How to Get Your E-Commerce License in Dubai — Fast, Compliant, and Fully Online

Category:

Company Formation

Published on

October 7, 2021

September 23, 2025

Last Updated on

June 30, 2025

September 23, 2025

Melson Lewis

Topic Summary

1. Choose the Appropriate Business Activity

Select an e-commerce business activity that aligns with your commercial goals and complies with the Department of Economic Development (DED) regulations in Dubai. Common activities include online retail trading, electronic marketing, and e-commerce consultancy.

2. Register Your Trade Name

Secure a unique and compliant trade name through the DED's online portal. The name must align with UAE naming conventions, avoiding offensive language, religious references, or names of governing bodies.

3. Complete the Online Application Form

Submit your e-commerce licence application via the DED’s e-services platform. Ensure all details are precise and correspond with your business plan and intended activities to avoid processing delays.

4. Obtain Initial Approval and Submit Necessary Documents

Receive initial approval electronically, then upload required documents, including passport copies, Emirates ID (if applicable), and a tenancy contract or virtual office agreement for a valid business address in Dubai.

5. Pay Fees and Receive Licence Digitally

Make the payment for your e-commerce licence through the online system. Upon successful transaction and document verification, your licence will be issued digitally, enabling you to commence your e-commerce operations legally within Dubai.

Dubai’s e-commerce market is surging past USD 13.8 billion by 2029, fuelled by digital-first consumers, tax-friendly policies, and a borderless business environment. For entrepreneurs, that means one thing: there’s never been a better time to start selling online in the UAE.

With Meydan Free Zone, you can get your e-commerce license in Dubai in under 60 minutes — with 100% ownership, zero paperwork, and instant access to a global market. Whether you’re launching a digital storefront, dropshipping brand, or online service business, we’ll help you get set up — fast, smart, and fully compliant.

Why Dubai is the Best Place for Your Online Business

Dubai isn’t just one of the fastest-growing digital economies in the world — it’s engineered for online business. Ranked among the world’s top 20 for ease of doing business, Dubai offers a rare mix of infrastructure, connectivity, and tax efficiency for global entrepreneurs.

Here’s what sets it apart:

Tax-Free Personal Income: The UAE levies 0% tax on personal income and capital gains, allowing online business owners to retain more of their profits.
Proximity to Major Markets: Dubai sits within an 8-hour flight of two-thirds of the world’s population, including fast-growing e-commerce consumer bases in Asia, Europe, and Africa.
World-Class Logistics: With the world’s busiest airport (DXB), a top-10 seaport (Jebel Ali), and seamless customs for free zone companies, fulfilment is fast and frictionless.
Fully Digital Government Services: Over 95% of business services — from licensing to visa issuance — are now paperless, reducing setup and operational timelines.

Choosing Dubai means you’re not just entering a market — you’re launching into a logistics and digital powerhouse.

How to Get Your E-Commerce Business License with Meydan Free Zone

Getting started with Meydan Free Zone is fast, fully digital, and built for entrepreneurs. Here’s how the process works:

Choose Your Business Name
Submit up to 3 name options — we’ll check compliance and availability in under 20 minutes.
Select Your Business Activities
Choose from over 2,500 activities, including e-trading, online retail, and digital services. You can include up to 3 activity groups under one license.
Submit Your Application
Just a valid passport copy is required. We handle the rest — from UBO declarations to compliance checks.
Get Your License
Fawri License issued in under 60 minutes, and regular license issued within 1–3 working days, depending on activity approvals.
Start Your Visa and Banking Setup
We help activate your immigration file, process visas, and open your UAE business bank account.

Powered by Meydan Free Zone and MPlus: E-Commerce Setup, Simplified

When you set up your online business through Meydan Free Zone, you’re backed by more than just a license — you gain access to MPlus, our extended business support platform for e-commerce entrepreneurs.

Here’s what you get:

Business Setup Support
We help you select the right e-commerce business activity, register your company with Meydan Free Zone, and activate your trade license — all within a day.
Marketplace Access: Amazon and Noon
MPlus helps you register and activate your seller accounts on two of the UAE’s largest marketplaces: Amazon and Noon. We also assist with listing one SKU on each, so you can start selling with minimal overhead.
Logistics and Fulfilment
While MPlus doesn’t directly manage warehousing or delivery, we connect you with verified third-party providers — so you can choose warehousing and last-mile delivery solutions that match your needs.
Low-Risk Launch
Ideal for entrepreneurs testing the waters: list a single product, activate key accounts, and start trading with minimal cost or commitment.

