A general trading licence in Dubai is a commercial licence for companies that want to trade several permitted product categories under one setup, rather than one narrow product line.
General Trading Licence Quick Facts:
- Best for: multi-product importers, exporters, wholesalers and e-commerce sellers
- Scope: import, export, re-export, wholesale, retail and distribution, where permitted
- Limits: regulated goods may need external approvals, permits or no-objection certificates
- VAT: registration becomes mandatory when taxable supplies and imports exceed 375,000
- Customs: commercial importers need Dubai Customs registration before clearing goods
In this guide we explain what a general trading licence covers, how it differs from a standard trading licence, when to choose mainland or free zone setup, what it costs, how long it takes, and which compliance obligations apply.
What a General Trading Licence in Dubai Allows
A general trading licence sits within the wider commercial licence family. It gives founders room to trade multiple permitted goods categories under one company, instead of limiting the business to a single product line.
For example, a company importing electronics may later add homeware, accessories or sports equipment without setting up a separate company for each unrelated category.
That flexibility has limits. A licence does not override product-specific controls. Goods such as pharmaceuticals, alcohol, tobacco, weapons, certain food products, vehicles, precious metals and gemstones may need separate regulatory approval, a specific activity, a customs permit or sector authority sign-off before trade begins.
A founder should confirm the product list before applying. Choosing the wrong activity can delay licensing, customs registration, VAT planning and bank account opening.
General Trading Licence Versus Standard Trading Licence
A general trading licence covers several permitted product categories under one commercial setup. A standard trading licence is narrower because it is tied to specific listed products or activities.
Choose a general trading licence when the business model depends on range. This suits a multi-product importer, a wholesaler with varied stock, or an e-commerce seller that expects to test and add new categories.
Choose a specific trading licence when the business is focused. A company selling only homeware, spare parts, stationery or one defined product group may not need wider scope. A narrower activity can be simpler, cleaner for banking, and more cost-efficient.
The licence decision should be made before incorporation because the activity list affects approvals, customs, tax analysis, banking questions and visa planning.
Mainland or Free Zone General Trading Licence
Dubai founders can usually choose between a mainland general trading licence and a free zone general trading licence. The right route depends on where the goods are sold, how the company imports or re-exports stock, and whether the business needs direct access to UAE mainland customers.
A mainland licence may suit a trader whose main business is direct local distribution, retail, wholesale or business-to-business sales inside the UAE. It can be useful for companies supplying UAE retailers, opening a physical shop, or building a local distribution network.
A free zone licence is often the better fit for founders focused on import, export, re-export, international trading, regional distribution, e-commerce fulfilment or a more guided setup process. A DUQE free zone setup also gives founders support with licensing, documentation, visas and related company formation steps.
A free zone company should confirm its mainland sales route before incorporation. Depending on the business model, selling into the UAE mainland may require a distributor, a mainland structure, or another authority-approved arrangement.
For most founders comparing routes, the decision is simple: choose mainland when direct UAE mainland trading is the core business model. Choose DUQE when the priority is a flexible, premium free zone setup for trading, re-export, international sales or e-commerce.
How to Get a General Trading Licence in Dubai with DUQE
Getting a general trading licence with DUQE starts with confirming what the company will trade, how many visas it needs, and whether the business will import, export, re-export, sell online or distribute goods internationally.
DUQE keeps the process clear by handling the core free zone setup steps through one route, from activity selection to licence issuance.
Step 1: Confirm Your Trading Activity
Start by defining the product categories the company will trade. A general trading licence is designed for businesses that need flexibility across several permitted goods categories, rather than one narrow product line.
Regulated goods may still need external approvals, permits or no-objection certificates. These should be checked before the application is submitted.
Step 2: Choose Your DUQE Package
Select the DUQE package that fits your activity scope, visa requirement and facility needs. DUQE packages can include the trade licence, lease agreement, selected business activities and a stated visa quota.
Founders should choose the package around the real business plan, not only the lowest first-year price.
Step 3: Reserve the Trade Name
DUQE’s process begins with trade name reservation. It is best to prepare more than one name option in case the first choice is unavailable or rejected.
The trade name should match the company’s commercial activity and avoid restricted or misleading wording.
