Do I need a UAE company to sell on Amazon.ae?

Yes — Amazon.ae requires a UAE-issued trade license. The E-Trader License satisfies this and is the cheapest legally valid option at AED 1,716.50 per year (Commercial).

Is Amazon FBA allowed under an E-Trader License?

Yes. FBA is fully allowed — you ship inventory to Amazon's UAE fulfilment centres and they handle storage, delivery and returns.

Can expatriates sell on Amazon.ae with an E-Trader License?

Yes. The Online Seller commercial activity (DET code 6312009) is open to all nationalities. Expats need a valid UAE residence visa and Emirates ID.

What is the total annual cost?

AED 1,370 license fee + AED 346.50 DET transaction fees = AED 1,716.50 per year under the Commercial (Online Seller) activity.

Do I need VAT registration before I start selling on Amazon.ae?

Not immediately. VAT registration is mandatory once turnover exceeds AED 375,000/year and voluntary from AED 187,500. Amazon can hold payouts if you cross the threshold without a TRN.

Can I sell on Amazon.com or Amazon.sa with a UAE E-Trader License?

Amazon.ae is fully covered. Cross-border selling into Amazon.com or Amazon.sa is possible but requires separate seller accounts in those regions and their own tax registrations.

How long does it take to get an Amazon seller account after my license?

Amazon typically verifies UAE trade licenses within 3–5 business days after upload.

Can I sell branded goods and private-label products?

Yes, provided you have authorisation to sell the brand or you own the trademark. Amazon Brand Registry is available to trademark holders.

Sell on Amazon UAE 2026 | License, Fees & Setup Guide

By Dubai Economy Center Goodhand Branch Editorial DeskReviewed by our licensing team

Amazon.ae is the largest e-commerce marketplace in the UAE, and Amazon requires every seller to hold a valid UAE trade license before an account can be verified for payouts. For home-based individual sellers and small brands, the Dubai E-Trader License is the fastest and cheapest way to meet that requirement — it is issued in 1–3 working days, does not need an office, and costs AED 1,716.50 per year when applied under the Online Seller commercial activity (DET code 6312009).

Ready to license your online business?

Apply for the Dubai E-Trader License online — issued in 1–3 working days.

Apply now

Why sellers choose the E-Trader License for Amazon.ae

Amazon Seller Central UAE asks for a trade license, VAT certificate (if applicable) and a UAE bank account before it releases disbursements. The E-Trader License satisfies the trade-license requirement in full and is accepted by Amazon's UAE verification team.

Compared to a Mainland LLC (from AED 12,000+ per year with office and immigration costs) or a free-zone license (from AED 5,750+ with virtual office fees), the E-Trader License is the lowest-cost, fastest legal option for a solo Amazon seller in Dubai.

Which E-Trader activity code covers Amazon selling?

For selling physical products on Amazon.ae, the correct DET activity is Online Seller (code 6312009) under the Commercial category, which costs AED 1,370 in license fees. This activity was opened to all nationalities by Dubai DET and does not require UAE/GCC nationality.

If you are selling digital services (design, coaching, consulting) via Amazon's services marketplace or a related Amazon program, the Professional activities (AED 1,070) apply instead.

VAT registration for Amazon.ae sellers

UAE VAT registration is mandatory once your taxable turnover crosses AED 375,000 per year, and voluntary from AED 187,500. Amazon.ae holds monthly payouts if you exceed the threshold without a TRN, so most active sellers register voluntarily as soon as they onboard.

The E-Trader License is a valid basis for Federal Tax Authority (FTA) VAT registration — you can register through the FTA portal using the license number, Emirates ID and a UAE bank IBAN.

FBA vs FBM from an E-Trader License

Fulfilment by Amazon (FBA) is fully compatible with the E-Trader License. You ship inventory to Amazon's UAE fulfilment centres and Amazon handles pick, pack, delivery and returns. There is no requirement for you to hold a physical warehouse under your license.

Fulfilment by Merchant (FBM) — where you ship each order yourself — is also allowed, but the E-Trader License is home-based and does not permit walk-in retail, so shipping must go from your home or a 3PL warehouse rather than a shop.

What you can do

✓Sell physical products on Amazon.ae as an individual seller
✓Use Fulfilment by Amazon (FBA) for storage and delivery
✓Register for VAT and issue tax invoices under the license
✓Sell across all Amazon.ae categories that do not require sector-specific approvals
✓Receive payouts to a UAE personal or business bank account

What you cannot do

✕Import restricted or regulated goods (cosmetics, food supplements, medical devices) without additional approvals
✕Operate a physical Amazon-branded storefront in Dubai
✕Hire expatriate employees under the license (up to 3 UAE nationals only)
✕Trade in categories reserved for Mainland/Freezone LLCs (large-scale distribution, wholesale import)

What it costs

E-Trader License fee: AED 1,070 for Professional activities or AED 1,370 for Commercial activities (including the Online Seller code 6312009). DET transaction fees add AED 346.50 (3 × AED 115.50). Total annual cost: AED 1,416.50 or AED 1,716.50.

Get your E-Trader License in 1–3 working days

Dubai Economy Center handles activity selection, tradename, DET application and approvals.

Start application

Step-by-step: how to apply

1
Choose activity
Select Online Seller (6312009) for physical goods, or a Professional activity for digital services.
2
Reserve tradename
Pick a trade name (or use your legal name) — reservation is included in the 3 × AED 115.50 transaction fees.
3
Submit E-Trader application
Upload Emirates ID, residence visa and Dubai address; DET issues initial approval within 24 hours.
4
Receive license
The E-Trader License is issued digitally within 1–3 working days.
5
Register on Amazon Seller Central UAE
Upload the license PDF and your Emirates ID; verification typically completes in 3–5 business days.
6
Set up payouts
Add a UAE IBAN and, if turnover requires it, register for VAT with the FTA using the license number.