TMFS has truly been a game changer for me. Their personalized approach to financial services made the entire process easy and stress-free. I trust them completely with my investments and feel secure knowing my financial future is in safe hands.
DMCC Free ZoneCompany Formation
Plan a company in the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC), the free zone for commodities, trading and international business in Jumeirah Lakes Towers, with advice on structure, banking and tax before you apply.
- 100% Ownership
- Commodities Hub
- Strong Bank Acceptance
- Advisory Service
- Tax Planning
Published Updated
DMCC: Dubai’s commodities and trading hub
DMCC is based in Jumeirah Lakes Towers and Uptown Dubai. It was created to build Dubai’s commodities trade and now hosts a very large community of trading, technology and service companies.
DMCC’s reputation and its commodity infrastructure, such as the Dubai Diamond Exchange and its precious metals, tea and coffee centres, make it a natural choice for serious trading businesses. It costs more than most free zones, so we help you decide whether its brand and bank acceptance are worth it for your model.
Best known for: commodities, trading & bank acceptance
Why DMCC
DMCC’s brand and infrastructure carry weight with banks, counterparties and regulators worldwide.
Global commodities hub
Gold and precious metals, diamonds, tea, coffee and other commodities are traded through DMCC’s specialist centres.
Strong bank acceptance
Banks know DMCC companies well, which helps with account opening for trading businesses.
JLT & Uptown Dubai
A large business district with metro access, close to Dubai Marina and Jebel Ali.
Very wide activity list
Trading, services, technology, crypto and gaming activities, among many others.
100% foreign ownership
Full ownership with no local partner, and profits and capital can be repatriated freely.
Large business community
Thousands of member companies, with networking, events and specialist sector centres.
Ideal for
- Commodity & physical trading
- Precious metals & diamonds
- Regional headquarters
- Technology & crypto businesses
- Companies that need strong bank acceptance
DMCC Licence Types
DMCC issues three main licence types. Some activities, such as precious metals, need extra approvals.
Trading Licence
For trading goods and commodities.
- General trading
- Precious metals & stones
- Energy & petrochemicals
- Agri-commodities
- Electronics trading
Service Licence
For consultancy, technology and service businesses.
- Management consultancy
- Software & IT services
- Marketing services
- Crypto & blockchain services
- Gaming services
Industrial Licence
For light manufacturing and processing.
- Jewellery manufacturing
- Diamond cutting & polishing
- Packaging
- Assembly
- Processing of goods
Legal Structures in DMCC
DMCC companies are limited liability companies. Groups often use a branch to bring an existing brand into DMCC.
01
Single-Shareholder Free Zone Company
One individual or corporate owner, with liability limited to share capital. The usual start for solo founders.
02
Multi-Shareholder Free Zone Company
Two or more shareholders, individual or corporate, with shares and voting set in the Articles.
03
Branch of a Foreign Company
An overseas company operating in the zone under its own name, with the parent liable for the branch.
04
Branch of a UAE Company
A mainland or other free zone company adds a presence in the zone without forming a new entity.
How We Help You Set Up in DMCC
DMCC is an advisory jurisdiction for us: we plan and prepare everything around the application so it goes in right the first time.
- 01
Check That DMCC Fits
We compare DMCC with lower-cost zones for your activity, visas and tax, so you only pay DMCC prices if they make sense.
- 02
Plan the Structure
Shareholding, holding company and Corporate Tax position designed before anything is filed.
- 03
Prepare the Documents
Shareholder documents collected, notarised and attested, with your business plan prepared.
- 04
Application & Approvals
We coordinate the DMCC application and any extra approvals your activity needs.
- 05
Office or Flexi-Desk
Office or flexi-desk in JLT or Uptown Dubai, sized to the visas you need.
- 06
Licence Issued
DMCC issues the licence and certificate of incorporation.
- 07
Visas, Bank & Tax
Investor and staff visas, bank application and Corporate Tax and VAT registration handled alongside.
Documents Required for DMCC Setup
What we need depends on whether each shareholder is a person or a company. Documents issued abroad must be notarised and attested for use in the UAE; we arrange this for you.
Individual Shareholders
- Passport copy of each shareholder and manager
- UAE visa or entry stamp, if any
- Emirates ID, if resident in the UAE
- Passport-size photo
- Three trade name options
- Proof of home address
- Business plan
Corporate Shareholders
- Certificate of incorporation or trade licence
- Memorandum & Articles of Association
- Board resolution approving the DMCC company
- Certificate of good standing
- Passport copy of the appointed manager
- Ultimate beneficial owner (UBO) declaration
Why Choose a DMCC Company
DMCC suits businesses where brand, bank acceptance and commodity infrastructure matter more than the lowest price.
100% foreign ownership
Possible 0% Corporate Tax on qualifying income
Strong recognition with banks and counterparties
Specialist commodity centres and exchanges
Large, established business community
Metro-connected JLT and Uptown Dubai
Wide activity list, including crypto and gaming
Tax & Compliance Position: DMCC
Companies in DMCC can pay 0% Corporate Tax on qualifying income, but only if they meet the Qualifying Free Zone Person conditions every year. We check this before you choose the zone, not after.
UAE Corporate Tax
0% on qualifying income · 9% on the rest
To be a Qualifying Free Zone Person, the company needs real substance in the zone, qualifying income, audited financial statements and arm’s-length dealings with related parties. Taxable income that doesn’t qualify is taxed at 9% above AED 375,000.
