Quick answer: Dubai South, JAFZA and DAFZA solve different logistics problems. Dubai South is the broad air-sea-road corridor option with scalable logistics facilities near Al Maktoum International Airport. JAFZA is the port-led option for container, industrial, warehousing and re-export operations around Jebel Ali Port. DAFZA is the airport-led option for time-sensitive, higher-value cargo and companies that benefit from direct access to Dubai International Airport. Compare the exact activity, customs route, facility, visa quota and current itemised invoice before choosing.
Evidence check: Official Dubai South, JAFZA and DAFZA sources were checked on 27 July 2026. The published amounts below describe different configurations and must not be treated as like-for-like all-in logistics quotes.
Dubai logistics free zones at a glance
| Decision factor | Dubai South | JAFZA | DAFZA |
|---|---|---|---|
| Operating centre | Al Maktoum Airport and the wider Jebel Ali logistics corridor | Jebel Ali Port and the DP World trade ecosystem | Dubai International Airport |
| Stronger first shortlist for | 3PL, fulfilment, e-commerce, regional distribution and scalable warehouse users | Container freight, import/re-export, industrial operations and port-dependent warehousing | Time-sensitive air freight, specialist trading and compact airport-linked teams |
| Published price evidence used here | Indicative base licence only | Official registration and service-licence components only | Official Scality Global subscription |
| Facility evidence | Flexible logistics units starting from 190 sqm in current official marketing material | Workstations, offices, warehouses, plots, showrooms and logistics-park facilities | Space is a separate setup choice; Scality includes flexible working space rather than a warehouse |
| Price comparability | Low. These are different packages with different inclusions. Request matched quotes for the same activity, facility and visa count. | ||
Official cost evidence without false equivalence
| Zone and configuration | Year 1 evidence | Renewal evidence | 3-year treatment | What is excluded | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dubai South Business Hub base licence | From AED 12,500 in current official Business Hub content | Quote-based because official content contains conflicting package references | Quote-based; do not calculate without the matched renewal | Visa processing, establishment card, insurance, facility upgrades, extra activities and approvals unless itemised | Indicative public price: official content, with conflict noted |
| JAFZA FZCo plus service-licence components | AED 10,000 documented components: AED 5,000 registration plus AED 5,000 annual service licence | AED 5,000 annual service-licence component | AED 20,000 for registration plus three unchanged service-licence periods | Logistics/trading licence differences, facility, deposit, establishment card, visas, customs, insurance and approvals | Verified official components: not a complete JAFZA logistics invoice |
| DAFZA Scality Global subscription | AED 37,200 DAFZ fees, including the AED 3,000 setup fee | AED 34,200 annual subscription before external fees | AED 105,600 in DAFZ fees across the published three-period calculation | Visa cost up to AED 4,200, employee protection insurance, optional dedicated desk and external government fees | Verified official package: office-led subscription, not a warehouse package |
Why there is no single price winner: the Dubai South figure is a base-licence starting point, the JAFZA figure is a partial component schedule for a service configuration, and DAFZA Scality is a named subscription with workspace and one visa entitlement but separate visa cost. Ranking these three numbers as complete logistics setups would mislead the reader.
Prices can change with activity, facility, visa count, shareholder structure, customs requirements, authority updates and support services. Request three itemised quotes using the same operating assumptions before payment.
