Key takeaways
- An industrial license covers manufacturing, production, packaging, segregation or collection; DET issues it on Dubai's mainland, and free zone authorities issue their own.
- Federal Decree-Law No. 25 of 2022 applies to all industrial establishments, free zones included; running an industrial activity without an industrial license can mean prison, a fine of up to AED 1,000,000, or both.
- MOIAT's industrial production license lets you apply for customs duty exemptions; its service page lists at least 10 employees and AED 250,000 in capital.
- MOIAT's Industrial Registry covers manufacturers in free zones too, with one entry per license and a yearly data update.
- u.ae says a free zone company can't do business outside its zone without the zone's permission and the emirate's economic department; customs duty is paid when goods leave the zone.
What is industrial licensing?
Industrial licensing is how an authority licenses a business that makes things. Federal Decree-Law No. 25 of 2022 defines an industrial establishment as one that mainly turns raw materials into fully or semi-manufactured products, including mixing, assembling and packaging, mostly by mechanical power. The local or free zone authority issues the industrial license.
| License type | What it covers, per dubai.ae |
|---|---|
| Industrial | All kinds of manufacturing, production, packaging, segregation or collection |
| Commercial | Buying and selling most goods and services, including import and export |
| Professional | Individuals who offer professional services |
Only buying and reselling goods? A commercial license may fit instead; see import export license and what is a trade license.
The UAE industrial license: local license, MOIAT and the registry
UAE industrial licensing has two layers. The licensing authority (DET on Dubai's mainland, or a free zone authority) issues, renews and cancels industrial licenses, and the decree-law covers all industrial establishments, free zones included. It replaced Federal Law No. 1 of 1979 from 2 January 2023. MOIAT adds the federal layer:
- Industrial production license. It lets you apply for customs duty exemptions on imported machinery, equipment, spare parts and production materials. The executive regulations (Cabinet Resolution No. 78 of 2023) set no minimum headcount or capital, but MOIAT's service page lists at least 10 employees and AED 250,000 in capital, so check its current criteria.
- Industrial Registry. Open to all manufacturing establishments, including those in free zones. Each license, main or branch, needs its own entry, updated every year.
- National In-Country Value (ICV) Program. Certified suppliers "gain advantages during the award of tenders and contracts based on their ICV score." You apply with a valid business license and audited financial statements.
Mainland or free zone: which industrial route fits?
| Point | Dubai mainland | Free zone (JAFZA, DSO, KEZAD) |
|---|---|---|
| Who issues the license | DET | The free zone authority |
| What it covers | Manufacturing, production, packaging, segregation or collection | JAFZA: a manufacturing process; DSO: importing raw material, manufacturing, processing, assembling, packaging and exporting |
| Premises | A physical address, with the lease registered with Ejari | JAFZA: the production facility and warehouse inside the zone, with regular HSE audits |
| Selling in the UAE market | Invest in Dubai: the mainland is the path if you're looking to trade within the UAE | u.ae: no business outside the zone without the free zone's permission and the emirate's economic department; customs duty is paid when goods leave the zone |
| Decree-Law 25/2022 and MOIAT registry | Apply | Apply |
KEZAD in Abu Dhabi offers free zone and mainland (Domestic Economic Zone) facilities, and its industrial license covers manufacturing, processing, assembling, packaging and export. Dubai's mainland operating permit for free zone companies with a Dubai Unified License (AED 5,000 for six months at its October 2025 launch) first covered non-regulated activities such as trading, so ask DET whether manufacturing qualifies. Compare jafza, dubai silicon oasis and kezad.
How to get an industrial license in Dubai: steps
The mainland route, per MOIAT's industrial licensing journey and u.ae:
- 1. Pick the activity and legal form. Choose an industrial activity with DET; u.ae says the legal form must match it.
- 2. Reserve a trade name and get initial approval. u.ae says this means no objection, not permission to operate. MOIAT's journey adds a security check.
- 3. Secure the factory location. u.ae says every business needs a physical address, and in Dubai the lease goes on Ejari; see ejari registration.
- 4. Get MOIAT's initial approval. A no-objection certificate for the industrial project, valid for one year.
- 5. Clear activity approvals. MOIAT says Civil Defense approvals and environmental permits, depending on the activity, require a physical presence; Dubai Municipality issues environmental clearance for industrial projects.
- 6. Pay for the DET license, then apply to MOIAT. u.ae says you pay within 30 days of the payment voucher. For the production license, you apply online, pay the fees and meet a ministry inspector.
- 7. Register with MOHRE. The establishment card, work permits and visas follow; see establishment card.
Global Sky PRO prepares and submits your company setup and licensing paperwork and follows up with DET, MOIAT or the free zone; the authorities decide. See mainland company formation.
Industrial license in Abu Dhabi and Sharjah
In Abu Dhabi, the Department of Economic Development's Industrial Development Bureau (IDB), which facilitates industrial licensing, sets out three stages: establishment, construction and production. Its FAQ says the original industrial license is electronic and available through TAMM.
In Sharjah, the Sharjah Economic Development Department (SEDD) licenses industrial activities on the mainland, with other authorities' approvals where needed. SAIF Zone and Hamriyah Free Zone issue industrial licenses for importing raw materials, manufacturing, processing, assembling, packaging and exporting; SAIF Zone also asks for clearance from its Health and Environment Department. See business setup in sharjah.
Costs and penalties
Costs depend on the activity, premises and approvals. Published figures at the time of writing:
| Item | Authority | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial production license | MOIAT | AED 0 application, AED 100 inspection; the applicant also bears extra costs such as an assessor's travel |
| Initial approval certificate | MOIAT | No amount on its page; application fees aren't refundable |
| Mainland industrial license | DET (Dubai) | Shown on your payment voucher |
| Commercial register certificate for an industrial license | SEDD (Sharjah) | AED 1,200 |
Under Article 10 of Federal Decree-Law No. 25 of 2022, an owner whose establishment runs an industrial activity without an industrial license faces imprisonment and a fine of up to AED 1,000,000, or either one.
Sources
- UAE Legislation: Federal Decree-Law No. 25 of 2022 Regarding the Regulation and Development of the Industry
- UAE Legislation: Cabinet Resolution No. 78 of 2023 (Executive Regulations of Federal Decree-Law No. 25 of 2022)
- MOIAT: Issue an industrial production license
- MOIAT: Industrial Registry
- u.ae: Steps to start a business on the mainland
- u.ae: Running a business in a free zone
- JAFZA: Business license
Official sources checked on 13 November 2026. This guide explains published rules in plain English and is not legal or tax advice. Rules change; we check the current position for your case before you act.