JAFZA Free Zone Setup — UAE’s Largest, Port-Adjacent

Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA) is the UAE’s flagship Free Zone, adjacent to Jebel Ali Port — the busiest port in the Middle East. 9,500+ companies, 7,500 hectares, and the gold standard for logistics, manufacturing and large-scale trading.

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What is JAFZA?

The Jebel Ali Free Zone was founded in 1985 and is operated by DP World. Located alongside Jebel Ali Port and Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC), it is the UAE’s busiest trade and logistics Free Zone, contributing approximately 33% of Dubai’s FDI inflows.

JAFZA offers 100% foreign ownership, 0% personal income tax, full profit repatriation and tier-1 banking access. It is the natural home for logistics companies, traders moving large volumes, and manufacturers needing port-side facilities.

JAFZA Activities

JAFZA caters to large-scale trading, logistics, manufacturing and industrial activities. It is not designed for solo consultants or pure service businesses.

Logistics & Distribution

Freight forwarding, customs clearance, warehousing, third-party logistics (3PL), shipping and supply-chain services.

Manufacturing & Industrial

Heavy industry, food processing, automotive, chemicals, plastics and metals. Plots from 5,000 sqm up to multiple hectares.

Large-Scale Trading

Import / export at container scale, regional distribution, B2B wholesale. Direct Jebel Ali Port access lowers freight costs.

Oil, Gas & Energy

Energy services, equipment trading, oil-field services, renewable energy components and trading of petroleum products.

JAFZA Cost Overview & Visa Quotas

JAFZA is a premium-tier zone. Pricing depends heavily on whether you take an office, warehouse or industrial plot.

License + office (FZE) — Starting from 25,000 AED per year.
License + small warehouse — Starting from 50,000 AED per year.
License + industrial plot — Starting from 75,000 AED per year (land lease separate).
Visa quotas — 3 visas standard, scalable to 50+ with bigger facilities.
Office requirement — yes; minimum office or warehouse mandatory.
Setup time — typically 4-8 weeks for office, longer for industrial plots.

Banking Access & Best Fit

JAFZA’s port-side prestige opens every bank door — here’s the full picture.

Banking access — excellent. Tier-1 UAE banks (Emirates NBD, FAB, ADCB) routinely onboard JAFZA companies.
Best for — logistics & freight, heavy manufacturing, large-scale traders, oil & gas, automotive, food processing.
Not ideal for — solo consultants, small e-commerce, online-only services (use IFZA, Meydan or DMCC instead).
Compliance — audited accounts mandatory annually. Our accounting team handles IFRS reporting and audit liaison.

JAFZA FAQ

Why pick JAFZA over DMCC?

JAFZA wins when you need warehousing, industrial space, port-side logistics or container-scale imports/exports. DMCC wins for trading-as-a-service without physical inventory.

How long does JAFZA setup take?

4-8 weeks for FZE (office package). 8-16 weeks for warehouse or industrial plot setups due to property allocation, environmental clearances and infrastructure.

Can JAFZA work for e-commerce?

For e-commerce with warehousing of physical goods imported from abroad — yes, JAFZA is excellent. For pure drop-shipping with no inventory — IFZA or RAKEZ are more cost-effective.

Can a JAFZA company claim the 0% QFZP rate?

QFZP status attaches to the company, not to the Free Zone. A JAFZA company qualifies if it derives qualifying income from a qualifying activity, maintains adequate substance in the UAE, meets the de minimis and transfer pricing requirements, and files audited financial statements. “Designated Zone” is a separate VAT classification and does not by itself determine QFZP eligibility. Distribution and manufacturing carried out from JAFZA are commonly qualifying activities, provided the substance and audit requirements are met. Our accounting team conducts the assessment.

Compare with other zones on our Free Zones hub or see the Free Zone formation process.