A commercial trade licence is the legal foundation of any trading business in Dubai — covering import, export, retail, wholesale, and general trading activities. But one of the most common questions entrepreneurs ask before starting is: how much does a commercial trade licence actually cost in Dubai?
The answer depends on several factors — your jurisdiction, business activity, office type, and visa requirements. In this complete 2026 guide, we break down the full commercial trade licence cost in Dubai — including every fee component, hidden charges, renewal costs, and real AED figures — so you can plan your budget with confidence.
What Is a Commercial Trade Licence in Dubai?
A commercial trade licence is issued by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) and authorises your company to legally carry out commercial activities such as:
- Import and export of goods
- General and specific trading activities
- Retail and wholesale distribution
- E-commerce and online selling
- Re-export and logistics operations
- Buying and selling of commodities
Unlike a professional licence — which covers service-based businesses like consulting and IT — a commercial licence is specifically for businesses that trade physical goods or products. It is one of the most common licence types issued in Dubai for both mainland companies and free zone businesses .
What Affects the Commercial Trade Licence Cost in Dubai?
There is no single fixed price for a commercial trade licence in Dubai. The total cost you pay depends on the following key factors:
- Jurisdiction: Mainland (DET) licences are priced differently from free zone licences
- Business activity: General trading licences cost more than specific single-activity licences
- Number of activities: Adding more activities beyond the base allocation increases fees
- Office type: Mainland requires a physical Ejari office; free zones allow flexi-desks
- Number of visas: Each visa adds AED 3,500 to AED 7,000 to your total cost
- External approvals: Some goods require sign-off from Dubai Municipality, ESMA, or other regulators
- Legal structure: An LLC costs more than a sole establishment due to MOA requirements
Commercial Trade Licence Cost in Dubai: Full Breakdown 2026
-
Trade Licence Fee (DET)
The core government fee for your commercial trade licence in Dubai is calculated by the DET based on your selected activities and legal structure.
- Specific commercial licence (1–3 activities): AED 10,000 – AED 15,000
- General trading licence (multi-category): AED 15,000 – AED 25,000
- DED activity fee (general trading): AED 15,000 (one of the largest single charges)
- Each additional activity: AED 150 – AED 500 per activity (up to 10 activities)
General trading licences are significantly more expensive because they cover a broad range of goods categories, each carrying its own approval requirement. If your business only trades specific products, choosing a specific trading licence over a general one can save you AED 5,000 to AED 10,000.
-
Trade Name Reservation
Before your licence is issued, your company name must be reserved and approved by the DET. This is a mandatory one-time fee:
- Trade name reservation: AED 620 – AED 1,000
- Valid for 180 days from date of reservation
- Foreign language names or special characters may incur additional fees
-
Initial Approval Fee
Initial approval from the DET confirms that the government has no objection to your proposed business activity before you proceed with office setup and MOA drafting.
- Initial approval fee: AED 120 – AED 300
- Tasheel processing fee: AED 345
- Knowledge and Innovation fee: AED 20
-
Memorandum of Association (MOA)
For LLC structures — the most common for commercial businesses — a notarised MOA is a legal requirement. It defines shareholder ownership, responsibilities, and capital allocation.
- MOA drafting and notarisation: AED 900 – AED 1,500
- Tasheel MOA processing: AED 350
- Additional notary fees may apply depending on number of shareholders
-
Office Space and Ejari Registration
All mainland commercial companies must have a physical office registered through the Ejari system. This is a legal requirement — virtual offices and flexi-desks are not permitted for mainland commercial licences.
- Small commercial office (200–300 sq ft): AED 20,000 – AED 40,000 per year
- Mid-size office: AED 40,000 – AED 80,000 per year
- Warehouse (for trading operations): AED 30,000 – AED 150,000+ per year
- Dubai Municipality market fee: 2.5% of annual rent (mandatory)
- Ejari registration fee: AED 220
Office size directly affects your visa quota — approximately one visa per 80 square feet of office space. For free zone commercial licences, a flexi-desk option is available from AED 6,300 to AED 15,000 per year.
