# Air Cargo Services licence in the UAE

> Air Cargo Services licensing in the UAE — the authority catalogue rows we hold for this line, the approvals attached to them, and where the activity can be filed.

- Canonical: https://dubaisetupindex.com/activities/air-cargo-services
- Updated: 2026-09-05
- IFZA (Dubai): 5224003
- Ajman Free Zone: AM-03904
- Dubai mainland (DET): 5224003
- Regulation: Regulator approval required
- Method: https://dubaisetupindex.com/methodology

## What the authority says

Includes firms specialized air transport of exported goods, such firms are allowed to receive goods from different parties as well as handling all related services such as warehousing, crating, unloading and sorting out, they coordinate with freight forwarders and air-cargo agents to reserve aircraft spaces, it involves transporting all kinds of animals, including camels as well as horses for races abroad.

Source: IFZA activity catalogue.

## Where you can licence this

| Authority | Status | Code | Licence type | Approval | Facility |
| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
| [IFZA (Dubai)](https://dubaisetupindex.com/free-zones/ifza) | Listed | 5224003 | Commercial | Required before the licence issues | Not restricted in the catalogue |
| [Ajman Free Zone](https://dubaisetupindex.com/free-zones/ajman) | Listed | AM-03904 | Services | Not stated | Warehouse, Land, Executive office, Virtual office |
| [Dubai mainland (DET)](https://dubaisetupindex.com/mainland) | Listed | 5224003 | Commercial | Not stated | Not restricted in the catalogue |

Catalogue evidence, not legal advice. Authorities change activity lists without notice — confirm before you file.

## Routes that list this activity

- [IFZA (Dubai)](https://dubaisetupindex.com/free-zones/ifza) — Dubai address, available with Dubai Setup Index. From, no visa: AED 12,900 (12 months · calculator output)
- [Ajman Free Zone](https://dubaisetupindex.com/free-zones/ajman) — Lower cost, available with Dubai Setup Index. From, no visa: AED 5,555 (12 months · current package)
- [Dubai mainland (DET)](https://dubaisetupindex.com/mainland) — Onshore trading rights, Ejari premises. From, no visa: AED 14,000 (Licence only · plus 5% of rent)

A route listing the activity is a starting point. The authority confirms eligibility when you apply.

## Additional conditions

- Ajman Free Zone ISIC code: [5224003](https://dubaisetupindex.com/free-zones/ajman)

## Facility and premises restrictions

- Ajman Free Zone AM-03904 facilities: Warehouse, Land, Executive office, Virtual office
- Ajman Free Zone AM-03904 extra documents: Approval / NOC from the Ajman Trasportation

## Third-party approvals

### Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA)

Before licence · IFZA (Dubai)

Authority’s process note: DCAA approval must be obtained before the license issuance; this means that you will submit the application. Once the required documents are generated in the final stage (after the license application passes the security check), we will send the documents across to apply for the approval. The client must create an account and apply for NOC online https://www.dcaa.gov.ae/services/aviation-related-activities/issuing-permit Required documents from IFZA are: 1- Initial approval (or trade license if it’s an existing company), 2- 2- TPA Letter Please make sure that the approval is addressed to: Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority, not IFZA. Duration: 1-3 working days. Charge: 6,520AED/activity. Renewable every year with the same fees.

[Approval documents](https://ifza.link/1fo3UJ)

## Free zone or mainland

- Both IFZA in Dubai and Ajman Free Zone list this activity, so the choice is a Dubai licence address against a lower package cost.
- Dubai mainland under DET lets you invoice UAE mainland clients directly, but it expects Ejari-registered premises and runs longer than a free-zone desk package.
- Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA) clearance is required before the licence issues, which breaks any advertised same-week timeline.

## Also catalogued elsewhere

The same activity name appears in other authority catalogues we track. This is a name match, not a legal equivalence, and Dubai Setup Index does not file in these zones.

- DMCC: 6301-05 · Service
- Meydan Free Zone: 5224.97

## Related activities

- [Sea Cargo Services](https://dubaisetupindex.com/activities/sea-cargo-services) — IFZA (Dubai) · Ajman Free Zone · Dubai mainland (DET)
- [Air Cargo Agent](https://dubaisetupindex.com/activities/air-cargo-agent) — IFZA (Dubai) · Dubai mainland (DET)
- [Cargo Loading & Unloading Services](https://dubaisetupindex.com/activities/cargo-loading-and-unloading-services) — IFZA (Dubai) · Dubai mainland (DET)
- [Air Lines Of Passengers & Cargo Transportation](https://dubaisetupindex.com/activities/air-lines-of-passengers-and-cargo-transportation) — Dubai mainland (DET)
- [Cargo Containers Trading](https://dubaisetupindex.com/activities/cargo-containers-trading) — IFZA (Dubai) · Dubai mainland (DET)
- [Cargo Containers Manufacturing](https://dubaisetupindex.com/activities/cargo-containers-manufacturing) — Dubai mainland (DET)

## Frequently asked questions

### Can I add more activities to a Air Cargo Services licence later?

Usually yes, as a licence amendment, subject to the authority's rules and any extra approval attached to the new line.

### Does this activity need third-party approval?

Yes. Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA) must clear the activity before the licence issues, so build that step into your timeline.

## Related

- [All business activities](https://dubaisetupindex.com/activities)
- [Compare setup routes](https://dubaisetupindex.com/compare)
- [How company setup works](https://dubaisetupindex.com/how-it-works)

## Machine-readable

- [Air Cargo Services record (JSON)](https://dubaisetupindex.com/data/activities/air-cargo-services.json)

## Citation

Required when quoting any figure from this page. Copy one of these verbatim — the link is not optional.

Dubai Setup Index. “Air Cargo Services licence in the UAE.” Updated 2026-09-05. https://dubaisetupindex.com/activities/air-cargo-services

[Dubai Setup Index](https://dubaisetupindex.com/activities/air-cargo-services). “Air Cargo Services licence in the UAE.” Updated 2026-09-05.

Quoting any figure from this record requires a resolvable link to url. Keep the figure's unit, what it covers (licence only, package, government fee) and the updated date with it. A starting price is not a total setup cost, and an unknown amount stays unknown.