Smart Zones® - Your UAE Entry Partner
Business • Residency • Banking • Wealth • Investment
Smart Zones® - Your UAE Entry Partner
Business • Residency • Banking • Wealth • Investment
General Trading License, Dubai, UAE
Jurisdiction, activity scope and restricted-goods guidance, handled end to end for your multi-product trading business.
Free, no-obligation consultation on licence type and structure.
A general trading license in Dubai lets you trade across a wide range of product categories under one license, rather than applying separately for each product line. Free zone entry pricing starts from roughly AED 6,875, while a fuller mainland general trading license can run up to around AED 50,000 depending on structure, visas and activity scope. Certain categories such as weapons, narcotics, hazardous chemicals and some pharmaceuticals are commonly restricted or need additional approvals, and license renewal is required annually alongside updated activity and facility details.
Why It Matters
A general trading license lets you trade across multiple product categories under a single license, avoiding the cost and delay of applying for a new license every time you add a product line. Getting your jurisdiction, activity list and restricted-goods position right from the start means you can scale your product range without licence gaps later.
Mainland vs Free Zone
Unrestricted UAE-wide trading including direct government and retail contracts, typically higher setup cost, up to around AED 50,000 for a fuller structure.
Lower entry cost from roughly AED 6,875, 100% foreign ownership, well suited to import/export and re-export trading through free zone logistics.
What You Can (and Cannot) Trade
General consumer goods, electronics, textiles, foodstuffs, building materials and a wide range of other product categories.
Weapons and military equipment, narcotics and controlled substances, hazardous chemicals, and certain pharmaceuticals and medical devices, generally requiring additional specific approvals.
This is a general-level summary only. Confirm the specific restricted and controlled goods list against your intended product categories before applying.
Getting Started
List the product categories you intend to trade.
Decide your jurisdiction based on target customers and supply chain.
Submit your preferred company name for approval.
File your application with supporting documents.
Confirm your facility package for licence issuance.
Begin operating once your licence is issued.
After Setup
Confirm your office or facility arrangement is still valid and update any changed shareholder or activity details each year.
Settle annual renewal and visa fees before your licence expiry date to avoid late penalties.
Budgeting
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Free zone entry price | From AED 6,875* |
| Fuller mainland general trading licence | Up to around AED 50,000* |
| Cost factors | Jurisdiction, visas, office/warehouse space, activity list breadth |
| Structures available | Mainland LLC or free zone company |
| Renewal | Annual, subject to facility and activity confirmation |
*This wide range is sheet-sourced, blending SPC Free Zone's entry price and Meydan Free Zone pricing with Virtuzone's detailed mainland fee table. Confirm current pricing directly with our team 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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The trust formation process was seamless from start to finish. Highly recommend Smart Zones UAE.
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