Dubai business activities · 4763006
Ships & Boats Trading licence in Dubai (4763006): how to set up
Buying and reselling ships from Dubai is DET-regulated activity 4763006 (JAFZA 515067); for UAE-registered ships, the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure must attest the sale contract or it is void.
Which licence covers ship and boat trading in Dubai?
On Dubai’s mainland the activity is “Ships & Boats Trading”, code 4763006 — a commercial activity for reselling commercial ships and boats. Invest in Dubai lists DET as regulator, Law No. (6) of 2023 as legislation, business, instant and SME licences, and LLC, one-person LLC, sole establishment and partnerships as legal forms.[1]
In Jebel Ali Free Zone the matching activity is “Ships & Boats Trading”, code 515067. 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]
Which approvals does a ship and boat trader need?
For UAE-registered ships, the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure must attest every contract that creates, transfers or ends a right in rem over the ship, or the contract is void (Maritime Law, Art. 24).[3]
To fly the UAE flag, a ship must be majority-owned by UAE or GCC nationals or by persons with a domicile, headquarters or ship management office in the UAE, and be no more than 20 years old (10 for passenger ships) (Maritime Law, Art. 13).[3]
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.[4]
What are the steps and documents?
- Choose the route — Dubai mainland through the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), or a free zone that lists the activity — and the legal form.[5]
- Register the trade name and apply for initial approval.[5]
- Sign the memorandum of association and, where it applies, an attested local service agent agreement; lease premises — in Dubai the lease is registered on Ejari.[5]
- Submit the documents with any external approvals, pay the fees and collect the licence.[5]
- After the licence, register with Dubai Customs if goods will cross customs.[4]
How long does it take and what does it cost?
Dubai Customs business registration costs AED 100 plus a AED 20 knowledge and innovation fee and is completed within one working day.[4]
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.[5]
The activity, for reference
- Activity name (English)
- Ships & Boats Trading
- Activity name (Arabic)
- تجارة السفن والقوارب
- Activity code
- 4763006
- Activity type
- Commercial
- Group
- Trading and Repair Services; Mechanical and Engineering Equipment Trading
- Regulating entity (as listed)
- Department of Economy and Tourism (DET)
- Legal forms (as listed)
- Limited Liability Company (LLC); Limited Liability One Person Company (OPC); Sole Establishment; General Partnership; Limited Partnership
- Licence types (as listed)
- Business License; Instant License; SME License
- Legislation (as listed)
- Law No. (6) of 2023 Establishing the Dubai Business Registration and Licensing Corporation
What it covers, in our words
Reselling commercial vessels and boats of metal or wood — cargo ships, tankers, passenger, tourist and fishing vessels, tugs, and rescue, leisure and sports boats.
Source: Invest in Dubai business-activity search — search the code 4763006 (read 10 October 2026)
Check before you apply
- — Names, codes and listed details were read from the Invest in Dubai business-activity search on 10 October 2026. The list is revised; check the live entry before you apply.
- — Rules, fees and timelines change. Confirm each approval with the authority named before you commit to premises or staff.
- — GeoMarineHub does not issue licences, help obtain them or act as a business-setup agent. Nothing here is legal or tax advice.
- — Activity codes are Dubai mainland codes. Free zones and the other emirates keep their own activity lists and codes.
Sources
- Invest in Dubai (Department of Economy and Tourism) — business activity “Ships & Boats Trading”, code 4763006 (read 2026-10-10)
- Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA) — Activity list (read 2026-10-15)
- UAE Legislation — Federal Decree-Law No. (43) of 2023 Concerning the Maritime Law (in force 29 March 2024) (read 2026-10-15)
- Dubai Customs — Request business registration (read 2026-10-15)
- UAE Government portal (u.ae) — Steps to start a business on the mainland (read 2026-10-15)
Where GeoMarineHub fits
Open a listed vessel and ask for the price and documents with a free account; we send class status, survey dates and the full specification, and arrange an inspection if you want one.