Business Setup Dubai: E-commerce Business Setup in the UAE
Starting an ecommerce business in the UAE is not as simple as launching a website and pushing products. Ecommerce is regulated in the UAE, and you cannot collect payments until your license, approvals, and business structure are fully sorted.
FAR Consultancy Dubai manages the entire setup, so you do not get stuck dealing with approvals or confusing requirements.
Why Start an Ecommerce Company in UAE?
The UAE has one of the fastest-growing ecommerce markets in the MENA region.
- Introduction of high online purchasing power.
- Smart coordination infrastructure.
- 100% foreign ownership is allowed.
- Several forms of licensing: free zones + mainland.
- Seamless payment gateway integration once your license is in place.
Types of Ecommerce Licenses in the UAE
Dubai DED Mainland Ecommerce License.
Best when you wish to sell in the entire UAE.
You can:
- sell physical products.
- Offer digital products.
- Marketplace (Amazon, Noon) sales.
- Operate your own webstore.
Requirements:
- Office space or flexi-desk
- Approval of trade name and activity.
- Passport copy, visa copy
- Check the payment gateway compliance.
Ecommerce Freezone Set Up Dubai.
Most of the startups prefer having free zones due to the speed of establishment and the cheap costs.
Top free zones include:
- Dubai Commerce (DCC)
- IFZA
- RAKEZ
- SHAMS
- Ajman Free Zone
- Meydan Free Zone
You get:
- 100% ownership
- No re-export customs duties.
- Lower license costs
- Fulfilment add-ons or easy warehouses.
However, to sell in the mainland, you will need a distributor or a coordination partner to clear goods.
Ecommerce Business Setup UAE – What You Need
Let us be real — the paperwork is not simple, and you need to get it right.
Mandatory documents:
- Passport copy
- Visa/EID (if applicable)
- Contact details.
- Proposed trade name.
- Selection of activity through ecommerce.
- Business plan (some free zones require such)
Dependent on the product:
- Product approvals
- Customs code.
- Warehouse/fulfilment agreement
Our Ecommerce Company Setup Services
License & Approvals
We manage approvals from:
- DED (Dubai Mainland)
- Free Zone Authorities
- Trademarks, should you require an import/export code.
Ecommerce Compliance Setup
We guide you on:
- Requirements of payment gateway integration.
- Website compliance
- Terms & conditions draft
- Standards of refund policy and privacy policy.
- Payment processors KYC/KYB.
Bank Account Assistance
Banks scrutinize ecommerce startups more aggressively, and we help you prepare a complete file to avoid rejection.
VAT Registration and Accounting.
VAT registration is mandatory in case you exceed AED 375,000 per year in turnover.
Fulfilment Guidance/Logistics.
We connect you with fulfilment partners for last-mile delivery, warehousing, and COD services.
Process to Start an Ecommerce Company in the UAE
- District: Mainland or Free Zone.
- Select activity (ecommerce/digital trading).
- Apply for initial approval.
- Lease office or flexi-desk.
- Collect the trade license.
- Request custom codes (when selling tangible products).
- Combine payment gateway and start site.
FAQ – Ecommerce Business Setup UAE
Why FAR Consultancy Dubai?
We maintain the ecommerce arrangement of your company in a clean, compliant, and fast manner. We have worked with hundreds of e-commerce licenses on mainland and free zones; therefore, we are aware of what causes delays, and we will ensure that you are ahead of them. Contact us today for all e-commerce company setup requirements in UAE.
+971 52 6922588
| Tel: +971 4 2500251
| E-mail: sales@farahatco.net