How much trouble am I in if my Dubai trade licence expired months ago?

You can almost certainly still bring the licence back, but get the real number before deciding anything. In Dubai, late-renewal fines accumulate on an expired licence over time, so the first step is to request a statement of everything owed from the Department of Economy and Tourism — fines on the licence itself, plus anything attached to the company such as immigration or labour penalties if you sponsored staff. Only with that figure can you compare your options sensibly. Renewal means paying the accumulated fines plus the renewal fee, after which the company continues with its history, name and bank account intact. Cancellation is not a free exit: outstanding fines and liabilities generally must be cleared before a cancellation is accepted, and an abandoned licence can follow you, blocking future company setups or visa applications until the dues are settled. Also ask whether any fine-reduction or waiver initiative is currently running — authorities periodically offer relief schemes for lapsed licences, and timing a renewal to one can change the maths completely. A licensed UAE commercial lawyer can review your statement of dues and tell you which route genuinely costs less in your situation.