Compare JAFZA - Jebel Ali Free Zone Authority and UAQ Free Trade Zone for General Trading & Import/Export setup. Side-by-side comparison of fees, processing times, substance, and bank approval.
JAFZA - Jebel Ali Free Zone Authority vs UAQ Free Trade Zone for General Trading & Import/Export: JAFZA - Jebel Ali Free Zone Authority starts at AED 40,211 (91% 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 40,211 | 3-5 days | Easy | Largest free zone, logistics hub, port access, trading and industrial activities | |
| AED 5,500 | 1-3 days | Moderate | Low-cost free zone in UAE with minimal setup requirements |
Largest free zone, logistics hub, port access, trading and industrial 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.
JAFZA general trading licence holders enjoy duty-free re-export privileges and direct port access that eliminates the need for inland transportation of goods, reducing landed cost by up to 15 percent.
2025: AED 2 billion Jafza infrastructure expansion
2024: Jafza contributed 23.8% of Dubai's total foreign trade
Company setup in JAFZA - Jebel Ali Free Zone Authority starts from AED 40,211 per year.
JAFZA - Jebel Ali Free Zone Authority processes company registrations in 3-5 working days.
Bank account approval probability is 91%. Banking difficulty is rated Easy.
Most UAE free zones including JAFZA - Jebel Ali Free Zone Authority allow remote company incorporation. Bank account opening may require an in-person visit.
JAFZA - Jebel Ali Free Zone Authority 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 JAFZA - Jebel Ali Free Zone Authority if largest free zone, logistics hub, port access, trading and industrial activities.
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