractive platforms for general trading businesses targeting the UAE, GCC, and regional markets. 

How to Apply for Your General Trading License at Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone 

Browse the business activities list to confirm your general trading codes and apply digitally with a passport copy. Because general trading activities do not require pre-approvals, eligible applications are typically processed quickly. This allows businesses to move from planning to licensing without extended waiting periods. Eligible applications can be licensed in as little as one business day. 

Beyond Hub handles all post-licensing steps: UAE residence visa applications, corporate bank account introductions to UAE banks, and VAT registration. Corporate banking for general trading businesses requires a UAE trade license, passport copies, and typically a business plan or evidence of supplier and customer relationships. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

Q1. What is the minimum cost to get a general trading license in Dubai? 

The base license price for a general trading DWC-LLC entity starts at AED 12,500 at Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone. The total cost increases depending on how your business is structured, especially if you require visas, additional services, upgraded workspace options, and additional services that add to the total first-year cost. Use the cost calculator for a fully itemised breakdown or contact our team for more assistance. 

Q2. What can a general trading license cover? 

General Trading (4690.97) covers the import, export, and wholesale of a broad range of goods across multiple product categories. You are not restricted to a single product type. This is the most commercially flexible trading license structure available at Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone. 

Q3. Is there a minimum paid-up capital for a general trading license? 

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

Q4. Can I trade both B2B and B2C with a general trading license? 

General trading codes primarily cover wholesale and import/export activities. For direct retail sales to individual consumers through a physical retail shop, a mainland retail license is typically more appropriate. For online B2C sales, adding E-Commerce (4790.00) to your general trading license covers digital retail through your own online store and UAE marketplace listings on platforms such as Amazon.ae, Noon, and others. 

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

Yes. Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone allows 100% foreign ownership of general trading companies with no requirement of local sponsor or UAE national partner. International traders can establish a fully foreign-owned UAE entity with complete commercial control. 

Q6. Can I add specific product trading codes alongside General Trading? 

Yes. Specialist product trading codes can be combined with General Trading (4690.97) on the same Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone license, giving your business both broad general trading coverage and specific regulatory basis for particular product categories. This approach is common for businesses that have a core general trading scope but also want to signal specific product expertise to customers and suppliers. 

Q7. Do I need a warehouse for a general trading license? 

Not mandatory for licensing. You can obtain a general trading license with a Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone flexi-desk. Physical warehouse space can be arranged separately within Dubai South's logistics infrastructure if your trading model requires physical stock handling. 

Q8. Is VAT applicable to general trading? 

Most product trading is subject to 5% UAE VAT above AED 375,000 in annual taxable supplies. Certain basic food commodities and some other approved categories may be zero-rated or exempt under UAE VAT regulations. Exported goods sold to overseas buyers are generally zero-rated. VAT registration with the FTA is mandatory once you exceed the annual threshold. 

Q9. How long does a general trading license take? 

For general trading activities that do not require approvals, licenses are typically issued within one business day, provided the application is complete. All General Trading, General Trading Wholesalers, Goods Wholesalers, and Non-Specialised Wholesale Trade codes carry no pre-approval requirements at Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone. 

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

Start by identifying your activities and confirming your company name. Once that’s done, you can proceed with the application using basic documentation including passport copy. The process is straightforward, and eligible applications are usually licensed quickly. Eligible applications are licensed within one business day.