General Trading License in Dubai: Cost, Activities and How to Get It

A general trading license in Dubai lets a single company trade a wide range of unrelated goods under one license, instead of being limited to a narrow product category - and you obtain it from the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) for a mainland LLC or from a free zone authority. It is the broadest trading license available and the natural choice for import-export businesses, distributors and trading houses that want to deal in many product lines without applying for separate licenses. For most setups the first-year general trading license cost in Dubai lands between approximately AED 15,000 and AED 40,000, depending on jurisdiction, office or warehouse, and visa count. This guide explains the scope, cost, documents and the full process to get one.

The general trading license is popular precisely because of its flexibility: you can add or switch product lines as your business evolves without re-licensing each time. Choosing the right jurisdiction and structure for it is where the real cost and capability decisions are made, and we help map that as part of Dubai company formation.

What Is a General Trading License in Dubai

A general trading license in Dubai is a commercial license with the widest possible trading scope. Where a standard commercial license ties you to a defined product category - say, electronics or building materials - a general trading license allows you to trade most types of goods under one entity. That makes it the standard license for a general trading company in Dubai, whether structured as a mainland LLC or a free zone company.

It sits within the trade license family: "trade license" is the umbrella permit, "commercial" is the goods-trading category, and "general trading" is the broadest version of that category. For the umbrella concept and the three core license types, see our guide on the trade license in Dubai.

Activities and Scope Covered

The defining feature is breadth. The activities under a general trading license in Dubai cover importing, exporting, distributing, wholesaling and retailing a wide mix of goods - for example electronics, textiles, furniture, building materials, foodstuff, cosmetics and consumer products - all on one license.

There are limits, however. The scope of a general trading license in Dubai excludes certain restricted or specially regulated goods, which need their own approvals or separate licensing regardless of how broad your license is. Typical examples include:

Alcohol and tobacco.
Pharmaceuticals and certain medical products.
Weapons and security goods.
Some regulated foodstuff and cosmetics, which need additional health or municipality approvals.

So a general trading license is broad but not unlimited - regulated categories still require the relevant authority sign-off on top of the license.

Who Should Choose a General Trading License

A general trading license fits businesses that deal in many product lines or expect their range to change over time. It is the standard choice for:

Import-export and re-export businesses sourcing varied goods from multiple markets.
Distributors and wholesalers carrying several unrelated product categories.
Trading houses and holding-style operations that want one entity for diverse goods.
Founders who want flexibility to add or pivot product lines without re-licensing each time.

If you only ever plan to trade within a single product category, a narrower commercial license is usually cheaper and entirely sufficient. The general trading license earns its higher fee when breadth and flexibility genuinely matter to your model - paying for scope you will not use is a common and avoidable cost.

General Trading License Cost in Dubai

A general trading license usually costs more than a narrow commercial license, because the broad scope carries a higher license fee. There is no single general trading LLC license cost in Dubai; it is built from several items. As a realistic 2026 guide, all figures approximate and to confirm against a written quote:

Free zone general trading, license only, no visa: approximately AED 12,500 - 25,000 per year.
Free zone with flexi-desk + 1 visa: approximately AED 20,000 - 32,000 per year.
Mainland (DET) general trading LLC with office + 1 visa: approximately AED 25,000 - 45,000+ per year.

The main components behind the Dubai general trading license fees are:

Initial approval and trade name reservation: roughly AED 600 - 2,000 combined.
The general trading license fee itself: higher than a single-category commercial license due to scope.
Memorandum of Association (MOA) and notarisation (mainland LLC): roughly AED 1,000 - 3,000.
Office or warehouse + Ejari (mainland): a real tenancy is required; some free zones allow a flexi-desk.
Establishment (immigration) card: roughly AED 1,500 - 2,500.
Customs code: required to import or export goods.

Treat any headline price as "license only" until the establishment card, visas, customs code and insurance are confirmed in writing.

Documents and Requirements

The checklist depends on jurisdiction and structure, but a general trading license application typically needs:

Passport copies of all shareholders and the manager (plus Emirates ID / visa copy if already resident).
Passport-size photographs.
Two or three proposed trade names compliant with UAE naming rules.
General trading activity selection from the official list.
Tenancy contract and Ejari (mainland) or a flexi-desk/office agreement (free zone).
Memorandum of Association (MOA) for a mainland LLC.
Customs registration for import/export operations.

