Apply for a Glass Waste Trading Licence in Dubai

As the UAE accelerates its circular economy agenda, glass waste trading has emerged as a commercially viable and strategically supported activity within Dubai's free zone ecosystem. This guide explains how to obtain a Glass Waste Trading Licence (Activity Code 4669.78) at Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone, covering costs, compliance, and why Dubai is ideally placed for this trade.

Key Stats at a Glance

• Activity Code: 4669.78 - Wholesale of glass waste and scrap

• Licence Type: Trading Licence | Category: Trading

• Free Zone: Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone

• Estimated Licence Fees: AED 12,000 to AED 20,000 per year

• Foreign Ownership: 100% permitted, no local sponsor required

• Typical Setup Timeline: 3 to 7 working days

• Corporate Tax: Zero on qualifying free zone income

• Key Trade Links: Jebel Ali Port and Al Maktoum International Airport

The UAE Glass Waste Market: Context and Opportunity

The UAE generates substantial volumes of glass waste each year, driven by its construction boom, a thriving hospitality sector, and high retail activity. From commercial glazing projects to food and beverage packaging, the sources of recyclable glass are diverse and growing. This creates a consistent supply base for licensed glass waste traders operating within the country.

The UAE Net Zero 2050 strategic initiative and national recycling targets have placed renewed emphasis on circular economy practices, with glass recycling forming a core part of waste diversion strategies. Licensed traders play a critical role in aggregating, sorting, and channelling glass scrap and cullet to manufacturers and processors who depend on it as a raw material input.

Dubai's position as a global re-export hub, connecting trade flows between Asia, Africa, and Europe, makes it particularly well-suited for commodity trading in recyclable materials. Dubai South Free Zone's proximity to Al Maktoum International Airport and Jebel Ali Port, one of the world's busiest container ports, provides a significant logistical advantage for businesses engaged in the movement of bulk waste materials across borders.

What the Glass Waste Trading Licence Covers

Activity Code 4669.78 specifically authorises the wholesale trading of glass waste and scrap materials. Issued by Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone as a Trading Licence under the Trading category, this licence provides a legal framework for businesses to import, export, re-export, and supply glass cullet and glass scrap within the domestic UAE market and internationally.

The licence covers the commercial intermediary function of buying and selling glass waste without requiring the holder to undertake any transformation or manufacturing process. It is important to note that processing or manufacturing activities, such as melting cullet into new glass products, fall outside the scope of this licence. A separate industrial licence would be required for any such transformation activities.

Holders of this licence can operate as trading intermediaries, managing supply chains between glass waste generators and end-users such as glass manufacturers, construction material producers, or recycling facilities in other jurisdictions.

Who This Licence Is Suited To

The Glass Waste Trading Licence is well-matched to a range of business profiles:

• Recycling and waste management companies seeking a UAE-based trading entity to access regional markets and benefit from Dubai's logistics infrastructure

• International glass manufacturers looking to source cullet as a cost-effective and environmentally preferable raw material input

• Commodity traders who are diversifying their portfolios into sustainable and ESG-aligned product categories in response to investor and regulatory pressure

• Entrepreneurs and SMEs seeking a low-overhead free zone structure that offers 100% foreign ownership, a simple setup process, and access to a globally connected trade environment

Setup Costs, Steps, and Licensing Requirements

Setting up under Activity Code 4669.78 at Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone is a structured and relatively straightforward process. Licence and registration fees typically range from AED 12,000 to AED 20,000 per year, depending on the office package selected and any additional services required. Additional costs to budget for include visa fees, establishment card fees, and any environmental or customs approvals that may be applicable to your specific operations.

The core steps to obtain the licence are as follows:

• Select the business activity (Activity Code 4669.78) and confirm it aligns with your intended operations

• Reserve a trade name in accordance with UAE naming conventions

• Submit the application with required supporting documents

• Obtain initial approval from the free zone authority

• Sign the licence agreement and pay the applicable fees

• Receive the issued licence and proceed with operational setup

Required documentation typically includes passport copies of all shareholders and directors, a business plan or No Objection Certificate where applicable, and proof of address. Since 100% foreign ownership is permitted, there is no requirement to engage a UAE national sponsor or local partner.

Ongoing compliance obligations include annual licence renewal, adherence to UAE Federal Law No. 12 of 2018 on Integrated Waste Management, and any applicable approvals from Dubai Municipality for environmental matters. Physical facility requirements depend on whether you intend to hold stock; a flexi-desk arrangement may be sufficient for pure intermediary trading. For straightforward applications with complete documentation, the licence is typically issued within 3 to 7 working days.

