Selling Online in the UAE: Which Licence, Which Rules

You have a product, a storefront plan and perhaps a marketplace or Instagram account ready, and you need to know what a company must hold before the first online order. The UAE Government Portal (u.ae) answers the licence question directly: "To sell products or services online on the UAE's mainland, you need a commercial licence that includes eCommerce activity from your emirate's Department of Economic Development (DED)."

The same u.ae page adds a second layer: "All eCommerce licences require the approval of Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA) also, which is in charge of regulating the eCommerce framework and transactions in the UAE." If your company imports stock through Dubai, check Dubai Customs' business registration service. Federal consumer law lists information that e-commerce providers registered within the State must provide to consumers and competent authorities. A free zone company starts from its own zone's licence and the zone's rules.

This article sits under our guide to setting up a business in Dubai. It maps five selling models to the requirements published on the official pages reviewed on 20 September 2026. The licensing authority, TDRA and Dubai Customs each decide their own applications. This article describes published requirements and is not legal advice.

The federal law behind online selling

u.ae states: "The UAE regulates eCommerce through Federal Decree by Law No. 14 of 2023 on Modern Technology-Based Trade." It adds: "The law ensures that online businesses operate under similar legal framework as traditional businesses, giving confidence to both: businesses and consumers."

The UAE Legislation portal shows the Decree-Law as issued on 4 September 2023, effective 16 September 2023, with the status "Active". Article 1 defines "Modern Technology-Based Trade" as: "The sale and purchase of goods, services and relevant data through technological platforms or modern technology, including, inter alia, the websites, e-platforms or smart applications, including the transactions carried out through electronic or digital commerce or social media platforms."

The definition names websites, e-platforms and social media platforms. On scope, Article 2(1)(b) covers "Whoever carries out any activity in relation to Modern Technology-Based Trade inside the State or the goods received from outside".

A penalties schedule exists. The portal lists Cabinet Resolution No. (200) of 2025 on the administrative violations and penalties under this Decree-Law, effective 13 December 2025 and shown as "Active". We did not read its schedule on 20 September 2026, so this article states no fine. Ask a licensed UAE legal adviser how the law applies to your model.

Step 1: the licence and the right activity

u.ae explains that the licence format differs between emirates: "While some emirates issue a standalone licence under the 'individual eCommerce licence' category, others issue a regular commercial licence with eCommerce activity included."

For Dubai, the Dubai.ae portal (last modified 3 April 2026) states: "If you want to establish an online business in the Dubai's mainland, you have to apply through Dubai Department of Economy Tourism (Dubai DET)."

Activity names are product- or service-specific. Invest in Dubai's "Search Business Activities" tool invites a search by "activity name, activity number, or existing facility name". A search for "e-commerce" on 20 September 2026 returned "10 Results for 'e-commerce'". They included "Activity code 4791005 Vehicles and transport means E-Trading" and "6619010 E-Banking". We did not see a single generic e-commerce activity among those results.

A search for "Online" returned "34 Results for 'Online'", including "5221014 Management of Transport and Delivery Orders through Online Platforms and Smart Apps". The practical step: search the tool by your product or service group, not by the word e-commerce. Note each result's labels, and ask DET to confirm that the activity you choose covers online sale of your products.

One other emirate, for comparison. u.ae describes Abu Dhabi's approach: "The eCommerce licence from Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED) allows entrepreneurs to add their online trade activities to their existing licences, or obtain a new licence to conduct business through websites and social media networks." We did not review other emirates' e-commerce licence pages.

For the licence categories themselves, see our guide to trade licence types in the UAE. The full mainland route is in our article on mainland company setup in Dubai. If your company already holds a Dubai licence, our article on adding or changing activities on a Dubai trade licence covers that route.

