Cheapest General Trading License in Dubai Mainland: Cost Guide (2026)
Securing a general trading license allows businesses to import, export, store, and distribute multiple unrelated product lines—from electronics and textiles to cosmetics and home goods—under a single entity. However, because general trading permits cover unrestricted commercial activities, obtaining one directly through the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) often incurs higher baseline activity fees and strict tenancy requirements.
If you are looking for the cheapest general trading license in Dubai mainland, understanding the exact government fee structure and optimizing your physical workspace expenses are essential to minimizing startup capital.
What Does a Mainland General Trading License Cost?
A Dubai mainland General Trading license requires a higher baseline investment than a single-activity commercial license due to the DET’s mandatory General Trading Activity Fee (typically AED 15,000 per year).
While a standard specific commercial license (e.g., garments trading only) starts around AED 12,000 to AED 15,000, a full Mainland General Trading License total government fee package ranges between AED 28,000 and AED 35,000.
Breakdown of Official Government & Administrative Fees
| Fee Component | Estimated Annual Fee (AED) | Breakdown & Regulatory Notes |
| Base DET License Issuance Fee | AED 12,500 – AED 15,000 | Mandatory core registration fee charged by the DET. |
| DET General Trading Activity Surcharge | AED 15,000 | Annual government activity fee specific to general trading. |
| Trade Name Reservation & Approval | AED 620 – AED 1,000 | Initial trade name lock-in and preliminary government clearance. |
| Dubai Chamber of Commerce Membership | AED 1,200 – AED 2,200 | Mandatory annual commercial membership for local/international trade. |
| MOA Attestation & Tasheel Fees | AED 900 – AED 1,500 | Legal Memorandum of Association drafting and electronic sign-off. |
| Dubai Municipality Market Fee | 2.5% of annual rent | Calculated directly based on your Ejari commercial lease value. |
| Total Mandatory Government Fees | AED 28,000 – AED 35,000 | Base baseline before workspace & visa application fees. |
How to Get the Cheapest Setup Strategy
To get the most affordable general trading license setup on the mainland without paying AED 40,000+ per year in traditional office rent, consider these two cost-saving strategies:
Strategy 1: Smart Workspace Optimization via Virtual Ejari
Physical office rentals along prime corridors like Business Bay or Sheikh Zayed Road can easily add AED 30,000 to AED 80,000 to your year-one expenses.
You can significantly lower your workspace overhead by using a dedicated
Strategy 2: Specific Commercial License vs. General Trading
If you only trade 3 to 10 related product groups (for example, textiles, footwear, and accessories), apply for a Specific Commercial License instead of a General Trading license. A specific commercial license allows multiple activity codes under one license without triggering the mandatory AED 15,000 general trading activity surcharge.
5-Step Mainland License Setup Process
Trade Name & Activity Selection: Select your primary commercial trading activities and reserve your business name via DET.
Initial Approval: Obtain preliminary security and government clearance.
Execute MOA: Draft and sign the electronic Memorandum of Association using UAE Pass.
Secure Ejari Registration: Attach an official DLD Ejari tenancy contract to fulfill municipal office requirements.
Fee Payment & License Issuance: Settle the DET payment voucher to download your commercial license and Dubai Chamber registration certificate immediately.
To verify property registration regulations, tenancy legalities, and attestation procedures, check official documentation rules on the