Starting a tea trading business in Dubai isn’t complicated, but it does call for a clear plan and a few well-timed moves. You’ll need to register the company, get the green light from the authorities, secure premises, and apply for your trading license. Once those pieces are in place, you’re ready to enter one of the most dynamic beverage markets in the world.
Tea has always had a home in Dubai. Decades ago, ships carrying teas from India, Sri Lanka, and Africa would pass through the port on their way to Europe and beyond. That tradition is still alive today at the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) Tea Centre – one of the busiest tea re-export hubs on the planet. Every year, it handles tens of millions of kilos of tea, moving through Dubai to destinations across the Middle East, Africa, and Asia.
The numbers tell their own story. Analysts expect the UAE’s tea market to grow by roughly 15% from 2025 to 2030. That growth isn’t just about everyday black tea – though that still sells in volume. The real surge is happening in herbal teas, organic blends, and premium “wellness” products. In short: there’s room for new players, and Dubai is the place to be if you want to reach both regional and global buyers.
This guide takes you through the entire process step by step. We’ll look at how to put together your business plan, choose the right structure, apply for approvals and licensing, and then scale up with branding and marketing. Finally, you’ll see why working with Trade License Zone makes the entire process faster, smoother, and far less stressful.
How to start a tea trading business in Dubai
Launching a tea trading company here comes down to five main stages: plan your business and choose your structure, register and get approvals, lease premises and meet regulatory standards, apply for your license, and then take care of the essentials that come after licensing.
Step 1: Creating your business plan and choosing the right setup
Every successful tea trader starts with a plan. Not a vague outline – a proper document that answers a few hard questions. Where will you source your tea? What varieties will you focus on? How will you position your pricing against local and international competitors? And, crucially, who exactly are you selling to?
In Dubai, those audiences are more diverse than almost anywhere else. South Asian families often prefer strong black teas and masala blends. Chinese expatriates may look for green teas or lighter infusions. Younger health-focused buyers lean towards detox teas, caffeine-free options, and organic blends. Understanding these nuances will shape everything from your supply chain to your marketing.
Once your market is clear, the next decision is structural: mainland or free zone.
• Mainland license: Ideal if you want to sell directly to UAE consumers through cafés, supermarkets, or retailers like Carrefour and Spinneys.
• Free zone license: Offers 100% foreign ownership, tax incentives, and efficient customs procedures. This is a strong option if your focus is re-export – selling into Saudi Arabia, the wider GCC, or Africa.
Neither route is automatically “better.” It depends on your ambitions. A free zone like DMCC gives you excellent infrastructure for bulk storage and re-exports. A mainland license is more practical if your vision is a tea brand visible on shelves across Dubai.
This is exactly where Trade License Zone adds value: weighing up the pros and cons with you, looking at costs, and pointing you to the setup that fits your goals.
Step 2: Registering your company and getting approvals
Once you’ve chosen your setup, the paperwork begins. The first step is reserving your trade name – a name that fits within the UAE’s naming rules. Mainland businesses go through the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), while free zone businesses deal with their respective authorities.
After the trade name comes the company registration. If you’re setting up with partners, you may need a Memorandum of Association (MOA). That document outlines the roles and responsibilities of shareholders. It usually needs to be notarized. Depending on your situation, a No-Objection Certificate (NOC) may also be required – for example, from an existing sponsor, a landlord, or even your current employer if you’re starting the business while employed.
The approvals stage can feel slow if you’re handling it yourself. With an experienced consultant, it’s usually straightforward. Trade License Zone helps you navigate this maze so you don’t miss a step.
Step 3: Finding a location and meeting regulatory standards
No company in Dubai can be licensed without an address. For tea traders, that might be a simple office space, a warehouse for bulk goods, or a retail unit if you plan to sell direct to consumers. The size and location depend on your model. Every lease agreement has to be approved, either by Dubai Municipality (mainland) or by the free zone authority.
If you intend to import or export tea, you’ll also need to register with Dubai Customs and secure an import/export code. This gives you the legal right to move goods across borders.
Because you’re handling food, there are extra rules to follow. Dubai Municipality’s Food Safety Department must sign off on your products before they can enter the market. Labels must meet local requirements – ingredients listed in both Arabic and English, clear expiry dates, country of origin, and nutritional details when relevant. For herbal blends or flavoured teas, you may also need additional clearance, as these fall under more detailed health regulations.