Home-based sellers. Individuals trading from home have a separate permit. u.ae states: "The eTrader licence from Dubai Economy (DED) allows UAE nationals and GCC nationals residing in Dubai to practise business activities through various social media networks." Dubai.ae describes the "E-Trader License" as allowing "freelancers and entrepreneurs" to trade from their residence, so confirm eligibility with DET.

Step 2: TDRA approval or NOC

TDRA's service page "NOC for Practicing E-Activity" (updated 23 October 2025) describes the service: "TDRA provides a no-objection certificate for an online activity to individuals and entities that wish to engage in an activity of an economic nature on the Internet in the UAE".

The pages word the requirement differently. u.ae says "All eCommerce licences require the approval" of TDRA. Dubai.ae says: "All eTrade licenses require an approval or an NOC from the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA)." TDRA's own document list asks for a commercial licence "if available". Confirm with TDRA and DET which form of approval you need, and at which stage.

Step 3: selling from a free zone

u.ae states: "The UAE's free zones offer specialised licences that allow businesses to sell products and services online, locally and internationally." The next sentence reads: "Free zone companies are allowed to operate within the free zone and internationally."

u.ae's page on running a business in a free zone (updated 16 April 2026) sets out mainland access: "While they can trade freely within the free zone and internationally, access to the UAE mainland market is regulated." It continues: "To sell goods or services locally, a free zone company must either work through a licensed mainland distributor or establish a mainland branch or company." It also states: "Direct sales in the mainland are generally not permitted unless the company obtains the required mainland licences or approvals."

The federal e-commerce law reaches free zones in two stated cases. Article 2(1)(c) of the Decree-Law covers: "Free zones in any of the following two cases: 1. Provide or sell goods and services purchased through Modern Technology outside the geographical scope of the free zone. 2. The lack of legislation regulating Modern Technology-Based Trade in the free zone."

Dubai's route to the mainland. Executive Council Resolution No. (11) of 2025, Article 3, states: "An Establishment may conduct its Activities outside of a Free Zone and within the Emirate, subject to obtaining any of the Licences or Permits specified in Article (4)." Article 4 includes "a Permit to the Establishment to conduct specific Activities within the Emirate" alongside two branch licences. DET decides these applications.

One zone's own wording: Dubai CommerCity. Dubai.ae states: "Dubai CommerCity is the first dedicated free zone for digital commerce in the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia (MEASA) region." Its own licence-types page describes its "E-commerce License" as one that "Enables businesses to trade goods and services online, manage digital transactions, and streamline operations, supporting growth in regional and global markets."

The same page lists a "Dual License with DET". We did not find its fees, or its rules on mainland selling, on the Dubai CommerCity pages reviewed on 20 September 2026.

We did not review other free zones' e-commerce rules. Ask your zone's authority for its written activity list and its position on mainland sales.

The wider choice is covered in our free zone company setup guide and our mainland or free zone decision framework.

Step 4: importing stock through Dubai Customs

If your company imports the goods it sells, check the Dubai Customs Service Guide (Version No. 9). Its "Request Business Registration" service reads: "This service allows customers to register their business with Customs to allow them officially and legally transact with Dubai Customs". The target customer is "Companies".

Dubai Customs decides the registration. The guide lists a trade licence copy among the documents, so plan registration after your licence is issued.

Step 5: what federal law lists for buyer information

Federal Law No. (15) of 2020 on Consumer Protection is shown on the UAE Legislation portal as "Active", with "1 amendment on record". Article 3 applies it to operations "carried out by the provider, advertiser or commercial agent which includes those carried out via e-commerce if the provider is registered inside the State".

Article 25(1) of the English text reads: "e-commerce providers registered within the State shall be required to provide the consumers and competent authorities in the State with their names, legal statuses, addresses, licensing authorities and sufficient information in Arabic on the provided commodity or service".

The e-commerce Decree-Law adds its own items. Article 5(5) includes, as captured: "Determining the terms, conditions and details of the multiple stages regarding the sale of goods and services through Modern Technology, including specifying the price of goods and services, fees and prices for logistics services and digital payment services".

