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.