Import & Export in the UAE for British nationals

Why JAFZA

To be clear, one of the reasons we suggest JAFZA is its world's largest port-adjacent free zone, which matters more than most founders realise once the business is running. In practice, established 1985 — the world's largest man-made port-based free zone.

How JAFZA works with GoldenKey

1. 
   Step 1

   Consultation and activity selection

   We confirm that your activity is available in JAFZA, choose the licence type and agree the visa package and office option that match your plan. We keep a written record of this step so your file for opening an import-export business in the UAE as a British founder is audit-ready.

2. 
   Step 2

   Name reservation and initial approval

   Put simply, your trade name is reserved with the JAFZA authority and initial approval is obtained; this stage rarely takes more than two business days.

3. 
   Step 3

   Document submission and payment

   Just as important, you sign the application and memorandum, we file the attested paperwork with JAFZA and the authority's licence fee is paid. For opening an import-export business in the UAE as a British founder this step rarely needs your presence; scans and e-signatures are enough.

4. 
   Step 4

   Licence issued and next steps

   Your JAFZA licence, certificate of incorporation and lease are granted, and we move straight on to the establishment card, visas and bank introduction.

Documents required

Crucially, the document list for opening an import-export business in the UAE as a British founder is short, and most customers already have everything on it.

• A no-objection certificate from your employer if you hold a UAE employment visa
• A short business plan or activity description for certain professional activities
• Proof of address such as a utility bill or bank statement, requested by some zones
• A bank statement from your United Kingdom bank for the last three months, which banks use to understand your profile
• Customs code file
• Educational certificates attested by the United Kingdom authorities and the UAE embassy, for professional activities

Pricing

In our experience, the figures below for opening an import-export business in the UAE as a British founder are updated by GoldenKey whenever the issuing authority changes its fees, so the price you see is the current one. In short, pricing for opening an import-export business in the UAE as a British founder depends on the package you choose; every option below includes GoldenKey's service and the government fees stated.

Pricing available on request — message us for a written quotation.

Why the UAE

Since 2021, most mainland activities have allowed 100% foreign ownership, and free zones have always offered it, so opening an import-export business in the UAE as a British founder no longer requires a local partner. 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 opening an import-export business in the UAE as a British founder.

Why GoldenKey

In short, our quotations for opening an import-export business in the UAE as a British founder list every government fee and our service fee on one page, in writing, before you pay anything. GoldenKey's consultants have handled opening an import-export business in the UAE as a British founder for traders, consultants, tech founders and family offices, which gives us a realistic view of what each authority approves fast. GoldenKey is based in Ajman Free Zone and has helped company owners from more than 60 countries with opening an import-export business in the UAE as a British founder, so the paperwork, approvals and timing hold no surprises for us.

Frequently asked questions