Onshore Commercial Trading Rights Across the UAE and Global Markets
A Dubai Mainland Commercial License is the sovereign legal foundation required to trade, distribute, wholesale, retail, import, export, and store physical merchandise across the United Arab Emirates and globally. Regulated by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), mainland commercial entities operate without territorial boundaries, dealing directly with local consumers, retail storefronts, supermarkets, and sovereign government procurement bodies.
Under UAE Federal Decree-Law No. 32 of 2021, foreign investors hold 100% legal equity ownership in commercial Limited Liability Companies (LLCs) without requiring an Emirati national majority partner. Furthermore, a mainland commercial license empowers your enterprise to secure a Dubai Customs Client Code on the Mirsil 2 platform, enabling seamless sea, air, and land freight customs clearance across all UAE ports.
Dubai Mainland Commercial Trading License
Complete onshore incorporation for general traders, importers, distributors & e-commerce.
- ✓ Official DET Commercial Trade License (1 Year)
- ✓ 100% Expatriate Foreign Equity Ownership
- ✓ Dubai Customs Client Code Registration (Mirsil 2 Platform)
- ✓ Complete Registration, Bilingual MOA & Trade Name Clearance
- ✓ Eligible for Renewable 2-Year UAE Investor Visas
- ✓ Tier-1 Corporate Bank Account Opening & KYC Support
In Just 3 Quick Steps
Fast-track your Dubai commercial trading enterprise with structured, end-to-end corporate advisory from EON Global Group.
Select the Business Activity
Identify compliant commercial trading activities from DET's official schedule—from specialized vertical commodities to general trading and e-commerce. EON ensures your ISIC-4 activity codes align with your import/export strategy.
Prepare Documents and Complete Registration
Finalize corporate trade name reservation, shareholder passport validation, initial DET approval, and bilingual LLC Memorandum of Association (MOA) notarized through Dubai Courts e-notary.
Receive the License and Plan Next Steps
Discharge the official DET payment voucher to receive your Commercial Trade License. EON immediately activates your Dubai Customs Client Code, corporate bank accounts, and residency visas.
How EON Assists With Commercial License Applications
Establishing a commercial trading enterprise onshore requires coordinated execution across municipal licensing bodies, customs authorities, and corporate financial institutions. EON Global Group manages your entire commercial incorporation journey, ensuring compliant activity scheduling and swift government approvals.
Mainland Commercial License Benefits
Strategic commercial freedom, customs integration, and direct access to UAE and GCC domestic markets.
100% Foreign Equity Ownership
Full expatriate equity under Federal Decree-Law No. 32/2021 across commercial trading LLCs with zero requirement for an Emirati national sponsor or local equity partner.
Unrestricted Domestic UAE Trade
Uncapped commercial operations across all seven Emirates, direct supply to retail stores, malls, supermarkets, corporate B2B clients, and public government tenders.
Global Import, Export & Customs
Issuance of an official Dubai Customs Client Code on Mirsil 2, enabling seamless sea, air, and land freight customs clearance with zero broker markups or cross-border trade friction.
Flexible Premises & Scalable Visas
Freedom to lease retail showrooms, serviced offices, or industrial storage warehouses, with MoHRE workforce quotas linked directly to your commercial facility size.
Permitted Commercial Activities Scope
Mainland commercial licensing accommodates extensive trading classifications aligned with official ISIC-4 activity codes:
- ✓ General Trading: Unrestricted import, export, wholesale, and retail distribution of multiple non-regulated commodity verticals under one license.
- ✓ Specialized Commercial Trading: Single-sector product verticals such as electronics, apparel, building materials, auto spare parts, and industrial equipment.
- ✓ E-Commerce & Digital Retail: Online merchant operations, omnichannel fulfillment, and local domestic warehousing for web stores and marketplace seller accounts.
- ✓ Commercial Brokerage: Intermediary trade negotiation connecting overseas producers and domestic enterprises without taking physical title of inventory.
Essential Setup Considerations
Key statutory compliance, physical leasing, and tax requirements for commercial trading enterprises:
- • Commercial Tenancy (Ejari): Physical premises registration required—from business center flexi-desks to commercial retail shops and industrial storage yards.
- • Dubai Customs Registration: Client code issuance via Mirsil 2 required to clear sea cargo at Jebel Ali Port, air freight at DXB/DWC, or GCC land borders.
- • Corporate Tax & VAT: Subject to 9% UAE Federal Corporate Tax on net profits above AED 375,000; mandatory 5% VAT registration once taxable turnover exceeds AED 375,000.
- • Investor & Employee Visas: 2-year renewable investor visas and scalable workforce visas allocated by MoHRE according to leased commercial premises area.
Ready to Launch Your UAE Commercial Trading Company?
Connect with our senior Dubai Department of Economy & Tourism (DET) corporate advisors to discuss your intended trading activities, verify licensing costs, and receive a complete turnkey proposal.