Commercial Trade License in Dubai: Activities Covered, Costs, and Step-by-Step Process (2026)

Yazar Hakkında

The author is a business consultant specializing in regulatory compliance, corporate setup, and operational planning across multiple UAE sectors. With over a decade of experience advising local and international clients, we've helped more than 15,000 companies navigate licensing, regulatory compliance, and operational frameworks.  

Önemli Nokta:

• Get your activity code right from the start. Your application will stall if your described activity doesn't match an approved DET code. Define your exact product scope before applying.
  
  
• You need a physical Ejari-registered office. Flexi-desks don't qualify for a mainland license. Your Initial Approval certificate bridges the gap to register with Ejari before final issuance.
  
  
• Budget for total first-year costs, not just the license fee. The DET base fee (AED 12,000–25,000) plus general trading activity fee (AED 15,000) plus office rental (AED 20,000–80,000+) means total investment ranges AED 50,000–120,000+.

What a Dubai Commercial Trade License Covers in 2026

More than 40,000 new trade licenses were issued in Dubai in 2025 alone, and a commercial trade license from the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) is behind most of them. 

If you plan to buy, sell, import, or export goods on the Dubai mainland, this permit is what authorizes your company to operate, issue invoices, and sponsor staff. It is the first step in mainland company formation.

This guide walks through:

• What activities a commercial trade license covers
• The real cost breakdown for 2026 (government fees and hidden expenses)
• Step-by-step process from trade name reservation to license issuance
• The Ejari requirement and why it stops most applications
• Common pitfalls we see repeatedly at the application stage

Not: AED, ABD Doları’na sabitlenmiş olsa da, tüm fiyatlar güncel piyasa kurlarına dayalı tahmini rakamlardır. Gerçek tutarlar, banka havale ücretleri nedeniyle farklılık gösterebilir. 

Activities Permitted Under a Dubai Commercial Trade License

A commercial trade license authorizes your company to carry out approved trading activities on the Dubai mainland. The DET maintains a catalogue of over 2,100 approved business activities, and this license covers buying and selling, import and export, retail, wholesale, and general trading.

General Trading License in Dubai: Scope and Product Categories

The general trading license is a specialized classification within the commercial category. 

It allows a single legal entity to trade across multiple unrelated product categories, electronics, textiles, building materials, and packaged food, under one permit. 

This is its primary advantage over a specific trading license, which restricts you to a single product category.

However, certain product categories fall outside this scope:

• Cars and motor vehicles require a separate automobile trading license
• Alcohol and beverages need a dedicated liquor license
• Medical devices and pharmaceuticals require Dubai Health Authority certification
• Weapons and ammunition need Ministry of Interior approvals

What Activities Does a General Trading License Cover?

A general trading license allows you to buy, sell, import, and export across multiple unrelated product categories under a single permit. This includes electronics, textiles, building materials, packaged food, and more. However, it excludes the categories listed above, each of which requires a separate specialized license from the relevant authority.

How to Choose the Right DET Activity Code for Your Trade License

The activity code on your trade license determines what you can legally do, what external approvals are required, and what additional permits apply.

Getting this wrong at the start means amending your license, which adds cost and delays operations.

For example, if you plan to import and sell meat products, the activity code must explicitly include meat import and trading activities. A general foodstuff trading license without the meat-specific activity will not satisfy Dubai Municipality's requirements.

Expert advice: Define your product scope before you apply. If you list an activity that does not match an approved DET code, your application will stall.

Commercial Trade License Cost in Dubai: Full 2026 Fee Breakdown

How Much Does a Commercial Trade License Cost in Dubai?

The total government fee for a DET commercial trade license typically ranges from AED 12,000 ($3,265) to AED 25,000 ($6,810), depending on the specific activities selected, the legal form of the entity, and whether any external regulatory approvals are required. A general trading license with its broad activity scope tends to fall at the upper end of this range.

The DET charges a separate general trading activity fee of approximately AED 15,000 ($4,085) on top of the base license fee. These are two distinct government charges, and combining them puts the government fee component alone at approximately AED 27,000 ($7,350) to AED 30,000 ($8,170) before office rental is added.

Government Fees and Hidden Costs: Line-by-Line Breakdown

These figures represent core DET government fees and do not include 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.

Minimum Capital Requirement for a Commercial LLC in Dubai

The DET does not impose a minimum paid-up capital requirement for most commercial LLCs. However, when you open a UAE corporate bank account, banks typically request a capital declaration in the MOA, usually AED 50,000–300,000 ($13,600–$81,700), to facilitate smooth account opening.

UAE Corporate Tax: What Commercial License Holders Need to Know in 2026

Since June 2023, UAE businesses earning above AED 375,000 ($102,100) in annual taxable income are subject to a 9% corporate tax. Every company holding a commercial trade license on the Dubai mainland must enroll with the Federal Tax Authority and file annual corporate tax returns, even during the first financial year. 

Free zone companies that meet qualifying conditions may still benefit from a 0% rate on qualifying income. Factor corporate tax registration and ongoing compliance costs into your first-year budget. If your business is structured as a sole establishment, talk to a tax advisor about whether the small business relief threshold applies to your projected revenue.

How to Get a Commercial Trade License in Dubai: Step-by-Step Process

How Long Does the Commercial Trade License Process Take?

The standard timeline from initial approval to final issuance is typically 2–4 weeks. For complete submissions that require no external approvals, DET can issue a license in approximately 10 minutes.

