Import & Export on Umm Al Quwain Mainland
Importing goods into the UAE and exporting or re-exporting them to regional and global markets
- 5–7 daysSetup time
- MainlandLicence type
- Flexi | PhysicalOffice / facility
- Visa supportVisa eligibility
- StandardApprovals needed
- On requestRenewal cost
Why Umm Al Quwain
Just as important, umm Al Quwain is the quiet emirate — one of the lowest-cost mainland licences in the UAE, and GoldenKey registers mainland companies there with the economic department week in, week out. Put simply, since the 2021 ownership reforms, most Umm Al Quwain mainland activities allow 100% foreign ownership, which removed the biggest objection founders used to have. Import & Export in Umm Al Quwain means importing goods into the UAE and exporting or re-exporting them to regional and global markets, and it is licensed as a commercial activity. For most clients, external approvals for import & export are: customs code; product-specific approvals for food, cosmetics, medical and telecom goods.
From day one, popular districts for an Umm Al Quwain mainland office include Al Salamah, Al Raas, Old Town, Al Humrah and Falaj Al Mualla, each with different rent levels and customer footfall. Crucially, umm Al Quwain mainland licences are granted by the Umm Al Quwain Department of Economic Development, which currently processes most standard files in around 3 working days (Monday to Friday). Umm Al Quwain 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.
Pricing — choose the right package for your business
Just as important, use the table below to compare packages for import & export on Umm Al Quwain mainland; we will confirm the exact total for your case in a written quotation. Crucially, the figures below for import & export on Umm Al Quwain mainland are updated by GoldenKey whenever the authority changes its fees, so the price you see is the current one.
Message us with your activity and visa count — we reply shortly with prices in writing.
Get my quoteExplore business activities in Umm Al Quwain
Umm Al Quwain 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.
Documents required
For import & export on Umm Al Quwain mainland the authority asks for the following supporting documents, and we tell you exactly how each must be formatted.
Scanned colour copies are enough to start. We check every item before anything is submitted.
For individuals
- Passport photographs on a white background
- An attested degree for professional activities such as engineering or healthcare
- A tenancy contract for an office or shop registered with the emirate's system (Ejari in Dubai)
- Passport copies of all shareholders and the manager
- The notarised memorandum of association, which GoldenKey drafts for you
- Customs code request
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
How Umm Al Quwain works with GoldenKey
- 1
Activity and legal form
We select the correct activity codes from the Umm Al Quwain Department of Economic Development list and the legal form, in most cases a LLC or a sole establishment. For import & export on Umm Al Quwain mainland this step rarely needs your presence; scans and e-signatures are enough.
- 2
Trade name and initial approval
GoldenKey reserves your trade name and obtains initial approval from the Umm Al Quwain Department of Economic Development, including any external approvals your activity needs.
- 3
Office, MOA and submission
After the MOA is signed and the office tenancy registered, GoldenKey lodges the full application with the Umm Al Quwain Department of Economic Development. Expect clear updates from your GoldenKey consultant while this step runs for import & export on Umm Al Quwain mainland.
- 4
Licence, Chamber and immigration
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
Straight answers about Umm Al Quwain. Anything else — ask GK AI or message us.
View all FAQsDo I still need an Emirati partner for a Umm Al Quwain mainland company?
To be clear, for most commercial and industrial activities, no. Since 2021 foreign nationals can own 100% of a Umm Al Quwain mainland LLC. A short list of strategic activities still requires Emirati participation, and GoldenKey checks your activity before you commit.
Are Umm Al Quwain mainland companies subject to corporate tax?
Yes. Mainland companies pay 9% corporate tax on profits above AED 375,000 and must register with the FTA, which GoldenKey handles as part of your setup.
Can a Umm Al Quwain mainland company trade in other emirates?
Yes, it can. A mainland licence is valid across the UAE, and you can open branches in other emirates by registering with their economic departments.
What approvals does import & export need?
Importantly, customs code; product-specific approvals for food, cosmetics, medical and telecom goods. GoldenKey obtains these as part of the setup.
Can I combine import & export with other activities?
In short, in most cases yes. Related activities can share one licence, while unrelated ones may need a general trading licence or a second licence.
Ready to start your business in Umm Al Quwain?
Ready to start? Send us a WhatsApp message with your nationality, the activity you have in mind and the number of visas you need, and we will reply shortly with a written quotation for import & export on Umm Al Quwain mainland.
More about Umm Al Quwain
Why the UAE
English is the working language of business, contracts are routinely drafted in English, and government portals are bilingual, which simplifies import & export on Umm Al Quwain mainland for international business owners. 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 Umm Al Quwain mainland predictable.
Why GoldenKey
GoldenKey is based in Ajman Free Zone and has helped business owners from more than 60 countries with import & export on Umm Al Quwain mainland, so the paperwork, approvals and timing hold no surprises for us. Importantly, you deal with one named adviser from the first call until your Umm Al Quwain licence, visa and bank introduction are complete, and that consultant answers your WhatsApp messages personally. As we tell every client, 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 Umm Al Quwain mainland.
