The world of e-commerce has been thriving for many years. However, the disruption caused by the pandemic sent even more businesses and consumers online. As a result, the global e-commerce industry is now estimated to be USD $5.55tr. 

For anyone looking to tap into this vast market, Sharjah is a great place to start. In this article, I’ll explore the key considerations for entrepreneurs looking to launch an e-commerce business out here, including: 

• e-commerce license Sharjah – step by step
• e-commerce license Sharjah costs
• e-commerce license UAE for expats
• Why work with Charles Ntumwa Services? 

When you’re ready to get started, call Charles Ntumwa Services for a detailed quote.

E-commerce license Sharjah – step by step

With the support of a local expert, starting your e-commerce business in the UAE can be fast, affordable and straightforward. We’ll guide you through the following five-step process.

Step 1 – Choose your setup and apply for your license

One of the first major decisions to make when starting a business in the UAE is whether to set up in a free zone of the mainland.

As a mainland business, you can set up anywhere in Sharjah or the wider UAE and trade freely with the local market. Free zone businesses must set up in allocated areas such as SPC Free Zone. However, they are afforded several advantages when doing so.

Free zone companies benefit from 100% customs tax exemption, zero currency restrictions and 100% foreign ownership in all cases.

We can help you decide which one is right for you and then guide you through your e-commerce license application. As part of this process, you’ll need to detail the goods that you wish to sell and submit a copy of your passport, along with other supporting documents.

Step 2 – Build your e-commerce portal and launch your website

Next, you’ll need to develop and test your website as this is where you’ll sell your goods. If you are not a skilled developer, you can outsource this task or use ready made platforms such as Shopify.

This is a hugely important step as a user-friendly store is a huge selling point – many baskets are left abandoned due to a poor customer journey. So, after focusing on the look and feel, pay just as much attention to your site’s usability and functionality.

Step 3 – Choose a payment gateway

You need to provide potential customers with a simple, and most importantly, secure way of processing payments. The easiest way to do this is use a large, trusted provider such as Stripe or PayPal. Many off-the-shelf e-commerce platforms will include payment gateway integration in their packages.

Step 4 – Sort out suppliers, storage and delivery

There are many ways to run an e-commerce business in Sharjah. You could import physical stock, hold it at a warehouse and package and distribute it from there. Or use a dropshipping service to fulfil and dispatch orders as they come through.

Whatever process you decide on, you’ll need to ensure the logistics are in place, tried and tested, before you launch.

Step 5 – Spread your message

You’ve got a great product and a fantastic store – now you need to make sure people know about it. Social media ads can be a great way to get your offering in front of a large audience. But to ensure you get the most out of your marketing spend, it’s vital that you do your research to find and engage with your target consumers.

E-commerce license Sharjah costs

The cost of an e-commerce license in Sharjah is AED 5,750. However, this figure may rise if setting up in the UAE mainland.

On top of this license cost, you’ll also need to account for warehousing and dropshipping fees, staff costs, inventory, marketing, and visa costs.

For a detailed and personalised quote, get in touch with the team at Charles Ntumwa Services. 

E-commerce license UAE for expats

Expats are welcome to apply for an e-commerce license with SPC Free Zone. It is one of the cheapest e-commerce licenses in the UAE, starting from just AED 5,750.

As well as a fantastic location just minutes from two international airports, SPC Free Zone customers also benefit from:

• 100% foreign ownership
• Zero paid-up share capital
• Office facilities open 24 hours
• Easy to set up corporate bank account
• 0% corporate or personal income tax

The free zone also offers a ten-year trade license option, flexibility on the total number of visas you can apply for and the ability to hold a dual free zone and mainland license. 

Starting up at SPC Free Zone is simple. Just follow the steps below:

Choose your company name

We can help you with this step, ensuring that your chosen name is available and registering it with the relevant authorities. Keep in mind at this stage that you must not include any blasphemous language or the names of any other well-known entities. If you are naming your business after yourself, you must use your full name and not initials.

Submit your license application

You can make this application directly to the free zone authority with the help of Charles Ntumwa Services. We’ll check that your documents are in order before submission to avoid any unnecessary delays or complications.

Apply for visas and immigration card

If you intend to live and work in the UAE, you’ll need a residency visa. Once again, the Charles Ntumwa Services team can help with this step, ensuring a smooth and timely process.

Receive your license and start trading

We’ll let you know as soon as you are licensed and ready to start trading. In all, the process can take under a week.

Why work with Charles Ntumwa Services?

Thanks to affordable licensing, labour and leasing costs, Sharjah is a fantastic place to set up an e-commerce business here in the UAE. And if you’re planning to import or export goods, the benefits continue thanks to the emirate’s amazing trading location between the markets of the East and West.

We are the experts when it comes to business setup in the UAE. Our vast experience assisting with the formation of e-commerce businesses means our consultants can easily navigate the complexities of the process to have you up and running as soon as possible.

