Industries · Trading Companies
Trading Company Setup in Dubai & the UAE
Trading businesses live or die by the right licence: general trading or activity-specific, mainland for direct UAE market access or free zone for cost efficiency. TNC sets up the structure that matches how and where you trade — then keeps the finance side clean with bookkeeping, VAT and audit-ready records.
Licence types
Licence types for traders
Your licence decides what you can trade, where you can sell and what it costs. The main options:
General trading licence
Trade across multiple product categories under one licence (authority rules apply).
Activity-specific trading licence
Narrower scope, often leaner cost; right when your product range is fixed.
Mainland vs free zone
Mainland for selling directly into the UAE market; free zone for re-export and cost efficiency. Indicative setup from AED 12,999 (free zone) / AED 14,999 (mainland).
Customs & import/export registration
Authority-specific steps we handle through PRO and government liaison.
Beyond the licence
What traders need beyond the licence
A trading company is more than its licence. We plan the moving parts around it:
Office/warehouse planning
Flexi-desk to dedicated space as trade volume requires.
Visas for staff
Allocation planned against the jurisdiction’s rules.
Bookkeeping for traders
Inventory-linked records, payables and receivables, from AED 499/month indicative.
VAT on trade flows
Registration and filing support, AED 999 indicative; import VAT mechanics assessed per case.
Audit readiness
Many trading structures need audit-ready books; coordinated on a scoped quote.
FAQs
Trading setup — frequently asked questions
What licence do I need to trade products in Dubai?
Either a general trading licence or an activity-specific one, depending on your product range and where you sell.
Can a free zone company trade inside the UAE mainland?
Direct mainland trade generally needs a mainland licence or a local distributor arrangement — we explain the compliant routes.
What are the indicative setup costs for a trading company?
Free zone from AED 12,999 / mainland from AED 14,999 indicative; final quote depends on activity, visas, office and authority fees.
Do I need a warehouse?
Not always at the start — many traders begin with flexi-desk and scale space with volume. The licence determines minimum requirements.
How is VAT handled on imports?
Import VAT mechanics depend on your trade flow and registration status — we assess your case specifically.
Can TNC handle customs and import/export registrations?
Yes, through PRO and government liaison services.
Trade on the right licence from day one.
Tell us what you plan to trade on a free consultation — we will confirm the right licence, the jurisdiction and the indicative cost before you file.
Related services: Business Setup UAE · PRO Services · Tax Services UAE · Accounting & Bookkeeping · Audit & Assurance