How to Buy a General Trading License in Dubai (2026 Prices)
Short answer: To buy a general trading license in Dubai, you buy the company that holds it, not the paper itself. Check that the license is active with Dubai Economy and Tourism (DET), that the company has no unpaid fines, debts, tax or visa problems, then sign a share transfer and an amended Memorandum of Association in front of a notary, and pay the balance only after DET issues the license with your name on it. On BusinessFinder.me, a UAE marketplace for buying and selling running businesses, you can browse each current general trading license for sale in Dubai with its asking price in AED.
Last updated: 26 October 2026
This guide is part of our trade licence series. For trade licences in general (technical, cargo, real estate and other activities), see the main guide: trade license for sale in Dubai: how to buy safely. For the wider buying process, see how to buy a business in Dubai.
What is a general trading license in Dubai?
A general trading license is a mainland commercial licence issued by DET that lets a company trade in a wide range of goods (import, export, wholesale and retail) instead of a single product group. According to the official Dubai government business portal, a commercial licence covers businesses that buy and sell most goods and services, including import and export. Goods that are regulated, such as food, medicines or cosmetics, may still need separate approval from the authority that controls them.
In everyday use, “general trading license for sale” usually means an existing general trading company (often an LLC) whose owners want to sell it. The buyer takes over the company, its licence number and its history.
Why buy an existing general trading license instead of setting one up?
Buyers usually pay for an existing company because it already has things a new licence does not:
- A track record: an older licence number, past trading history and sometimes supplier or customer accounts.
- A corporate bank account: in past listings on BusinessFinder.me, about half of Dubai general trading sellers advertised an existing bank account as part of the deal.
- Registrations already in place: such as a tax registration, a customs code or an office lease, if the seller has kept them up to date.
- Speed: trading can continue while ownership changes, instead of starting from zero.
The downside is that you also take over the company’s past. Any debts, fines, tax issues, unpaid salaries or legal cases stay with the company after you buy it, so checks matter more than the price.
How much does a general trading license cost to buy in Dubai?
Past listings on BusinessFinder.me give a realistic range. We looked at 52 Dubai general trading license ads posted on the site between 2019 and 2022 that showed an asking price. We left out ads showing AED 1,230,000, a placeholder figure that appeared on dozens of unrelated ads in 2021–2022 rather than a real asking price:
| Measure | Asking price (AED) |
|---|---|
| Median asking price | 21,500 |
| Middle half of listings | 10,000 to 36,250 |
| Listings at or below AED 50,000 | 40 of 52 |
| Listings above AED 100,000 | 10 of 52 |
| Lowest and highest | 5,000 to 7,000,000 |
These are sellers’ asking prices, not final sale prices. The cheapest ads were usually a licence and company with little or no trading, while the most expensive ones were running trading or service businesses that happened to hold a general trading licence, priced on their profit and assets. If you are paying for profit rather than just the licence, see our guide on how to value a business in Dubai.
What general trading licenses are for sale on BusinessFinder.me now?
At the time of writing (26 October 2026), these trading listings were live on the site:
- General trading license for sale in Dubai, Business Bay, asking AED 50,000.
- General trading company for sale in Dubai, Jumeirah Village Circle (JVC), asking AED 100,000.
- Well running trading license for sale in Dubai, Al Raffa, Bur Dubai, asking AED 25,000.
- Active warehouses trading license for sale in Dubai, Al Qusais, asking AED 100,000.
Listings change often, so check the trade licenses for sale category for the latest ads.
Can a foreigner own 100% of a general trading company in Dubai?
In most cases, yes. When Dubai Economy (now DET) introduced full foreign ownership in June 2021 under Federal Decree-Law No. 26 of 2020, it said 100% foreign ownership was available for more than 1,000 commercial and industrial activities, and named general trade among the activities investors applied for. Only activities with a “strategic impact” still need an Emirati partner. If the company you are buying still has an Emirati partner from the old 51% rule, DET has said that partner’s share can be reduced or the partner can withdraw through the normal legal procedure, so agree this with the seller before you sign.
How does ownership of a general trading license change in Dubai?
For a mainland company, a change of owner is registered with DET as an amendment to the licence. The steps usually look like this:
- Agree the deal in writing. Sign heads of terms covering the price, what is included (bank account, office lease, stock, staff, visas) and who pays the transfer costs.
- Check the company. Do the due diligence below before any large payment.
- Prepare the documents. Typically a share transfer agreement, an amended Memorandum of Association in Arabic, a shareholders’ resolution approving the change, the current trade licence, and passport, visa and Emirates ID copies of the new owners.
- Sign in front of a notary. The amended Memorandum of Association is signed by the parties and notarised.
