Convert raw materials into finished or semi-finished products
Trade Licence Services
Industrial Trade Licence in the UAE
Establish your manufacturing or production business with guidance on industrial activity selection, licensing, facilities, regulatory approvals and operational requirements.
Understanding the Service
What Is an Industrial Trade Licence?
An Industrial Licence is generally intended for approved manufacturing, processing, assembly, production or material-transformation activities. It authorizes only the activities printed on the Licence and must reflect what the facility will actually produce.
Requirements depend on the product, production process, facility, jurisdiction and location. The economic Industrial Licence may not be the only permission required. Production should not begin until applicable facility, safety, environmental, industrial-registration and product requirements have been completed.
Business Fit
Who Needs an Industrial Licence?
Manufacture goods or assemble components
Process food or other materials
Package products as part of an industrial operation
Operate production machinery
Establish a factory, plant or industrial workshop
Expand an existing factory
Move from trading into manufacturing
Available Options
Examples of Industrial Activities
Food and Consumer Production
Food, beverages, textiles, garments and approved consumer products.
Furniture and Fabrication
Furniture, wood products, metal fabrication and automotive components.
Machinery and Equipment
Machinery, electrical equipment, electronics and component assembly.
Materials and Packaging
Plastic, paper, packaging products and building materials.
Chemicals and Cleaning Products
Approved chemical, detergent and specialist-product manufacturing.
Medical and Healthcare Products
Regulated healthcare products subject to product and authority approvals.
Compare Your Options
Industrial Licence vs Commercial Licence
Making a product and trading a product are different licensed activities.
| Decision Factor | Industrial Licence | Commercial Licence |
|---|---|---|
| Primary activity | Manufacturing, processing, assembly or production | Buying, selling, importing, exporting or distribution |
| Typical facility | Factory, production unit, industrial workshop or approved warehouse | Office, shop, showroom, warehouse or e-commerce operation |
| Approvals | Industrial, facility, safety and environmental approvals may apply | Product, customs and trading approvals may apply |
| Selling output | May require appropriate trading activity or permission | Does not automatically authorize manufacturing |
Decision Factors
Mainland or Free Zone Industrial Setup
The suitable jurisdiction depends on where and how production will operate, not on a universal claim that one route is better.
Intended market
Factory location and industrial land
Port and logistics access
Customs arrangements
Warehouse and storage
Utilities and production capacity
Workforce and visas
Environmental and safety conditions
Budget and expansion plans
How It Works
Industrial Licence Application Process
- 01
Project Assessment
Define the product, process and operational requirements.
- 02
Activity and Jurisdiction
Select an approved activity and suitable location.
- 03
Structure and Ownership
Confirm the legal form and shareholders.
- 04
Trade Name and Initial Approval
Reserve the name and begin approvals.
- 05
Facility Selection
Identify suitable industrial premises and utilities.
- 06
Technical and External Approvals
Coordinate safety, environmental and sector requirements.
- 07
Final Documents
Submit incorporation, machinery and facility documents.
- 08
Licence and Registrations
Obtain the Licence and complete operational registrations.
Preparation
Documents Commonly Required
Requirements vary by activity, product, facility, authority and jurisdiction.
Shareholder Documents
- Passport, visa and Emirates ID where applicable
- Corporate shareholder documents where relevant
- Contact and ownership information
- Trade names and legal-structure details
Industrial Project Documents
- Business plan and production description
- Product and raw-material lists
- Machinery and equipment details
- Expected production capacity
- Facility or tenancy documents
- Site plan or machinery layout
- Environmental and safety information
- External approvals
Transparent Planning
What Determines the Industrial Licence Cost?
An itemized estimate should include licensing and the physical requirements needed to make the facility operational.
Request an Itemized QuotationJurisdiction and industrial activityLegal structureFactory or facility sizeIndustrial land or rentMachinery and utilitiesEnvironmental and safety approvalsProduct registrationGovernment feesWorkforce and visasCustoms requirementsAnnual renewals
Operational Readiness
Industrial Production Requirements After Licensing
Receiving the economic Licence may not mean the factory is immediately authorized to begin production.
Facility inspections
Industrial registration where applicable
Permission to begin production
Customs and importer registration
Product conformity or registration
Employee visas
Corporate bank account preparation
Accounting and inventory systems
Corporate Tax and VAT assessment
Licence and permit renewals
ITQAN Support
How ITQAN Supports the Industrial Setup
One coordinated discussion connects the Licence application with the operational steps that may follow.
Industrial activity assessment
Mainland and Free Zone comparison
Legal structure guidance
Trade name and initial approval
Facility and tenancy coordination
External approval support
Incorporation documents
Industrial Licence processing
Industrial-registration guidance
Product and customs coordination
Visa, banking, accounting and tax support
Amendments and renewals
Explore Business Setup Services
Find the Right Business Setup Page.
Move between Mainland, Free Zone, licensing and connected business services without returning to the main menu.
Trade Licence Services
Business LicencesCommercial Trade LicenceIndustrial Trade LicenceProfessional Trade LicenceTrade Licence RenewalsOther Services
Business Bank Account OpeningLocal Sponsorship Agent ServicesOffice Space Arrangement (Ejari)Visa ServicesGolden VisaProperty Investor VisaUAE Mainland
Dubai MainlandAbu Dhabi MainlandSharjah MainlandDubai Free Zones
Meydan Free ZoneDubai SouthIFZAJAFZADAFZASharjah Free Zones
SHAMSSPC Free ZoneSAIF ZoneHamriyah Free ZoneAjman Free Zones
Ajman Free ZoneAjman NuVentures Centre Free ZoneRAK & Abu Dhabi Free Zones
RAK Free ZoneInnovation City Free ZoneMasdar CityKhalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi (KEZAD)Frequently Asked Questions
Answers Before the Next Step
Final eligibility, fees, processing periods and approvals depend on the relevant authority, activity, applicant documents and operating requirements.
Ask About Your Case01What is an Industrial Trade Licence?+
It is an economic Licence for approved manufacturing, production, processing, assembly or material-transformation activities. The exact activity and facility requirements must be confirmed.
02Is an Industrial Licence different from a Commercial Licence?+
Yes. Industrial licensing covers production processes, while commercial licensing covers buying, selling and distribution. A manufacturer trading its output may need appropriate additional activities.
03Do I need a factory or industrial facility?+
Most industrial activities require premises approved for the process, machinery, utilities, storage and safety requirements. The exact facility depends on the activity.
04Can I operate from a warehouse?+
A warehouse alone may not be approved for production. The authority must confirm whether the property and its designated use support the planned activity.
05Do I need environmental and Civil Defence approval?+
These approvals commonly apply when the process, materials, machinery or facility falls within their scope. Not every authority applies to every project.
06What is an industrial production Licence?+
Terminology varies. The local economic Industrial Licence may be separate from federal industrial registration, facility approval, product registration or permission to begin production.
07Can a foreign investor own an industrial company?+
Many structures permit foreign ownership, subject to the activity, legal form, location and any strategic or regulated-sector requirements.
08Can ITQAN assist with product and customs registrations?+
ITQAN can assess and coordinate relevant requirements within the agreed scope. Final registration and approval remain with the responsible authorities.
Important: Final eligibility, fees, processing periods and approvals depend on the relevant authority, activity, applicant documents and operating requirements.
Discuss Your Requirements
Planning a Manufacturing Business in the UAE?
Tell us what you intend to manufacture, your production process, preferred location, facility needs and expected workforce. ITQAN will assess the appropriate activity, jurisdiction, approvals and setup requirements.
Discuss Your Industrial Setup