The United Arab Emirates, particularly Dubai, is a major market for fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG), which includes food and beverages. Therefore, entrepreneurs looking to open stores to sell these items have ample opportunities, whether on a small or large scale, depending on the niche and community they intend to serve. With the support of a Meydan Free Zone, foreign investors can set up businesses under a suitable business structure that meets all the requirements in this regard.
When applying for a Wholesale of Food and Beverages business license in Meydan Free Zone, the license allows you to engage in the wholesale trade of a broad range of items, including fruits, vegetables, dairy products, eggs and egg products, edible oils and fats of animal or vegetable origin, as well as meat and meat products. You can also choose to include the wholesale of fishery products, sugar, chocolate and sugar confectionery, and bakery products. You are also permitted to wholesale beverages, coffee, tea, cocoa products and spices. This license also allows buying wine in bulk and bottling without transforming it. You can also trade wholesale feed for pet animals under this activity.
Entrepreneurs can incorporate their entity in Meydan Free Zone to maximise tax exemptions and other unique benefits.
As a Wholesaler of Food and Beverages, it is essential to understand that obtaining the necessary licenses and permits is vital to establishing your business in Dubai’s competitive FMCG market. The registration process is straightforward at Meydan Free Zone. However, before entering the market, applying for the requisite licenses and permits with the relevant authorities is crucial—the Food Safety Department and the Public Health Department of Dubai Municipality issue licenses and permits necessary for your establishment. Further, we assist you with the third-party approval process at Meydan Free Zone.
4630.00 – Wholesale of Food and Beverages
Apply for a trade license under Wholesale of Food and Beverages with activity code 4630.
Inclusions:
When applying for a Wholesale of Food and Beverages business license in Meydan Free Zone, you can sell a wide range of products in large quantities. For example, you can sell a variety of fruits; vegetables; and dairy products such as milk, cheese, and yoghurt, as well as eggs and egg products. You can also trade in edible oils and fats of animal or vegetable origin, like butter, lard, and olive oil, as well as meat and meat products, such as beef, chicken, and mutton.
Moreover, you can include other products, such as fishery products, chocolate, and sugar confectionery like candy, cake, and ice cream, and bakery products like bread, pastries, and cakes. You are also authorized to wholesale beverages like soda, juice, energy drinks, coffee, tea, cocoa, spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and pepper.
In addition to the above products, this license also permits you to buy wine in bulk and bottle it without any alterations to its taste or quality. You can also offer wholesale feed for pet animals, including pet food for dogs, cats, and birds.
Major Wholesale Food and Beverages Business Activities Approved by Food Safety Department of Dubai Municipality in Meydan Free Zone
Complying with all relevant regulations and third-party approvals ensures that your business operates smoothly and efficiently while positioning yourself for long-term success. Meydan Free Zone helps companies to thrive in Dubai’s dynamic and exciting FMCG market by providing the right approach. We can guide you through the process comprehensively by assisting you in choosing the best business activity and structure, supporting you with all aspects of the paperwork and giving you the tools, you need to succeed in the Foodstuff & Beverages Trading business.
Exclusions:
This activity explicitly prohibits the production of bakery products through on-site baking. It strictly disallows manufacturing bread and rolls, fresh pastry, cakes, pies, tarts, rusks, biscuits, and other “dry” bakery products, as well as preserved pastry goods, cakes, snack products (such as cookies, crackers, and pretzels), both sweet and savory, and the creation of tortillas or frozen bakery items, such as pancakes, waffles, and rolls. The bottom line is that you can only sell these products, not manufacture, produce, or bake them.
Third-Party Approval – Post-issuance of your business license
Once you have obtained your wholesale food and beverage license, it is necessary to apply for a range of permits and approvals from the Food Control Department and the Dubai municipality for your business.
Food Safety Department approval is required post-issuance of your business license from Meydan Free Zone.
Food safety departments within the Dubai Municipality are accountable for evaluating and managing best practices in the foodstuff businesses in Dubai. Therefore, as a Wholesaler of Food and Beverages, you must register with the Dubai Municipality. For your business’s smooth operation, we can assist in securing the required approvals from the Food Safety Department of Dubai Municipality.
If your shop sells imported food and beverages, you must obtain an import license from the Dubai Customs Authorities.
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- List your company in the Food Import and Re-Export System (FIRS) in the DM. This will allow you to request food imports, and you can effortlessly check the status of your import from its inspection to release.
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- You must acquire a food label approval for all imported food to confirm that your food labelling agrees with the government standard.
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- For the importing items, you should also obtain a FIT analysis.
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- It is also advised that you register all food items in the FIRS before importing them.
ESR
As a wholesaler of food and beverages, you are not subject to regulatory obligations like UBO or ESR.
AML
Food and beverage businesses in Dubai are exempt from Anti-Money Laundering (AML) regulations.
Why apply for Food and Beverages Business license with Meydan Free Zone?
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- Guaranteed bank account
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- Business license recognised by MoFA and Dubai Chamber of Commerce
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- Open an online shop and choose from over 30 plus marketplaces
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- Apply for unlimited visas
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- Access our clearing, forwarding, shipping, storage and warehouse facilities
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- Apply for your import/export code directly with Meydan Free Zone
