UAE Trading Licence 2026: Commodities, Oil & Gas, General Trade
Trading is one of the most common activities licensed in the UAE, but "trading licence" covers a wide range of structures — from a small general trading company to a commodities-focused entity built for institutional counterparties.
General trading vs specific commodity trading
A general trading licence covers a broad catalogue of goods, useful for import/export businesses that don't want to be locked into one product category. A specific commodities licence — common in DMCC, historically the UAE's commodities hub — suits businesses trading in defined categories like metals, energy products, or agricultural commodities, often with counterparties who expect that specific jurisdictional credibility.
Where oil & gas trading fits
Oil & gas and broader commodities trading businesses typically gravitate toward DMCC for its market recognition and established commodities ecosystem, or JAFZA for businesses that also need physical port and warehousing access via Jebel Ali Port. The right choice depends on whether your business is purely financial/trading or also involves physical goods movement.
What logistics-heavy trading needs
If your trading business involves container volumes, bulk shipping or warehousing, JAFZA's direct Jebel Ali Port access is a structural advantage that a purely digital free zone can't replicate. If your trading is financial/paper-based with no physical goods handling, a lower-cost zone like IFZA or Meydan can work just as well at a fraction of the cost.
Getting started
A&D reviews your specific trading activity — general or commodity-specific, physical or financial, and your target counterparties — before recommending a jurisdiction. See the full Company Formation service, and the dedicated DMCC and JAFZA pages for activity lists and pricing.