Built for the Vehicle Trade
A free zone dedicated to the import and re-export of vehicles since 2000 — purpose-built for automotive trading, not a general zone with a vehicle add-on.
DUCAMZ Free Zone
Company Formation
Trade and re-export vehicles from Dubai's dedicated automotive zone. Established in 2000, DUCAMZ — the Dubai Cars & Automotive Zone — was built for the import and re-export of vehicles to markets across Africa, the CIS and Asia, within the DP World automotive ecosystem.
- 100% Ownership
- Established 2000
- Automotive Re-export
- Ras Al Khor
- DP World Ecosystem
Dubai's Automotive Trading Zone
The Dubai Cars & Automotive Zone (DUCAMZ) was established in 2000 as a free zone dedicated to the import and re-export of vehicles, located in the Ras Al Khor area of Dubai. It became a recognised hub for re-exporting vehicles, predominantly used cars, to markets across Africa, the CIS and Asia, within the DP World automotive ecosystem.
The Dubai Cars & Automotive Zone (DUCAMZ) was established in 2000 as a free zone dedicated to the vehicle trade — specifically the import and re-export of vehicles. Located in the Ras Al Khor area of Dubai, it became a recognised hub for the re-export of vehicles, predominantly used cars, to markets across Africa, the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and Asia, using Dubai's position as a trading crossroads between Asian supply and emerging-market demand.
DUCAMZ sits within the broader DP World automotive ecosystem in Dubai, which links the zone with Jebel Ali's port and logistics infrastructure. For a vehicle trader, the proposition is focused: a free zone built around automotive trade, with 100% foreign ownership, customs handling geared to vehicle re-export, and access to the shipping and logistics backbone that makes Dubai a re-export gateway. It is a specialist zone — narrower than a general trading free zone, and stronger for exactly that reason if vehicles are your business.
A free zone built specifically for the vehicle trade
Why DUCAMZ
DUCAMZ is a specialist automotive zone, not a general trading park. For a vehicle trader or re-exporter, that focus — plus Dubai's re-export gateway position — is the whole point.
A Re-Export Gateway to Three Regions
A recognised hub for re-exporting vehicles to Africa, the CIS and Asia, using Dubai's crossroads position between Asian supply and emerging-market demand.
Inside the DP World Ecosystem
Part of the broader DP World automotive ecosystem in Dubai, linked to Jebel Ali's port and logistics infrastructure — the backbone of re-export at scale.
Automotive-Geared Facilities
Display, storage and handling oriented to the vehicle trade, with customs processes built around vehicle import and re-export.
100% Foreign Ownership
Full foreign ownership of the trading company, with profit and capital repatriation — no local partner required.
UAE Free-Zone Tax Status
Free-zone status with eligibility for the 0% Qualifying Free Zone Person Corporate Tax rate on qualifying income, including qualifying re-export trade.
Ideal for
- Vehicle traders and re-exporters
- Used-car export businesses
- Automotive dealerships and distributors
- Auto-parts and accessories traders
- Vehicle logistics and shipping operators
- Regional automotive trading hubs
DUCAMZ Licence Types
Licences centre on the vehicle trade and the activities around it.
Vehicle Trading / Re-Export Licence
The core licence for importing and re-exporting vehicles — the activity DUCAMZ was built for.
- Used-car re-export
- New & used vehicle trading
- Vehicle import / export
- Dealership & distribution
- Regional automotive trading
Auto Parts & Accessories Licence
For trading in spare parts, components and accessories alongside or instead of whole vehicles.
- Spare parts & components
- Tyres & accessories
- Aftermarket products
- Parts distribution
- Workshop supplies trading
Automotive Logistics / Service Licence
For the logistics, inspection and service activities that support vehicle trade and re-export.
- Vehicle logistics & shipping
- Inspection & valuation
- Storage & display
- Freight forwarding (vehicles)
- Automotive support services
Legal Structures Under DUCAMZ
DUCAMZ recognises the standard free-zone legal forms.
Free Zone Company (Single Shareholder)
A limited-liability entity with one shareholder, individual or corporate — common for owner-run trading businesses.
Free Zone Company (Multiple Shareholders)
A limited-liability entity with two or more shareholders, for partnerships and trading joint ventures.
Branch of an Existing Company
A branch of an existing UAE or foreign automotive company operating under the parent's identity.
How a DUCAMZ Company Is Formed
Six steps from activity to a licensed, customs-ready vehicle-trading business.
- 01
Define Activity & Licence Type
Select the vehicle-trading, parts or logistics activities and the matching licence, and confirm the import / re-export model.
