Commercial Trade Licence in Dubai – Legal Trading for Your Business

To obtain a commercial licence in the UAE, you must select your trading activities, reserve a trade name, secure initial approval, and submit required documents such as passport copies, Emirates ID (if applicable), a Memorandum of Association (MOA), and a tenancy contract. In Dubai, the licence is issued by the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET). EGSH assists in obtaining your commercial licence by ensuring documentation compliance and managing the entire application process with DET.

A Trade licence in Dubai permits a wide range of commercial activities, including import, export, retail, wholesale, distribution, logistics, and general trading. Specific activities must be selected from the list approved by the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET). EGSH helps identify eligible activities and ensures legal alignment with your business scope.

A Business licence issued in Dubai is valid only within the jurisdiction of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET). If you plan to operate in other emirates, you must obtain a separate licence from the respective local authority.

In UAE legal terminology, a Trade licence is the general term for licences that permit business activities. A Commercial licence is a specific category of Trade licence issued for activities involving buying and selling goods, such as import, export, retail, and logistics. The Dubai DET classifies it under commercial activities. EGSH helps you determine the correct licence type based on your operations.

The official government fee of a Commercial Trade licence in Dubai depends on the type of activity, legal structure, and office location. The cost also includes DET fees for name reservation, initial approval, activity classification, and licence issuance. Additional expenses may apply, such as: — Dubai Chamber of Commerce membership fees — Ejari registration for office lease — Corporate immigration card and establishment card fees — Visa allocation and employee quota fees (if applicable) EGSH provides a complete cost breakdown and handles official coordination to ensure accuracy and compliance.

Foreign investors can obtain a Commercial licence in Dubai with 100% ownership for most trading activities approved by the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET). However, certain activities classified as strategic—such as oil exploration, banking, insurance, and telecommunications—may still require a local partner or special approval from relevant authorities. EGSH ensures full compliance by helping select eligible activities, determine the legal structure, and manage the complete licensing process.

Yes, a Commercial Trade licence issued by Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) allows import and export activities. However, you must also register with Dubai Customs and obtain a customs code. Additional approvals may apply based on the type of goods.