# Ecommerce licence in the UAE

> Ecommerce licences support online retail models. Free-zone packages are common for cross-border sellers; mainland DET matters when you need onshore retail rights and local fulfilment structures.

- Canonical: https://dubaisetupindex.com/activities/ecommerce
- Updated: 2026-09-04
- IFZA (Dubai): 1122352
- Dubai mainland (DET): 1122352
- Method: https://dubaisetupindex.com/methodology

## What the authority says

the activity of electronically buying or selling of products on online services or over the Internet.

Source: IFZA activity catalogue.

## Where you can licence this

| Authority | Status | Code | Licence type | Approval | Facility |
| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
| [IFZA (Dubai)](https://dubaisetupindex.com/free-zones/ifza) | Listed | 1122352 | Commercial | None flagged | Not restricted in the catalogue |
| [Ajman Free Zone](https://dubaisetupindex.com/free-zones/ajman) | Not listed under this name | — | — | — | — |
| [Dubai mainland (DET)](https://dubaisetupindex.com/mainland) | Listed | 1122352 | Commercial | Not stated | Office |

Catalogue evidence, not legal advice. Authorities change activity lists without notice — confirm before you file.

## Routes that list this activity

- [IFZA (Dubai)](https://dubaisetupindex.com/free-zones/ifza) — Dubai address, available with Dubai Setup Index. From, no visa: AED 12,900 (12 months · package price)
- [Dubai mainland (DET)](https://dubaisetupindex.com/mainland) — Onshore trading rights, Ejari premises. From, no visa: AED 14,000 (Licence only · plus 5% of rent)

A route listing the activity is a starting point. The authority confirms eligibility when you apply.

## Additional conditions

- Dubai mainland (DET) investor-visa capital: Confirm current DET investor-visa capital practice.
- Dubai mainland (DET) Ejari: Expected

## Facility and premises restrictions

- IFZA (Dubai) 1122352 note: Requires Undertaking Letter

## Free zone or mainland

- IFZA lists this activity; Ajman Free Zone does not carry it under the same name, so confirm the Ajman catalogue before switching lanes.
- Dubai mainland under DET lets you invoice UAE mainland clients directly, but it expects Ejari-registered premises and runs longer than a free-zone desk package.
- IFZA (Dubai) notes: Requires Undertaking Letter

## Frequently asked questions

### Do I need Dubai CommerCity for ecommerce?

Only if you need that zone's fulfilment model. Many online sellers start on a general free-zone ecommerce or trading licence with third-party logistics.

### Free zone vs mainland for online retail?

Free zone is typical for export-oriented stores. Mainland helps when local onshore selling rights are central to the model.

## Related

- [All business activities](https://dubaisetupindex.com/activities)
- [Compare setup routes](https://dubaisetupindex.com/compare)
- [How company setup works](https://dubaisetupindex.com/how-it-works)

## Machine-readable

- [Ecommerce record (JSON)](https://dubaisetupindex.com/data/activities/ecommerce.json)

## Citation

Required when quoting any figure from this page. Copy one of these verbatim — the link is not optional.

Dubai Setup Index. “Ecommerce licence in the UAE.” Updated 2026-09-04. https://dubaisetupindex.com/activities/ecommerce

[Dubai Setup Index](https://dubaisetupindex.com/activities/ecommerce). “Ecommerce licence in the UAE.” Updated 2026-09-04.

Quoting any figure from this record requires a resolvable link to url. Keep the figure's unit, what it covers (licence only, package, government fee) and the updated date with it. A starting price is not a total setup cost, and an unknown amount stays unknown.