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: I'm a Saudi National living in the UAE and want to issue a license for my e-commerce commission-based business website for Auto/Spare parts in Ajman. We don’t stock products. We act as the middleman in the process. For example, a customer comes to our website and orders say "Brake Pads" for his/her car. Our job is to go and look across shops in the UAE to find the best deal for the customer. Then, we go back to the customer and present the best deal for this specific requested spare part. If the customer agrees to the offer, he/she then have to pay us the full amount, and then we go and get the product for him/her and take a cut percentage of 10% from the total amount paid, and then ship the product to the customer. What kind of license do we need for a business like this? I would like the license to be issued in Ajman. Also, I need to hire employees, therefore, I need a license that enables me to hire and rent an office space. Thank you.

Q: I would like to open a company owned 100% by a Syrian national, and looking to provide trading services in any city of the UAE. Please advise me about the requirements, cost and time.

Q: We are in the phase of establishing an e-commerce business that will mainly market and sell apparels and accessories within the United Arab Emirates and potentially in some of ME countries. The items intended for sale are from different well-known brands, including many brands that have either agents or retail outlets within this region. However, these items are not of the latest collections. In addition, they are liquidated from previous years’ collections and imported from different countries. For this, we have the following enquiry: - Are there any legal restrictions to trade with international brands business that have potentially agents within the country (Noting that imported items are genuine but not latest)? - Are there any other considerations you could highlight to us, or if you may provide advice on the above-intended business setup? Best regards, M. Z.

Q: We want to start a brokerage company in the field of industrial equipment. We are calling to work with Chinese companies. Is the fee bill that we will establish from Dubai subject to any taxes? If yes, which ones? Please, can you also send us the legal texts related to these dispositions?

Q: Hello! I have an idea to open an online shop and deliver things to all the UAE. I am based in Dubai. Should I have any license to open an online shop? Should I open a new bank account to receive payments from the customers or it can be my personal bank account? Thank you for your answer!

Q: Hi, Can I resell branded sportswear online through my website in the UAE? The items are original; I import them from a country where I can source models that are sold out or sizes that are unavailable in the UAE.

Q: Good afternoon! What certifications are required to start selling children's toys in the UAE?

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.

Most entrepreneurs who have ideas for a startup seeking to implement it may face some difficulties in deciding the ideal location, activity, type of license, fees, taxes, among many others. Here are four reasons why the UAE’s thriving start-up scene is the right choice for your business.

The UAE government has announced important changes to the federal Commercial Companies Law, the most significant is related to the foreign ownership of mainland companies. This will grant foreign investors the full ownership of share capital in companies carrying out certain activities specified to that effect by the competent authorities. This means that foreign investors’ shares will not be limited anymore to a maximum of 49% like before, but can be up to 100% instead.

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