General trading licence in the UAE — cost & best free zones (2026)
A general trading licence lets one company trade many unrelated product categories under a single licence. Here is what it really costs across verified UAE free zones, and which zones suit broad trading. No sales calls.
What a general trading licence is — vs commercial or specific trading
A general trading licence permits one company to buy and sell across many unrelated goods categories — say electronics, garments, furniture and building materials — under a single licence. A specific or commercial trading licence is limited to the named activities you register, such as "foodstuff trading" alone. General trading is the broadest, most flexible option; a specific activity is narrower and sometimes cheaper. Exact activity scope, naming and any restrictions differ by free zone, so we confirm your scope in writing per application — we never invent it.
In practice the choice is about flexibility. If you expect to add new product lines over time, or to trade several unrelated categories from day one, a general trading licence saves you re-filing every time your range grows. If your business is built around one tight category and you want the leanest licence, a specific activity can do the job for less. Note that some free zones price a broad general-trading scope higher than a narrow activity, and some restrict which goods a general licence may cover — both points are confirmed in writing before you file, never assumed.
Best free zones for a general trading licence — Published scenario prices
These are live 2026 Formenzo figures. RAKEZ, SPC and Ajman carry broad trading activity lists and competitive prices; DMCC is the premium commodities and trading flagship in Dubai.
| Free zone | Emirate | Licence only | 1-visa scenario | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AjmanCheapest | Ajman | AED 4,888 | AED 10,800 | Lowest-cost general trading |
| RAKEZTrading-strong | Ras Al Khaimah | AED 6,000 | AED 14,000 | Warehousing & broad lists |
| SPC Free Zone | Sharjah | AED 5,750 | AED 13,165 | Wide trading activities |
| Fujairah Creative City | Fujairah | AED 4,900 | AED 12,500 | Lean light trading |
| SRTIP | Sharjah | AED 5,500 | AED 12,500 | Tech-product trading |
| Masdar City | Abu Dhabi | AED 7,000 | AED 17,500 | Abu Dhabi address |
| Meydan | Dubai | AED 12,500 | AED 24,450 | Premium Dubai address |
| IFZA | Dubai (DSO) | AED 12,900 | AED 17,615 | Dubai trading address |
| DMCCCommodities | Dubai | AED 35,484 | Add visa separately | Premium commodities & trading |
Published scenarios are comparison starting points for the licence and selected visa setup. We check activity scope, authority charges, document requirements and optional services, then issue the final written itemisation before payment. DMCC is shown licence-only (its commodities/trading flagship pricing). Prices are live Formenzo 2026 figures and exclude optional add-ons. Some zones add a fee for a broad general-trading scope — confirmed in writing. Verify your exact number, extra visas and activity with the free calculator.
Dubai vs the cheaper emirates
A Dubai address carries a premium. Meydan (AED 12,500 licence-only), IFZA (AED 12,900) and the commodities flagship DMCC (AED 35,484 licence-only) all sit in Dubai and price accordingly — you pay for the emirate's brand, banking ecosystem and prestige rather than a different licence. If a Dubai postcode matters for your buyers or your bank, that premium can be worth it; DMCC in particular is the natural home for commodities and large-scale trading.
If cost is the priority, the northern emirates win clearly. Ajman is the cheapest general trading at AED 4,888 licence-only, with RAKEZ (AED 6,000) close behind and purpose-built for trading with warehousing options. SPC in Sharjah (AED 5,750) carries one of the widest activity lists. The licence rights are comparable — what differs is the address, facilities and the fee. Use the UAE free-zone cost index to see every zone side by side.
Lowest-cost general trading
Ajman (from AED 4,888). The lowest published scenario route to a broad trading licence — ideal for a lean setup with no warehousing needed.
Trading-strong & warehousing
RAKEZ (from AED 6,000). Purpose-built for trading and industry with broad activity lists and affordable warehousing if you store goods.
Widest activity list
SPC (from AED 5,750). One of the longest trading activity lists in the UAE, so a single general licence can span many categories.
Premium Dubai commodities
DMCC (from AED 35,484 licence-only). The flagship for commodities and large-scale trading, with a prestige Dubai address.
What's included — and visas
Each published scenario is a clear comparison starting point. We check the activity and authority scope, then confirm the final written itemisation before payment.
The trade licence
Your general trading licence plus the free-zone registration and government fees. The exact activity scope is confirmed in writing per application.
Residence visa
Add residence visas to any general trading licence. Ajman is AED 10,800 with one visa; licence-only (zero-visa) general trading starts from AED 4,888.
No sales calls, ever
Compare every zone's price side by side and decide on your own terms — no forms-to-unlock, no follow-up pressure, no cold calls.
How to start your general trading licence
First, decide whether you genuinely need general trading (many unrelated categories) or a narrower specific activity — the calculator helps you match goods to a zone. Then pick a zone on price and facilities: Ajman or RAKEZ for value, DMCC for premium Dubai commodities. Run your numbers on the free cost calculator with your visa count; after review, your secure portal shows the confirmed published scenario figure, activity scope and validity date before you file.
See your exact general trading price in 60 seconds
Pick your visa count and goods — compare published scenarios for every zone we verify. Free, instant, no sign-up.
Open the free calculator →Frequently asked questions
What is a general trading licence in the UAE?
A general trading licence lets one company trade many unrelated product categories under a single licence — for example electronics, garments and building materials together. A specific or commercial trading licence is limited to the named activities you register. The exact scope of a general trading licence is confirmed per application, because lists and naming differ by free zone.
How much does a general trading licence cost in the UAE?
Published scenario prices in verified free zones start from AED 4,888 licence-only at Ajman (AED 10,800 with one residence visa). RAKEZ is AED 6,000 licence-only and SPC AED 5,750. Some zones price a broad general-trading scope higher than a narrow activity, so confirm your exact figure in writing before filing.
Which free zones are best for a general trading licence?
RAKEZ, SPC and Ajman carry broad trading activity lists and competitive prices, so they are common picks for general trading. DMCC is the premium commodities and trading flagship in Dubai at AED 35,484 licence-only. Match your goods to a zone with the free calculator.
Is general trading more expensive than a specific trading activity?
Sometimes. A narrow, specific activity can be cheaper, while some zones add a fee for the broad general-trading scope. Because this varies by free zone and changes over time, we confirm the exact activity scope and any surcharge in writing for your application rather than quote an invented figure.
Does a general trading licence include a residence visa?
You can add residence visas to any general trading licence. Our published 1-visa scenarios use a residence-visa route as the comparison basis — for example Ajman is AED 10,800 with one visa. Licence-only (zero-visa) general trading starts from AED 4,888.
Start with a secure online estimate
Build an itemised estimate online. After review, your secure portal shows the confirmed total, its validity date, any authority requirements and the invoice before payment.