Licences for Selling Online in the Gulf: A Guide to All Six Countries

What a trade licence is and why you need it

A trade licence, or a commercial registration in some countries, is official permission from a government authority to run a business in your name. Banks ask for it when you open a business account, and payment companies ask for it before they turn on card payments.

On Dekkan Merchant you can build and preview your store before the licence is ready, but taking orders starts once it is verified.

United Arab Emirates

Licences come from the economic department of each emirate, and some emirates issue a standalone e-commerce licence for individuals. Details are in the e-commerce guide on the UAE government portal.

• Dubai: the eTrader licence from the Department of Economy and Tourism, a sole establishment licence for freelance and home businesses. The fee is AED 1,070, plus AED 300 for Dubai Chamber membership, according to the official page.
• Abu Dhabi: the Tajer Abu Dhabi licence from the Department of Economic Development, through TAMM.
• Sharjah: the e-commerce licence from the Economic Development Department for selling online without premises, and the Eitimad home licence for citizens.
• Other emirates: contact your emirate's economic department.

To check an existing licence, use the licence enquiry page.

Saudi Arabia

You usually start with one of two documents: a commercial registration from the Ministry of Commerce through the Saudi Business Center, or a freelance document from the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, which is for Saudi citizens. If you choose the freelance document, check that your activity is on it.

Then verify your online store on the Business Platform: e-store verification moved there from Maroof.

Kuwait

Decree-Law No. 10 of 2026 regulates the digital commerce sector. It says no one may work in the sector before being entered in the registers kept for it at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, and goods may not be advertised on social media accounts without the ministry's permission.

Services are on the Ministry of Commerce and Industry website and the Kuwait Business Center. The ministry sets the registration forms and fees by decision, so check them before you apply.

Qatar

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry issues an e-commerce licence for doing business entirely online, with no shop. It is issued for a specific website or platform, and the issuance fee is QAR 500 according to the ministry. The list of allowed activities has 194 activities.

Qatari citizens can also get a home business licence from the same ministry. Before you apply, check whether you need a commercial registration first.

Bahrain

Sijili is a virtual commercial registration from the Ministry of Industry and Commerce for selling online without a physical business address. According to the official Sijili guide, it is:

• For Bahrainis only, as a sole establishment.
• Requires a website for the store and a permanent mailing address.
• Not allowed for some goods, such as food, medicine, tobacco and live animals.

If you are not Bahraini, ask about the right commercial registration for your activity through the Sijilat portal.

Oman

The Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion issues an e-commerce licence through the Oman Business Platform, under Ministerial Decision No. 499 of 2023.

• An individual must be Omani and at least 18 years old.
• The licence is issued for one, two or three years.
• No shop is needed, but you must state a place of work.
• Fees are shown on the official service page.

Before you apply

1. Pick the activity closest to what you sell, such as e-commerce.
2. Prepare your ID, and in some countries a trade name and a bank account.
3. Open the official service page and check the current conditions and fees.
4. Keep your licence number, because you will need it to verify your store.