Food truck in UAE: How to get permission; documents, requirements, rules announced - News

The UAE is a growing hub for entrepreneurs to start business ideas spanning various fields. As the UAE is home to people of different nationalities, the food industry caters to many cuisines.

Besides opening a restaurant, which can be a tedious task, many businessmen may choose to buy a food truck. Be it to sell ice cream, street food or delicious burgers, these mobile gadgets have become trendy across the UAE.

As the weather gets nicer, many food markets are opening across the UAE, as well as winter markets where budding entrepreneurs can set up their stalls.

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A food truck can be operated from anywhere in the UAE, provided that applicants comply with relevant Emirati rules and regulations and obtain their special licence. This includes health and safety requirements set by each Emirates.

Here’s a simple guide for those looking to get a food truck permit in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah.

dubai

The issuance and issuance of food truck permits in Dubai is under the jurisdiction of Dubai Municipality.

Non-mobile food truck permits are issued annually for trucks located at the same site throughout the year. Here’s the process for getting a food truck permit in the bustling city.

Requirements

Event application must be made at least three business days before the event starts.
In the case of non-event food trucks, business licenses must be issued in Dubai and facilities must also be located in the city.
Those wishing to apply for a non-mobile food truck must enter into a formal location agreement with an approved location owner. This must be uploaded when applying for the permit.

In the case of mobile food trucks where the permit is for an event, the following requirements must be met:

The food facility and suppliers shall have adequate and licensed facilities to supply, transport, store, prepare and display food safely in accordance with the Dubai Food Law.
The layout and floor plan of the food preparation area should be appropriate to prevent food contamination.
Depending on the nature of the activity, there will be adequate facilities for the preparation, storage and display of food.
Only licensed food establishments with a food inspection grade of A, B or C and no critical or significant violations can obtain this permit.
Food establishments in emirates other than Dubai must also submit a copy of the trade license along with the NOC from the relevant food control authority in their city.

Required documents

Applicants are required to submit a no-objection certificate (NOC) from the landlord.
Approval from Dubai Municipality Planning department as well as Drainage department. Accordingly, permit officers will carry out the settlement evaluation to obtain the necessary approval before construction and operation.
Applicants for non-event-based permits must have a registered trade license for the specific location and activity. If there is an existing license and a food truck is to be purchased, a branch license must be issued.

How to register?

The food truck must be registered with FoodWatch, Dubai Municipality’s food safety and nutrition platform. Registrants must ensure that the following comply with the authority’s rules.

If the food is supplied by a different business entity, both the truck and the entity supplying the food must be registered separately.
If the food truck is part of a larger food business, it must be registered with FoodWatch as a subsidiary under the parent business.
The food truck shall have adequate and licensed facilities to prepare and/or display food safely in accordance with the Dubai Food Law.
The list of foods, food processors, preparation area, equipment and layout data should be available in the platform’s database.
Only licensed food establishments in Dubai with a food inspection grade of A, B or C and no critical or significant breaches can obtain permission to supply or manage food trucks.

Who can apply for a food truck license?

Primary PICs or technical experts at FoodWatch-registered food establishments can apply through the Smart Permit Interface.

What could lead to rejection?

Failure to have the location registered or tracked on FoodWatch may result in rejection.
The application may be rejected if the supplier has a food inspection grade of D or F or if there are major or critical violations.
If a space contract is not available, the application may be rejected.
If an event permit from DTCM is not available, the application may be rejected.

How much does it cost to get a food truck permit in Dubai?

The cost of getting a permit in Dubai is Dh160.

How long does it take to get a food truck permit in Dubai?

It takes about a day to get the permit in Dubai.

The validity of the permit depends on the rental agreement. For example, in the case of a permanent place, the permit can be granted for a maximum of one year. If the permit is specific to the event, it will be valid for the duration of the event.

Sharjah

Those wishing to obtain a food truck permit in Sharjah can do so through the Sharjah Executive Council’s website. The service is called ‘Mobile Vehicle and Truck permit’.

Who is eligible?

individuals
private companies
local assets
federal agencies

It is important to note that the applicant must be a UAE national.

Required documents

Applicants must fill out a permit to sell food via mobile vehicles and trucks.
They also need to submit a letter requesting permission to sell food in mobile vehicles and trucks.
Applicants must submit a letter of no objection or letter of agreement from the landlord written in Arabic.
There must be permit form approval from relevant organizations such as Sharjah City Municipality, Health Department, Commercial Control Department, Public Parking Department and Sharjah Police.
Applicants must submit a photo of the vehicle and a map showing its location.

The cost of obtaining a mobile vehicle and truck permit is Dh3,000. Obtaining the license takes about a day.

Abu Dhabi

In Abu Dhabi city, applicants can obtain the food truck permit through the TAMM platform. Through this service, people can obtain permits for mobile vehicles or trucks that serve food vending in public places or during festivals and events.

Required documents

Applicants must submit a detailed letter from their company.
Applicants are required to submit photos of their vehicle from all sides.

How much does it cost to get a food truck permit in Abu Dhabi?

A monthly food truck permit costs Dh500 for each event.
An annual food truck permit costs Dh3,000.

Important things to keep in mind

It is very important to remember the following points when applying for annual leave.

Before applying for a permit, applicants must obtain approval from the Department of Municipalities and Transport, or ADNOC, as to where the mobile food cart will be parked, or from companies investing in the space allocated by the municipality.
Each commercial license is allowed to issue only three mobile vehicles.
The trade name must be written in Arabic, the same as written in the commercial license. Its size should not be smaller than what is written in English.
Applicants must fill out the vehicle or vehicle specifications form.
The selected car or vehicle must be manufactured to be used in food sales activities.
If a brand is found, it must be approved by the Ministry of Economy before it is added to the cart.
Applicants must submit a letter from the manufacturer explaining all information and features specified in the table.
Advertisements shown on mobile devices should not contain elements that may affect religious rituals, traditions and social values. These ads must also not overtly compare or attack or insult other similar products.
These ads are also not allowed to display exaggerated formulas or phrases that the advertiser cannot prove, such as ‘exclusively’, ‘new’ and ‘for the first time’.

What is prohibited when applying for annual service leave?

Those with truck licenses are not allowed to block any public roads.
The activity is not allowed to be carried out by mobile vehicles or automobiles without obtaining final permission from the Ministry of Economic Development.
Permit holders are not allowed to force or encourage other drivers to obstruct traffic.
Food truck owners are not allowed to obstruct traffic or erect barriers that impede the movement of vehicles on public roads.
They are not allowed to place chairs or tables in public places.
It is forbidden to stop the vehicle and perform activities outside of pre-determined areas.
It is essential that applicants obtain an event permit to attend separate events.
It is important to ensure the cleanliness of the site where the mobile vehicle is located.

Application conditions for service activity permit

To participate in certain events, each mobile vehicle must have an annual permit issued by the Ministry of Economic Development.
Companies with mobile food trucks outside Abu Dhabi are allowed to attend events.
Mobile carts selling food from outside Abu Dhabi must have ownership of the cart.

Prohibitions on applying for a service activity permit

It is prohibited to attend any event by mobile vehicle or car without permission from the Ministry of Economic Development.
The site where the mobile vehicle is located must be clean.

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dubai

Sharjah

Abu Dhabi

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