A general trading licence in Dubai is one of the most flexible ways to run a multi‑product import, export and distribution business on the mainland, and it is therefore of particular interest to both foreign and local investors. Anyone wishing to operate in wholesale, retail or mixed trading across different categories of goods in Dubai will almost certainly encounter this licence type.
As a practical compliance step, investors should also verify that any broker, agent, or intermediary involved in commercial setup or marketing holds the correct real estate activity license for the service they are providing, rather than operating outside the licensed scope.
This article explains, in practical terms, what a general trading licence in Dubai mainland covers, which activities are typically allowed, which goods remain regulated or restricted, how the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) issues and renews these licences through the Invest in Dubai portal, and how government fees and wider setup costs are structured. It is designed to help you prepare your application using only official DET and UAE Government information.
DET’s Role And What A Dubai General Trading Licence Covers
In the Dubai mainland, commercial trade licences, including general trading licences, are issued and renewed by the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET). The UAE Government portal lists the DET as the competent authority for the services “Request to Issue a Trade License” and “Request for Renewal of Trade License”, confirming the DET’s role in business registration and licensing in the Emirate.
A general trading licence in Dubai is a commercial (trade) licence under which a company is authorised to import, export, distribute and trade in multiple categories of goods under a single licence. Instead of taking a separate, narrowly defined trading activity for each product group, investors can use the general trading activity, subject always to UAE law and any special approval or restricted‑activity rules. General trading is one of the commercial activities on the DET’s official business activity list. When applying via the Invest in Dubai portal, investors can search this list, select “general trading” and any additional compatible activities, and configure a Dubai mainland general trading company around that activity set.
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Activities Allowed Under A Dubai General Trading Licence
A Dubai mainland general trading licence is designed for non‑specialised trading in a broad mix of everyday goods, rather than a single product line. Under this licence, a company may usually conduct wholesale and retail trade in its approved goods, trade within the UAE and with foreign markets, and hold stock in licensed premises in Dubai.
Typical Goods Under Non‑Specialised Trading
According to how the DET structures its activity list, general trading usually covers non‑specialised wholesale or retail trade in typical consumer and commercial products, such as:
- Garments, textiles and fashion accessories
- Household goods and general homeware
- Non‑restricted electronics and electrical items
- Non‑restricted building materials and hardware
- Non‑restricted foodstuffs and other FMCG items
Trading in these goods must still comply with all applicable UAE standards, labelling rules and consumer‑protection requirements. The examples above are indicative: in practice, your exact scope depends on the descriptions of the activities you select from the DET business‑activity list through the Invest in Dubai portal.
Wholesale, Retail And Storage Under One Licence
For a Dubai mainland general trading company, the DET typically allows:
- Import and export of the approved categories of goods
- Wholesale trading (for example, selling to other businesses or distributors)
- Retail trading (for example, selling directly to end consumers)
- Storing and handling goods in licensed warehouses or commercial premises in Dubai
However, the company may only legally conduct those activities that appear explicitly on its trade‑licence record in the DET system and in the National Economic Register. When you configure your licence on Invest in Dubai, the system will show the precise activity description; that description defines what you are authorised to do.
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Activities Not Covered And Goods Requiring Special Approvals
A Dubai mainland general trading licence does not automatically cover every possible product. Specific categories of goods are separately regulated or restricted under UAE law, often because of public health, safety, security or financial crime considerations. For these, a standard general trading activity is not sufficient on its own.
Examples Of Regulated And Restricted Goods
While investors must always verify their own products against sector‑specific regulators, the following categories are commonly subject to special regulation. They are therefore not automatically covered by a general trading licence:
- Pharmaceuticals and many medical products and devices
- Weapons, ammunition and defence‑related equipment
- Specific telecoms and radio equipment
- Some chemicals and hazardous substances
- Some categories of precious metals and stones and related activities
If your business model touches any of these (or similar) goods, you should not rely on a generic “general trading” description. Instead, you need to confirm which specific regulated activities apply and what approvals are required.
Adding Specific Regulated Activities To The Licence
To trade in regulated or restricted goods, the typical route is to:
- Add the relevant specialised trading activity (or activities) from the DET’s business‑activity list to your licence application
- Obtain the necessary external approvals or No‑objection Certificates (NOCs) from the competent regulators before the activity is activated.
In addition, if your company plans to promote regulated products or large-scale campaigns, you may need to confirm whether an advertising permit Dubai or sector-specific marketing approval applies before running ads, outdoor signage, or event-based promotions.
The UAE Government portal highlights this external‑approval logic, using, for example, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) NOC service for adding or removing specified transport‑related activities on a trade licence.
Other regulators apply similar principles in their own domains. The Invest in Dubai system will usually flag where an external approval is needed, but investors remain responsible for checking all requirements and the relevant authorities before starting to trade.
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Legal Forms, Ownership And Regulatory Framework
General trading licences in Dubai mainland are usually issued to companies incorporated in DET‑recognised commercial legal forms. This includes forms such as a Limited Liability Company (LLC) and other DET‑approved structures suitable for conducting trading activities.
