Cost Calculator

E-Commerce
License

In the UAE

Launch your E-Commerce company in the UAE. Set up and sell online instantly for just AED 5,750

What Is An E-Commerce License?

An e-commerce license in the UAE lets you sell products or services online, manage digital storefronts, and trade through electronic marketplaces. An e-commerce license from SPC Free Zone lets you combine up to 5 activity groups and access to key digital marketplaces, giving you both the flexibility and infrastructure you need to get started right away!

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setup costs in seconds

Use our cost calculator to estimate your setup costs based on activities, visa requirements, and optional services.

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Key Facts:

  • Up to 5 activity groups on 1 license
  • For AED 5,750
  • 100% remote application process
  • 100% foreign ownership
  • 100% profit repatriation
  • No NOC required
  • Unlimited visa quota
60-second explainer

All you need to know about a UAE general trading license.

This section is ready for an embedded YouTube or self-hosted video. Keep the script practical: what the license allows, who it suits, what it costs, and how to start.

Transcript preview: If you want to import, export or resell multiple categories of goods in the UAE, a general trading license gives you one flexible structure instead of several narrow licenses.

Explore available activity groups

Search SPC Free Zone's full business activity list in a new tab, or expand the cards below to review the available e-commerce activities.

This covers business-to-consumer (B2C) retail sales of a diverse range of merchandise, consumer goods, and finished products conducted via online portals, digital marketplaces, and web applications. It includes listing products, accepting digital orders, and arranging delivery to individual end consumers. It does not include physical retail storefront operations, wholesale distribution to business accounts, or manufacturing products.

This covers retail trading where customer orders are solicited and placed via printed mail order catalogs, postal promotional circulars, order forms, or written correspondence. It includes processed orders dispatched directly to consumer addresses via mail, parcel delivery, or courier services. It does not include running a physical retail shop or managing real-time online e-commerce platforms.

This covers broad direct-to-consumer retail operations conducted through non-store channels, primarily via online platforms, electronic market sites, and mail-order networks. It includes displaying product inventories online, electronic payment processing, customer service support, and door-to-door delivery fulfillment. It does not include wholesale trade between businesses, physical brick-and-mortar storefront retailing, or manufacturing activities.

This covers direct-response retail selling conducted through broadcast TV networks, radio programming, infomercials, and telemarketing channels. It includes processing incoming telephone orders or automated SMS responses generated by broadcast demonstrations and delivering goods directly to home addresses. It does not include running a television broadcasting network, telecommunications infrastructure management, or physical shop retail.

This covers the retail sale and commercial promotion of goods directly through social media channels, social commerce integrations, instant messaging business platforms, and live-stream shopping events. It includes managing online product catalogs, handling customer inquiries via social channels, and routing orders for fulfillment. It does not include operating general social media management agencies, influencer marketing consultancy, or physical retail stores.

This covers online retail sales of general consumer merchandise alongside the web-based sale and distribution of off-the-shelf software, digital IT applications, cloud subscriptions, and pre-packaged technology solutions to end users. It does not include custom software programming, physical IT hardware repair, managed IT infrastructure maintenance, or physical storefront operations.

This covers operating online auction platforms and marketplace systems where retail goods are listed for competitive bidding by individual buyers over the internet. It includes managing seller listings, digital bidding portals, auction closing procedures, and facilitating order settlement between buyers and sellers. It does not include traditional physical auction houses, real estate auctions, or financial securities trading.

This covers the specialized online and offline retail supply of promotional items, corporate gifts, customized giveaways, advertising novelty goods, banners, trophies, and branded memorabilia. It includes sourcing and supplying personalized items to corporate clients or individual retail buyers. It does not include operating advertising agencies, graphic design creation, or printing press manufacturing.

This covers the online retail ordering and digital trading of packaged foods, groceries, fresh produce, beverages, and specialty food items delivered directly to end-consumer addresses. It includes operating online grocery platforms and mobile ordering apps. It does not include operating physical supermarket premises, restaurant food preparation and catering, or industrial food manufacturing.

This covers specialized direct-response TV shopping operations, including home shopping broadcasts, dedicated cable shopping channels, and extended infomercial selling. It covers live broadcast product presentations, toll-free telephone order taking, and direct customer delivery operations. It does not include producing general TV entertainment shows, satellite channel broadcasting infrastructure, or physical retail shops.

This covers conducting retail trading operations exclusively through dedicated proprietary websites and custom online store fronts. It includes hosting digital product catalogs, shopping cart functionality, secure online payment gateway integrations, and managing third-party logistics fulfillment. It does not include website design and web development services, web hosting infrastructure provision, or physical storefront retail.

This covers the online retail trading, listing, and sale of fine jewelry, natural or cultured pearls, diamonds, precious gemstones, and precious metal ornaments through electronic platforms. It includes digital showcase displays, secure insured home delivery, and online certificate verifications. It does not include physical gold bullions wholesale trading, raw gemstone mining and cutting, or operating physical jewelry retail stores.

Need the exact activity code?

Browse the full SPC Free Zone activity list before finalizing your trade name and license package.

Browse all activities

Why Choose SPC Free Zone for E-Commerce?

Instant License

Secure your business license quickly and move from application to operations faster.

Up to 5 Activity Groups Per License

Trade across multiple categories while keeping your structure simple.

