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DMCC Trading License in Dubai

Import, export and general trading from Dubai's flagship free zone — 100% owned, licensed in days by a team based inside DMCC.

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A DMCC Trading License lets your company import, export, re-export, store and distribute physical goods through Dubai's largest free zone. It is the most popular licence we issue from our JLT office — ideal for general trading, commodity trade and wholesale distribution with 100% foreign ownership.

What the DMCC Trading Licence covers

The trading licence permits buying and selling of specified goods. You can hold several related product lines on one licence, or opt for a General Trading licence to deal in almost any non-regulated commodity. Typical activities include general trading, foodstuff trading, electronics, building materials, textiles, machinery and commodity trade across DMCC's gold, diamond, tea and coffee ecosystems.

Trading vs General Trading

A standard trading licence covers a defined group of related products; a General Trading licence is broader and costs a little more, but lets you trade unrelated product categories under one entity — useful for holding companies and diversified traders.

DMCC Trading Licence cost 2026

PackageIncludesIndicative cost (AED)
Trading licence, zero visaLicence + registration + flexi desk~ 22,000 – 28,000
Trading licence + 2 visasAbove + establishment card + 2 visas~ 30,000 – 42,000
General Trading upgradeBroader activity scope+ 3,000 – 6,000

For the full breakdown see DMCC cost & packages and choose your workspace on office options.

How to get a DMCC Trading Licence

  1. Choose activitiesWe map your products to the correct DMCC trading activities and licence tier.
  2. Name & initial approvalCompany name reserved and application filed on the DMCC portal.
  3. Documents & KYCPassports, photos and forms submitted; licence and incorporation issued in days.
  4. Office, visas & bankFlexi desk registered, visas processed and a bank account opened.

Documents required

  • Shareholder and manager passport copies
  • Passport photos
  • Proof of address
  • Proposed names and product list
  • Corporate shareholders: attested incorporation documents

Ready to trade from DMCC? This licence is the backbone of most DMCC business setup projects we handle. For import/export you will also need customs registration, which our DMCC PRO services team arranges.

Trading vs general trading: the official price gap

DMCC licenceScopeOfficial annual fee (AED)
Standard trading licenceUp to a defined group of related trading activities20,285
General trading licenceBroad multi-category trading50,265

Our advice: most trading start-ups don't need general trading. A standard trading licence covering the product groups you actually sell costs less than half as much. You can add activities later as a company amendment (AED 1,515 per request). Trading licences can also renew for 2, 3 or 5 years at a time. See DMCC licence renewal.

Related DMCC services

Start your DMCC trading company

Get the current DMCC promotion as a fixed, all-in quote — licence, visas and bank introduction.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much is a DMCC trading licence?
Plan around AED 22,000 to 28,000 for a zero-visa trading licence with a flexi desk, before visas. General Trading and added visas increase the cost. We quote the live DMCC promotion.
What is the difference between a trading and general trading licence?
A trading licence covers a defined group of related products, while a General Trading licence lets you trade unrelated product categories under one entity for a slightly higher fee.
Can I import and export with a DMCC trading licence?
Yes. The licence permits import, export, re-export, storage and distribution. You will also need UAE customs registration, which we arrange for you.
How many products can I list on one licence?
A standard trading licence typically allows a group of related activities; General Trading covers almost any non-regulated commodity. We confirm the exact grouping during setup.
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.