Typically, only mainland companies with "food trading activity" specified in their "commercial trade licenses" issued in the UAE are permitted to import foodstuffs to Dubai mainland. Freezone companies in the UAE may however, issue documented sale to another mainland land company and involve in financial transactions with them but customs clearance of foodstuff directly under their own name is not generally allowed by the regulatory's.

Previously, general trading companies were permitted to import foodstuffs. However, regulators now require companies to have "food trading activity" specified on their UAE trade license.

If you have a "service-based trade license", you may not be permitted to import foodstuffs into the UAE by the regulatory's. However, sometimes certain exceptions are being allowed.