Dubai South Free Zone (DSF) Company Formation

Business setup in DSF Free zone

Dubai South Free Zone, referred to as DSF, was established as an ambitious one-of-its-kind project by the government of Dubai. It’s located near the Jebel Ali Sea Port which enhances its potential as a strategic location for businesses.

Investors that want to carry out the Company Formation in Dubai South Free Zone (DSF) can enjoy from the several advantages this place has to offer. DSF is the home for businesses across several industries such as commercial, logistics, tourism, aviation and more sectors.

DSF, formerly known as Dubai World Central, it’s one of the best places in the UAE where business owners can establish their operations to enter the flourishing UAE market.

Forming a company in DSF

The Business Setup in Dubai South Free Zone (DSF) is a simple and straightforward process that can be done quickly. You just need to gather all the documentation you need and apply for the registration.

The DSF Authority will issue the initial approval, once it has reviewed the documentation. After the approval, the investor should continue with the registration process. You should select a trade name for your corporation as well as the proper business license. In addition, it’s important to get the leasing contract.

DSF Business Activities

To start your Business in Dubai South Free Zone (DSF) you must first determine which business activity you want to carry out. Since DSF is an economic zone where businesses can take advantage of its strategic location, it has been divided into three districts where companies can focus on their acvitiy:

• Aviation District: businesses dedicated to the aviation and aerospace industry can carry out their activities from there. DSF Aviation District hosts businesses that work in a wide range of aviation services such as manufacturing, support, design, training, consultancy, products and parts, research, repair and maintenance, and many more.
• Logistics District: thanks to DSF direct access to a privileged airport and seaport, businesses can conduct several activities from here that are in the global supply chain.
• Business Park: businesses and companies that want to carry out other types of business activities such as startups, commercial activities, and more, can conduct their operation from this place.

Business Licenses for DSF

When you’re considering the Dubai South Free Zone (DSF) Company Setup, you must select a business license that allows you to operate legally in this place. The DSF Authority offers the following types of licenses:

• Logistics License: being one of the main activities of DSF, the Logistics License allows businesses to carry out activities such as distribution, storage, transportation, forwarding and many more logistics related activities.
• Industrial License: companies that hold the Industrial License are allowed to carry out light manufacturing activities in DSF such as repacking, assembling, mixing and more as long as they use noiseless machinery.
• Trading License: the Trading License enables the company to perform trading activities such as import/export, distribution and storing of products.
• General Trading License: the business that wants to carry out trading activities, but it wants access to more items, should apply for the General Trading License. The difference with the Trading License is that this covers a wider range of products.
• Service License: companies with a Service License can perform professional activities like human resources, training, consulting and more.
• Education License: Social services, educational consultancy and education related services can be carried out under this license.

Business entities in DSF

The Dubai south Company registration requires investors to select among the types of legal structures available. Investors must choose one of the following business entities available:

• Limited Liability Company: An LLC in DSF can be formed with 1 shareholder and a maximum of 50. It should have also directors, a general manager and a company secretary. The minimum capital to incorporate an LLC is AED 300,000
• Branch of a Company: a foreign company or an UAE registered company can establish its branch in DSF. This type of legal entity should have a general manager and the same name as its parent company.

DSF License costs

The required fees for establishing a company in Dubai south free zone will vary depending on the type of office you choose. The costs for business license and establishment card are the following:

• Business License: ranges from AED 10,000.
• Establishment Card: from AED 1,800

Regarding the type of physical space, the investor may have to pay more. Here we have the range of fees depending the office rented:

• Smart Desk: from AED 16,900
• Permanent Smart Desk: from AED 31,900
• Smart Office: from AED 26,900
• Permanent Smart Office: from AED 72,000

DSF Innovative Facilities

DSF has world-class facilities that businesses can use to boost their operations from this promising place. Its main feature is the Free Zone Business Park, where companies can find the following:

• Commercial buildings
• DSF Business Center
• Smart offices
• Flexible options such as shared desk
• Land and warehouses

In addition, in the Aviation District and Logistics District there are more facilities designed for businesses that operate in these sectors.