Starting a Moving and Relocation Company in the UAE
The UAE’s dynamic expat population — approximately 3.5 million expatriate families and millions of single expat workers — generates one of the world’s most active moving and relocation markets. Dubai’s annual tenant turnover rate of 15–20% means hundreds of thousands of household moves per year, while corporate relocations (bringing executives and their families from around the world to Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah) add a premium-value service stream.
The UAE moving market is valued at over AED 2 billion annually and is served by hundreds of operators ranging from solo man-with-a-van outfits to multinational relocation companies managing end-to-end cross-border corporate moves.
Licensing: DED and RTA Requirements
DED Trade Licence: Removal and Storage
A UAE moving company requires a DED trade licence under activities such as Removal and Storage Services, Moving Services, or Packing and Moving. Licence fees range from AED 3,000 to AED 10,000 per year. The DED licence covers mainland Dubai operations; separate emirate licences are required for Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, etc.
If the company provides warehousing and storage as a significant business line, a separate Warehousing activity may need to be added to the trade licence.
RTA Transport Vehicle Permit
Moving companies operate heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) — box trucks, flatbeds, container lorries — which require RTA (Roads and Transport Authority) transport permits in Dubai. Key requirements:
- Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) permit: Required for trucks over 3.5 tonnes GVW operating in Dubai
- Oversize/Overweight permit: Required for moving containers (20ft/40ft) transported on flatbeds through Dubai roads (separate permit per journey)
- Driver’s licence: All HGV drivers must hold UAE Heavy Vehicle driving licence (Category 6)
- Vehicle registration: Moving trucks must be registered with RTA; annual Mulkia required
- Third-party insurance: Minimum mandatory for all commercial vehicles
MOCCAE Household Items Import Permit
For international moving (bringing household goods into the UAE), a UAE Customs clearance process applies. While UAE Customs allows duty-free import of used household items for UAE residents establishing residency, MOCCAE may require permits for certain categories:
- Plants and wooden furniture: Phytosanitary inspection
- Pets: MOCCAE animal import permit + health certificates
- Firearms / weapons: Special NOC from UAE Police
- Medications: MOHAP import permit for prescription medications exceeding personal use quantities
CACCI/FIDI Membership for International Movers
International moving companies in the UAE typically hold membership in:
- FIDI Global Alliance: The world’s leading alliance of international moving companies; UAE members include Allied Pickfords, Crown Worldwide; FIDI FAIM (FIDI Accredited International Mover) certification is the industry gold standard
- IAM (International Association of Movers): Global moving trade association
- CACCI (Confederation of Asia-Pacific Chambers of Commerce): Less common; some Middle East movers use regional chamber membership for business development
UAE Moving Market Overview
- Market size: AED 2B+ annually
- Dubai annual moves: Estimated 300,000+ household moves per year (domestic)
- Corporate relocations: 50,000+ international assignees brought to UAE annually
- Key move corridors: UAE ↔ UK, UAE ↔ India, UAE ↔ USA, UAE ↔ Germany, UAE ↔ Australia
- Peak seasons: September (school year start) and May–June (end of school year)
- Growth driver: Dubai’s appeal as a global talent hub (no income tax, GEMS, Gems Wellington, JESS, etc.) drives executive family relocations
Major UAE Moving and Relocation Companies
Allied Pickfords UAE
Allied Pickfords (part of Allied Arthur Pierre / SIRVA network) is the UAE’s largest full-service moving company, operating 200+ trucks and managing corporate relocations for Shell, HSBC, Emaar, and many DIFC-based financial institutions. Their services include packing, crating, storage, international shipping, customs clearance, and destination settling-in services. Allied Pickfords UAE holds FIDI FAIM certification and ISO 9001.
Crown Worldwide UAE
Crown Worldwide Group (Hong Kong; NYSE-listed subsidiary) operates in the UAE from Dubai (DIFC hub) and Abu Dhabi. Crown specialises in premium corporate relocations, records management, and art/fine furniture moving. Their Dubai DIFC location serves multinational financial and legal firms relocating senior executives. Crown Worldwide holds FIDI FAIM certification.
RSA Relocations Dubai
RSA Relocations is a UAE-focused relocation company with expertise in end-to-end corporate relocation including destination services (school search, home search, cultural orientation, visa support). RSA competes in the corporate relocation segment where “softer” services beyond just moving boxes are valued.
Simba Moves (Luxury Specialist)
Simba Moves specialises in luxury and specialist moving in the UAE — fine art, antiques, grand pianos, supercars, and high-value residential moves. Their custom crating, climate-controlled storage, and white-glove packing service target UHNW (Ultra High Net Worth) clients in Emirates Hills, Palm Jumeirah, and Al Barari.
Transguard Group (Technology-Enabled Moving)
Transguard‘s moving division uses technology for fleet tracking, digital inventory management (QR-coded box labelling), and real-time customer portals. This technology edge appeals to corporate clients requiring audit trails of their relocated assets.