- 02
Reserve Name & Initial Approval
Reserve the company name and secure initial approval for the chosen automotive activities.
- 03
Arrange Space & Display
Arrange the storage, display or office space the vehicle trade requires within the zone.
- 04
Submit Documents & Sign
Submit incorporation documents and sign the constitutional documents.
- 05
Licence, Establishment Card & Customs
The trade licence and establishment card are issued, and customs registration is completed for vehicle import and re-export.
- 06
Bank Account & Visas
Open the corporate bank account and process residence visas with Emirates ID and medicals.
Documents Required for DUCAMZ Setup
The standard set, plus customs documentation for vehicle trade.
- Passport copies of all shareholders and directors (valid at least 6 months)
- UAE residence visa copy for residents in the country
- Emirates ID for UAE residents
- Passport-sized photographs of shareholders
- Proposed company names and a description of activities
- Trade / supplier details for the vehicle-trading model
- For corporate shareholders: licence, constitutional documents, board resolution and UBO list
Why Choose DUCAMZ
DUCAMZ is Dubai's specialist home for the vehicle trade.
100% foreign ownership of the trading company
Full repatriation of profits and capital
A free zone dedicated to the vehicle trade since 2000
An established re-export gateway to Africa, the CIS and Asia
Part of the DP World automotive ecosystem
Customs processes geared to vehicle import and re-export
0% Corporate Tax on qualifying income under the QFZP regime
Access to Jebel Ali port and logistics infrastructure
Tax & Compliance Position — DUCAMZ
DUCAMZ entities follow UAE Federal Corporate Tax and can qualify for the 0% QFZP rate. As a goods-trading zone, the VAT and customs treatment of imports and re-exports is central.
UAE Corporate Tax
9% Headline · 0% QFZP on Qualifying Income
DUCAMZ entities follow UAE Federal Corporate Tax under Decree-Law 47/2022 — 9% on taxable income above AED 375,000. Most can elect the Qualifying Free Zone Person (QFZP) regime and pay 0% on Qualifying Income.
QFZP eligibilityRe-export and qualifying trading income can fall within QFZP qualifying activities, while sales into the UAE mainland are treated differently. Eligibility needs adequate Free Zone substance, arm's-length transfer pricing and audited financials — assessed against the vehicle-trade flows.
UAE VAT
5% Standard Rate · Re-Export Reliefs Apply
DUCAMZ entities follow UAE VAT — 5% on taxable supplies, AED 375,000 mandatory registration threshold. Vehicle re-export to overseas markets is typically zero-rated as an export, while domestic UAE sales are standard-rated; customs handling differs for re-export vs. import-for-local-sale.
Designated Zone status: verify with FTADesignated-Zone status for goods is set by Cabinet decision and can change; for a vehicle re-export business the practical VAT and customs treatment turns on the trade flow (re-export vs. local sale). We confirm the current treatment for your specific flows.
Ongoing Compliance Obligations
- Annual Corporate Tax return (9 months from FY-end)
- VAT returns per FTA assignment, with re-export flows correctly treated
- Audited financial statements (free zone requirement; mandatory for QFZP)
- Customs registration and per-shipment vehicle documentation
- Trade-licence renewal with the free zone authority
- ESR notification + report where a Relevant Activity is carried on
- UBO register maintained and updated
Sources & official references: Federal Decree-Law 47/2022 (Corporate Tax) · Cabinet Decision 100/2023 (QFZP) · Federal Decree-Law 8/2017 (VAT) · Cabinet Decision 59/2017 (Designated Zones)
Sectors Active in DUCAMZ
DUCAMZ's tenant base is automotive trade and its supporting services.
Vehicle Trading & Re-Export
Used-Car Export
Auto Parts & Accessories
Vehicle Logistics
Storage & Display
Freight & Shipping
Inspection & Valuation
Automotive Services
The Avyanco Advantage
Avyanco runs DUCAMZ setups end-to-end — matching the licence to your trade model and handling customs, banking, visas and tax.
Automotive-Trade Structuring
We structure the entity around your vehicle-trade model — re-export, dealership, parts or logistics — and the customs reality that goes with it.
Customs & Re-Export Setup
Customs registration and per-shipment documentation set up for vehicle import and re-export through the DP World ecosystem.
Re-Export Tax & VAT
QFZP assessment and VAT mapping for re-export (often zero-rated) vs. domestic sale — central to a vehicle-trading P&L.
Corporate Bank Account
Introductions to UAE banks that onboard trading businesses, with the compliance file prepared.
Visas & Emirates ID
Investor, employee and dependent visas processed with Emirates ID and medicals.
