MEYDAN's E-commerce license (introduced 2021, refined 2024) is a dedicated activity classification for online-only retail operations. It targets Shopify sellers, Amazon FBA operators, dropshippers, and D2C brands that do not maintain physical retail presence.
What the License Covers
- Online sales of physical goods (via own website, marketplaces, or social commerce)
- Digital product sales (courses, ebooks, software)
- Subscription commerce (recurring physical or digital deliveries)
- Cross-border e-commerce (importing from suppliers, selling to global markets)
Cost & Setup
Same base fees as MEYDAN's standard trading license — starting $3,810 for the license, ~$6,647 all-in year 1 with one visa. The e-commerce-specific requirements add:
- Payment gateway integration proof within 90 days of license issue (Stripe, Telr, Amazon Payment Services, or 2Checkout)
- Website / store URL disclosed to MEYDAN and displayed on invoices
- Terms of service and privacy policy compliant with UAE Consumer Protection Law (2024)
Payment Gateway Options (2026)
- Stripe UAE — best for global card processing; requires MEYDAN license + Wio/Mashreq account.
- Telr — UAE-native payment processor; higher local acceptance rate.
- Amazon Payment Services (APS) — best for Amazon marketplace sellers.
- Paymob — good for MENA-wide expansion.
- 2Checkout / Verifone — best for subscription commerce and digital products.
VAT & Tax Reality
- Sales to UAE customers: 5% VAT collected (mandatory registration if annual UAE revenue > AED 375,000).
- Sales to GCC customers: destination-country VAT under GCC VAT framework.
- Sales to non-GCC customers: zero-rated.
- Corporate tax: 9% on profit above AED 375,000, unless qualifying as Free Zone Person with Qualifying Income.
Warehouse & Fulfilment
If you hold inventory in UAE, you need a physical warehouse contract or a 3PL (third-party logistics) agreement. Popular options:
- Aramex Fulfilment (UAE and GCC-wide)
- DHL Fulfilment (Dubai Airport-adjacent)
- SPX (Shopee Xpress) — good for small-parcel APAC
If you dropship (no UAE-held inventory), you must file a Warehouse-of-Record Disclosure. See our dropshipping guide.