General trading is a popular business activity in the UAE. The country is strategically positioned for trade, with ports connected to Europe, Asia, and Africa. Starting a general trading business can be expensive, so finding the cheapest general trading license in UAE can be useful for entrepreneurs looking for cost-effective options.
What are the Types of Trade Licenses in UAE?
There are three main types of trade licenses in the UAE: commercial, industrial, and professional licenses. A general trading license in the UAE is a type of commercial license as it deals with importing, exporting, and distributing various types of products.
Feature | Commercial License | Industrial License | Professional License |
Purpose | Buying and selling physical goods (Trading) | Manufacturing and large-scale production | Providing expertise, services, or consultancy |
Ownership | 100% foreign ownership | 100% foreign ownership allowed for most manufacturing sectors | 100% foreign ownership |
Physical Space | Office or retail shop | Factory or warehouse | Virtual office, flexi-desk, office space |
Example Activities | General Trading, E-commerce, Textile/Clothing Trading, Electronics Import/Export, Jewelry Trading | Food & Beverage Production, Furniture Manufacturing, Chemical Processing, Metal Casting/Fabrication, Packaging & Assembly | Management Consultancy, IT & Software Services, Marketing & PR Agencies, Architectural Design, Beauty Salons & Spas |
What is the Cheapest General Trading License in UAE?
The SRTIP free zone in Sharjah offers a general trading license starting at AED 5,500. This is one of the cheapest general trading licenses in the UAE.
Other affordable general trading licenses include SHAMS, Meydan Free Zone, . Generally, free zone general trading licenses are cheaper than mainland licenses.
- SRTIP (Sharjah Research Technology and Innovation Park): Zero-visa packages starting at AED 5,500.
- SHAMS (Sharjah Media City): Zero-visa packages starting at AED 5,750
- SPC (Sharjah Publishing City) Free Zone: Zero-visa packages starting at AED 6,875
- Meydan Free Zone: Zero-visa packages starting at AED 12,500
Business setup in Sharjah is generally cheaper than Abu Dhabi and Dubai, for both free zone and mainland businesses.
Free Zone | Starting Cost of General Trading License | Advantages |
SRTIP (Sharjah) | AED 5,500 | Ideal for traders dealing in high-tech, R&D, or green-tech goods. Access to advanced labs and university-linked networks. |
SHAMS (Sharjah) | AED 5,750 | 100% online registration (under 48 hours). Very flexible activity combinations; no NOC required if you are already employed in the UAE. |
SPC Free Zone (Sharjah) | AED 6,875 | Known as the “Instant Zone.” You can have your license in 2 hours. |
Meydan Free Zone | AED 12,500 | A “Dubai” address without the high cost. Includes “Meydan Pay” (built-in digital banking) and a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to open a physical shop anywhere in Dubai. |
How to Get a General Trading License in the UAE
This is how to get a general trading license in the UAE:
- Choose a jurisdiction: You can start a general trading business in a free zone or on the mainland. If you want the cheapest general trading license in the UAE, choose a free zone.
- Pick a legal structure: General trading businesses are generally set up as LLCs, partnerships, or branch companies.
- Apply for a trade license: You need a commercial license to start a general trading business in the UAE. You will need initial approval from the relevant authority to apply for the license. Mainland licenses are regulated by the Department of Economic Development, and free zones are regulated by their own authorities.
- Process visas: Once your trade license is issued, you can apply for a visa. You can also sponsor employees and dependents.
- Open a bank account: A business bank account is mandatory for every general trading license holder in the UAE.
What is the Cost of Getting a General Trading License in Sharjah?
It costs around AED 5,500 to AED 40,000 to get a general trading license in Sharjah. The Sharjah free zone license cost is cheaper, starting at AED 5,500 in the SRTIP free zone. A local business setup consultant can help you get an exact estimate.
Documents to Apply For Cheapest General Trading License in UAE
These are the documents you need to apply for a general trading license in UAE:
- Owner(s) passport and visa copies
- Trade name reservation
- Initial approval certificate
- Office address
- Incorporation documents (Certificate of Incorporation, Memorandum of Association)
- Bank statements
Conclusion
A general trading license in UAE is a popular license category for entrepreneurs and investors. SRTIP free zone offers a cost-effective general trading license package, with up to five activities under one license. Working with the business consultants at SRTIP Accelerator can streamline the application process.
Frequently Asked Questions
SRTIP free zone offers a zero-visa license starting at AED 5,500. This is one of the cheapest business licenses in the UAE.
A general trading license is a type of commercial license that allows you to carry out activities relating to import, export, and distribution of goods. This license is applicable to goods of different categories.
It is better to start a general trading business in a free zone as they offer cheaper license packages and faster business setup processing. SRTIP, Meydan Free Zone, SHAMS, and SPC free zone offer the cheapest general trading licenses in UAE.
You do not need a local sponsor to start a general trading business in the UAE. Both free zones and the mainland offer complete foreign ownership for most business activities.
