Dubai CommerCity Company Setup

Dubai CommerCity company setup suits online brands, marketplace sellers and fulfilment businesses that want a free zone company with offices, warehouses and fulfilment next to Dubai International Airport. We help you choose the licence, activities and space, and handle the setup through to visas and bank account.

Description

Dubai CommerCity company setup is for businesses that sell online or support those who do. Dubai CommerCity, in Umm Ramool next to Dubai International Airport, describes itself as the first free zone dedicated to digital commerce in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia. It began operations in 2021 and sits under the Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority (DIEZ), together with DAFZA and Dubai Silicon Oasis.

It is not limited to e-commerce. Dubai CommerCity issues e-commerce, trade, general trading, service and industrial licences (light manufacturing, packaging and assembly), plus a dual licence with the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) that lets you operate on the mainland without a separate mainland office. Activities follow the ISIC 4 list: the base licence covers three activities from the same group, and you can add up to 20 activities across four groups.

You can form a Free Zone Company (FZCO) with 1 to 50 shareholders, individuals or companies, a PLC if you plan to list shares, or a branch of an existing company with no share capital. Dubai CommerCity's own pages give different minimum share capital figures, so we confirm the current rule before you apply.

The zone has three clusters. The Business Cluster has smart desks, coworking, fitted and premium offices and shell-and-core space. The Logistics Cluster has dedicated warehouses, shared third-party warehousing, fulfilment centres and last-mile delivery services. The Social Cluster has retail units, restaurants and kiosks. The Business and Logistics Clusters are bonded, so imported goods can be stored without paying customs duty until they leave for the UAE market. Visa allocations are not published and depend on the space you lease; we confirm them for your plan.

Dubai CommerCity suits brands that hold stock in Dubai and ship to customers in the UAE and the region, marketplace sellers, and logistics or tech firms serving online retailers. If you sell only digital services, any free zone with the right activity may cost less. If you want a shop or a mainland-only online store, a Dubai e-commerce licence on the mainland may fit better. If your business is broader air-cargo trading, compare DAFZA next door.

Goods sold to UAE customers leave the bonded area through Dubai Customs, with customs duty and import VAT paid, so plan for UAE VAT registration. Dubai CommerCity's FAQ still says companies pay no corporate tax, but federal law now applies: you must register, and income from selling to UAE consumers may not count as qualifying income for the 0% rate. Get tax advice on your sales model before you choose.

After the licence come the establishment card, your Dubai investor visa and staff visas, a customs code, and the corporate bank account. If you still need a store, our e-commerce website development team can build it. Cost depends on the licence type, number of activity groups, the space you lease and the number of visas. Message us on WhatsApp or live chat for a written quote.

What's Included

Advice on licence type (e-commerce, trade, general trading, service, industrial) and whether a dual licence with DET makes sense
Activity selection on the ISIC 4 list, grouped to fit the licence
Advice on company type: FZCO, PLC or branch
Space selection: smart desk, office, warehouse or fulfilment centre
Trade name checks and preparation of the application and UBO documents
Coordination of lease, licence issue and company documents
Establishment card and residence visa processing
Dubai Customs code registration
Support with opening the corporate bank account
Guidance on corporate tax and VAT registration after setup

Requirements / Prerequisites

At least one shareholder (individual or company); up to 50 for an FZCO
Activities on the ISIC 4 list that Dubai CommerCity can license
A lease in Dubai CommerCity (offices are lease only)
Approvals from other authorities if an activity is regulated (for example food or health products)
Share capital as Dubai CommerCity requires (confirmed at the time of application)
For a branch: an existing parent company in good standing

Required Documents

Passport copies of all shareholders, directors and the manager
Passport-size photographs
UAE visa and Emirates ID copies, if resident
Ultimate beneficial ownership declaration form
Certified copies of each beneficial owner's passport or national ID
Proof of residential address for each beneficial owner (utility bill or lease, not older than 3 months)
Trade name choices and proposed activities
Corporate shareholders: group structure chart up to the ultimate parent, certified shareholder register of the parent, latest audited annual report, incorporation documents and board resolution, attested
Business plan or website/platform details if requested

Our Process

Initial consultation: products, sales channels, stock and team size
Choose licence type, activities and company type
Prepare and submit documents, including UBO forms
Initial approval and trade name reservation
Choose and lease your space (smart desk, office, warehouse or fulfilment)
Company registration and licence issue
Establishment card and visas for you and your staff
Dubai Customs code if you import goods
Open the corporate bank account
Register for corporate tax and VAT as required

Pricing

Contact via WhatsApp

Frequently Asked Questions

What licences does Dubai CommerCity offer?

E-commerce, trade, general trading, service and industrial licences, plus a dual licence with DET for mainland operations. Its FAQ also lists a freelance licence. Most online retailers take an e-commerce or trade licence; we match the licence to how you sell.

How many activities can I have on one licence?

Dubai CommerCity follows the ISIC 4 activity list. The base licence covers three activities from the same group, and you can add more, up to 20 activities across four groups.

How many visas can I get in Dubai CommerCity?

Dubai CommerCity does not publish fixed quotas. The number depends on the space you lease, from a smart desk to an office or warehouse. Tell us how many people you plan to hire and we will confirm the right space.

How much does Dubai CommerCity setup cost?

The total depends on the licence type, the number of activity groups, the space you lease (smart desk, office, warehouse or fulfilment), the number of visas and any extra approvals. Dubai CommerCity also offers packages and pay-as-you-go options. Ask us for a written quote.

Can a Dubai CommerCity company sell to customers in the UAE?

Yes. The zone is designed for fulfilment across the UAE. Goods leave the bonded clusters through Dubai Customs, with customs duty and import VAT paid. For mainland operations beyond that, a dual licence with DET is available.

Is Dubai CommerCity tax free?

No personal income tax applies, but companies must register for UAE corporate tax. The 0% rate only applies to qualifying income for a Qualifying Free Zone Person, and sales to UAE consumers may not qualify. Get advice on your sales model.

Dubai CommerCity or a mainland e-commerce licence?

Choose Dubai CommerCity if you hold stock, need bonded storage or fulfilment near DXB, or sell across the region. A mainland e-commerce licence may suit you better if you sell mainly to UAE customers and want a shop or no warehouse.