Sell on the UAE’s Top Marketplaces with Meydan Free Zone

As a Meydan Free Zone license holder, you’re plugged into one of the UAE’s most powerful e-commerce ecosystems. Through MPlus, our dedicated business support platform, we connect you with leading marketplaces across retail, fashion, electronics, parenting, and grocery — so you can launch fast, sell smart, and scale with confidence.

Marketplace Access by Sector

Marketplace	Best For
Amazon	Ideal for general product sellers, consumer electronics, home goods, and FMCG brands looking to tap into high-traffic B2C retail. Amazon offers massive reach and logistics support for scalable online sales.
Noon	Suited for fashion, electronics, and beauty brands aiming to reach regional audiences through a popular local platform. Perfect for high-demand, mid-priced product categories.
DubaiStore	Backed by the Dubai Government, this platform supports local businesses across all retail sectors — particularly suited for UAE-based SMEs seeking credibility and local exposure.
Sharaf DG	Built for electronics, appliances, and tech accessories. Ideal for brands selling mobile devices, TVs, laptops, and smart home products.
Namshi	Focused on fashion, lifestyle, and accessories. A great fit for apparel brands, footwear, bags, and contemporary streetwear targeting younger audiences.
6thStreet	Fashion-forward and beauty-focused, this platform caters to mid-range fashion, shoes, skincare, and accessories — especially appealing to urban female shoppers.
Mumzworld	Best for maternity, baby care, toys, and parenting essentials. Ideal for businesses in the kids and parenting verticals looking to access a trusted, niche audience.
FirstCry	Similar to Mumzworld but with broader reach across South Asian parent segments. Suited for educational toys, infant gear, and early learning products.
Carrefour	A large-scale generalist platform — perfect for food, personal care, cleaning supplies, home goods, and consumer staples. Great for volume-based e-commerce.
Kibsons	Specialised in fresh produce, health foods, and organic groceries. Best for F&B brands, meal prep suppliers, and perishable-focused sellers.
Etsy	Ideal for handmade, creative, or customised products. Perfect for artists, crafters, and boutique brands offering personalised goods.
eBay	Suited for refurbished electronics, collectibles, niche gadgets, and secondhand goods. Best for budget-focused or category-specific inventory.
AliExpress	A global platform ideal for dropshippers and price-sensitive sellers. Works well for gadgets, accessories, fashion, and light electronics targeting global consumers.
Walmart	Offers reach to international markets with a focus on general merchandise. Good fit for brands that want to scale into high-volume retail.
Target	Ideal for lifestyle, homeware, kitchen items, and everyday consumer goods. Works best for curated, retail-ready product lines.
Instagram	Designed for D2C brands with a strong visual identity. Ideal for fashion, beauty, wellness, and creator-led brands using social commerce.
Shopify	Best for businesses wanting a branded storefront alongside marketplace sales. Suitable for multi-SKU brands, niche categories, and direct checkout models.
Revent	A backend enabler platform supporting marketplace integrations and automation. Best for sellers scaling operations across multiple channels and inventory systems.

Ready to Launch Your Online Business in Dubai?

Whether you're just starting out or scaling an existing brand, Meydan Free Zone makes it easy to enter the UAE’s booming e-commerce market — fast, compliant, and fully online.

With 100% ownership, instant digital setup, and access to top marketplaces through MPlus, your business is built to grow from day one.

FAQs

1. What is an e-commerce license in Dubai?

An e-commerce license allows you to legally sell goods or services online within the UAE or globally. It includes digital retail, e-trading, and online service activities.

2. How long does it take to get an e-commerce license with Meydan Free Zone?

Fawri licenses are issued in under 60 minutes. Regular licenses take 1–3 working days, depending on your chosen activities.

3. Can I sell on Amazon or Noon with a Meydan Free Zone license?

Yes. MPlus helps you activate seller accounts on Amazon, Noon, and over 15 other marketplaces, including DubaiStore, Carrefour, and Namshi.

4. What are the main benefits of a Meydan Free Zone e-commerce license?

Fast setup, full foreign ownership, 0% tax on qualifying income, access to UAE residency visas, and banking support — all with a fully digital process.

5. Do I need a visa to get an e-commerce license?

No, you can get a license without a visa. However, if you want to live in the UAE or sponsor others, visa allocation can be added to your package.

6. How much does an e-commerce license cost in Dubai?

Use our Cost Calculator or get in touch with an expert for a custom quote based on your visa and activity needs.

7. What’s included in MPlus e-commerce support?

MPlus helps with seller onboarding, marketplace listings, platform guidance, and access to fulfilment and delivery partners.

How to Get Your E-Commerce License in Dubai — Fast, Compliant, and Fully Online

Topic Summary