Table of Contents
Frequently Asked Questions
What is activity code 7310.90 and what does it permit in Dubai
Activity code 7310.90 falls under the ISIC advertising classification and specifically authorises the physical, on-ground distribution of promotional materials and branded product samples. This includes leaflets, brochures, catalogues, and product samples distributed on behalf of clients or as part of a company's own marketing operations.
It is important to note that this licence covers distribution only — it does not permit the creation, placement, or buying of advertising space. Businesses that carry out both functions must register multiple activity codes accordingly.
Who needs a Distribution of Advertising Materials and Samples licence in Dubai
Any business engaged in the physical handout or delivery of promotional content in Dubai should hold this licence. Typical operators include brand activation and field marketing agencies, FMCG distributors running in-store or street-level sampling campaigns, and event marketing companies managing promotional material handouts.
Logistics firms with a dedicated promotional distribution arm also fall within this category. Operating without the correct licence exposes a business to fines and potential operational shutdowns by Dubai's regulatory authorities.
Which regulatory body oversees this licence and where can it be obtained
On the mainland, the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DED) is the governing authority for commercial activity licences, including activity code 7310.90. Free zone operators can obtain the equivalent licence through their chosen free zone authority, with Meydan Free Zone cited as a practical option for this activity.
Both routes are valid, but they operate under different frameworks. Mainland licences are regulated directly by the DED, while free zone licences are issued by the respective free zone authority, though operators must still comply with UAE federal advertising regulations and any emirate-level permit requirements.
Is 100% foreign ownership allowed for this type of business in Dubai
Yes. 100% foreign ownership is permitted for this activity on both the mainland and in free zones. This is a significant advantage for international operators and entrepreneurs looking to establish a distribution or field marketing business in Dubai without requiring a local Emirati partner.
Free zones such as Meydan Free Zone offer a particularly streamlined path to full foreign ownership, combined with flexible office arrangements and a straightforward setup process.
What additional permits are required beyond the base licence for distributing materials in public spaces
Holding activity code 7310.90 does not automatically authorise distribution in all locations. Distributing materials in outdoor areas, roadsides, malls, or at public events typically requires supplementary permits from the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) or the relevant municipality, regardless of whether your base licence is mainland or free zone.
This means operators running campaigns in high-footfall public spaces must factor in additional permit applications as part of their campaign planning. Compliance is actively enforced in Dubai, so building these checks into standard operating procedures is strongly recommended.
Are there special regulatory requirements for distributing food, pharmaceutical, or cosmetic samples
Yes. If your distribution campaigns involve food, pharmaceutical, or cosmetic product samples, additional regulatory oversight applies. Depending on the product category, approval may be required from the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) or the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP).
These requirements exist at the federal and emirate level and are separate from the base commercial licence. Operators in the FMCG and health sectors should confirm which approvals apply to their specific product categories before launching sampling campaigns.
What are the VAT obligations for businesses operating under this licence
Businesses whose annual taxable turnover exceeds AED 375,000 are required to register for VAT with the Federal Tax Authority (FTA). This threshold applies to distribution services rendered to clients, which are classified as taxable supplies under standard UAE VAT rules.
VAT registration is mandatory once the threshold is crossed — it is not optional. Operators should monitor their turnover carefully, particularly as campaign volumes grow, and seek tax advice to ensure correct invoicing and filing practices are in place from the outset.
How long does it typically take to set up this licence in Dubai
Setup timelines vary by jurisdiction. A free zone licence can typically be obtained within 3 to 7 working days, making it the faster route for operators who want to begin trading quickly. A mainland DED licence generally takes between 1 and 3 weeks, depending on documentation completeness and any additional approvals required.
Following the setup steps in the correct sequence — choosing jurisdiction, preparing documentation, and submitting applications without gaps — helps avoid unnecessary delays. Operators planning time-sensitive campaign launches should account for these timelines when scheduling their business registration.
Distribution of Advertising Materials & Samples License in Dubai
Handing out flyers, brochures or branded samples in Dubai is a licensed activity in its own right. Doing it without the right code on your license risks fines and having the operation shut down.
Activity code 7310.90 covers exactly that work: physical, on-ground distribution. It is a narrow code with more regulatory weight than most people expect, because where you distribute matters as much as what you distribute. This guide covers what it allows, who needs it, and the permits that sit on top.
Key Stats at a Glance
What This License Covers
Code 7310.90 sits under the ISIC advertising heading. It allows the physical distribution of promotional leaflets, brochures, catalogues and branded product samples, either for clients or as part of your own marketing.