Step 4: Submit the Required Documents
For an individual shareholder, DUQE may request a passport copy, visa status documents or entry stamp, personal details and activity information.
For a corporate shareholder, DUQE may request company documents, shareholder records, board resolutions and attested documents where the shareholder is a foreign entity.
Step 5: Complete Initial Approval and Signing
Once the documents and activity are reviewed, the application moves through initial approval and registration document signing.
This is where the company structure, shareholder details, activity scope and licence package are finalised before issuance.
Step 6: Receive the Trade Licence
After approval and signing, DUQE issues the general trading licence. The company can then move into the next setup steps needed for operation.
Depending on the business model, these may include establishment card processing, residence visas, medical testing, Emirates ID, bank account support, VAT registration, and Dubai Customs registration for import activity. Many of these post-setup requirements can be handled through our value-added services, helping founders manage the operational steps that follow licence issuance.
Documents Needed for a General Trading Licence in Dubai
The required documents vary by licence route, shareholder structure, business activity and immigration status. Use the checklist below to prepare the core documents before submitting the application.
DUQE Free Zone Document Checklist
For an individual shareholder, DUQE may ask for:
- A clear passport copy
- Entry stamp, cancellation paper or UID number
- Personal details
- Activity and trade name preferences
- Contact details
For a corporate shareholder, DUQE may require:
- Company licence
- Certificate of incorporation
- Certificate of incumbency or certificate of good standing
- Memorandum and articles of association
- Share registry or share certificate
- Board resolution
- Notarised and attested foreign entity documents where applicable
Foreign corporate documents may need notarisation and attestation through the UAE Consulate or Embassy in the country of origin, followed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the UAE.
Mainland Document Checklist
A mainland application commonly requires:
- Passport and visa status documents for shareholders
- Trade name and activity details
- Shareholder and manager details
- Lease, tenancy or Ejari-related documents for the Dubai premises
- Memorandum of association or constitutional documents where required
- Corporate shareholder documents, resolutions and attestations where applicable
- Ultimate beneficial owner and know-your-customer information
- External approval documents for regulated goods or activities
For import activity, Dubai Customs business registration requires a trade licence copy, the authorised person’s passport copy and Emirates ID copy.
How Much a General Trading Licence in Dubai Costs
The total cost is built from several parts. Do not treat a headline licence price as the full setup cost.
A realistic first-year budget may include:
- Licence or package fee
- Registration or incorporation cost
- Office, lease or flexi-desk cost
- Establishment card and immigration costs where visas are needed
- Visa costs per sponsored person
- Medical and Emirates ID costs
- Customs registration for importers
- Product-specific approval costs where relevant
- Tax registration and accounting support
- Bank account preparation and compliance support
DUQE Free Zone Pricing
DUQE pricing packages start at 12,500 for a 0 visa quota package and rise to 23,000 for a 6 visa quota package. The DUQE packages include a trade licence, lease agreement, three business activities and the stated visa quota.
The right package depends on the selected activity, visa requirement and facility need. Founders should size the package around the business model, not only the lowest first-year price. You can also use our cost calculator for a specialised quote.
Mainland Pricing
A mainland general trading licence should be costed from the actual activity, legal form, premises, approvals, visa needs and customs requirements.
For a founder comparing mainland and free zone setup, the key cost driver is not only the licence fee. Office requirements, visa planning, customs registration, external approvals and annual renewals all affect the total cost.
Customs and Tax Registration Costs
These costs are driven by the company’s activity after setup, not by whether it is formed in the mainland or a free zone.
A company that imports, exports or clears goods through Dubai should budget for Dubai Customs registration and any relevant declaration fees. Dubai Customs business registration costs 100, with an additional 20 knowledge and innovation fee where applicable. The service completion time is one working day.
Customs declaration fees vary by declaration type and channel. Import, export, transit, transfer and temporary admission declarations are treated separately, so the final customs cost depends on how goods move through Dubai.
Corporate tax registration and VAT registration can still be required compliance steps for both mainland and free zone companies. Corporate tax should be reviewed separately as part of the company’s wider tax position. For VAT, the work may include checking whether registration is required, reviewing turnover and import activity, preparing the application, submitting the registration and keeping records aligned with Federal Tax Authority requirements.
