Dubai South Free Zone — Aviation, Logistics, and E-Commerce Hub Guide 2026
Dubai South (formerly Dubai World Central) is UAE’s largest single urban development, built around Al Maktoum International Airport. When the airport is fully expanded, Dubai South will be the world’s largest aviation hub. This guide covers Dubai South Free Zone for 2026.
In this guide:
Dubai South Overview
- Location: south of Dubai city; adjacent to Jebel Ali Port and Al Maktoum International Airport; 45 minutes from Dubai city centre
- Scale: 145 km² total area; designed to accommodate 1 million residents and 900,000 employees at full development
- Al Maktoum International Airport: currently handling cargo and limited passenger flights; planned to be the world’s largest airport (5 terminals; 160 million passenger capacity); expansion ongoing
- Developer: Dubai South entity; wholly owned by Dubai government
Dubai South Free Zone — Key Districts
- Aviation District: aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO); aerospace manufacturing; aviation training; aircraft parts trading; adjacent to Al Maktoum airport runways
- Logistics District: bonded warehouses; temperature-controlled storage; cross-docking; e-commerce fulfilment; connected to Jebel Ali Port by road
- Business Park: offices; commercial units; professional services; e-commerce companies; proximity to Expo City (former Expo 2020 site)
- E-Commerce District (JAFZA e-Commerce): Jebel Ali Free Zone’s e-commerce hub; specifically designed for Amazon, Noon, and direct-to-consumer fulfilment; co-located with Dubai South logistics
Dubai South Licence Types and Costs
- Commercial licence: trading and general commercial activities; AED 15,000-25,000/year
- Industrial licence: manufacturing and processing; AED 20,000-40,000/year; requires warehouse or factory unit
- Logistics: freight forwarding, warehousing, customs clearance; AED 18,000-30,000/year
- Aviation: aircraft maintenance, parts, aviation services; specialised; AED 25,000-50,000+ depending on activity scope
Why Dubai South for Logistics and E-Commerce?
- Dual port advantage: access to both Jebel Ali Sea Port (world’s largest man-made port) AND Al Maktoum Airport; businesses can use air or sea for imports/exports from one location
- E-commerce warehousing: bonded warehouse allows import of stock without paying UAE customs duty until the goods are sold to UAE customers; ideal for e-commerce businesses selling internationally with UAE as a hub
- Last-mile delivery: Dubai South logistics companies serve the entire UAE; central location between Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah; access to Etihad Rail connection planned
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dubai South | Dubai South Business Hub base licence | AED 20,000-35,000 (Business Park licence AED 12,500-25,000 + flexi-desk AED 8,000-15,000 + 1 visa AED 3,500-5,500; wide range — confirm specific package) Confidence: Indicative public price |
Quote-based renewal - official content contains conflicting package references Confidence: Needs confirmation |
Quote-based 3-year total - depends on confirmed renewal and package Confidence: Needs confirmation |
Visa allocation and processing are selected separately | Official content lists flexible coworking / flexi-desk options; confirm the selected package | Indicative public price | Official Dubai South Business Hub content; conflicting entry figures noted | Conflicting public sources - confirm current package | July 2026 |
| What is included | Current official Business Hub content presents AED 12,500 as the base licence starting point and describes flexible coworking infrastructure. |
|---|---|
| What is not included | Visa processing, establishment card, insurance, office upgrades, extra activities, regulated approvals and support services unless the final package states otherwise. |
| Hidden-cost risk | Official Business Hub articles contain conflicting entry-price references. UAE Freezone Compare does not average them; confirm the current package and full invoice before payment. |
| Banking difficulty | Medium |
| Best fit | Logistics, aviation, import/export and Dubai address companies near Al Maktoum Airport. |
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 July 2026. Always request a current quote before payment. View methodology or compare all rows in the UAE Free Zone Cost Index.