Key Takeaways
- DMCC gold manufacturing licence costs AED 14,000–25,000 per year — the premier UAE route for gold manufacturers
- UAE hallmarking (ESMA certification) is mandatory for all gold, silver, and platinum articles sold domestically
- Dubai Gold & Jewellery Group (DGJG) membership costs AED 5,000–15,000 per year and opens critical trade networks
- UAE is the world’s 3rd largest gold trading hub after London and Zurich by annual trade volume
- Investment gold imports attract 0% customs duty and 0% VAT; finished jewellery carries 5% VAT
- Dubai Gold Souk hosts over 380 retail gold outlets in Deira—the world’s largest gold retail concentration
- Gold refineries targeting international bullion markets must obtain LBMA Good Delivery accreditation
Dubai has for decades been the world’s most important gold trading corridor outside London and Zurich. The UAE trades over 1,400 tonnes of gold annually, acts as a re-export hub connecting African and Asian mine production to Asian manufacturing demand, and hosts a jewellery retail and manufacturing sector generating billions of dirhams each year. Whether you are considering a gold jewellery manufacturing operation, a bullion trading desk, or a precious metals refinery in 2026, this guide covers the complete licensing, hallmarking, regulatory, and cost landscape for UAE gold and jewellery businesses.
UAE Gold & Jewellery Industry Overview
The UAE’s gold sector rests on three interdependent pillars: import and trading (raw bullion and semi-processed gold flowing through Dubai), manufacturing and jewellery production (design studios and factories producing finished pieces), and retail (from the iconic Dubai Gold Souk to luxury mall concessions). The sector’s 0% import duty on investment gold and strong re-export infrastructure gives UAE-based manufacturers a structural cost advantage over competitors in markets with higher gold import duties.
Key 2025 figures: the UAE imported AED 220 billion worth of gold and precious metals; gold jewellery exports exceeded AED 55 billion; and domestic retail sales of gold jewellery topped AED 18 billion. The Dubai Gold & Jewellery Group (DGJG) represents over 4,000 retail and manufacturing businesses and coordinates the annual Dubai Shopping Festival gold promotions that drive billions in additional retail turnover. Free zones—particularly the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC)—serve as the institutional backbone of UAE gold trading, with DMCC’s Dubai Gold & Commodities Exchange (DGCX) providing price discovery and DMCC’s vault network holding physical inventory for trading members.
DMCC Gold Manufacturing Licence
The Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) is the preferred free zone for gold and precious metals businesses. A DMCC licence for gold jewellery manufacturing covers design, fabrication, gem setting, polishing, and finishing of gold, silver, and platinum jewellery within the Jumeirah Lakes Towers cluster and approved manufacturing units. DMCC is the world’s largest free zone by number of registered companies and the UAE’s only free zone with dedicated precious metals vaulting infrastructure.
DMCC gold manufacturing licence requirements include: minimum share capital of AED 50,000; approved manufacturing unit or leased factory space within DMCC jurisdiction; UAE Assay Office hallmarking registration before commencing domestic sales; DGJG membership for retail-facing operations; an Anti-Money Laundering (AML) compliance programme per DMCC AML guidelines; and a Responsible Sourcing Declaration for all gold inputs aligned with OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Minerals from Conflict-Affected Areas.
Annual licence fees range from AED 14,000 to AED 25,000 depending on activity count and office or workshop size. Manufacturing operations with dedicated factory space in approved DMCC industrial areas pay at the higher end. A typical DMCC set-up including licence, registration fees, and first-year office costs AED 40,000–80,000 all-in for a manufacturing start-up, before equipment and fit-out expenditure.
UAE Mandatory Hallmarking — ESMA Requirements
All gold, silver, and platinum articles sold in the UAE must carry a mandatory UAE hallmark issued through the Emirates Authority for Standardization and Metrology (ESMA) approved assay offices. Hallmarking was made mandatory by UAE Cabinet Resolution No. 45 of 2018 and is enforced by Ministry of Economy precious metals inspection teams conducting market surveillance across retail outlets and online platforms.
The UAE hallmark comprises four elements: a fineness mark (999 for 24K, 916 for 22K, 750 for 18K, 585 for 14K, or 375 for 9K gold; 999 or 925 for silver; 950 for platinum); an assay office mark identifying the UAE testing facility; a manufacturer or importer mark showing the responsible business; and a year letter indicating the year of hallmarking.
The Dubai Central Laboratories Department (DCLD) and the Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council (QCC) operate the primary UAE assay offices. Hallmarking fees range from AED 1 to AED 15 per article depending on weight category. Unmarked or incorrectly marked gold articles are subject to seizure and destruction under Ministry enforcement actions, with fines up to AED 100,000 per violation.
Dubai Gold & Jewellery Group Membership
The Dubai Gold & Jewellery Group (DGJG) is the industry body representing UAE gold and jewellery retailers and manufacturers. Membership is strongly recommended—and for certain trade activities effectively required—as DGJG coordinates Dubai Shopping Festival gold promotions, joint advertising in UAE publications, and industry-wide CSR and training programmes. Annual membership fees range from AED 5,000 for small retailers to AED 15,000 for large manufacturers and wholesalers.
DGJG members receive access to preferred customs brokerage rates for gold imports, inclusion in the official Dubai Gold Souk directory, and representation in Dubai Tourism marketing materials. For new entrants, DGJG membership signals credibility to wholesale buyers and luxury retail clients and often accelerates trade licence approvals within DMCC and the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism.