For more information and a personalised quote, please visit Charles Ntumwa Services.

The post E-commerce License Sharjah: 2024 Ultimate Guide appeared first on WWF.

The e-commerce industry is booming worldwide. This year, global e-commerce sales are expected to account for 13.7% of total retail sales. That figure is expected to rise to 17.5% by 2023.

To say e-commerce is big business is somewhat of an understatement. Such is the size of this vast market that around 20% of the global population is estimated to shop online.

For those looking to make an impact in this thriving industry there can be few better locations than the UAE. Set up here and as well as benefitting from 0% personal and corporate tax, you’re free to run your business from anywhere in the world. And with the right support and guidance, getting started is easy.

How to get a UAE e-commerce license

Before we get into the how, let’s start with the why? Much like the rest of the world, the UAE’s e-commerce industry is on the up.

The market that was valued at USD 2.5bn in 2015 and makes up half of the GCC’s total online sales, expected to reach USD 10bn by 2020. Start your e-commerce business here in the UAE and as well as trading with this growing market, you’re free to do business with the rest of the world – all while taking advantage of the UAE’s encouraging business environment.

The market that was valued at USD 2.5bn in 2015 and makes up half of the GCC’s total online sales, expected to reach USD 10bn by 2020.

That encouraging environment is reflected in the ease with which it is possible to apply for a UAE e-commerce license.

The first step in any UAE license application is to choose a business name. As well as choosing a name that reflects your business and sticks in the mind of the consumer, it’s also important that you adhere to the UAE’s company naming conventions.

In short, UAE company names must not contain any blasphemous or offensive language, any references to well known institutions or any abbreviations of your name – though your full name is acceptable. Lastly, your chosen name must be available to be registered.

With your company name decided, the next step is to select a mainland or free zone option. There are advantages to both setups – mainland companies can trade directly with the local market while free zone companies benefit from customs tax exemptions and other financial incentives such as the ability to repatriate all capital and profits to your country of origin.

When it comes to running an e-commerce business, a free zone setup is usually the most suitable and cost-effective option.

Applying for your Dubai e-commerce license

Once you have chosen your company name and decided on a setup, it’s time to apply for your Dubai e-commerce license.

If you’re setting up in the mainland, we will have to register your company with the Dubai Department of Economic Development. If you chose to set up in a different emirate, you should apply to the equivalent there.

Once you have chosen your company name and decided on a setup, it’s time to apply for your Dubai e-commerce license.

If you are opting for a free zone setup then we will file your application for registration at the chosen free zone.

In both cases, you will need to provide a few basic documents along with your completed application form. These include shareholder passport copies and passport photos.

Whether you choose a free zone or mainland setup, it’s a good idea to work with an expert in company formation when making your application. While the process may not necessarily be overly complex, it does require an understanding of the licensing laws and any errors in your submission could lead to delays or the rejection of your license application.

Once you receive your e-trade license in Dubai, we can also apply for your residency visa. The process involves four stages including a medical fitness test and usually takes less than a week after the entry permit is issued. We will take you through there procedures as well. As a UAE trade license holder, you can also sponsor your dependants – such as your children, spouse or domestic staff – for their visas too.

The final step is to open a corporate bank account. This is not always easy for international entrepreneurs, and again, it is a good idea to work with an expert in company formation when making your application.

Looking for the cheapest e-commerce license in the UAE?

Naturally, cost is a consideration when starting any new business. When it comes to estimating the e-commerce license cost, it depends on many factors such as the size of your business and the type of setup you require.

When it comes to estimating the e-commerce license cost, it depends on many factors such as the size of your business and the type of setup you require.

As an example, if you are a single shareholder and choose to set up in a free zone, you can expect to pay in the region of AED 20,000 inclusive of the cost of your visa application.

Running your UAE e-commerce business

Clearly the UAE has an appetite for e-commerce. It is home to the highest number of online shoppers in the MENA region with the average resident making between one and five online purchases every week. These purchases take in everything from clothes and jewellery to electronics and car parts.

While this is great news for entrepreneurs looking to get started in the UAE, the real draw is that when you set up here, as well as tapping into the UAE market, you’re also free to trade with the rest of the world. And you can do all this without relocating to the UAE. If you do decide to relocate however, you’ll find a thriving and encouraging business landscape waiting for you.

If you’ve got a flair for sales, some online knowhow and access to a product that consumers want to buy then e-commerce is the industry for you.

Start your business with a company setup expert and you could be fully licensed and ready to trade with every corner of the world in a matter of days. Are you ready?

Charles Ntumwa Services helps entrepreneurs in the UAE with all their company setup needs. For more information, call us now on (800 3733 9663). 

The post Cheapest Dubai E-commerce License [2024 Guide] appeared first on WWF.