UAE Federal Law No. 15 of 2020 on Consumer Protection and Cabinet Decision No. 66 of 2023 on E-Commerce establish specific obligations for online retailers selling to UAE consumers. Non-compliance risks fines and licence suspension.
Key E-Commerce Disclosure Requirements
All UAE e-commerce platforms must display: company name and trade licence number, registered address and contact details, clear product/service descriptions and pricing (in AED), total cost including all fees and taxes (VAT), payment and delivery terms, refund and returns policy, and privacy policy.
UAE Consumer Rights Online
- 7-Day Cooling-Off Period: Consumers have 7 days to cancel or return most online purchases without providing a reason
- Right to Refund: Full refund within 14 days of cancellation
- Product Conformity: Products must match their descriptions and be fit for purpose
- Right to Repair or Replace: For defective products within 2 years of purchase
Prohibited E-Commerce Practices
- False or misleading product descriptions
- Hidden charges not disclosed at checkout
- Unsolicited marketing without consent
- Selling counterfeit goods
- Refusing to process legitimate refund requests
UAE E-Commerce Licence Requirements
Selling online to UAE consumers requires a UAE trade licence with e-commerce activity. In Dubai, the DED issues E-Trader licences for AED 1,070/year for individual online traders. Free zone e-commerce licences are available from IFZA (AED 12,500/year) and others for businesses wanting full company status.
Penalties for Non-Compliance
Consumer Protection Department (CPD) can issue fines from AED 1,000 to AED 2 million for consumer protection violations. Repeat offenders risk licence cancellation and criminal prosecution.