The verdict in three sentences
For a Dubai cleaning products manufacturer, a B2B and B2C e-commerce store costs between AED 45,000 and 110,000 excl. VAT depending on trade accounts and export scope. Local payment gateways (Network International, Telr, PayTabs, Checkout.com) charge roughly 2.5 to 3% per transaction, while cash on delivery still matters and needs guardrails. Plan for 3 to 4 months, and treat GCC and EU export (VAT, customs, international gateway) as a separate phase.
Store budget in 2026
Direct sales for a manufacturer go well beyond a showcase: two audiences (trade buyers with pricing and minimum quantities, consumers with bundles), stock linked to the factory and reliable logistics.
| Item (2026 estimate) | Launch version | Full B2B + export version |
|---|---|---|
| Design and catalog (100 to 300 SKUs) | AED 13,000 | AED 22,000 |
| Trade area: pricing, minimums, quotes | AED 9,000 | AED 20,000 |
| Payment gateway + cash on delivery | AED 5,500 | AED 9,000 |
| ERP or sales software integration | AED 7,500 | AED 22,000 |
| Courier integration, parcel tracking | AED 5,500 | AED 11,000 |
| Export version (languages, VAT, international gateway) | 0 | AED 18,000 |
| SEO, training and launch | AED 4,500 | AED 8,000 |
| Total excl. VAT | AED 45,000 | AED 110,000 |
Hosting and maintenance then cost AED 900 to 2,200 per month.
Payment and delivery: the real cost per order
| Item (2026 estimate) | Consumer, AED 130 basket | Trade buyer, AED 1,650 order |
|---|---|---|
| Gateway fee (2.5 to 3% + about AED 1) | AED 4 to 5 | AED 42 to 51 |
| Cash on delivery (courier fee) | AED 5 to 10 | Rare, bank transfer |
| Delivery within Dubai | AED 15 to 20/parcel | Consolidated, AED 60 to 120 |
| Delivery to other emirates | AED 20 to 30/parcel | AED 120 to 250 |
| Return or refusal rate | 5 to 10% on cash on delivery | 1 to 2% |
| Logistics cost as % of basket | 12 to 18% | 4 to 7% |
On small consumer baskets, delivery and refusals quickly erode margin. Two simple levers: a minimum basket (for example AED 90) and a 3 to 5% discount for card payment, which lowers refusals. For trade buyers, most revenue comes through bank transfer on 30 or 60-day terms, with credit limits enforced by the platform.
Export and VAT
Selling across the GCC or into Europe from Dubai means customs formalities per shipment, destination VAT rules (5% in the UAE, IOSS for EU parcels under EUR 150) and, for cleaning products, safety data sheets and labeling compliant with local regulations and the EU CLP regulation. An international gateway or Stripe through a suitable entity complements local acquirers. Many manufacturers start with a distributor or a warehouse in the target market before shipping direct from Dubai.
Mini case study
Omar, CEO of a cleaning products manufacturer in Dubai, invests AED 70,000 in a store with a trade area. Twelve-month target: 600 consumer orders a month (AED 130 basket) and 80 trade orders (AED 1,650). Online revenue: 78,000 + 132,000 = AED 210,000 per month. Selling direct, he recovers about 20 margin points previously left to distributors, AED 42,000 a month, minus AED 17,000 in logistics and fees. Estimated net gain: AED 25,000 per month, a payback of 3 months once this pace is reached, around 8 months including ramp-up.
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FAQ
How much does an e-commerce store for a manufacturer in the UAE cost?
Between AED 45,000 and 110,000 excl. VAT depending on the trade area, ERP integration and export. Maintenance then costs AED 900 to 2,200 a month.
What do local payment gateways charge in 2026?
Usually 2.5 to 3% plus about AED 1 per transaction, depending on volume and contract. Setup fees of a few thousand AED may apply.
Should we offer cash on delivery?
Yes for consumers, as it still accounts for a meaningful share of orders. Frame it with a minimum basket and a card payment incentive to limit the 5 to 10% refusal rate.
Can we sell to Europe from the same store?
Yes, with a multilingual version, an international gateway and VAT handling (IOSS for parcels under EUR 150). This module costs about AED 18,000.
How long does it take to launch?
Allow 3 to 4 months, including 2 to 3 weeks for gateway onboarding. Export can follow in phase 2.
Let's scope your project. Tell us your range, trade and consumer targets and export markets, and we will price the scope, budget in AED and timeline of your store. Detailed quote within 48 h. WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.
Mohamed Bah
Fondateur, Kolonell
Passionate about digital and entrepreneurship in Africa, Mohamed has been helping Sénégalese businesses with their digital transformation since 2020. Founder of Kolonell, he believes every SME deserves a professional and accessible online présence.
