A general trading license in Dubai is one of the most flexible and widely used licence types available — allowing businesses to import, export, distribute, and trade multiple product categories under a single legal structure.
But understanding the true general trading license cost in Dubai is essential before you commit to any setup. The total investment goes well beyond the headline licence fee and includes DED activity fees, office rent, visa costs, Chamber of Commerce membership, and several charges that most consultants do not mention upfront.
In this complete 2026 guide, we break down every component of the general trading licence cost in Dubai — with real AED figures, a free zone vs mainland comparison, and a full hidden cost breakdown — so you can plan your budget accurately.
What Is a General Trading License in Dubai?
A general trading license is a commercial licence issued by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) — or by a relevant free zone authority — that allows a business to trade across multiple product categories under one licence. Unlike a specific commercial licence that restricts you to one or two product types, a general trading licence gives you broad trading flexibility.
With a general trading licence in Dubai, you can:
- Import and export multiple categories of goods
- Distribute and wholesale products across the UAE
- Trade electronics, textiles, furniture, food products, and more
- Run retail and e-commerce operations under one licence
- Expand product lines without applying for additional approvals
This flexibility makes the general trading licence the most popular choice for entrepreneurs building diversified trading businesses in the UAE. For a full comparison with other licence types, visit our guide on commercial trade licence cost in Dubai .
What Products Can You Trade Under a General Trading License?
Most product categories are permitted under a general trading licence. Common tradeable goods include:
- Electronics and electrical equipment
- Garments, textiles, and fashion accessories
- Furniture and home décor
- Stationery and office supplies
- Automobile spare parts and accessories
- Industrial and construction materials
- Cosmetics and personal care products
- Food and beverages (with Dubai Municipality approval)
The following product categories require additional regulatory approvals:
- Pharmaceuticals and medicines: Ministry of Health (MOHAP) approval required
- Tobacco products: Special permit from relevant authority
- Medical devices and equipment: MOHAP registration required
- Gold and precious metals: DMCC or Dubai Multi Commodities authority approval
- Weapons and defence items: Ministry of Interior clearance required
- Alcohol: Special liquor licence required — not available for all entities
External approvals add AED 1,000 to AED 20,000+ to your total setup cost depending on the product category.
General Trading License Cost in Dubai: Full Breakdown 2026
Here is a detailed breakdown of every cost component you need to budget for when setting up a general trading company in Dubai :
-
DED Licence Fee
The base licence fee is charged by the DET for registering your company and issuing the general trading licence:
- Mainland general trading licence fee: AED 12,500 – AED 15,000
- Knowledge and Innovation fee: AED 20
- Tasheel processing fee (initial approval): AED 345
- Tasheel fee for MOA: AED 350
-
DED Activity Fee — General Trading
This is the most significant and often overlooked charge in a general trading mainland setup. The DET charges a mandatory annual activity fee for the general trading classification:
- DED General Trading activity fee: AED 15,000
- This fee is separate from the base licence fee
- It is charged every year at renewal as well
- It is specific to the "General Trading" activity — specific trading licences do not carry this fee
This single charge is the reason many entrepreneurs are surprised by the total cost. Combined with the base licence fee, the government fees alone reach approximately AED 29,685 before office rent or visa costs are added.
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Trade Name Reservation
- Trade name reservation fee: AED 620 – AED 1,000
- Valid for 180 days from date of reservation
- Name must comply with UAE naming guidelines and be unique
-
Initial Approval Fee
- Initial approval: AED 120 – AED 300
- Confirms government has no objection to your business activity
- Must be obtained before signing office lease or drafting MOA
-
Memorandum of Association (MOA)
- MOA drafting and notarisation: AED 900 – AED 1,500
- Tasheel MOA processing: AED 350
- Mandatory for LLC structures
-
Chamber of Commerce Membership
- Dubai Chamber of Commerce annual fee: AED 1,200 – AED 3,000
- Mandatory for all mainland commercial licences
- Renewed annually alongside the trade licence
- Free zone companies do not require this membership
-
Office Space and Ejari Registration
Mainland general trading companies require a physical office. The size of the office determines your visa quota — approximately 1 visa per 80 square feet.
- Small commercial office (200–300 sq ft): AED 20,000 – AED 40,000 per year
- Warehouse (for trading stock): AED 30,000 – AED 150,000+ per year
- Dubai Municipality market fee: 2.5% of annual rent (mandatory)
- Ejari registration fee: AED 220
For free zone general trading setups , flexi-desk options are available from AED 6,300 to AED 15,000 per year — significantly reducing the total cost.
-
Establishment Card and Immigration File
- Immigration card: AED 750 – AED 2,000
- E-channel registration: AED 2,280
- Required before processing any investor or employee visa
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Visa Costs
Each investor or employee visa includes the following government charges:
- 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 per person: AED 3,500 – AED 7,000
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Corporate Bank Account
A corporate bank account in Dubai is required to operate your trading business. Key banking 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
Important: UAE banks treat general trading licences as higher risk due to multi-product exposure. Expect a more thorough due diligence process and prepare a detailed company profile with expected transaction volumes.