Under the UAE’s current foreign direct investment framework, 100% foreign ownership is generally allowed in many commercial and trading activities, subject to any activities designated as having a strategic impact or otherwise restricted. In practice, this means that foreign investors can often hold 100% of a Dubai mainland general trading company, provided that the selected activities fall within the permitted lists. However, ownership rules are activity‑specific.
Before finalising the structure, investors should use the Invest in Dubai portal to confirm that every chosen activity (including any specialised or regulated ones) is compatible with the desired ownership structure and does not require a different arrangement or local participation. Where activities intersect with other regulators’ domains – for example, transport‑linked components – external approvals such as RTA NOCs may also be required.
Step-by-Step DET Process To Obtain A Dubai Mainland General Trading Licence
The official route to obtain a general trading licence in Dubai mainland is through the DET’s digital channels, in particular the Invest in Dubai portal. This portal integrates the key steps for trade‑licence issuance, from trade‑name reservation to fee payment.
Using The Invest In Dubai Portal
A typical application for a Dubai mainland general trading company will involve:
- Accessing the “New License” service and selecting that you wish to set up on the Dubai mainland.
- Reserving a trade name. Invest in Dubai currently advertises business‑name registration as free for 30 days, which temporarily reduces the upfront cost of name reservation (this is subject to change, so always check the live portal).
- Exploring the DET business‑activity list via “Explore all Business Activities” or the search function, then selecting “general trading” and any other compatible commercial activities you intend to conduct.
- Choosing the legal form (for example, an LLC or other DET‑approved company type) in line with your ownership and governance preferences.
- Obtaining any initial approvals that the system may require for the combination of activities and legal form you have chosen.
- Providing details of an appropriate, licensed business location in Dubai – such as an office, shop or warehouse – in line with the DET’s requirements for trading companies.
- Reviewing the itemised list of government fees generated by the system and submitting the licence‑issuance request with payment via the official channels.
External Approvals And Business Location
During the application process, certain activities may trigger requirements for external approvals or NOCs from other regulators. For example, an RTA NOC may be required when adding or removing specific activities on a trade licence. Where such approvals apply, they must be obtained in parallel and confirmed before DET issues the final licence or activates the activity.
Once the licence is issued, all the selected activities and any associated external approval requirements will appear in the DET record and in the National Economic Register. Your chosen business location (office, warehouse or shop) must be properly leased and, where applicable, registered with the relevant authorities before operations begin.
Set-Up Cost And Government Fees For A Dubai General Trading Licence
Investors often ask for a single number for the “Dubai general trading licence cost”. Officially, however, neither the DET nor the UAE Government portal publishes a fixed total set-up cost for a Dubai mainland general trading licence. Instead, the DET and Invest in Dubai systems calculate fees dynamically based on your specific configuration.
To avoid relying on estimates, applicants often start with a service fees indicator inquiry to view the itemised government charges shown by the official system for their chosen licence configuration before committing to the full application.
The main government‑fee components payable to the DET when setting up a Dubai mainland general trading company typically include:
- The commercial trade‑licence issuance fee itself
- Associated administrative charges and surcharges applied by the DET
- Any fees linked to mandatory external approvals or NOCs for selected activities
Beyond the DET’s own fees, the overall practical setup cost of a general trading company in the Dubai mainland also includes other mandatory items handled by different authorities or private providers. These commonly include:
- Leasing and registering suitable commercial premises or warehouses in Dubai
- Utilities connections and deposits, and any necessary fit‑out or basic equipment
- Immigration‑related costs to establish the company’s file and obtain work visas and residency permits for owners and staff, through the relevant immigration and labour authorities
These amounts are separate from the DET’s trade-licence fees and will vary depending on your chosen location, size of operation and staffing requirements.
A simple way to conceptualise the cost structure is:
| Cost Category | Examples (Indicative) |
|---|---|
| DET Government Fees | Licence issuance, administrative charges, external approvals |
| Other Mandatory Setup | Premises rent and registration, utilities, immigration/visa costs |
Mainland General Trading Licence Vs DED Trader E‑Commerce Licence
The UAE Government portal also describes the “Rukhsa Tajer / DED Trader” licence – an eCommerce and home‑business programme managed by the DET. It is important not to confuse this with a Dubai mainland general trading licence.
The DED Trader licence is specifically designed for online and home‑based activities and is limited to the UAE and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nationals resident in Dubai. It is not a full mainland commercial trade licence and does not typically allow the issuance of work visas. By contrast, a Dubai mainland general trading licence is a standard DET trade licence intended for operating a broader import, export, warehousing, wholesale and retail business.
