Mainland industrial
- Best for
- Selling into the UAE market
- UAE market
- Full access, no restrictions
- Tax
- 9% standard rate
- Customs
- MOIAT duty exemption
- Ownership
- 100% foreign, most activities
Mainland license · 2026
Industrial license in Dubai
Two approvals, not one: a DET licence with MOIAT sign-off, for manufacturing in a real zoned facility.
Filed with DET since 2009.
10,000+ engagements, 50+ industries.
Manufacturing
What is an industrial license in Dubai?
Two approvals, not one: a DET licence with MOIAT sign-off, for manufacturing in a real zoned facility, with duty-free machinery imports.
DET+MOIATTwo approvals, not one
100%Foreign ownership, most activities
0%Customs duty on machinery via MOIAT
What counts
Activities that need an industrial license
If you use plant or equipment to make or process goods, it is industrial. These are the main groups DET licenses in Dubai.
Food and Beverage
Bakeries, bottling, packaging
ScenarioYou process, bottle, or package food and drink.Why it fitsA food-processing unit is a classic industrial activity.Risk noteDubai Municipality food approvals apply on top.
Metals and Machinery
Casting, workshops, assembly
ScenarioYou cast metal or assemble machinery and equipment.Why it fitsHeavy manufacturing sits squarely under this license.Risk noteCivil Defence and safety clearances are required.
Chemicals and Plastics
Mixing, plastics, coatings
ScenarioYou mix chemicals or produce plastics and coatings.Why it fitsChemical and plastics production is licensed here.Risk noteRegulated products carry extra sector approvals.
Electronics and Appliances
Devices, batteries, appliances
ScenarioYou assemble electronics or home appliances.Why it fitsDevice and appliance assembly is industrial activity.Risk noteSome products need conformity and safety approvals.
Building Materials
Construction materials, wood, glass
ScenarioYou produce construction materials, wood, or glass.Why it fitsMaterials manufacturing falls under this license.Risk noteMunicipality and environmental rules can apply.Paper and Textiles
Paper, printing, textiles
ScenarioYou manufacture paper products or textiles.Why it fitsPaper, printing, and textile production is industrial.Risk noteEffluent and waste rules may apply to processing.
Mainland or free zone for manufacturing?
The structure decision for a manufacturer is really a market-and-tax decision. Mainland sells to the UAE; a qualifying free zone can offer 0% on export-led income.
Free zone industrial
- Best for
- Export-led production
- UAE market
- Indirect, or via 2025 permit
- Tax
- 0% on qualifying income
- Customs
- MOIAT duty exemption
- Ownership
- 100%, always
*A free zone can offer 0% on qualifying income; mainland gives direct UAE market access. Both can use the MOIAT customs exemption.
Is it right for you
Is an industrial license the right move?
An industrial license is a bigger commitment than a trade license, because of the facility and the approvals. It fits a real manufacturer and is the wrong tool for a trader.
Recommended
Likely5 signs
It fits if
- You make or process the goodsUsing plant, machinery, or equipment.
- You can take a zoned facilityA warehouse or factory in an approved area.
- You import machinery or raw materialsThe MOIAT customs exemption is a real saving.
- You want 100% foreign ownershipAvailable for most manufacturing activities.
- You plan to hire a production teamVisa quota scales with facility size.
Maybe not5 signs
Reconsider if
- You only trade finished goodsA commercial license is the right tool.
- You cannot commit to a facilityA virtual office does not qualify.
- You need to launch in daysFacility approvals take weeks, not days.
- You outsource all manufacturingBuying and reselling sits on a commercial licence.
- You need a city-centre addressIndustrial activity is tied to zoned areas, not offices.
The process
How to get an industrial license
Six stages from decision to a licensed facility. Plan for about six to ten weeks, set by facility readiness and inspections rather than paperwork.
- Critical stage
Activity and structure
Confirm the industrial activity and whether mainland or free zone fits your market.
Initial DET approval
DET clears the activity and name so you can proceed to facility and MOIAT steps.
- Critical stage
Secure a zoned facility
Lease a warehouse or factory in an approved industrial area and prepare the layout plan.
Facility approvals
Clear Civil Defence, Municipality, and DEWA inspections. This is the slow part.
MOIAT and license
Obtain MOIAT approval and the Industrial Production Certificate, then DET issues the license.
Visas and build
Process staff visas against your quota and start construction within six months of approval.
Who signs off
The authorities an industrial license needs
Real 2026 costs
Where an industrial setup's cost sits
The license fee is the small part. The facility and the approvals are where the real budget goes. These are indicative 2026 ranges, confirmed on your quote.
AED 30,000
Standard factory · Full approvals · MOIAT · few visas
Annual renewal
AED 15,000
Liability
Limited
Every figure is indicative for 2026 and reconfirmed against DET and MOIAT on your quote.
Itemized breakdownAmount
DET license & gov fees
Indicative, by activity tier
MOIAT certificate
Industrial Production Certificate
Civil Defence approval
Facility safety clearance
Municipality & DEWA
Zoning, utilities, inspection
Establishment card
Open your immigration file
Investor visa
Per person, all in
AED 30,000
Government fee · at costDMCS service · fixed
The facility is the biggest line
Your zoned warehouse or factory lease and fit-out usually outweigh every other cost combined.