-
Establishment Card and Immigration File
Before applying for any visa, your company must register its immigration file with the GDRFA (General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs).
- Immigration card: AED 750 – AED 2,000
- E-channel registration: AED 2,280
- Required before any investor or employee visa can be processed
-
Visa Costs
Commercial companies in Dubai can sponsor visas for investors and employees. Costs per person include:
- Entry permit: AED 500 – AED 1,200
- Medical fitness test: AED 300 – AED 700
- Emirates ID: AED 370 – AED 1,200
- Visa stamping: AED 500 – AED 1,200
- Mandatory health insurance: AED 800 – AED 1,500
Total investor visa cost per person : AED 3,500 – AED 7,000
-
Chamber of Commerce Membership
Commercial mainland licences require mandatory membership with the Dubai Chamber of Commerce:
- Annual membership fee: AED 1,200 – AED 3,000
- Required for licence issuance and renewal
- Free zone companies do not require this membership
-
Corporate Bank Account
A corporate bank account in Dubai is essential to operate your commercial business. Key costs to factor in:
- Account opening: Free at most banks
- Minimum average balance: AED 10,000 – AED 50,000
- Annual service charges: AED 1,200 – AED 3,600 per year
Commercial Trade Licence Cost Summary: Mainland vs Free Zone (2026)
Here is a full cost comparison between a mainland and a free zone commercial trade licence in Dubai:
| Cost Component | Mainland (AED) | Free Zone (AED) |
|---|---|---|
| Trade licence fee | AED 10,000 – 25,000 | AED 10,000 – 20,000 |
| Trade name reservation | AED 620 – 1,000 | AED 600 – 1,000 |
| Initial approval | AED 120 – 300 | Often included in package |
| MOA notarisation | AED 900 – 1,500 | AED 500 – 1,200 |
| Office / flexi-desk | AED 20,000 – 80,000+ | AED 6,300 – 15,000 |
| Ejari registration | AED 220 | Not required |
| Establishment card | AED 750 – 2,000 | AED 800 – 2,000 |
| Chamber of Commerce | AED 1,200 – 3,000 | Not required |
| Investor visa (per person) | AED 3,500 – 7,000 | AED 3,500 – 7,000 |
| Dubai Municipality market fee | 2.5% of annual rent | Not applicable |
Overall first-year budget ranges:
- Mainland (licence + office + 1 visa): AED 35,000 – AED 55,000
- Mainland (general trading, full setup): AED 50,000 – AED 80,000+
- Free zone (licence + flexi-desk + 1 visa): AED 22,000 – AED 38,000
- Free zone (full setup with multiple visas): AED 40,000 – AED 70,000+
For a personalised, itemised cost quote with zero hidden fees, contact Takween Advisory today.
General Trading vs Specific Trading Licence: Which Costs More?
One of the most important cost decisions for commercial businesses is choosing between a general trading licence and a specific trading licence.
| Factor | General Trading Licence | Specific Trading Licence |
|---|---|---|
| Activities covered | Multiple product categories | One or a few specific products |
| DED activity fee | AED 15,000 | AED 150 – AED 5,000 |
| Total licence cost | AED 25,000 – AED 35,000+ | AED 10,000 – AED 18,000 |
| External approvals needed | Often yes (Dubai Municipality etc.) | Depends on product type |
| Best for | Multi-product distributors | Focused product traders |
If you only trade specific products, a specific trading licence can save you AED 10,000 to AED 20,000 in your first year alone. Takween Advisory helps you select the most cost-effective licence category for your business model.
