Q: Hi, What is the most appropriate business set up to launch an online marketplace in the UAE, i.e. people sell advisory services through an online platform? Thank you

Q: Hello I want to open an online store (e-commerce) in Dubai, it will be online clothing store and I will receive the clothes from China by courier and sell it in Dubai. Customers can complete the payment with Pay Pal. So I would like to know if I need to register this online store, and if yes, what's the procedure. Since the items will be shipped from overseas, then maybe I do not need even to register it. Please advise

Q: Hello, We are starting a new E-commerce business based in Dubai and would like to know some of the legal requirements to set an e-commerce business. We'll be selling physical products, imported from China and targeting the UAE as our customer base. So please if you could help us in informing what legal procedures like licensing etc should be done. Thanks.

Q: Hi, We are planning to open a business on an online marketplace and we need advice on the following: 1. We are planning to introduce a bidding option on the website. Are there any specific laws pertaining to bidding in the U.A.E? And are there any pre-approval required from the government or any authority? 2. Since individuals will be allowed to sell online on our website, is it legal for them to sell on our website (Like dubizzle)? Or do we can only allow license holders to sell on our platform? 3. Are there any specific laws in the U.A.E related to the marketplace? 4. If we do an international collaboration, are there any specific laws that we should look for? Appreciate your support if you can assist us with the above!

Over the years the UAE has become a centre of trade and commerce for the Middle East, thanks to its strategic location, excellent connectivity and extensive services to assist with all aspects of business. According to the World Bank's 2016 report, the UAE has ranked 31st in the global index of ease of doing business. This encourages more entrepreneurs to set up different kinds of business entities in the country.

The UAE has had tremendous economic development over the last two decades, which can be attributed to the country’s expanding market and large inflow of investments. The demonstrated level of preparedness and equanimity is evident in the legislative framework, characterized by the ongoing and systematic updates of laws. This proactive approach aims to align the legal landscape with the dynamic trajectory of economic advancement, ensuring continual synchronization with the prevailing progress.

The provisions of this Law apply to the commercial companies established in the UAE and the foreign companies that have established in the UAE a base to conduct any activity therein or established a branch or representative office. The Law abrogates Federal Law No. (8) of 1984 Concerning Commercial Companies.

The provisions of this Decree-Law, known as the "New E-commerce Law", govern E-commerce regulations in the United Arab Emirates. The New E-commerce Law repeals the previous UAE E-commerce Law (Federal Law No. (1) of 2006 Concerning Electronic Transactions & Commerce).

Cabinet Resolution No. (28) of 2023 on the Executive Regulations of Federal Decree-Law No. (46) of 2021 on Electronic Transactions and Trust Services