How to Register a Company in Dubai South?

Dubai South (Logistics District) is the best place when your business needs fast access to air cargo, bonded warehousing, and easy connectivity to sea and road routes. It sits in the Dubai South master development and is positioned around logistics infrastructure and trade movement—so you’re not just “getting a license”, you’re setting up inside an ecosystem designed for shipping, storage, and distribution.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through the practical steps to register a company in Dubai South Logistics District, what documents you’ll need, how timelines usually look, and the mistakes that slow approvals down.

Why Dubai South Logistics District is popular for logistics and trading

Dubai South presents itself as a global logistics hub with warehousing, e-commerce zones, and air–land–sea connectivity, plus “bonded” logistics options that help cargo move efficiently.

This location tends to fit businesses such as:

• Freight forwarding & logistics operators
• E-commerce fulfilment and 3PL companies
• Warehousing and distribution
• Spare parts trading (particularly time-sensitive supply chains)
• Light assembly / packaging operations (where permitted)

Step 1: Choose the right activity and license type 

Dubai South company registration starts with picking your business activity and matching it to the correct license category. In practice, most Logistics District setups fall under a Logistics License or a Commercial/Trading License, while some operations may require an Industrial License depending on what you do on-site.

Quick rule:
If you move/store/manage goods, lean toward logistics. If you buy/sell goods, you’ll likely need trading (or a combined structure depending on your plan). Get details on Business Setup in Dubai.

Step 2: Pick a legal structure that matches your ownership and expansion plan

Common structures investors use in free zones include:

• Free Zone LLC (FZ-LLC / FZCO type structure) for a new company
• Branch of an existing UAE or foreign company

Your decision affects bank account onboarding, visa planning, and how you show “substance” in the free zone (especially important for tax positioning).

Step 3: Decide your facility: flexi-desk, office, or warehouse

In the Logistics District, your facility choice is not just “where you sit”—it often impacts:

• visa quota
• operational permissions
• inspection or compliance expectations.

Dubai South’s offering warehousing solutions and logistics-focused facilities.
Some marketing material also lists warehouse specifications (size options, loading access, floor load, etc.), which matters if you’re planning storage or fulfillment.

Tip: If you’re still validating the market, start lean with a smaller setup and upgrade facility size when your volumes grow. Looking for a  Company Registration in Dubai South?

Step 4: Reserve your trade name (and prepare backup options)

Trade name reservation is where many applications lose time. To avoid back-and-forth:

• Prepare 3–5 name options
• Avoid restricted words unless you have approvals
• Keep the name aligned with the activity (especially for logistics/trade)

Step 5: Get initial approval and submit the incorporation application

Once you lock activity + name + structure, you’ll submit the company formation application via the free zone process. Expect to provide shareholder and manager information, activity notes, and your facility selection. Get details on Visa Services in UAE.

Step 6: Prepare your document set (clean scans matter more than people think)

Most free zone company formations typically require:

• Passport copy (shareholders + manager)
• UAE entry stamp / visa page (if applicable)
• Photo (passport-size)
• Contact details and address
• Sometimes a brief business plan for regulated or logistics-heavy activities

(Exact requirements can vary by profile and activity, so we treat this as a working checklist, not a promise.)

Step 7: Sign the lease / facility agreement (this unlocks licensing)

Your lease or flexi-desk allocation often becomes the switch that moves your application from “processing” to “license issuance”.

A realistic incorporation workflow often includes leasing/facility allocation during the mid-stage of processing (especially for free zones).

Step 8: Pay fees and collect your business license + incorporation documents

After approvals and payment, you receive your company docs (license + registration/incorporation papers). Many providers quote different timelines; in practice, issuance can be quick once documents and lease are approved, but it still depends on activity and compliance checks. Obtaining an Professional License in Dubai.

Typical timeline snapshot (indicative)

(Timelines vary by case complexity, shareholder profile, and whether the activity is regulated.)

Step 9: Set up visas (if you need them)

If you’re hiring staff or relocating yourself, plan visas early because:

• visa quota often ties to facility type/size
• medical + Emirates ID steps take time

Step 10: Open a corporate bank account + plan your tax compliance properly

After licensing, you typically proceed with a UAE corporate bank account. Also, remember: “free zone” doesn’t mean “ignore corporate tax.”

The UAE Corporate Tax framework allows a Qualifying Free Zone Person to benefit from 0% corporate tax on qualifying income, while other income can be taxed at the standard rate—provided conditions are met.
So, if you’re setting up a logistics, trading, or e-commerce structure in Dubai South, plan your:

• invoicing flows (free zone vs mainland clients)
• substance (people, premises, decision-making)
• audited financial requirements (where applicable)

Practical takeaway: You need to develop your operating model first, and then determine the structure that works best with it. Get details on Bank Account Opening in Dubai.

Cost components to budget for 

Costs change based on activity and facility, so instead of throwing one “package price,” budget by components:

Some market sources quote entry-level Dubai South packages starting around AED 12,500, but treat this as a starting signal only—your final number depends heavily on activity + facility + visas.

Common mistakes that delay Dubai South registrations

• Choosing a “trading” activity when you actually need logistics permissions (or the reverse).
• Submitting unclear passport scans (cut edges, glare, low resolution).
• Picking a trade name that triggers extra review.
• Underestimating facility needs (then needing amendments mid-way).
• Not planning tax positioning (0% eligibility depends on conditions).

Related Articles:

» Documents necessary to establish business in Dubai South Free-Zone

» Business Setup Process in Dubai South Free Zone

» License Types provided by Dubai South Free Zone

» Setup your Business in Dubai South Free Zone

» Dubai South: A Strategic Location for Logistics Businesses

How Black Swan Business Setup Service can help

At Black Swan Business Setup Service, we handle the full journey: activity mapping, trade name checks, document preparation, Dubai South company registration, facility coordination (desk/office/warehouse), and visa + compliance setup—so you avoid the “re-apply, re-submit, re-pay” cycle.\

FAQs on “Register a Company in Dubai South”