Which format fits
Zones at ports and airports and trading free zones often suit trading companies. If you need to trade inside the UAE, you will need a trading licence and, as a rule, a mainland structure. Choose the zone to match the type of goods.
What to pay attention to
- Some goods require permits and registrations, so check the product code before the licence is issued.
- Customs procedures and warehouses differ between zones.
- Contracts with suppliers and buyers must be consistent with the company’s licence.
Structure and asset protection
The trading company holds the turnover and the risks of the transactions. Accumulated profit can be transferred to a holding company. It is convenient to place contracts for different lines of business in separate companies.
The overall logic of the structure is described on the page “Asset protection and ownership structures”.
Bank account
For trade, banks look at counterparties and countries. Prepare contracts, invoices and supply chain data. Payments from some countries are reviewed for longer than usual, so allow time for this.
More: bank account opening.
Common mistakes
- A licence without the required type of trade
- No understanding of which goods require separate permits
Where to start
Tell us about your business. We will review your situation and propose a company format, a jurisdiction and an ownership structure. You can compare the options in the article “Free zone or mainland”, and costs are covered in the article “How much does it cost to open a company in Dubai”.
Regulations and licensing requirements change. Current conditions must be verified before launch. The decision to open an account is made by the bank. Tax consequences depend on your residency.