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How to Start a Diving Equipment Trading Business with Meydan Free Zone
The UAE's coastline stretches over 1,400 km along the Arabian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, offering warm, clear waters with rich marine biodiversity, shipwrecks, and coral reefs that attract recreational divers year-round. The global diving equipment market was valued at USD 3.83 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 7.90 billion by 2034 at a CAGR of 7.51%.[1] The Middle East and Africa diving tourism and travel products market was valued at USD 167.18 million in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 324.61 million by 2032 at a CAGR of 8.7%.[2] The UAE's dive centre ecosystem spans the east coast in Fujairah -- one of the most active dive destinations in the region -- through to Dubai's artificial reefs and Abu Dhabi's growing marine recreation sector.
This activity requires pre-approval from the Dubai Maritime Authority before a business license can be issued.
Who is this for?
| Audience Segment | Profile |
|---|---|
| RECREATIONAL DIVING | Consumer Diving Equipment Traders Traders supplying scuba regulators, BCDs, wetsuits, masks, fins, dive computers, and recreational diving equipment to dive centres, equipment retailers, and individual recreational divers across the UAE. |
| PROFESSIONAL AND TECHNICAL | Professional Diving Equipment Distributors Distributors supplying commercial diving equipment, technical diving gear, underwater work equipment, and specialist diving systems to offshore operators, marine contractors, and professional diving organisations. |
4763.91 - Diving Equipment Trading
Activity 4763.91 covers the trading of diving equipment, interpreted within the retail sale of sporting equipment in specialised stores. This encompasses scuba regulators and octopuses, buoyancy control devices, wetsuits and drysuits, diving masks, fins and snorkels, dive computers, dive lights, underwater cameras, dive knives, rebreathers, diving cylinders, and all equipment and accessories for recreational, technical, freediving, and professional diving applications.
Activity 4763.91 covers diving equipment for recreational, technical, and professional diving. Ships and boats used to access dive sites fall under activity 4763.94.
In short: if you are trading diving equipment and accessories, you are in following DMA pre-approval. Dive boats fall under activity 4763.94.
| Category | Scope |
|---|---|
| Scuba regulators and BCDsFirst and second stage regulators, buoyancy control devices, and core scuba breathing and buoyancy equipment for recreational and technical divers. | Dive computers and instruments Wrist and console dive computers, depth gauges, compasses, underwater torches, and instruments for dive planning and safety. |
| Wetsuits and drysuits3mm to 7mm wetsuits, drysuits, rash guards, hoods, gloves, and thermal exposure protection for Gulf and open-ocean diving conditions. | Underwater imaging and accessories Underwater cameras, housings, video lights, dive knives, surface marker buoys, reels, and accessories for the complete dive kit. |
| Masks, fins and snorkels | Full-face and traditional dive masks, freediving and scuba fins, snorkels, and surface swimming equipment for all diving disciplines. |
Third-Party Approval
This activity requires pre-approval from the Dubai Maritime Authority (DMA) before a business license can be issued by Meydan Free Zone.
Anti-Money Laundering Compliance
This business activity is not subject to AML compliance requirements.
References
- ¹ Precedence Research. (2024). Diving Equipment Market Size. precedenceresearch.com
- ² Data Bridge Market Research. (2025). Middle East and Africa Diving Tourism and Travel Products Market. databridgemarketresearch.com
