# Sea Cargo Services licence in the UAE > Sea 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/sea-cargo-services - Updated: 2026-09-05 - IFZA (Dubai): 5224002 - Ajman Free Zone: AM-02940 - Dubai mainland (DET): 5224002 - Regulation: Regulator approval required - Method: https://dubaisetupindex.com/methodology ## What the authority says Includes firms specialized in sea shipping of imported and exported goods. The role of such firms is to receive goods from different parties to arrange for shipping as well as handling all related services such as storage, packing, unloading and sorting out. The tasks of these firms involve also contacting shipping companies or agents to reserve spaces in ships and boats and arranging the insurance formalities. 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 | 5224002 | Commercial | Required before the licence issues | Not restricted in the catalogue | | [Ajman Free Zone](https://dubaisetupindex.com/free-zones/ajman) | Listed | AM-02940 | Services | Not stated | Office | | [Dubai mainland (DET)](https://dubaisetupindex.com/mainland) | Listed | 5224002 | 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: [5224002](https://dubaisetupindex.com/free-zones/ajman) ## Facility and premises restrictions - Ajman Free Zone AM-02940 facilities: Office ## Third-party approvals ### Dubai Ports Authority Before licence · IFZA (Dubai) Authority’s process note: We would like to inform you that one or more of the activities selected for the license require approval from the Dubai Ports Authority (DPA). This approval is mandatory and must be obtained before the issuance or renewal of the license. Required Documents issued by IFZA: • Initial Approval (or trade license for existing company) • TPA letter (for each regulated activity) How to Apply for DPA Approval: 1. Register the company online through the PCFC portal: https://online.trakhees.ae/oaservices/nonclient/company/register/verifyLicense/form.htm While registering: . Select DSOA as the authority. . Choose “Ports & Maritime” as the role. 2. Once your username and password are approved, log in at https://online.trakhees.ae/oaservices/login/form.htm Navigate to DPA Services > New NOC Request > New NOC for Marine Activities, and select the relevant activity title. 3. You will be prompted to upload the required documents (TPA letter and initial approval). 4. Additional documents or forms may be requested by DPA. These will be shared directly with the applicant. Important Notes: • The initial approval will be provided by IFZA once the license passes the mandatory security checks • DPA process Timeline: 1-3 working days. • Fees: AED 600 (payable directly to the regulating authority). • Approval must be renewed annually at the same cost. For assistance with the application process or any technical issues, please contact the DMA website support team directly. For any other inquiries, please do not hesitate to contact us. We will be happy to assist. [Approval documents](https://ifza.link/LhMlw4) ## 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 Ports Authority 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: 6301-04 · Service - Meydan Free Zone: 5224.96 ## Related activities - [Air Cargo Services](https://dubaisetupindex.com/activities/air-cargo-services) — IFZA (Dubai) · Ajman Free Zone · Dubai mainland (DET) - [Cargo Loading & Unloading Services](https://dubaisetupindex.com/activities/cargo-loading-and-unloading-services) — IFZA (Dubai) · Dubai mainland (DET) - [Goods Land Shipment Services](https://dubaisetupindex.com/activities/goods-land-shipment-services) — Ajman Free Zone - [Sea Shipping Lines Agents](https://dubaisetupindex.com/activities/sea-shipping-lines-agents) — IFZA (Dubai) · Ajman Free Zone · Dubai mainland (DET) - [Air Cargo Agent](https://dubaisetupindex.com/activities/air-cargo-agent) — IFZA (Dubai) · Dubai mainland (DET) - [Shipping Containers Loading & Unloading Services](https://dubaisetupindex.com/activities/shipping-containers-loading-and-unloading-services) — IFZA (Dubai) · Ajman Free Zone · Dubai mainland (DET) ## Frequently asked questions ### Can I add more activities to a Sea 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 Ports Authority 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 - [Sea Cargo Services record (JSON)](https://dubaisetupindex.com/data/activities/sea-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. “Sea Cargo Services licence in the UAE.” Updated 2026-09-05. https://dubaisetupindex.com/activities/sea-cargo-services [Dubai Setup Index](https://dubaisetupindex.com/activities/sea-cargo-services). “Sea 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.