Compare Abu Dhabi Airports Free Zone and Ajman Free Zone for Logistics & Supply Chain setup. Side-by-side comparison of fees, processing times, substance, and bank approval.
Abu Dhabi Airports Free Zone vs Ajman Free Zone for Logistics & Supply Chain: Abu Dhabi Airports Free Zone starts at AED 17,000 (80% bank approval) and Ajman Free Zone at AED 5,555 (85%). On Year-1 cost, Ajman Free Zone is the lower-priced option.
| Jurisdiction | Baseline Gov Fee | Processing Speed | Banking | Suited For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AED 17,000 | 5-15 days | Difficult | Airport-adjacent free zone for aviation and logistics | |
| AED 5,555 | 1-3 days | Moderate | Competitive setup costs, fast processing, flexible visa options |
Airport-adjacent free zone for aviation and logistics
Logistics licenses cover freight forwarding, warehousing, and supply chain management. Many free zones with port or airport proximity (JAFZA, DAFZA, AFZ) offer integrated logistics licensing with customs-bonded warehouse access. A separate transport permit from the UAE Ministry of Infrastructure may be needed for fleet operations.
Logistics qualifies as a qualifying free zone activity. International freight and transport services are zero-rated for VAT purposes. Domestic transport and warehousing services within the UAE attract the standard 5% VAT.
Logistics companies benefit from trade finance products including letters of credit and bills of collection. Banks will want to see contracts with shipping lines or airlines and evidence of an established logistics network. High transaction volumes may require dedicated relationship management.
August 2025: Masarif profile refresh notes processing time from ~14 working days
February 2024: Abu Dhabi International Airport renamed to Zayed International Airport
2012: ADAFZ established as a subsidiary of Abu Dhabi Airports
Company setup in Abu Dhabi Airports Free Zone starts from AED 17,000 per year.
Abu Dhabi Airports Free Zone processes company registrations in 5-15 working days.
Bank account approval probability is 80%. Banking difficulty is rated Difficult.
Most UAE free zones including Abu Dhabi Airports Free Zone allow remote company incorporation. Bank account opening may require an in-person visit.
Abu Dhabi Airports Free Zone does not require paid-up share capital for most standard license types. Share capital is notional.
Ajman Free Zone wins on 4 of 4 dimensions. We recommend Ajman Free Zone for cost-conscious founders and Abu Dhabi Airports Free Zone if airport-adjacent free zone for aviation and logistics.
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