The DET fee firms up late
The license fee is confirmed at the voucher stage, so treat earlier figures as indicative.
One itemized quote
We give you a personalized, itemized quote across license, approvals, MOIAT, and visas before you commit.
Facility and documents
What facility and documents you need
Manufacturing needs a real, zoned facility. A virtual office does not qualify, and the location must sit in an approved industrial area.
The facility
Facility and plans
Zoned industrial facility
A warehouse or factory in an approved zone, such as Dubai Industrial City.
Factory layout plan
A location plan showing machinery, storage, and power units.
Business plan
Production detail, equipment, staffing, and financing.
Proof of funds
A bank statement or letter of credit showing you can run the unit.
The company
Owner and legal documents
Owner documents
Passports, Emirates IDs, and company formation papers.
MOA and industrial register
The LLC memorandum, plus entry into the national industrial register.
Sector clearances
For regulated products, before the license issues.
The facility drives the application
The zoned unit, its layout plan, and its Civil Defence, Municipality, and DEWA clearances are what the authorities inspect.
Pick the zone first. The approved industrial area you lease in shapes approvals and cost.
Plan the layout early. Machinery, storage, and power on the plan speed the inspections.
Line up proof of funds. A bank statement or letter of credit is part of the core file.
Timeline and visas
Facility size, timeline and visas
Trade licenseCAPFaster, no facility inspection
Small unit
6–10 wksto license, indicative
Initial approval takes days; facility approvals 2 to 5 weeks; MOIAT and license 1 to 2 more. Visas follow at 1 to 2 weeks each.
Standard factory
By facilitysize and labour approval
Staff visa quota is tied to facility size and labour approvals through MOHRE. A bigger, compliant facility supports more of the production team.
Build window
6 monthsto start construction
You must start construction within six months of approval. Facility readiness and inspections, not paperwork, set the real pace.
Banking
Opening an account for a manufacturer
Banks look closely at manufacturers, because the capital outlay is large. A clear business plan, proof of funds, and evidence of the facility are what move the file. A clean application clears in a few weeks.
01
Prepare the production file
Business plan, facility lease, proof of funds, and expected supplier and customer flows.
02
Evidence the capital
Source of funds for the facility, machinery, and working capital, documented clearly.
03
Manage to approval
We match you to a bank comfortable with manufacturing and manage the KYC through.
Banks DMCS opens manufacturer accounts with
A manufacturer clears review on a real business plan and proof it can run the unit.
How a Manufacturer Is Taxed
Where you set up shapes your tax and your customs position, and both matter for a manufacturer. The customs duty exemption is the part most guides miss.
| Authority | What they do | When you meet them | Key output |
|---|---|---|---|
| Customs 0% | A real, recurring saving for a producer running on imported inputs. | On every import | Industrial Production Certificate |
| Mainland 9% | The standard corporate tax rate applies to mainland manufacturers. | On annual profit | Corporate tax |
| QFZP 0% | Depends on Qualifying Free Zone Person status and your activity. | If free-zone based | Qualifying income relief |
| VAT 5% | Register with the FTA and file, like any other business. | On taxable supplies | VAT registration |
- Customs 0%The MOIAT certificate exempts imported machinery and raw materials from duty.You meet them:On every import
- Mainland 9%0% up to AED 375,000 profit, 9% above, on the mainland.You meet them:On annual profit
- QFZP 0%A free-zone manufacturer meeting the conditions may get 0% on qualifying income.You meet them:If free-zone based
- VAT 5%VAT applies above AED 375,000 in taxable supplies.You meet them:On taxable supplies
Why DMCS
Why set up your factory with DMCS
An industrial license is a multi-authority process where the facility, not the paperwork, sets the pace.
Where industrial setups stall
We manage the facility approvals, not just the license
The slow part is Civil Defence, Municipality, and DEWA signing off your facility, in the right order.
01
We run the multi-authority approvals
DET, MOIAT, Civil Defence, Municipality, and DEWA, sequenced in the right order so inspections do not bounce your file back.
02
We set up the customs exemption
The MOIAT Industrial Production Certificate is where your duty saving comes from. We make sure it is in place, not left for later.
03
One team, facility to visas
The people who clear your facility also register you for tax and process your production visas, so nothing falls between steps.
Real results from our clients
What our clients say about working with us
Real Google reviews from founders we have set up and kept compliant on the Dubai mainland.
A
Abdul Sami3 months ago
Thank you to the team for supporting us with our company setup. Our case was not straightforward, especially the bank account opening, but they stayed committed and got it done.
P
Paolo Chua8 months ago
I had a great experience opening a corporate bank account. The process was smooth and efficient. The staff were friendly, professional, and explained everything clearly.
A
Amy Elliott Dunne4 months ago
The accounting and bookkeeping service has been exceptional. Attention to detail is impressive, and communication is always clear. Tasks are handled promptly.
R
Rashed Al Falasi5 months ago
They confirmed our activity grouping before filing and flagged an issue the bank would have raised. Licensed in under two weeks with no surprises on the invoice.
M
Marwa Khalil2 months ago
We came for a mainland LLC and stayed for renewals and PRO work. The same team answers the phone after the license is issued, which is rare here.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Get your factory licensed the right way.
Tell us what you make and where your facility will be, and we return an itemized quote across license, MOIAT, and facility approvals, plus the customs exemption setup. No obligation.
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