General trading licence in the UAE
A general trading licence lets your company trade in a wide range of unrelated products under one licence. It is ideal for import, export and distribution businesses that want flexibility as they grow.
What is a general trading licence?
A general trading licence allows you to deal in multiple product categories without listing each one separately, giving you room to add new product lines without changing your licence.
Restricted goods, such as food, medicines, chemicals or alcohol, still need specific approvals. We help you understand what your licence covers and arrange any approvals you need.
Key benefits
- Trade in multiple unrelated product categories
- Ideal for import, export and re-export
- Flexibility to add new products
- Free zone and mainland options
- Customs code registration support
Who a general trading licence suits
Import and re-export
Structures suited to regional and international trade.
Warehousing options
Free zones with warehouse facilities where needed.
Restricted goods
Guidance on approvals for regulated products.
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.
Is a general trading licence more expensive?
Can I trade any product?
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.
