Dubai Airport Free Zone DAFZA — Complete Guide 2026
DAFZA (Dubai Airport Free Zone Authority) is the free zone located within Dubai International Airport (DXB), making it the UAE’s premier location for air cargo, aviation, and time-sensitive import-export businesses. This guide covers DAFZA for 2026.
DAFZA Overview
- Established: 1996; one of UAE’s original free zones
- Location: within Dubai International Airport (DXB) perimeter; terminal 1 and 2 area
- Scale: 1,600+ companies; approximately 27,000 employees
- Specialisation: aviation; air cargo; pharmaceuticals; electronics; luxury goods; e-commerce fulfillment; aerospace
- Unique feature: only UAE free zone physically inside an international airport; goods can move from aircraft to DAFZA warehouse without clearing UAE customs
Who Should Set Up in DAFZA?
- Air cargo companies: freight forwarders, air cargo agents needing direct airport access
- Airlines: airline support services, ground handling, MRO (Maintenance, Repair, Overhaul)
- Pharmaceuticals: time-sensitive cold-chain pharmaceutical imports for UAE and GCC market; DAFZA has UAE’s best pharmaceutical import infrastructure
- Electronics: consumer electronics import, warranty and repair centres; global brands (Samsung, Sony, LG) have DAFZA service centres
- E-commerce: fast-moving imported goods for UAE and GCC e-commerce fulfillment
- Luxury goods: jewellery, watches, high-value import/export where speed and security are critical
DAFZA Facilities and Infrastructure
- Warehousing: temperature-controlled and ambient warehouses; bonded storage; specialized pharma cold storage
- Offices: modern office towers on-site; premium A-grade offices
- DAFZA portal: online business management system; trade permits, customs clearance
- Customs: dedicated DAFZA customs checkpoint; 24/7 customs operations
- Security: 24/7 airport-grade security; CCTV, access control; suitable for high-value goods
DAFZA Pricing 2026
- Smart desk: AED 20,000-25,000/year (smallest package)
- Warehouse (200 sqm): AED 80,000-120,000/year
- Office (50 sqm): AED 60,000-90,000/year
- Company formation: AED 8,000-12,000 one-time
- Note: premium pricing due to unique airport location; significantly more expensive than inland free zones
Pricing Evidence & Source Notes
Use this profile as a planning guide, not a final invoice. Confirm the current package, activity wording, visas, office or flexi-desk requirement and renewal amount before payment.
| Free Zone | Package | Year 1 Cost | Renewal Cost | 3-Year Total | Visa Option | Office / Flexi Requirement | Year 1 Confidence | Source Type | Conflict Status | Last Reviewed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DAFZA | Scality Global monthly subscription | AED 28,000-55,000 (licence ~AED 13,000-15,000 + registration ~AED 7,000 one-time + smart desk + 1 visa ~AED 3,500-7,000 + establishment card) Confidence: Verified official price |
AED 34,200 annual subscription before external fees Confidence: Verified official price |
AED 105,600 DAFZ fees before visa/external fees Confidence: Verified official price |
1 visa entitlement; visa fee excluded | Flexible working space subscription | Verified official price | Official authority package page | No material public conflict recorded | June 2026 |
| What is included | Monthly subscription lists flexible workspace, lease, licence, growth partnerships, network support and 1 visa/subscription entitlement; setup fee is AED 3,000. |
|---|---|
| What is not included | Visa cost up to AED 4,200, employee protection insurance, optional dedicated desk and external government fees. |
| Hidden-cost risk | Pricing covers DAFZ fees only; external government fees and visa costs remain separate. |
| Banking difficulty | Medium to high |
| Best fit | Premium Dubai airport-linked trading, aviation, logistics and professional companies. |
Source evidence: Review source | Methodology | Corrections.
Prices can change based on free zone authority updates, activity selection, visa count, office or flexi-desk requirement, shareholder structure, establishment card, immigration file, medical test, Emirates ID, insurance, banking support and consultant service fees. Last reviewed June 2026. Always request a current quote before payment. View methodology or compare all rows in the UAE Free Zone Cost Index.