1 Visa Package
1 residence visa · 1-year licence
AED 14,850
- Trade licence & registration
- Establishment card included
- 1 visa eligibility
- Flexi-desk / office options
- GoldenKey PRO support
MAINLAND · ABU DHABI
Import & Export on Abu Dhabi Mainland
Importing goods into the UAE and exporting or re-exporting them to regional and global markets
5–7 daysSetup time100%OwnershipUp to 3 visasVisas
- 5–7 daysSetup time
- MainlandLicence type
- Flexi | PhysicalOffice / facility
- Up to 3 visasVisa eligibility
- StandardApprovals needed
- From AED 11,000Renewal cost
About Abu Dhabi
Why Abu Dhabi
Mainland company formation in Abu Dhabi is the right choice when your customers are inside the UAE, when you need a shop, clinic or contracting classification, or when visa quota matters. Choosing Abu Dhabi mainland gives you a licence that landlords, government departments and large corporate clients recognise without a second thought. Typical examples of this activity include food re-export, auto parts, textiles and machinery, which can typically sit together on one Abu Dhabi licence. Day to day, 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.
For most clients, among the strengths of an Abu Dhabi mainland licence are access to ADNOC and government supply chains and Tajer licence with no office for 2 years, which is why local service businesses gravitate here. In our experience, popular districts for an Abu Dhabi mainland office include Al Reem Island, Khalifa City, Mussafah, Al Maryah Island and Corniche, each with different rent levels and customer footfall. Abu Dhabi 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.
Packages & cost
Pricing — choose the right package for your business
The figures below for import & export on Abu Dhabi mainland are updated by GoldenKey whenever the registrar changes its fees, so the price you see is the current one. In practice, all prices for import & export on Abu Dhabi mainland are indicative, shown in AED and confirmed in writing before a single dirham changes hands.
2 Visa Package
2 residence visas · 1-year licence
AED 19,800
- Trade licence & registration
- Establishment card included
- 2 visa eligibilities
- Flexi-desk / office options
- GoldenKey PRO support
3 Visa Package
3 residence visas · 1-year licence
AED 24,750
- Trade licence & registration
- Establishment card included
- 3 visa eligibilities
- Flexi-desk / office options
- GoldenKey PRO support
Additional visaAED 3,520
Annual renewalAED 11,000
Prices are indicative, in AED, exclusive of 5% VAT where applicable, and confirmed in writing before payment. Last updated 2026-10-27.
Business activities
Explore business activities in Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi licenses trading, service, professional and industrial activities. Search every activity we license across the UAE and see where it is available and what it costs.
Required documents
Documents required
The document list for import & export on Abu Dhabi mainland is short, and most customers already have everything on it.
Scanned colour copies are enough to start. We check every item before anything is submitted.
For individuals
- The notarised memorandum of association, which GoldenKey drafts for you
- Passport copies of all shareholders and the manager
- Customs code request
- Passport photographs on a white background
- Attested parent-company documents for corporate shareholders
- A tenancy contract for an office or shop registered with the emirate's system (Ejari in Dubai)
For companies
- Certificate of incorporation (attested)
- Memorandum & articles of association
- Board resolution approving the UAE company
- Passport copies of shareholders & directors
- Company profile / business plan
Our process
How Abu Dhabi works with GoldenKey
- 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. Nothing is submitted for import & export on Abu Dhabi mainland until you have reviewed and approved it.
- 2
Trade name and initial approval
GoldenKey files the name reservation and initial-approval request with the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED) and obtains sector approvals where needed.
- 3
Office, MOA and submission
In our experience, the memorandum of association is signed (online or before the notary), your tenancy is registered and the complete file is submitted to the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED). For import & export on Abu Dhabi mainland, GoldenKey completes this stage with you on WhatsApp or by email.
- 4
Licence, Chamber and immigration
As we tell every client, with the licence in hand we register with the Chamber of Commerce and open the immigration and MOHRE files for your visas.
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
Straight answers about Abu Dhabi. Anything else — ask GK AI or message us.
View all FAQsHow long does Abu Dhabi mainland company formation take?
In our experience, with documents and a tenancy contract ready, the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED) in most cases issues the licence within 5 working days. External approvals for regulated activities add time.
How much office space do I need for a Abu Dhabi mainland licence?
The Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED) requires a registered tenancy for most licences. A small office or a desk in a business centre is enough for a few visas, and the visa quota increases with the floor area.
What is the difference between Abu Dhabi mainland and a free zone?
Mainland companies can trade directly with any UAE customer and take government contracts; free zone companies have lower costs and customs benefits but trade with the mainland through distributors. GoldenKey compares both for your specific activity.
Which licence type covers import & export?
Import & Export is classified as a commercial activity, and GoldenKey selects the exact activity code so your licence matches what you actually do.
What approvals does import & export need?
Customs code; product-specific approvals for food, cosmetics, medical and telecom goods. GoldenKey obtains these as part of the setup.
Get a free quote
Ready to start your business in Abu Dhabi?
Importantly, message GoldenKey now and we will prepare a personalised quotation for import & export on Abu Dhabi mainland, valid for 30 days and confirmed in writing.
Good to know
More about Abu Dhabi
Why the UAE
The UAE's reputation as a trading hub means international clients and suppliers already trust a UAE licence, which shortens sales cycles for import & export on Abu Dhabi mainland. Banking, logistics, telecoms and digital government services in the UAE are among the most advanced in the region, which keeps the running costs of import & export on Abu Dhabi mainland predictable.
Why GoldenKey
GoldenKey is based in Ajman Free Zone and has helped company owners from more than 60 countries with import & export on Abu Dhabi mainland, so the paperwork, approvals and timing hold no surprises for us. To be clear, our office is a short drive from the Ajman Free Zone, Ajman DED and the immigration centre, so physical submissions for import & export on Abu Dhabi mainland happen the same day they are ready. We speak the languages our clients speak, including English, Arabic, Hindi, Urdu and Malayalam, and we can arrange Russian, French and Mandarin support for import & export on Abu Dhabi mainland.
