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General Trading Company Setup in Dubai

General trading is a broad commercial permission. It is not permission to trade every product. The goods, the buyer, the warehouse and any product approval still decide whether this activity is the one to investigate.

Tell Vi what you plan to trade

Ask this before the activity name

Two descriptions, not one code

Meydan’s article updated 10 September 2026 describes 4690.97 as import, export and trading of physical goods across unrelated industries, including furniture, electronics, clothing, toys and industrial equipment, sold to business buyers. It excludes motor vehicles, alcohol, medical and pharmaceutical items, and weapons unless those have their own permissions. It also excludes retail to consumers, brokerage without owning the goods, and manufacturing.

IFZA’s page prints no code. It describes import, export, distribution and storage, and it names electronic equipment, construction materials, textiles, garments, medical and healthcare products, and food, plus wholesale and retail. IFZA says the product mix can be changed without amending the licence, and its FAQ says some goods and services may still need additional permits. A Dubai general-trading licence, on that FAQ, is valid in Dubai rather than in every emirate.

Do not copy Meydan’s code onto an IFZA application.

  • AuthorityMeydan

    Activity nameGeneral Trading

    Code4690.97

    Approval noteNo third-party approval before the licence. Vehicles, alcohol, medicines, pharmaceuticals and weapons are not included by default.

  • AuthorityIFZA

    Activity nameGeneral trading, as described on IFZA’s page

    CodeNo code published

    Approval noteIFZA says some goods may need additional permits, including where the product list names medical goods or food.

This may require additional approval depending on the exact activity. Food, medical products, cosmetics, chemicals and telecom equipment are product checks, not things this page folds into 4690.97. Meydan’s e-commerce article, not this trading article, is the one that names Dubai Municipality and conformity registration for some cosmetics and health goods.

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