Commercial licence in the UAE
A commercial licence allows your company to carry out trading and other commercial activities, such as importing, exporting, distributing and selling goods. We help you obtain the right commercial licence in a free zone or on the mainland.
What is a commercial licence?
A commercial licence (often called a trade licence) covers activities involving the buying and selling of goods and certain commercial services. Each licence lists specific activities, such as trading in electronics, foodstuff or building materials.
Some goods need extra approvals from other authorities, for example food, cosmetics or medical products. We identify these early so your application runs smoothly.
Key benefits
- Trade, import, export and distribution
- Available in free zones and on the mainland
- Choose specific product categories
- Can be combined with related activities
- Eligible for residence visas
Common commercial activities
Import and export
Licences for cross-border trade, with customs registration support.
Local trading
Mainland licences to sell directly to UAE customers.
Extra approvals
Guidance on approvals for regulated goods.
Documents you will need
- Passport copies of shareholders and manager
- Passport-size photographs
- Three proposed trade names
- Detailed description of your activities
- Office or flexi-desk details
- Any activity-specific approvals or qualifications
How the process works
Activity check
We confirm your exact activities and whether any external approval is needed.
Jurisdiction and package
We compare free zone and mainland options and send an itemised quote.
Application
We reserve your trade name and submit your licence application.
Licence and next steps
Your licence is issued, then we handle visas, bank and tax registration.
What is the difference between a commercial and a general trading licence?
Can a free zone company hold a commercial licence?
Related services
Ready to start your UAE company?
Book a free consultation. We will recommend the right free zone, licence and visa package for your plans and give you a clear, itemised quote.
Founder Solutions FZ-LLC is an independent business setup consultancy and an authorized channel partner of the free zones named on this site. We are not a government entity. Licence approvals, government fees and processing times are set by the relevant authorities and may change.
Founder Solutions FZ-LLC helps entrepreneurs set up and grow their business in the UAE: free zone and mainland company formation, licensing, visas and tax registration, handled end to end since 2021.
