The E-trader license in Dubai was introduced by the Department of Economic Development (DED) and is aimed at home entrepreneurs doing business over social media. The E-Trader license will make it easier for individuals or single-owned businesses to sell their services and products on social media. It will also bolster customers’ confidence when they’re shopping online. The announcement of the E-trade license by DED followed in the wake of the efforts to crackdown on counterfeit and fake products being sold on social media platforms like Instagram. The license aims to regulate the sale of products and services conducted through social media in Dubai.

DO YOU NEED THE E-TRADER LICENCE IN DUBAI?

If you are an individual who promotes or sells products and services through your social media accounts or a personal website, then you do need an E-trader license in Dubai. For instance, this home business license would apply to stay-at-home mothers promoting handmade products or photography services and selling on Instagram in Dubai.

Home entrepreneurs who don’t have or require a physical office space are eligible to apply for the E-trade license in Dubai, as it does not require you to submit any Ejari documents. It’s ideal for single-owner home-based businesses that don’t require a local partner and freelancers. UAE and GCC Nationals and expats of certain other nationalities can apply for the E-trader license in Dubai, with the condition that the individual is based in Dubai and is over the age of 21 years.

WHAT CAN YOU DO WITH THE E-TRADER LICENSE IN DUBAI?

With this license, individuals can legally promote and sell products and services through their social media accounts including Instagram, Facebook and more, or on a personal website. You can also feature their products and services on online marketplaces such as Souq.com. With this home business license in Dubai, individuals and single-owned businesses can legally participate in and reach out to customers at exhibitions and conferences. It will also protect your trade name and any other intellectual property. An E-trader license is strictly for a single-owner home-based business in Dubai or freelancer. Individuals with this home business license in Dubai cannot open a physical shop or issue visas.

With the E-trade license in Dubai, you can sell your products and services within the emirate. Should you want to sell in other emirates, you must approach the respective Department of Economic Development for that emirate and ask for approval. You may have to obtain another E-trader license to sell in that emirate.

It’s important to note there are conditions on what you can sell on social media with an E-trader license in Dubai. UAE and GCC National entrepreneurs with the license can conduct commercial activity (i.e. sell physical products and goods) and professional activity (i.e. sell professional services) on their social media accounts. For all other expats, the conditions for what individuals can sell and promote on social media depends on nationality. On a general note, non-GCC expats can sell professional services through their social media, but not physical products. This could include maintenance, repair, event management and photography services. You can find out more about which nationalities are eligible for the license and what you can sell through social media when you register for the license.

While food products are most often not allowed under this license. The E-trader license Dubai fees currently is AED 1,070 and the license must be renewed every year.

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