Pay-As-You-Go Services

Add the support services you need as your company grows.

100% Remote Setup Process

Apply and set up your company without needing to visit the UAE.

Where is SPC Free Zone Located?

SPC Free Zone is located in Sharjah, with convenient access to major UAE logistics routes and airports.

The free zone is just 15 minutes away from two major airports (Dubai International Airport and Sharjah International Airport), making it an excellent choice for international entrepreneurs.

Get Directions

SPC Free Zone

Al Zahia, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates

Why Choose SPC Free Zone?

A clear comparison of setup cost, activity flexibility, and estimated setup speed.

Feature SPC Free Zone Average Free Zone UAE Mainland
Starting price without visas For AED 5,750 AED 12,000+ AED 15,000+
Starting price with visas From AED 13,175 From AED 18,000 From AED 20,000
Activity groups per license 5 3 Usually 1
Setup speed Same day * 2–5 working days 7–14 working days

Final timelines are subject to chosen activities and timely submission of documentation. Terms and conditions apply.

Need help choosing the right setup?

Speak with an SPC Free Zone advisor about pricing, activity groups, and visa options for your business.

Book a Free Consultation

The UAE's E‑Commerce Industry at a Glance

$48.8bnPredicted market size (2028)
12.4%CAGR of UAE's E-Commerce Industry
45,000No. of E-Commerce stores in the UAE
90%Rate of internet penetration in the UAE

Get Your E-Commerce License in 4 Steps!

Contact us

Share your business goals with an SPC Free Zone advisor.

Choose your trade name and activities

Select your preferred company name and trading activity groups.

Submit requested documents

Provide your passport copy, Emirates ID if applicable, and any additional documents.

Get your E-Commerce license!

Receive your license and start building your UAE trading operations.

Everything You Need to Know About E‑Commerce Licenses in the UAE

An E-commerce license in the UAE unlocks the borderless potential of the digital marketplace, allowing entrepreneurs to tap into millions of online consumers across the GCC. Covering online retail, drop-shipping, digital service marketplaces, and social media commerce under a single legal roof, an e-commerce business setup eliminates physical constraints, letting you build an agile, borderless business from day one.

Given that E-commerce as an industry is highly dependent on rapidly shifting market trends and demand, an E-commerce business license helps you sell fashion, apparel, and tech accessories under one roof - eliminating the need to apply for multiple business licenses.

Securing your E-commerce business license through SPC Free Zone removes the traditional barriers of high setup costs and complex supply chains. Key benefits include:

Instant Digital Licensing: Issue your license in as little as 2 hours, allowing you to integrate payment gateways and open merchant accounts immediately.

Optimized Startup Capital: Kickstart your digital storefront with an affordable, license-only package starting at just AED 5,750.

Multi-Store Management: Combine up to 5 distinct e-commerce activity groups on a single license, enabling you to run multiple niche websites or brands under one corporate entity.

100% Remote Onboarding: Complete the entire application, submit documents, and manage your company setup from anywhere in the world without a physical footprint in the UAE.

Full Corporate Autonomy: Enjoy 100% foreign ownership and 100% profit repatriation with zero currency restrictions, maximizing your global margins.

Logistical Synergy: Benefit from SPC Free Zone's proximity—just 15 minutes from DXB and SHJ airports—making it seamless to partner with fulfillment centers, regional couriers, and last-mile delivery providers.

Frequently Asked Questions: E‑Commerce Licenses in the UAE

Yes. To legally sell any products or services online in the UAE—whether through your own independent website, social media pages, or major digital marketplaces like Amazon and Noon—you must have a valid commercial license. Operating an online store without the proper corporate registration is a legal violation and can lead to heavy financial penalties.

Yes, provided your license has the right activity groups. For example, an SPC Free Zone e-commerce license gives you the flexibility to combine up to 5 distinct e-commerce activity groups under a single corporate entity.

The license-only package for an e-commerce setup at SPC Free Zone starts at AED 5,750. The total cost will scale from there depending on your specific business requirements, such as whether you need to include investor/partner visas, employee quotas, or additional corporate establishment services.

No. The entire onboarding, documentation, and incorporation process can be completed 100% remotely. You can submit your application, process the required payments, and receive your digital corporate license from anywhere in the world without having to visit the UAE or set up a physical office.

E-Trader License: Typically issued by local Departments of Economic Development (DED) specifically to home-based businesses, freelancers, and single individuals. It has strict nationality restrictions (often limited to UAE or GCC nationals for physical trading, or limited to specific professional services for expats) and does not allow you to open a corporate office or issue employee visas.

E-Commerce License: A full corporate entity structure (like a Free Zone LLC). It allows 100% foreign ownership for any nationality, allows you to scale, hire staff, sponsor visas, rent warehouse/office space, and handle much higher volumes of domestic and international trade seamlessly.

The initial setup requires very minimal paperwork. To get started, you only need to provide:

• A clear passport copy of the owner(s)/shareholder(s)
• A copy of your UAE residence visa and Emirates ID (only applicable if you are already a UAE resident)
• A list of your preferred trading names for corporate approval
• Your selected business activities

Get your UAE
E-Commerce license
with SPC Free Zone.

Speak with our Business Setup Advisor about activity selection, setup costs, visa allocations, and documentation requirements.

Book a Free Consultation
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