By the CoTasks Team | Last updated: November 2026 | 9-minute read

If you're wondering how to sell on Amazon.ae and Noon from Dubai, here's the short version. You need a licence that covers trading, a Tax Registration Number if your sales are above the VAT threshold, a bank account, valid ID, and a few documents that match each other exactly. The rest is mostly setup.

The part that trips people up is the licence. Many sellers pay for the wrong one and only find out when the marketplace rejects it. This guide walks through the whole path in order so you can avoid that.

Quick answer

• Licence: a mainland or free zone licence with a trading or e-commerce activity is the safest route for product sellers.
• e-Trader: cheap, but expats are generally limited to services, not physical products.
• VAT: mandatory above AED 375,000 in taxable supplies. Voluntary from AED 187,500.
• Both platforms: you can register without a TRN if you're below the VAT threshold.
• Timeline: Amazon.ae verification can take anywhere from a day to a few weeks.

Step 1: Pick the right trade licence

Both marketplaces want proof you're a real, licensed business. Amazon.ae asks for a valid UAE trade licence for professional selling, and Noon asks for a trade licence valid for at least 30 days.

You have three realistic options:

What does the e-Trader licence actually allow?

The Dubai e-Trader licence is issued by the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET). The government fee is AED 1,070, with another AED 300 for Dubai Chamber membership, so about AED 1,370 at issuance. It's valid for one year and needs annual renewal.

Here's the catch. Under current DED rules, expats generally can't sell physical products as an e-trader and are limited to professional services. Some providers describe the eligibility differently, so check your own situation with DET before paying anything.

Even if you qualify, acceptance isn't automatic. Platforms like Amazon and noon follow their own onboarding rules. One licensing firm's guidance for marketplace selling is blunt: you need a licence with a trading or e-commerce activity that covers your product category, not a services licence. If you're an expat planning to sell products, a free zone or mainland licence is the safer bet.

How much does an e-commerce trade licence in Dubai cost?

It depends on the zone, activity, visa needs and your setup. The e-Trader is the cheapest at roughly AED 1,370 to start. Mainland and free zone company licences cost considerably more, and quotes change often, so get a written breakdown that includes renewal, visa and bank-account costs before you commit. Headline licence fees are rarely the full bill.

Step 2: Understand VAT before you list a single product

VAT in the UAE is 5%. Your obligation depends on your turnover:

• Mandatory registration: when taxable supplies and imports exceed AED 375,000 in the past 12 months, or you expect to cross it within 30 days.
• Voluntary registration: possible once you pass AED 187,500, which can help you recover input VAT.
• Where to register: through the Federal Tax Authority's EmaraTax portal at tax.gov.ae.

Don't leave this late. Late VAT registration carries a fixed AED 10,000 penalty. Also remember that a cheap licence doesn't buy you a tax break. The e-Trader licence creates no special exemption from VAT or Corporate Tax. UAE Corporate Tax (9% on profits above AED 375,000) can apply to your business too, so ask an accountant how it affects you.

The good news: you don't need VAT registration just to start. Noon explicitly supports local businesses that haven't reached the turnover required to register for VAT.

Step 3: Documents checklist for Amazon.ae and Noon

Get these ready first. Mismatched names and expired files are the most common reasons for delays.

Amazon.ae seller registration documents

• Valid Emirates ID or passport of the business owner or company representative
• Valid UAE trade licence
• Business email address and an active mobile number
• Bank account details and a valid billing address
• Tax Registration Number (TRN), if you're VAT registered

Documents required for Noon seller registration

• Trade licence with at least 30 days of validity left
• Valid ID of the same person named on the trade licence
• Bank account details on bank letterhead, signed and stamped, or a bank statement
• VAT certificate if registered, or select "non-VAT registered" if not
• Warehouse or pickup address

See the official noon documents page for the current list.

Quick compare

Step 4: Register on Amazon.ae

1. Go to sell.amazon.ae and click Start Selling.
2. Sign in or create an account with your business email.
3. Choose your selling plan and enter your business details.
4. Upload your documents for identity verification.
5. Add payment details and confirm your pickup address.

Plan costs: third-party fee trackers currently show about AED 99 per month for Professional or AED 3.67 per item for Individual, with referral fees of roughly 15% in most categories. Treat that as a guide and confirm the live numbers inside Seller Central, since Amazon updates its fee schedule.

Timing varies. The application takes minutes, but the review can run from 24 hours to several weeks. Keep your files clear and consistent, and verification typically moves faster.

Step 5: Register as a seller on Noon (how to sell on Noon UAE)

1. Create a customer account, then open Noon's seller registration.
2. Enter your business details and upload your trade licence and ID.
3. Select your tax status: VAT registered or non-VAT. If VAT registered, enter your TRN, the issue and expiry dates, and upload the VAT certificate PDF.
4. Add bank details, then set up fulfilment (self-ship or Fulfilled by noon).

Noon also lets you manage legal documents in one place: its document management platform covers your trade licence, VAT certificate, bank details and authorised signatory details. Keep your own copies too, since noon doesn't provide copies of documents you submitted.

Mistakes that cause rejections

• Name mismatch: the ID, licence and bank account should all show the same name or entity.
• Wrong activity: a services licence for a product business.
• Expired or soon-to-expire licence: Noon wants 30+ days left.
• Blurry or cropped scans: upload full, readable pages.
• Guessing about VAT: track your rolling 12-month turnover monthly.

Which route should you choose?

• UAE or GCC national, small home-based start: the e-Trader can work, but confirm marketplace acceptance first.
• Expat selling physical products: go free zone or mainland with a trading or e-commerce activity.
• Planning to scale with staff, visas and a warehouse: start with a full company structure so you don't have to migrate later.

Not sure which route fits? CoTasks can walk you through licence selection, VAT registration and document prep so your first submission is clean. Start at cotasks.com and tell us what you plan to sell.

FAQs

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Final thoughts

Selling on Amazon.ae and Noon from Dubai is very doable, and the paperwork is the part you control. Choose the right licence, track your VAT turnover, and keep your documents consistent. Everything else is catalogue, pricing and fulfilment.

Disclaimer: This guide is general information, not legal or tax advice. Fees, thresholds and eligibility rules change, so confirm current details with DET, the Federal Tax Authority and each marketplace before you apply.

Sources and further reading: noon seller documents · noon registration process · Amazon.ae seller sign-up · Federal Tax Authority · Virtuzone e-Trader guide

Related reading

• Amazon.ae vs Noon fees 2026-27: what you keep per product
• Noon marketplace management services in the UAE
• Amazon seller account management in the UAE