WhatsApp quoteAs a rule, aDCB is Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank, a leading lender with strong SME propositions and an efficient onboarding process for mainland and free zone entities, and it is one of the banks GoldenKey regularly introduces new companies to. A UAE business account is the step that turns your licence into a working company, and ADCB is a sound candidate for many of the companies we form. In short, external approvals for import & export are: customs code; product-specific approvals for food, cosmetics, medical and telecom goods. In our experience, free zone traders can import duty-free into the zone and re-export without paying UAE customs duty, which is why Jebel Ali and Sharjah zones dominate this activity. Selling into the UAE mainland triggers 5% duty.
Why ADCB
If ADCB is not the right fit for your profile, we say so and introduce you to a bank that is, because a well-matched submission is approved faster. Importantly, having a UAE residence visa and Emirates ID for at least one signatory makes an ADCB application noticeably smoother. In practice, aDCB is a sensible home for import & export because importing goods into the UAE and exporting or re-exporting them to regional and global markets is a well-understood activity there and the approvals are routine.
How ADCB works with GoldenKey
Step 1Profile review
GoldenKey studies your licence, activity, ownership and expected turnover to judge whether ADCB is the right match before any form is filled. Nothing is submitted for an ADCB account for an import-export business until you have reviewed and approved it.
Step 2Document pack
GoldenKey builds the complete document pack for ADCB: corporate papers, signatory IDs, proof of address, profile and supporting invoices.
Step 3Introduction and meeting
We arrange the meeting with an ADCB relationship manager and sit alongside you to answer compliance questions. We keep a written record of this step so your file for an ADCB account for an import-export business is audit-ready.
Step 4Compliance and activation
ADCB's compliance team reviews the file, raises any follow-up questions (which we help answer) and activates the account on approval.
Documents required
Here is what you will need for an ADCB account for an import-export business; GoldenKey checks every item before submission.
- Personal or corporate bank statements for the last three to six months
- Sample invoices, contracts or purchase orders where available
- A business profile describing products, customers, suppliers and countries of operation
- Trade licence, certificate of incorporation and memorandum of association
- Passport, visa and Emirates ID copies of all shareholders and signatories
- A CV for each shareholder and the company's website or social links
Pricing
The figures below for an ADCB account for an import-export business are updated by GoldenKey whenever the authority changes its fees, so the price you see is the current one. All prices for an ADCB account for an import-export business are indicative, shown in AED and confirmed in writing before any payment.
| GoldenKey service fee | AED 1,500 |
|---|
Introduction, document preparation and coordination with bank relationship manager
Request this servicePrices are indicative, in AED, exclusive of 5% VAT where applicable, and confirmed in writing before payment. Last updated 2026-10-06.
Why the UAE
English is the working language of business, contracts are routinely drafted in English, and government portals are bilingual, which simplifies an ADCB account for an import-export business for international founders. The UAE sits within an eight-hour flight of two-thirds of the world's population, which is why so many founders choose it as a base for an ADCB account for an import-export business.
Why GoldenKey
Our quotations for an ADCB account for an import-export business list every government fee and our service fee on one page, in writing, ahead of payment anything. We speak the languages our customers speak, including English, Arabic, Hindi, Urdu and Malayalam, and we can arrange Russian, French and Mandarin support for an ADCB account for an import-export business. On the ground, after your ADCB licence is granted, the same team handles renewals, visa additions, amendments and tax registrations, so you never have to explain your business twice.
In our experience, message GoldenKey now and we will prepare a personalised quotation for an ADCB account for an import-export business, valid for 30 days and confirmed in writing.
Frequently asked questions
Can I open a ADCB account without a UAE residence visa?
Crucially, some banks consider non-resident company accounts, but most prefer a resident signatory. GoldenKey usually processes your investor visa before the bank request for that reason.
How long does ADCB take to open a business account?
Timelines vary with the bank's workload and the complexity of your profile. Simple service companies with a resident signatory are generally faster; trading companies with many countries of operation take longer.
Does GoldenKey guarantee a ADCB account?
No consultant can. ADCB's compliance team makes the decision. What GoldenKey does is prepare a complete, consistent request and introduce you to the right banking officer, which is where most of the difference is made.
What approvals does import & export need?
In our experience, customs code; product-specific approvals for food, cosmetics, medical and telecom goods. GoldenKey obtains these as part of the setup.
Is import & export allowed in ADCB?
ADCB assesses import & export businesses on their documentation and trading pattern. {brand} prepares a profile that explains the activity clearly.
