Compare Dubai South Free Zone 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 South Free Zone vs twofour54 - Abu Dhabi Media Free Zone for General Trading & Import/Export: Dubai South Free Zone starts at AED 12,500 (88% bank approval) and twofour54 - Abu Dhabi Media Free Zone at AED 15,000 (87%). On Year-1 cost, Dubai South Free Zone is the lower-priced option.
| Jurisdiction | Baseline Gov Fee | Processing Speed | Banking | Suited For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AED 12,500 | 2-4 days | Moderate | Aviation hub, logistics near Al Maktoum Airport, affordable Dubai option | |
| AED 15,000 | 3-5 days | Moderate | Media and entertainment hub in Abu Dhabi, gaming industry focus |
Aviation hub, logistics near Al Maktoum Airport, affordable Dubai option
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.
Sep 2025: DSBH digital-first platform launched
Sep 2025: Beyond Hub portal introduced
Ongoing: Al Maktoum Airport expansion
Company setup in Dubai South Free Zone starts from AED 12,500 per year.
Dubai South Free Zone processes company registrations in 2-4 working days.
Bank account approval probability is 88%. Banking difficulty is rated Moderate.
Most UAE free zones including Dubai South Free Zone allow remote company incorporation. Bank account opening may require an in-person visit.
Dubai South Free Zone does not require paid-up share capital for most standard license types. Share capital is notional.
Dubai South Free Zone wins on 3 of 4 dimensions. We recommend Dubai South Free Zone 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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