Hides and skins wholesale serves the upstream supply chain for the leather industry. Dubai’s position as a regional trading hub makes it a significant transit point for hides and skins moving from livestock-producing regions (Africa, South Asia, Australia) to major leather processing centres (Italy, China, India, Pakistan, Turkey).Â
The UAE itself has limited domestic leather production but plays a substantial intermediary role in regional trade, with Dubai’s logistics and free zone infrastructure facilitating efficient hides and skins re-export. Margins on bulk hides wholesale typically run 3 to 10%, with higher margins on specialty and exotic hides supplying premium leather goods manufacturers.
This sub-activity covers wholesale of raw and semi-processed hides and skins.Â
4620.05 - Wholesale of hides and skins
Under this activity, you are in the business of operating a licensed wholesale trading business in raw and semi-processed hides and skins, including cattle, sheep, goat, and exotic animal hides for the leather industry and re-export markets.
Services are delivered under the relevant regulatory oversight with appropriate facilities, systems, and qualified personnel.Â
What Does the Hides & Skins Wholesale Trading License Cover?
Wholesale of raw and semi-processed hides and skins: bulk wholesale trading to retailers, distributors, and food service clients.
Direct import operations: sourcing from international suppliers with customs clearance and trade documentation.
Re-export to regional markets: supplying GCC, African, and Asian buyers from Dubai-based operations.
B2B supply to UAE buyers: serving hotels, restaurants, supermarkets, manufacturers, and processors.
Storage and distribution: warehouse operations and onward distribution to wholesale and B2B clients.
Who Is This For?
Importers and wholesalers serving UAE food manufacturers, hospitality clients, and distributors.
Re-export specialists supplying GCC, African, and Asian markets from Dubai.
Established traders expanding their product portfolio into raw and semi-processed hides and skins.
International suppliers entering the UAE market through their own trading entity.
Activity Scope
This license covers wholesale trading of raw and semi-processed hides and skins. Retail sale and processed product trading have different codes.
In short: if you wholesale raw and semi-processed hides and skins to B2B buyers, you are in. For retail sales to consumers, you need a different license category.
Licensing & Compliance
Standard free zone licensing applies. Imported food products must meet Dubai Municipality Food Safety Department standards and obtain relevant Food Code certifications before sale into the UAE market. Re-export operations typically have lighter documentation requirements.
Cost & Investment
Setup costs at Dubai South Business Hub start from approximately AED 15,000 to AED 25,000 per year for license and warehouse package. Inventory investment is a significant additional capital commitment depending on product volume. Use the cost calculator for tailored pricing.
Setup Steps
Verify name with company name check.
Select Hides & Skins Wholesale Trading (4620.05) from the business activities directory.
Choose office and warehouse package matching trading volume.
Submit passport copies, MOA, and lease.
Receive license within 5 to 10 working days.
Process visas for staff.
Why Dubai for Hides & Skins Wholesale Trading?
Dubai’s position as the regional food trading hub, Jebel Ali Port infrastructure, and the UAE’s status as a major food re-export gateway create exceptional conditions for wholesale traders. Free zones offer 100% foreign ownership, zero customs duty on re-exports to GCC and Africa, and tax efficiency on trading income.
References
India Ministry of Food Processing Industries, UAE Food Processing Country Profile: mofpi.gov.in/uae-country-profile
IMARC Group, UAE Food Service Market: imarcgroup.com/uae-food-service-market