- Apply to DET. The application is filed through DET’s online services or an approved service centre, DET reviews it, and you pay the fees DET shows for your case.
- Collect the amended licence. Until DET issues the licence showing the new owners, the old ownership is still the legal one.
- Update everything else. Bank signatories, beneficial owner records, tax account details, customs registration and the office lease must all be moved to the new owners.
DET fees depend on the company and the changes made, so ask for the exact amount on the application rather than relying on a quoted figure.
What should you check before buying a general trading license?
Use this checklist before you pay more than a small deposit:
- Licence status: the licence is active, not expired, and the activities on it match what you plan to trade.
- Owners and managers: the people selling are the registered partners and have authority to sell.
- Fines and debts: no unpaid DET inspection fines, bank loans, cheques, supplier debts or court cases.
- Tax: whether the company is registered for Corporate Tax and VAT, and whether its returns are filed and paid.
- Bank account: the account is in good standing and the bank is told about the new owners (banks run their own checks and can close an account).
- Visas and staff: how many visas are open under the company, and any unpaid salaries or end-of-service amounts.
- Office lease: a valid lease (Ejari) for the licence address, and whether the landlord agrees to continue it.
- Customs and imports: whether the company has a customs registration and any outstanding customs issues.
Ask for the seller’s written promise that all debts before the transfer date are theirs, and keep part of the price back until the amended licence is issued.
Do you need to register for VAT and Corporate Tax after buying?
Check both, because the company’s tax position comes with it. The Federal Tax Authority (FTA) says VAT registration is mandatory when taxable supplies and imports exceed AED 375,000 in the past 12 months, or are expected to within the next 30 days, and voluntary above AED 187,500. The FTA also says all juridical persons subject to Corporate Tax must register and get a Corporate Tax Registration Number, and that the administrative penalty for late Corporate Tax registration is AED 10,000. A trading company that imports goods will often pass the VAT threshold quickly, so plan for it.
What are the red flags when buying a general trading license?
- The seller wants full payment before the DET amendment.
- The licence is expired or close to expiry and the seller will not renew it first.
- There are no bank statements, or the “active bank account” has been frozen or unused for a long time.
- The price is far below other listings with no clear reason.
- The seller cannot show the current Memorandum of Association or a recent licence copy.
- The company has open visas or staff, but no payroll records.
Key takeaways
- Buying a general trading license in Dubai means buying the company that holds it, through a DET licence amendment.
- Past BusinessFinder.me listings in Dubai had a median asking price of AED 21,500, with the middle half between AED 10,000 and AED 36,250.
- Most commercial activities, including general trade, allow 100% foreign ownership.
- The company keeps its past debts, fines and tax position, so do full checks first.
- Pay the balance only after DET issues the licence in your name.
FAQ: general trading license for sale in Dubai
How much does a general trading license cost to buy in Dubai?
In 52 Dubai general trading license ads on BusinessFinder.me from 2019 to 2022, the median asking price was AED 21,500 and the middle half asked between AED 10,000 and AED 36,250. Running businesses with a general trading licence asked much more. These are asking prices, not final sale prices.
Can you transfer a general trading license to a new owner in Dubai?
Yes. You buy the company that holds the licence, and the change of owners is registered with Dubai Economy and Tourism (DET) as a licence amendment, with a notarised amended Memorandum of Association. The old owners remain the legal owners until DET issues the amended licence.
Can a foreigner own a general trading company in Dubai 100%?
In most cases, yes. Since June 2021, 100% foreign ownership has been available for more than 1,000 commercial and industrial activities on the Dubai mainland, including general trade. Only activities with a strategic impact still need an Emirati partner.
Does a general trading license let you trade anything?
It covers a wide range of goods, but regulated products such as food, medicines or cosmetics can still need approval from the authority that controls them. Check the activities on the licence before you buy.
Is it better to buy a general trading license or set up a new one?
Buying makes sense if the company has something you value, such as a bank account, trading history or registrations. A new licence comes with no past debts or fines. Compare the asking price with the cost and time of a new setup and with the risks you take on.
Where can I find a general trading license for sale in Dubai?
BusinessFinder.me lists general trading licenses and other trade licenses for sale in Dubai with asking prices in AED. Premium members can see the seller’s contact on every listing.
Find or sell a trading license on BusinessFinder.me
Browse all trade licenses for sale or each general trading license for sale in Dubai. Own a trading company you want to sell? Post your business for sale.
Sources: Dubai government business portal (dubai.ae, business set-up options); Dubai Media Office, “Dubai Economy clarifies full ownership procedures for foreign investors” (3 June 2021); Federal Tax Authority, VAT registration and Corporate Tax registration service pages; BusinessFinder.me listings data (2019–2022 ads and live listings checked 26 October 2026).
