Dubai South Logistics District Business Setup
Expert Dubai South Logistics District Business Setup Consultancy
The Logistics District, formerly known as Dubai Logistics City (DLC), is the world’s first multi-modal integrated logistics platform, offering direct access to air, sea, and road transportation within Dubai South Free Zone. Its airport-seaport corridor, linking Al Maktoum International Airport to Jebel Ali Port, lets businesses move cargo across transport modes in minutes rather than hours.
The district offers rentable facilities spanning approximately 400,000 square metres, giving companies the flexibility to set up offices, warehouses, and showrooms suited to their specific logistics operations. This makes it a genuine fit for freight forwarders, third-party logistics providers, and supply chain businesses, distinct from Dubai South’s office-focused Business Park or its aviation-specific Aviation District.
At FAR Consulting Middle East, we manage Logistics District company formation from licence selection through documentation, approvals, and visa processing.
Start Your Logistics District Company FormationBenefits of Dubai South Logistics District Business Setup
The Logistics District gives supply chain and freight businesses genuine multi-modal infrastructure alongside standard free zone benefits. Key advantages include:
- 100% foreign ownership, with no local partner required
- Full repatriation of capital and profits
- Commercial independence and operational flexibility
- No government restrictions on distributing profits or withdrawing investment assets
- Import and export privileges
- No currency exchange regulation
- Direct airport-seaport corridor access
These advantages make the Logistics District especially attractive to freight forwarders, cargo handlers, and 3PL operators.
Who Should Choose the Logistics District
The Logistics District is purpose-built for supply chain and cargo-related businesses. It’s a strong fit for:
- Freight forwarders and cargo handlers
- Third-party logistics (3PL) operators
- E-commerce fulfilment and distribution centres
- Cold chain and specialized storage businesses
- Import, export, and general trading companies
If your business doesn’t need warehousing or airside cargo access, Dubai South’s Business Park may be a better, lower-cost fit for a standard office-based licence.
Ownership Rules for Logistics District Companies
Companies registered in the Logistics District, like all Dubai South free zone entities, are eligible for 100% foreign ownership, with no requirement for a local citizen partner or fixed 51/49 shareholding split. This has always been a core benefit of free zone company formation in the UAE, distinct from the historical mainland local sponsor requirement.
Minimum capital requirements depend on your chosen licence type and activity. We confirm the exact capital structure for your specific setup during consultation, rather than applying a fixed figure across all activities.
Types of Licenses in the Logistics District
Licensing in the Logistics District covers activities suited to freight, cargo, and supply chain operations:
- Industrial Licence: for light manufacturing and processing activities
- Commercial Licence: for specific trading, oil and gas, real estate, and aviation-linked trading activities
- General Trading Licence: for trading across a wide range of goods
- Service Licence: covering specific services, freight forwarding, oil and gas, real estate, and aviation-related services
We confirm which licence category fits your specific activity before you apply.
Documents Required for Logistics District Company Registration
Setting up a company in the Logistics District requires a defined set of documents:
- Passport copies of shareholders
- Passport copy and CV of the manager
- Personal information sheet for each shareholder and manager
- Proof of trade name reservation
- Proof of initial approval for the intended activity
- Notarized Memorandum of Association (MOA) and Articles of Association (AOA)
- Notarized and attested Power of Attorney appointing your consultant as legal representative
- Lease agreement showing a physical address, with a minimum space requirement depending on activity
For corporate shareholders and branches, additional documents apply: an attested and notarized Memorandum and Articles of Association, a board resolution expressing intent to establish a UAE entity, and a certificate of registration or incorporation, all attested by the UAE Embassy at the place of origin. Certain activities, such as healthcare, law firms, education, transportation, construction, and engineering consultancy, require additional no-objection approvals.
Process of Logistics District Company Formation
- Choose your business activity. This determines your licence category and any additional approvals required.
- Select your legal structure. Decide between an FZE, FZ-LLC, or branch office.
- Reserve your trade name. Confirm your company name meets naming rules and is available.
- Obtain initial approval. Secure confirmation from the relevant authority before proceeding with documentation.
- Prepare your legal documents. Draft and notarize the MOA and AOA, and any required Power of Attorney.
- Secure your facility. Choose office, warehouse, or showroom space suited to your logistics activity.
- Receive your trade licence. Once documentation and fees are processed, your licence is issued.
- Apply for visas. Process residence visas for shareholders, managers, and employees.
The overall process typically takes two to four weeks, depending on your activity and how quickly documents are ready.
Support Services for Logistics District Business Setup
FAR Consulting Middle East manages the full Logistics District company formation process. Our support includes:
- Applying for and following up on your Certificate of Business Registration
- Representing you in front of Dubai South authorities
- Assisting with corporate bank account opening
- Assisting with registration with the Ministry of Labour
- Assisting with registration with UAE immigration
- Assisting with leasing your Logistics District facility
We stay involved well beyond licence issuance too, including ongoing compliance and renewal support.
Cost of Logistics District Business Setup
The cost of Logistics District company formation depends on several factors, including your licence type, business activity, facility choice, and the number of visas required. Warehousing and cargo-handling facilities generally carry higher costs than a standard trading or service licence, given the space and infrastructure involved.
Because these variables differ from one business to the next, we review your specific requirements first and then provide a clear, itemized cost estimate, with no hidden fees.
Related UAE Business Setup Services
- Dubai South Free Zone – full overview of all Dubai South districts
- Business Setup in Dubai – mainland, free zone, and offshore options in Dubai
- Dubai Free Zone Business Setup – compare Dubai’s free zone options
- Dubai Auto Parts City – setup for auto parts trading businesses
- Dubai Maritime City – setup for maritime and shipping businesses
- UAE Free Zone Business Setup – compare free zones UAE-wide
- Company Liquidation Services – guidance if you ever need to close or restructure your company
- PRO Services – government liaison and document clearing support
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Dubai Logistics City (DLC) was the former name for what is now the Logistics District within Dubai South Free Zone.
No. Free zone companies, including those in the Logistics District, have always allowed 100% foreign ownership with no local partner required.
Freight forwarders, 3PL operators, e-commerce fulfilment centres, cold chain specialists, and import/export businesses.
The Logistics District is built for warehousing, cargo, and supply chain operations, while Business Park serves office-based, non-industrial companies without a logistics footprint.
The process typically takes two to four weeks, depending on your business activity and how quickly documents are ready.
Cost depends on your licence type, business activity, facility choice, and number of visas. We provide a clear, itemized estimate once we understand your specific plans.