How to Start a Dropshipping Business in the UAE with Meydan Free Zone

Dropshipping is how thousands of entrepreneurs are running profitable online stores without ever holding inventory. Globally, the model is booming thanks to lower upfront costs and the explosion of social commerce, and in the UAE, it’s picking up speed for good reason.

Dubai’s ecommerce market is expected to reach AED 48.8 billion by 2028, driven by residents who shop daily on Amazon, Noon, Carrefour Online, and increasingly, TikTok Shop. From ordering the latest fitness gear on a lunch break to impulse-buying trending gadgets through Instagram ads, consumers here expect fast, digital-first shopping experiences.

That’s why the UAE is such a powerful test-and-scale playground for dropshipping. You focus on the online store and marketing, while your suppliers handle shipping directly to your customers. Imagine listing best-selling home décor on Noon, selling modest fashion finds on TikTok Shop, or running a niche Shopify store targeting expats who crave products from back home. All without renting warehouses, buying bulk stock, or packing a single order yourself.

E-Commerce - 4790.00

E-Commerce is a business activity that includes all retail activities and selling without a physical shop. No storefronts, no market stalls, just sales done 100% remotely. That could be mail order, online stores, door-to-door sales, or even vending machines.

Dropshipping fits right in here because your entire e-commerce business lives online. You run your store on platforms like Amazon, Noon, Shopify, or TikTok Shop where customers can browse and add to cart. Your suppliers ship directly to them, and you never touch the stock. Just you and your laptop.

Third party Approval:

No third-party approval is needed for e-commerce. Approvals are only needed if you sell regulated goods like cosmetics, health supplements, or electronics with safety certifications.

Anti-Money Laundering Compliance:

Business activity 4790.00 is exempted from this requirement.

Retail Sale via Mail Order Houses or via Internet - 4791.00

This activity covers retail sales where customers order through mail, phone, or online platforms, and products are shipped directly to them.

In simple terms, customers choose products through advertisements, websites, online catalogues, or even live sales events, place their orders by phone, email, or online checkout, and the products are shipped directly to them. You don’t touch the stock, you own the store and deliver the experience.

Under subcode 4791.01, you can make sales through catalogue and phone sales — a less common and old-school format you see today. If you run a hybrid business where you take phone orders for special products or share mini catalogues at your cosmetics pop-up, this has you covered.

Under subcode 4791.02, you can also sell eco-friendly water bottles on Shopify stores or list out trending Korean skincare on Noon. Every order goes straight from your supplier to the customer. No inventory, no warehouse rent, no late-night packing orders in your living room.
Your job? Build the store, create scroll-stopping ads, grow your brand, and keep customers coming back. The rest is automated through your suppliers and platforms.

With subcode 4791.03, you can go bigger and target the live selling crowd. Think QVC-style broadcasts, getting influencers to showcase clothing pieces or popular gadgets on Instagram Live, and hosting TikTok live shopping events. These grab attention in a millisecond, your customer calls or clicks to buy, the product is shipped right away.

Want to get competitive? With 4791.04, you can also create eBay bidding auctions on rare collectibles or limited-edition fashion drops online that will create hype and urgency. You create the buzz, the bids roll in, and the supplier does the rest.

This is perfect for entrepreneurs who want to sell globally without the heavy upfront costs of traditional retail.

Third party Approval:​

No third-party approval is needed for this activity.

Anti-Money Laundering Compliance:

Business activity 4791.00 is exempted from this requirement.

Retail Sale via Mail Order Houses or via Internet - 4799.00

This activity covers all the ways you can sell that don’t fit the standard e-commerce model or mail order box.

This includes everything from reps doing door-to-door sales, snack vending machines as kiosks or malls, heating oil or fuelwood being dropped right at the customer’s home, online bidding wars for vintage collectibles, or reselling packaged drinks.

In dropshipping, this is where you get creative. You can run a book or self-care subscription box service, or even a commission-based model where a tech reviewer pushes gadgets from your dropshipping store.

But there are limits. You can’t open a physical store, sell banned items without approvals, or manufacture products.

Think of yourself as the strategist behind unconventional sales channels and product placements, creating unique ways to sell, while your suppliers handle fulfillment.

Third party Approval:​

No third-party approval is needed for  this activity.

Anti-Money Laundering Compliance:

Business activity 4799.00 is exempted from this requirement.

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