20 Products to Import and Export in Dubai (2026 Guide)
Short answer: Dubai trades almost every kind of product. The categories most traders work with include electronics and mobile phones, gold and jewellery, vehicles and spare parts, machinery, textiles and garments, foodstuff, plastics and polymers, building materials, cosmetics and perfumes, and furniture. To import or export them you need a UAE trade licence with the right trading activity, registration with Dubai Customs, and, for some goods, approval from the authority that regulates them. If you’d rather start with an existing trading company, you can find trading businesses for sale on BusinessFinder.me.
Why is Dubai a hub for import and export?
- Location: between Europe, Asia and Africa, with sea and air links to most world markets.
- Infrastructure: Jebel Ali Port, Dubai International and Al Maktoum airports, and logistics free zones.
- Re-export trade: many goods arrive in Dubai and are then re-exported to the GCC, Africa and South Asia.
- Business setup options: mainland trading licences from the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), or free zone licences such as JAFZA and DMCC.
Which 20 products can you import and export in Dubai?
The table lists 20 common product categories and the extra approvals traders often need to check. Requirements change, so always confirm them with the authority before you ship. Compare current garments business listings in the UAE before you decide.
| # | Product category | Extra approvals to check |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mobile phones and accessories | TDRA type approval for telecom devices |
| 2 | Consumer electronics and appliances | Product conformity rules from the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT) |
| 3 | Computers and IT equipment | MoIAT conformity; TDRA for wireless devices |
| 4 | Gold, jewellery and precious stones | Dubai Customs declarations and gold-trade compliance rules |
| 5 | New and used vehicles | Vehicle conformity and registration rules |
| 6 | Auto spare parts and tyres | MoIAT conformity for regulated parts |
| 7 | Machinery and industrial equipment | Conformity for regulated items |
| 8 | Textiles and fabrics | Standard customs procedures |
| 9 | Garments and footwear | Labelling rules; protection against counterfeits |
| 10 | Foodstuff and beverages | Dubai Municipality food import requirements and labelling |
| 11 | Fresh fruit, vegetables and plants | Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) requirements |
| 12 | Spices, rice, tea and coffee | Food import requirements |
| 13 | Plastics, polymers and resins | Standard customs procedures; extra controls for some chemicals |
| 14 | Building materials (steel, cement, tiles, sanitary ware) | Conformity for regulated construction products |
| 15 | Cosmetics and perfumes | Dubai Municipality product registration |
| 16 | Furniture and home décor | Standard customs procedures |
| 17 | Medical supplies and devices | Approval from the federal health regulator |
| 18 | Toys and children’s products | MoIAT conformity and safety rules |
| 19 | Stationery, paper and packaging | Standard customs procedures |
| 20 | Oil, lubricants and industrial chemicals | Restricted-goods permits for controlled chemicals |
What do I need to start an import-export business in Dubai?
- Choose your products and markets, and check the approvals in the table above.
- Get a trade licence with the matching trading activity, either general trading or specific trading, from DET (mainland) or a free zone.
- Register with Dubai Customs to get a customs client code before you import or export.
- Open a corporate bank account and arrange trade finance if you need it (letters of credit, for example).
- Appoint a freight forwarder and customs broker, or build that capability in-house.
- Register for VAT with the Federal Tax Authority once you reach the threshold, and keep import and export records.
Some goods are prohibited or restricted in the UAE. Check the official customs lists before you agree to buy any stock. For more detail, see our guide: why Dubai is a global hub for business and trade.
Is it better to buy an existing trading company?
Buying a running trading company can give you an existing licence, a customs registration, supplier and customer relationships and sometimes warehouse space. These trading businesses and licences were listed on BusinessFinder.me on 19 October 2026 (asking prices; they can change): If you would rather sell phones and accessories to shoppers, see our mobile shop for sale in Dubai guide. Our decoration store in Dubai guide explains the details.
- General trading company for sale in Dubai, Jumeirah Village Circle (JVC), Dubai: AED 100,000
- Profitable food stuff trading business for sale in Dubai, International City, Dubai: AED 500,000
- Well running diesel trading business for sale in Dubai, Al Qusais, Dubai: AED 400,000
- Wholesale trading business for sale in Dubai, Naif, Deira, Dubai: AED 100,000
- Running gadget electronics trading business for sale in Dubai, Al Rigga, Deira, Dubai: AED 500,000
- Active warehouses trading license for sale in Dubai, Al Qusais 2, Al Qusais Residential Area, Al Qusais, Dubai: AED 100,000
See more trade licences for sale. Before you buy, check the company’s customs history, debts and contracts. Our guide on how to buy a business in Dubai explains the checks.
Key takeaways
- Electronics, gold, vehicles, machinery, textiles, foodstuff, plastics and building materials are among the main product groups traded through Dubai.
- You need a trade licence with the right activity and a Dubai Customs client code.
- Food, cosmetics, medical, telecom and regulated products need extra approvals.
- Buying an existing trading company can be a faster route into the market.
Related guides
- How to Start a Freight and Cargo Business in Dubai
- Manufacturing Business for Sale in UAE: Factory Listings and Checks
- How to Start a Medical Equipment Company in Dubai
- Warehousing Services in Abu Dhabi: Hubs, Services and How to Choose
Frequently asked questions
What products are most traded in Dubai?
Major product groups include electronics and mobile phones, gold and jewellery, vehicles and parts, machinery, textiles and garments, foodstuff, plastics and building materials.
Do I need a licence to import goods into Dubai?
Yes. You need a UAE trade licence with a trading activity, from DET or a free zone, and registration with Dubai Customs as an importer.
Which goods need extra approvals in the UAE?
Food, plants and animals, cosmetics, medical products, telecom devices, vehicles, chemicals and other regulated products need approvals from the relevant authority before import.
Is a general trading licence better for import and export?
A general trading licence lets you trade a wide range of goods, while a specific trading licence covers selected product groups. Choose based on your product range, and confirm the activities with DET or your free zone.
Can I buy an existing import-export company in Dubai?
Yes. Trading companies and trade licences are listed for sale on BusinessFinder.me. Check the customs registration, debts and contracts before you buy.
Last updated: 19 October 2026