E-commerce Licence in Dubai, UAE Sell online, on Amazon.ae or noon with a licence from AED 5,750
An e-commerce licence lets you sell products or services online in the UAE legally, whether through your own website, social media or marketplaces like Amazon.ae and noon. Free zone e-commerce licences start from AED 5,750 a year, mainland licences from the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) suit businesses that need a physical store too, and residents can start from home with an e-Trader licence. A&A Associate compares the options for your products and gets you licensed, banked and VAT-ready.
- Licences from AED 5,750
- 100% foreign ownership
- Visa packages available
- Accepted by Amazon.ae and noon
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What is an e-commerce licence and who needs one?
An e-commerce licence is a trade licence whose activity covers selling goods or services through electronic means. UAE Federal Law No. 14 of 2023 on Trade Through Modern Technological Means requires anyone trading online in the UAE to hold a licence and to follow consumer-protection, data and returns rules. You need one if you sell through any of these channels:
Your own website or app
Sell physical products through your own online store or mobile app.
Amazon.ae, noon and Namshi
List products on UAE marketplaces as a registered seller.
Instagram, TikTok or WhatsApp
Take orders and payments through social media and messaging apps.
Dropshipping and subscriptions
Run dropshipping, subscription boxes or sell digital products.
Online services
Offer courses, design, consulting or other services online.
Selling without a licence?
It can lead to fines, frozen marketplace accounts and problems opening a bank account or payment gateway.
E-commerce licence cost in Dubai 2026
The licence fee depends on the route. Free zones publish fixed packages; mainland fees depend on your activities, office and visas. Here is what each route costs per year.
| Route | Licence costPer year | Visa | Office | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free zone, no visa | AED 5,750–12,900 | None | Flexi-desk included | Residents, remote founders, marketplace sellers |
| Free zone with 1 visa | AED 12,000–22,000 all-in | 1 investor visa | Flexi-desk | Founders who need UAE residence |
| Mainland (DET) | AED 12,000–20,000 + office | By office size | Ejari-registered office or virtual office | Businesses that also sell in-store or need unrestricted UAE trade |
| e-Trader (DET) | AED 1,070 + AED 300 Chamber | None | Home-based | Dubai residents selling through social media |
| Dubai CommerCity | From AED 25,000 | Packages | Office or warehouse units | Larger e-commerce operators with logistics needs |
Cheapest e-commerce licence - Up to 5 activity groups
- Instant licence issue
- Valid for online sales across the UAE
- Fixed A&A fees agreed in writing
Renewals cost less than year one, because one-off items such as bank account opening and payment gateway setup are not repeated. Need a quick estimate? Our cost calculator gives a first figure in a minute.
Cheapest free zones for an e-commerce licence in the UAE
Published starting prices for e-commerce and online trading licences in 2026. Free zones change their packages often, so we confirm the current price before you pay.
SPC Free Zone (Sharjah)
Instant licence, 20 minutes from Dubai.
UAQ Free Trade Zone
Some of the lowest-cost visa packages in the UAE.
Meydan Free Zone (Dubai)
Dubai address, flexi-desk and a licence in 24 hours.
IFZA (Dubai)
Popular with Amazon sellers; a 1-visa package costs about AED 21,000 all-in.
DMCC (Dubai)
Premium address and the strongest banking reputation.
Dubai CommerCity
An e-commerce specialist zone with warehousing and last-mile logistics on site.
Licensed in Sharjah or UAQ, selling to Dubai?
Sharjah and Umm Al Quwain licences are valid for selling online across the UAE. Choose a Dubai zone if you need a Dubai address for banking or branding. Setting up in the capital instead? See business setup in Abu Dhabi.
Mainland or free zone e-commerce licence: which should you choose?
Most online-only sellers choose a free zone. Pick the mainland if you plan a store, pop-ups or B2B supply to local retailers.
