How Much Does It Cost to Start Import & Export in Abu Dhabi Mainland? (2026 Guide)

Key takeaways

• Licence packages in Abu Dhabi Mainland start from AED 13,500; visas, office and approvals are added on top.
• Import & Export is a commercial activity, so check for external approvals before budgeting.
• Renewal in year two is lower than the first-year total because registration fees are one-off.
• Ask for a written total that separates government fees from GoldenKey's service fee.

Background

Popular districts for a How Much Does It Cost to Start Import & Export in Abu Dhabi Mainland? (2026 Guide) mainland office include Al Reem Island, Khalifa City, Mussafah, Al Maryah Island and Corniche, each with different rent levels and customer footfall. How Much Does It Cost to Start Import & Export in Abu Dhabi Mainland? (2026 Guide) mainland licences are issued by the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED), which currently processes most standard files in around 5 working days. Businesses that benefit most from How Much Does It Cost to Start Import & Export in Abu Dhabi Mainland? (2026 Guide) mainland licensing include oil and gas services, contracting, engineering, healthcare and education, because they serve customers on site across the emirate.

What to do, in order

1. 
   Step 1

   Activity and legal form

   GoldenKey maps your business to the right Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED) activity codes and recommends the legal form that fits ownership and liability needs. This is also the point at which we answer any question specific to the cost of starting import & export in Abu Dhabi Mainland.

2. 
   Step 2

   Trade name and initial approval

   GoldenKey reserves your trade name and obtains initial approval from the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED), including any external approvals your activity needs.

3. 
   Step 3

   Office, MOA and submission

   From day one, you sign the memorandum of association before the notary or online, we register your tenancy contract and submit the full file. For the cost of starting import & export in Abu Dhabi Mainland this step rarely needs your presence; scans and e-signatures are enough.

4. 
   Step 4

   Licence, Chamber and immigration

   Your How Much Does It Cost to Start Import & Export in Abu Dhabi Mainland? (2026 Guide) mainland licence is issued, Chamber membership is activated and we open the establishment and labour files so visas can begin.

Documents you will need

Keep these ready before you start:

• The notarised memorandum of association, which GoldenKey drafts for you
• The existing visa copy and NOC if a shareholder is on another UAE visa
• External approvals where the activity requires them, for example from the health authority, RERA or the municipality
• Passport copies of all shareholders and the manager
• Passport photographs on a white background

Costs

Prices for the cost of starting import & export in Abu Dhabi Mainland are drawn from GoldenKey's live price list and confirmed in writing before you pay. From day one, government fees change from time to time; the figures on this page update automatically when they do.

Why the UAE

There are no restrictions on repatriating profits or capital, so earnings from the cost of starting import & export in Abu Dhabi Mainland can be moved to your home country or reinvested freely. 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 the cost of starting import & export in Abu Dhabi Mainland.

How GoldenKey helps

In our experience, every How Much Does It Cost to Start Import & Export in Abu Dhabi Mainland? (2026 Guide) package we quote already includes the licence, registration, the establishment card where applicable and our full assistance, with no hidden add-ons at the end. After your How Much Does It Cost to Start Import & Export in Abu Dhabi Mainland? (2026 Guide) licence is issued, the same team handles renewals, visa additions, amendments and tax registrations, so you never have to explain your business twice.

Frequently asked questions