Ship Chandlers licence in Dubai (5629004): how to set up

On Dubai’s mainland the activity is “Ship Chandlers”, code 5629004 — a commercial activity issued on a business licence, for supplying ships with food, fresh water, spare parts and similar stores. Invest in Dubai lists the Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation (PCFC) as its regulating entity.^[1]

In Jebel Ali Free Zone the matching activity is “Ship Chandlers”, code 521911. Other free zones keep their own activity lists and codes — check that the zone you pick names the activity before you sign a lease.^[2]

If you will also sell technical spares, add the trading activity that covers them: Ship & Boats Spare Parts & Components Trading is a separate activity (Dubai 4763007, JAFZA 515069).^[3,2]

Law No. (3) of 2023 renamed the Dubai Maritime City Authority the Dubai Maritime Authority (DMA) and empowers it to issue the approvals and permits required for companies working in the maritime sector and for maritime activities in Dubai. Ask DMA whether your activity needs its approval, and whether before or after the trade licence.^[4]

Goods moving through customs need a Dubai Customs business registration. It is requested with a copy of the trade licence and the authorised person’s passport and Emirates ID.^[5]

Dubai Customs’ 2025 services guide lists declaration routes to ship stores — transit to ship stores, free-zone export (transit out) to ship stores and customs-warehouse export to ship stores — so where your stock sits (duty-paid, free zone or bonded) decides the route.^[6]

Provisions are food. Dubai Municipality’s Food Safety Department runs the services a food store meets — layout assessment for food establishment licensing, food item registration and release of imported food consignments; confirm with the Municipality which apply to your premises.^[7]

Medicines are separate: the Port of Fujairah states that chandlers at its port and anchorage may not supply medicines — only Ministry of Health–approved suppliers registered with the port may — and that boats carrying stores to its anchorage must belong to a Fujairah-licensed company and hold a navigation licence.^[8]

Dubai Customs business registration costs AED 100 plus a AED 20 knowledge and innovation fee and is completed within one working day.^[5]

The licence fee depends on the authority and the package — mainland or free zone, premises and number of activities — so get a written quote from DET or the free zone. On the mainland the fee must be paid within 30 days of the payment voucher, or the application is cancelled.^[9]

In JAFZA a licence can be renewed within three months before expiry, late renewal is fined AED 1,000, and the renewal guide asks for a no-objection letter from Dubai Maritime City for sea shipment, cargo and transportation activities.^[10]

Supplies to ships can be zero-rated for VAT where the executive regulation’s conditions are met — goods for use on board in international transport, and goods for operating, repairing or maintaining a qualifying commercial ship, fuel excluded. Confirm your invoices with a UAE tax agent.^[11]