Ongoing Compliance
Corporate Tax, VAT, customs, ESR and UBO obligations handled so the trading business stays compliant.
Meet Our Specialists
Partner-level advisors covering every leg of a DUCAMZ setup — trade structuring, customs, tax and ongoing compliance.
Why Traders Choose Avyanco for DUCAMZ
Three things that come up in every DUCAMZ engagement once the licence is issued.
Automotive-Trade Fluency
We set up vehicle traders and understand the re-export flows and customs handling DUCAMZ is built around.
End-to-End Delivery
Licence, space, customs, bank, visas and tax — coordinated by one team.
Tax Done for Re-Export
QFZP and VAT mapped for the way vehicle-trading revenue — re-export and domestic — actually arises.
Compare Other UAE Free Zones
DUCAMZ suits vehicle traders and re-exporters. Other zones serve different sectors — compare here.
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Read moreWhat Clients Say
A slice of recent feedback from founders who set up their UAE entities through Avyanco.
I've used the services of Avyanco twice over the past 3 years for visa processing, and they have never failed to impress me.
Read more — Dominic Pinto's review on GoogleD
Dominic Pinto11 May 2026
I had an excellent experience with Avyanco Business Setup Consultancy for both my company formation and family dependent visa process in the UAE.
Read more — Eder Schaphauser Ziomek's review on GoogleE
Eder Schaphauser Ziomek29 April 2026
We had an excellent experience working with this company for our ADGM company setup in Abu Dhabi.
Read more — Nikhil Nadanga's review on GoogleN
Nikhil Nadanga25 May 2026
I have been dealing with Akshta for more than a year now and she has been very professional.
Read more — Sherif Ayub's review on GoogleS
Sherif Ayub24 May 2026
In so far as the emigration process can ever be made easy, Avyanco achieves exactly this.
Read more — Sheru George's review on GoogleS
Sheru George12 May 2026
We are very satisfied with Avyanco's support for Nanasu Realty — especially across AML compliance, accounting, and company setup.
Read more — Purushottam Mukkundi's review on GoogleP
Purushottam Mukkundi6 May 2026
DUCAMZ — Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about setting up in the Dubai Cars & Automotive Zone.
What is DUCAMZ?
DUCAMZ — the Dubai Cars & Automotive Zone — is a free zone established in 2000 for the import and re-export of vehicles, located in the Ras Al Khor area of Dubai. It became a recognised hub for re-exporting vehicles, predominantly used cars, to markets across Africa, the CIS and Asia, and sits within the broader DP World automotive ecosystem.
What is DUCAMZ best for?
It is a specialist zone for the vehicle trade — used-car re-export, vehicle import/export, dealerships, auto-parts trading and the logistics around them. If your business is vehicles, its focus and Dubai's re-export gateway position are exactly the advantage; for unrelated activities a general trading free zone usually fits better.
How does vehicle re-export work for VAT?
Vehicle re-export to overseas markets is typically zero-rated as an export under UAE VAT, while sales into the UAE mainland are standard-rated at 5%. The customs handling also differs between re-export and import-for-local-sale, so we map the treatment to your actual trade flows.
Is DUCAMZ connected to the ports?
Yes. DUCAMZ sits within the DP World automotive ecosystem in Dubai, which links it to Jebel Ali's port and logistics infrastructure — the shipping backbone that makes large-scale vehicle re-export practical.
Does a DUCAMZ company qualify for the 0% Corporate Tax rate?
DUCAMZ is a UAE free zone for Corporate Tax. The 0% rate applies to qualifying income earned by a Qualifying Free Zone Person; qualifying re-export trade can fall within this, while mainland sales are treated differently and non-qualifying income is taxed at 9%. We assess the position against your trade flows.
Can I trade auto parts as well as whole vehicles?
Yes. Alongside vehicle trading and re-export, DUCAMZ supports trading in spare parts, components and accessories, plus the logistics, inspection and service activities that support the vehicle trade.
Verification & independence
Content verified against public Dubai Cars & Automotive Zone (DUCAMZ) / DP World sources and Wikipedia as of June 2026. Avyanco Business Consultancy LLC is independent of DUCAMZ, DP World, Jafza and all UAE government authorities, and is not affiliated with or endorsed by any of them.
DUCAMZ operates within the wider DP World automotive ecosystem, and zone branding, customs processes, licence categories, VAT/Designated-Zone treatment and Corporate Tax Qualifying Free Zone Person eligibility evolve. Always confirm the current rules and the correct licensing entity for your vehicle-trade model directly with the relevant free zone authority and the Federal Tax Authority before acting on any fact on this page.
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