Non-Manufactured Precious Metal Trading License in Dubai

Dubai has long been recognised as one of the world's foremost hubs for precious metal trade, handling billions of dollars in gold, silver, platinum, and related commodities every year. For entrepreneurs and established trading houses looking to enter this lucrative market, securing a Non-Manufactured Precious Metal Trading License at Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone offers a structured, compliant, and commercially advantageous pathway. Under Activity Code 4752.77, this Trading License (Category: Trading) grants holders the legal authority to buy, sell, and distribute raw, unrefined, or semi-processed precious metals within and beyond the UAE.

Why Dubai for Precious Metal Trading?

The UAE consistently ranks among the top three global gold trading centres, alongside London and Zurich. Dubai alone accounts for a significant share of global physical gold trade, supported by world-class logistics infrastructure, a zero-rate corporate tax environment on qualifying income, and a regulatory framework designed to attract international commodity traders.

Dubai South Free Zone sits adjacent to Al Maktoum International Airport, one of the largest cargo airports in the world by capacity. This proximity provides direct access to air freight corridors connecting Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas, making it an ideal base for re-export operations and cross-border precious metal distribution.

Key market advantages include:

• No personal income tax and competitive corporate tax rates for free zone entities

• 100 per cent foreign ownership permitted within the free zone

• Full repatriation of profits and capital

• Access to the UAE's extensive network of double taxation avoidance agreements

• Proximity to major gold souks, refineries, and vaulting facilities

What the License Covers

The Non-Manufactured Precious Metal Trading License (Activity Code 4752.77) authorises businesses to engage in the wholesale and retail trading of precious metals that have not yet undergone manufacturing or fabrication into jewellery or finished goods. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Raw gold in bar, grain, or dore form

• Unrefined silver and silver bullion

• Platinum group metals in raw or semi-processed states

• Palladium and rhodium in non-manufactured form

License holders may import, export, re-export, store, and trade these commodities, making the license particularly well-suited to businesses operating across the full supply chain from mining and refining to distribution.

Who This License Suits

This license is designed for a broad range of business profiles, including:

• International bullion traders seeking a Middle East base of operations

• Mining companies looking to sell raw output into global markets

• Commodity brokers and trading desks handling physical metal

• Refineries seeking a distribution arm in a tax-efficient jurisdiction

• Investors diversifying into physical commodity trading

Key Stats at a Glance

Infographic: Non-Manufactured Precious Metal Trading in Dubai South

• Activity Code: 4752.77

• License Type: Trading License

• Foreign Ownership: 100 per cent permitted

• Free Zone: Dubai South Business Hub

• UAE Gold Trade Value: Over USD 43 billion annually

• Typical Setup Timeline: 3 to 6 weeks

• Minimum Share Capital: Subject to free zone authority requirements

• Corporate Tax: 0 per cent on qualifying free zone income

Setup Steps and Costs

Establishing a Non-Manufactured Precious Metal Trading company at Dubai South Business Hub involves a clear sequence of steps:

1. Business name reservation: Submit proposed trade names to the Dubai South Free Zone Authority for approval.

2. Application submission: Complete the free zone license application, including details of shareholders, directors, and intended activities.

3. Document preparation: Provide passport copies, proof of address, and relevant corporate documents for all shareholders and directors.

4. License fee payment: Pay the applicable trading license fee to the Dubai South Free Zone Authority.

5. Office or facility selection: Choose from flexi-desk, serviced office, or dedicated warehouse options depending on operational requirements.

6. Visa applications: Apply for residency visas for shareholders and employees as required.

7. Bank account opening: Engage a UAE-based bank to open a corporate account, subject to standard due diligence procedures.

License fees and package costs vary depending on the office type selected and the number of visas required. Businesses should budget for license fees, registration charges, and facility costs, as well as any applicable government fees for visa processing.

Compliance and Regulatory Requirements

Trading in non-manufactured precious metals in the UAE is subject to a robust compliance framework. License holders must adhere to:

• UAE Central Bank anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-financing of terrorism (CFT) regulations

• Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (Dubai’s commodities ecosystem) Traceability Standards where applicable to sourcing

• Responsible sourcing policies aligned with the OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals

• Annual license renewal with the Dubai South Free Zone Authority

• Maintenance of accurate trade records and financial statements

The UAE's inclusion in international frameworks for responsible mineral trade means that businesses must conduct thorough due diligence on the origin of metals they trade, particularly for gold sourced from conflict-affected or high-risk areas.

Related Activities

• Basic Non Ferrous Metal Products Trading Trading License

• Building Metal Products Trading Business

• Metal Drums & Barrels Trading Trading License