Ajman Free Zone General Trading License
An Ajman Free Zone general trading license lets you trade most goods under one activity, without listing each product. We confirm your goods are covered, then handle the licence, visa and customs registration.
Description
An Ajman Free Zone general trading license lets your company import, export, re-export and distribute a wide range of goods under a single activity, issued by Ajman Free Zone (AFZ). You don't need to list every product line. For a company that trades in several unrelated products, this is simpler than a commercial licence, which is tied to specific goods.
**What it doesn't cover.** AFZ excludes some goods from general trading: diesel, oil, crude oil, cars and garments. Trading these needs a different activity. Some goods are allowed but regulated, such as food, medicines and cosmetics. These need approval from the relevant authority before you trade them. We check your product list against AFZ's rules before you apply.
**One activity only.** AFZ treats general trading as one activity. If you later want to add a different type of activity, AFZ requires you to switch to a commercial licence. Plan your business model at the start. If you mainly sell online to consumers, an Ajman Free Zone e-commerce license may be a better fit.
**Importing and exporting.** To move goods through UAE ports, you request a Custom Code Letter from AFZ and then register with Ajman Customs for an importer code. We handle both.
**Selling inside the UAE.** A free zone company sells into the UAE market through authorised distributors, following port and customs procedures. If most of your customers are in the UAE, compare an Ajman mainland commercial license. You could also add a mainland presence through an Ajman branch office.
**Workspace and visas.** The workspace you choose decides how many visas you can apply for. A desk or small office suits companies that store goods elsewhere. A warehouse makes sense if you hold stock in Ajman. See our flexi-desk and office options. Most owners start with an Ajman Free Zone investor visa and add employment visas as they hire.
**Tax.** There is no personal income tax. Your company must register for corporate tax within three months of incorporation. The 0% free zone rate applies only to qualifying income and needs extra conditions for distribution businesses, including audited accounts. Check whether you need VAT registration once your sales grow.
**Ajman general trading license cost.** The cost of a general trading licence in Ajman is made up of the AFZ licence and registration, your workspace or warehouse, the number of visas (each with its own entry permit, medical and Emirates ID), any approvals for regulated goods, and customs registration. People often look for the cheapest general trading license in the UAE, but a low headline figure can hide the cost of a larger workspace needed for the visas you want, or the approvals your goods need. Tell us what you trade and how many visas you need on WhatsApp or live chat, and we'll send a written quote with every component listed.
What's Included
- Product list check against AFZ's general trading scope and exclusions
- Company name reservation (three options)
- AFZ application, KYC and submission
- General trading licence, MOA/AOA, certificate of incorporation and share certificate
- Workspace or warehouse arrangement and lease with AFZ
- Bank introduction letter from AFZ
- Establishment card and e-channel registration
- Investor residence visa processing: entry permit, medical, Emirates ID, visa (if included in your package)
- Custom Code Letter from AFZ and Ajman Customs importer registration
- Support with corporate bank account applications
- Guidance on corporate tax and VAT registration
Requirements / Prerequisites
- At least one shareholder: an individual or a company. Shareholders don't need to live in the UAE.
- A general manager who is UAE resident (AFZ's FAQ states this; we confirm it for your case).
- Goods that fall within general trading (not diesel, oil, crude oil, cars or garments).
- Approvals from the relevant authority for regulated goods (e.g. food, medicines, cosmetics).
- If you're already employed in the UAE: a no-objection letter from your current sponsor.
- A company name that meets AFZ's naming rules.
Required Documents
- Individual shareholders: passport copy (valid at least 6 months)
- Individual shareholders: colour photograph
- Individual shareholders: UAE visa copy or UID number (if you've been in the UAE)
- Individual shareholders: no-objection letter from your current sponsor (if on a UAE employment visa)
- Three proposed company names, in order of preference
- List of the goods you plan to trade (helps us confirm the scope)
- Corporate shareholders: certificate of incorporation, MOA/AOA and registration certificate of the parent company (attested)
- Corporate shareholders: board resolution approving the AFZ company
- Corporate shareholders: power of attorney for the authorised signatory
- Corporate shareholders: ultimate beneficial owner (UBO) details
Our Process
- Consultation: we check your goods against AFZ's general trading scope and choose a workspace.
- Name reservation with AFZ.
- Application: you sign the application and KYC forms; we submit them with your documents.
- Payment and approval.
- Licence issue with company documents and bank letter.
- Establishment card and e-channel registration.
- Visa: entry permit (if outside the UAE), medical at Al Hamidiya Health Center, Emirates ID, residence visa issuance (AFZ: up to 4 working days, 2 with urgent service).
- Custom Code Letter from AFZ and Ajman Customs registration.
- Bank account application (timing depends on the bank).
- Corporate tax registration within 3 months of incorporation; VAT registration if you reach the threshold.
Pricing
Contact us on WhatsApp for a tailored quote for this service.
Frequently Asked Questions
What goods can I trade under an Ajman Free Zone general trading license?
Most goods. AFZ excludes diesel, oil, crude oil, cars and garments. Regulated goods such as food, medicines and cosmetics are allowed only with approval from the relevant authority.
What does an Ajman general trading license cost?
It depends on your workspace or warehouse, the number of visas, any approvals for regulated goods, and customs registration. We don't publish a single figure because these choices change the total a lot. Message us on WhatsApp or live chat and we'll send a written quote with each item listed.
Which is the cheapest general trading license in the UAE?
The lowest advertised price isn't always the lowest total. Check whether the workspace allows the number of visas you need, whether your goods are covered or excluded, and what customs registration and approvals add. We can compare the full cost of an Ajman Free Zone general trading licence with your other options.
How is general trading different from a commercial (trading) licence?
A commercial licence covers specific goods. General trading is one activity that covers most goods, so you can add new product lines without amending the licence. AFZ allows only the one general trading activity on the licence; to add other activities you switch to a commercial licence.
Can I sell to customers in the UAE mainland?
Not directly. AFZ says goods enter the UAE market through authorised distributors, following port and customs procedures. If UAE customers are your main market, consider a mainland licence or a mainland branch.
Do I need a warehouse?
Only if you store stock in Ajman. Many traders use a desk or office and keep goods with a logistics provider. Your workspace also decides how many visas you can apply for.
How do I get a customs code?
After the licence is issued, you request a Custom Code Letter from the AFZ portal. You then register with Ajman Customs, which issues an importer code. We handle both steps.
How long does setup take?
The licence is usually issued within a few working days once documents are approved. The visa takes longer (entry permit, medical, Emirates ID, visa issuance). The bank account is separate and often takes several weeks. These depend on AFZ, ICP and the bank, so we can't guarantee timings.
Is a general trading company tax-free?
No personal income tax applies. The company must register for corporate tax. It can benefit from the 0% free zone rate only on qualifying income and if it meets the conditions, which include audited financial statements.