Compare Fujairah 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.
Fujairah Free Zone vs UAQ Free Trade Zone for General Trading & Import/Export: Fujairah Free Zone starts at AED 21,500 (85% 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 21,500 | 2-4 days | Moderate | Low-cost setup, port access, industrial and trading activities | |
| AED 5,500 | 1-3 days | Moderate | Low-cost free zone in UAE with minimal setup requirements |
Lowest cost setup, port access, industrial and trading activities
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.
Fujairah Free Zone's general trading licence is anchored by the Port of Fujairah — the world's second-largest bunkering port — giving traders direct access to Indian Ocean shipping routes and a strategic position for re-export to East Africa, South Asia, and beyond without navigating the Strait of Hormuz.
December 2025: Recognition for Fujairah Digital Government and digital transformation support
November 2025: Participated in BIG 5 GLOBAL 2025
October 2025: Participated in GITEX GLOBAL 2025
July 2025: Welcomed delegation from Fujairah Customs Department for operational cooperation
Company setup in Fujairah Free Zone starts from AED 21,500 per year.
Fujairah Free Zone processes company registrations in 2-4 working days.
Bank account approval probability is 85%. Banking difficulty is rated Moderate.
Most UAE free zones including Fujairah Free Zone allow remote company incorporation. Bank account opening may require an in-person visit.
Fujairah 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 Fujairah Free Zone if lowest cost setup, port access, industrial and trading activities.
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