Trade License
How to Get a Trading License in Dubai Free Zone
How to Get a Trading License in Dubai Free Zone
Trade License
How to Get a Services Business License in Dubai
How to Get a Trading License in Dubai Free Zone
How to Get a Trading License in Dubai Free Zone
Dubai is the world’s fourth-largest re-export hub, handling over USD 300 billion in non-oil trade annually and connecting supply chains from Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Americas. Its geographic position, combined with world-class port and airport infrastructure at Dubai South, makes it the most strategically positioned location in the world for trading businesses. Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone offers 461 trading activities covering every major product category with 100% foreign ownership, no personal income tax, and direct access to Al Maktoum International Airport and Jebel Ali Port from your registered address.
Dubai is the world’s fourth-largest re-export hub, handling over USD 300 billion in non-oil trade annually and connecting supply chains from Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Americas. Its geographic position, combined with world-class port and airport infrastructure at Dubai South, makes it the most strategically positioned location in the world for trading businesses. Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone offers 461 trading activities covering every major product category with 100% foreign ownership, no personal income tax, and direct access to Al Maktoum International Airport and Jebel Ali Port from your registered address.
What Does a Trading License in Dubai Cover?
What Does a Trading License in Dubai Cover?
What Does a Trading License in Dubai Cover?
A trading license authorises your company to import, export, and wholesale physical goods. At Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone, 461 trading activities cover food and beverages, garments, electronics, machinery, building materials, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, gold and precious metals, luxury goods, and e-commerce. General Trading (4690.97) allows you to trade multiple product categories under a single activity code, making it the most commercially flexible trading option available.
A trading license authorises your company to import, export, and wholesale physical goods. At Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone, 461 trading activities cover food and beverages, garments, electronics, machinery, building materials, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, gold and precious metals, luxury goods, and e-commerce. General Trading (4690.97) allows you to trade multiple product categories under a single activity code, making it the most commercially flexible trading option available.
Documents Required
Passport copy for all shareholders
Documents Required
Passport copy for all shareholders
Eligibility
Any nationality, 100% foreign ownership
No prior UAE residency required
No minimum capital deposit
Eligibility
Any nationality, 100% foreign ownership
No prior UAE residency required
No minimum capital deposit
Office Requirements
Flexi-desk included in base package
Business address provided at Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone
No physical office required to register
Office Requirements
Flexi-desk included in base package
Business address provided at Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone
No physical office required to register
Third-Party Approvals
Third-Party Approvals
Most general trading activities carry no pre-approval requirement. Food products require MOCCAE registration. Pharmaceuticals require MOHAP product approval. Gold and precious metals require CBUAE DNFBP registration and AML compliance programme. Restricted goods require relevant authority approval. Confirm product-specific requirements before importing.
Most general trading activities carry no pre-approval requirement. Food products require MOCCAE registration. Pharmaceuticals require MOHAP product approval. Gold and precious metals require CBUAE DNFBP registration and AML compliance programme. Restricted goods require relevant authority approval. Confirm product-specific requirements before importing.
A general trading license (4690.97) allows you to trade multiple categories of goods under a single activity code. A specific trading license covers a defined product category such as electronics trading or food trading. Most traders at Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone combine a specific product code with general trading to maximise operational flexibility.
A general trading license (4690.97) allows you to trade multiple categories of goods under a single activity code. A specific trading license covers a defined product category such as electronics trading or food trading. Most traders at Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone combine a specific product code with general trading to maximise operational flexibility.
A general trading license (4690.97) allows you to trade multiple categories of goods under a single activity code. A specific trading license covers a defined product category such as electronics trading or food trading. Most traders at Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone combine a specific product code with general trading to maximise operational flexibility.
A general trading license (4690.97) allows you to trade multiple categories of goods under a single activity code. A specific trading license covers a defined product category such as electronics trading or food trading. Most traders at Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone combine a specific product code with general trading to maximise operational flexibility.
