DED urges UAE businesses to obtain permits for warehouses in Dubai

Commercial license holders have six months from today to get permits issued

The Department of Economic Development (DED) in Dubai has asked all commercial license holders in the UAE to get permits for their warehouses in Dubai within the next six months. All existing and new warehouses in Dubai except those in the free zones should obtain the permit.

Those who operate warehouses in Dubai can apply for the permit provided they hold a valid commercial license issued in any emirate in the UAE. The new procedure will enable DED to gather and maintain accurate data on warehouses and storage facilities in Dubai as well as ensure best practices in this sector and improve the overall business environment in the emirate.

The Business Registration & Licensing (BRL) and the Commercial Compliance & Consumer Protection (CCCP) sectors of DED will co-ordinate to ensure compliance with the new procedure and include warehouses in BRL’s electronic database.

“The target is to have all warehouses covered in the BRL database within one year. The permits will be available at the Commercial Permits section at the DED offices in Business Village, Al Tawar and Dubai Mall,” said Ahmed Ibrahim, Director of Business Registration at BRL.

The application for permits should be accompanied by a copy of the active commercial license, list of the warehouses belonging to the establishment, and tenancy contract of each warehouse registered with the Real Estate Regulatory Agency (RERA).

Omar Almeheiri, Director of the Development & Follow-up Department in CCCP, said the new procedure will help curb illegal and negative practices, including trading in fake products, and reminded license holders that failure to obtain permits for the warehouse will invite legal action.

“Warehouses should also meet certain conditions and standards. They should have a signboard bearing the word ‘warehouse’ in Arabic and English and such facilities should not store goods not mentioned in the activity list of the relevant commercial license,” said Almeheiri.

DED has also warned against storing or piling goods outside the warehouse, using the warehouse or part of it as kitchen or residence and engaging in direct sales from the warehouse.