Selling to mainland customers?Most mainland revenue isn’t qualifying income. If non-qualifying revenue passes 5% of total revenue or AED 5 million, whichever is lower, QFZP status is lost for that year and the next four. We model this with you upfront.
UAE VAT
5% standard rate · same rules for services
Registration is mandatory once taxable supplies pass AED 375,000 in 12 months and optional from AED 187,500. Free zone services are taxed exactly as they are on the mainland.
Designated zone statusSome free zones are VAT designated zones, where certain supplies of goods inside or between them fall outside UAE VAT. It never covers services. We confirm how DMCC’s status applies to your trade.
Ongoing Compliance Obligations
- Corporate Tax return within 9 months of year end
- Audited financial statements (needed for QFZP status)
- VAT returns once registered
- Annual licence renewal with DMCC
- Office or flexi-desk lease renewed with the licence
- UBO register kept up to date
Sources & official references: Federal Decree-Law No. 47 of 2022 (Corporate Tax) · Cabinet Decision No. 100 of 2023 & Ministerial Decision No. 265 of 2023 (Qualifying Free Zone Persons) · Federal Decree-Law No. 8 of 2017 (VAT) · Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC)
Where DMCC Companies Operate
DMCC is best known for trading, but its member base has grown well beyond commodities.
Gold & Precious Metals
Diamonds & Gemstones
Commodity Trading
Energy & Petrochemicals
Technology & Crypto
Gaming
Consultancy
Regional Headquarters
The TMFS Advantage
We handle DMCC setups end to end, from activity selection and DMCC licensing to a banked, visa-ready company registered for Corporate Tax and VAT.
Independent Zone Advice
An honest comparison of DMCC against lower-cost zones before you commit.
Package & Office Choice
Flexi-desk, office or warehouse sized to the visas you need, so you don’t pay for space you won’t use.
Application & Constitutional Documents
Application forms, resolutions and Articles prepared and filed with the zone for you.
Corporate Bank Account
Your application prepared alongside the licence and matched across our 18 partner banks.
Investor & Staff Visas
Investor, partner and employee visas with medicals and Emirates ID.
QFZP & VAT Compliance
Corporate Tax and VAT registrations, audited accounts and the yearly checks that keep 0% status intact.
Why Founders Choose TMFS in DMCC
Three things clients mention most.
Advice before you apply
We plan structure, banking and tax first, so your DMCC application goes in complete and your company is usable from day one.
One team, end to end
Licence, documents, premises, bank account, visas and tax with one consultant, from first call to renewal.
Written costs upfront
A written breakdown of government fees and our fee before you commit, with no surprises at renewal.
Compare Other UAE Free Zones
DMCC suits serious trading businesses. Other zones can cost less for consultancy and services.
UAE Free Zones Overview
How the UAE’s free zones compare on cost, activities, visas and tax. Start here to choose.
Read more
IFZA
Fast, cost-efficient consultancy and services licences. The usual first company for solo founders.
Read more
Meydan Free Zone
E-commerce and digital licences with a Dubai address and quick issuance.
Read moreRAKEZ
Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone. Low-cost industrial, trading and service licences.
Read moreSHAMS
Sharjah Media City. Media, creative and consultancy licences, plus freelance permits.
Read moreSPC Free Zone
Sharjah Publishing City. Low-cost setup for publishing, media and services.
Read moreAjman Free Zone
Cost-efficient trading, industrial and services licences with warehouse options.
Read more
SRTIP
Sharjah Research Technology and Innovation Park. Tech, R&D and industrial licences.
Read moreDIFC
Common-law jurisdiction for finance, funds and holding structures. We advise on DIFC setups.
Read moreWhat Clients Say
Feedback from founders who set up with TMFS.
DMCC: Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about setting up a DMCC company.
Where is DMCC?
DMCC covers Jumeirah Lakes Towers (JLT) and Uptown Dubai, next to Dubai Marina and on the Dubai Metro.
Is DMCC more expensive than other free zones?
Usually, yes. Licence and office costs are higher than zones such as IFZA or Meydan. Its value is in reputation, bank acceptance and commodity infrastructure. We compare the options for you.
Do you file DMCC applications?
DMCC is an advisory jurisdiction for us. We plan the structure, prepare documents, coordinate the application and handle the banking, visas and tax around it.
Do precious metals or crypto activities need extra approvals?
Yes. Some activities, including precious metals and crypto, need extra approvals and compliance checks. We map these before you apply.
Will my DMCC company pay 0% Corporate Tax?
Only on qualifying income, and only if it meets the Qualifying Free Zone Person conditions every year. Qualifying commodity trading can count; other income is taxed at 9% above AED 375,000.
Can you open the company bank account?
Yes. We prepare the bank application and match it to the partner bank most likely to approve your trading profile.
Verification & independence
Checked against publicly available DMCC and UAE federal sources in October 2026. Time Machine Financial Services is independent of DMCC and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Government of Dubai or any UAE authority.
Activity lists, package prices, approvals and tax rules change. Confirm the current position for your activity with DMCC and the Federal Tax Authority, or ask us, before acting on this page.
Get expert advice
Speak to a UAE setup specialist
Tell us what you need and a consultant will reply within one working day, with no obligation.
- The consultant you speak to stays on your file
- A straight answer on structure, cost and timeline
- A reply within one working day
- A free 20-minute consultation
Considering DMCC?
Talk to a TMFS consultant about whether DMCC is right for your business and how to structure it for banking and tax.
Book a Consultation