Telephone Numbers
Telephone Numbers
For detailed information +90 542 381 3868'Call.
Dubai has become one of the most dynamic hubs in the United Arab Emirates for the beauty and personal care industry, welcoming hundreds of new brands into its market every year. Its position as a regional distribution centre, combined with strong consumer purchasing power and a fast-growing e-commerce sector, makes Dubai an attractive destination for cosmetics companies. However, before any cosmetic product can legally be sold on shelves or online in Dubai, it must first go through the official approval and registration process managed by the Dubai Municipality. This guide explains, based on current 2026 practice, how cosmetic product approval is obtained, which documents are required, what the process stages look like, and the most common challenges brands encounter along the way.
Every cosmetic and personal care product manufactured, imported, or marketed in Dubai is assessed under regulations designed to protect consumer health. Products placed on the market without approval risk administrative penalties and removal from shelves. Official registration documents that the product's ingredient list, manufacturing conditions, and label information comply with applicable technical rules, and it strengthens the brand's credibility with distributors, retailers, and consumers alike. The registration number also serves as an important reference during customs clearance and when entering major retail chains. Brands that attempt to enter the market without approval risk both wasted time and reputational damage, which is why planning the process correctly from the outset is essential.
In Dubai, the registration of cosmetics, personal care items, and similar non-food consumer products is carried out through Montaji, the digital platform developed by Dubai Municipality. Montaji is an integrated system through which consumer products are assessed and monitored for safety before they are traded in the local market; cosmetics, personal care, and cleaning products are registered through this platform, while food products go through a separate portal. To use Montaji, a company must first create a business account on Dubai Municipality's corporate service portal. Brands planning to operate in other emirates, such as Abu Dhabi, should also note that they may need to engage separately with that emirate's own regulatory authority. At the federal level, complementary frameworks administered by bodies such as the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT) may occasionally apply as well.
One of the first stages of the approval process is placing the product in the correct category, since this choice directly affects which documents, ingredient limits, and possible testing requirements apply. Cosmetic products in Dubai are generally assessed under the following main groups:
The ingredient information required for each category should be prepared according to the international INCI naming standard and supported by safety data appropriate to the product's intended use. Choosing the wrong category can lead to the application being sent back at a later stage with requests for additional documentation. Products intended for children, for example, or advanced skin-contact treatments, may require a more detailed safety assessment than standard categories.
For applications submitted through Montaji, having complete documentation for both the product and the company has a direct impact on how quickly the approval process moves forward. The documents generally requested include:
Submitting documents in English, or with certified translations, is recommended to keep the review process moving without delay.
The information shown on a cosmetic product's packaging must match exactly the data declared in the technical file. The product name, ingredient list, net quantity, manufacturing and expiry information, manufacturer/importer details, usage instructions, and any warning statements should all appear clearly on the label. For products sold to consumers, Arabic translations of this information are generally expected as well. Any inconsistency between the label and the technical file can result in additional scrutiny or outright rejection of the application.
The applicant company must hold a valid UAE trade licence with an activity code that covers cosmetic product trading. Licence details are verified when the company account is set up in the system.
The company opens a corporate user account on Dubai Municipality's digital service portal. This account provides access to many of the municipality's digital services, including Montaji.
Using the corporate account, the company logs into the Montaji module to start a new product registration, selects the product category, and uploads the technical file.
The ingredient list, label images, Free Sale Certificate, and any analysis reports are uploaded to the system in full.
Dubai Municipality officials review the application for ingredient compliance, label accuracy, and regulatory conformity; if information is missing or incorrect, the applicant is asked for additional documents or corrections.
Once the review is completed successfully, the product is officially registered and the brand is assigned a registration/approval number. This number confirms that the product may legally be sold in the Dubai market and must be presented during inspections.
For cosmetic products manufactured abroad and imported into Dubai, brands are expected to provide a Free Sale Certificate issued by the manufacturer or exporter in the country of origin, in addition to the standard requirements for locally produced goods, and to ensure labels contain English and, where required, Arabic information. The importing company must also hold a valid UAE trade licence and proper customs records to keep the process running smoothly. For bulk imports arriving by container, consistency between the customs declaration and the product registration details is checked, so it is advisable to coordinate logistics planning with the registration timeline.
Companies established in a Dubai free zone typically work with a distributor or local service agent to sell directly into the mainland retail market, although the product itself remains subject to the same Montaji registration regardless of company structure. Mainland companies, by contrast, can sell directly into the local market, meaning distribution can often proceed with fewer intermediary steps once the product is registered. Deciding which company structure suits your brand is a strategic decision that is just as important as the product approval itself, and it usually depends on your intended sales channels, whether retail stores, e-commerce, or wholesale distribution.
The process does not end once approval is granted. Brands are required to notify the system of any changes to a product's formula or label, to participate in Montaji's recall mechanism in the event of a consumer complaint or safety alert, and to submit a renewal application before the registration's validity period expires. Whether advertising and promotional activities require separate approval can vary depending on the product category. Brands that carry out regular internal audits to track the status of their registrations are generally less exposed to sudden regulatory changes.
| Stage | Description |
|---|---|
| Application Fee | The first-tier fee charged when the application is created in the system |
| Approval / Certificate Fee | The second-tier fee paid for issuing the registration certificate once the application is approved |
| Assessment Time | Varies depending on product category, completeness of documents, and application volume |
| Renewal Period | A periodic action required before the registration's validity period expires |
Important Notice: The fee items and process stages shown in this table are intended to provide a general overview only. The information in this article was compiled as of July 2026 and may change following updates from the relevant official authorities. Before submitting your application, we strongly recommend confirming the current fees, rates, and timelines directly on Dubai Municipality's official Montaji platform or the relevant authority's website.
Based on our experience, the errors that most often delay applications fall into the following categories:
World Company Setup provides end-to-end advisory support to brands operating in product-regulated sectors across the United Arab Emirates, from preparing the technical file to following up on the application. Entrepreneurs interested in related regulated sectors may also find our guides on the cost of opening and licensing a beauty salon in Dubai and how to obtain a pharmacy licence in Dubai useful. To plan your process with our team, you can request a quote or get in touch with us.
Approval times vary depending on the product category, the completeness of submitted documents, and application volume. We recommend checking Dubai Municipality's official Montaji platform for the current process timeline.
Montaji is the official digital platform developed by Dubai Municipality where non-food consumer products such as cosmetics, personal care, and cleaning products are registered and assessed before being placed on the market.
Generally, a valid UAE trade licence, product label images, an INCI-format ingredient list, a Free Sale Certificate, and, where necessary, an analysis report are required. Additional documents may be requested depending on the product category.
Yes. Imported products require a Free Sale Certificate issued by the manufacturer in the country of origin, and labels must include English and, where required, Arabic information. The importing company must also hold a valid UAE trade licence.
Yes, the product itself is subject to the same Montaji registration regardless of whether the company is based in a free zone or the mainland. However, free zone companies generally need a distributor or local service agent to sell directly in the mainland market.
Yes, product registrations have a validity period, and a renewal application must be submitted before it expires. Any changes to the formula or label must also be reported to the system.
+90 542 381 3868
+971 58 5204103