- Monday to Saturday, 9:00 to 18:00 GST
- Business Bay, Dubai, UAE
Commercial license in Dubai and the UAE
The license for buying and selling goods: trading, import, export, wholesale, retail and shops. We match your products to the right activities and check any extra approvals before you apply.
Response within 15 minutes during working hours
What a commercial license is
For any business that buys and sells goods
A commercial license lets your company trade physical goods. That covers importing, exporting, wholesale, retail shops, online selling of products and general trading. It's the most common license type in the UAE.
The license lists the exact activities you can do. You can only trade what's on it. If your license covers one type of goods and you start selling another, you need to add that activity first. So we look at every product you plan to sell before choosing the activities.
You can get a commercial license from Dubai's Department of Economy and Tourism for a mainland company, or from a free zone. Which one suits you depends on where your customers are.
Some goods need extra approval. Food, cosmetics, electronics, medicines and jewelry need approval from another authority before you can start trading. The license can often be issued first, but you can't operate until that approval is in place.
Who needs a commercial license
If you sell products, this is usually your license
- Importers and exporters
- Wholesalers and distributors
- Shops, showrooms, restaurants and cafes
- General trading companies dealing in many types of goods
- Online stores selling physical products
If you sell services instead of goods, such as consulting, marketing or IT, you need a professional license. If you make or process products, you need an industrial license.
Goods that need extra approval
Common examples
| Business | Extra approval needed |
|---|---|
| Food trading, restaurant or cafe | Food safety and Dubai Municipality approval |
| Jewelry shop | Security approval for the shop, Dubai Municipality approval of the fit out, and anti money laundering registration |
| Cosmetics and personal care | Product registration with the relevant authority |
| Electronics | Product conformity approval |
| Medicines and medical products | Health authority approval |
This isn't a full list. Tell us exactly what you'll sell and we'll confirm which approvals apply to you.
Documents you need for a commercial license
A standard file, plus approvals for some goods
| Who | Documents |
|---|---|
| Every shareholder and the manager | Passport copy with at least six months' validity, and a passport photo on a white background. |
| Shareholders in the UAE | Emirates ID and visa copy. A no objection letter from your employer if your visa is with a company. |
| The company | Three trade name options, and a clear list of the goods you'll trade. |
| The premises | Tenancy contract and Ejari for a mainland company, or the free zone office agreement. Shops and restaurants need premises that suit the activity. |
| A company as shareholder | Certificate of incorporation, memorandum of association and a board resolution, attested and translated where issued abroad. |
| Regulated goods | The approval or product registration from the relevant authority. |
We confirm the exact list for your goods before any fee is paid.
How we get your commercial license
Five steps from products to license
| Step | What happens | Typical time |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Products and activities | We match every product you'll sell to the right activities and check for extra approvals. | 1 working day |
| 2. Name and initial approval | Your trade name is reserved and the licensing authority gives initial approval. | 1 to 2 working days |
| 3. Premises | The office, shop or warehouse is arranged and registered. | 1 to 3 working days |
| 4. License issued | Fees are paid and your commercial license is issued. | 1 to 2 working days |
| 5. Other approvals | For regulated goods, we follow the approval until you're cleared to trade. | Depends on authority |
After the license, we can open your establishment card, arrange visas and help with your bank account. The cost depends on your activities, premises and jurisdiction, and we confirm the total in writing.
Frequently asked questions
Straight answers on commercial licenses in Dubai and the UAE.
What's the difference between a commercial and a professional license?
A commercial license is for selling goods. A professional license is for selling services based on skills, like consulting or design. Choosing the wrong one means paying for an amendment later.
Can I trade any goods with a commercial license?
Only the goods listed on your license. A general trading activity covers a wide range of goods, while other activities are limited to one category. Some goods also need extra approval before you can sell them.
Should I get it on mainland or in a free zone?
If you'll sell to customers inside the UAE or open a shop, mainland is usually right. If you mainly import, export or trade outside the UAE, a free zone can work well. We compare both for your business.
How long does a commercial license take?
Usually 5 to 12 working days for goods that don't need extra approval. Regulated goods take longer, depending on the authority.
Can I add more goods later?
Yes, by adding activities to your license. It's simpler to include them from the start if you already know you'll need them. See our activity amendment service.
Tell us what you'll sell
Send us your products and where your customers are. We'll confirm the right activities, any approvals and the total cost in writing.
No spam. No follow up calls unless you ask. We are open Monday to Saturday, 9am to 6pm.
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