To start a coffee business in Dubai, secure a mainland trade license from Dubai’s Department of Economy & Tourism (DET) with the activity “Restaurant and Coffee Shop” (or “Cafeteria”) and lock a site with an Ejari lease and landlord NOC. File trade name, get initial approval, then obtain Dubai Municipality Food Safety layout approval and Dubai Civil Defense NOC before fit‑out. Design to code: dedicated handwash sinks, grease trap, mechanical ventilation/hood, washable wall/floor finishes, chilled/dry storage zones, pest‑control contract, and a calibrated thermometer at bar. Appoint a certified Person‑in‑Charge (PIC) and implement a HACCP‑based food safety plan; all food handlers need medical fitness and food safety training. For roasting or importing beans, open a Dubai Customs account (Importer Code), register products in the Food Import & Re‑export System (FIRS), meet Arabic/English label rules, and expect 5% duty on HS 0901 when entering mainland. Open a corporate bank account with KYC pack (license, MOA, lease, utility bill, business plan), register for VAT when taxable supplies exceed AED 375,000 (voluntary at AED 187,500), and factor 9% UAE corporate tax on profits above AED 375,000. Budget: license/approvals AED 15k–40k; fit‑out/equipment AED 200k–600k. For food trucks, add RTA route permit and central kitchen approval.
