Commercial Trade Licence in Dubai
Official DET Authorisation for Dubai Mainland Trading Businesses
A commercial trade licence is issued by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) to authorise companies to carry out approved commercial activities on the Dubai mainland. Commercial activities covered under this licence category include buying and selling of goods, import and export, retail, wholesale, and general trading. Certain activities including logistics, food-related commerce, and health products require additional approvals from relevant regulatory bodies before the DET issues the licence.
EGSH is an authorised Dubai Economic Department centre. All applications are submitted through the official DET systems by EGSH's licensed consultants, who verify documentation, confirm the correct activity classification, and manage compliance with DET requirements. EGSH processes the application, the DET issues the licence.
- Authorised Dubai Economic Department Centre
- VIP service without queues
- Official government-regulated fees
- Most procedures completed in one visit
According to the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), a standard commercial trade licence is typically issued within approximately 10 minutes from the point of complete submission, where no external approvals are required.
Apply for a Commercial Trade Licence in Dubai
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From AED 2,660
How to Get a Commercial Trade Licence in Dubai
A Structured and Compliant Process Through Official DET Systems
01
Visit EGSH
Visit the EGSH centre during working hours or book your appointment online — no queues, with immediate assistance from a dedicated consultant.
02
Document Review
An EGSH consultant verifies your identification documents, trade name reservation, initial DET approval, and any required external authority clearances for compliance.
03
Application Submission
EGSH submits your commercial trade licence application through the official DET systems, ensuring all documentation meets DET classification and legal form requirements.
04
Receive Your Commercial Trade Licence
The DET issues the licence upon approval, officially authorising your business to carry out the registered trading activities on the Dubai mainland.
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You can stop by EGSH during working hours without an appointment or book your visit at a time that suits you best.
Address
Art of Living Mall, Al Barsha 2, Dubai
Operating hours
Monday–Thursday, Saturday: 9:00 am–5:00 pm
Friday: 9:00 am–12:00 pm, 2:00 pm–5:00 pm
Sunday: Closed
Documents Required for Commercial Trade Licence Registration
Prepare the Required Documentation for Compliant Authority Submission
Identification Documents
Valid passport copies and UAE residence visas (if applicable) for all shareholders and authorised signatories, together with Emirates IDs for UAE residents.
Founding and Legal Documents
A notarised Memorandum of Association (MoA) and, where applicable, a Local Service Agent Agreement or Power of Attorney for authorised representatives.
DET Approvals and Trade Name
The initial approval certificate from the DET and the approved trade name reservation certificate confirming the activity classification and legal form.
Office Lease and Supporting Documents
An Ejari-registered tenancy contract for the business premises, together with any additional authority permits required based on the selected commercial activities.
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Authorised Processing with VIP Service and Officially Regulated Fees
Why Choose EGSH for Commercial Trade Licence Registration
VIP Service
Personal assistance and priority processing with no queues.
Affordable Fees
Official government rates with transparent, fixed pricing.
All Services in One Place
Comprehensive range of UAE government services under one roof.
One-Visit Completion
Most procedures are completed in a single visit to the centre.
What Is a Commercial Trade Licence in Dubai
This licence category falls within the Dubai mainland licensing framework administered by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), formerly known as the Dubai Economic Department (DED). All commercial entities operating on the Dubai mainland are required to hold a valid licence that accurately reflects their registered activities and legal form.
The DET's licensing authority derives from the emirate's commercial legislation, and compliance is mandatory before any business operations, invoicing, or staff employment can commence. Operating without a valid licence, or conducting activities outside those registered, constitutes a regulatory breach subject to penalties.
Eligible Activities and Classifications
The DET maintains a catalogue of approved commercial business activities covering general trading, import and export, retail, wholesale, distribution, and e-commerce. A general trading licence — a specific classification within the commercial category — permits a broader, multi-category scope than a single-activity commercial licence and is subject to higher government fees.
The selection of activities at the point of registration is consequential: the DET's systems match each application against its activity catalogue, and any description that does not correspond to an approved activity code will delay or prevent issuance. Certain regulated commercial activities, including food distribution, health-related commerce, and logistics, require prior approval from the relevant sector authority before the DET will issue the licence.
Eligible Legal Forms
A commercial trade licence may be held by a limited liability company (LLC), a sole establishment, or a branch of a foreign company registered on the Dubai mainland. The LLC structure requires a minimum of two shareholders and a notarised Memorandum of Association.
A sole establishment permits 100% ownership by a single individual and is appropriate for smaller commercial operations. A branch of a foreign company operates under the parent company's legal structure. The legal form selected determines the documentation required for incorporation, the shareholder and management structure, and the applicable government fee schedule.
Financial Thresholds
Government fees for a mainland commercial licence typically range from AED 12,000 to AED 25,000, depending on the specific activities selected, the legal form of the entity, and whether any external regulatory approvals are required as part of the application. General trading licences, which carry the broadest permissible activity scope, tend to fall at the upper end of this range.
