BUSINESS SETUP IN DUBAI MARITIME CITY (DMCA)

Dubai Maritime City Authority (DMCA)

Dubai Maritime City is the world’s most comprehensive maritime complex located on a man-made peninsula between Port Rashid & the Dubai Dry Docks and surrounded by the waters of the Arabian Gulf. It will provide a unique world-class environment for the global maritime community. By offering outstanding infrastructure, services and regulations, Dubai Maritime City will create a unique specialized environment that will promote the networking and integration of leasing maritime companies in one destination.

Ongoing Development

This is a project of phenomenal proportions, creating a peninsula reclaimed from the sea covering over 2.16 million sq m with open sea access and a truly stunning location for maritime businesses. As it evolves, it will cluster together every amenity that the global maritime community will need to build, work, live & learn.

Dubai Maritime Industry

It is home to the head office of DP World a new & dynamic global port operator that came about as the result of a merger between two brands recognized for quality, service & customer satisfaction – Dubai Ports Authority & international arm, DPI terminals.

Value Added Tax (VAT):

Value Added Tax (VAT) has been introduced across the UAE on 1 January 2018 at a standard rate of 5%.

Who should register for VAT?

A business whether situated in a designated zone or non-designated zone or outside a free zone should register for VAT if the taxable supplies and imports exceed the mandatory registration threshold of AED 375,000 within the preceding 12 months or it is anticipated that the total value of taxable supplies exceeds AED 375,000 in the next thirty 30 days. Upon registration, a tax registration number (TRN) would be issued to businesses by the Federal Tax Authority.

What is a designated zone?

A Designated zone is a specified fenced geographical area having security measures and customs controls in place to monitor entry and exit of individuals and the movement of goods to and from the area. Following free zones are declared as designated zones.

a. Free Trade Zone of Khalifa Port
b. Abu Dhabi Airport Free Zone
c. Khalifa Industrial Zone
d. Jebel Ali Free Zone (North-South)
e. Dubai Cars and Automative Zone (DUCAMZ)
f. Dubai Textile City
g. Free Zone Area in Al Quoz
h. Free Zone Area in Al Qusais
i. Dubai Aviation City
j. Dubai Airport Free Zone
k. Hamriyah Free Zone
l. Sharjah Airport International Free Zone
m. Ajman Free Zone
n. Umm Al Quwain Free Trade Zone in Ahmed Bin Rashid Port
o. Umm Al Quwain Free Trade Zone on Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road
p. RAK Free Trade Zone
q. RAK Maritime City Free Zone
r. RAK Airport Free Zone
s. Fujairah Free Zone
t. FOIZ (Fujairah Oil Industry Zone)

What is a non-designated zone?

Any free zone which is not declared as designated zone is a non-designated zone. In other words a non – designated zone is any geographical area within UAE which does not have any security measures and custom controls in place to monitor entry and exit of goods and individuals. Eg. DMCC, Dubai Media city, DIFC and Dubai Internet city.

What transactions are subject to VAT within Designated zones?

a) Goods transferred between designated zones shall not be subject to VAT. However goods supplied by an entity in the designated zone to entities outside the designated zone are subject to 5% VAT.
b) Services provided by an entity to other entities inside the designated zone or outside the designated
zone are subject to 5% VAT.
c) Professional fees for services are subject to VAT @ 5%.

What government/free zone fees (License/Visa/rent) are subject to VAT?

In case of designated zones the trade license fees, visa fees, lease rentals will not be subject to VAT. And in case of non-designated zones, the trade license fees and visa fees are not subject to vat however rent is subject to 5% VAT.

If you need additional assistance or have any questions, please contact the following:
Email: info@freezonesuae.com
Tel: +971 4 343 8022

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