Sharjah Trade License Activities List Explained: Setup Made Simple

Author: Hanoof Al Naama
Published: October 31, 2025

Introduction

For entrepreneurs setting their sights on the immense potential of Sharjah in the UAE, the first critical step is locating the comprehensive Sharjah trade license activities list. When you set up your business through a free zone like SPC Free Zone, you can choose from over 2,000 business activities.

This guide answers the common question: where do I start?

Understanding the Sharjah Trade License Activities List

License Categories

Entrepreneurs can choose between two large categories of approved Sharjah free zone activities:

  1. Standard Licenses
  2. Publishing Licenses

Within these categories, you can navigate to find business activities that appeal to you under different group numbers, whether these are Sharjah Publishing City activities or others from the Sharjah trade license activities list.

Activity Structure

Each business activity has:

This information is key for future business owners to know.

Multiple Activities Per License

With SPC Free Zone, entrepreneurs have the luxury of choosing up to five business activities per license. Getting a multiple activities Sharjah license is simpler than you might think.

Types of Trading Activities Available

The Sharjah trade license activities list includes extensive trading opportunities:

Popular UAE Trade Activities for Entrepreneurs

Here are 5 of the most popular trading businesses in the UAE where new entrepreneurs can set themselves up for success:

1. Food and Beverage Trading

With the UAE's growing population and rising tourism, food and beverage businesses are thriving. Options include:

Success requires thorough research to find your niche.

2. E-commerce and Online Retail

E-commerce marketplaces are thriving. With the right mix of audience and product, you can succeed in various categories:

3. IT and Software Trading

As demand for tech continues to rise, so does demand for:

The potential is immense.

4. Green Technology Trading

Green tech is perfectly aligned with the UAE's sustainability goals and technological advancement goals. Opportunities include:

5. Trading in Building and Construction Materials

A booming construction and development sector means there's always demand for high-quality building and construction materials. Tapping into this sector could be the key to entrepreneurial success.

Third-Party Approval Requirements

Understanding Third-Party Approvals

A majority of Sharjah free zone business activities involving trading don't require third-party approvals. However, there's always a chance that your specific business activity requires one or more.

How to Check Third-Party Requirements

Navigating SPC Free Zone's approved Sharjah free zone activities list is straightforward:

  1. Access the activity list
  2. Use the drop-down menu on the right-hand side
  3. Tick the box for 'third party'
  4. Fill in your criteria
  5. Instantly sift through all relevant business activities that require third-party approvals

You can similarly use this feature for other ways to narrow down business activities, such as:

SPC Free Zone Support

If your business activity does require third-party approvals, SPC Free Zone will handle them for you, ensuring that your business setup is as smooth as possible.

Cost of a Sharjah Trade License

Standard Pricing

License Type Starting Cost
Sharjah General Trading License AED 6,875
E-commerce Trading License AED 5,750

Cost Variables

Costs for your business setup and licensing will vary depending on:

Cost Calculator

To find out how much your business setup will cost once you've reviewed the Sharjah trade license activities list, use SPC Free Zone's transparent and simple online business calculator for an instant estimate.

Conclusion

When it comes to the UAE, trading activities can take you far. The Sharjah free zone license guide covers everything you need to know:

The industries within the field of trading are vast, and with the right amount of research and planning, you can build a trading business that thrives in Sharjah.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I find a list of Sharjah free zone business activities?

Visit SPC Free Zone's activity list for a comprehensive list, and use the handy filters to sift through to your preferred business activities.

How much is the cost of a trading license in Sharjah UAE?

The typical cost for your Sharjah general trading license starts at AED 6,875. For e-commerce trading, you could get your business license for as low as AED 5,750. The final costs for your business setup and licensing will vary depending on the size and scale of your business.

How much will my business setup cost me?

To get a transparent estimate of your business setup cost, choose your business activities from the Sharjah trade license activities list and use the simple online business calculator to find out instantly.

What kind of trading business should I start?

With the UAE's endless opportunities, the choice is entirely up to you. Options include:

It's recommended to conduct thorough research before establishing your business.

Does my trading business activity need third-party approval?

Whilst a majority of Sharjah company setup activities involving trading don't require third-party approvals, there's always a chance that your specific business activity does. Find out using the filters on the activity list. If your business activity does require third-party approvals, SPC Free Zone will handle them for you.

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