In this detailed guide, I’m going to walk you through everything you need to know about selling on Amazon UAE. We’ll cover whether you need a business license to sell on Amazon in the UAE, the different types of licenses required, and whether a Freezone eCommerce license is enough. At CSPzone, we’ve helped hundreds of sellers get started, and I’m here to help you understand the process too.
Do You Need a Trade License to Sell on Amazon UAE?
Yes, you do! In the UAE, any business activity, whether it’s online or offline, requires an trade license. You can get this license either from a Freezone or the Mainland. For selling on Amazon, you will need an e-commerce license. But what does that mean?
Freezone License:
You can sell on Amazon UAE with most Freezone licenses available in the country. But there’s a catch: Freezone companies aren’t allowed to trade directly in Mainland UAE. So, how do you sell to customers in the UAE if you’re based in a Freezone?
This is a common question. Freezones are specific areas in the UAE where businesses can operate with special tax and customs rules. However, they can’t sell physical products directly to the broader UAE market. But don’t worry, there’s a way around this. If you have a Freezone company, you can partner with a delivery company based in the Mainland to handle your orders.
For example, you take the orders online, and the Mainland delivery partner handles the shipping. This is allowed because you’re not directly selling the product yourself to the customers in the UAE. In our case of selling online, Amazon is your partner and they will handle the delivery of product so you are good to go. So, if you’re okay with this setup, a Freezone license works just fine!
Mainland License:
On the other hand, you can get a Mainland eCommerce license and start selling on Amazon right away. It’s straightforward. With a Mainland license, you have more flexibility. For instance, if you want to open your own online store (like on Shopify), you can sell directly to customers and deliver the products yourself.
From my experience, having a Mainland license makes things easier, especially when it comes to opening a company bank account or setting up payment gateways like PayPal and Stripe in your own online store.
That’s why at CSPzone, we often recommend a Mainland license if you plan to expand your business in the future. It gives you more options and fewer headaches down the line. But if you’re just starting out and don’t have big plans to grow right away, a Freezone license could be perfect for you. And remember, you can always get a branch license in the Mainland later if your business grows.
I hope this clears up the confusion about licenses. Now, let’s move on to setting up your seller account and getting started on Amazon UAE!
Once you have your business license sorted out, the next step is to create an Amazon Seller Central account. This is your gateway to selling on Amazon UAE. Here's what you'll need to get started:
Amazon Customer Account: You need to have a regular Amazon account before you can create a seller account.
Phone Number: For verification and communication purposes.
Emirates ID: This is required for identity verification, which helps protect both sellers and customers.
For Businesses: If you’re the owner, you’ll need your Trade License. If you’re a legal representative or an account manager, you’ll also need a Power of Attorney.
Once you've registered with these details, Amazon will review your application. After your account is approved, you'll get access to the Seller Central dashboard, where you can manage your product listings, track sales, and more. The process is straightforward, and once you're in, you can start listing your products and selling right away.
At CSPzone, we've helped hundreds of people successfully start selling on Amazon and secure the right trade license. We'll guide you through the process, ensuring you get the correct license based on the specific products you want to sell online. Each product category requires the right license, and we're here to make sure you get it right. Reach out to us to learn more and get started today.