Sharjah Gold Centre — Alternative Licensing Route
For businesses seeking lower start-up costs, the Sharjah Gold Centre and the Sharjah Economic Development Department (SEDD) offer gold jewellery manufacturing licences at materially lower price points than DMCC. Sharjah’s manufacturing zones host dozens of mid-size jewellery factories serving the wholesale export market, particularly exporting to India, Pakistan, and East Africa.
Sharjah SEDD manufacturing licences for precious metals start from approximately AED 8,000–18,000 annually. The trade-off is lower brand prestige than DMCC and fewer institutional services—no DGCX access, no DMCC vaulting infrastructure. For manufacturers focused purely on production and export rather than UAE retail distribution or premium brand positioning, Sharjah’s cost advantage can be substantial, reducing total first-year costs by 30–40% compared to DMCC.
Manufacturing Capex & LBMA Accreditation
Setting up a UAE gold jewellery manufacturing operation requires significant equipment investment. Typical start-up capex ranges from AED 500,000 for a small atelier (bench production, hand tools, casting machine, polishing equipment) to AED 2,000,000+ for a mid-size factory with CNC wax milling, automated casting lines, laser welding, and electroplating systems. A full-scale integrated manufacturing facility with CAD/CAM design, 3D printing, CNC machining, and automated polishing can require AED 5,000,000–15,000,000 in equipment alone.
Gold refineries targeting large-scale bullion trading with banks, central banks, or DGCX contracts must obtain LBMA (London Bullion Market Association) Good Delivery accreditation, which signals that a refinery’s gold bars are accepted without independent assay by professional market participants globally. The LBMA accreditation process involves third-party bar testing, a production history audit, and an LBMA site inspection. Only a small number of UAE refineries hold LBMA Good Delivery status.
Licence & Setup Cost Comparison
| Licence Route | Annual Licence Fee | Min Capital | Key Advantage | Key Limitation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DMCC Gold Manufacturing | AED 14,000–25,000 | AED 50,000 | DGCX access, vaulting, AML infrastructure | Higher cost, premium location |
| DED Mainland (Gold Trading) | AED 12,000–22,000 | None specified | Direct mainland UAE retail access | Separate factory space required |
| Sharjah SEDD | AED 8,000–18,000 | Minimal | Lower cost, manufacturing focus | Less prestige, limited institutional services |
| DGJG Membership | AED 5,000–15,000 | N/A | Trade network, promotions directory | Not a licence; supplement to main licence |
| ESMA Hallmarking Registration | AED 2,000–5,000 | N/A | Mandatory compliance for UAE sales | Required alongside any gold licence |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I import gold duty-free into the UAE for manufacturing?
Yes. Investment gold—gold in bar, coin, and granule form meeting minimum 99% purity—enters the UAE with 0% customs duty and 0% VAT. This preferential treatment applies to gold imported for manufacturing, trading, or investment purposes. Gold jewellery (finished articles) carries 5% VAT on UAE domestic sales but remains duty-free on import. This zero-duty, zero-VAT status for investment gold is a primary structural advantage of UAE-based gold manufacturing over competitors in markets with gold import duties of 10–15%.
Is UAE hallmarking mandatory for gold I produce for export?
UAE hallmarking under ESMA is mandatory for gold articles sold within the UAE. Gold manufactured in the UAE for direct export does not technically require UAE hallmarking. However, major international retail buyers in India, the UK, and EU require their own hallmarking standards such as BIS, UK Assay, and EU equivalents. UAE-manufactured jewellery destined for Indian export needs BIS hallmarking through an approved Indian assay office. DMCC can assist with cross-border hallmarking logistics through its international assay partnerships.
What is LBMA accreditation and does my refinery need it?
The London Bullion Market Association (LBMA) Good Delivery List is the gold industry standard for bullion refiners. Being on the list signals that a refinery’s gold bars are accepted without independent assay by professional market participants globally including banks and central banks. UAE-based refineries targeting large-scale gold bar trading with institutions or DGCX-listed contracts need LBMA accreditation. Most small and medium jewellery manufacturers do not need LBMA accreditation unless they produce refined bars above 100 oz for commercial sale to professional market participants.
Can a foreigner own 100% of a UAE gold manufacturing company?
Yes. Within DMCC and other UAE free zones, foreign investors can own 100% of a gold manufacturing company without a local UAE partner. On the mainland, the UAE’s 2021 Foreign Direct Investment liberalisation allows 100% foreign ownership for most commercial activities including gold manufacturing and trading, without requiring a local sponsor. This made the UAE significantly more attractive to international jewellery manufacturers who previously faced mandatory 49/51 ownership structures on the mainland.
What AML obligations apply to UAE gold traders and manufacturers?
Gold trading and manufacturing businesses in the UAE are classified as Designated Non-Financial Businesses and Professions (DNFBPs) under UAE AML Law (Federal Decree-Law No. 20 of 2018). They must conduct Customer Due Diligence on buyers purchasing gold above AED 55,000 in a single or related transaction series, maintain transaction records for a minimum of 5 years, file Suspicious Transaction Reports with the UAE Financial Intelligence Unit via the goAML portal, and appoint a named Compliance Officer. DMCC enforces AML compliance through annual audits of member companies, with licence suspension or cancellation for repeat non-compliance.