Trade Licence to Sell on Amazon UAE in 2026: Costs & Rules

If you are planning to sell on Amazon.ae in 2026, the first question is no longer "what should I sell?" but "do I have the right paperwork?" Several 2026 seller guides report that a valid trade licence to sell on Amazon UAE is now required for Professional accounts, and that Amazon is applying the rule to older accounts that were previously left alone. This guide covers what that means in practice: the documents, indicative licence costs, free zone versus mainland, and what to do once your account is approved.

Note: Amazon changes its onboarding rules often and does not always announce them. Treat this article as a practical briefing, and confirm the current requirements in Seller Central before you pay for a licence.

Do You Need a Trade Licence to Sell on Amazon UAE?

For a Professional selling account, the safe assumption in 2026 is yes. Amazon.ae asks sellers to verify that they are a real, legally operating business, and a UAE trade licence is the standard proof. Guides published this year say this is now enforced strictly at registration, and that some accounts that were never asked for a licence are being asked for one during re-verification.

Two things follow from this:

• New sellers should get the licence sorted before starting registration. Applying without one usually leads to a stalled or rejected application.
• Existing sellers should not assume an old account is safe. If your account was opened years ago on personal documents, expect a possible verification request and keep your documents ready.

If you cannot confirm the rule for your category from Amazon directly, it is cheaper to be prepared than to have a live account suspended with stock in the warehouse.

Can You Sell on Amazon UAE Without a Trade Licence?

This is the most searched version of the question, and the honest answer is: only in limited ways, and not as a basis for a real business.

• Amazon has historically offered an Individual selling plan with a per-item fee instead of a monthly subscription. Whether it is open to you, and for which categories, can change. Check what Seller Central shows for your region.
• Individual accounts generally lack tools that serious sellers rely on, such as advertising access and bulk listing tools. Some categories are also restricted.
• Selling consistently under a personal account when the activity is clearly commercial puts you at risk if Amazon tightens checks, and it can create issues with UAE regulations on trading without a licence.

If you are testing one or two products, an individual route may be enough. If you are building a brand, running ads and holding stock, plan to sell on Amazon UAE with a licence from day one.

Amazon.ae Seller Registration Requirements: What You Need

The exact list can vary by account type and category, but the Amazon.ae seller registration requirements generally come down to the following.

1. Valid UAE trade licence

The licence should be current, in the name of the business, and list an activity that fits what you sell. A licence for "general trading" or "e-commerce" is the usual choice. A licence for consulting or services only can cause questions if you are selling physical products. Make sure the licence copy is clear and the expiry date is visible.

2. Emirates ID (and passport)

Amazon verifies the identity of the person registering the account. This is typically the licence owner or an authorised signatory named on the licence. Use the Emirates ID of that person, and keep the passport handy as well. The name should match across the licence, ID and bank account.

3. Bank account details

You need a bank account to receive payouts. Where possible, use a UAE business account in the company name, because mismatches between the account holder and the licensed entity are a common reason for verification delays. Have your IBAN and a recent statement ready in case Amazon asks for proof.

4. Other items

• A credit or debit card that supports international online payments, for seller fees
• A working mobile number and business email that you control
• Your VAT Trade Registration Number (TRN), if you are VAT registered
• Product-level documents where needed, such as brand authorisation, invoices or category approvals

On VAT: UAE registration is mandatory once taxable supplies pass AED 375,000 over 12 months, and voluntary above AED 187,500 in certain cases. Many sellers register early because it makes sourcing and invoicing cleaner. Speak to an accountant about your situation.

Amazon.ae Seller Account Verification: What Amazon Checks

Amazon.ae seller account verification is mostly about consistency. Reviewers compare what you typed with what your documents say. In practice, the checks that trip people up are:

• Name mismatches between the Emirates ID, licence and bank account, including spelling and word order
• Expired or unclear documents, including cropped scans and photos taken at an angle
• Unsuitable licence activity compared with the products you plan to list
• Address inconsistencies between the licence, Seller Central and any other documents
• A live identity check, which may be required by video call or similar step. The person on the licence should be available.

Before you submit, put every document next to each other and read the names, numbers and addresses line by line. It takes ten minutes and saves days of back-and-forth.

E-commerce Licence in Dubai for Amazon Sellers: Indicative Costs

Licence pricing depends on the authority, the activity, the number of visas, your office arrangement and the package you choose. The ranges below are indicative only. Get written quotes before deciding, and ask what is included and what is charged separately.

• Free zone e-commerce or trading licence: often quoted from roughly AED 5,000 to AED 15,000 for the first year on basic packages, with some zones and add-ons going higher.
• Mainland (Dubai DET) trading or e-commerce licence: commonly quoted from roughly AED 10,000 to AED 25,000 or more in the first year, depending on activity, premises and approvals.
• Extras to ask about: establishment card, immigration card, visa fees, Emirates ID processing, medicals, registered address or flexi-desk, and renewal fees, which may differ from year one.
• Bank account: some banks apply minimum balance requirements or fees, and approval is