Table of Contents
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is a logistics services business in Dubai?
A logistics services business in Dubai handles the management of goods and information through the supply chain. It includes freight forwarding, warehousing, transportation, inventory management, and order fulfilment.
2. Which activity code should I choose for a freight forwarding business?
Choose 5229.91 (Logistics and Freight Services) for freight forwarding, customs clearance, and arranging transport by sea, air, road, or rail.
3. Do I need third-party approval to start a logistics business in Dubai?
It depends on the activity. 5229.91 and 5210.00 require post-license approval from the RTA and Dubai Municipality, while 7020.15 and 4920.00 do not require third-party approval.
4. What is the difference between Logistics and Freight Services and Logistics Consultancy?
Logistics and Freight Services (5229.91) handles freight forwarding and physical transport, while Logistics Consultancy (7020.15) focuses on advising businesses on supply chain, inventory, and logistics planning.
5. Can I run a road transport business in Dubai under code 4920.00?
No, 4920.00 (Other land transport) must be conducted outside the UAE. Road transport operations within the UAE require a different license category.
Topic Summary
Dubai's Logistics Market Is Booming
The UAE logistics market was valued at USD 62.08 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 106.04 billion by 2034. This growth is fueled by e-commerce expansion, infrastructure investment, and the UAE's strategic location between Asia, Europe, and Africa.
Jebel Ali Port Anchors the Opportunity
Jebel Ali Port handled 15.5 million TEUs in 2024, ranking 9th globally and holding its position as the largest container port in the Middle East. This creates a constant flow of import, export, and re-export volume for licensed logistics operators to serve.
Understand What Logistics Services Cover
Logistics services encompass the planning, execution, and management of moving goods, services, and information from origin to consumption. Core activities include transportation, warehousing, inventory management, and order fulfilment.
Choose the Right Business Activity Code
When setting up in Dubai, you must select a logistics-related activity code that matches your specific business model under your trade license. Reviewing the official Business Activities List helps ensure your license accurately reflects your operations.
Four Core Areas Drive Logistics Revenue
A Dubai logistics business can operate across road, rail, sea, or air transportation, warehousing and storage, inventory and stock control, and last-mile order fulfilment. Focusing on one or combining several depends on your target market and capital.
Free Zones Offer Strategic Setup Advantages
Dubai's free-zone infrastructure complements its port capacity and central geography, making it one of the world's most active logistics hubs. Free zones can offer tax benefits, full foreign ownership, and proximity to key trade corridors.
Streamlined Setup Options Speed Your Entry
Entrepreneurs can start a logistics company remotely through platforms like Fawri for faster business formation, or use a cost calculator to estimate setup expenses upfront. Getting the right license structure from the start saves time and avoids costly amendments later.
How to Start Logistics Services Business in Dubai
The UAE logistics market reached USD 62.08 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow to USD 106.04 billion by 20341, driven by the expansion of e-commerce, infrastructure investment, and the country's position at the crossroads of Asia, Europe, and Africa.The opportunity is large and growing.
Dubai sits at the centre of that activity. Jebel Ali Port handled 15.5 million TEUs in 2024, ranking 9th globally and remaining the largest container port in the Middle East2, which means a steady stream of import, export, and re-export volume flowing through licensed logistics operators every day.
Logistics services refer to the planning, execution, and management of the movement of goods, services, and information from the point of origin to the point of consumption. This includes activities such as transportation, warehousing, inventory management, and order fulfilment.
Logistics services are essential to many businesses, especially those involved in the production, distribution, and delivery of physical goods. They help to optimise the supply chain and ensure that products are delivered to customers in a timely and efficient manner.
If you are planning to enter this sector, you can start with a streamlined Business Setup in Dubai and select the appropriate logistics-related activity under your trade license.
Dubai's combination of port capacity, free-zone infrastructure, and central geography makes it one of the most active logistics hubs in the world. The numbers underline how much trade flows through the city every year.
It is not just the port. The UAE logistics market is on a USD 62.08 billion (2024) to USD 106.04 billion (2034) trajectory, but the harder-to-replicate moat is Jebel Ali itself, which handled 15.5 million TEUs in 2024, ranking 9th globally and remaining the largest container port in the Middle East.
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Sources: Expert Market Research / Research and Markets: UAE Logistics Market Size and Share Outlook 2025-2034 (2025); Supply Chain Magazine, citing DP World(2025)
Operating a logistics services business in Dubai gives you scope across four core areas:
| Core Area | What It Covers |
|---|---|
| Transportation | Movement of goods by road, rail, sea, or air |
| Warehousing and storage | Storage of goods in facilities |
| Inventory management | Stock control and tracking |
| Order fulfilment | Last-mile distribution and delivery |
The business activities that fall under Logistics Services are listed below. Use the table to find the activity code that matches your business model, then expand the detailed section underneath to read the full description.
To explore more related licensing options, you can check the Business Activities List. You can also calculate your setup cost using the Business Setup Cost Calculator or start your company formation instantly through Fawri for faster business setup.
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