JAFZA hosts one of the world’s largest gold and precious metals trading hubs. Here is the complete 2025 guide to UAE gold and diamond trading.
UAE Gold and Precious Metals Market
The UAE is one of the world’s largest gold trading hubs: Dubai Gold Souk (Deira): one of the world’s largest gold retail markets. DMCC Gold and Precious Metals cluster: wholesale and institutional gold trading. Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) has the Dubai Gold and Commodities Exchange (DGCX) — the UAE’s commodities futures exchange. JAFZA Gold and Diamond Hub: import and export of gold, silver, platinum, and diamonds. Volume: the UAE imports and re-exports approximately USD 35-40B of gold per year. Regulatory framework: gold traders in the UAE are regulated by: CBUAE (for financial compliance), DMCC (for DMCC-member traders), and Dubai Customs (for import/export).
Gold Trading Business Setup in UAE
DMCC is the preferred location for gold and precious metals trading: DMCC has specific gold trading licences (gold bullion trader, gold jewellery manufacturer, etc.). DMCC gold trading regulatory requirements: traders must register with DMCC, meet the CBUAE AML/CFT requirements for precious metals dealers (Ministerial Decision requirements), and comply with OECD Responsible Sourcing guidelines. JAFZA bonded zone: suitable for physical gold import/export with bonded storage. JAFZA has temperature-controlled precious metals vaults. For gold jewellery manufacturing: JAFZA or DMCC both have manufacturing zones. Dubai is a gold jewellery manufacturing hub (Indian and UAE craftsmen produce jewellery that is exported globally).
Pricing Evidence & Source Notes
Use this profile as a planning guide, not a final invoice. Confirm the current package, activity wording, visas, office or flexi-desk requirement and renewal amount before payment.
| Free Zone | Package | Year 1 Cost | Renewal Cost | 3-Year Total | Visa Option | Office / Flexi Requirement | Year 1 Confidence | Source Type | Conflict Status | Last Reviewed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JAFZA | FZCo registration and service licence components | AED 40,000-55,000 planning range (licence component priced separately; mandatory physical facility lease AED 25,000-40,000 + establishment card AED 1,975 + 1 visa AED 3,518 + medical/Emirates ID) Confidence: Verified official price |
AED 5,000 annual service licence renewal component before facility and add-ons Confidence: Verified official price |
AED 20,000 3-year registration plus service licence components before facility and add-ons Confidence: Verified official price |
Visa access depends on the selected facility; immigration fees are separate | A workstation, office, warehouse, showroom or other qualifying facility is required and priced separately | Verified official price | Official JAFZA Investor Guide fee schedule; partial setup components | No material public conflict recorded | July 2026 |
| What is included | The current official guide lists AED 5,000 one-time FZCo registration and AED 5,000 annual service licence fees. The three-year component total is the registration fee plus three published annual licence periods. |
|---|---|
| What is not included | Workstation, office, warehouse or other facility, security deposit, establishment card, visas, medical, Emirates ID, insurance, customs, activity approvals and advisory support. |
| Hidden-cost risk | AED 10,000 is not a complete JAFZA setup invoice. Facility choice and annual related charges materially change Year 1, renewal and three-year outlay; trading, logistics and industrial licences also use different official fee lines. |
| Banking difficulty | Medium to high |
| Best fit | Large trading, logistics, warehouse, import/export and industrial companies needing port access. |
Source evidence: Review source | Methodology | Corrections.
Prices can change based on free zone authority updates, activity selection, visa count, office or flexi-desk requirement, shareholder structure, establishment card, immigration file, medical test, Emirates ID, insurance, banking support and consultant service fees. Last reviewed July 2026. Always request a current quote before payment. View methodology or compare all rows in the UAE Free Zone Cost Index.