April 6, 2026

Quick Answer A general trading license in Dubai allows a business to import, export, distribute, and trade multiple categories of goods under a single commercial permit issued by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) for mainland companies or by a relevant free zone authority. The total cost of a general trading license in Dubai in 2026 ranges from AED 15,000 to AED 50,000 depending on whether you set up on the mainland or in a free zone, the number of visas required, and your office arrangement. The license can be issued within 5 to 15 working days with complete documentation. What is a General Trading License in Dubai A general trading license in Dubai is a commercial license that covers a broad range of trading activities under one registration. Unlike a specific trading license which restricts you to a single product category, a general trading license gives you the flexibility to trade across multiple unrelated goods, electronics, textiles, furniture, foodstuffs, building materials, machinery, consumer goods, and more, all under the same company and the same license. The license is issued under the commercial license category by the DET on the mainland or by the relevant free zone authority. It covers wholesale trading, retail trading, import and export activity, and distribution. The business owner can trade any goods that are not subject to a government ban or special regulatory restriction Goods that require separate permits or additional approvals on top of a general trading license include pharmaceuticals, medical devices, food and perishables (Dubai Municipality approval), chemicals, precious metals, and tobacco products. These categories are not prohibited under a general trading license, they simply require sector-specific regulatory clearance in addition to the commercial license. Mainland vs Free Zone: Which Is Right for Your General Trading Business The first decision when setting up a general trading company in Dubai is jurisdiction. It determines your cost, your market access, your office requirements, and your ownership structure. The two options are mainland under DET and free zone under a free zone authority. Factor Mainland (DET) Free Zone Licensing authority Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism Relevant free zone authority (DMCC, IFZA, Meydan, etc.) Foreign ownership 100% permitted since 2021 amendment 100% always permitted UAE market access Unrestricted — trade directly with any UAE customer Primarily international; UAE mainland sales may need a distributor Physical office requirement Ejari registered office required Flexi desk or shared space accepted by most free zones Customs duty treatment 5% customs duty on imports Most free zones offer duty-free import and re-export Warehouse facilities Available across Dubai industrial areas Available within free zone or near port areas License cost range (AED) 25,000 to 50,000 including office and government fees 15,000 to 35,000 depending on free zone and package Best suited for Businesses selling to UAE consumers, retailers, and government Businesses focused on import, re-export, and international trade The mainland advantage for general trading: a mainland general trading license allows you to sell directly to any buyer in the UAE without restriction. Supermarkets, retailers, distributors, government entities, and individual consumers are all accessible markets. Free zone companies that want to sell to UAE mainland customers must either transact through a registered mainland distributor or apply for a dual license arrangement, which adds cost and complexity. The free zone advantage for general trading: if your business model is built around importing goods and re-exporting them to international markets, a free zone general trading license gives you customs duty advantages, streamlined logistics through free zone port access, and significantly lower office costs. JAFZA (Jebel Ali Free Zone Authority) and DAFZA (Dubai Airport Free Zone Authority) are particularly strong for businesses with high import-export volumes because of their direct port and airport connectivity. General Trading License Cost in Dubai 2026: Full Breakdown The general trading license cost in Dubai has multiple components. The license fee itself is only one part. The total cost includes government fees, office space, visa costs, and professional service fees. Here is what each component costs in 2026. Mainland general trading license cost breakdown Cost Component Amount (AED) Notes DET initial approval fee 300 to 500 One time for new applications Trade name registration 620 to 900 Per approved trade name Commercial license fee 10,000 to 15,000 Annual fee set by DET based on activity DED activity fees 5,000 to 8,000 Per business activity registered Memorandum of Association notarisation 1,500 to 3,000 Required for LLC structures Ejari office registration 220 Mandatory for mainland companies Office rent (annual) 20,000 to 80,000 Varies significantly by location and size Investor visa 3,500 to 5,000 Per visa including medical and Emirates ID Dubai Chamber of Commerce membership 1,200 Annual mandatory membership for trading companies Professional service fee 2,000 to 5,000 Business setup consultant fee if used Total estimated first year cost AED 30,000 to AED 65,000 Varies by office size and number of visas Free zone general trading license cost breakdown Free Zone License Cost (AED) Visa Allocation Office Type Total Est. Cost (AED) IFZA Dubai 12,500 to 15,000 1 to 6 visas Flexi desk 15,000 to 28,000 Meydan Free Zone 12,500 to 18,000 1 to 5 visas Flexi desk or office 14,000 to 30,000 DMCC Dubai 18,000 to 25,000 1 to 10 visas Flexi desk or office 22,000 to 45,000 DAFZA 20,000 to 30,000 1 to 10 visas Physical office required 30,000 to 55,000 JAFZA 22,000 to 35,000 1 to 10 visas Physical office or warehouse 35,000 to 70,000 Important: free zone license fees above are base license costs. Adding investor visas increases the total cost by AED 3,500 to AED 5,000 per person. Warehouse space, when required for physical goods storage within the free zone, adds AED 15,000 to AED 60,000 annually depending on size. Always request a complete package quote from the free zone authority or a licensed setup firm before committing. General Trading License Requirements in Dubai 2026 The document and eligibility requirements for a general trading license in Dubai differ slightly between mainland and free zone applications,