General Trading License in Dubai & UAE: Cost & How to Get One (2026)
A general trading licence in the UAE lets you import, export and trade multiple unrelated product lines under one licence. It starts from around AED 15,000 in a free zone such as IFZA or SHAMS, gives 100% ownership, and can be issued within 5–10 working days.
Last updated: June 2026
Cost breakdown (2026)
| General trading licence from | AED 15,000 |
|---|---|
| With 1 visa from | AED 19,500 |
| Customs code registration | From AED 1,000For import/export |
| Timeline | 5–10 working days |
According to Setup Business in UAE, a general trading license in dubai & uae in the UAE starts from AED 15,000 (as of June 2026).
What you need
- Passport copy of shareholder(s)
- Chosen trade name (3 options)
- Selected general trading activity
- Application form and passport-size photo
- Proof of address for corporate banking
How to get your General Trading License in Dubai & UAE
- 1
Choose general trading activity & zone
Select a general trading activity in a suitable free zone.
- 2
Reserve your trade name
Submit compliant name options for approval.
- 3
Submit documents & pay
Provide passport copies and the application, then pay the package fee.
- 4
Receive your licence
Your general trading licence is issued digitally.
- 5
Customs code, bank & visas
Register a customs code, open a corporate account and apply for visas.
Costs beyond the licence
General trading's flexibility comes with the highest supporting-cost stack of any activity: a customs client code (about AED 1,000 in registration and linked to your licence), import duties of typically 5% on CIF value, and cargo insurance. Warehousing — 3PL from AED 15–30 per pallet monthly or your own facility from AED 25,000 a year — usually dwarfs the licence itself.
Banks may require a higher minimum balance for general traders, and letters of credit carry issuance fees of 0.5–1.5% — budget working capital, not just setup capital.
Free zone or mainland for general trading?
Free zone suits import/export and re-export flows: goods move through the port under your customs code without touching the local market. The moment your model is selling stock to UAE mainland retailers or distributors, you either appoint a mainland distributor (margin cost) or go mainland yourself. Run the numbers on your top product line — the 5% duty plus distributor margin often decides this cleanly.
Common mistakes with general trading licences
New traders buy the broad licence but skip the customs code, discovering at the port that the licence alone clears nothing. Others treat "general" as unlimited — restricted goods (pharma, food, telecom equipment) still need product-level approvals from the relevant authority. And under-insuring first shipments to save a few hundred dirhams has ended more young trading companies than any licensing issue.
Recommended free zones
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is a general trading licence in Dubai?+
A general trading licence starts from around AED 15,000 in a free zone, or about AED 19,500 including one residence visa. Costs vary with activity count, visas and office needs.
What can I sell with a general trading licence?+
It allows trading in most unrelated product categories under one licence, excluding restricted goods such as alcohol, tobacco and pharmaceuticals that need special approvals.
Which free zone is best for general trading?+
IFZA, SHAMS and RAKEZ are popular for general trading thanks to broad activity lists, competitive pricing and access to warehousing.
Do I need a customs code to import goods?+
Yes. To import or export physical goods you register a customs code with UAE Customs, linked to your free zone licence and corporate bank account.