Compare Dubai Industrial City and UAQ Free Trade Zone for General Trading & Import/Export setup. Side-by-side comparison of fees, processing times, substance, and bank approval.
Dubai Industrial City vs UAQ Free Trade Zone for General Trading & Import/Export: Dubai Industrial City starts at AED 12,000 (86% 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 12,000 | 3-5 days | Moderate | Industrial operations, manufacturing, warehousing in Dubai | |
| AED 5,500 | 1-3 days | Moderate | Low-cost free zone in UAE with minimal setup requirements |
Industrial operations, manufacturing, warehousing in Dubai
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.
Expanded logistics hub with new warehouse facilities in 2025
Integration with Etihad Rail freight network
Company setup in Dubai Industrial City starts from AED 12,000 per year.
Dubai Industrial City processes company registrations in 3-5 working days.
Bank account approval probability is 86%. Banking difficulty is rated Moderate.
Most UAE free zones including Dubai Industrial City allow remote company incorporation. Bank account opening may require an in-person visit.
Dubai Industrial City 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 Dubai Industrial City if industrial operations, manufacturing, warehousing in dubai.
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