General trading, import/export and commodities — Ajman, RAKEZ, SPC and DMCC compared by real all-in cost.
For a general trading or import/export company, the best-value UAE free zones are Ajman NuVentures Centre (from AED 4,888) and RAKEZ (from AED 6,000) — RAKEZ especially if you need warehousing. For commodities and prestige trading, DMCC in Dubai (from AED 35,484) is the flagship. SPC in Sharjah (from AED 5,750) is a strong low-cost all-rounder.
| Free zone | From (all-in) | Why it works for trading |
|---|---|---|
| Ajman NuVentures Centre | AED 4,888 | Cheapest general-trading licence; broad activity list |
| SPC Free Zone (Sharjah) | AED 5,750 | Low cost; trading + e-commerce; fast setup |
| RAKEZ (Ras Al Khaimah) | AED 6,000 | Trading + warehousing + light industry under one roof |
| DMCC (Dubai) | AED 35,484 | Commodities, precious metals, prestige — Dubai's flagship |
Real all-in catalogue prices (2026). "General trading" lets you trade multiple product lines; some zones price it as an add-on — Formenzo confirms your exact trading scope before you pay.
If you trade commodities — gold, diamonds, tea, agri and similar — DMCC is the recognised hub (premium, from AED 35,484). For general goods trading, Ajman, SPC or RAKEZ give you the same UAE-wide-valid licence at a fraction of the cost. See the full cost index to compare.
For general trading, start with Ajman (AED 4,888) or, if you need warehousing, RAKEZ (AED 6,000). Pay for DMCC only if you specifically trade commodities or need its ecosystem. Add a visa for banking and an import code. Compare all 9 zones by price and activity — every figure all-in, no sales calls.
See your exact all-in number in writing, locked for 14 days. No callback, no pressure.
For general trading, Ajman (AED 4,888) and RAKEZ (AED 6,000) are the best value — RAKEZ especially if you need warehousing. For commodities, DMCC in Dubai (AED 35,484) is the flagship. SPC in Sharjah (AED 5,750) is a strong low-cost all-rounder.
A trading licence starts from AED 4,888 all-in (Ajman) for a zero-visa licence; general-trading scope may be priced as an add-on in some zones. Add about AED 6,000–11,000 for the first residence visa.
A general trading licence lets you trade multiple unrelated product lines under one licence. Cheaper or specific-trading licences may limit you to a few related products, so confirm your scope before you choose.
A free-zone company can import and trade internationally and sell into the UAE market through a registered distributor or agent. To sell directly via your own UAE shopfront, you'd add a mainland licence.
DMCC in Dubai is the recognised hub for commodities — gold, diamonds, tea, agri and similar — with bundled packages from AED 35,484. For general goods, Ajman, SPC or RAKEZ are far cheaper.
