A manufacturing licence lets you make, assemble, process and package goods in the UAE. It's more capital-intensive and approval-heavy than a service or trading business — you need land or factory space, machinery imports and industrial sign-offs. Here's where to base it, what drives the cost, the approvals involved and how we set it up.
Manufacturing is the right licence when you physically make or assemble goods — but it needs facilities, capital and approvals a trading business doesn't.
An illustrative starting point for the industrial licence itself. Land, factory and plant are separate and far larger. Your total depends on:
Manufacturing costs vary enormously with the facility, so we scope the licence, land and approvals to your process, then send a full written quote before you commit — no surprises.
The details that decide how a manufacturing company runs.
What a manufacturing licence gives you, and what to weigh.
| Industrial Free Zone | Mainland | |
|---|---|---|
| Foreign ownership | 100% | 100%* |
| Sell inside the UAE | Via distributor / dual licence | Directly, anywhere |
| Import machinery / export goods | Excellent (customs + logistics) | Yes |
| Licence from | AED 20,000 | AED 25,000 |
| Best for | Export-led production, re-export | Supplying the UAE market |
In short: if you export or re-export what you make, an industrial free zone gives you 100% ownership, customs benefits, power and logistics on a ready plot. If you mainly supply UAE customers or government, a mainland industrial licence lets you sell directly. In every case the land, plant & approvals — not the licence — drive the real cost, and we'll map the cheapest compliant route for your process.
What producers ask before setting up a manufacturing company. Anything else — AgentBiz answers instantly.
Ask AgentBizIt's an industrial licence that lets your company physically make, assemble, process or package goods in the UAE — from food processing and packaging to light industry and assembly. It's separate from a trading licence, which only lets you buy and resell finished goods.
The industrial licence itself typically starts from around AED 20,000, but that's the small part. Land, factory space, machinery, fit-out and approvals are separate and far larger, and vary enormously with your process. We scope the whole picture and send a full written quote first.
Industrial free zones such as KIZAD in Abu Dhabi, Hamriyah and SAIF in Sharjah, RAKEZ industrial and JAFZA are built for production, with plots, power and logistics and 100% ownership. Mainland industrial areas suit producers supplying the UAE market directly. We match the base to your goods, markets and facility needs.
Beyond the licence, manufacturing usually needs sign-off from the Ministry of Industry & Advanced Technology and the municipality, plus environmental clearance and often civil-defence and safety approvals depending on your process. These add steps and time — we manage them so nothing stalls your build.
Yes. We register your customs code so you can import plant and raw materials and export finished goods, with duty benefits on inputs in the free zones. It's a core part of setting a factory up to run.
Longer than a service or trading business — typically six to twelve weeks or more, because facility fit-out, industrial and environmental approvals and safety inspections all take time. We give you a realistic timeline for your specific process up front.
Bring in and ship out goods with customs and logistics handled — no factory needed.
One licence to buy and resell a wide range of goods across the UAE and worldwide.
A professional licence for advisory and service businesses.
Ask AgentBiz which industrial base and approvals fit what you make, or talk to a human advisor. Real requirements, honest guidance, no obligation.