How to Start a Textile and Fashion Trading Business in Dubai
Topic Summary
1. Dubai Is a Global Textile and Garment Re-Export Hub
Dubai connects Asian production centres including India, Bangladesh, China, and Turkey with consumption markets across the Middle East, Africa, and Europe, giving traders access to both supply and demand.
2. Scope Covers Fabrics, Garments, Footwear, and Accessories
The license authorises import, export, and wholesale of textile fabrics, ready-made garments, sportswear, haute couture, footwear, haberdashery, and fashion accessories including bags, belts, and jewellery.
3. General Trading Carries No Third-Party Pre-Approvals
Standard textile and fashion trading requires no specific third-party approval, keeping the setup process straightforward compared to regulated product categories.
4. Certain Products May Need Additional Import Documentation
Product categories such as fabric treatments involving chemicals or garments with regulated content claims may require additional import documentation beyond the standard trade license.
5. Activity Codes Cover Wholesale and Specialty Retail Segments
Coverage spans wholesale codes for textiles, yarn, fabrics, clothing, and footwear, alongside specialty retail codes for men's, ladies, ready-made, sportswear, and leather products trading.
Dubai is one of the most active textile and garment re-export markets in the world. Its position as a trading hub between Asian production centres, particularly India, Bangladesh, China, and Turkey, and consumption markets across the Middle East, Africa, and Europe means that businesses trading in textiles and fashion products have genuine access to both supply and demand from a single well-located base. For entrepreneurs entering this sector, the license structure is uncomplicated, but selecting the right activity codes to cover your product range from the start determines how flexibly you can trade. This guide covers the setup costs, activity codes, and registration process at Dubai South.
What Does a Textile and Fashion Trading License Cover?
A textile and fashion trading license authorises your business to import, export, and wholesale textile fabrics, garments, clothing accessories, footwear, fashion goods, and related fashion products. This spans ready-made garments, sportswear, haute couture, textile rolls and fabrics, haberdashery, and fashion accessories including bags, belts, and jewellery. For businesses operating across a wider range of consumer goods alongside fashion, the general trading hub page outlines how a broader license can be structured.
Textile and Fashion Trading License Requirements
The standard free zone documentation applies: passport copy for all shareholders, proof of residential address, and a proposed company name. No specific third-party approval is required for general textile and fashion trading. Certain product categories, such as fabric treatments involving chemicals or garments with regulated content claims, may require additional import documentation. Confirm your specific product requirements before importing.
Relevant Activity Codes
Activity codes for textile and fashion trading businesses at Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone:
4641.00, Wholesale of Textiles, Clothing and Footwear
4641.01, Wholesale of Yarn
4641.02, Wholesale of Fabrics
4641.05, Wholesale of Clothing, Including Sportswear
4641.07, Wholesale of Footwear
4751.94, Textile Trading
4771.82, Men's Garment Trading
4771.83, Ladies Garment Trading
4771.95, Ready Made Garments Trading
4771.96, Handbags and Leather Products Trading
4771.88, Sports Wear Trading
Browse the full list of textile and garment trading codes on the business activities page.
Cost of a Textile and Fashion Trading License
Setting Up Your Textile Trading Company
Use the name check tool to confirm your company name is available, then complete the fully digital application. Your license is issued within one business day. With your license in place, you benefit from 100% foreign ownership, no personal income tax, and full repatriation of your trading profits, with no UAE national sponsor required. Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone's proximity to Jebel Ali Port makes it a strong operational base for textile businesses moving high volumes of goods through sea freight, while Al Maktoum International Airport provides efficient air freight access for time-sensitive fashion shipments.
Frequently Asked Questions
