DMCC Gold & Diamond Trading sits at the heart of Dubai's position as a global precious-metals and diamond hub. DMCC operates the Dubai Diamond Exchange (DDE) and DMCC Tradeflow, and hosts the physical infrastructure — vaults, a purpose-built exchange and the world-class Almas Tower — that make it the natural home for gold, diamond and precious-stone trading.
A true precious-metals ecosystem
DMCC is more than a licence for the gold and diamond trade — it is the ecosystem: the Dubai Diamond Exchange, DMCC-approved vaults and secure logistics, the DMCC Tradeflow commodity-ownership platform, and internationally recognised standards. For a trader, that means credibility with counterparties and banks that a generic free zone cannot match.
Activities you can license
- Gold and precious-metals trading
- Diamond and coloured-gemstone trading
- Jewellery trading and manufacturing
- Bullion and coin trading
- Precious-metals refining (with approvals)
Cost & compliance
| Item | Notes | Indicative cost (AED) |
|---|
| Gold/diamond trading licence | Licence + registration + flexi desk | ~ 35,500 – 47,000 |
| DDE membership / vault | Where physical trade / storage applies | Quoted case by case |
Precious-metals businesses must meet strict AML and responsible-sourcing rules. We help you build the compliance file DMCC and banks expect. Ongoing filing is covered in
DMCC audit & financial filing.
Setting up a bullion or diamond desk is a specialist form of DMCC business setup. See related commodity centres and pricing on cost & packages.
Licence, capital and compliance for precious-metals traders
Gold and diamond trading runs on a DMCC trading licence that lists the specific activity, such as trading in gold, diamonds, precious stones or jewellery. Most physical-trading activities carry a declared minimum share capital, commonly around AED 50,000, which is usually not deposited into a blocked account, and they need workspace inside the free zone.
Dealers in precious metals and stones also carry anti-money-laundering obligations: goAML registration and reporting, KYC on customers and suppliers, and responsible-sourcing due diligence.
Banking is the make-or-break step for gold traders. Have your AML procedures, supplier documents and transaction rationale ready before you apply.
Setup, step by step
- Fix your exact activityBullion, jewellery, diamonds and refining each differ.
- Reserve your nameand file for DMCC initial approval.
- Meet capital and workspace requirementsfor your licensed activity.
- Build AML and KYC proceduresand supplier due diligence from day one.
- Get your licencethen open a bank account with your compliance pack ready.
- Plug into DMCC infrastructureVaulting, exchange and refiner networks as needed.
Trade gold & diamonds from DMCC
Get a fixed quote and a compliance-ready setup for your precious-metals company.
Get Free QuoteWhatsApp UsFrequently Asked Questions
Why trade gold and diamonds through DMCC?
DMCC operates the Dubai Diamond Exchange, DMCC-approved vaults and the Tradeflow platform, giving precious-metals traders infrastructure, credibility and bank comfort that a generic free zone cannot match.
What can I license for gold and diamond trading?
Gold and precious-metals trading, diamond and gemstone trading, jewellery trading and manufacturing, bullion and coin trading, and refining with the relevant approvals.
How much does a DMCC gold trading licence cost?
From AED 35,484 with DMCC’s Basic Biz package, or about AED 47,000 at list price (licence AED 20,285 plus one-time fees of AED 12,055 and a flexi desk), before visas. Exchange membership and vaulting are quoted separately based on your trade.
Are there compliance requirements for precious-metals trading?
Yes. Strict AML and responsible-sourcing rules apply. We help build the compliance file DMCC and banks require, and arrange annual audited filing.
Do I need share capital to trade gold in DMCC?
Most physical precious-metals trading requires a declared minimum share capital, commonly around AED 50,000, though it is usually not deposited into a blocked account.
Is gold trading in Dubai tax-free?
Your DMCC company can pay 0% corporate tax on qualifying income as a Qualifying Free Zone Person, otherwise 9%. There is no personal income tax, but compliance and audited accounts are required.
Can I store gold in DMCC?
Yes. DMCC offers secure vaulting and logistics as part of its precious-metals ecosystem.
How we keep this page accurate. Fees and process steps are checked against DMCC’s official
Schedule of Charges and the
DMCC Knowledge Bank guidelines, and against the DMCC member-portal filings our JLT team handles every week.
Last verified: October 2026. Government fees change, so we confirm the live figure before you pay.
