Dubai

At a glanceRequirements at a glance

Trade Licence Required

Yes. A trade licence covering the correct transport activity (for example, transport of new and used furniture, or transport of goods by light or heavy trucks), issued by Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET, formerly DED). Where a trade licence includes commercial transport activities, the RTA may need to give its approval (a No Objection Certificate, NOC) before the licence is issued or renewed, depending on the activity.

Why Free Zone Licensing Alone Isn’t a Fit

Household moving is a consumer-facing service delivered on the mainland. Available sources indicate that a free zone company cannot contract directly with mainland consumers without a mainland branch or, since 2025, a specific mainland permit. This page therefore assumes mainland licensing as the practical path for a residential mover.

RTA Commercial Transport Activity Permit Required

Yes

Yes, for the company that carries out the transport activity, which includes a mover that operates its own vehicles. Under Executive Council Resolution No. 47 of 2017 (as amended), no individual or entity may conduct a commercial transport activity in Dubai, such as transport of furniture or goods, without first obtaining a permit from the RTA. Where the mover subcontracts the transport, the carrier’s own RTA permit and vehicle documents cover that transport. The resolution text reviewed does not say whether a mover that subcontracts all transport also needs its own permit; such a mover should confirm with the RTA.

Permit Renewal

Annual. The RTA permit is valid for one year, renewable for the same period, and the renewal application must be submitted at least 30 days before the permit expires.

Vehicles

Yes, for vehicles the mover operates. Each vehicle used must be registered and licensed, and inspected at RTA-designated centres when its licence is issued or renewed. The resolution also requires a permit holder to install the vehicle tracking system approved by Dubai’s Security Industry Regulatory Agency (SIRA), in line with RTA rules.

Drivers

Yes, for drivers of the mover’s own vehicles. Drivers must hold a valid UAE driving licence for the category of vehicle they drive (for example, light vehicle or heavy vehicle). No single licence covers every truck, and a vehicle owner must not let someone drive without the correct licence.

Vehicle Insurance Required

Yes, for every vehicle the mover operates. Every vehicle must be insured with a UAE-licensed insurer covering civil liability for death, injury and property damage it causes, as a condition of licensing the vehicle under federal traffic law. This protects third parties, not the customer’s goods.

Protection for Customers’ Goods

No law requiring household movers to insure your goods was identified. Ask the mover what protection it offers for your goods, its limits, and whether it is insurance or the mover’s own liability.

Consumer Contract Rules

Yes. Federal Law No. 15 of 2020 on Consumer Protection (amended by Federal Decree-Law No. 5 of 2023) and its Executive Regulations apply to the service contract with the consumer. Among other things, the provider must issue a detailed invoice in Arabic showing the price and details of the service, contracts with consumers must be in Arabic (other languages may be added), and a defective service must be re-performed or refunded. The federal Ministry of Economy and Tourism supervises the law nationally, and Dubai’s consumer protection function within DET handles local complaints.

Business Premises

Yes. Mainland businesses need a physical address, and in Dubai the tenancy contract must be registered through Ejari, the Dubai Land Department’s tenancy registration system. A warehouse is needed only where the mover offers storage.

OverviewOverview & Scope

Dubai does not issue a single moving-industry licence the way a US state issues a household goods permit. Every household goods mover needs a DET trade licence with the correct transport activity, supported by an Ejari-registered business premises. A mover that conducts the transport with its own vehicles also needs an RTA permit for that commercial transport activity, renewed every year; its vehicles must be registered, inspected, insured and fitted with the approved tracking system, and its drivers must hold the right licence category. Where the mover subcontracts transport, the carrier’s own permits and vehicle documents cover that transport. Finally, the consumer side of the contract is governed by the federal consumer protection law, with Dubai’s consumer protection function handling local complaints.

RegistrationRegistration & Compliance Essentials

Movers must:

Company licensing

1. Hold a DET trade licence with the business activity registered correctly (for example, transport of new and used furniture, or transport of goods by trucks), including any RTA approval needed for that activity.
2. Maintain business premises with an Ejari-registered tenancy contract. A warehouse is needed only where the mover offers storage.
3. Where the mover conducts the transport with its own vehicles, hold an RTA commercial transport activity permit before conducting the activity, and submit the renewal application at least 30 days before it expires.

Vehicles and drivers (where the mover operates its own vehicles)

4. Register and license each vehicle used, with inspection at RTA-designated centres when the licence is issued or renewed.
5. Install the SIRA-approved vehicle tracking system as required by RTA rules.
6. Ensure every driver holds a valid UAE driving licence for the category of vehicle driven.
7. Insure every vehicle with a UAE-licensed insurer, as required to license it.

Subcontracted transport

8. Where transport is subcontracted, use carriers that hold the licences required for the transport they perform.

Customer practices

9. Provide contracts, estimates and invoices that comply with Federal Law No. 15 of 2020 on Consumer Protection (as amended) and its Executive Regulations, including accurate pricing, service descriptions and a detailed Arabic invoice.

ChecklistCompliance checklist

Company licensing

• DET trade licence held, with the correct transport activityVerified by DocumentRequired
• Business premises with Ejari-registered tenancy (warehouse lease only if storage is offered)Verified by DocumentRequired
• RTA commercial transport activity permit held and current (renewal filed at least 30 days before expiry)Where applicable (mover conducts the transport activity with its own vehicles)Verified by DocumentRequired

Vehicles and drivers (where the mover operates its own vehicles)

• Vehicles used are registered, licensed and inspectedWhere applicable (mover operates its own vehicles)Verified by DocumentRequired
• SIRA-approved tracking system installed per RTA rulesWhere applicable (mover operates its own vehicles)Verified by DocumentRequired
• Drivers hold the correct UAE driving licence category for the vehicleWhere applicable (mover operates its own vehicles)Verified by DocumentRequired
• Vehicle insurance in force for each vehicleWhere applicable (mover operates its own vehicles)Verified by DocumentRequired
• Where transport is subcontracted, the mover uses carriers that hold the licences required for the transport they performWhere applicableVerified by AffirmationRequired

Customer practices

• Contract, estimate and Arabic invoice compliant with Federal Law No. 15 of 2020 (as amended) and its Executive RegulationsVerified by AffirmationRequired