Step 1: Define Your Activities and Legal Structure

Identify every product category you intend to trade. Check the DET activity list to confirm each one falls within the commercial category. Then choose your legal form: LLC, Sole Establishment, or Branch of a Foreign Company. Most trading companies choose an LLC company setup in Dubai for the flexibility it offers.

Step 2: Reserve Your Trade Name

Submit your chosen company name through the DET portal to complete your DET trade name reservation. The name must be unique and comply with UAE naming conventions, no political references or blasphemous language. 

Expert advice: We recommend submitting 2–3 name options to avoid conflicts. Approval typically takes 1–2 business days.

3. Adım: İlk Onay Başvurusu Yapın

This confirms the government has no objection to your proposed business activity. The Initial Approval certificate is what allows you to proceed with leasing office space, even though you do not yet have your final license.

Step 4: Secure Office Space and Enroll with Ejari

This is where most applications stall.

For a mainland commercial license, Ejari enrollment requirements mandate a physical office, warehouse, or retail shop with a valid commercial tenancy contract. Flexi-desks and virtual offices do not satisfy the DET requirement.

The Ejari Catch-22: You cannot get your final trade license without an Ejari-certified tenancy contract, but you cannot sign a commercial lease without initial approval. 

Your Initial Approval certificate bridges this gap, you take it to an Ejari typing centre or use the Dubai REST app, and the system links your approval to the lease. This generates the Ejari certificate, which you then submit to DET for final license issuance.

Ensure the property's zoning and usage code match your business activity. Renting a shop unit for a general trading activity that requires a warehouse or office will trigger a system block and a costly, non-refundable mistake.

Can You Get a Dubai Trade License Without a Physical Office?

For a standard mainland commercial license, no. The DET requires an Ejari-certified premises from day one. The one exception is the Dubai Instant License programme, which grants a one-year exemption from the physical office requirement for eligible activities, but you must secure Ejari-certified premises at first renewal.

Step 5: Prepare and Notarize the MOA

For an LLC, draft and notarise your Memorandum of Association at the Dubai Court or a Notary Public. The MOA confirms shareholder structure, share capital, and business activities.

Step 6: Obtain External Approvals (If Required)

For regulated activities, food, health products, and construction materials, obtain clearances from the relevant sector authority before proceeding to final DET submission. These authorities include Dubai Municipality approval, Dubai Health Authority clearance, and Roads and Transport Authority permits depending on your activity.

Step 7: Final Submission and License Issuance

Submit your complete application package through the DET portal or an authorized service centre. Once documents are verified and fees are paid, DET issues your commercial trade license digitally. You can verify its validity through the National Economic Record.

How RadiantBiz Simplifies Your Dubai Mainland Company Setup

Navigating the DET application, Ejari certification, and external approvals typically requires PRO services Dubai businesses rely on for government liaison and up-to-date knowledge of fee structures. 

RadiantBiz is a leading corporate services provider in the UAE, our business setup consultants dubai have assisted over 15,000 entrepreneurs in establishing their companies, with nearly 95% of clients returning for trade license renewal year after year.

RadiantBiz manages the complete commercial trade license process:

• Activity code selection and verification against DET's official list
• DET trade name reservation
• Initial approval application
• Ejari registration support and document verification
• MOA drafting and notarization coordination
• External approval management (Dubai Municipality, DHA, RTA where required)
• Final license submission through government-authorised channels

For entrepreneurs seeking a seamless mainland company setup experience, RadiantBiz's team of 50+ professionals provides end-to-end support from initial consultation through post-license compliance.

Golden Visa Eligibility through Business Setup in Dubai

Entrepreneurs and investors who set up a business in Dubai may qualify for the UAE Golden Visa, a 10-year renewable residency permit. To be eligible through the entrepreneur route, you typically need a business valued at AED 2 million ($545,000) or more, or approval from an accredited UAE incubator. 

The investor route requires property or business investments meeting the prevailing threshold. A Golden Visa removes the need for a national sponsor, allows extended stays outside the UAE, and covers eligible family members. If long-term residency is part of your planning, structure your company setup with Golden Visa eligibility in mind from the start.

Sık Sorulan Sorular

1. What is the Difference Between a Commercial License and a General Trading License?

Among the various Dubai business license types, a standard commercial license is issued for a defined set of specific trading activities. A general trading license permits a broader, multi-category scope under a single license, allowing you to trade across multiple unrelated product categories. The general trading license carries higher government fees, an additional activity fee of approximately AED 15,000 ($4,085) on top of the base license fee.

2. How Long Does the Commercial Trade License Process Take?

According to DET, a standard commercial license can be issued within approximately 10 minutes from complete submission, provided all documentation is in order and no external approvals are outstanding. Applications requiring clearances from Dubai Municipality or Dubai Health Authority take longer due to those authorities' own processing timelines. For most new mainland companies, the process from start to finish takes 2–4 weeks.

Choosing Between Mainland and Free Zone for Commercial Trading in Dubai

A commercial trade license in Dubai is straightforward if you plan the details upfront. The government fees are predictable, but the total first-year cost, including office rental, investor visa fees in the UAE, and establishment card charges, is significantly higher than most guides suggest.

The critical success factors:

• Confirm your activity codes before you apply
• Ensure your Ejari property matches your business activity
• Engage a government-authorized service centre to navigate DET systems

If you target the UAE domestic market, the mainland route gives you direct access. If your business is export-focused, a free zone may offer a lower-cost entry point. Either way, start with a clear product scope, budget for the full first-year investment, and secure your Ejari-certified premises before making your final application.

Ready to get started? Define your activities, pick your jurisdiction, and begin the trade name reservation today. 

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