Its consumer-rights article opens "The consumer shall enjoy the following rights:". That list, in the English text as read on 20 September 2026, includes this item: "Make the data available to the public regarding the digital trader license from the competent authority, its address, contact numbers, details of its physical address and its website."

In practice, draft a page that shows the company's name, legal status, address, licensing authority and contact numbers. Prepare Arabic product information, and publish prices, delivery charges and payment fees before checkout. Ask a legal adviser to review the terms before launch.

Payments: what the Central Bank rulebook defines

The CBUAE Rulebook's Retail Payment Services and Card Schemes Regulation defines a Payment Service Provider as: "A legal Person that has been licensed in accordance with this Regulation to provide one or more Retail Payment Services and has been included in the Register."

We did not find an official list of documents that a payment provider asks a merchant for on the CBUAE Rulebook pages reviewed on 20 September 2026. No bank's own page was consulted. Ask each provider for its merchant document list in writing, and ask it to confirm its CBUAE licence.

VAT: one pointer

RINJAZ is not a licensed tax adviser. This article describes published requirements. Obtain advice from a licensed UAE tax adviser before acting.

u.ae's VAT page (updated 30 March 2026) states the registration thresholds by value. It refers to the case where "the taxable supplies and imports of a UAE-based business exceed AED 375,000 per annum" for mandatory registration. It also states: "VAT is optional for businesses whose supplies and imports exceed AED 187,500 per annum." We did not find a statement specific to e-commerce sellers on that page on 20 September 2026.

Cost lines found, kept apart

These are the lines found on 20 September 2026. They are not added together, because each depends on your model and your authority.

Fees checked on 20 September 2026.

Map your selling model to the requirements

Find your model in the table, then work through the checklist. A company can sit in more than one row.

Practical asset: the selling-model requirement map and pre-launch checklist. Read across your row of the table below, note the source for each cell, then tick each checklist line only when you hold the document or written answer.

Pre-launch checklist

1. Search Invest in Dubai's activity tool by product and list the activity codes that match. Ask DET, or your free zone, to confirm them in writing.
2. Hold the trade licence showing the chosen activity, or a written answer on adding it.
3. Register the .ae domain, or fix your social account names and links, before the TDRA application.
4. Apply for TDRA approval or NOC. Attach any NOCs needed for restricted activities.
5. If you import, register with Dubai Customs with the licence copy, the authorised person's passport copy and Emirates ID copy.
6. For a free zone company, get the zone's written position on mainland sales and, where needed, DET's licence or permit.
7. Publish the company name, legal status, address, licensing authority and contact numbers on the storefront.
8. Prepare Arabic product information and show prices, delivery charges and payment fees before checkout.
9. Get each payment provider's merchant document list in writing and confirm its CBUAE licence.
10. Ask a licensed tax adviser about VAT registration against the u.ae thresholds.

What the authority decides, what you prepare, what a provider can do

The authority decides. DET or your free zone authority decides the licence and its activities. TDRA decides the approval or NOC, and Dubai Customs decides the customs registration. No provider can decide or promise any of these.

You prepare. The product list, domain, social accounts, storefront terms, Arabic product information and payment provider contracts belong to your company. Before you rely on a supplier or marketplace partner, check a UAE trade licence on the official search.

A provider can help. Within whatever its licensed activity covers, a provider can prepare files, submit them through the correct channel and follow each application.

Information verified against official sources on 20 September 2026.

Contact RINJAZ to confirm availability, scope and quotation for your e-commerce licence file. RINJAZ is a privately licensed UAE service provider. It is not a government entity and does not act for any authority. A provider's role, within whatever its licensed activity covers, is to prepare documents, submit them through the correct channel and track progress. DET or your free zone authority, TDRA and Dubai Customs decide their own applications, and no provider can promise the outcome.