Wholesale of Spice
Mainland License — Compare Across 3 UAE Emirates
Cheapest from
AED 250
Abu Dhabi
3 emirates available
Government Fee Comparison
ADDED — Per-activity fee
AED 250
DED fee: AED 250
SEDD — Per-license (quote required)
Approvals: Sharjah Municipality - Health Department
Quote required
Fees calculated per-license based on license type, legal form, and activities. C
RAK DED — Category-based
AED 400–10,000
RAK uses 5 fee categories (AED 400-10,000). Exact category depends on activity.
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About This Activity
establishment that sale all kind of spice ( whole – grinded – crushed ) . Same of this spice are all kind of pepper ( black – white – red ) , coriander (seed / Powder ) , parsley (seed / Powder ), mint (seed / Powder ) – curry – cardamom – nutmeg – mectkh and all other kinds of spice and condiment in bag or cane or container
Our Analysis
AED 250 in Abu Dhabi for wholesale spice trading. One of the cheapest commercial activities in the capital. Dubai's formula starts at AED 8,000 — 32 times more for the same trade.
The spice trade has deep roots in the UAE. Dubai's Spice Souk is a tourist landmark, but the wholesale market behind it moves thousands of tonnes of saffron, cardamom, turmeric, and cumin through the Gulf annually.
Abu Dhabi's wholesale market is smaller but serves the capital's growing food industry. Sharjah's central location positions it as a distribution hub.
The trade-off: spice wholesale requires food safety certification, import permits, and proper storage facilities. Quality testing for adulteration is increasingly mandated.
100% foreign ownership. No local sponsor.
Abu Dhabi at AED 250 for budget entry into spice distribution. Dubai for the established souk and import infrastructure.
For food trading in free zones, check FreeZoneCompare.com.
Prices from official government portals, verified May 2026.
Considering a free zone instead?
Compare free zone packages for similar activities at our sister site.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Wholesale of Spice license cost in Abu Dhabi?
The government DED fee for a Wholesale of Spice license in Abu Dhabi is AED 250. This is the cheapest among the 3 emirates where this activity is available. Additional costs may include office rent, visa fees, and external approval charges.
Which UAE emirate is cheapest for a Wholesale of Spice license?
Abu Dhabi offers the lowest government fee at AED 250. However, total setup costs also depend on office rent, visa requirements, and any external approvals needed for this activity.
Can a foreigner own 100% of a Wholesale of Spice business in the UAE?
Yes. Since the 2021 Commercial Companies Law reforms, most mainland business activities — including Wholesale of Spice — allow 100% foreign ownership across all UAE emirates. A local sponsor or service agent is no longer required for most activities.
What approvals are needed for a Wholesale of Spice license?
Beyond the DED license, you may need approval from: Sharjah Municipality - Health Department (Sharjah). Requirements vary by emirate and specific business scope.
Is Wholesale of Spice available as a mainland license in all UAE emirates?
Wholesale of Spice is available for mainland licensing in 3 emirates: Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, RAK. Each emirate has its own DED with independent fee structures and requirements. Use MainlandCompare.com to compare fees across all available emirates.
What type of license is Wholesale of Spice in the UAE?
Wholesale of Spice falls under the Commercial license category in the UAE. Commercial licenses cover trading, import/export, and retail activities.
How long does it take to get a Wholesale of Spice mainland license?
Setup time varies by emirate: Dubai offers same-day approval with the Instant License (AED 8,000), or 1-3 working days for a Normal License. Abu Dhabi takes 2-5 working days. Sharjah and Ajman take 1-5 working days. Additional time may be needed for external approvals.
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تجارة التوابل و البهارات - بالجملة