These figures represent core DET government fees and do not include Ejari registration, Dubai Chamber membership fees, or the cost of external authority approvals where applicable. All fees are determined by the DET and are subject to change; figures are current as of the date of publication.
Authority Processing Flow
The DET processes applications through the Invest in Dubai portal. The standard sequence begins with trade name reservation, proceeds to initial approval, then to the preparation and submission of incorporation documentation, including a notarised MoA where the legal form requires it, and concludes with licence issuance.
Where external approvals from sector authorities are required, those clearances must be obtained and submitted to the DET before the final licence is issued. For trade licence registration through EGSH, each stage of this submission sequence is managed through the official DET systems by EGSH's licensed consultants.
Common Rejection Triggers
Applications may be delayed or declined for a number of reasons. A trade name that conflicts with an existing registered name will not pass the reservation stage. An activity description that does not match an approved DET activity code will prevent initial approval from being granted. Incorporation documents that are unsigned, unnotarised, or inconsistent with the stated legal form will be returned. Where external authority approvals are required and have not been obtained, the DET will not proceed to final issuance. An Ejari-registered tenancy contract that does not correspond to the stated business address is among the most frequent causes of processing delays at the submission stage.
Validity and Renewal
The licence is valid for one year from the date of issuance. Annual renewal is mandatory and must be completed before the expiry date to avoid the accumulation of penalty fees. Renewal requires a valid Ejari-registered tenancy contract for the current business premises, up-to-date identification documents for all shareholders, and any applicable external authority approvals for regulated activities. Monthly penalty fees are applied by the DET to licences that are not renewed by their expiry date. The licence must be renewed regardless of whether the company has been actively trading during the licence period.
Cancellation
The licence may be cancelled upon formal application to the DET. Cancellation requires the settlement of all outstanding DET fees and penalty amounts, the closure of any associated immigration and labour files linked to the licence, and the receipt of clearances from relevant government departments. All registered commercial activities must cease upon cancellation. Partial cancellation, such as the removal of individual activities without full licence cancellation, is processed as an amendment rather than a cancellation and follows a separate procedure.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a commercial trade licence in Dubai?
A commercial trade licence in Dubai is an official document issued by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) that authorises a business entity to carry out approved commercial activities on the Dubai mainland. Activities covered include buying and selling of goods, import and export, retail, wholesale, and general trading. The licence must accurately reflect all activities the business intends to conduct, and it must be renewed annually.
Who is eligible to apply for a commercial trade licence in Dubai?
Individuals and corporate entities intending to conduct commercial activities on the Dubai mainland are eligible to apply. The applicant must select a compliant legal form, such as an LLC, a sole establishment, or a branch of a foreign company, and must register only activities that correspond to approved DET activity codes. Certain activities require additional approvals from external regulatory authorities as a condition of eligibility.
What is the processing time for a commercial trade licence in Dubai?
According to the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), a standard commercial trade licence is typically issued within approximately 10 minutes from the point of complete submission, provided all required documentation is in order and no external approvals are outstanding. Applications that require clearances from external sector authorities, such as the Dubai Municipality or the Dubai Health Authority, will be subject to those authorities' own processing timelines before the DET proceeds to final issuance.
What is the difference between a commercial trade licence and a general trading licence?
Both are classified within the DET’s commercial licence category, but they differ in scope. A standard commercial licence is issued for a defined set of specific trading activities. A general trading licence permits a broader, multi-category scope of commercial activities under a single licence. The general trading licence is subject to higher government fees and is appropriate for businesses requiring flexibility across multiple product categories. The correct classification is confirmed by the DET at the initial approval stage.
What is the official total cost of a commercial trade licence in Dubai?
The total government fee for a DET commercial trade licence typically ranges from AED 12,000 to AED 25,000, depending on the activities selected, legal form, and whether external regulatory approvals are required. Figures are current as of publication and subject to change by the DET. Additional costs including Ejari registration, Dubai Chamber membership, and external approval fees apply separately.
Can a commercial trade licence in Dubai be renewed after it has expired?
A commercial trade licence may be renewed after its expiry date, but monthly penalty fees will apply from the date of expiry until the date of renewal. The DET imposes these penalties on all licences that are not renewed before the expiry deadline. Renewal after expiry follows the same procedural requirements as standard renewal including a valid Ejari contract and current shareholder documentation with the addition of outstanding penalty settlement before the DET processes the application.
What happens if a business conducts activities not listed on its trade licence?
Operating outside the activities registered on a DET trade licence constitutes a regulatory breach. The DET may impose financial penalties and may take enforcement action, including suspension of the licence. Businesses that have expanded or changed their operations should proceed with an activity amendment through the DET before commencing any unregistered activities. EGSH processes activity amendments through the official DET systems as a separate service.
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