Dubai will sit between major Asian and European. Also African trade routes. This gives importers and exporters a practical base. For reaching global markets. Its ports and airports. Customs systems. Also banking networks in 2026 continue to support fast-moving commercial operations. Moreover, qualifying free zone businesses may access 0% corporate tax on qualifying income, subject to UAE tax rules. For entrepreneurs planning a general trading company in Dubai. The real advantage lies in combining international connectivity with a business environment. Built around trade.
Why Set Up a General Trading Company in Dubai?
A general trading license. This will let you handle multiple product categories. Under one company. Although regulated goods will need separate approvals. Therefore, you can expand your catalogue without applying for a new entity every time your business changes direction.
Dubai also connects traders with commercial partners across more than 190 countries. Mainland businesses will benefit from 100% foreign ownership. For most permitted activities. Following the UAE’s ownership reforms. World-class seaports. Cargo airports. Free zones and bonded warehouses. This makes distribution easier. Dubai places you close to Saudi Arabia and Bahrain. Oman. Qatar and the wider GCC consumer market. Making it a strong base for regional business setup Dubai plans. Get details on Business Setup in Dubai.
Mainland vs Free Zone: Which One Should You Choose?
Your jurisdiction affects where you can trade, how much office space you need and how you manage visas. Therefore, make this decision around your actual customer base rather than the cheapest advertised package.
Mainland General Trading license
A mainland company Dubai structure works well when you plan to sell directly to retailers, companies or consumers anywhere in the UAE. The Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism. This is commonly associated with the DED license. Handles mainland licensing. Moreover, mainland companies can bid for many local contracts and open branches across the Emirates, subject to relevant approvals.
Free Zone General Trading license
A free zone trading license usually suits international trade, re-export businesses, e-commerce sellers and companies that want a lower-cost workspace. However, direct mainland sales may require a distributor, customs arrangement or suitable mainland trading channel. Rules and packages vary considerably between free zones. Looking for a Dubai Company Registration?
|
Feature |
Mainland |
Free Zone |
|
100% Foreign Ownership |
Yes (post-2021) |
Yes |
|
Trade Within UAE Market |
Yes |
Restricted (needs distributor) |
|
Office Requirement |
Physical office (Ejari) |
Flexi-desk allowed |
|
Visa Eligibility |
Based on office size |
Based on package |
|
Approx. Setup Cost (AED) |
15,000–30,000 |
12,000–25,000 |
|
Corporate Tax Applicability |
9% above AED 375,000 |
0% on qualifying income for a qualifying free zone person |
Step-by-Step Process to Register a General Trading Company in Dubai
1. Choose Your Business Activity and Jurisdiction
First, define what you intend to import, export, distribute or re-export. A general trading activity covers many goods, but it does not automatically cover pharmaceuticals, food products, precious metals, tobacco, medical equipment or other controlled categories. Consequently, you may need approvals from customs or the relevant sector regulator.
Next, choose between mainland and free zone registration. A mainland structure will give you wider access to the domestic market. Whereas a free zone will suit a business. Focused mainly on international shipments.
2. Reserve Your Trade Name
The next stage will involve trade name registration. Through the Invest in Dubai platform. Or your selected free zone portal. Choose a name that follows UAE naming rules. Also it does not copy an existing company. Or protected trademark.
Names containing geographic references. Foreign words or certain personal names will attract extra charges. Keep two or three alternatives ready. Because the authority will reject your first option.
3. Apply for Initial Approval
The initial approval confirms that the licensing authority has no preliminary objection to your proposed company. You will normally submit shareholder passport copies, visa details, your selected activity and the approved trade name.
However, this approval does not allow you to start trading. It simply lets you continue with the remaining incorporation steps.
4. Draft and Notarise the Memorandum of Association
For an LLC. Shareholders should prepare a Memorandum of Association. That records ownership percentages. Management powers. Capital arrangements and profit-sharing terms. Review the document carefully. Instead of treating it as routine paperwork.
Mainland shareholders will notarise the MOA. Through an authorised notary. Or approved digital service. Meanwhile, free zones usually provide their own incorporation documents and standard company regulations.
5. Lease Office Space and Obtain Ejari
A mainland business normally needs a physical commercial address supported by Ejari, Dubai’s tenancy registration system. The office must suit the licensed activity and expected employee quota.
In contrast, many free zones offer flexi-desks, shared offices or serviced offices. That said, your workspace package often determines your visa allocation, so a very cheap package may not support your future staffing plan.
6. Submit Documents and Pay license Fees
Submit the approved name. Initial approval. MOA. Tenancy documents. Shareholder identification. Also any external approvals. You must also pay registration and license charges.
At this point, review the payment voucher carefully. Additional fees can apply for market charges, foreign trade names, immigration cards, customs codes or selected business activities.
7. Receive Your DED or Free Zone Trading license
Once the authority approves the final application. Also receives payment. It grants your Dubai trade license 2026. Also completes the relevant UAE commercial registration. You can begin the post-licensing tasks needed. For full operations.
A commercial license alone will not authorise the import of every product. You will still need customs registration. Municipality approval. Or product-specific clearance.
8. Open a UAE Corporate Bank Account
Approach suitable UAE banks with your license. Incorporation documents. Business plan. Office agreement and shareholder information. Banks also ask about suppliers, customers, expected turnover and countries involved in your transactions.
Therefore, prepare a clear commercial profile. A genuine website, supplier quotations, contracts and proof of business experience can strengthen the application.
9. Apply for Investor and Employee Visas
Finally, create the immigration file, secure an establishment card and apply for investor or employee residence visas. Visa processing normally includes an entry permit or status change, medical test, Emirates ID application and residence formalities.
