Dubai CommerCity (DCC) is a free zone dedicated to digital commerce, located in Umm Ramool next to Dubai International Airport. It is a joint venture between the Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority (DIEZ) and Wasl, and sits under DIEZ alongside Dubai Airport Freezone and Dubai Silicon Oasis. It suits online retailers, e-commerce brands, marketplaces and the logistics and service companies that support them. We help you pick the right licence, company type and space in DCC, prepare the documents and handle the application, visas and corporate bank account.
- Location: Umm Ramool, next to Dubai International Airport (DXB)
- Authority: Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority (DIEZ)
- Ownership of the zone: joint venture between DIEZ and Wasl
- Company types: Freezone Company (FZCO), Public Limited Company (PLC), Branch
- Shareholders: 1 to 50 for an FZCO (individuals or companies)
- Ownership: 100% foreign ownership
- Customs: the Business and Logistics clusters are bonded zones
- Space: smart desks, offices, coworking, warehouses, fulfilment centres and retail units
Who Dubai CommerCity Suits
- Online stores and direct-to-consumer brands selling across the region
- Marketplaces and e-commerce platforms
- Importers who want to hold stock in a bonded zone before selling
- Fulfilment, last-mile and third-party warehousing providers
- Digital marketing, payments and technology service firms that work with e-commerce businesses
- Light manufacturing, packaging and assembly businesses linked to online sales
- Free zone companies that also want a Dubai mainland licence through the Dual Licence with DET
Licence Types in Dubai CommerCity
E-commerce licence
For selling goods and services online, handling digital transactions and running the business digitally.
Trade licence
For import, export, re-export, storage and distribution of the specific products named on the licence.
General trading licence
For trading across a broad range of goods, including import, export, storage and distribution in several industries.
Service licence
For providing the services named on the licence, such as consulting and advisory work.
Industrial licence
For light manufacturing, packaging and assembly inside the free zone.
Dual Licence with DET
Lets a DCC company obtain a Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) mainland licence without taking separate physical office space on the mainland.
Choosing the right licence
Many online businesses do more than one thing. A brand that sells on its own website, holds stock in a bonded warehouse and also supplies retailers in bulk may need trade activities as well as e-commerce activities. A software or marketing agency that serves online stores usually needs a service licence instead. The activities on your licence decide what you can legally do, what approvals you need and, later, which income may count as qualifying income for corporate tax. We map your sales channels to the right activities before you apply, so you do not need to amend the licence soon after setup.
Company Types in Dubai CommerCity
Freezone Company (FZCO)
1 to 50 shareholders, who can be individuals or companies. A single-shareholder company is also set up as an FZCO.
The share capital requirement is low; we confirm the current minimum with DCC when we prepare your application.
Public Limited Company (PLC)
For businesses that plan to offer shares to the public through an IPO.
Branch
An existing UAE or foreign company can open a branch in DCC.
No share capital is required.
Office, Warehouse and Fulfilment Space
DCC is laid out in three clusters. The Business cluster has smart desks, premium and fitted offices, shell and core units and coworking space. The Logistics cluster has dedicated warehouses, third-party warehousing, a fulfilment centre and last-mile services. The Social cluster has retail units, restaurants, a food hall and kiosks. The Business and Logistics clusters are bonded zones, so foreign goods can be brought in and stored under customs supervision without paying duty straight away. One licence can cover several leased premises, and space is leased rather than sold. The space you lease affects your visa plan, so we confirm the allocation with DCC before you sign, and our PRO team handles the visa and Emirates ID process.
How to Set Up a Company in Dubai CommerCity
- Free consultation: we confirm your business activity, licence type and company type.
- Activity check: some activities, such as food or health products, need approval from another government department; we tell you up front.
- Prepare the initial approval and registration documents, including the ultimate beneficial owner details.
- Submit the application to DCC and pay the fees.
- Receive your licence and choose your office, warehouse or desk.
- Apply for investor and employee visas and Emirates IDs.
- Open your corporate bank account and register for corporate tax.
Documents You Need
For individual shareholders: passport copy, passport photo, and UAE visa or Emirates ID if you already live in the UAE.
Ultimate beneficial owner (UBO) details: a UBO declaration form, a certified copy of each UBO's passport or national ID (with an English translation if needed) and proof of residential address, such as a utility bill or tenancy contract, not more than 3 months old.
For a company shareholder or a branch: certificate of incorporation, memorandum and articles of association and a board resolution from the parent company, usually attested, plus a group structure chart up to the ultimate parent, the parent's shareholder register and its latest audited annual report.
We send you the exact checklist for your activity.
Dubai CommerCity Setup Costs
Your cost depends on the licence type, the space you need (a smart desk, an office, a warehouse or fulfilment services), the number of visas and any activity approvals. DCC does not publish package prices on its website. Tell us your activity, stock and visa needs and we send you a written, itemised quote.
Corporate Tax for Dubai CommerCity Companies
Every Dubai CommerCity company must register for UAE corporate tax with the Federal Tax Authority, even if it expects to pay 0%. A Qualifying Free Zone Person pays 0% on qualifying income if it meets the conditions, which include keeping adequate substance in the UAE and meeting the de minimis rules; its other taxable income is taxed at 9%. A company that does not qualify is taxed like any UAE business: 0% on taxable income up to AED 375,000 and 9% above that. Our group's tax agency can handle registration, the qualifying income review and filing. For online retailers there is one more point to check: income from transactions with individual consumers is generally treated as an excluded activity, which does not get the 0% rate. We review your sales model before you rely on the free zone rate.
Why Set Up in Dubai CommerCity With Jitendra Business Consultants
Company formation in the UAE since 2001, with 5,500+ companies formed. One group for setup, accounting, VAT, corporate tax and trademarks. Offices in Dubai and Sharjah, with advice in English, Arabic and Hindi.
Dubai CommerCity Company Setup FAQs
Who regulates Dubai CommerCity?
Dubai CommerCity is one of the three zones under the Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority (DIEZ), with Dubai Airport Freezone and Dubai Silicon Oasis. The zone is a joint venture between DIEZ and Wasl.
Where is Dubai CommerCity located?
In Umm Ramool, next to Dubai International Airport.
Can a foreigner own 100% of a company in Dubai CommerCity?
Yes. DCC lists 100% foreign ownership as a free zone benefit.
How many shareholders can a Dubai CommerCity company have?
A Freezone Company (FZCO) can have 1 to 50 shareholders, who can be individuals or companies. A branch is owned by its parent company.
Do I need an e-commerce licence to sell online from Dubai CommerCity?
If your main activity is selling goods or services online, the e-commerce licence is the usual choice. If you also import and distribute stock in bulk, a trade or general trading licence may fit better. We help you choose.
Can a Dubai CommerCity company sell on the Dubai mainland?
Yes, through the Dual Licence with DET, which gives a DCC company a mainland licence without separate mainland office space.
What is a bonded zone in Dubai CommerCity?
The Business and Logistics clusters are bonded zones. Foreign goods can enter and be stored there under customs supervision without paying duty immediately.
Do e-commerce companies in DCC pay 0% corporate tax?
Only on qualifying income, and only if the company is a Qualifying Free Zone Person. Sales to individual consumers are generally excluded activities, so many online retailers pay 9% on that income. We check your case.