Choose by cargo route and operating model
| Operating model | Stronger first shortlist | Why | Confirm before applying |
|---|---|---|---|
| Container imports and re-export | JAFZA | Port adjacency, customs-bonded logistics and a large facility ecosystem | Exact trading activity, customs code, warehouse, deposit and recurring facility costs |
| Air-sea transfer and regional distribution | Dubai South | Official sources describe access to Al Maktoum cargo terminals and Jebel Ali Port through the logistics corridor | Whether the selected facility has bonded or non-bonded access and the current lease quotation |
| Time-sensitive air cargo | DAFZA | Direct airport access may reduce handling distance for high-value or urgent goods | Cargo-handler arrangement, facility availability, activity approval and external fees |
| E-commerce fulfilment | Dubai South | EZDubai, contract-logistics infrastructure and scalable multi-user units support fulfilment models | Warehouse versus 3PL economics, customs route and mainland delivery model |
| Industrial or large warehouse operation | JAFZA or Dubai South | Both publish substantial facility-led logistics ecosystems | Plot or unit specification, fit-out, EHS approvals, utilities, staffing and customs process |
| Compact specialist trading office | DAFZA | The named Scality package provides an office-led route with a published subscription | Whether it supports the exact goods activity and whether separate storage is required |
Facility and infrastructure comparison
| Facility question | Dubai South | JAFZA | DAFZA |
|---|---|---|---|
| Can it support warehousing? | Yes. Official Logistics District material lists flexible warehouse areas from 190 sqm and combinable units. | Yes. JAFZA publishes warehouses, light industrial units, logistics parks, plots and customised development. | DAFZA publishes warehousing solutions, but the Scality price used above is flexible workspace rather than a warehouse quote. |
| Primary transport advantage | Access across air, sea and road networks | Direct relationship with Jebel Ali Port and DP World logistics | Direct access to Dubai International Airport |
| Facility price visibility | Request a current unit-specific quote | Request a current facility, deposit and service-charge quote | Request a current warehouse or office quote outside the named Scality scope |
| Fit-out exposure | Configuration-dependent; confirm cooling, racking, office and compliance work | Configuration-dependent across warehouse, LIU, plot and showroom choices | Configuration-dependent; airport-linked operations may require cargo-handler or specialist arrangements |
Customs, mainland sales and tax questions
A free-zone licence does not by itself settle how goods enter mainland UAE. Map the importer of record, customs registration, product classification, duty treatment, VAT treatment, bonded movement and mainland distribution route before choosing a zone. The right structure differs between re-export, direct mainland sales, marketplace fulfilment and third-party distribution.
| Question | Why it changes the decision |
|---|---|
| Where do goods first arrive? | Sea-port, DXB air cargo and Al Maktoum routes favour different facilities and handlers. |
| Are goods re-exported or sold locally? | The customs and distribution workflow can matter more than the licence starting price. |
| Who owns the inventory? | The licensed entity, importer and warehouse contract must align with the operating model. |
| Are products regulated? | Food, medical, cosmetics, chemicals and other controlled goods can require external approvals and specialist storage. |
| Is a 3PL more efficient than a leased warehouse? | A low-volume founder may avoid facility and staffing commitments by outsourcing fulfilment. |
Visa and staffing implications
Do not infer visa quota from a licence price. Quota can depend on the package, facility area, establishment or immigration file and authority approval. DAFZA Scality describes one visa entitlement but excludes the visa fee. Dubai South and JAFZA require the selected licence and facility to be matched to the planned headcount.
- List investor, manager, warehouse, driver and office roles separately.
- Confirm whether each role can be sponsored under the proposed activity and facility.
- Request establishment-card, immigration, medical, Emirates ID, insurance and status-change lines separately.
- Model renewal and cancellation costs as well as initial issuance.
Banking difficulty and trade-document readiness
No free zone guarantees a business bank account. Logistics and trading applications are easier to explain when the company can show supplier and customer contracts, expected corridors, invoices, product details, warehouse or 3PL evidence, website readiness, source of funds and realistic transaction forecasts.
| Risk factor | Practical preparation |
|---|---|
| Broad or unclear trading activity | Use precise product categories and align them with contracts and the licence. |
| High-risk goods or jurisdictions | Prepare enhanced compliance evidence and expect additional review. |
| No operating evidence | Prepare a website, business plan, invoices or contracts and a credible logistics workflow. |
| Large expected transactions | Explain counterparties, trade corridors, margins, payment terms and source of funds. |
| Facility mismatch | Show why the office, warehouse or 3PL arrangement fits the goods and volume. |
Estimate your banking difficulty and review the business bank account document checklist.
Documents and quote inputs
- Passport and contact details for each shareholder and manager.
- Exact business activities and product categories.
- Shareholding structure and corporate documents for company shareholders.
- Expected imports, exports, mainland sales and countries of trade.
- Monthly shipment volume, pallet or square-metre requirement and storage conditions.