A local distributor arrangement is required for direct sales to UAE mainland retailers. Free zone to free zone trade is unrestricted, and international exports require no intermediary. For regular mainland UAE sales, appointing a local distribution partner is the standard commercial approach.
A local distributor arrangement is required for direct sales to UAE mainland retailers. Free zone to free zone trade is unrestricted, and international exports require no intermediary. For regular mainland UAE sales, appointing a local distribution partner is the standard commercial approach.
A local distributor arrangement is required for direct sales to UAE mainland retailers. Free zone to free zone trade is unrestricted, and international exports require no intermediary. For regular mainland UAE sales, appointing a local distribution partner is the standard commercial approach.
A local distributor arrangement is required for direct sales to UAE mainland retailers. Free zone to free zone trade is unrestricted, and international exports require no intermediary. For regular mainland UAE sales, appointing a local distribution partner is the standard commercial approach.
No. A physical warehouse is not required to register a trading company. The base license includes a flexi-desk arrangement. For businesses physically storing goods in Dubai, warehousing options are available at Dubai South and through nearby logistics facilities adjacent to Jebel Ali Port and Al Maktoum Airport.
No. A physical warehouse is not required to register a trading company. The base license includes a flexi-desk arrangement. For businesses physically storing goods in Dubai, warehousing options are available at Dubai South and through nearby logistics facilities adjacent to Jebel Ali Port and Al Maktoum Airport.
No. A physical warehouse is not required to register a trading company. The base license includes a flexi-desk arrangement. For businesses physically storing goods in Dubai, warehousing options are available at Dubai South and through nearby logistics facilities adjacent to Jebel Ali Port and Al Maktoum Airport.
No. A physical warehouse is not required to register a trading company. The base license includes a flexi-desk arrangement. For businesses physically storing goods in Dubai, warehousing options are available at Dubai South and through nearby logistics facilities adjacent to Jebel Ali Port and Al Maktoum Airport.
Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone is the only UAE free zone with Al Maktoum International Airport on-site, Jebel Ali Port 20 minutes away, and Etihad Rail as a designated hub. For trading businesses dependent on efficient freight connections, no other UAE free zone provides the same logistics combination. This directly reduces operational costs and transit times.
Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone is the only UAE free zone with Al Maktoum International Airport on-site, Jebel Ali Port 20 minutes away, and Etihad Rail as a designated hub. For trading businesses dependent on efficient freight connections, no other UAE free zone provides the same logistics combination. This directly reduces operational costs and transit times.
Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone is the only UAE free zone with Al Maktoum International Airport on-site, Jebel Ali Port 20 minutes away, and Etihad Rail as a designated hub. For trading businesses dependent on efficient freight connections, no other UAE free zone provides the same logistics combination. This directly reduces operational costs and transit times.
Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone is the only UAE free zone with Al Maktoum International Airport on-site, Jebel Ali Port 20 minutes away, and Etihad Rail as a designated hub. For trading businesses dependent on efficient freight connections, no other UAE free zone provides the same logistics combination. This directly reduces operational costs and transit times.
Yes. A Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone trading license allows you to export to any country subject to UAE customs regulations, applicable export controls, and destination country import requirements. There are no free zone restrictions on export destinations.
Yes. A Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone trading license allows you to export to any country subject to UAE customs regulations, applicable export controls, and destination country import requirements. There are no free zone restrictions on export destinations.
Yes. A Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone trading license allows you to export to any country subject to UAE customs regulations, applicable export controls, and destination country import requirements. There are no free zone restrictions on export destinations.
Yes. A Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone trading license allows you to export to any country subject to UAE customs regulations, applicable export controls, and destination country import requirements. There are no free zone restrictions on export destinations.
General trading licenses at Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone start from AED 12,500 per year, which is among the most competitive in Dubai. Use the cost calculator at dubaisouthbh.com/cost-calculator to generate a full itemised breakdown including visa requirements and activity code selections.
General trading licenses at Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone start from AED 12,500 per year, which is among the most competitive in Dubai. Use the cost calculator at dubaisouthbh.com/cost-calculator to generate a full itemised breakdown including visa requirements and activity code selections.
