Trade License for Selling Diamond In Sharjah
Diamond Trading Licence in Sharjah 2026
The UAE is one of the world’s largest diamond trading hubs, and Sharjah offers a lower-cost gateway into the precious-stones business than neighbouring emirates. If you plan to buy, sell, import or export diamonds and precious stones from Sharjah, you need a trade licence from the Sharjah Economic Development Department (SEDD). Dubai Business Services handles the full setup and the specialist approvals that diamond trading requires.
What the Licence Covers
A diamond trading licence lets you deal in polished and rough diamonds and, with the right activity codes, other precious and semi-precious stones. Your business can supply jewellers, wholesalers and exporters, and — with an import/export code — move stock internationally.
The Compliance Layer: Kimberley Process
Rough (uncut) diamonds are governed worldwide by the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme, which the UAE enforces to keep conflict diamonds out of the supply chain. If you intend to trade rough diamonds, your shipments need Kimberley Process certification. DBS advises whether your activity triggers this requirement and structures the licence and approvals accordingly.
Why Sharjah
Sharjah’s setup and operating costs are generally lower than Dubai’s, which improves margins on a high-value, thin-margin product like diamonds. You still get full UAE market access, a stable regulatory environment and straightforward routes to import/export.
Requirements & Documents
- Passport copies of the shareholder(s) and manager
- Proposed trade names for reservation
- Tenancy contract for office space
- Any specialist / external approvals for precious-stones and, where applicable, Kimberley Process certification for rough diamonds
Step-by-Step Process
- Reserve the trade name and choose the legal form
- Obtain SEDD initial approval
- Sign the tenancy contract
- Secure any external / precious-stones approvals
- Issue the SEDD trade licence
- Open the establishment card and apply for visas and an import/export code if needed
Cost — What’s Included
Your quote is built from the SEDD licence and activity fees, office rent, external approvals, and immigration costs for any investor or staff visas. Because deposits and external approvals vary by activity, DBS gives you an itemised breakdown and flags any fees that sit outside the standard licence package.
Why DBS
Diamond and precious-stones trading carries extra scrutiny, and a missing approval can freeze your shipments. DBS’s PRO team liaises with SEDD and the relevant authorities, prepares and submits every document, and gets your licence issued cleanly and compliantly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need Kimberley Process certification? For rough (uncut) diamonds, yes. For polished stones the requirement differs — DBS confirms what applies to your activity.
Is Sharjah cheaper than Dubai for this? Generally yes — Sharjah’s setup and running costs are typically lower, which matters on a high-value product.
Can I import and export diamonds? Yes, with the correct activity codes and a customs import/export code, which DBS arranges.
Can a foreigner own the company? Ownership depends on the activity and jurisdiction — DBS confirms the current structure for your case.