General Trading License Cost Summary: Mainland vs Free Zone (2026)
| Cost Component | Mainland (AED) | Free Zone (AED) |
|---|---|---|
| Base licence fee | AED 12,500 – 15,000 | AED 12,000 – 22,000 |
| DED General Trading activity fee | AED 15,000 | Not applicable |
| Trade name reservation | AED 620 – 1,000 | AED 600 – 1,000 |
| Initial approval | AED 120 – 300 | Often included |
| MOA notarisation | AED 900 – 1,500 | AED 500 – 1,200 |
| Chamber of Commerce | AED 1,200 – 3,000 | Not required |
| Office space | AED 20,000 – 80,000+ | AED 6,300 – 15,000 |
| Ejari registration | AED 220 | Not required |
| Dubai Municipality market fee | 2.5% of annual rent | Not applicable |
| Establishment card | AED 750 – 2,000 | AED 800 – 2,000 |
| Investor visa (per person) | AED 3,500 – 7,000 | AED 3,500 – 7,000 |
Overall first-year budget ranges:
- Mainland (full setup, 1 visa): AED 38,000 – AED 55,000
- Mainland (with warehouse): AED 60,000 – AED 120,000+
- Free zone (flexi-desk + 1 visa): AED 22,000 – AED 38,000
- Free zone (physical office + 2 visas): AED 40,000 – AED 65,000
For a personalised, itemised cost quote, contact Takween Advisory today.
General Trading License Cost by Free Zone (2026)
If you are considering a free zone general trading licence , here is how costs compare across the most popular zones:
| Free Zone | Licence Cost (From) | Includes Flexi-Desk | Visa Quota |
|---|---|---|---|
| IFZA (International Free Zone Authority) | AED 14,900 | Yes | 1 visa included |
| Meydan Free Zone | AED 15,000 | Yes | Up to 6 visas |
| RAKEZ | AED 13,500 | Yes | Up to 3 visas |
| Dubai South | AED 17,500 | Yes | Up to 3 visas |
| JAFZA (Jebel Ali) | AED 25,000 | No (physical required) | Based on office size |
| DMCC | AED 25,000+ | No (physical required) | Based on office size |
For most general trading businesses, IFZA and Meydan offer the best balance of cost, flexibility, and reputation. JAFZA and DMCC are recommended for larger trading operations that require strong logistics infrastructure or international commodity credibility.
General Trading License vs Specific Commercial License: Which Costs More?
| Factor | General Trading Licence | Specific Commercial Licence |
|---|---|---|
| Products covered | Multiple categories | One or a few specific products |
| DED activity fee | AED 15,000 | AED 150 – AED 5,000 |
| Total licence cost (mainland) | AED 28,000 – AED 35,000+ | AED 10,000 – AED 18,000 |
| External approvals | Often required for regulated goods | Depends on product type |
| Best for | Multi-product, diversified traders | Focused, single-product businesses |
If you only trade specific products, a specific commercial licence can save you AED 10,000 to AED 15,000 per year by avoiding the AED 15,000 DED General Trading activity fee. Takween Advisory reviews your product range before recommending the most cost-effective licence type.
Hidden Costs of a General Trading License in Dubai
Beyond the headline fees, several charges consistently catch entrepreneurs off guard:
- DED General Trading activity fee (AED 15,000): The most commonly missed charge — charged annually, not just at setup.
- Dubai Municipality market fee: 2.5% of your annual office rent is added as a mandatory surcharge on all mainland commercial leases.
- External product approvals: Food, cosmetics, electronics, and health products require regulatory clearance — adding AED 1,000 to AED 20,000+.
- Customs code registration: Import and export businesses need a Dubai Customs code — approximately AED 1,000 to AED 2,000.
- Bank account minimum balance: UAE banks require AED 10,000 to AED 50,000 as a minimum average balance — capital locked away from operations.
- Bank compliance difficulty: General trading licences face tighter banking scrutiny — budget for additional documentation support and possible compliance fees.
- Late renewal penalties: Missing the annual renewal deadline triggers fines from AED 1,000 to AED 3,000.
- Activity amendment fees: Adding new product categories after licence issuance requires a formal amendment — AED 500 to AED 5,000.
Annual Renewal Cost: General Trading License in Dubai
The general trading licence must be renewed every year. Renewal costs are similar to the initial setup fees — minus one-time charges like MOA notarisation:
- Mainland licence renewal fee: AED 12,500 – AED 20,000
- DED General Trading activity fee (renewal): AED 15,000
- Chamber of Commerce renewal: AED 1,200 – AED 3,000
- Office Ejari renewal: Based on your tenancy agreement
- Establishment card renewal: AED 640 every two years
- Visa and Emirates ID renewal (per person): AED 2,530 every two to three years
- Free zone licence renewal: AED 10,000 – AED 20,000 per year
For mainland general trading companies, the annual renewal cost including the DED activity fee and Chamber membership typically starts from AED 28,000 to AED 38,000 — before office renewal. Takween Advisory provides trade licence renewal support in Dubai to keep your business compliant and penalty-free.
Documents Required for General Trading License in Dubai
Submitting accurate and complete documentation is essential for fast approval. Required documents include:
- Passport copies of all shareholders and managers (valid for at least 6 months)
- Passport-size photographs (white background, recent)
- UAE entry visa or entry stamp (for applicants already in the UAE)
- Emirates ID (for UAE residents)
- No Objection Certificate (NOC) from current sponsor, if applicable
- Proposed company name options (minimum 3)
- Notarised Memorandum of Association (MOA)
- Ejari-registered office tenancy contract (for mainland)
- External regulatory approvals (if trading regulated product categories)
For the complete documents checklist, visit our guide on documents required for business setup in Dubai .
How Takween Advisory Can Help
At Takween Advisory, we provide a fully transparent cost breakdown for your general trading licence in Dubai — with no hidden fees. We help you choose between mainland and free zone, identify the right product categories, and handle every step of the setup process.
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 renewal support
Get Your General Trading Licence in Dubai Today
Dubai's general trading licence gives you the flexibility to build and grow a diversified trading business in one of the world's most connected commercial hubs. Understanding the full cost from day one — including the DED activity fee, office requirements, and visa charges — ensures there are no surprises.
Contact Takween Advisory today for a free consultation and get a personalised, itemised cost estimate for your general trading licence in Dubai — with complete transparency and expert support from day one.