Dubai continues to solidify its position as a premier global trading hub. With its strategic location, seamless connectivity, world-class infrastructure, and pro-business regulations, Dubai is a gateway to lucrative markets across the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and beyond. Securing a general trading license in Dubai opens the door to limitless opportunities, allowing you to establish a thriving business with a global reach.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about business setup in Dubai and the process of obtaining a general trading license. By the end, you’ll have a clear roadmap to launching your trading company and discover why Dubai is the perfect base for businesses aiming to scale globally. Let’s get started!
What is a general trading license Dubai?
A general trading license permits businesses to trade, import, export, and trade a diverse range of products under one license, excluding restricted items such as pharmaceuticals, tobacco, and alcohol, which require special approvals. This license covers various categories of physical goods, including furniture, food, clothing, toys, electronics, industrial equipment, and even automotive parts.
With a general trading license, businesses can trade both locally and internationally, making it a powerful tool for expanding into global markets. It is particularly advantageous for FMCG, electronics, textiles, and automotive parts sectors, as it allows diversifying and scaling operations without additional licensing requirements.
This flexibility makes the general trading license a strategic choice for entrepreneurs and established companies. It enables businesses to operate across multiple industries, streamline processes, and tap into new markets—all under one license.
General trading license vs Trading license: The difference explained
The key difference between a general trading license and a trading license lies in its scope and flexibility. While both licenses are essential for conducting business legally in Dubai, they serve different purposes.
A standard trading license allows businesses to engage in the trade of specific products or a single category. This license is sufficient if your business deals exclusively with electronics, textiles, or food products. However, you would need separate licenses if you wanted to expand into other product categories.
In contrast, a general trading license offers broader flexibility, allowing businesses to trade multiple products across various industries under one license. This makes it an ideal choice for companies looking to diversify their offerings without the need to apply for multiple individual licenses.
In essence, while a trading license is tailored to businesses with a focused product range, a general trading license is designed for companies seeking greater versatility and scalability across multiple markets.
Now that you understand the differences, the following section closely examines how to get a general trading license in Dubai.
How to get a general trading license in Dubai: Step-by-step
Here is the step-by-step process for getting a general trading license in Dubai:
Step 1: Partner with Trade License Zone
Starting a general trading company in Dubai requires navigating a complex business setup process. That’s where Trade License Zone steps in. With our extensive expertise in Dubai business setup, we handle the intricacies so you can focus on growing your business.
From selecting the right license and business structure to ensuring full compliance with legal regulations, we make the entire process seamless and hassle-free. Partner with Trade License Zone and unlock your general trading business’ full potential in one of the world’s leading global trading hubs.
Step 2: Select your business activities
Careful planning is key to business success in Dubai’s competitive market, and selecting the right business activities is crucial. Your chosen activities directly impact your general trading license application and compliance requirements. With a general trading license, you have the flexibility to trade a wide range of products, so it’s important to clearly define the specific goods and services your company will offer.
Step 3: Choose your business structure
Dubai offers multiple business setup options, including mainland and free zone structures, each with advantages. Choosing the right structure is crucial to aligning your business with your goals and target market. Here is a closer look:
- Mainland setup: It allows you to trade directly with local clients and consumers within the UAE, offering greater market access and flexibility.
- Free zone setup: Setting up in a free zone, such as Jebel Ali Free Zone or Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC), provides numerous benefits, including tax exemptions and simplified customs procedures. Free zones are ideal for businesses focused on international trade.
Consult with business setup experts such as Trade License Zone to ensure you select the most suitable license and navigate the application process smoothly.
Step 4: Reserve a trade name
Choose a unique trade name that reflects your brand’s values and offerings. Ensure it aligns with Dubai’s naming regulations, prohibiting offensive language and already registered names.
Once you’ve decided on a name, you can reserve it through the Department of Economic Development (DED) for mainland businesses or the relevant free zone authority.
Step 5: Rent office space
The requirement for office space varies based on your choice between a mainland or free zone setup:
- Free zone setups: Since free zone companies typically focus on importing, exporting, and re-exporting goods rather than trading within the local market, warehousing is often not required. Instead, you may only need office space to manage operations. Many free zones offer flexible options, such as virtual offices.
- Mainland setups: If your company plans to trade directly with the local market, office space and warehousing will be essential for storage and distribution. Dubai provides a wide variety of office spaces and warehouses tailored to businesses of all sizes and budgets, ensuring you can find a solution that meets your operational needs.
For flexible and affordable office space solutions, including virtual offices, Trade License Zone offers customised packages designed to support your business growth.
Step 6: Secure initial approvals
The next step is to apply for an initial approval certificate from the DED. This certificate confirms that the government has no objections to your business activities and allows you to proceed with the general trading license application process.
Step 7: Obtain customs clearance
Before importing goods into Dubai, you must secure an import code from Dubai Customs, the authority responsible for regulating imports and exports. This import code is a unique identifier for your business and is essential for clearing goods through customs.
Step 8: Apply for your general trading license
The penultimate step is to submit your completed general trading license to the DED or relevant free zone authority. You must also provide supporting documents, such as:
- Passport copies of shareholders and managers
- Business plan
- Initial approval certificate
- Trade name reservation certificate
- Office space rental agreements (where applicable)
Once your application is approved and your general trading license is granted, you’ll be just one step away from legally operating your business in Dubai.
Step 9: Open your corporate bank account
Opening a corporate business account is essential for managing business transactions and maintaining financial compliance in Dubai. Once your general trading license is approved, you can open an account at a bank of your choice. With your corporate bank account in place, your general trading company is fully equipped to operate legally and efficiently in Dubai.
Benefits of starting a general trading business in Dubai
Launching a general trading business in Dubai offers numerous advantages. Here are some of the key benefits that make Dubai an ideal destination for global trade:
- Wide range of tradable products: With a general trading license, your company can trade various products with minimal restrictions. This flexibility allows your business to adapt to changing market trends and explore multiple industries without additional licensing requirements.
- Local and international trade: A general trading license enables you to import goods into Dubai, distribute them within the local market, and export or re-export them to international markets to position your business for global reach.
- Easy business setup: With streamlined business processes, supportive government regulations, and efficient services, setting up and operating a general trading business in Dubai is smooth and hassle-free.
Why work with Trade License Zone
Setting up a general trading business in Dubai can be complex, but Trade License Zone makes it simple and stress-free. With over 30 years of experience in the UAE market, we guide entrepreneurs through the legal, administrative, and financial requirements of launching their businesses.
Why entrepreneurs choose us:
- Proven expertise: Decades of experience ensure your business is set up correctly and compliant with local regulations.
- Tailored solutions: We offer customised packages to fit your needs and goals.
- End-to-end support: From securing your license to arranging office space and visas, we handle the details so you can focus on growth.
At Trade License Zone, we simplify business setup in Dubai so you can launch your general trading company smoothly, affordably, and confidently.