How to Get a General Trading License

Here is how to get a general trading license in Dubai, step by step:

Confirm general trading is the right scope for your product range.
Choose jurisdiction and legal form - mainland (DET) LLC or free zone company.
Reserve your trade name and obtain initial approval.
Secure your address - an office or warehouse with Ejari (mainland), or a flexi-desk/office (free zone).
Draft and notarise the MOA (mainland LLC) or sign the free zone constitution.
Pay the fees and collect your general trading license.
Register for a customs code if you will import or export.
Apply for the establishment card and visas, then open your corporate bank account.

Mainland Versus Free Zone

For a general trading business this choice governs where you can sell and how you handle goods.

Factor	Mainland (DET)	Free zone
Selling into the UAE market	Direct, anywhere in the UAE	Within the zone; UAE mainland sales via a distributor/agent
Import / re-export	Full, with a customs code	Excellent for re-export and international trade
Warehousing	Local warehouse options	On-zone warehousing and logistics
Ownership	100% foreign for most activities	100% foreign always
Typical cost	Higher (office/warehouse-driven)	Often leaner to start

If you sell directly to UAE-based customers, a mainland general trading LLC gives you the widest market access. If you mainly import and re-export or trade internationally, a free zone is usually more efficient. You can compare the two structures on our mainland company formation page.

Renewal and Fees

A general trading license is typically valid for one year and renews annually. Renewal usually requires a valid tenancy or flexi-desk contract, settlement of any fines, and payment of the renewal fee, which is broadly similar to the original license fee. Renew before expiry - a lapsed license can freeze your customs code, bank account and visa renewals, which is far more disruptive than the fee itself.

After Your License: Customs Code, Bank Account and VAT

For a goods business the license is the foundation, but several steps follow immediately - and they are where trading setups most often stall:

Customs code: to import or export you register a customs code with Dubai Customs, linked to your trade license. Without it you cannot clear goods through ports or airports.
Corporate bank account: banks scrutinise trading companies closely on source of funds, supplier countries and expected volumes, so prepare clean documentation and a clear business description to improve your approval odds.
VAT registration: VAT is 5% and registration is mandatory once taxable turnover exceeds AED 375,000; trading businesses often cross this threshold quickly, so plan for it early.
Corporate tax: 9% on taxable profit above AED 375,000 and 0% below, with registration mandatory for nearly all businesses regardless of profit.

Common Mistakes and Rejection Reasons

Paying for general trading when a single-category commercial license would do - if you only trade one product line, the broader, pricier license may be unnecessary.
Assuming "general" means everything - restricted goods (alcohol, tobacco, pharma) still need separate approvals.
Skipping the customs code and then being unable to clear imports.
Choosing a free zone, then needing to sell directly into the UAE market without a distributor.
Underestimating warehouse and banking requirements for a goods business.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a general trading license in Dubai?

It is a commercial license with the broadest trading scope, allowing one company to trade many unrelated categories of goods - importing, exporting, wholesaling and retailing - under a single license, rather than being limited to one product category. It is issued by DET on the mainland or by a free zone authority.

How do I get a general trading license in Dubai?

Confirm general trading suits your product range, choose mainland (DET) or a free zone, reserve your trade name and get initial approval, secure an office or warehouse, sign and notarise the MOA (mainland), pay the fees and collect the license, then register for a customs code if you will import or export. Many founders use a consultant to set up the customs and banking side smoothly.

How much is a general trading license in Dubai?

For most setups the first-year cost ranges from approximately AED 15,000 to AED 40,000, depending on mainland vs free zone, office or warehouse, and visa count. A free zone general trading license can start near AED 12,500 - 25,000, while a mainland general trading LLC with an office runs higher. It usually costs more than a narrow commercial license because of the wider scope. Confirm against a written quote.

What activities are under a general trading license?

It covers trading in a wide mix of goods - electronics, textiles, furniture, building materials, foodstuff, cosmetics and consumer products - through import, export, wholesale and retail. Restricted categories such as alcohol, tobacco and pharmaceuticals are excluded and need separate approvals or licensing.

What is the difference between a general trading and a commercial license?

A commercial license is usually tied to a specific product category, while a general trading license covers a broad range of unrelated goods under one license. General trading offers more flexibility to add or switch product lines, but typically carries a higher license fee. If you only deal in one category, a standard commercial license may be more cost-effective.

Set Up Your General Trading License with the Right Consultant

A general trading license is powerful, but the value is in setting it up correctly - the right scope, the customs code, warehousing and a bank account that accepts a high-volume goods business. On Emirae.Pro qualified consultants come to you instead of the other way around.

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This article is general information only and does not constitute legal, tax, or financial advice. All figures are approximate ranges as of 2026 and vary by activity, free zone, and individual circumstances; government and authority fees change without notice. Always confirm current requirements and costs against the relevant authority or a licensed advisor before making decisions.