The limit is the important part. This code covers distribution only. It does not allow you to create advertising, place it, or buy advertising space. Those are different codes. If your business does both the creative work and the handing out, you need to register more than one activity.
Who Your Clients Will Be
The businesses that need this license are usually running someone else's campaign on the ground:
- Brand activation and field marketing agencies
- FMCG distributors running in-store or street-level sampling
- Event marketing companies handling promotional material at venues
- Logistics firms with a dedicated promotional distribution arm
Behind them sit the brands paying for the campaign. What you are actually selling is reliable execution in public space, which is why the permits matter so much to the people hiring you.
Mainland or Free Zone
Both routes are valid and they run under different frameworks. A mainland license from the Department of Economy and Tourism puts you under DET directly. A free zone license comes from the zone authority, but you still have to meet UAE federal advertising rules and any emirate-level permits that apply to public space work.
That last point is worth underlining, because it is where the free zone advantage stops. Choosing a free zone does not exempt you from the RTA or municipality permits your campaigns will need. It changes who issues your trade license, not who controls the pavement.
Meydan Free Zone suits operators who want full foreign ownership, a flexible office arrangement and a simple setup. Packages usually bundle the license, a flexi-desk and an initial visa allocation, so the total cost is clear from the start.
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Step by Step Setup Guide
- Step 1, pick your jurisdiction: Mainland through DET, or a free zone. Free zone suits remote operators and anyone wanting full ownership with a small physical footprint.
- Step 2, book your trade name: Through the DET portal or your free zone portal. The name should match the scope of 7310.90, so avoid anything implying services you are not licensed for.
- Step 3, apply for initial approval: Submit activity code 7310.90, your proposed structure, and shareholder documents including passport copies and any No Objection Certificate that applies.
- Step 4, sort your premises: Free zone operators can use the flexi-desk in their package. Mainland applicants need a tenancy contract registered with Ejari.
- Step 5, collect your license and add the rest: Register for VAT if your projected turnover crosses the threshold, and apply for the RTA or municipality permits covering wherever you plan to run campaigns.
Compliance and What You Need in Place
Compliance here is not a one-off exercise at setup. Permit conditions, product rules and public space rules are actively enforced.
Distributing in public spaces
Handing out materials outdoors, at roadsides, in malls or at public events usually needs a further permit from the Roads and Transport Authority or the relevant municipality. This applies whether your license is mainland or free zone, and it is campaign-specific rather than a one-time approval.
Food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic samples
If you are handing out consumable or applied products, extra oversight applies. Depending on the product category, approval may come from the Dubai Health Authority or the Ministry of Health and Prevention. Confirm which applies before the campaign is booked, not after the samples arrive.
VAT
Register with the Federal Tax Authority once annual taxable turnover passes AED 375,000. Distribution services billed to clients are taxable supplies under standard UAE rules, and campaign volumes can push you over the line faster than expected.
What your field teams carry
Staff distributing in public must carry copies of the trade license and any supplementary permits while they work. Enforcement happens, particularly in busy areas and during major events. Build the check into how you brief teams rather than treating it as an office matter.
Market Opportunity
The demand behind this code comes from retail, FMCG and events, all of which keep growing in Dubai and all of which need people physically putting products and printed material into customers' hands. Digital advertising has not replaced sampling, because you cannot taste, smell or try something through a screen.
The regulatory load is what makes this a real business rather than a casual one. Anyone can print flyers. Far fewer operators can show a brand that they hold the correct license, carry the right public space permits, know which product categories need health approval, and can brief a field team that will not get stopped. That gap is your margin.
The setup economics help too. A free zone package bundles license, flexi-desk and an initial visa allocation, and setup runs 3 to 7 working days. For a business whose main asset is a trained field team rather than premises, that is a light base to start from. Plan your visa allocation carefully though, because it is tied to office size and a larger distribution operation needs more staff than an entry package covers.
Conclusion
The distribution of advertising materials and samples license is simple to get. Operating compliantly takes more attention than the license itself.
Supplementary permits for public space work, product-specific approvals for health and cosmetic samples, and VAT registration all apply depending on how and where you operate. None of them is optional and all of them are enforced.
For anyone running high-volume or public space campaigns across Dubai, getting the structure right at the start saves far more than fixing it later. Speak to a Meydan Free Zone adviser to confirm the jurisdiction, activity scope and setup that fit your operation.
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