General trading licenses at Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone start from AED 12,500 per year, which is among the most competitive in Dubai. Use the cost calculator at dubaisouthbh.com/cost-calculator to generate a full itemised breakdown including visa requirements and activity code selections.
General trading licenses at Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone start from AED 12,500 per year, which is among the most competitive in Dubai. Use the cost calculator at dubaisouthbh.com/cost-calculator to generate a full itemised breakdown including visa requirements and activity code selections.
No. The UAE has no personal income tax. Trading business owners at Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone pay zero personal income tax on their trading profits regardless of volume, product category, or nationality.
No. The UAE has no personal income tax. Trading business owners at Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone pay zero personal income tax on their trading profits regardless of volume, product category, or nationality.
No. The UAE has no personal income tax. Trading business owners at Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone pay zero personal income tax on their trading profits regardless of volume, product category, or nationality.
No. The UAE has no personal income tax. Trading business owners at Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone pay zero personal income tax on their trading profits regardless of volume, product category, or nationality.
Dealers in precious metals and stones are classified as Designated Non-Financial Businesses and Professions under UAE AML law. They must register with the UAE Central Bank as a DNFBP, maintain a documented AML compliance programme, conduct customer due diligence, and file suspicious transaction reports where required before beginning trading operations.
Dealers in precious metals and stones are classified as Designated Non-Financial Businesses and Professions under UAE AML law. They must register with the UAE Central Bank as a DNFBP, maintain a documented AML compliance programme, conduct customer due diligence, and file suspicious transaction reports where required before beginning trading operations.
Dealers in precious metals and stones are classified as Designated Non-Financial Businesses and Professions under UAE AML law. They must register with the UAE Central Bank as a DNFBP, maintain a documented AML compliance programme, conduct customer due diligence, and file suspicious transaction reports where required before beginning trading operations.
Dealers in precious metals and stones are classified as Designated Non-Financial Businesses and Professions under UAE AML law. They must register with the UAE Central Bank as a DNFBP, maintain a documented AML compliance programme, conduct customer due diligence, and file suspicious transaction reports where required before beginning trading operations.
Yes. Multiple trading activity codes from different product categories can be combined under one license. The first five codes are included at no additional cost. Each additional code costs AED 2,000. Most traders include specific product codes alongside the general trading code for maximum flexibility.
Yes. Multiple trading activity codes from different product categories can be combined under one license. The first five codes are included at no additional cost. Each additional code costs AED 2,000. Most traders include specific product codes alongside the general trading code for maximum flexibility.
Yes. Multiple trading activity codes from different product categories can be combined under one license. The first five codes are included at no additional cost. Each additional code costs AED 2,000. Most traders include specific product codes alongside the general trading code for maximum flexibility.
Yes. Multiple trading activity codes from different product categories can be combined under one license. The first five codes are included at no additional cost. Each additional code costs AED 2,000. Most traders include specific product codes alongside the general trading code for maximum flexibility.
Qualifying Free Zone Persons whose trading income meets the qualifying activities conditions may benefit from a 0% corporate tax rate on qualifying income. Distribution of goods through a UAE free zone is a listed qualifying activity. Confirm your specific tax position with a qualified UAE tax adviser.
Qualifying Free Zone Persons whose trading income meets the qualifying activities conditions may benefit from a 0% corporate tax rate on qualifying income. Distribution of goods through a UAE free zone is a listed qualifying activity. Confirm your specific tax position with a qualified UAE tax adviser.
Qualifying Free Zone Persons whose trading income meets the qualifying activities conditions may benefit from a 0% corporate tax rate on qualifying income. Distribution of goods through a UAE free zone is a listed qualifying activity. Confirm your specific tax position with a qualified UAE tax adviser.
Qualifying Free Zone Persons whose trading income meets the qualifying activities conditions may benefit from a 0% corporate tax rate on qualifying income. Distribution of goods through a UAE free zone is a listed qualifying activity. Confirm your specific tax position with a qualified UAE tax adviser.