Dubai Mainland Commercial Trade License

A commercial trade license in Dubai lets a mainland company buy, sell, import and export goods across the UAE. We handle the DET licence, office and customs steps.

Description

A commercial trade license in Dubai is the mainland licence for buying and selling goods: wholesale, retail, import, export and distribution. It is issued by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET, formerly DED) and lets the company sell directly to shops, businesses and consumers across the UAE.

**What it covers.** Each licence lists specific trading activities from DET's activity list, such as trading in electronics, foodstuff, building materials or spare parts. You can usually add several related activities to one licence; DET confirms which ones fit together at the initial approval stage. If you want to trade in many unrelated product groups, a Dubai general trading license is the better fit, and selling only through your own website or marketplaces may suit a Dubai e-commerce license.

**Ownership.** Most commercial activities on the Dubai mainland can be 100% foreign owned, usually as a limited liability company (LLC) with one or more owners. A few activities with strategic impact keep ownership conditions, so we check yours first. Some goods need approval from another authority before DET issues the licence, for example food from Dubai Municipality, or medical products and medicines from the federal health regulator.

**Premises and customs.** DET issues the licence against a Dubai office, shop or warehouse with a tenancy contract registered in Ejari. If you hold stock, the warehouse needs its own permitted use. Each extra outlet or warehouse at another address normally needs its own licence or branch. To clear shipments through Dubai Customs you also need a customs client code, applied for through the Dubai Trade portal after the licence is issued. Imports and sales may also bring VAT registration into play once your taxable turnover passes the threshold.

**What affects the Dubai trade license cost.** The total is made of DET licence and trade name fees, office or warehouse rent and Ejari, any external approvals for your goods, Dubai Chamber membership, the establishment card, the customs code and visas. For an LLC trade license, the activity list, premises and number of visas change the cost most. We send a written quote once we know what you will trade and where; message us on WhatsApp or live chat.

**After the licence.** The company can sponsor the Dubai investor visa for owners and employment visas for staff, then open a corporate bank account. The licence is renewed every year. For the full mainland picture, including legal forms and the mainland or free zone choice, see Dubai mainland company formation.

What's Included

Activity review against DET's commercial activity list, including whether general trading or e-commerce suits you better
Trade name reservation and DET initial approval
Coordination of approvals needed for regulated goods
Guidance on office, shop or warehouse and Ejari registration
Memorandum of association for an LLC
Final DET licence application and licence issue
Dubai Chamber registration and establishment card
Dubai Customs client code application, if you import or export
Investor and employment visa applications (number set in your quote)
Support with corporate bank account applications

Requirements / Prerequisites

At least one shareholder, a person or a company
Trading activities on DET's list, with the ownership rule for each confirmed
A trade name that meets DET's naming rules
Premises in Dubai with an Ejari-registered tenancy contract; a warehouse with a matching permitted use if you hold stock
Approval from the relevant authority for regulated goods (for example food, medicines, cosmetics)

Required Documents

Passport copies of all shareholders and the manager
UAE visa and Emirates ID copies for UAE residents
Two or three proposed trade names
List of the goods and trading activities
Tenancy contract and Ejari certificate for the office, shop or warehouse
Memorandum of association (prepared during the process)
Approvals for regulated goods, where required
For a corporate shareholder: legalised and attested company documents and a board resolution
For the customs code: trade licence, owner and manager passports, Dubai Chamber certificate

Our Process

Agree your trading activities and the right licence (commercial, general trading or e-commerce)
Reserve the trade name and apply for DET initial approval
Obtain approvals for regulated goods, if any
Lease premises and register the tenancy contract in Ejari
Sign the memorandum of association
Submit the final application, pay DET fees and receive the licence
Register with Dubai Chamber and get the establishment card
Apply for the Dubai Customs client code if you import or export
Apply for visas and a corporate bank account

Pricing

Contact via WhatsApp

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a commercial trade license in Dubai?

It is the DET mainland licence for trading in goods: buying, selling, importing, exporting and distributing. It lets the company sell directly to customers anywhere in the UAE.

What does a Dubai trade license cost?

The cost is made of DET licence and trade name fees, premises rent and Ejari, approvals for regulated goods, Dubai Chamber, the establishment card, the customs code and visas. The goods you trade, your premises and the number of visas change it most. Contact us for a written quote.

What affects the LLC trade license cost in Dubai?

An LLC adds a memorandum of association, and its cost depends on the number of shareholders and whether any is a company, which needs attested documents. Premises, activities and visas affect it as they do for any mainland licence.

Can I put several trading activities on one licence?

Usually yes, if DET treats them as compatible. Many related activities can sit on one commercial licence. For a wide range of unrelated goods, a general trading licence is usually the right choice.

Do I need a customs code to import or export?

Yes. Companies clearing goods through Dubai Customs need a customs client code, applied for on the Dubai Trade portal once you hold the licence. It is renewed with the licence.

Can I sell to customers in other emirates?

Yes. A Dubai mainland commercial licence lets you sell to businesses and consumers across the UAE. Opening a physical shop or warehouse in another emirate normally needs a branch licence there.

Is there a minimum share capital?

The Commercial Companies Law does not set a general minimum for an LLC; the capital is stated in the memorandum of association. Some regulated activities and banks may expect more, so we discuss it with you before filing.