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How to get a logistics business license in the UAE

Cargo transportation, customs clearance, sea and air freight, cargo storage services – these are the fastest growing sectors in the biggest commercial and logistics hub in the Middle East.
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The UAE is the Middle East’s largest international transport node, connecting air, sea and land routes from West to East, Europe, Africa and Asia. It has a highly advanced and well-developed infrastructure and logistics capability thanks to strong government support and multibillion investments in the sector. To help you take full advantage of this remarkable opportunity, SORP provides fast and seamless licensing procedures and full support for your logistics business in the UAE.

Types of logistics business activities that can be licensed in the UAE

Freight broker
Brokerage for air, sea, and land freight transportation, handling matters with customs and insurance brokers.
Customs broker
Preparing customs declarations and bills of lading, representing a declarant with customs authorities for cargo clearance.
Warehouse storage
Warehouse facilities and management, goods inwards, sorting, loading, unloading, packing goods, raw materials, and more.
Air cargo transportation
Air freight, packing and sorting at the airport, air fleet management including leasing and freight forwardng.
Sea cargo transportation
Container, RORO and bulk sea freight, packing and sorting at the seaports, vessel and container leasing.
Land cargo transportation
Overland freight by road and rail, expediting shipments, dispatch support for groupage cargo.
A large number of logistics business activities can be licensed in the UAE. The law allows businesses to be incorporated for carrying out courier delivery, cargo packing, loading and unloading services, and storage of highly specialized goods, in addition to the main activities of the business. Some logistics activities require extra approvals from the authorities.
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UAE governmental authorities responsible for providing specific licenses for logistics business

Dubai Customs

Brokerage activities for performing customs clearance procedures must be approved by the Customs Department of Dubai Emirate.

Dubai Police

Provides approvals of general warehouse services, along with compulsory registration of the security systems of companies engaged in in logistics.

General Civil Aviation Authority

Provides permissions to operate an air cargo transportation company, along with aircraft registration and additional certifications.

Maritime Authority

Controls activities of maritime logistics companies and approves cargo processing procedures in the jurisdictions of ports.

Roads and Transport Authority

Provides permissions to operate cargo and passenger land transportation in the UAE over the public road network.

Food Control Department

This Dubai Municipality Department provides accreditations of food storage wharehouses and foodstuff delivery.

Ministry of Climate Change

Controls the import and distribution of agricultural goods and produce, along with transportation of live animals, fertilizers and plants

Civil Defence

Controls import and re-export of hazardous materials, substances and cargo as well as their storage and transportation.
Foreign investors in the UAE can set up a highly profitable logistics services and support business. They will enjoy the benefits of proactive state support policies in an environment free from corporate and personal taxes. SORP experts will perform analysis and due diligence of the logistics market services that you are interested in. We will also provide full support for the incorporation of your business and for obtaining relevant approvals from the authorities.

SORP Group expert solutions for certification of your products in the UAE

Business model selection
We will find the best solution for what you want to achieve, the most suitable license and company type
Business incorporation
We cooperate closely with the registration authorities and so we can deliver services quickly
Outsourcedbusiness processes
We provide integrated legal, tax, accounting and administrative services with full business support
Prestigious registered address
SORP Business Center offers clients offices to rent and help to pass the licensing procedures
Opening bank accounts
We know the compliance process of UAE banks and provide help in passing KYC.
Local partner or agent for LLC incorporation
Nominee service from SORP Investment LLC protected by waiver of rights in the court.

The UAE is an ideal platform for the import and sale of your products

Security and stability
The State ensures the safety of cargo and takes wide-ranging measures to protect transport and logistics service providers in the country. The strategy for developing logistics businesses proposes equipping ports, customs terminals, warehouses and the road network with cutting-edge technical solutions and constantly improving infrastructure.
Highly developed infrastructure
The UAE leads the ratings of 50 emerging world markets in providing top quality transport logistics. That means airports and seaports are fitted out with the most modern equipment, and the UAE federal road network topped the ratings for the best road infrastructure in the world.
State protection of investor rights
UAE protection of investor rights is guaranteed by the country’s participation in a number (more than 50) of bilateral international agreements on mutual investments protection. Also the state itself safeguards foreign investments in the local economy.
An extensive network of trade agreements
The Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (CCASG) assures significant benefits through ensuring zero customs duties and unified tax rates across the region. In addition, the UAE has signed more than 20 strategic trade and cooperation agreements with international partners.
Tax benefits
The UAE has essentially a nil taxation regime with a zero per cent rate on corporate profits and personal income. VAT is only 5% for a number of categories in the internal market. Any owner/beneficiary of a logistics business may apply for tax residency (domicile) in the UAE and be protected from automatic exchange of tax information (CRS).
Favorable geographic location
An ideal geographic location at the crossroads of Europe, Africa and Asia, makes the UAE a world acknowledged trading “hub” and an international logistics center. Its highly developed transport network allows cargos to flow smoothly with convenient storage, unloading and transportation within the country and abroad.
SORP Group experts unanimously believe that the UAE is in real need of new players in the field of logistics who can bring extensive international experience. That will inject fresh thinking and new ready-made solutions, and will create a truly competitive environment. These international companies will drive positive changes in the UAE logistics market and related services, with inevitable improvement in quality standards.
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