A Free Zone with Its Own Port
Both a free zone and an international port — direct access to quay, berths and marine infrastructure that an office-led zone cannot offer.
RAK Maritime City
Company Formation
Set up in a free zone built around a working port. Created by Emiri Decree in 2009, RAK Maritime City pairs international port facilities with industrial land — for maritime, shipbuilding, tank storage, heavy industry and port-based trade in Ras Al Khaimah.
- 100% Ownership
- Established 2009
- Free Zone + Port
- Maritime & Industrial
- Ras Al Khaimah
A Free Zone Built Around a Port
RAK Maritime City (RMC) was created as a free zone by Emiri Decree in December 2009 and is run by the RAK Maritime City Free Zone Authority. It is both a free zone and an international port within the Ras Al Khaimah ports ecosystem, offering plots for warehousing, cargo handling, industrial production, tank storage and shipbuilding.
RAK Maritime City (RMC) was created as a free zone by Emiri Decree in December 2009 and is run by the RAK Maritime City Free Zone Authority (RMCFZA). It is both a free zone and an international port — a combination that sets it apart from office-led zones — and sits within the Ras Al Khaimah ports ecosystem on the emirate's industrial coast.
RMC is built for maritime and heavy industry. Across several million square metres of zoned plots, it provides space for warehousing, cargo handling, industrial production and manufacturing, tank storage, and shipbuilding or ship repair, alongside port and marine services. For a business in shipping, marine industry, bulk storage or port-based trade, the value is direct: free-zone ownership and tax status combined with the quay, land and infrastructure that a maritime operation actually needs.
Free zone + working port + heavy-industry land
Why RAK Maritime City
RMC competes on maritime and industrial capability. For shipping, marine industry, tank storage and port-based trade, the port, quay and land are the deciding factors.
Heavy-Industry & Shipbuilding Land
Zoned plots for industrial production, manufacturing, shipbuilding and ship repair — capacity for genuinely heavy operations.
Tank Storage & Bulk Handling
Space for tank storage, cargo handling and bulk warehousing — suited to commodities, fuels and project cargo.
Inside the RAK Ports Ecosystem
Part of the Ras Al Khaimah ports network on the emirate's industrial coast, with the logistics that implies.
100% Foreign Ownership
Full foreign ownership of the 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.
Ideal for
- Shipping, marine and maritime-services businesses
- Shipbuilding and ship repair
- Tank storage, fuels and commodities
- Heavy industry and manufacturing
- Cargo handling, warehousing and logistics
- Port-based trading and re-export
RAK Maritime City Licence Types
RMC licences centre on maritime, industry and port-based trade.
Maritime / Marine Licence
For shipping, marine services, shipbuilding and ship repair operating from the port and quay.
- Shipping & marine services
- Shipbuilding & ship repair
- Marine engineering
- Offshore & supply vessels
- Port & marine logistics
Industrial Licence
For manufacturing, processing, tank storage and heavy industry on the zone's land plots.
- Industrial production & manufacturing
- Tank storage & terminals
- Fuels & commodities handling
- Steel, metals & fabrication
- Project & heavy industry
Commercial / Logistics Licence
For cargo handling, warehousing, trading and re-export through the port.
- Cargo handling & warehousing
- Import / export & re-export
- Commodities trading
- Freight & logistics
- Distribution & stockholding
Legal Structures Under RAK Maritime City
RMC recognises the standard free-zone legal forms.
Free Zone Establishment (Single Shareholder)
A limited-liability entity with one shareholder, individual or corporate — common for owner-run maritime and industrial businesses.
Free Zone Company (Multiple Shareholders)
A limited-liability entity with two or more shareholders, for partnerships and joint ventures.
Branch of an Existing Company
A branch of an existing UAE or foreign maritime or industrial company operating under the parent's identity.
How a RAK Maritime City Company Is Formed
Six steps from activity to a licensed, port-connected operation.
- 01
Define Activity & Licence Type
Select the maritime, industrial or commercial activities and the matching licence, and size the land, quay or facility the operation needs.
- 02
Reserve Name & Initial Approval
Reserve the company name and secure RMCFZA's initial approval for the chosen activities.
- 03
Arrange Land / Facility
Select the industrial plot, storage, quay-side or warehouse facility that matches the licence and the operation.
- 04
Submit Documents & Sign
Submit incorporation documents and sign the constitutional documents; regulated activities complete the additional permits.
- 05
Licence, Establishment Card & Customs
The licence and establishment card are issued, and customs registration is completed for import and export.
- 06
Bank Account & Visas
Open the corporate bank account and process residence and labour visas with Emirates ID and medicals.
Documents Required for RAK Maritime City Setup
The standard set, plus project detail for maritime and industrial activities.
- 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
- Business / project plan for maritime, industrial and land-based activities
- For corporate shareholders: licence, constitutional documents, board resolution and UBO list
Why Choose RAK Maritime City
RMC pairs a working port with industrial land and free-zone ownership.
100% foreign ownership of the company
Full repatriation of profits and capital
Both a free zone and an international port
Land for shipbuilding, tank storage and heavy industry
Cargo handling and bulk warehousing capacity
0% Corporate Tax on qualifying income under the QFZP regime
Part of the Ras Al Khaimah ports ecosystem
Cost-effective industrial base on the emirate's coast
Tax & Compliance Position — RAK Maritime City
RMC entities follow UAE Federal Corporate Tax and can qualify for the 0% QFZP rate. As a goods, industrial and port zone, the VAT and customs position matters.
