Compare DAFZA - Dubai Airport Free Zone and UAQ Free Trade Zone for General Trading & Import/Export setup. Side-by-side comparison of fees, processing times, substance, and bank approval.
DAFZA - Dubai Airport Free Zone vs UAQ Free Trade Zone for General Trading & Import/Export: DAFZA - Dubai Airport Free Zone starts at AED 22,040 (92% bank approval) and UAQ Free Trade Zone at AED 5,500 (82%). On Year-1 cost, UAQ Free Trade Zone is the lower-priced option.
| Jurisdiction | Baseline Gov Fee | Processing Speed | Banking | Suited For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AED 22,040 | 3-5 days | Moderate | Premium location near Dubai Airport, ideal for import/export and trading | |
| AED 5,500 | 1-3 days | Moderate | Low-cost free zone in UAE with minimal setup requirements |
Premium location near Dubai Airport, ideal for import/export and trading
General trading is one of the most popular free zone activities and allows import, export, and distribution of a wide range of goods. Certain restricted items such as pharmaceuticals, weapons, and food products require additional approvals from relevant UAE federal authorities. The trade license must list the specific commodity groups the business intends to trade.
General trading qualifies for the 0% free zone rate on qualifying income, provided the goods are not sold to the UAE mainland without appropriate customs clearance. VAT at 5% applies to domestic supplies; re-exports from designated zones are zero-rated.
Trading companies should expect thorough KYC checks, especially for cross-border transactions. Letters of credit and trade finance facilities require established banking relationships. Banks will request trade references and may ask for evidence of existing supplier or buyer contracts.
DAFZA general trading licence holders benefit from the zone's on-airport customs clearance point, where goods can clear UAE customs and be re-exported within hours rather than the days typical at seaport-based zones.
Dec 2025: AWOT Global Logistics opened HQ
2025: LEED Gold certification for Building 8W
2025: Dubai CommerCity expansion
Company setup in DAFZA - Dubai Airport Free Zone starts from AED 22,040 per year.
DAFZA - Dubai Airport Free Zone processes company registrations in 3-5 working days.
Bank account approval probability is 92%. Banking difficulty is rated Moderate.
Most UAE free zones including DAFZA - Dubai Airport Free Zone allow remote company incorporation. Bank account opening may require an in-person visit.
DAFZA - Dubai Airport Free Zone does not require paid-up share capital for most standard license types. Share capital is notional.
UAQ Free Trade Zone wins on 3 of 4 dimensions. We recommend UAQ Free Trade Zone for cost-conscious founders and DAFZA - Dubai Airport Free Zone if premium location near dubai airport, ideal for import/export and trading.
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