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General trading license in UAE

SRTIP Accelerator | Your Trusted License Provider

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Start a General Trading Business in the UAE

General trading is a popular business activity in the UAE, allowing entrepreneurs to buy and trade a diverse range of products. You cannot run a general trading business without a valid trade license. Mainland licenses are issued by the Department of Economic Development while free zone licenses are issued by the relevant free zone authority.

SRTIP Accelerator handles the entire process of acquiring a general trading license in UAE for entrepreneurs. Our dedicated team provides expert guidance and personalized support to ensure compliance while helping you launch your trading venture efficiently and successfully.

Choose SRTIP Accelerator for Your General Trading License in UAE

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Streamlined process

 We guide you through the entire general trading license application, from preparing documents to getting government approvals, helping you avoid unnecessary delays.

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Decade of expertise

We have over ten years of experience in the UAE. Whether you are setting up as a sole establishment or an LLC, our experts know exactly what your application needs to succeed.

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End-to-end business support

From bank account opening assistance, trademark registration, to visa services, SRTIP Accelerator covers everything a new business needs to get off the ground.

Main Activities Under a General Trading License in UAE

These are the popular business activities permitted under the license:

Import and export

With a general trading license, you can bring goods into the UAE and ship them out to international markets without needing separate permits for each product category.

Retail Trading

You can sell directly to end consumers, whether through a physical store, an online shop, or both.

Wholesale Trading

A general trading license covers selling in bulk to retailers, distributors, or other businesses.

Commodity Trading

General trading licenses also permit the buying and selling of commodities such as food products, raw materials, chemicals, and building materials.

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How to Get a General Trading License in UAE

Getting a general trading license involves choosing between a free zone or the mainland, selecting a legal structure for the company, getting initial approval from the regulatory authority, then applying for a license.

Select a Jurisdiction

You can choose between a UAE free zone or the mainland. Free zones like SRTIP offer 100% foreign ownership, zero import and export duties, and a faster licensing process. Mainland setup gives you direct access to the local UAE market without restrictions.

Choose a Business Structure

The most common options are a sole proprietorship, a limited liability company, or a branch of an existing company. Your structure affects ownership rules, liability, and the number of visa allocations you can apply for.

Get Initial Approval

Before your license is issued, the relevant authority needs to approve your proposed trade name and approve your intended business activities.

Apply for a License

Once you have initial approval, you submit your full application along with the required documents.

Receive License & Start Operations

After the authority approves your application, you receive your general trading license. From that point, your business is legally registered and ready to trade.

Memorandum of Association

For UAE business license application, Memorandum of Association is required to outline the structure and purpose of your business. This document officially outlines the details of company’s shareholders, their contributions, roles and responsibilities and operational framework of the business.

By choosing SRTIP Accelerator for your Sharjah business setup and General Trading License aligns your business with innovation, growth, and ease of operations. Whether you are looking to trade globally or locally, we offer the perfect launchpad to help you succeed in today’s dynamic market.

Benefits of a General Trading Business in the UAE

SRTIP Accelerator license services offer a holistic and one-stop solution to UAE business setup process. It offers numerous advantages for entrepreneurs looking to expand their businesses including:

Tax Benefits and Free Zone Perks
One of the most significant advantages is leveraging the tax benefits available in UAE Free Zones. This includes 100% exemption from corporate tax and personal income tax and zero import and export duties to enhance profit margins.
Strategic Location in the UAE Market
SRTIP Accelerator is strategically located in the UAE, providing unparalleled access to key markets in the Middle East, Asia, and Africa. This makes it seamless for businesses to establish client and customer relationships and reach diverse target group.
Fast and Efficient Licensing Process
The SRTIP Accelerator license services have a simplified approach in the licensing process. It allows entrepreneurs to secure their General Trading License UAE quickly and efficienty with reduced waiting times, enabling businesses to launch and operate with minimal delay.
Starting a business in Sharjah-free zone comes with several advantages including competitive costs, tax incentives, 100% ownership, etc. However, the fee for obtaining a business license in UAE may vary depending on the business activity, structure and jurisdiction.

Documents Required for General Trading License in UAE

These are the documents you need to get a general trading license in the UAE:

  • Business plan
  • Passport copies of all shareholders or business owners
  • Office address
  • Memorandum of Association
  • Trade name reservation
  • Initial approval certificate
  • Financial statements of shareholders or business owners 
  •  

What is the General Trade License Cost in UAE?

The general trade license from SRTIP free zone starts from AED 5,500. Otherwise, a general trading license costs between AED 12,500 to AED 30,000. The final cost depends on your jurisdiction, business structure, number of visas, and office type (flexi-desk or dedicated office).

This is what affects the total price:

  • Jurisdiction: Free zone licenses are generally more affordable than mainland licenses.
  • Visas: Each visa allocation adds to the overall cost.
  • Office space: A flexi-desk costs less than a dedicated office.
  • Business activity approvals: Some activities require additional approvals, which can affect the final fee.

Try our cost calculator to get an estimate of your business setup cost.

FAQs About Getting a General Trading License in UAE with SRTIP Accelerator

A general trading license in the UAE allows you to buy and sell a wide range of goods across multiple product categories, all under a single license. It is a type of commercial license.

A standard trading license restricts you to one specific product category. A general trading license covers multiple, unrelated categories under one license, so you can trade across different sectors without applying for separate licenses for each.

You can get a trade license within 1 hour if you apply for an instant license. A free zone general trading license will be issued within 7 business days while a mainland license can take 2-4 weeks to be processed. 

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