If your goal is to register a trading company UAE with several employees, check the visa quota before selecting the office or free zone package. Get details on AML Compliance in Dubai.
Key Costs Involved in Setting Up a General Trading Company
The cost of business setup Dubai depends on jurisdiction, office size, visa requirements, activity approvals and the chosen authority. Moreover, general trading fees can differ from standard commercial activity fees. Treat the figures below as planning estimates rather than fixed government quotations.
|
Expense Item |
Estimated Cost (AED) |
|
Trade license Fee |
10,000–15,000 |
|
Trade Name Registration |
620–2,000 |
|
Initial Approval Fee |
100–300 |
|
Notarisation of MOA |
1,500–3,000 |
|
Office Lease (Annual) |
15,000–60,000 |
|
Visa Fees (per person) |
3,000–5,000 |
|
Bank Account Opening |
0–2,000 |
|
TOTAL (Approx.) |
AED 30,000–87,000 |
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Documents Required for Company Registration
To avoid repeated submissions. Prepare clear and valid documents. Before starting the application. The authorities request:
- UAE visa. Or entry-stamp copies
- No Objection Certificate. When applicable
- Business plan. Or activity summary
- Passport copies of all shareholders. Also managers
- External approvals for regulated goods. Where required
- Signed MOA. Or incorporation documents
- Tenancy contract and Ejari. For mainland premises
- Recent passport-size photographs
Corporate shareholders should provide legalised parent-company documents. Board resolutions and ownership records.
Related Articles:
» What Is a Liquidation Report in Dubai and Why Is It Required?
» Common Corporate Tax Filing Mistakes Dubai Businesses Should Avoid
» Can Company Owners Take Salaries from Their Company?
» DMCC vs IFZA vs Meydan Free Zone: Detailed Comparison
» Mainland vs Free Zone vs Offshore: Which is Right for Your Business in the UAE?
Timeline: How Long Does It Take?
A straightforward application will move quickly. Although office selection. External approvals and bank compliance will extend the schedule. So plan for roughly three to six weeks. From name reservation to an operational bank account.
|
Stage |
Timeframe |
|
Trade name approval |
1–3 business days |
|
Initial approval |
1–2 business days |
|
MOA notarisation |
1 day |
|
Office lease and Ejari |
3–7 days |
|
license issuance |
2–5 business days |
|
Bank account setup |
7–21 business days |
|
TOTAL |
Approximately 3–6 weeks |
FAQs: Setup & Register a General trading company in Dubai
A general trading licence allows a Dubai company to import, export, distribute and re-export a broad range of unrelated goods under one commercial licence. But it does not remove regulatory controls. Products like medicines. Food. Tobacco. Chemicals. Medical devices and precious metals. This will require additional registrations. Customs clearances. Or approvals from specialised authorities.
A typical setup will cost between AED 30000 and AED 87000. When you include licensing. Registration. Office rent and basic visa expenses. But some free zone packages start lower. While premium jurisdictions or larger mainland offices will cost considerably more. Your final quotation will depend on the authority. Workspace. Number of visas and regulated activities.
Yes. Foreign investors can own 100% of most mainland and free zone trading companies in Dubai. The UAE removed the general requirement for a majority Emirati shareholder for many commercial activities. But strategically restricted or specially regulated activities. This will follow separate ownership rules. So you must confirm the exact activity. Before completing incorporation.
A mainland licence will allow direct trade. Throughout the UAE. Also support wider access to local customers and contracts. A free zone licence mainly suits international trade, re-export and operations inside the chosen zone. To sell directly into the mainland, a free zone company may need a distributor, importer of record or another approved arrangement.
Individual shareholders will provide passport copies. Visa or entry-stamp copies. Photographs. A trade name application and incorporation documents. Mainland companies will also need an MOA. Tenancy contract and Ejari certificate. Banks and licensing authorities will request a business plan. NOC. Source-of-funds evidence. Or regulatory approvals for controlled products.
The commercial licence itself may take a few business days once you submit complete documents and secure the required office. However, the full process commonly takes three to six weeks when it includes trade name approval, MOA preparation, tenancy registration, immigration setup, visas and corporate banking. Regulated activities will take longer. Because they need external approval.
A mainland general trading company normally needs suitable commercial premises and an Ejari-registered tenancy contract. Many free zones, however, allow flexi-desks or shared workspaces as part of their entry-level packages. Your workspace can affect visa eligibility, inspection requirements and banking credibility, so choose an option that supports the company’s practical operations.
UAE corporate tax can apply at 0%. On taxable income up to AED 375,000. Also 9% on taxable income above that threshold. A qualifying free zone person will receive a 0% rate on qualifying income. Provided it meets all legal conditions. Non-qualifying income. Also failures to satisfy the free zone rules will trigger standard taxation.
Yes. A Dubai general trading company imports from overseas suppliers. Export to foreign customers. Also re-export goods through UAE ports. You will normally need a customs code. Also appropriate shipping documentation. The destination country will impose product registration. Labelling. Certification. Or import-permit requirements that remain separate from your Dubai licence.
The best free zone will depend on your products. Logistics route. Warehouse needs. Budget and visa requirements. DMCC will suit established commodity. Also international trading firms. While Dubai South will support aviation. Also logistics-focused operations. Other zones will offer lower-cost packages. Compare licence scope. Customs access. Renewal charges. Office rules and banking suitability.
There will be no single minimum capital figure. That applies to every Dubai trading company.
After receiving the licence. Prepare the MOA. Incorporation certificate. Shareholder documents. Office contract. Also a clear business plan. Banks will review your suppliers. Customers. Expected turnover. Source of funds and target markets. Consequently, contracts, invoices, a professional website and evidence of industry experience can improve the application and reduce compliance-related delays.
