Ajman Trade License: Mainland Commercial Licence

An Ajman trade licence for trading goods: issued by Ajman DED, it lets your company buy, sell, import and export and sell directly to customers anywhere in the UAE. Most trading activities allow 100% foreign ownership.

Description

An Ajman trade licence for a trading business is the mainland commercial licence issued by the Ajman Department of Economic Development (Ajman DED). It covers businesses that trade in goods: import, export, wholesale, retail and distribution. Because it is a mainland licence, you can sell directly to customers and businesses anywhere in the UAE. If you sell services rather than goods, you need an Ajman mainland professional licence; if you make products, an Ajman mainland industrial licence.

**Ajman trade licence activities.** Every licence lists the activities your company may carry out, chosen from Ajman DED's official activity list during the application. A commercial licence can cover one or more activities, usually a defined range of related goods. If you plan to trade in many unrelated product groups, ask us whether a general trading activity fits better. Most trading activities have been open to 100% foreign ownership since June 2021, when Ajman DED opened more than 1,000 commercial and industrial activities to full foreign ownership; activities with a strategic impact are excluded. Send us your product list and we'll match it to the right activities on DED's list and tell you which need extra approval. You can add activities later through a trade licence amendment.

If you are still choosing between structures, our Ajman mainland company formation page explains the legal forms and ownership rules.

**Premises.** You need premises in Ajman suitable for the goods you sell, with a lease attested by the Ajman Municipality (Tasdeeq; Ajman doesn't use Dubai's Ejari). An office can be enough if you don't hold stock; a shop or showroom is needed for walk-in retail, and a warehouse if you store goods. Ajman DED rules say goods must not be stored in the shop or displayed outside it, and you need DED approval before moving. If you need space, we can help with office or flexi-desk rental in Ajman, where accepted for your activity.

**Regulated goods.** Some goods need an approval from another authority before the licence is issued, for example food, medicines and medical devices, or certain telecom equipment. We check this at the start so it doesn't hold up the licence later.

**Customs.** To import or export, the company also registers with customs to get an importer/exporter code. In Ajman this is done with the Ajman Department of Port and Customs after the licence is issued. If your goods come through a port in another emirate, you also register with that emirate's customs.

**After the licence.** You can hire staff through an Ajman employment visa and open a business account with our Ajman corporate bank account opening support. Trading companies should also plan for corporate tax registration and VAT registration, as trading turnover can reach the VAT threshold quickly.

**Validity and cost.** A new Ajman trade licence is valid for one year; at renewal Ajman DED allows a term of one to four years if conditions are met. Your cost depends on the activities, premises type and size, number of visas, licence term and any external approvals. Contact us on WhatsApp or live chat for a written quote based on your plan.

What's Included

Advice on the right trading activities from Ajman DED's list (commercial vs general trading) and legal form
Check of foreign ownership rules and any external approvals for your goods
Trade name reservation with Ajman DED
ICP security approval application for foreign owners
External approvals where your goods need them (we prepare and submit; the authority decides)
Help finding an office, showroom or warehouse, and lease attestation with the Ajman Municipality
Memorandum of Association drafting, Arabic translation and notarisation
Licence application and collection, with Chamber of Commerce certificate and signboard permit
Customs registration and importer/exporter code
Immigration establishment card and MOHRE registration
Owner residence visa (where your package includes it)
Bank account introduction

Requirements / Prerequisites

Trading activities that Ajman DED licenses and that are open to foreign ownership
At least one shareholder (individual or company)
ICP security approval for foreign owners
Premises in Ajman suitable for the goods and the way you sell, with an attested lease
A trade name that follows Ajman DED naming rules
Approval from the relevant authority for regulated goods

Required Documents

Passport copy of each shareholder and manager
Emirates ID for UAE residents (visitors provide passport copy and entry stamp)
Passport-size photo
Proposed trade names and the list of activities and products
Attested lease for the office, showroom or warehouse
Corporate shareholder: certificate of incorporation, memorandum/articles, board resolution, attested and translated into Arabic if issued abroad
Power of attorney, if someone signs on your behalf
For the customs code: trade licence, passport and Emirates ID of the owner or manager, tax registration certificate if available
No-objection letter from your current employer only if your situation requires it

Our Process

Consultation on goods, activities and any regulated products.
Reserve the trade name with Ajman DED.
Apply for ICP security approval for foreign owners.
Obtain approvals for regulated goods, if needed.
Secure premises and attest the lease with the Ajman Municipality.
Draft, translate and notarise the Memorandum of Association.
Pay government fees and receive the licence, Chamber certificate and signboard permit.
Register with customs for your importer/exporter code.
Register with immigration (establishment card) and MOHRE; apply for visas.
Open the bank account and register for VAT and corporate tax as required.

Pricing

Contact via WhatsApp

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get a trade licence in Ajman?

For a trading business, you apply to Ajman DED for a mainland commercial licence: reserve a trade name, get security approval for foreign owners, get any approvals your goods need, attest the lease for your premises, sign the memorandum of association, pay the fees and receive the licence. We handle each step with you.

Where can I see the Ajman trade licence activities list?

Activities are chosen from Ajman DED's official activity list when you apply, and each one has its own conditions and approvals. Rather than searching the list yourself, send us your products or services and we'll match them to the right DED activities and tell you which need extra approval.

Can a foreigner own 100% of the company?

Yes, for most trading activities. Ajman DED opened over 1,000 commercial and industrial activities to full foreign ownership in 2021. A few strategic activities are still restricted; we check yours first.

Commercial or general trading licence: which do I need?

A commercial licence suits a defined range of related goods. If you plan to trade in many unrelated product groups, a general trading activity may fit better. We'll advise based on your product list.

Do I need a warehouse?

Only if you store goods. An office can be enough if you don't hold stock, and a shop or showroom is needed for walk-in retail. Goods may not be stored in a shop or displayed outside it.

Do I need a customs code, and where do I get it?

Yes, if you import or export. In Ajman you register with the Ajman Department of Port and Customs after the licence is issued. If your goods clear through another emirate's port, you register with that emirate's customs too.

How long does it take, and how long is the licence valid?

The licence is issued quickly once the name, security approval, attested lease and notarised MOA are in place; total time mainly depends on security approval, approvals for regulated goods and how fast premises are arranged. A new licence is valid for one year, and Ajman DED allows renewal for one to four years if conditions are met.

Can I add activities later?

Yes, through a licence amendment with Ajman DED. Some activities need extra approvals or different premises.