- Office, warehouse, plot, showroom or 3PL requirement.
- Initial and 24-month staffing plan.
- External approvals, customs registration and product-compliance requirements.
Hidden-cost checklist
| Cost area | What to request in writing |
|---|---|
| Licence and registration | Exact activity groups, company type, setup fee and annual renewal |
| Facility | Rent, deposit, service charges, utilities, cooling, fit-out and renewal escalation |
| Immigration | Establishment card, e-channel or immigration file, allocation and applicant fees |
| Customs | Registration, declarations, handling, inspection and bonded-movement costs |
| Product approvals | Municipality, food, health, environment, civil-defence or other authority fees |
| Operations | Racking, equipment, insurance, security, waste, transport and 3PL charges |
| Changes and exit | Amendment, quota change, facility change, cancellation and liquidation costs |
Practical shortlist by use case
Choose Dubai South first when
Your plan centres on Al Maktoum Airport, mixed air-sea-road connectivity, e-commerce fulfilment, regional distribution or scalable multi-user logistics space. Verify the current facility and licence together because the AED 12,500 evidence is a base-licence figure, not an all-in warehouse setup.
Choose JAFZA first when
Your economics depend on Jebel Ali Port, container movement, re-export, industrial facilities or substantial warehousing. Use the official AED 5,000 registration and AED 5,000 service-licence lines only as documented components; a real logistics or trading company requires a matched licence and facility quotation.
Choose DAFZA first when
Your operation benefits from direct access to Dubai International Airport and a compact office-led setup for time-sensitive or higher-value goods. The AED 37,200 Scality Year 1 figure is a named subscription, not a general DAFZA warehouse price.
Alternatives and related decisions
Also compare KEZAD, Hamriyah Free Zone and RAKEZ where Abu Dhabi port access, Sharjah industrial facilities or Ras Al Khaimah operating costs may fit better.
Useful next steps: UAE free zone cost calculator, logistics licence guide, import-export activity guide, hidden-cost guide, UAE Free Zone Cost Index and research methodology.
Official sources and confidence
- Dubai South Logistics District
- Dubai South Business Hub cost content
- JAFZA Investor Guide
- JAFZA logistics industry page
- DAFZA Scality package
- DAFZA official website
Confidence: high for the named official components and operational facts; medium or requires verification for a complete logistics setup because activity, facility, customs, visas and external approvals must be quoted together. Report corrections through our corrections process.
Dubai South vs JAFZA vs DAFZA FAQs
Which zone is the lowest-cost logistics option?
There is no defensible universal answer from the published figures because they cover different configurations. Dubai South publishes a lower base-licence starting point, JAFZA publishes partial registration and service-licence components, and DAFZA publishes a named office-led subscription. Match the same activity, facility and visa count before comparing.
Which zone is more suitable for container imports?
JAFZA is the stronger first shortlist when direct Jebel Ali Port access and container-scale warehousing drive the operating model. Confirm the exact licence, customs process and facility quote.
Which zone is more suitable for air cargo?
DAFZA is directly linked to Dubai International Airport, while Dubai South supports Al Maktoum Airport and broader air-sea-road logistics. Choose based on the arrival airport, cargo type, handling partner and required facility.
Can a flexi-desk support a logistics business?
It may support company formation for some permitted service or trading activities, but it does not replace storage, customs, product approvals or operational substance where physical goods are handled. Confirm the authority and bank requirements.
Does any of these zones guarantee a bank account?
No. Banks independently assess the activity, ownership, residency, contracts, website, source of funds, counterparties and expected transactions.
Should I lease a warehouse or use a 3PL?
Low or variable volumes may favour a 3PL, while stable throughput and specialised handling may justify a dedicated unit. Compare the complete 24- or 36-month operating cost, not only licence and rent.
Request matched logistics quotes
Use the same activity, cargo route, facility size, visa count and customs assumptions for all three quotes. UAE Freezone Compare does not charge users a service fee for requesting a suitable current market quote.
Written by: UAE Freezone Compare Editorial Team
Reviewed by: UAE Business Setup Research Team
Official sources checked: 27 July 2026