Sharjah Mainland Commercial License
Get your Sharjah Mainland Commercial License through SEDD for trading, import-export, distribution, and retail. 100% foreign ownership, UAE-wide operations, competitive cost base.
Description
A Sharjah Mainland Commercial License authorises trading activities — import, export, distribution, retail, wholesale, and general commercial operations — under SEDD (Sharjah Economic Development Department) licensing. It is the standard license for businesses buying and selling physical goods anywhere in the UAE market, issued with 100% foreign ownership for most commercial activities under Federal Decree-Law No. 32 of 2021. Sharjah's lower fee structure makes it a cost-effective base for trading businesses serving the wider UAE.
The commercial license supports multiple related trading activities under one license, unlimited visa quotas based on office size, and Customs Code registration for international trade through Sharjah's ports and Sharjah International Airport. Sharjah's strong logistics infrastructure — including Hamriyah Port and Port Khalid — makes it particularly attractive for trading and re-export businesses. License costs are typically lower than equivalent Dubai commercial licenses while providing identical UAE-wide market access.
Octavon Global Advisory handles the complete Sharjah commercial license setup — activity selection, SEDD initial approval, trade name reservation, MOA drafting, Ejari registration, license issuance, Sharjah Chamber of Commerce membership, investor visa, medical fitness, Emirates ID, Customs Code registration, and corporate bank account introduction. Standard setup completes in 7 to 14 working days.
What's Included
- SEDD Mainland Commercial Trade License
- 100% Foreign Ownership
- Multiple Related Trading Activities
- Operate Across All UAE Emirates
- Lower Cost Than Dubai
- Memorandum of Association (MOA)
- Trade Name Reservation
- SEDD Initial Approval
- Ejari Tenancy Registration
- Sharjah Chamber of Commerce Membership
- Establishment Card and Immigration Card
- Investor Visa (1 included)
- Medical Fitness Test and Emirates ID
- Customs Code Registration
- Corporate Bank Account Introduction
- VAT Registration Coordination
Requirements / Prerequisites
- Minimum 1 shareholder (individual or corporate)
- Trade name following SEDD naming rules
- Activities from the Commercial category
- Physical office with valid Ejari tenancy contract
- Activity-specific NOC for restricted goods
- Shareholder passport with 6+ months validity
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
- List of Commercial Activities
- Office Lease Agreement / Ejari
- NOC from Current Sponsor (if applicable)
- Activity-specific NOC for regulated goods
- For corporate shareholder: attested parent company documents
Our Process
- Consultation on commercial activity selection
- Trade name reservation with SEDD
- SEDD initial approval
- Office tenancy contract and Ejari registration
- MOA drafting and notarisation
- Activity NOCs for regulated goods (if applicable)
- Final trade license application
- License collection
- Sharjah Chamber of Commerce membership
- Establishment Card and Immigration Card
- Investor visa, medical, Emirates ID
- Customs Code registration
- Corporate bank account opening
Pricing
- Basic Fee: AED 11,000
- Service Fee: AED 4,000
- VAT (5%): AED 750
- Total: AED 15,750
Frequently Asked Questions
What activities are covered under a Sharjah Commercial License?
Trading activities including import, export, distribution, wholesale, retail, e-commerce, and general trading. Examples: electronics, foodstuff, textiles, machinery, building materials, automobile parts, and hundreds of other commercial activities approved by SEDD.
Can I combine multiple commercial activities on one license?
Yes. You can combine multiple related activities under a single Sharjah commercial license, provided they fall within the Commercial category. Combining helps you operate flexibly without separate licenses.
Do I need a Customs Code for my Sharjah commercial license?
Yes, if you import or export goods. The Customs Code is registered with Sharjah Customs against your license and is required to clear commercial shipments through Sharjah's ports and airport. It is included in our setup package.
How long does Sharjah commercial license setup take?
Standard setup completes in 7 to 14 working days. Commercial licenses without regulator NOCs are among the faster Sharjah mainland licenses to issue.
Can a Sharjah commercial license sell directly to UAE customers?
Yes. Unlike free zone companies, a Sharjah mainland commercial license sells directly to consumers and businesses anywhere in the UAE without a distributor.
Why choose Sharjah over Dubai for a commercial license?
Sharjah offers the same UAE-wide trading rights at a lower cost base — government fees and office rents are typically 1.5 to 2 times cheaper than Dubai. Sharjah's ports and logistics infrastructure are also strong advantages for trading and re-export businesses.
Are there minimum capital requirements?
No fixed minimum paid-up capital is required for most Sharjah commercial licenses. Banks may ask for proof of working capital during account opening. Certain regulated trading activities have specific capital requirements.