UAE Corporate Tax
9% Headline · 0% QFZP on Qualifying Income
RMC 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 eligibilityQualifying activities include manufacturing, processing, logistics and qualifying trading/re-export; sales into the UAE mainland are treated differently. Eligibility needs adequate Free Zone substance, arm's-length transfer pricing and audited financials.
UAE VAT
5% Standard Rate · Designated-Zone Treatment May Apply
RMC entities follow UAE VAT — 5% on taxable supplies, AED 375,000 mandatory registration threshold. Exports are typically zero-rated while domestic sales are standard-rated; certain international transport services can be zero-rated.
Designated Zone status: verify with FTADesignated-Zone status for goods is set by Cabinet decision and can change; several port and industrial free zones hold it. We confirm the current status for RMC and map the VAT treatment to your goods flows.
Ongoing Compliance Obligations
- Annual Corporate Tax return (9 months from FY-end)
- VAT returns per FTA assignment, with import/export and transport flows correctly treated
- Audited financial statements (free zone requirement; mandatory for QFZP)
- Customs registration and per-shipment documentation
- Maritime / port and industrial permits where the activity requires them
- Trade-licence renewal with RMCFZA
- ESR notification + 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 RAK Maritime City
RMC's tenant base is maritime, heavy industry and port-based trade.
Shipping & Marine Services
Shipbuilding & Repair
Tank Storage & Terminals
Cargo & Logistics
Commodities & Trade
Manufacturing & Industry
Marine Engineering
Bulk Handling
The Avyanco Advantage
Avyanco runs RMC setups end-to-end — matching the licence and facility to your operation and handling customs, banking, visas and tax.
Maritime & Industrial Structuring
We structure the entity around your maritime or heavy-industry operation and the quay, land and facility it requires.
Port & Customs Setup
Customs registration and documentation set up for import, export and re-export through the port.
Maritime Tax & VAT
QFZP assessment for manufacturing, logistics and qualifying trading, plus VAT and the zero-rating that can apply to international transport.
Corporate Bank Account
Introductions to UAE banks that onboard maritime and industrial businesses, with the compliance file prepared.
Visas & Emirates ID
Investor, management and labour visas processed with Emirates ID and medicals.
Ongoing Compliance
Corporate Tax, VAT, customs, permits, ESR and UBO obligations handled so the operation stays compliant.
Meet Our Specialists
Partner-level advisors covering every leg of an RMC setup — maritime/industrial structuring, customs, tax and ongoing compliance.
Why Maritime Founders Choose Avyanco for RAK Maritime City
Three things that come up in every RMC engagement once the licence is issued.
Maritime & Industrial Fluency
We set up shipping, marine and industrial businesses and understand the port, land and customs realities RMC is built around.
End-to-End Delivery
Licence, land, customs, bank, visas and tax — coordinated by one team.
Tax Done for Maritime & Industry
QFZP, VAT and Designated-Zone treatment mapped for the way maritime and industrial revenue actually arises.
Compare Other UAE Free Zones
RAK Maritime City suits maritime, shipbuilding, tank storage and heavy industry. 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 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
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
RAK Maritime City — Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about setting up in RAK Maritime City.
What is RAK Maritime City?
RAK Maritime City (RMC) is both a free zone and an international port in Ras Al Khaimah, created by Emiri Decree in December 2009 and run by the RAK Maritime City Free Zone Authority. It offers zoned plots for warehousing, cargo handling, industrial production, tank storage and shipbuilding or repair, alongside port and marine services.
What is RMC best for?
It is built for maritime and heavy industry — shipping, marine services, shipbuilding and ship repair, tank storage and fuels, heavy manufacturing, and port-based cargo and trade. Its advantage is the combination of a working port, quay access and large industrial land that office-led zones cannot provide.
Does RAK Maritime City have its own port?
Yes. RMC is both a free zone and an international port, sitting within the Ras Al Khaimah ports ecosystem. That direct port and quay access is its defining feature for maritime and bulk-industry operations.
Does an RMC company qualify for the 0% Corporate Tax rate?
RMC is a UAE free zone for Corporate Tax. The 0% rate applies to qualifying income earned by a Qualifying Free Zone Person — which can include manufacturing, logistics and qualifying trading — while mainland sales are treated differently and non-qualifying income is taxed at 9%. We assess the position against your activity.
Is RAK Maritime City a VAT Designated Zone?
Designated-Zone status for goods is set by Cabinet decision and can change, and several port and industrial free zones hold it. We confirm the current status for RMC and map the VAT treatment to your specific import/export flows rather than assuming it.
Can Avyanco arrange quay-side or industrial land?
Yes. We help select the industrial plot, storage, quay-side or warehouse facility that matches your licence and operation, coordinate it with RMCFZA alongside the company setup, customs registration, banking and visas, and handle the ongoing compliance.
Verification & independence
Content verified against the RAK Maritime City Free Zone Authority, the UAE Ministry of Economy and RAK Ports sources as of June 2026. Avyanco Business Consultancy LLC is independent of RMCFZA, RAK Ports, the Government of Ras Al Khaimah and all UAE government authorities, and is not affiliated with or endorsed by any of them.
Free zone regulations, Designated-Zone status, port and maritime permits, licence categories, VAT treatment and Corporate Tax Qualifying Free Zone Person eligibility evolve. Always confirm the current rules for your specific activity directly with the RAK Maritime City Free Zone Authority and the Federal Tax Authority before acting on any fact on this page.
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