Starting a Moving Company - License Cost & RTA Approval in Dubai

Planning to start a packers and movers business in Dubai? Let’s break it down in the simplest way.

Imagine this - someone is moving to a new apartment in Dubai. They need help packing their stuff, moving it safely, maybe even storing it for a few days. That’s exactly where your moving company comes in.

In this article, we’ll show you how to legally set up your moving company in Dubai, what license you need, and how the business actually works - step-by-step.

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At COFTT, we’ve helped many people launch their moving and relocation businesses in Dubai, and we can tell you one thing - it’s a high-demand service if done right.

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Why Moving Services Are Always in Demand

Dubai is a city on the move - literally. People are always shifting homes, relocating offices, or moving to bigger spaces. That means one thing: they need reliable packers and movers.

And here’s the best part - many moving companies also earn more by offering storage solutions. Let’s say a family needs their items stored for a few weeks - you can charge extra for that. Isn’t that a smart way to add extra income?

How Does a Moving Company Actually Work?

Let’s say Mr. Adam is moving from Business Bay to Jumeirah.

Your team shows up with packing supplies, carefully packs his furniture, boxes everything up, loads it into your truck, and moves it to his new place. If the new place isn’t ready yet? No problem - you store it in your warehouse and deliver later.

So your revenue comes from:

a. Packing and Moving
b. Storage (if needed)

It’s a simple model, but highly profitable when you get things right.

License Required to Start a Moving Company in Dubai

To start this business legally, you’ll need a commercial license under the category of: “Transport, shipping, and storage of goods in light vehicles” (vehicles under 3 tons).

This license comes from the Department of Economic Development (DED) and allows you to operate in the Dubai mainland and across the UAE.

Steps to Register Your Moving Company

Let’s go through the registration process in a way that’s easy to understand:

1. Choose Your Business Activity

You’ll select a business activity like “Household goods moving” or “Freight transport by road (light vehicles)”.

2. Pick a Legal Structure

Most moving companies in Dubai are set up as an LLC - Limited Liability Company. It’s flexible and works well for this type of business.

3. Get Your Trade Name Approved

Think of a catchy name for your moving company and get it approved by the DED. If you're using English or a foreign word, an extra AED 2,000 applies.

4. Secure an Office or Warehouse

You’ll need to rent a small office space and maybe a warehouse for storage. Make sure your lease is registered with Ejari.

5. Apply for Initial Approval

This shows the DED has no objection to you starting the business.

6. Prepare and Sign the MOA

This document explains how your company is structured. You’ll sign it with a local service agent or partner (if required).

7. Pay License Fee and Get Your License

Once all is ready, pay the fee (around AED 10,000–15,000 depending on your setup), and get your official trade license for your moving company.

Want to see the full step-by-step company setup guide? Read it here.

RTA Approval: For Your Own Fleet

If you plan to use your own trucks or vans for moving, you must get approval from RTA (Roads and Transport Authority).

You’ll apply for a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from RTA by submitting your license, vehicle details, and driver documents.

It’s a straightforward process, but it must be done right. COFTT can assist you with this.

Open a Business Bank Account

Once your license is issued, open a UAE-based business account. This helps you receive payments, pay salaries, and run your finances smoothly.

Register for Corporate Tax

Corporate tax is now mandatory in the UAE. Whether or not you cross the AED 375,000 threshold, you must register. Better to stay compliant from the start.

Get Noticed – Marketing Is Everything

Dubai’s moving business is highly competitive. Once you’ve set up, your real game is getting customers. That’s where branding, website, online ads, and reviews come into play.

At COFTT, we also provide digital marketing and website development services. So you’re not just legal - you’re also discoverable.

Here’s Where COFTT Comes In

At COFTT, we help you with:

1. Business activity selection
2. DED license process
3. RTA NOC
4. MOA and documentation
5. Bank account & corporate tax registration

Market Research for Moving Company

Before you jump into launching your moving company, one thing is absolutely crucial - market research. You need to know which areas of Dubai have the highest demand for relocation services. Is it Downtown? JVC? Dubai Marina? When you understand where the real demand is coming from, you can tailor your online marketing, your fleet planning, and even your pricing strategy more effectively. Without this, you're just guessing - and guessing in a competitive market rarely works.

At COFTT, we specialize in helping new businesses get their footing in Dubai through smart, actionable market research in Dubai. From analyzing competitors to identifying top-performing locations and audience behavior, we give you the data you need to launch with clarity and confidence. If you’re serious about building a successful movers and packers brand, let’s start with the right research.

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Ready to start your packers and movers business in Dubai? We’ll help you launch smoothly, legally, and professionally. Get in touch with COFTT today - your Dubai moving business starts here.