| Timeline | Est. Cost (Year 1) | Best Jurisdictions | Licence Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6–14 weeks | AED 30,000 – 200,000+ | JAFZA, DAFZA, Dubai South, Mainland | Commercial |
The UAE imports over 90% of its food, creating a massive market for foodstuff traders, distributors, and FMCG companies. With world-class cold chain logistics, duty-free zones, and access to the wider GCC and African markets, the UAE is the region’s food distribution hub.
What Licence Do You Need?
A foodstuff trading licence is a commercial licence that permits the import, export, storage, and distribution of food products. Specific activity codes include foodstuff trading, fresh food trading, frozen food trading, beverage trading, and food and beverage distribution.
Regulatory Requirements
Regulatory Requirements
Food trading is regulated by the relevant municipality’s food safety department. In Dubai, Dubai Municipality oversees food import permits, labelling requirements, and warehouse inspections. All imported food products must comply with UAE food safety standards, and Arabic labelling is mandatory.
Temperature-controlled storage (cold chain) is required for perishable goods. Your warehouse must pass a food safety inspection before you can begin operations.
Where to Set Up
Both mainland and free zone options are available. Mainland food trading licences allow you to distribute directly to supermarkets, hotels, restaurants, and retailers. JAFZA, DAFZA, and Dubai South offer free zone food trading licences with integrated cold storage and logistics facilities.
The Setup Process
Licence processing takes one to three weeks. Food safety approvals and warehouse inspection add two to six weeks. Customs code and import permit registration takes one to two weeks. Banking takes four to eight weeks. Total: six to fourteen weeks.
What It Costs
A free zone food trading licence with basic cold storage starts from approximately AED 40,000 to AED 80,000 for the first year. Mainland food trading licences range from AED 30,000 to AED 60,000, plus warehouse costs. Large-scale distribution with dedicated cold chain can exceed AED 200,000.
Ready to Get Started?
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