Business setup / Sector guide
Precious Metals & Luxury business setup in the UAE
Dealers in precious metals and stones sit inside the UAE anti-money-laundering framework as designated non-financial businesses. The commercial licence is only the start: AML registration, customer due diligence and responsible sourcing obligations apply from the first transaction.
What usually decides approvals
Expect DNFBP registration, goAML reporting and sourcing policies alongside the trade licence.
Activities in this sector
Gold & Jewellery Trading
Trading gold, jewellery and precious stones at wholesale, retail or refining-adjacent level.
Precious Metals Trading
Trading bullion, silver, platinum and related products, often with vaulting and logistics arrangements.
In-depth guides
- Gold and diamonds setup consultancy
- Gold trading licence Dubai: setup & AML checklist
- Own-account gold CFD vs physical gold trading
- Dubai business setup guide
Which business model are you planning?
Planning questions, not eligibility confirmation or regulator approval. Confirm current requirements for your activity and location.
| Business model | What to verify |
|---|---|
| Physical bullion, jewellery or diamonds | Define the goods, wholesale or retail model, premises and import/re-export flow. Verify the exact trade activity and relevant AML, customs and product obligations. Read the relevant guide |
| Refining, storage or tokenised products | Do not infer permission from a physical-goods trading activity. The facility, custody model or token service needs its own scope and authority assessment. Read the relevant guide |
| Leveraged XAU/USD or gold CFDs | Ordinarily a derivative exposure at a broker, not physical bullion trading. Review the financial-services perimeter and own-account versus client-facing model instead. Read the relevant guide |
Before you choose a route
What should a Dubai gold-trading setup budget include?
Request an itemised quotation for the chosen activity and location. Separate incorporation and renewal, premises, customs where applicable and compliance work. A single advertised formation price is not a verified all-in operating budget.
Gold setup checklist and official referencesDoes a precious-metals trade licence replace AML preparation?
No. Determine the applicable dealer obligations separately from company formation, including registration, customer due diligence, reporting and responsible sourcing where relevant to the actual business. Confirm current requirements for the chosen scope.
Ministry DNFBP guidanceThese planning answers summarise the linked guides and references; they do not represent a new regulatory approval or a complete legal review.