For foreign investors seeking to build a multi-product trading operation with physical premises, a general trading licence through DET’s mainland system, rather than a DED Trader licence, is usually the relevant structure.
| Feature | General Trading Licence (Mainland) | DED Trader Licence (Rukhsa Tajer) |
|---|---|---|
| Issuing Authority | DET (mainland trade licence) | DET (eCommerce/ home-business programme) |
| Typical Use Case | Import/export, warehousing, wholesale and retail trading | Online and home-based trading for eligible nationals |
| Eligibility | Open to foreign and local investors (subject to rules) | Limited to UAE and GCC nationals resident in Dubai |
| Visa Sponsorship | Generally possible, subject to immigration rules | Does not provide standard work visa framework |
| Scope Compared With General Trading | Full mainland commercial licence | Not a substitute for a general trading company in Dubai |
Compliance, Renewal And Licence Verification – Key Points For Investors
Once your Dubai mainland general trading licence has been issued, maintaining compliance is an ongoing requirement. The DET is responsible for renewal services (“Request for Renewal of Trade License”), and timely renewal and payment of fees are essential to keep the licence valid and avoid penalties or operational disruption. Operationally, a general trading company in Dubai may only conduct those activities that are explicitly listed on its DET licence and in the National Economic Register.
Trading beyond the licensed scope, or dealing in restricted goods without the required specific activities and external approvals, can expose the company to enforcement action from the competent authorities.
For verification, the UAE Government portal provides access to official channels to inquire about licences, business names and activities. Through these DET and national systems, investors and counterparties can search and verify Dubai trade‑licence records, including general trading companies, confirm the licence status and review the activities recorded.
Before applying, it is sensible to: define clearly which goods and services you intend to offer and check whether any are regulated or restricted; confirm the ownership structure you want and whether your activities qualify for 100% foreign ownership; use the Invest in Dubai portal to test different combinations of activities, legal forms and locations, and to view the official, itemised government fees; and plan for renewal and record‑keeping so that approvals and registrations remain up to date.
FAQ On The General Trading Licence In Dubai
What Is A General Trading Licence In Dubai Mainland?
A general trading licence in Dubai mainland is a commercial trade licence issued by the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) that allows a company to import, export, distribute and trade in multiple categories of goods under one licence. It is configured by selecting the general trading activity and any related activities from the DET’s official business activity list via the Invest in Dubai portal, subject to UAE law and any special approvals that may apply.
Which Activities Are Allowed Under A Dubai General Trading Licence?
Activities under a general trading licence in Dubai typically cover non‑specialised wholesale and retail trading of general consumer and commercial goods such as garments, textiles, household products, non‑restricted electronics, building materials and non‑restricted foodstuffs. The company may normally import, export, trade within the UAE and hold stock in licensed premises, but only for the goods and activities explicitly listed on its DET licence record.
What Are The General Trading Licence Restricted Activities?
A general trading licence does not by itself authorise trading in separately regulated or restricted goods under UAE law. Examples include pharmaceuticals and many medical products, weapons and defence‑related equipment, certain telecom and radio devices, some chemicals, and some categories of precious metals and stones. To handle such goods, investors must add the relevant specific regulated activities to their licence and obtain external approvals from the competent authorities.
Does A Dubai General Trading Licence Allow 100% Foreign Ownership?
Under the UAE’s foreign direct investment framework, 100% foreign ownership is generally permitted for many commercial and trading activities, and this can include many configurations of a Dubai general trading company. However, some activities may be designated as having strategic impact or otherwise restricted. Investors are advised to check that their exact combination of activities is on the permitted lists for full foreign ownership.
How Are Dubai General Trading Licence Fees Calculated?
There is no single fixed “Dubai general trading licence setup cost” published by the DET. Instead, when you apply through the Invest in Dubai portal, the system calculates and itemises the official government fees based on factors such as legal form, the number and type of selected business activities, the chosen trade name and any required external approvals. This itemised breakdown is the authoritative reference for DET‑related fees.
What Other Setup Costs Should I Budget For Besides DET Fees?
In addition to the DET trade‑licence issuance and related charges, your budget should allow for leasing and registering your Dubai premises or warehouse, plus utilities connections and deposits. You also need to factor in immigration‑related costs to establish the company and obtain work visas and residency permits for owners and staff.
How Do I Get A General Trading Licence In Dubai?
To get a general trading licence in Dubai mainland, you may use the “New License” service on the Invest in Dubai portal, reserve a trade name, select “general trading” and any complementary activities from the DET activity list, choose a suitable legal form, obtain any required initial and external approvals, provide details of your business location and then pay the itemised government fees. The DET will issue the commercial trade licence once all conditions are met.
What Is The Difference Between A DED Trader Licence And A General Trading Licence In Dubai?
The DED Trader (Rukhsa Tajer) licence is an eCommerce and home‑business licence programme limited to UAE and GCC nationals resident in Dubai, and it does not function as a full mainland commercial trade licence or typically support standard work visa issuance. A Dubai mainland general trading licence, by contrast, is a comprehensive DET trade licence for multi‑product import, export, warehousing and wholesale/retail trading, available to foreign and local investors who meet the applicable requirements.
Explained by
Shaimaa Sayed Qasem
Department of Dubai Economic Services at EGSH
Shaimaa Sayed Qasem is a dedicated service provider at the Department of Dubai Economic Services at EGSH, with seven years of experience delivering business services, supporting clients and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.
