Dubai Mainland Commercial License
Get your Dubai Mainland Commercial License through DET for trading, import-export, distribution, and retail. 100% foreign ownership, UAE-wide operations, unlimited visa quota tied to office size.
Description
A Dubai Mainland Commercial License authorises trading activities — import, export, distribution, retail, wholesale, and general commercial operations — under DET (Department of Economy and Tourism, formerly DED) licensing. It is the standard license for businesses buying and selling physical goods anywhere in the UAE market. With Federal Decree-Law No. 32 of 2021, 100% foreign ownership is available for most commercial activities.
The commercial license supports up to 10 related activities under one license (e.g. electronics trading combined with mobile phone trading and accessories), unlimited visa quotas based on office size, and Customs Code registration for international trade. License costs vary by activity, but a standard commercial license with 2-3 activities typically costs AED 12,000 to 22,000 in government fees, plus the mandatory Ejari office, Chamber of Commerce membership, and immigration card.
Octavon Global Advisory handles the complete Dubai commercial license setup — activity selection, DET initial approval, trade name reservation, MOA drafting, Ejari registration, license issuance, Chamber of Commerce membership, investor visa, medical fitness, Emirates ID, Customs Code registration (for import/export), and corporate bank account introduction. Standard setup completes in 10 to 14 working days.
What's Included
- DET Mainland Commercial Trade License
- 100% Foreign Ownership
- Up to 10 Related Trading Activities
- Operate Across All UAE Emirates
- Memorandum of Association (MOA)
- Trade Name Reservation
- DET Initial Approval
- Ejari Tenancy Registration
- Dubai Chamber of Commerce Membership
- Establishment Card and Immigration Card
- Investor Visa (1 included)
- Medical Fitness Test and Emirates ID
- Customs Code Registration
- Corporate Bank Account Introduction
- VAT Registration Coordination
Requirements / Prerequisites
- Minimum 1 shareholder (individual or corporate)
- Trade name following DET naming rules
- Activities from the Commercial category only (cannot mix with Professional)
- Physical office with valid Ejari tenancy contract
- Activity-specific NOC for restricted goods (food, pharma, regulated electronics)
- Shareholder passport with 6+ months validity
Required Documents
- Passport Copy of All Shareholders (6+ months validity)
- Passport-sized Photographs
- UAE Visa Copy and Emirates ID (if UAE resident)
- 3 Proposed Trade Name Choices
- List of Commercial Activities (up to 10)
- Office Lease Agreement / Ejari
- NOC from Current Sponsor (if applicable)
- Activity-specific NOC for regulated goods
- For corporate shareholder: attested parent company documents
Our Process
- Consultation on activity selection (commercial category)
- Trade name reservation with DET
- DET initial approval
- Office tenancy contract and Ejari registration
- MOA drafting and notarisation
- Activity NOCs for regulated goods (if applicable)
- Final trade license application
- License collection
- Dubai Chamber of Commerce membership
- Establishment Card and Immigration Card
- Investor visa, medical, Emirates ID
- Customs Code registration
- Corporate bank account opening
Pricing
- Basic Fee: AED 15,000
- Service Fee: AED 4,500
- VAT (5%): AED 975
- Total: AED 20,475
Frequently Asked Questions
What activities are covered under a Dubai Mainland Commercial License?
Trading activities including import, export, distribution, wholesale, retail, e-commerce, and general trading. Specific examples: electronics trading, food trading, textile trading, machinery trading, building materials, automobile parts, and over 1,000 other commercial activities approved by DET.
Can I combine multiple commercial activities on one license?
Yes. You can combine up to 10 related activities under a single license — for example electronics trading, mobile phones trading, and accessories trading. They must all fall within the Commercial category (cannot mix Commercial with Professional or Industrial).
Do I need a Customs Code for my commercial license?
Yes, if you import or export physical goods. Customs Code registration is a separate process with Dubai Customs and is included in our setup package. You will receive a Customs Code typically within 3-5 working days after license issuance.
How long does Dubai commercial license setup take?
Standard setup completes in 10 to 14 working days from document submission. Commercial licenses with no regulator NOCs are typically the fastest mainland license to issue.
Can a Dubai commercial license sell directly to UAE customers?
Yes. Unlike free zone companies (which need distributors for mainland sales), a Dubai mainland commercial license sells directly to consumers and businesses anywhere in the UAE.
Are there minimum capital requirements?
No minimum paid-up capital is required for most Dubai mainland commercial licenses. However, banks may ask for proof of working capital during account opening. Activities with regulated trading (pharma, defence) have specific capital requirements.
Can I open retail stores or warehouses with this license?
Yes. The commercial license supports physical retail outlets, showrooms, and warehouses. Each location must be separately registered as a branch with DET, with its own Ejari and approvals.