Dubai CommerCity (DCC) – The MENA Region’s First E-Commerce Free Zone
Jointly developed by Dubai Airport Free Zone Authority (DAFZA) and Wasl Properties, Dubai CommerCity spans 2.1 million ft² and represents AED 3.2 billion in investment. Purpose-built for online retail, it sits beside Dubai International Airport and the major Emirates Road / Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road highways—placing your fulfilment hub minutes from the GCC’s busiest air-cargo gateway.
Why Set Up in Dubai CommerCity?
| Advantage | Detail |
|---|---|
| E-commerce gateway | Direct market access to 570 m+ consumers across MENA & South Asia |
| Prime location | 5 min to Dubai cargo village; fast links to Jebel Ali Port & UAE highway network |
| Smart logistics | 105 tech-enabled warehousing units with air-side express clearance |
| Free-zone incentives | 0 % corporate & personal tax, 100 % foreign ownership, capital repatriation, no currency limits |
| One-stop shop | On-site customs, licensing, and regulatory counters—processes completed in hours |
| World-class ecosystem | Integrated last-mile partners, payment gateways, marketing studios & reverse-logistics providers |
| Sustainability | LEED-compliant offices & solar-powered warehouses reduce utility costs |
Masterplan – Three Purpose-Built Clusters
| Cluster | Features | Key Stats |
|---|---|---|
| Business Cluster | 12 LEED-certified office buildings, co-working floors, meeting hubs | 175,000 m² leasable |
| Logistics Cluster | 105 modular fulfilment units, high-bay racking, mezzanine offices, rooftop solar | 53,000 m² leasable |
| Social Cluster | Art galleries, cafés, fine-dining, fitness & event spaces—ideal HQ lifestyle draw | Central pedestrian plaza |
Core Free-Zone Benefits
- Fast-track licensing – trade licence, MOA & lease issued in 3–5 days
- Integrated customs corridor – 24/7 clearance; bonded storage option
- Plug-and-play e-commerce packages – storefront build, digital-marketing, and cross-border shipping bundled
- Flexible workspace – hot desks to bespoke G+Mezz office-showrooms
- Scalable visa quotas – from zero-visa virtual licences up to 50 visas per warehouse plot
- Dedicated data-centre tiers – secure hosting for marketplaces & fintech
Typical Licence Categories
| Licence | Suitable For | Visa Band |
|---|---|---|
| E-Commerce Trading | B2C / B2B platform import-export, drop-shipping | 1 – 50 |
| Commercial / General Trading | Multi-line wholesale & distribution | 3 – 50 |
| Services / Consultancy | Digital-marketing, logistics management, IT support | 0 – 20 |
| Logistics Services | 3PL warehousing, last-mile delivery, returns | 5 – 50 |
All licences may combine up to three activity groups under one trade name.
Five-Step Company-Formation Roadmap
- Select activities & workspace (desk, office, or logistics unit).
- Reserve trade name and submit shareholder KYC (passport, photo, proof of address).
- E-sign incorporation pack (MOA, lease, share register) via DCC portal.
- Pay set-up fees—receive e-licence and establishment card within 72 hrs.
- Apply for visas (if required): entry permit → medical & biometrics → 2-year residence stamp.
Entire process can be handled remotely with Smart Business Creation’s power of attorney.
Required Documentation
| Individual Shareholder | Corporate Shareholder |
|---|---|
| Passport copy & photo | Notarised Cert. of Incorporation |
| UAE entry-stamp / visa copy | Memorandum & Articles |
| Proof of address | Board Resolution & Power of Attorney |
| — | Certificate of Incumbency (≤ 3 months) |
All corporate documents must be notarised and legalised; accepted in English or Arabic.
Post-Licence Support & Ecosystem Services
- Fulfilment & 3PL onboarding
- Marketplace integration (Amazon, Noon, Shopify, Noon Food)
- Digital-marketing studio – photo, video, VR content labs
- Customs consultancy – HS-code classification, duty optimisation
- Returns hub – consolidated reverse-logistics solutions
- Bank-account opening – tie-ups with UAE’s leading e-commerce-friendly banks
Why Partner with Smart Business Creation?
- 15 years’ UAE free-zone expertise; e-commerce specialists
- Tailored cost modelling & activity selection
- One-day document drafting & notarisation facilitation
- End-to-end licensing, visa & banking handled remotely
- Ongoing PRO services – renewals, amendments, VAT, ESR, UBO filings