Dubai Cargo Village: International Move Customs Clearance
International household goods shipments arriving at Dubai Airport transit through Dubai Cargo Village — the air cargo terminal at DXB. Customs clearance for international moves requires:
- Packing list: Itemised inventory of all goods in the shipment
- Residence visa: Proof the consignee is a UAE resident (duty-free allowance applies only to residents)
- Bill of Lading / Airway Bill: Issued by the shipping line or airline
- Dubai Customs declaration: Submitted electronically via Dubai Trade Portal
- Port Saeed / Port Rashid: Sea freight arriving at Jebel Ali Port (for container shipments) is cleared through DP World/JAFZA customs
Self-Storage Segment in UAE
UAE self-storage is a growing segment driven by expat downsizing, seasonal residents, and businesses needing overflow storage:
- StorageMart UAE: Units from 25 sq ft lockers to 300 sq ft rooms; Dubai locations including Al Quoz and Jebel Ali
- Makanak Storage: UAE-brand self-storage with 24/7 access, CCTV, climate control; Dubai and Abu Dhabi
- Arrowhead Storage Dubai: Affordable self-storage in Dubai industrial areas (Al Quoz, JAFZA perimeter)
- The Box UAE: 800+ storage units; temperature-controlled; popular with expat families during summer relocation
- Price benchmark: AED 300–500/month for 50 sq ft (small unit); AED 1,200–2,000/month for 200 sq ft (business unit)
Corporate Relocation: Free Zone Clusters
Corporate relocation companies in the UAE focus on free zone business clusters where multinational companies are concentrated:
- DIFC (Dubai International Financial Centre): 5,000+ active registered firms; financial sector executive relocations
- JLT (Jumeirah Lakes Towers): 350+ towers; SME corporate relocations; cost-sensitive segment
- Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO): Tech sector; employee relocations for software engineers
- Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM): Financial centre; senior executive relocations
- Dubai Media City / Dubai Internet City: Media and tech; younger workforce; apartment moves
UAE Movers Price Guide (2026)
| Move Type | Price Range (AED) |
|---|---|
| 1-bedroom apartment (within Dubai) | 800 – 1,500 |
| 2-bedroom apartment (within Dubai) | 1,200 – 2,200 |
| 3-bedroom villa (within Dubai) | 2,500 – 5,000 |
| 5-bedroom villa (luxury; within Dubai) | 5,000 – 12,000 |
| Office move (small, 10 workstations) | 3,000 – 8,000 |
| Office move (large, 100 workstations) | 20,000 – 80,000 |
| International: 20ft container to UK | 8,000 – 15,000 |
| International: 40ft container to USA | 15,000 – 30,000 |
| Air freight (100 kg excess baggage route) | 2,000 – 5,000 |
IATA TACT Rules: Air Freight for International Moves
Moving companies shipping goods internationally via air must comply with IATA (International Air Transport Association) TACT (The Air Cargo Tariff and Rules) for dangerous goods handling. Common items in household moves that trigger IATA DGR (Dangerous Goods Regulations):
- Lithium batteries (in laptops, power banks): Restricted to carry-on for passenger aircraft
- Aerosols (perfumes, deodorants): Volume limits and quantity restrictions
- Alcoholic beverages: UAE import restrictions apply (only permitted to non-Muslims)
- Pressure vessels (fire extinguishers): Usually prohibited in cargo shipments
Cost to Establish a UAE Moving Company (2026)
| Cost Component | Estimate (AED) |
|---|---|
| DED Trade Licence (Removal and Storage) | 3,000 – 10,000 |
| RTA vehicle permits (per truck, annually) | 2,000 – 5,000 |
| Moving trucks (3–5 tonne, used) | 50,000 – 120,000 each |
| Moving trucks (10–12 tonne, new) | 150,000 – 300,000 each |
| Storage warehouse lease (1,000 sq m, annual) | 80,000 – 200,000 |
| Packing materials (blankets, shrink wrap, boxes) | 10,000 – 30,000 |
| Staff visas (per 5 movers) | 18,000 – 30,000 |
| Cargo insurance | 15,000 – 40,000 |
| Office lease (annual) | 40,000 – 80,000 |
| Total (typical startup range) | AED 200,000 – AED 2,000,000 |
Steps to Start a Moving Company in the UAE
- Select DED activities: Removal and Storage + Packing Services (optional: Warehousing)
- Reserve trade name and obtain DED initial approval
- Lease office and warehouse/storage facility
- Execute LLC MoA
- Pay DED fees and collect trade licence
- Purchase or lease moving trucks; obtain RTA vehicle registration and permits
- Register with MOHRE; enrol in WPS
- Apply for staff visas (movers, drivers, packers)
- Open corporate bank account
- Obtain cargo insurance and public liability insurance
- Establish Dubai Customs clearance agent agreement (for international moves)
- Apply for FIDI FAIM certification (optional but recommended for corporate segment)
FAQ: UAE Moving and Relocation Companies
Do I need a separate licence to offer storage in addition to moving?
If storage is a significant standalone business (accepting customer goods into a warehouse without a moving transaction), you should add Warehousing as a DED activity. Many moving companies list both Removal and Storage and Warehousing on their DED licence to ensure full regulatory coverage.
Can a moving company transport goods between emirates?
Yes. A mainland UAE moving company with an RTA transport permit can move goods between all emirates. Abu Dhabi police checkpoints may require documentation for large shipments. Inter-emirate moving does not require additional emirate-specific licences beyond the DED mainland licence — but for establishing a branch office in another emirate, that emirate’s economic department registration is required.
What insurance should a UAE moving company carry?
At minimum: (1) Cargo insurance — covering goods in transit (customers’ belongings); (2) Commercial vehicle insurance — comprehensive on all trucks; (3) Public liability insurance — covering accidental damage to property at origin or destination; (4) Workers’ compensation — mandatory for all employees.