Ask three advisers what a gold trading licence costs in Dubai and you may hear AED 25,000, AED 70,000 and AED 150,000. They are not lying. They are quoting different things. This guide explains the three tiers behind those numbers, clears up a common confusion about “Good Delivery”, and covers the AED 55,000 cash rule that decides whether your business is regulated as a designated non-financial business.
- The licence fee alone is often AED 20,000 to 40,000, but all-in first-year budgets run from about AED 25,000 to over AED 200,000.
- Good Delivery is a refiner standard, not something a new trader needs.
- Cash transactions of AED 55,000 or more (single or linked) bring AML duties.
- A licence is not trading-ready until bank, AML framework and sourcing documents are in place.
Why the quotes differ: three tiers
| Tier | What it usually includes | First-year range (AED) |
|---|---|---|
| Lean | Licence, registration, flexi desk, little else | About 25,000 to 40,000 |
| Operational | Adds visa, establishment card, bank deposit and compliance setup | About 40,000 to 120,000 |
| Full buildout | Adds a real office, vault storage, due diligence and professional fees | About 105,000 to 225,000 |
These ranges come from several published guides and overlap, so treat them as planning brackets. Some mainland quotes also add a security-industry approval, and refineries sit in a different league with AED 500,000 to over AED 1 million in set-up and capital.
DMCC or mainland?
| Factor | DMCC free zone | Dubai mainland (DET) |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | International trading, bullion, precious metals activities | Selling to local buyers and jewellery retail |
| Licence component | From about AED 20,000 a year | Roughly AED 10,000 to 20,000 plus an Ejari office |
| Ecosystem | Exchange and vault access, sector reputation | Direct access to UAE customers |
| Audit | Approved auditor list applies | Standard audit rules |
DMCC’s approved-auditor rule is covered in our free zone audit guide, and the cost trade-offs are in our free zone ranking.
Good Delivery: a refiner standard, not a trader standard
Dubai and UAE Good Delivery lists are for refiners whose bars meet a set purity and process standard. A new trader does not need it to operate, and cannot earn it without an actual refinery. Do not pay for “Good Delivery accreditation” packages unless you are building a refinery.
The AED 55,000 rule
Dealers in precious metals and stones become regulated as designated non-financial businesses when they enter a cash transaction of AED 55,000 or more, including linked transactions. Example: three cash purchases of AED 20,000 from the same seller in one week add up to AED 60,000, so they can be treated as one linked transaction and trigger identification and reporting duties. Cash is the pressure point, so many dealers settle by bank transfer to keep a clean audit trail.
The duties are spelled out in our guide to goAML registration for real estate and gold dealers, and include an MLRO, a written AML policy and customer due diligence.
Documents to have before your first purchase
- Licence and customs registration if you move gold across borders, see our import-export guide.
- Written AML/CFT policy and a named compliance officer.
- KYC file on every seller and buyer, with source of funds.
- Responsible-sourcing documents for the metal you handle.
- A bank account with the right minimum balance, see account approval tips.
Also plan VAT, since rules on precious metals can differ, see VAT registration, and check which licence category applies in our trade licence types guide.
FAQ
How long does it take? A licence can issue in a few weeks once enhanced due diligence clears, but trading-ready status takes longer.
Can foreigners own a gold trading company? Yes in free zones, and for most activities on the mainland, subject to approvals.
Check the zone’s own rules at DMCC. Planning a gold or jewellery business? Ask BizDaddy about licence, bank and AML setup together.
