Table of Contents
Topic Summary
Understand What Garments Accessories Trading Covers
Garments accessories trading includes the wholesale, import, and distribution of buttons, zippers, labels, threads, elastic, ribbons, and all trims used in clothing production and finishing. It is a commercially distinct category from selling complete clothing articles, which falls under a separate business activity.
Tap Into the UAE's Booming Apparel Market
The UAE apparel market reached AED 50.3 billion in 2023, generating strong and consistent demand across the garment supply chain. The country's position near major Asian manufacturing centres and its role as a GCC and MENA distribution gateway makes it a strategic base for accessories traders.
Know Your Target Customer Segments
Garments accessories traders in Dubai typically serve two main audiences: B2B wholesalers supplying fashion manufacturers and tailoring businesses, and retail or craft traders selling haberdashery items to consumer channels and online stores. Identifying your segment early shapes your licensing and operational approach.
Get Clear on Activity Code 4771.87
Business activity 4771.87 specifically covers the trading of garments accessories including buttons, zippers, labels, elastic, sewing thread, and embellishments used in garment manufacture and finishing. If you plan to sell complete clothing articles, you will need the separate activity code 4771.01 instead.
No Third-Party Approval Required at Meydan Free Zone
Setting up a garments accessories trading business under activity 4771.87 at Meydan Free Zone does not require any third-party regulatory approval before obtaining your business license. This streamlines the setup process and reduces the time and cost of getting your business operational.
AML Compliance Is Not Required for This Activity
Garments accessories trading is not subject to Anti-Money Laundering compliance requirements under this business activity classification. This simplifies your regulatory obligations compared to business categories that carry mandatory AML reporting and oversight duties.
Leverage Free Zone Infrastructure for Regional Distribution
Operating from a UAE free zone gives garments accessories traders access to efficient import and re-export channels serving the broader GCC and MENA fashion industry. The UAE's logistics infrastructure and proximity to Asian suppliers make it a cost-effective hub for regional distribution.
How to Start a Garments Accessories Trading Business in Dubai with Meydan Free Zone
Garments accessories trading covers the wholesale, import, and distribution of the components, trims, and finishing accessories that are attached to or sold alongside garments -- a commercially distinct category from the retail sale of clothing. The UAE occupies a strategic position as a regional garments accessories trading hub, given its proximity to major Asian manufacturing centres, its free zone infrastructure, and its role as a distribution gateway for the GCC and MENA garment and fashion industry.
The UAE apparel market reached AED 50.3 billion in 2023 and the broader fashion supply chain generates significant demand for buttons, zippers, labels, threads, elastic, and all garment components and accessories.[1] The UAE's own modest fashion and abaya manufacturing sector, alongside import and re-export trade, sustains consistent demand for garments accessories traders.
Who is this for?
| Audience Segment | Profile |
|---|---|
| B2B AND SUPPLY CHAIN | Garments Accessories Wholesalers and Importers Wholesalers and importers supplying buttons, zippers, labels, threads, elastics, ribbons, and all garment trims and accessories to UAE fashion manufacturers, alteration and tailoring businesses, and regional garment producers. |
| RETAIL AND CRAFT | Retail Haberdashery and Craft Accessories Traders Traders supplying sewing accessories, haberdashery items, garment fasteners, and craft and fashion accessories to consumer retail channels, online stores, and craft enthusiasts in the UAE. |
4771.87 - Garments Accessories Trading
Activity 4771.87 covers the trading of garments accessories, interpreted within the retail sale of clothing, footwear and leather articles in specialised stores. This encompasses buttons, zippers and zip fasteners, press studs, hooks and eyes, elastic and elastic webbing, sewing thread, labels and woven patches, ribbons and trims, appliques and embellishments, lining materials, shoulder pads, and all components and accessories used in the manufacture, finishing, or embellishment of garments.
Activity 4771.87 covers garments accessories as components and trims. Retail sale of complete clothing articles falls under 4771.01.
Textiles sold by the metre fall under separate textile retail categories.
In short: if you are trading garments accessories, trims, and components used in clothing production and finishing, you are in. Complete clothing articles fall under 4771.01.
| Category | Scope |
|---|---|
| Buttons and fastenersPlastic, metal, shell, and fabric buttons, snap fasteners, hooks, eyes, and all garment closure components. | Labels, patches and embellishments Woven labels, printed labels, brand tags, embroidered patches, heat-transfer labels, and garment embellishments. |
| Zippers and slidersAll-purpose zippers, invisible zippers, waterproof zippers, zip sliders, and zipper components for garment and accessories manufacture. | Thread and sewing accessories Polyester and cotton sewing thread, embroidery thread, seam tape, interfacing, and essential sewing and tailoring accessories. |
| Elastic, ribbons and trims | Elastic webbing, decorative ribbon, bias tape, braiding, fringe, and all fabric trims and finishing accessories. |
Third-Party Approval
This activity does not require third-party approval to obtain a business license from Meydan Free Zone.
Anti-Money Laundering Compliance
This business activity is not subject to AML compliance requirements.
References
- ¹ GlobalData. (2024). UAE Apparel Market Size, Consumer Insights, Competitive Landscape and Forecast to 2028. globaldata.com