Key Regulatory and Environmental Approvals

Beyond the free zone licence itself, traders should be aware of several regulatory requirements:

• Dubai Municipality may require an environmental permit for businesses handling classified waste streams, including certain categories of glass waste

• Traders engaged in the re-export of glass waste internationally must comply with the Basel Convention on the control of transboundary movements of hazardous wastes and their disposal, ensuring that destination countries permit the import of the relevant materials

• Customs registration with the UAE Federal Customs Authority is required for all import and export activities, and traders should ensure their commodity classifications are correctly declared

Why Dubai Is Well-Positioned for Glass Waste Trading

Dubai's strategic location at the crossroads of major trade routes between Europe, Asia, and Africa gives it a structural advantage for commodity trading of all kinds, including recyclable materials. Glass cullet sourced in the UAE or transshipped through Dubai can reach manufacturing hubs across the Gulf, South Asia, and East Africa with competitive transit times.

The city's world-class logistics infrastructure underpins this advantage. Jebel Ali Port is one of the busiest container ports globally, while Al Maktoum International Airport provides airfreight capacity for higher-value or time-sensitive cargo. Together, they make Dubai South an exceptionally well-connected base for logistics-intensive trading activities.

The UAE's expanding network of free trade agreements reduces tariff friction on re-exports, while government-backed sustainability initiatives create a supportive and stable regulatory environment for circular economy businesses. For eligible entities operating within a qualifying free zone, zero corporate tax applies to qualifying income under the UAE Corporate Tax Law, offering a meaningful financial advantage for trading operations structured appropriately.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Glass Waste Trading Licence cost at Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone?

Licence and registration fees typically range from AED 12,000 to AED 20,000 per year depending on the office package selected. Additional costs may include visa fees, establishment card fees, and any environmental or customs approvals required.

Can a foreign national own 100% of a glass waste trading company in Dubai South?

Yes. Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone permits 100% foreign ownership with no requirement for a UAE national sponsor or local partner.

What government approvals are needed beyond the free zone licence?

Depending on the nature of operations, traders may need an environmental permit from Dubai Municipality, customs registration with the UAE Federal Customs Authority, and compliance documentation under the Basel Convention if re-exporting glass waste internationally.

How long does it take to receive the licence?

For straightforward applications with complete documentation, the licence can be issued within 3 to 7 working days. Cases requiring additional regulatory approvals may take longer.

What profit margins can glass waste traders expect?

Margins vary based on sourcing costs, logistics, and end-market pricing. Glass cullet traded for use in manufacturing typically yields margins of 10% to 25%, though this depends heavily on volume, contract terms, and market conditions at the time of trading.

Can I re-export glass waste to countries outside the UAE?

Yes, re-export is permitted under Activity Code 4669.78. However, traders must comply with the Basel Convention on the control of transboundary movements of hazardous wastes and ensure the destination country permits the import of glass waste or cullet.

Do I need a physical warehouse or storage facility?

A physical facility is required if you intend to store glass waste on-site. A flexi-desk or virtual office arrangement is sufficient if you are acting purely as a trading intermediary without holding physical stock in the free zone.

Is glass waste classified as hazardous under UAE law?

Clean glass cullet and non-contaminated glass scrap are generally not classified as hazardous waste under UAE Federal Law No. 12 of 2018. However, glass waste contaminated with chemicals or heavy metals may attract additional regulatory scrutiny and handling requirements.

Conclusion

A Glass Waste Trading Licence at Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone offers a compliant, cost-effective, and strategically located base for trading glass scrap and cullet across regional and global markets, backed by 100% foreign ownership and a streamlined setup process. With the UAE's sustainability agenda creating growing demand for licensed waste traders, and Dubai's logistics infrastructure providing unmatched connectivity, Activity Code 4669.78 represents a well-timed opportunity for businesses operating in the circular economy space.

Contact a licensed business setup adviser to begin your application for Activity Code 4669.78 and receive a tailored cost breakdown for your specific trading structure.

References and Citations

• UAE Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative - UAE Government Portal

• UAE Federal Law No. 12 of 2018 on Integrated Waste Management - Ministry of Climate Change and Environment

• Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes - UNEP

• UAE Federal Customs Authority - Dubai Customs

• Dubai Municipality - Waste Management

• Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone - Official Portal

• UAE Corporate Tax Law - Ministry of Finance