Smart Zones® - Your UAE Entry Partner
Business • Residency • Banking • Wealth • Investment
Smart Zones® - Your UAE Entry Partner
Business • Residency • Banking • Wealth • Investment
SHAMS Free Zone E-Commerce Setup
SHAMS offers some of the most cost-effective e-commerce licensing in the UAE, with no-visa and visa-inclusive packages. Here's what setup, warehousing and mainland selling actually involve.
Free, no-obligation consultation on package, warehouse needs and cost.
Starting an e-commerce business in SHAMS (Sharjah Media City) free zone means choosing between a no-visa package, commonly from around AED 5,750 to AED 6,885, or a visa-inclusive package, from about AED 8,535 to AED 9,425. Beyond the licence itself, holding inventory brings warehouse requirements and customs duty into play, and selling to mainland customers has its own product-category rules worth confirming before you commit to stock.
Why It Matters
SHAMS is built for e-commerce, but selling into the mainland, importing stock, and warehousing all carry their own rules on top of the licence itself. Confirm customs duty treatment and whether you can sell directly to mainland customers before you commit to inventory, these operational details shape your real cost more than the licence tier you pick.
The Case For SHAMS
No-visa packages start from among the lowest price points available for a full commercial licence in the UAE.
SHAMS licensing is structured around media and digital commerce activities, a natural fit for online sellers.
No local UAE sponsor or partner required for e-commerce activities.
Keep more of what your business earns, with no personal income tax in the UAE.
100% repatriation of capital and profits, with no currency restrictions.
Operational Realities
Confirm storage arrangements if you're holding inventory.
Applies to imported stock, factor this into your product pricing.
Certain product categories need compliance checks before sale.
Confirm your product category's rules for selling to mainland customers.
Getting Started
Select the e-commerce or trading activity that matches your products.
No-visa or visa-inclusive, based on your residency needs.
Submit your preferred company name for approval.
Passport copies and application form.
Settle registration and first-year package costs.
Issued once approval and payment are complete.
Set up storage if you'll be holding inventory.
Connect banking to your store and payment gateway.
Budgeting
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| No-visa package (from) | AED 5,750-6,885* |
| Visa-inclusive package (from) | AED 8,535-9,425* |
| Freelancer package range | AED 5,750-15,000* |
| Corporate tax | 0% on qualifying income; standard rate above AED 375,000 threshold* |
| Customs duty | Applies to imported stock, confirmed per product category |
| Nationality requirement | Open to any nationality |
*Indicative only, based on published starting rates at the time of writing. Confirm current fees with SHAMS before budgeting a total.
Our Story
Smart Zones® UAE has helped more than 45,000 clients worldwide set up, relocate and protect their interests across the UAE, backed by 13+ years of experience in company formation, residency, banking and family trust formation.
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Professional, transparent, and fast. Exactly what I needed for my family's estate planning.
Clear guidance throughout and no hidden costs. Would use them again.
Responsive team and a genuinely smooth setup process from our first call to licence in hand.
Handled everything remotely for us with zero surprises on cost. Would use them again without hesitation.
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Smart Zones® - Your UAE Entry Partner
Business • Residency • Banking • Wealth • Investment