Free Zones

Dubai Production City: Company Setup & Accounting Guide

2026-02-24 · 4 min read · By Aureus Worldwide

Dubai Production City (DPC), formerly the International Media Production Zone, is a TECOM Group free zone in Dubai dedicated to printing, publishing, packaging and media production. It brings the production end of the media value chain together with industrial and office facilities, making it the natural home for printers, publishers and packaging businesses in Dubai. This guide explains how a Dubai Production City company setup works, the activities it supports, the steps, and the accounting and tax obligations that follow.

Why choose Dubai Production City

DPC's main draw is a production-focused ecosystem: a cluster of printing, publishing and packaging businesses with access to industrial units, warehousing and offices, alongside a recognised Dubai address. Like other TECOM zones it offers 100% foreign ownership, profit repatriation and a single-authority process. It suits production and manufacturing-led media businesses that need real industrial space rather than a virtual office.

Who it suits

Dubai Production City is a strong fit for:

• Commercial printers and print-services firms
• Publishers and content-production businesses
• Packaging and label manufacturers
• Media-production and post-production companies
• Trading and service firms supporting the production sector

Licence and activities

DPC issues licences across production, industrial, commercial and service categories tied to defined activity lists.

Confirm the current activity list and any sector approvals with the free zone authority.

Facilities

DPC is geared to production, typically offering:

• Industrial and light-manufacturing units
• Warehouses and storage
• Offices and business-centre space
• Facilities suited to printing and packaging

Premises choices affect visa allocations, so size them with your hiring plans and confirm current options with TECOM.

Setup steps

1. Choose your activity and licence type.
2. Reserve a compliant company name.
3. Select your structure and shareholders (full foreign ownership permitted).
4. Choose premises, industrial unit, warehouse or office.
5. Submit documents and receive approval and the trade licence.
6. Process establishment card and visas.
7. Open a corporate bank account, see our bank account guide.

Our company formation team can run this end to end.

Accounting, audit and tax considerations

A DPC company has the same UAE-wide obligations as any other entity:

• Bookkeeping and cost accounting. Printing and packaging businesses need solid materials, inventory and job-cost accounting, see our accounting service.
• Audit. Free zones commonly expect audited financial statements at renewal; our audit team arranges this through licensed partner firms.
• Corporate Tax. Register and file federally. A QFZP may access 0% on qualifying income with substance and within the de minimis limits; otherwise 9% applies above AED 375,000. See our tax service.
• VAT and customs. Register for VAT at the threshold and manage import VAT on materials and customs duty correctly.

Setup timeline and costs

A Dubai Production City setup is usually measured in days to a few weeks once documents are complete, though commissioning an industrial unit or installing printing and packaging equipment adds lead time over an office licence. Costs depend on the licence type, the premises (office through to industrial unit and warehouse), the number of visas and your activities, and TECOM revises its terms periodically. Confirm current fees and packages directly with the free zone authority rather than relying on third-party figures, and size the commitment to a realistic production plan.

Staying compliant after setup

A DPC licence is renewed annually, and obligations continue between renewals. Diarise the renewal date and prepare early so visas, customs codes and banking are not disrupted. Printing and packaging businesses should keep materials, inventory and job-cost records current throughout the year, alongside Corporate Tax registration, any VAT filings and import VAT on materials. Reviewing your premises and visa allocation before each renewal keeps a production operation aligned with its workload and avoids last-minute disruption.

Dubai Production City at a glance

Dubai Production City versus Dubai Media City

DPC is the production and manufacturing end of media, print, publishing and packaging, while Dubai Media City houses broadcasting, advertising and content businesses. Choose based on whether you produce physical media or create and broadcast content. For a broader framework, see choosing the right UAE free zone.

How Aureus Worldwide helps

Aureus Worldwide helps founders set up in Dubai Production City end to end, selecting the right licence, industrial premises and visas through our company formation team. We then keep you compliant with accounting, Corporate Tax, VAT and customs, and arrange audit through licensed partners. We confirm changeable packages with TECOM before you commit. To set up in Dubai Production City, contact us.

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