Describe a real customer transaction
Write one example from enquiry to delivery: who pays you, what they buy, where the work happens, and whether goods change hands. This turns an abstract company idea into something an authority or adviser can map to activity codes.
For a software business, distinguish development work, subscriptions, resale, and advice. For a product business, identify the actual products rather than using “general trading” as a substitute for describing the operation.
Separate the product from the sales channel
Selling online tells someone how customers place orders. It does not fully describe the underlying business. A website selling physical products raises different questions from one offering professional services or digital subscriptions.
List whether you will store goods, import them, install products, deliver services on customer premises, or work entirely remotely. Those details help identify the questions that need checking before selecting a package.
Ask for the exact activity description
Request the proposed activity name and code in writing. Ask the provider to explain how each planned revenue stream fits that description. If you expect several activities, confirm whether they can sit on the same licence and whether their combination changes the approval or premises requirements.
The official trade-licence service is the appropriate starting point for confirming mainland licensing requirements. For a free zone, obtain confirmation from that authority.
Keep ownership and legal form in the review
The activity, legal form, and ownership proposal should be assessed together. Before paying, ask whether your exact proposal requires external approvals or restrictions. Record the answer and the authority responsible for any decision.
A useful comparison sheet has one row per revenue stream and columns for proposed code, operating location, regulator check, premises, and unresolved questions. Leave an unresolved item visible instead of treating it as covered by a general description.
Plan for the business you will operate first
Include genuine near-term activities, but avoid buying a package full of speculative additions. Ask how changes would be handled later so you can compare the cost and process of an amendment with including an activity now.
Next, review mainland setup or free zone setup, using your activity brief as the starting point.
Official references
Sources checked on 12 September 2026. Practical planning suggestions are editorial guidance. Requirements depend on your business and can change.
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