Calculate the exact government registration fees, visa quotas, banking options, and corporate tax substance rules for a General Trading & Import/Export company in RAKEZ Free Zone, Ras Al Khaimah.
A General Trading & Import/Export company in RAKEZ Free Zone, Ras Al Khaimah, costs from AED 6,000 in Year 1, covering government registration and license fees. Registration takes 3-4 working days and bank-account approval is 90%. It suits Cost-effective setup with industrial and trading options in RAK.
| Jurisdiction | Baseline Gov Fee | Processing Speed | Banking | Suited For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AED 6,000 | 3-4 days | Moderate | Light industrial, trading operations, cost scaling | |
ANCFZ - Ajman NuVentures Centre Free ZoneVerified Data | AED 4,888 | 0-1 days | Easy | AI-powered zone for startups and tech companies with competitive pricing |
Sharjah Publishing City Free ZoneVerified Data | AED 4,999 | 1-2 days | Moderate | Fastest setup time and lowest entry cost for freelancers and startups |
UAQ Free Trade ZoneVerified Data | AED 5,500 | 1-3 days | Moderate | Low-cost free zone in UAE with minimal setup requirements |
Sharjah Research Technology and Innovation ParkVerified Data | AED 5,510 | 5-10 days | Moderate | R&D and innovation, technology transfer, university partnerships |
Ajman Free ZoneVerified Data | AED 5,555 | 1-3 days | Moderate | Competitive setup costs, fast processing, flexible visa options |
Masdar City Free ZoneVerified Data | AED 7,000 | 3-5 days | Moderate | Sustainability and clean tech focus, Abu Dhabi innovation hub |
KIZAD - Khalifa Industrial Zone Abu DhabiSourced from public records | AED 9,450 | 3-7 days | Moderate | Industrial and manufacturing hub, port access, large-scale operations |
RAK Maritime CitySourced from public records | AED 10,000 | 2-4 days | Moderate | Maritime services, ship building, port operations in RAK |
DUCAMZ - Dubai Cars and Automotive ZoneSourced from public records | AED 11,000 | 2-5 days | Moderate | Automotive-focused free zone for car trading and spare parts |
Dubai Industrial CitySourced from public records | AED 12,000 | 3-5 days | Moderate | Industrial operations, manufacturing, warehousing in Dubai |
Dubai Maritime CitySourced from public records | AED 12,000 | 3-5 days | Moderate | Maritime services, ship repair, marine engineering |
Hamriyah Free ZoneSourced from public records | AED 12,000 | 2-4 days | Moderate | Industrial and trading, deep-water port access, heavy industries |
Dubai Auto ZoneSourced from public records | AED 12,000 | 2-4 days | Moderate | Automotive trading, spare parts, car showrooms |
Meydan Free ZoneVerified Data | AED 12,500 | 2-3 days | Moderate | Tech startups, e-commerce, and service companies wanting fast setup in Dubai |
Dubai South Free ZoneVerified Data | AED 12,500 | 2-4 days | Moderate | Aviation hub, logistics near Al Maktoum Airport, affordable Dubai option |
DUQE Free ZoneSourced from public records | AED 12,500 | 2-5 days | Moderate | Startup-focused free zone on the QE2 in Dubai |
IFZA - International Free Zone AuthorityVerified Data | AED 12,900 | 2-4 days | Moderate | Affordable Dubai setup with broad activity coverage, multi-year license discounts |
Sharjah Airport International Free ZoneSourced from public records | AED 13,100 | 1-3 days | Moderate | Airport logistics hub, trading, Sharjah-based affordable option |
Dubai Gold & Diamond ParkSourced from public records | AED 15,000 | 3-5 days | Moderate | Gold, diamonds, and jewelry trading and manufacturing |
Abu Dhabi Airports Free ZoneSourced from public records | AED 17,000 | 5-15 days | Difficult | Airport-adjacent free zone for aviation and logistics |
Dubai Silicon OasisSourced from public records | AED 18,500 | 2-4 days | Moderate | Tech-focused free zone with R&D incentives, smart city infrastructure |
Fujairah Oil Industry ZoneSourced from public records | AED 21,000 | 5-10 days | Moderate | Specialised oil industry zone in Fujairah |
Fujairah Free ZoneSourced from public records | AED 21,500 | 2-4 days | Moderate | Low-cost setup, port access, industrial and trading activities |
DAFZA - Dubai Airport Free ZoneSourced from public records | AED 22,040 | 3-5 days | Moderate | Premium location near Dubai Airport, ideal for import/export and trading |
Dubai CommerCitySourced from public records | AED 28,945 | 2-4 days | Moderate | Dedicated e-commerce free zone with fulfillment infrastructure |
Dubai Production CitySourced from public records | AED 36,540 | 2-4 days | Moderate | Publishing, printing, packaging and media production |
JAFZA - Jebel Ali Free Zone AuthoritySourced from public records | AED 40,211 | 3-5 days | Easy | Largest free zone, logistics hub, port access, trading and industrial activities |
DMCC - Dubai Multi Commodities CentreSourced from public records | AED 49,004 | 3-5 days | Easy | Premium Dubai address, commodities trading, highest international recognition |
Cost-effective setup with industrial and trading options in RAK
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.
RAKEZ offers general trading licences from AED 5,900 with Ras Al Khaimah's competitive fee structure, and traders benefit from the zone's proximity to Saqr Port — the UAE's northernmost deep-water port serving Gulf shipping routes.
Highly affordable. Office and warehouse rents are among the lowest in the UAE, starting from AED 30 per sq ft.
Home to Saqr Port, the Middle East's largest bulk handling port. Close connections to maritime trade routes.
Strong industrial talent pool in heavy manufacturing, mining, ceramics, and general commerce. Highly competitive salary expectations.
Feb 2026: NBF partnership renewed
Jan 2026: 19,000 new companies added in 2025, 40,000+ total
Jul 2025: MoU with ADIB for bank account opening
Company setup in RAKEZ Free Zone starts from AED 6,000 per year.
RAKEZ Free Zone processes company registrations in 3-4 working days.
Bank account approval probability is 90%. Banking difficulty is rated Moderate.
Most UAE free zones including RAKEZ Free Zone allow remote company incorporation. Bank account opening may require an in-person visit.
RAKEZ Free Zone does not require paid-up share capital for most standard license types. Share capital is notional.
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