Questions & Answers
Setting up E-commerce business in Dubai
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.
Please note that our response to your question will be purely from an academic point of view based on the limited preliminary information that has been provided. Therefore, it should not be treated as a legal opinion for the want of adequate knowledge and review of relevant documents when read with the applicable laws.
To operate an online business, one must acquire an e-trader license (an e-trader license is a license procured from the Department of Economic Development provided all requirements set out by the Department of Economic Development are fulfilled).
The UAE Department of Economic Development provides that only local and GCC residents may obtain an e-trader license. However, if you are an expat, there are other avenues available to you like collaboration with a local entity.
Our firm has a highly experienced Corporate Team that regularly deals with similar company transactions and would be happy to assist you with the setting up of a company in UAE and/or any other ancillary matters.
Please send us an email at: kushagra@mahmoodhussain.net; hiba@mahmoodhussain.net and aileen@mahmoodhussain.net to further discuss this matter.
