Compare Hamriyah Free Zone and Sharjah Research Technology and Innovation Park for General Trading & Import/Export setup. Side-by-side comparison of fees, processing times, substance, and bank approval.
Hamriyah Free Zone vs Sharjah Research Technology and Innovation Park for General Trading & Import/Export: Hamriyah Free Zone starts at AED 12,000 (85% bank approval) and Sharjah Research Technology and Innovation Park at AED 5,510 (85%). On Year-1 cost, Sharjah Research Technology and Innovation Park is the lower-priced option.
| Jurisdiction | Baseline Gov Fee | Processing Speed | Banking | Suited For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AED 12,000 | 2-4 days | Moderate | Industrial and trading, deep-water port access, heavy industries | |
| AED 5,510 | 5-10 days | Moderate | R&D and innovation, technology transfer, university partnerships |
Industrial and trading, deep-water port access, heavy industries
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.
Hamriyah Free Zone's general trading licence leverages the zone's deep-water port — ranked second globally in the 2024 Free Zone of the Year awards — enabling traders to receive ocean freight directly at the zone's berths and clear customs on-site before distribution across the GCC.
July 2025: Expanded investor access to strategic energy sector opportunities with ADNOC
July 2025: Organized 'Your Safety is Our Priority' campaign for free zone companies
April 2025: Won Global Free Zone of the Year awards 2024, ranked second globally
January 2024: Halliburton signed agreement for drilling tool calibration facility
Company setup in Hamriyah Free Zone starts from AED 12,000 per year.
Hamriyah 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 Hamriyah Free Zone allow remote company incorporation. Bank account opening may require an in-person visit.
Hamriyah Free Zone does not require paid-up share capital for most standard license types. Share capital is notional.
Hamriyah Free Zone wins on 3 of 4 dimensions. We recommend Hamriyah Free Zone for cost-conscious founders and Sharjah Research Technology and Innovation Park if r&d and innovation, technology transfer, university partnerships.
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