Starting a candle making business in Dubai involves a craft-manufacturing activity licence through Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), one of the more accessible small-manufacturing businesses to license given its comparatively simple equipment and safety profile relative to other craft businesses.
Licensing considerations
A candle making business needs a craft/manufacturing-services activity licence covering wax-based product production, and if the business also sells home fragrance products (diffusers, room sprays) alongside candles, this is generally covered under the same broader home fragrance manufacturing/retail activity category.
Fire safety and workshop considerations
Candle production involves heated wax and open flame testing, which means workshop fire safety standards apply — appropriate ventilation, fire suppression equipment, and safe wax-heating procedures are checked as part of facility approval, similar in spirit to other craft businesses handling heat or flammable materials.
Costs and timeline
Costs are driven by wax-melting equipment, moulds, fragrance oils, and packaging — one of the more accessible entry points into craft manufacturing given the relatively modest equipment investment involved. Model your base licensing cost with this site's Business Setup Cost Calculator.