Not sure which fits? We compare both routes for your products, free of charge. Ask an expert →
| Compare | Free zoneSPC, UAQ, Meydan, IFZA, DMCC | MainlandDubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) |
|---|---|---|
| Sell online to UAE customers | Yes | Yes |
| Physical shop or showroom | No (free zone premises only) | Yes |
| Sell to UAE government | No | Yes |
| Ownership | 100% foreign | 100% foreign for e-commerce activities |
| Office | Flexi-desk from the package | Ejari office or virtual office |
| Licence cost | From AED 5,750 | From AED 12,000 plus office |
| Visa quota | Fixed packages (0–6 visas) | Based on office size |
Read more about free zone company formation and mainland company setup
Get a free comparisonE-commerce licence with visa in Dubai
A free zone e-commerce licence can be bought with 0, 1, 2 or more visa allocations. Each visa adds roughly AED 3,500–5,500 for the entry permit, medical, Emirates ID and stamping, plus an establishment card for the company.
No visa
- E-commerce licence and flexi-desk
- Run it from abroad or on your current visa
- Add visas later
1 visa
- E-commerce licence and flexi-desk
- Establishment card
- Investor visa, medical and Emirates ID
Mainland licences get visas based on office size instead of fixed packages. Price my visa package
Selling on Amazon.ae and noon with your licence
Both marketplaces ask for the same core documents. A free zone e-commerce licence from SPC, IFZA, Meydan or UAQ is accepted by both, and we prepare the seller-account file so approval is not delayed.
UAE trade licence
With an e-commerce or trading activity on the licence.
UAE corporate bank account
For marketplace payouts in your company's name. Bank account opening
VAT registration number
Once your taxable sales pass AED 375,000 a year.
noon extras
A UAE address and the Emirates ID of the signatory.
Documents required for an e-commerce licence
How to get an e-commerce licence in Dubai: step-by-step
From choosing your activity code to launching your store. Our PRO team handles the free zone or DET filings, visas and bank introductions for you.
Most free zone e-commerce licences are issued in 1–5 working days; mainland licences take 5–10. Visas add 2–3 weeks.
Start my licence- 01
Choose your products and channels
So we can match the right activity code: e-commerce, online trading, marketplace or digital content.
- 02
Pick the jurisdiction
Free zone, mainland or e-Trader, based on cost, visas and whether you need a store.
- 03
Reserve the trade name
Register a name that follows UAE naming rules and get initial approval.
- 04
Submit documents and pay the licence fee
Free zones issue most e-commerce licences in 1–5 working days.
- 05
Apply for your visa and Emirates ID
If visas are included in your package.
- 06
Open a corporate bank account and payment gateway
With UAE banks and gateways such as Telr, PayTabs, Stripe UAE or Network International.
- 07
Register for VAT and corporate tax
VAT once taxable turnover passes AED 375,000; corporate tax within the FTA deadline.
- 08
Launch your store
Go live on your website or marketplace account, with returns and privacy policies that comply with the E-commerce Law.
Taxes and compliance for online sellers in the UAE
What every online store needs to plan for once the licence is issued.
VAT registration
Register once taxable supplies exceed AED 375,000 a year (voluntary from AED 187,500). Exports outside the GCC are zero-rated.
Corporate tax
0% up to AED 375,000 of taxable profit and 9% above, with mandatory FTA registration. Small Business Relief applies below AED 3 million revenue for tax periods ending by 31 December 2026.
E-commerce Law (2023)
Show your licence number, prices, returns policy and contact details on your store, and protect customer data.
Accounting records
Keep accounting records for at least seven years.
Why choose A&A Associate for your e-commerce licence?
We compare before you pay
SPC, UAQ, Meydan, IFZA, DMCC and DET, checked against your products and sales channels.
Fixed fees in writing
Licence, visa, bank account and VAT handled under one roof.
Marketplace-ready
Your Amazon.ae and noon seller-account file is prepared with the licence.
In-house PRO team and accountants
For government filings, VAT and corporate tax returns. PRO services
Explore related business setup options
Weighing an e-commerce licence against other routes? Compare them here, or see every option for business setup in Dubai
Frequently asked questions about the e-commerce licence in Dubai
Quick answers on cost, visas, marketplaces, timelines and tax for online sellers in the UAE.
Still have a question?
Speak to an e-commerce licence consultant today. The first consultation is free.
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Tell us what you sell and where. A consultant will call you back with a written quote and the right free zone or mainland route.