To start a perfume brand in the UAE you need a trade licence that covers fragrance trading or manufacturing, then you register every product in Dubai Municipality's Montaji system before you sell or advertise it. In between, you choose your scents, test samples, build a label that meets the Dubai Municipality rules and collect the documents your oil supplier and your filler provide.
Below are the 8 steps in order, from licence to first batch, with the documents each step needs. This is a practical guide, not legal advice, so always check the latest Dubai Municipality guidelines or speak to a setup adviser before you file.
Quick specs for sourcing your oils
- MOQ: none on in stock library oils at Aroma Labs. Oils not in stock start at 5 kg. Custom fragrances start at 25 kg per fragrance.
- Sizes: 100 ml, 500 ml, 1 kg, 5 kg and above, up to 50 kg.
- Samples: 10 ml at AED 45 each (about USD 12), plus a sample box.
- Documents: IFRA certificate, SDS (MSDS) and COA on request.
- Oil type: 100% concentrate, no DPG, no fixatives. Works in alcohol based and oil based perfumes.
- Shipping: made in our own factory in Sharjah and shipped from Dubai across the UAE and worldwide. Orders over USD 300 ship free.
The 8 steps at a glance
| Step | What you do | What you need |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Licence | Get a UAE licence with a fragrance activity | Commercial, industrial, e trader or home business licence |
| 2. Product plan | Pick formats and a small first range | A short brief for each scent |
| 3. Samples | Smell and test before you commit | 10 ml samples of your shortlist |
| 4. Formula | Fix the oil and the dosage for each product | Supplier documents for each oil |
| 5. Label | Design artwork that meets the label rules | Ingredients, allergens, batch, barcode |
| 6. Dossier | Collect the registration documents | Artwork, ingredient report, GMP or free sale certificate |
| 7. Montaji | Register each product online | An account on montaji.dm.gov.ae |
| 8. First batch | Order oils, fill, pack and launch | Approved registration and ad approval |
Step 1: Get the right licence
Dubai Municipality's fragrance guideline lists the licences that can apply for product registration: a commercial licence with a fragrance trading activity, an industrial licence with a fragrance manufacturing activity, a Tajer licence from Abu Dhabi, an Intelaq home business licence from Dubai SME, or an e trader licence from Dubai DED for selling on social media.
Step 2: Plan a small first range
Most new brands do better with four to six scents than with twenty. Each product is registered on its own, so every extra scent or size adds paperwork and cost before your first sale.
Step 3: Sample before you brand
Order 10 ml samples of your shortlist and test them in your real base before you buy bottles or print labels. Browse the full fragrance oil catalog to build your shortlist.
Step 4: Fix your formula
Our guide on how much fragrance oil to use in perfume covers typical strengths. Ask your oil supplier for the IFRA certificate, SDS and COA for every oil, since your filler and your registration will rely on them. Our IFRA guide explains what those documents mean.
Step 5: Design a compliant label
Dubai Municipality asks for labels in clear English and/or Arabic showing the brand name, product name, manufacturer or UAE agent details, country of origin, ingredients, size in metric units, production and expiry date (or period after opening), storage conditions, instructions, barcode, batch number and warnings. For perfumes, fragrance allergens must be listed on the label.
Step 6: Build your product dossier
For each product you need the artwork, an ingredient report signed or stamped by the manufacturer (with each ingredient's percentage and allergens above 0.001%), and either an ISO 22716 GMP certificate for products made in the UAE or a free sale certificate for products made abroad. Dubai Municipality can also ask for lab tests.
Step 7: Register in Montaji
Log in to montaji.dm.gov.ae and run the Consumer Product Registration service for each product. The guideline says a fragrance registration is valid for 5 years, and ads and social media promotions also need approval through Montaji. Products sold only business to business can be registered without a barcode.
Step 8: Order your first batch
With approvals in hand, order your oils, fill, label and launch. Our Dubai MOQ, samples and documents guide explains how ordering works, and our private label guide covers building a range around your own name.
FAQ
Do I need to register perfume in Dubai before selling?
Yes. Dubai Municipality states that no fragrance product can be made, imported, advertised, sold or distributed in Dubai unless it is registered in Montaji.
Can I start a perfume brand from home in Dubai?
The guideline lists the Intelaq home business licence from Dubai SME among the licences that can register fragrance products.
Does every scent need its own registration?
Yes, registration is per product, which is why a small first range saves time and money.
Do you supply bottles or alcohol?
No. Aroma Labs supplies fragrance oils only, so source bottles, alcohol and filling separately.
What is the minimum order for fragrance oils?
There is no MOQ on in stock oils. Oils not in stock start at 5 kg, and custom fragrances start at 25 kg. Email ankit@aromalabs.store with your shortlist.