Founders who want support with VAT registration after licence issuance can use DUQE’s value-added services to manage the VAT registration process, alongside related support such as accounting, bank account assistance and post-setup administration.
How Long It Takes to Get a General Trading Licence in Dubai
Licence timing should be separated from full operational readiness.
With DUQE, the core licence process moves through four stages: trade name reservation, initial approval, registration document signing and trade licence issuance. A fixed number of days can only be confirmed after reviewing the application details, because timing can change based on the trade name, document quality, shareholder type, activity scope and any external approvals.
Mainland timing is also activity-dependent. A straightforward commercial activity with complete documents can move faster than an application involving regulated goods, foreign corporate shareholders, document attestation or third-party approvals.
A company is not fully operational as soon as the licence is issued. The full setup may also require customs registration, residence visas, medical testing, Emirates ID, corporate tax registration, VAT registration, bank account opening and accounting processes.
Common causes of delay include:
- Trade name rejection
- Unclear product scope
- External approvals for regulated goods
- Missing or inconsistent shareholder documents
- Attestation of foreign corporate documents
- Visa medical and Emirates ID steps
- Bank know-your-customer checks
- Customs documentation gaps
Visas on a General Trading Licence
Visa capacity is not determined by the activity name alone. It depends on the selected package, facility type and applicable authority rules.
DUQE offers packages with 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 visa quota options. Each package should be checked against your planned headcount before incorporation, so the company is set up with the right visa capacity from the start.
A company that needs residence visas should plan the licence and immigration steps together. The trade licence must be active, the establishment and immigration setup must be in place, and the selected package must support the required visa quota.
After company setup, visa-related steps may include medical testing, Emirates ID processing and residence visa support. These can be managed through our value-added services as part of the post-licence setup process.
Customs and Import Requirements for General Traders
A Dubai trading company that imports goods needs to register with Dubai Customs before clearing commercial shipments. A licence holder must obtain a Customs Business Code before clearing goods for local sale.
The Dubai Customs declaration service covers the movement of goods in and out of Dubai under import, export, transit, transfer and temporary admission. Required documents can include an invoice, packing list, certificate of origin and permits from restriction entities where the goods require them.
The standard customs duty rate is 5 percent of CIF value, except for alcohol and cigarettes or tobacco products. The duty is 50 percent for alcohol and 100 percent for cigarettes, tobacco and manufactured tobacco substitutes.
Customs classification should be checked before goods are shipped. Incorrect classification, missing permits or mismatched invoices can delay clearance and create avoidable cost.
Corporate Tax, VAT and Compliance for Trading Companies
A general trading licence creates a company, but it does not remove the need for tax, customs, accounting, banking and record-keeping processes. These should be planned before the business starts importing, invoicing or applying for a bank account.
Corporate Tax
UAE companies, including free zone companies, may need to register for corporate tax with the Federal Tax Authority. Corporate tax applies to financial years starting on or after 1 June 2023, and returns are generally due within nine months from the end of the relevant tax period.
Free zone companies may qualify for 0 percent corporate tax on qualifying income, but this depends on the company’s activity, income type, customer base and compliance position. A trading business should confirm its tax treatment before relying on any free zone benefit.
VAT
VAT registration becomes mandatory when taxable supplies and imports exceed 375,000 over the relevant period. Voluntary registration is available from 187,500.
Trading companies should set up VAT processes early because imports, invoices, stock movement and customer sales can all affect VAT reporting.
Customs, Records and Banking
A company that imports goods through Dubai needs the right customs registration, product classification, invoices, packing lists and import records. These documents are also useful for VAT, accounting and bank due diligence.
Banks may ask for details on:
- Product categories
- Supplier and customer locations
- Expected turnover
- Source of funds
- Import and export routes
- Invoices, purchase orders or contracts
- Ultimate beneficial owner details
A broad general trading activity can attract more banking questions because the bank needs to understand exactly what the company will trade and where the goods will move.
AML and ESR
AML obligations depend on the activity. A general trader dealing in higher-risk categories, such as precious metals or gemstones, should check whether additional AML duties apply.
