Sharjah Business License
Sharjah trade license (or it may be called commercial license) is a special document issued by the Sharjah Economic Development Department (SEDD) or free zone authorities that allows a company to conduct trade activity in the Emirate of Sharjah, the UAE.
This license contains a certain list of business activities that the company can conduct. Like in any other emirate of the UAE, a trade license in Sharjah may be obtained in the mainland or in a free economic zone.
To obtain a trade license in Sharjah, one must incorporate a company with a proper registered address with a physical office at the registration location. After the company has been incorporated and all corporate documents have been obtained, an application may be submitted to SEDD.
Types of Sharjah Trade Licenses
Trade licenses in Sharjah may be divided into two big groups: general trading and trading. In some cases, e-commerce is also distinguished.
- General trading. A kind of trade license that implies trade in unlimited kinds of goods without the need to obtain an additional license to trade in each kind. This license is more “universal”, as goods are not itemized.
- Trading. Applies to trade in certain kinds of goods. For example, such a license is obtained to trade in bottled water, nuts, coffee, bread and bakery products, tobacco, furniture, rubber, etc.
- E-commerce. This kind of license is applicable to trade via electronic platforms.
Sharjah Trade License Business Activities
Options for Sharjah Trade License in Mainland and Free Zones
| Territory | Trading License | General Trading License | E-commerce License |
| Hamriyah Free Zone (HFZA) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Sharjah Airport Free Zone (SAIF) | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Sharjah Media City (SHAMS) | ✓ | ||
| Sharjah Publishing City | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Sharjah Healthcare City (SHCC) | ✓ | ||
| Sharjah Research Technology & Innovation Park | ✓ | ||
| Sharjah Mainland | ✓ |
Advantages of Getting a New Trade License in Sharjah
The emirate is located near the largest seaport of the Hamriyah Free Zone and the airport of SAIF.
Legislation of Sharjah allows incorporation of companies with 100% foreign ownership.
Municipal authorities of the Emirate of Sharjah provide a number of support measures aimed at attraction of foreign investment.
Sharjah provides more opportunities for lease/purchase of warehouse facilities for storage of goods, materials or blanks or organization of their own manufacture.
The rent of an office, warehouse facility and dwelling are relatively low compared to the largest emirates, Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Companies incorporated in the Emirate of Sharjah get access to the market of first-class specialists.
The Procedure of Obtaining a Trade License
- 01
Company incorporation. This step includes all standard procedures for incorporation of a company, such as issuance of a trade name, activity, partners’ names, type of license and the legal status of the facility.
- 02
Submission of an application to the Sharjah Department of Economic Development (SEDD) or to a free zone Authority with the list of required documents.
- 03
Paying the governmental fees and receipt of the license. The license can be received through the online platform of SEDD or the platform of the free zone. A trade license cost in Sharjah is fixed by SEDD.
How to Obtain Business Licenses in Mainland and Free Zone
| Mainland | Free Zone | |
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How Can ITA Help?
Consultants of ITA accompany the client at each stage:
- Company incorporation;
- Selection of an office;
- Obtaining visas;
- Applying for a license;
- Applying for a state permission (if needed);
- Interaction with state authorities regarding obtaining the license;
- Trade license renewal;
- Opening a bank account for further transactions, etc.
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*The listed price does not include the state fees.
FAQ for Sharjah Business License
Yes, in general this is possible, but it depends on what activities the company will combine. Additional permission from the Authority may be required. ITA consultants will help to obtain needed activities.
In the UAE obtaining a license is a mandatory condition for both mainland companies and free zones.
A commercial license is the same as a trade license. The only difference is that in some emirates and free zones the license is called differently.
Not really, only the license names may differ. Despite the differences in names (in one case general trading, in the other trading or e-commerce), the activities that the company can conduct are no different. The list of business activities does not differ even in different emirates.
It takes about few working days.
The trade name must have an Arabic meaning, with the exception of:
- Names of branches of foreign companies registered abroad.
- Names of company branches, whether local or foreign.
- Names that are not allowed to be registered:
- Names and attributes of His Majesty unless it is a compound personal name.
- The names of international (famous) companies unless the name is for a branch.
- Names of local, Arab, and international bodies, institutions, and organizations.
- Names that conflict with the trademarks registered in the country unless the applicant is authorized to use them.
- Names that contradict public order and morals in the country.
- Names that are ambiguous or similar to registered names or that lead to misleading the public.
The following documents shall be enclosed with the application:
- Trade name certificate
- Certified copy of lease contract
- Copy of Passports of persons in the structure
- Legal contracts according to license type
- Copy of Emirates ID
- Approval of General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs.
- Approval of official authorities depending on activity (for example, Ministry of Justice, Municipal Health Department, National Media Council)
- Others