Logistics & warehousing
How to start a moving and relocation company in Dubai
Moving and relocation is a mainland activity requiring transport authority permits, and international moving adds freight forwarding and customs to the licence.
The market
What the sector actually looks like.
A permanently mobile expatriate population generates continuous relocation demand — people arriving, moving within the country, and leaving. Corporate relocation contracts with large employers are the stable end of the market; individual moves are seasonal and price-sensitive.
Figures on this page
UAE logistics market estimated around USD 65bn in 2025, forecast to roughly USD 112bn by 2035 (5.5% CAGR). Jebel Ali handled 15.5 million TEU in 2024. Road freight accounts for about 46% of the market and Dubai for about 39%.
Market research aggregates and DP World reporting, 2024–25
How the business actually makes money
Labour and vehicle cost against a quoted price, with the quote made before you have seen how much there is to move. Underquoting is the classic failure and it happens constantly. Corporate contracts pay better and pay reliably; consumer moves pay less and cluster in summer. International moves carry freight forwarding economics and better margin, with customs risk attached.
Why here
Regional advantages
Continuous population churn
Arrivals, internal moves and departures happen year-round in a way static markets do not replicate.
Corporate relocation budgets
Large employers relocate staff and pay properly for it, with contracts rather than one-off jobs.
Low barrier to entry for domestic moving
A licence, a truck and crew. You can start small and grow with cash flow.
And the other side
Regional disadvantages
Extremely seasonal
The summer peak around the school year is severe, and the rest of the year is quiet. Fixed costs continue.
Damage claims are routine
Household goods get damaged. Insurance and clear terms are essential and the disputes are unpleasant regardless.
International moves need more than a transport licence
Customs and freight forwarding activities are required for the international leg. Handling it on a domestic licence fails at the border with a customer's belongings.
Why this is different
Not just logistics & warehousing.
Domestic moving is a transport business; international relocation is a freight business with a customer service problem attached. They need different activities.
Approvals beyond the trade licence
Mainland licence, transport authority vehicle permits, freight forwarding and customs code for international moves, and goods-in-transit insurance.
Where to license it
The logistics & warehousing activity in full · The general setup guide
Questions
A mainland licence with transport authority vehicle permits for domestic moving. International relocation additionally requires freight forwarding and a customs code.
It can be, with corporate contracts smoothing the severe summer seasonality. Underquoting jobs is the most common reason small operators fail.
Goods-in-transit cover is essential rather than optional. Damage claims on household goods are routine in this trade.
One question
Who will be paying your invoices?
Textbook free zone. Re-export through JAFZA, SAIF or KEZAD without the goods entering the domestic market is exactly what customs suspension was designed for, and the duty saving is real.
Compare the two routesOr just ask usDomestic distribution and last-mile delivery are mainland transport activities requiring emirate transport authority permits. A free zone licence covers the international leg and stops at the zone gate.
Compare the two routesOr just ask usMost forwarders end up with both — a free zone entity for the international movement and a mainland partner or branch for domestic distribution. Structuring that deliberately beats discovering it.
Answer five questions insteadOr just ask us