Compare Dubai Maritime City and twofour54 - Abu Dhabi Media Free Zone for General Trading & Import/Export setup. Side-by-side comparison of fees, processing times, substance, and bank approval.
Dubai Maritime City vs twofour54 - Abu Dhabi Media Free Zone for General Trading & Import/Export: Dubai Maritime City starts at AED 12,000 (85% bank approval) and twofour54 - Abu Dhabi Media Free Zone at AED 15,000 (87%). On Year-1 cost, Dubai Maritime City is the lower-priced option.
| Jurisdiction | Baseline Gov Fee | Processing Speed | Banking | Suited For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AED 12,000 | 3-5 days | Moderate | Maritime services, ship repair, marine engineering | |
| AED 15,000 | 3-5 days | Moderate | Media and entertainment hub in Abu Dhabi, gaming industry focus |
Maritime services, ship repair, marine engineering
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.
New marine service center opened in 2025
Expanded berth capacity for commercial vessels
Company setup in Dubai Maritime City starts from AED 12,000 per year.
Dubai Maritime City processes company registrations in 3-5 working days.
Bank account approval probability is 85%. Banking difficulty is rated Moderate.
Most UAE free zones including Dubai Maritime City allow remote company incorporation. Bank account opening may require an in-person visit.
Dubai Maritime City does not require paid-up share capital for most standard license types. Share capital is notional.
Dubai Maritime City wins on 3 of 4 dimensions. We recommend Dubai Maritime City for cost-conscious founders and twofour54 - Abu Dhabi Media Free Zone if media and entertainment hub in abu dhabi, gaming industry focus.
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