Hidden Costs in Commercial Trade Licence Setup
Several charges catch entrepreneurs off guard — especially during the first renewal cycle. Here are the most common hidden costs to budget for:
- External regulatory approvals: Products like food, cosmetics, health supplements, electronics, and chemicals require approvals from Dubai Municipality, ESMA, or MOIAT — costing AED 1,000 to AED 20,000+ per category.
- Dubai Municipality market fee: 2.5% of your annual office rent is charged as a mandatory market fee — often missed in initial budgets.
- Customs code registration: Import and export businesses need a customs code from Dubai Customs — approximately AED 1,000 to AED 2,000.
- Late renewal penalties: Missing your licence renewal deadline triggers fines starting from AED 1,000, rising to AED 2,000 to AED 3,000 for delays of two or more weeks.
- Activity amendment fees: Adding or changing activities after licence issuance requires a formal amendment — costing AED 500 to AED 5,000 depending on scope.
- Bank account minimum balance: UAE banks lock AED 10,000 to AED 50,000 as a non-negotiable minimum average balance.
- Document attestation: Foreign documents must be attested for UAE use — AED 150 per personal document and AED 2,000 for commercial documents.
Commercial Trade Licence Renewal Cost in Dubai
Annual renewal is a recurring expense that must be factored into your long-term business budget. Commercial trade licence renewal in Dubai typically costs:
- Licence renewal fee: AED 10,000 – AED 25,000 per year
- Office tenancy renewal (Ejari): Based on your rent agreement
- Chamber of Commerce renewal: AED 1,200 – AED 3,000 per year
- Establishment card renewal: AED 640 every two years
- Visa and Emirates ID renewal (per person): AED 2,530 every two to three years
- Late renewal fine (if applicable): AED 1,000 – AED 3,000
Timely renewal is critical. Takween Advisory provides ongoing compliance and trade licence renewal support in Dubai to keep your business fully operational and penalty-free.
Documents Required for Commercial Trade Licence Application
Preparing the correct documents before you apply avoids delays and resubmission costs. For a commercial trade licence in Dubai, you will need:
- Passport copies of all shareholders and managers (valid for at least 6 months)
- Passport-size photographs with white background
- UAE entry visa or entry stamp (for applicants already in the UAE)
- Proposed company name options (minimum 3)
- Business activity description
- Notarised Memorandum of Association (MOA)
- Ejari-registered office tenancy contract
- No Objection Certificate (NOC) from current sponsor, if applicable
- External regulatory approvals, if activity-dependent
For the complete documents checklist, visit our detailed guide on documents required for business setup in Dubai .
Is a Mainland or Free Zone Commercial Licence Better for You?
The right choice depends entirely on your target market and business model:
- Choose a mainland commercial licence if your clients are primarily UAE-based, you need to bid on government tenders, or you operate a retail shop, showroom, or physical trading business inside Dubai.
- Choose a free zone commercial licence if your business is focused on international trade, re-export, or e-commerce, and you want lower setup costs with flexible office solutions.
For a full side-by-side comparison of both structures, read our guide on free zone vs mainland Dubai .
How Takween Advisory Can Help
At Takween Advisory, we provide a fully transparent cost breakdown for your commercial trade licence in Dubai — with no hidden fees and no surprises. We guide you through every step of the process, from selecting the right activity and licence type to receiving your licence and opening your bank account.
Our services include:
- Dubai mainland company setup
- Free zone company setup in Dubai
- New trade licence Dubai
- Dubai investor visa application
- Dubai corporate bank account setup
- VAT and Corporate Tax registration
- Ongoing PRO, compliance, and licence renewal support
Start Your Commercial Business in Dubai Today
Understanding the full commercial trade licence cost in Dubai before you begin is the smartest move you can make as a business owner. With the right structure, the right activity selection, and a transparent cost breakdown, you can set up your trading business efficiently — and avoid expensive mistakes.
Contact Takween Advisory today for a free consultation and get a personalised, itemised cost estimate for your commercial trade licence in Dubai — with complete transparency from day one.