Economic substance reporting is historical for this purpose. The UAE Ministry of Finance cancelled ESR reporting requirements for financial years ending after 31 December 2022, so ESR should not be treated as a current filing obligation for new trading companies.
Founders who want support after licence issuance can use DUQE’s value-added services for VAT registration, corporate tax registration, accounting, bank account assistance and related post-setup requirements.
When a Specific Trading Licence Is the Better Choice
A general trading licence is useful when the business needs broad product scope. It is not always the most efficient choice for a focused trading model.
A specific trading licence may be better when the company will trade within one defined product family, such as stationery, spare parts, garments, cosmetics, homeware or electronics accessories. It can suit a founder with a clear product line, a fixed supplier base, or an e-commerce store that does not plan to expand into unrelated categories.
A narrower licence can help avoid unnecessary scope. It may also make the business easier to explain during bank account opening, customs checks, VAT registration and supplier onboarding, because the company’s activity is more clearly defined.
A general trading licence becomes the stronger option when the company expects to trade unrelated product lines, test multiple categories, act as a multi-product importer, or build a broader wholesale, distribution or e-commerce inventory.
Choose the licence scope before selecting the DUQE package. The wrong activity can lead to licence amendments, approval delays, customs questions and avoidable renewal costs.
Setting Up a General Trading Licence with DUQE
DUQE is the preferred free zone route for founders who want a clear, guided and premium setup experience for a general trading business in Dubai.
The process covers the key stages of company formation, including trade name reservation, initial approval, registration document signing and trade licence issuance. After the licence is issued, founders can also access support with practical post-setup requirements, including residence visas, bank account assistance, VAT registration, accounting, medical testing and Emirates ID processing through our value-added services.
Before applying, confirm three points:
- Which product categories the company will trade
- How many visas are needed in the first year
- Whether the company needs import, export, re-export, mainland sales, e-commerce fulfilment or a mix of these
Start with DUQE business licence support to confirm the right activity scope, then review our pricing packages against your visa and facility needs.
General Trading Licence Dubai FAQ
How Much Does a General Trading Licence in Dubai Cost?
There is no single universal cost. The total depends on the licence route, activity scope, office or facility, visa count, customs registration and any external approvals.
DUQE packages start at 12,500 for a 0 visa quota package and rise to 23,000 for a 6 visa quota package, with each listed package including a trade licence, lease agreement and three business activities.
What Is the Difference Between General Trading and Trading?
General trading is broader. It suits companies that want to trade several permitted product categories under one setup. A standard trading licence is narrower and is usually tied to specific listed products or activities.
Can a Free Zone Company Sell on the Dubai Mainland?
A free zone company should confirm the approved mainland route before selling directly into the UAE mainland. For some businesses, a mainland company, distributor or authority-approved arrangement may be needed.
Do I Need Dubai Customs Registration?
Yes, if the company will import or clear commercial goods through Dubai. A licence holder needs a Customs Business Code before clearing goods for local sale.
Does a General Trading Licence Cover Any Product?
No. It covers a broad range of permitted goods, but regulated products can need separate approvals, permits or specific activity treatment.
Do I Need VAT Registration with a General Trading Licence?
VAT registration is mandatory when taxable supplies and imports exceed 375,000 over the previous 12 months, or are expected to exceed that amount in the next 30 days. Voluntary registration is available from 187,500.
Do I Need Corporate Tax Registration?
Yes, where the company is a taxable person. All taxable persons, including free zone persons, must register for corporate tax.
How Long Does It Take to Get a General Trading Licence in Dubai?
Timing depends on the route, activity, document quality, shareholder type and whether external approvals are needed. With DUQE, the core licence process moves through trade name reservation, initial approval, registration document signing and trade licence issuance. A fixed number of days should only be confirmed after checking the current application details.
Is a General Trading Licence Good for E-Commerce?
Yes, it can work for an e-commerce seller with varied product categories, provided the selected activities, customs setup, payment processing, tax registration and product approvals match the actual goods being sold.
Should I Choose General Trading or a Specific Trading Licence?
Choose general trading if the business will trade unrelated product categories or expects to expand its range. Choose a specific trading licence if the business will stay within one defined product group and does not need broad trading flexibility.