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How to Get a Gold Trading License in Dubai (2025)

Costs, Steps, Tax, and the Dubai Advantage Other Countries Cannot Match

Dubai is called the City of Gold because it is not just selling jewellery. It runs a serious global gold pipeline: import, refining, vaulting, trading, re export. If you want a gold trading company that looks credible to banks, suppliers, and international buyers, Dubai is one of the strongest jurisdictions to base it in.

But gold is a high compliance industry in Dubai. The license is only the entry point. The real win is setting it up in a way that banks accept, suppliers trust, and regulators are happy with.

This guide explains how to get a gold trading license in Dubai, what it costs, how tax really works, and the “Dubai only” advantages that make it better than most countries for serious traders.

Why Dubai is a top base for gold trading

1. Corporate tax is still low compared to major hubs

UAE corporate tax is 0 percent up to AED 375,000 taxable income and 9 percent above that. This is one of the reasons trading firms like Dubai as a base.

2. Investment grade gold VAT is not the same as jewellery VAT

Many blogs say “no VAT on gold” which is misleading.

Dubai follows a structure where qualifying investment precious metals can be zero rated while non investment items may be treated differently depending on classification and rules. Recent updates include Cabinet decisions impacting VAT treatment of precious metals and stones, so the compliance setup matters.

If you are doing bullion and wholesale, the VAT story can be very different from retail jewellery.

3. Dubai has the full gold ecosystem in one city

DMCC is not just a free zone. It is an ecosystem with supply chain standards, refinery networks, and industry frameworks. DMCC also runs responsible sourcing guidance and accreditation programs for the industry.

4. Regulation and security are taken seriously

If you plan retail or storage, Dubai requires strong security compliance. SIRA publishes detailed security requirements for gold stores, including CCTV and recording specs.

This is a positive: it makes Dubai gold trade more trusted globally.

First decide your gold business model

This is where most people get it wrong. Your license and approvals depend on what you actually do.

Choose one primary model:

Bullion and precious metals wholesale trading
Jewellery retail trading in Dubai
Import export and re export trading
Refining and processing
Online gold sales and e commerce
Futures and derivatives trading through exchange membership

If your model is unclear, you end up with the wrong activity, delays with banks, and compliance issues later.

Types of gold trading licenses in Dubai

Option 1. Mainland gold trading license

Best if you want to sell in Dubai local market directly, including retail shops.

Good for: gold shop, jewellery showroom, wholesale in Dubai market, B2B local supply

Key note: physical presence requirements and security compliance are common for retail operations.

Option 2. Free zone gold trading license

Best if you are import export focused, international trading, or want a cleaner setup path.

Option 3. DGCX membership for futures and derivatives

If you want exchange level trading of futures and derivatives, that is a different lane and typically suits institutional scale players.

Step by step process to get a gold trading license in Dubai

This is the clean Dubai route, without filler.

Step 1. Pick jurisdiction based on your real operations

Ask these questions:

Do you need a retail shop and walk in customers
Will you import from Africa or other markets
Do you need vaulting and logistics partners
Do you need easier international trading and banking positioning

Then select mainland or the right free zone.

Step 2. Choose the correct business activity

This is not just “gold trading”. There are multiple activity variations like bullion, jewellery, precious metals, import export.

Your activity selection affects:

approvals
compliance requirements
banking comfort level
VAT treatment approach

Step 3. Build a bank ready compliance file

This is the extraordinary part competitors skip, but it is what decides whether your company becomes operational.

Your bank readiness pack should include:

clear source of funds explanation
supplier and buyer profile
expected monthly turnover range
transaction flow map: who pays who, and in which currencies
AML and KYC process outline

Dubai gold compliance is heavily connected to AML standards and responsible sourcing expectations, especially for supply chain entities.

Step 4. Trade name and initial approvals

Then you do the usual:

trade name reservation
initial approval
incorporation documents

Step 5. Office and facility plan

Retail and storage models need proper premises planning.
Free zones can start with flexi desk for some models, but for serious trading, banks often prefer a real office footprint and a clean operating story.

Step 6. Security compliance if retail or storage

If you are running a gold shop or storing precious metals, Dubai security requirements apply. SIRA publishes technical requirements that businesses must follow.

Step 7. Licensing issuance and operational setup

Once licensed:

open corporate bank account
set up accounting and audit schedule
establish logistics partners
set supplier agreements and contracts

Costs of getting a gold trading license in Dubai

Cost depends mainly on jurisdiction, office needs, and approvals.

A realistic planning range:

license and registration: varies by jurisdiction and activity scope
office or shop: your biggest variable
security compliance: important if retail
bank requirements: some banks require deposits or minimum balances

If you want, tell me mainland or which free zone you prefer and i’ll give a tight cost range and what drives it.

Dubai vs other countries

Why serious gold traders prefer Dubai

Here is the real difference:

Tax structure that stays competitive

Corporate tax is 0 percent up to AED 375,000 taxable income and 9 percent above. Many hubs are much higher.

VAT structure that can be optimized legally depending on the product

Investment grade metals can have different VAT treatment than jewellery. That distinction matters a lot for cash flow.

Global credibility through ecosystem and sourcing frameworks

DMCC is deeply tied to responsible sourcing frameworks and industry standards. This makes counterparties take Dubai entities more seriously.

Trade logistics advantage

Dubai is built for import export. That matters in gold because shipping, security, and speed are the business.

The Pro Smart checklist nobody gives you

Before you apply, answer these. If you cannot, your setup will get stuck at banking and operations.

Are you trading bullion, jewellery, or both
Who are your suppliers and from which countries
Where will you store and how will you transport
What is your expected turnover per month
What is your compliance process for KYC and transaction records
Do you have an audit plan from day one

If you want to win in Dubai gold, you treat it like a regulated industry, not a casual trading license.

Start your gold trading setup with Pro Smart Business Services

At Pro Smart Business Services LLC, we do more than licensing. We help you structure the business so it actually works after the license is issued:

choosing the right jurisdiction based on your trading model
selecting correct activities to avoid later compliance issues
building a bank ready file and compliance story
aligning your setup with Dubai security and sourcing expectations

If you want, share your exact model:
bullion wholesale, retail shop, import export, or online.
i’ll reply with the best Dubai structure, best location choice, and what to avoid.

FAQs

Is gold trading legal in Dubai

Yes, as long as you operate under a valid trade license and follow the required compliance rules.

Is VAT charged on gold in Dubai

It depends on whether it qualifies as investment precious metal or not. Recent policy updates make classification and documentation important.

What is the corporate tax on gold trading companies

UAE corporate tax is 0 percent up to AED 375,000 taxable income and 9 percent above.

Which is better for gold trading, mainland or DMCC

Mainland is better for retail and direct UAE market. DMCC is strong for international trading and ecosystem advantages. The right answer depends on your model.