A general trading licence is one of the most flexible company types available in Dubai, covering the trade of multiple unrelated goods under one licence. Setting one up involves legal and licensing steps that sit with your business setup consultant or the relevant licensing authority, and a separate, shorter list of printing and documentation items. This article focuses on the printing side.
Licensing: check with the right source
General trading licences are issued through Dubai's mainland licensing authority or through a free zone, depending on which jurisdiction you choose, and each route has its own documentation, cost and ownership rules. These details change and vary by jurisdiction, so confirm current requirements with a licensed business setup consultant or the relevant government authority directly rather than relying on general web content — DXBStamps is a printing supplier, not a business setup advisor.
Printing and documentation checklist, in order
- Company stamp — needed almost immediately for early banking and supplier paperwork. See company stamps.
- Letterhead — for contracts and formal correspondence. See letterhead printing.
- Business cards — once supplier and buyer meetings start. See business cards.
- Product or shipping labels — once you have confirmed what you're importing, repackaging or relabelling. See label printing.
- Catalog and trade show materials — once your product range is settled and you're ready to exhibit. See catalog printing and exhibition and trade show printing.
Why sequencing matters
Ordering a stamp or letterhead before your trade licence is finalised often means reordering once the licence wording is confirmed. Ordering labels before your product specifications and buyer requirements are locked can mean a wasted print run. Working down this list roughly in order, rather than ordering everything on day one, avoids both problems.
Frequently asked questions
What's the very first thing to print once our licence is approved?
The company stamp, since it's typically needed for opening a bank account and signing early supplier agreements.
Can DXBStamps advise on which jurisdiction or licence type to choose?
No — that decision sits with a licensed business setup consultant or the relevant government authority. We handle the printing and branding once your company details are confirmed.
Do you offer a combined package covering all of these items?
Yes — see our General Trading & Import-Export Company Printing Package for the full range.
For the printing and branding side of your trading company setup, see our General Trading & Import-Export Company Printing Package.
