United Arab Emirates

Company Formation in Dubai CommerCity

Dubai CommerCity Free Zone (DCC)

Formation Time

2–4 business days

Min. Capital

AED 50,000

Corporate Tax

0% qualifying income / 9% standard

Foreign Ownership

100%

Overview

Dubai CommerCity (DCC) is the first and only dedicated e-commerce free zone in the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia (MENASA) region. Jointly developed as a multi-billion-dirham initiative by the Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority (DIEZ / DAFZA) and Wasl, Dubai CommerCity spans 2.1 million square feet in Umm Ramool, strategically situated just five minutes from Dubai International Airport (DXB). Designed specifically to accelerate the growth of global and regional e-commerce businesses, DCC provides an integrated turnkey ecosystem: advanced Grade-A office spaces, automated multi-client smart warehouses, on-site customs clearance, last-mile logistics integrations (DHL, FedEx, Aramex, Emirates Post), and specialized business support services including e-commerce platform integration, digital marketing, and payment gateway onboarding. Dubai CommerCity is the premier launchpad for direct-to-consumer (D2C) brands, omnichannel retailers, cross-border marketplaces, and fulfillment service providers.

MENA's #1 dedicated e-commerce hub

5 minutes from DXB Airport

Automated smart fulfillment centers

Integrated Stripe & courier partnerships

0% QFZP corporate tax

Why Choose Dubai CommerCity

MENASA's premier dedicated e-commerce free zone cluster

Immediate proximity to Dubai International Airport (DXB) and central logistics corridors

Automated smart warehousing with multi-client shared storage and temperature control

On-site dedicated Dubai Customs office ensuring rapid import/export clearance

Pre-negotiated logistics, freight, and last-mile carrier partnerships

Turnkey e-commerce platform onboarding with Shopify, Magento, and regional aggregators

100% foreign company ownership and 100% capital and profit repatriation

0% personal tax and 0% Qualifying Free Zone Person (QFZP) tax on qualifying cross-border trade

Business Entity Types

Entity	Ownership	Directors	Capital	Tax	Best For
Free Zone Company (FZCO)	100%	1 individual	AED 50,000 (standard)	0% QFZP qualifying income / 9% standard CIT	E-commerce retailers, D2C brands, dropshipping, cross-border trading
Branch of Foreign Company	100%	1 appointed manager	None	0% QFZP qualifying income / 9% standard CIT	International e-commerce platforms and logistics providers setting up MENA hub

Step-by-Step Formation Process

Activity & Package Selection

1 day

Select e-commerce license activities and desk/office/warehouse package.

Initial Approval & Name Reservation

1–2 days

Submit passport copies, trade name, and application via DIEZ portal.

Lease Contract Signing

1 day

Sign smart desk lease or dedicated fulfillment warehouse agreement.

License Issuance

1 day

Pay authority fees and obtain Dubai CommerCity E-Commerce License.

Banking & Payment Gateway Setup

1–2 weeks

Open corporate bank account and onboard with Stripe, Checkout.com, or local gateways.

Costs & Fees

Government / License Fee	AED 12,500+
Our Service Fee	USD 3,000 – 5,500
Annual Renewal	AED 10,500+

Fees are indicative and may vary based on business activity, entity type, and additional approvals required. Contact us for a precise custom quote.

Get Custom Quote

Banking

Dubai CommerCity companies benefit from priority onboarding with UAE digital business banks (Wio Bank, Mashreq NeoBiz) and international fintech rails, as well as seamless merchant processing integration with Stripe, Checkout.com, Network International, and PayTabs.

Account Opening Time

1–2 weeks (3 business days via Wio Bank)

Multi-Currency

Yes — multiple currencies supported

Recommended Banks

Wio BusinessMashreq BankEmirates NBDCommercial Bank of Dubai (CBD)First Abu Dhabi Bank

Tax Overview

Corporate Tax

0% on Qualifying Income for QFZPs; 9% on non-qualifying income exceeding AED 375,000

Personal Income Tax

VAT / Sales Tax

5% standard VAT rate (exports of goods outside GCC zero-rated)

Capital Gains Tax

Withholding Tax

Double Tax Treaties

137 countries

Qualifying Free Zone Persons (QFZPs) engaged in qualifying trading activities with non-UAE customers enjoy 0% corporate tax.

Visa & Residency

Investor / Partner Visa

2 years (renewable)

For e-commerce founders and company shareholders

Employment Visa

2 years (renewable)

For operations, logistics, marketing, and customer service staff

Family visa: AvailableProcessing: 5–7 business days

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Dubai CommerCity different from other UAE free zones?

Dubai CommerCity is the only free zone in the MENA region purpose-built exclusively for e-commerce. Beyond licensing, it provides an end-to-end e-commerce infrastructure, including automated fulfillment centers, customs-bonded warehousing, direct courier integrations (DHL, FedEx, Aramex), and pre-built partnerships with payment gateways like Stripe and Checkout.com.

Can a Dubai CommerCity company sell products directly to consumers in the UAE mainland?

Yes. Dubai CommerCity companies can distribute goods to UAE mainland consumers through licensed domestic courier and fulfillment partners (such as Emirates Post, Aramex, or DHL) who handle local customs duties (5%) and VAT (5%), or by establishing a dual mainland license branch.

Where is Dubai CommerCity located?

Dubai CommerCity is located in the Umm Ramool district of Dubai, just 5 minutes from Dubai International Airport (DXB). This allows rapid transit of air-cargo shipments directly from the airport runway into CommerCity fulfillment centers.

What types of e-commerce licenses are available in Dubai CommerCity?

CommerCity offers dedicated licenses for E-Commerce Retail, E-Commerce Marketplace Operations, Commercial Brokerage, Social Media Commerce, Software Development, and Logistics/Fulfillment Services.

Do I need to lease a physical warehouse to get a license in Dubai CommerCity?

No. Founders can start with a Smart Desk or Executive Office package with shared fulfillment capabilities. As inventory scales, businesses can upgrade to dedicated or multi-client warehouse units.

Does a Dubai CommerCity company pay 9% UAE corporate tax?

A CommerCity entity qualifying as a Qualifying Free Zone Person (QFZP) pays 0% corporate tax on qualifying income derived from foreign buyers or other free zone entities. Sales delivered into the domestic UAE mainland market are subject to the standard 9% rate on net profits above AED 375,000.