Storage is another consideration. While most teas are shelf-stable, some herbal blends or delicate infusions may require temperature-controlled storage. Many traders choose warehouse facilities within free zones that already meet these requirements, reducing setup time.
Step 4: Applying for your tea trading license in Dubai
Once approvals and premises are sorted, you’re ready to apply for the tea trading license itself. For mainland companies, that’s through the DET. For free zone businesses, the application is submitted to the zone authority.
The application file typically includes:
• Trade name reservation
• MOA (if applicable)
• Initial approvals
• Lease agreement
• Passport copies of shareholders
Once the paperwork is accepted and government fees paid, your license is issued. From that moment, your business is officially live.
There’s one more step unique to food businesses: registering with the Food Import and Re-Export System (FIRS). This platform records every food product that comes into Dubai and ensures compliance with safety standards. Without FIRS registration, you won’t be able to import tea legally.
Licensing costs vary. A small free zone setup with minimal overhead may cost less than AED 20,000, while a full mainland setup with warehouse space can be significantly higher. Timelines also differ – some free zones can issue licenses within a week, while mainland setups may take longer.
Step 5: Post-licensing essentials for tea traders
With the license in hand, you’re ready to get moving. The first must-do is opening a corporate bank account. Banks usually require your trade license, lease documents, shareholder details, and, in many cases, a utility bill as proof of address. The process can take a couple of weeks, depending on the bank’s compliance checks.
Then comes branding. In the tea business, packaging and identity are everything. A strong design, a name that resonates, and storytelling around sourcing can lift your brand above generic commodity products. Sustainability is also becoming a selling point: recyclable packaging and ethically sourced tea are increasingly popular.
Marketing is equally important. The UAE market is competitive, so you’ll want a mix of digital strategies (social media, targeted ads, e-commerce listings) and real-world visibility (café partnerships, in-store promotions, and trade events).
How to promote your tea trading business in Dubai
The best growth strategies for tea trading companies in Dubai include creating a solid online footprint, collaborating with restaurants and cafés, participating in expos and trade fairs, diversifying your product range, and leveraging e-commerce platforms.
1. Build a strong online presence
For many buyers, the first stop is a Google search or Instagram feed. A polished website with clear product photos and a simple ordering process goes a long way. Social media lets you tell your story – whether it’s behind-the-scenes content from your sourcing trips or customer reviews from Dubai cafés.
2. Partner with restaurants and cafés
Dubai’s hospitality industry is enormous. From boutique cafés to five-star hotels, there’s always demand for quality tea suppliers. Securing these partnerships gives you regular orders and valuable visibility. A tea brand that appears in hotel lounges or trendy cafés gains credibility almost instantly.
3. Take part in trade fairs and expos
Events like Gulfood and the World Tea Expo are key opportunities. They put you in front of international buyers, potential distributors, and suppliers. Even a modest booth at these events signals that you’re serious about the trade. The connections made here can open doors well beyond Dubai.
4. Offer diverse product ranges
One of the fastest ways to stand out is variety. Stock popular black teas, but also consider green teas, herbal blends, and premium single-origin options. Health-focused consumers are willing to pay more for organic or specialty teas. Offering bundles or gift sets can also boost sales during festive periods like Ramadan or Diwali.
5. Leverage e-commerce platforms
The UAE has some of the highest online shopping penetration rates in the world. Listing your products on Noon, Amazon.ae, or even niche wellness sites puts you in front of a massive customer base. Many successful traders use a hybrid model: wholesale to cafés and hotels, plus direct-to-consumer sales online.
Why work with Trade License Zone
On paper, the process of setting up a tea trading business looks simple. In reality, there are dozens of small steps that can slow you down if you miss them. That’s why many entrepreneurs choose to work with Trade License Zone.
Our team takes care of everything: from helping you select the right setup, to registering your company, to handling food safety approvals and customs codes. We also support you after the license is issued – with renewals, compliance, and advice on scaling your business.
We’ve worked with entrepreneurs across the food and beverage sector, and we understand both the opportunities and the pitfalls. With Trade License Zone on your side, you don’t just get a license; you get a clear, compliant, and sustainable path into Dubai’s tea market.
If you’re ready to begin, reach out to Trade License Zone today. Let’s get your tea trading business off the ground – and into the cups of customers across Dubai and beyond.
