Dubai General Trading License
Get your Dubai General Trading License through DET — trade multiple unrelated product categories under one license. Import, export, and distribute across the UAE with 100% foreign ownership.
Description
A Dubai General Trading License is the most flexible trading license available — it allows importing, exporting, and trading multiple unrelated product categories under a single license. While a standard commercial license restricts you to related activities (e.g. electronics only), general trading covers electronics, textiles, food items, furniture, building materials, and most other non-regulated goods simultaneously. It is the license of choice for trading houses, import-export businesses, and entrepreneurs testing multiple product lines.
General trading licenses are issued by DET (mainland) with 100% foreign ownership under Federal Decree-Law No. 32 of 2021. The license supports unlimited visa quotas tied to office size, Customs Code registration for import-export, and direct sales across all UAE emirates. Regulated categories (pharmaceuticals, alcohol, tobacco, weapons, precious metals in some cases) still require separate approvals even under general trading — we map your product catalogue against the exclusions during setup.
Octavon Global Advisory handles complete Dubai general trading setup — DET initial approval, trade name reservation, MOA drafting and notarisation, Ejari registration, license issuance, Dubai Chamber of Commerce membership, Customs Code registration, Establishment Card, investor visa, medical fitness, Emirates ID, and corporate bank account introduction. Standard setup completes in 10 to 14 working days.
What's Included
- DET General Trading License
- Trade Multiple Unrelated Product Categories
- 100% Foreign Ownership
- Import, Export, and Re-export Rights
- Operate Across All UAE Emirates
- Memorandum of Association (MOA)
- Trade Name Reservation
- DET Initial Approval
- Ejari Tenancy Registration
- Dubai Chamber of Commerce Membership
- Customs Code Registration
- Establishment Card and Immigration Card
- Investor Visa (1 included)
- Medical Fitness Test and Emirates ID
- Corporate Bank Account Introduction
- VAT Registration Coordination
Requirements / Prerequisites
- Minimum 1 shareholder (individual or corporate)
- Trade name following DET naming rules
- Physical office with valid Ejari tenancy contract
- Product catalogue review (regulated goods need separate approvals)
- Shareholder passport with 6+ months validity
- NOC from current sponsor if applicant is on UAE residence visa
Required Documents
- Passport Copy of All Shareholders (6+ months validity)
- Passport-sized Photographs
- UAE Visa Copy and Emirates ID (if UAE resident)
- 3 Proposed Trade Name Choices
- Product Categories List
- Office Lease Agreement / Ejari
- NOC from Current Sponsor (if applicable)
- For corporate shareholder: attested parent company documents
Our Process
- Consultation and product catalogue review
- Trade name reservation with DET
- DET initial approval
- Office tenancy contract and Ejari registration
- MOA drafting and notarisation
- Final trade license application and payment
- License collection
- Dubai Chamber of Commerce membership
- Customs Code registration
- Establishment Card and Immigration Card
- Investor visa, medical, Emirates ID
- Corporate bank account opening
Pricing
- Basic Fee: AED 25,000
- Service Fee: AED 4,500
- VAT (5%): AED 1,475
- Total: AED 30,975
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I trade under a Dubai General Trading License?
Most non-regulated physical goods — electronics, textiles and garments, furniture, food items (with food registration), building materials, auto parts, cosmetics (with product registration), toys, household goods, and more — all under one license. Regulated categories like pharmaceuticals, alcohol, tobacco, and weapons require separate special approvals regardless of license type.
What is the difference between general trading and a commercial license?
A commercial license limits you to related activities within one category (e.g. electronics trading + accessories). General trading covers unrelated categories simultaneously — you can import furniture and electronics and garments under the same license. The trade-off is higher government fees for general trading.
How much does a Dubai general trading license cost?
DET general trading government fees typically run AED 22,000-30,000 including the activity premium, plus Ejari and standard incorporation costs. Free zone general trading alternatives exist (Ajman, Sharjah zones are cheaper) but cannot sell directly to UAE mainland customers.
How long does general trading license setup take?
Standard setup completes in 10 to 14 working days from document submission, the same as a standard commercial license. The general trading activity itself requires no additional approval time for non-regulated goods.
Do I get a Customs Code with this license?
Yes. The Customs Client Code is registered with Dubai Customs against your license and is required for importing and exporting commercial shipments. It is included in our setup package and typically issues within 3-5 working days after license issuance.
Can I sell to UAE mainland customers directly?
Yes. As a DET mainland license, general trading allows direct wholesale and retail sales across all UAE emirates without distributors — a key advantage over free zone general trading licenses.
Is general trading worth it versus multiple commercial licenses?
If you trade 2+ unrelated categories, general trading is almost always cheaper and simpler than maintaining multiple commercial licenses. If you trade only one category and its accessories, a standard commercial license costs less. We run the comparison against your actual catalogue before you commit.