How to start a coffee trading business in Dubai

coffee trading business in Dubai

In a city where over 200 nationalities call home, coffee is more than just a beverage – it’s a cultural connector. Dubai’s cosmopolitan flair has brewed a thriving café culture, turning coffee into a daily ritual and a booming business opportunity.

From Ethiopian single-origin beans to Colombian dark roasts, Dubai’s love affair with coffee reflects its East-meets-West sophistication. The emirate has become a magnet for both coffee lovers and entrepreneurs, drawn by the diversity of blends, brews, and a rapidly expanding market.

With coffee ranked among the most widely traded commodities in the world, Dubai’s strategic geographic location and visionary business environment make it a key player in the global coffee trade. From sourcing to roasting to wholesale distribution, the opportunities are as rich and varied as the flavours on offer.

In this blog, we’ll walk you through how to start a coffee trading business in Dubai, from business formation and licensing to startup costs, market benefits, and tips for long-term growth in this flourishing sector.

How to start a coffee trading business in Dubai: Step-by-step

Step 1: Partner with Trade License Zone

The first step is to connect with Trade License Zone. Our team of experts will guide you through the entire business formation process – from licensing application and documentation to approvals and setup. We simplify the legalities so you can focus on brewing your business success.

Step 2: Choose your business activities

For this crucial step, you must define the exact nature of your business when applying for your trade license. For a coffee trading business, you can choose from several related activities – such as coffee import/export, wholesale trading, foodstuff trading, specialty coffee distribution, or all of them.

Each business activity has a corresponding code assigned by the Department of Economic Development (DED) for mainland licenses and free zone authorities. Choosing the right one is essential for ensuring compliance and scaling your business without restrictions. Trade License Zone will help you select the most appropriate business activities for your goals.

Step 3: Choose between mainland or free zone setup

Dubai offers two primary options for company setup:

Free zone setup: Ideal for international trade, offering 100% foreign ownership, no customs duties within the zone, and simplified warehousing/logistics.

Mainland setup: Enables direct trade with the UAE market, including cafés, restaurants, and retailers, without a distributor or agent.

Trade License Zone will help you choose the right jurisdiction based on whether your focus is import/export, distribution, retail supply, or roasting and packaging.

Step 4: Apply for initial approval

Initial approval from the relevant authority confirms that the government has no objections to your business setup in Dubai. For this, you’ll need to submit passport copies of shareholders, a trade name reservation certificate, business activity selection, a business plan, and any additional approvals from Dubai Municipality and other such external agencies.

Step 5: Secure a warehouse or office space

Coffee trading businesses typically require a physical warehouse for storage and distribution, or an office for administrative functions. Free zones offer flexi-desk packages or built-in warehousing tailored for trading businesses. We’ll help you find a suitable solution.

Step 6: Apply for your trade license

To operate legally, you’ll need a commercial trade license issued either by the DED (for mainland setups) or by a relevant free zone authority. Your trade license will list the approved coffee trading activities and ensure your operations are fully compliant.

Trade License Zone will handle the entire application, document preparation, and submission process on your behalf – so you don’t have to deal with the paperwork.

Step 7: Apply for visas for you and your team

Once your trade license is issued, you can apply for your UAE residence visa and sponsor staff as needed. Trade License Zone will assist with all visa applications, including medical testing, Emirates ID registration, and labour card issuance.

Step 8: Open a corporate bank account

A UAE corporate bank account is mandatory for handling transactions. Trade License Zone will introduce you to trusted banking partners who understand the needs of coffee trading businesses, ensuring a smooth account setup process. Once completed, you can officially begin trading!

Benefits of starting a coffee trading business in Dubai

Strategic global hub: Dubai’s location at the intersection of Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Africa makes it the perfect gateway for international markets. Whether you’re sourcing beans for local baristas or exporting your blends beyond the Gulf, Dubai offers unmatched global connectivity.
Thriving coffee culture: Café culture in Dubai has surged in recent years, and it’s still growing at double digits. With new coffee concepts popping up in every neighbourhood, the demand for quality beans and creative brews shows no signs of slowing down.
High demand for specialty offerings: With over 200 nationalities living in Dubai, the appetite for unique and culturally inspired blends is immense. From single-origin favourites to experimental flavour profiles, there’s a thriving market for specialty coffee offerings.
Tourism and event-driven growth: Dubai’s status as a tourism powerhouse means consistent demand from hotels, restaurants, cafés, event venues, and even private homes, all keen to serve premium coffee experiences to guests and clients.
Dubai government supportive environment: From free zone benefits like warehousing, office space, and customs support to attractive tax policies – 0% income tax and just 9% corporate tax – Dubai’s pro-business ecosystem makes it easy and profitable to set up a coffee trading company.

Cost of starting a coffee trading business in Dubai

Trade license: From AED 12,000 to AED 25,000
Office or warehouse rental: From AED 8,000 to AED 20,000 annually
Initial government approvals and admin fees: AED 3,000 – AED 7,000
Visa fees (per person): AED 3,500 – AED 6,000
Import/export code registration (if applicable): AED 2,000 – AED 3,000
Bank account setup (minimum deposit may apply): AED 5,000 – AED 10,000
Additional approvals: From AED 1,000

How to scale a coffee trading business in Dubai

Build strong supplier relationships

Source high-quality beans directly from producers in Latin America, Africa, and Asia to improve margins and ensure consistency in quality.

Partner with local cafés and hospitality businesses

Establish recurring B2B supply deals with hotels, restaurants, coworking spaces, and coffee chains.

Networking and expos

Showcase your brand at trade fairs and food and beverage expos to grow your network and customer base.

Why work with Trade License Zone

Business setup in Dubai is a streamlined process – with the expert guidance of Trade License Zone, that is.

Starting a coffee trading business in Dubai requires lots of paperwork, licensing and approvals, as well as navigating complex regulations. With over three decades of experience, our specialist team will ensure you get it all right the first time.

Trade License Zone handles every step and will liaise with government departments and municipalities, licensing applications, and more – fast, accurately, and affordably.

Let’s get your coffee trading business started today. Contact Trade License Zone to turn your dreams into business reality.

Karl Hougaard

Karl Hougaard

Karl, Founder & Managing Partner of Trade License Zone, ensures exceptional customer experience, distinguishing the company in the business setup sector. His career began with Primovie in South Africa, leading to his move to Dubai in 2001. Over two decades, he has owned multiple businesses and played key roles in major firms, including IFZA, Virtuzone, ITP Media Group, and Dubizzle.com.

Contact us to get a personalized quotation based on your business activity