E-Commerce Licence in the UAE: Cost by Emirate
7 min readUpdated 2026-09-09Editorial policyHow we verify
Quick answer
A UAE e-commerce licence costs from about AED 11,000 in a free zone or AED 15,500 on the mainland. Free zone licences suit cross-border and marketplace selling; mainland is required to hold local stock and deliver to UAE customers under your own name.
E-commerce licence cost by emirate
The licence itself is the smallest variable; the emirate and zone set the real price. The bands below are indicative first-year figures for a single-activity e-commerce licence with no visa, before establishment card and residence visa costs. Confirm current fees with the authority or provider before budgeting.
| Emirate / zone | From (AED) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Sharjah — SHAMS / SPC | 5,750 | Lowest entry e-commerce licences in the UAE |
| Ajman — Ajman Free Zone | 6,500 | Low-cost zone, limited visa quota at entry tiers |
| Ras Al Khaimah — RAKEZ | 6,900 | Digital and e-commerce packages, low renewal |
| Dubai — IFZA / Meydan free zone | 11,000 | Widest bank and gateway acceptance |
| Dubai — DET mainland | 15,500 | Required to hold UAE stock and deliver under your own name |
| Abu Dhabi — ADDED / KEZAD | 12,000 | Tajer route is cheaper but carries no visa quota |
Which licence for which model
| Selling model | Recommended licence | From (AED) |
|---|---|---|
| Dropshipping to overseas buyers | Free zone e-commerce | 11,000 |
| Selling on Amazon.ae / Noon | Free zone or mainland | 12,500 |
| Own warehouse, UAE delivery | Mainland trading | 15,500 |
| Digital products / SaaS | Free zone service licence | 11,500 |
Payment gateways and what they ask for
Stripe, Telr, Network International and Checkout.com all reject applications where the site lacks a visible refund policy or where the licence activity does not mention online sales. Fix both before applying.
- Trade licence covering e-commerce or online trading explicitly.
- A live website with pricing, refund, delivery and privacy policies.
- A UAE corporate bank account in the company's name.
- Emirates ID of the signatory and proof of domain ownership.
VAT on online sales
- Sales to UAE customers: 5% VAT once you cross the AED 375,000 threshold.
- Exports of goods outside the GCC: zero-rated with proof of export.
- Digital services to non-residents: usually zero-rated, subject to place-of-supply rules.
- Marketplace sales: the marketplace may act as deemed supplier — check its VAT terms.
Frequently asked questions
- Can I sell on Amazon.ae with a free zone licence?
- Yes. Amazon.ae accepts free zone licences for third-party sellers, though holding stock in a UAE fulfilment centre may require additional import and customs registration.
- Do I need a physical office for an e-commerce licence?
- No for free zone e-commerce licences, where a flexi-desk suffices. Mainland e-commerce with local stock requires an Ejari tenancy and, for warehousing, a suitable storage facility.
About the author
Sherwin Jesuraj
Business Setup Industry Expert
Sherwin Jesuraj writes about UAE company formation, mainland and free zone options, business setup costs, and entrepreneurship. His content for BusinessSetup.ae helps readers understand their options, compare practical requirements, and make informed decisions before starting a business.
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