Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA) — Complete Business and Industrial Guide 2026
JAFZA (Jebel Ali Free Zone Authority) is the world’s most successful free zone. Here is the complete 2026 business and industrial guide for companies considering JAFZA.
In this guide:
JAFZA Overview
- Location: Jebel Ali, Dubai; adjacent to Port Jebel Ali
- Established: 1985; world’s first free zone of modern type
- Port: Port Jebel Ali is world’s 9th largest container port and busiest in MENA
- Size: 57 sq km; 7,500+ companies; 135,000+ workers
JAFZA Company Types
- Free Zone Establishment (FZE): Single shareholder
- Free Zone Company (FZC): 2-50 shareholders
- Branch of foreign company
- Non-resident company: Offshore company (JAFZA offshore)
JAFZA Key Industries
- Logistics and supply chain
- FMCG distribution and consumer goods
- Automotive (Jebel Ali Vehicle Centre)
- Petrochemicals and chemicals
- Food and beverage (JAFZA is UAE’s largest food trading hub)
- Industrial manufacturing
JAFZA Cost 2026
- Flexi desk: AED 15,000-20,000/year
- Office: AED 30,000-100,000+/year
- Warehouse (800-3,200 sqm): AED 100,000-500,000+/year
- Land plot (industrial): Long-term lease; AED 80-150 per sqm/year
JAFZA Banking Advantage
- Strong banking relationships: JAFZA is Dubai’s most established free zone; all major UAE banks and most international banks readily accept JAFZA trade licences
- Trade finance: JAFZA-Jebel Ali Port integration means export/import LCs and trade finance straightforward