Table of Contents
How to Start a Transportation Support Services Business in Dubai
This activity covers freight forwarding and logistics support. You arrange the movement of goods by road, rail, sea or air, and handle the paperwork. In the UAE, a global trade gateway, this service is in strong demand.
The market is large and growing. The UAE freight forwarding market was worth about USD 21.6 billion in 2025. It is set to reach USD 35.1 billion by 2032. 1 The country also re-exported goods worth USD 196 billion in 2024, all needing arranging and paperwork. 2 Jebel Ali Port links to more than 150 ports worldwide.
For operators, this means steady demand for freight and logistics help. A Meydan Free Zone business license lets you run transport support services. It needs no third-party approval, as shown below.
[blockCTATradeLicense]
Why Freight Support Is in Demand
- Trade gateway: The UAE links Asia, Europe and Africa.
- Re-export hub: Goods flow through and need arranging.
- Paperwork: Customs and papers need handling.
- One contract: Clients want freight and logistics bundled.
- Global reach: Jebel Ali links to 150-plus ports.
The UAE Freight and Logistics Engine
A global trade gateway keeps demand for freight forwarding and logistics high. Here are the key numbers.
Sources: Coherent Market Insights; Ken Research
Who Is This Activity For?
5229.00 - Other Transportation Support Activities
Activity 5229.00 covers other services that support transport. This includes forwarding freight, arranging transport by road, rail, sea or air, and grouping shipments. It also covers planning, transport papers, customs work and cargo booking.
The license covers arranging and supporting the movement of goods. It does not cover courier and parcel delivery, or transport insurance. Note that some services, such as air-cargo agent work, carry their own approval. Those limits are shown below.
[blockFaqsCategory]
It helps to be clear on what this license does not cover. It does not cover courier and parcel delivery, which has its own activity. It also does not cover transport insurance or travel agency work. Some services, such as air-cargo agent or freight broker work, carry their own approval and are licensed on their own.
In short: if you are arranging and supporting the movement of goods, you are in. If you are delivering parcels, selling insurance, or acting as a travel agent, those are separate activities.
[blockCTABizActivityList]
Compliance
THIRD-PARTY APPROVAL
This activity does not require third-party approval to obtain a business license from Meydan Free Zone.
ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING COMPLIANCE
This business activity is not subject to AML compliance requirements.
References
1 Coherent Market Insights. UAE Freight Forwarding Market valued at about USD 21.56 billion in 2025, projected to reach USD 35.08 billion by 2032, a CAGR of 7.2 per cent.
2 Ken Research. UAE re-exports totalled about USD 196 billion in 2024, with Jebel Ali Port connecting to more than 150 ports worldwide.
