Supplier registration in the UAE: the documents buyers ask for
Vendor registration goes faster when your documents are ready. What buyers ask for, why, and how to keep it all current.
On this page
In short
Most UAE buyers ask a new supplier for a valid trade licence, a VAT registration certificate showing the TRN (if registered), bank details on letterhead or a bank letter, a company profile with contacts, and a copy of the authorised signatory's ID. Depending on what you sell, they may also ask for certificates such as ISO 9001, HACCP or ISO 22000, and insurance. Keeping them current in one folder lets you complete a vendor registration the same day.
Why buyers ask
A buyer’s finance and compliance teams need to know three things: that they are paying a real, licensed company, that the VAT they pay can be recovered, and that the money goes to the right bank account. Vendor registration is how they check. The faster you answer, the sooner you can be paid.
The core documents
| Document | What buyers check |
|---|---|
| Trade licence | Valid and in date, the legal name, and activities that cover what you sell |
| VAT registration certificate | Your 15-digit TRN and legal name, if you are VAT registered |
| Bank letter, or bank details on letterhead | An account name matching your legal name, the IBAN and SWIFT code |
| Company profile | What you supply, where you deliver, key customers and contacts |
| Authorised signatory ID | A copy of the passport or Emirates ID of the person who signs for the company |
| Memorandum of Association | Owners and signing authority (some buyers) |
| Corporate Tax registration | Your Corporate Tax registration details (some buyers) |
Send clear scans or PDFs, not phone photos taken at an angle, and name each file so a buyer can tell what it is at a glance, for example “Company name, trade licence, expires March 2027”.
Documents by sector
| If you supply | Expect to be asked for |
|---|---|
| Food, drink and food-contact items | Food safety certification such as HACCP or ISO 22000, and the relevant municipality approvals |
| Cleaning products and chemicals | A safety data sheet for each product |
| Fit-out, installation and maintenance | Public liability insurance, a health and safety policy, and staff details for site access |
| Printing, signage and branded items | Samples, and a commitment to keep the buyer's designs confidential |
| Manufactured goods | Quality certification such as ISO 9001, product specifications, and conformity approvals where required |
The vendor registration form
Most buyers send their own form or portal link. It usually asks for your legal name, trade licence number and expiry, TRN, address, contacts for sales, accounts and deliveries, bank details, payment terms, the categories you supply and the areas you deliver to. Fill in every field exactly as it appears on your documents. A legal name typed differently on the form and on the licence is a common reason for a registration to be sent back.
Keep everything current
- Keep one folder with the current version of every document.
- Put expiry dates in your calendar, a month ahead.
- When your licence renews, send the new copy to your buyers before the old one expires. Payments can stop on an expired licence.
- Tell buyers in writing when your bank details change, and expect them to confirm by phone.
E-invoicing is coming
Invoices between businesses in the UAE are moving to e-invoicing through Accredited Service Providers. Businesses with revenue of AED 50 million or more go live on 1 January 2027, and others on 1 July 2027. Expect buyers to start asking whether you can send e-invoices and which provider you use. See UAE e-invoicing: what buyers and suppliers need to know.
Getting verified on Korrway
On Korrway for Suppliers, you upload your trade licence and TRN certificate once in your settings, and can add ISO certificates and insurance too. Korrway reviews them, usually within two working days, and adds a Verified badge to your profile, which buyers can filter by when they search the network. Verification is required for the Gold and Platinum tiers, and it is free.
Questions
What documents do I need to register as a vendor in the UAE?
Usually a valid trade licence, your VAT registration certificate with your TRN, a bank letter or bank details on letterhead, a company profile, and the authorised signatory's ID. Some buyers also ask for your Memorandum of Association, Corporate Tax registration and certificates for your sector.
Do I need a TRN to supply companies in the UAE?
Only if you are VAT registered, which is mandatory once your taxable supplies pass AED 375,000 a year. Unregistered suppliers can still supply businesses, but must not charge VAT.
Can a free zone company supply mainland buyers?
It depends on the free zone and the activity. Many free zone companies supply mainland customers through a mainland distributor or with a specific permit. Be ready to explain to buyers how you will invoice and deliver to them.
How long does supplier verification take on Korrway?
Upload your trade licence and TRN in your supplier settings. Korrway reviews them, usually within two working days, and then shows a Verified badge on your profile.
How often should I update my documents?
Whenever something changes, and at least every time your trade licence renews. Send buyers the new licence before the old one expires, because an expired licence can stop payments.
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