JAFZA (Jebel Ali Free Zone) — Industrial and Logistics Complete Guide 2026
JAFZA (Jebel Ali Free Zone Authority) is one of the world’s largest and most established free zones, located adjacent to Jebel Ali Port (world’s 11th largest port). JAFZA has been operating since 1985 and hosts 9,000+ companies. This guide covers business in JAFZA for 2026.
In this guide:
JAFZA Overview
- Established: 1985; one of the world’s oldest and largest free zones
- Location: Jebel Ali, Dubai; 35km from Dubai city centre; adjacent to Jebel Ali Port (JXB)
- Scale: 5.5 sqkm; 9,000+ companies from 130+ countries; 100,000+ employees
- Operator: DP World (Dubai Ports World)
- Port connectivity: direct physical connection to Jebel Ali Port; unrivalled for import/export businesses
Who Uses JAFZA?
- Large multinational companies: JAFZA hosts regional HQs of hundreds of global Fortune 500 companies (Unilever, 3M, Procter and Gamble, Jotun, etc.)
- Import/export and re-export businesses: proximity to Jebel Ali Port provides unrivalled supply chain advantage
- Manufacturing: large-scale manufacturing facilities with warehousing
- Oil and gas: supply chain companies serving UAE’s energy sector
- Automotive: vehicles, parts, equipment companies
- Logistics and freight: 3PL operators, freight forwarders, customs clearance
JAFZA Packages and Facilities
- Business Centre Desk: small service company package; AED 10,000–15,000/year; 1-2 visas
- Executive Office: private office; AED 25,000–50,000/year
- Warehouse: industrial warehouses from 500 sqm; from AED 80/sqm/year
- Factory: factory shells for large-scale manufacturing
- Land lease: large plots for custom development; major industrial players only
JAFZA vs IFZA — Which to Choose?
- Choose JAFZA for: physical import/export and logistics businesses needing port proximity; manufacturing at scale; multinational company seeking regional HQ; companies where JAFZA’s international name recognition matters for contracts
- Choose IFZA for: service companies, consulting, IT, online trading; budget-conscious businesses (IFZA significantly cheaper); companies where a Dubai free zone address is needed but port proximity is not
JAFZA CT and Compliance
- JAFZA is a designated free zone for UAE CT purposes; JAFZA companies can qualify as QFZP (0% CT on qualifying income)
- QFZP requirements: adequate UAE substance in JAFZA; qualifying activities; qualifying income documentation
- JAFZA’s physical space requirement (vs virtual offices in cheaper FZs) helps with substance documentation
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JAFZA | FZCo registration and service licence components | AED 40,000-55,000 planning range (licence component priced separately; mandatory physical facility lease AED 25,000-40,000 + establishment card AED 1,975 + 1 visa AED 3,518 + medical/Emirates ID) Confidence: Verified official price |
AED 5,000 annual service licence renewal component before facility and add-ons Confidence: Verified official price |
AED 20,000 3-year registration plus service licence components before facility and add-ons Confidence: Verified official price |
Visa access depends on the selected facility; immigration fees are separate | A workstation, office, warehouse, showroom or other qualifying facility is required and priced separately | Verified official price | Official JAFZA Investor Guide fee schedule; partial setup components | No material public conflict recorded | July 2026 |
| What is included | The current official guide lists AED 5,000 one-time FZCo registration and AED 5,000 annual service licence fees. The three-year component total is the registration fee plus three published annual licence periods. |
|---|---|
| What is not included | Workstation, office, warehouse or other facility, security deposit, establishment card, visas, medical, Emirates ID, insurance, customs, activity approvals and advisory support. |
| Hidden-cost risk | AED 10,000 is not a complete JAFZA setup invoice. Facility choice and annual related charges materially change Year 1, renewal and three-year outlay; trading, logistics and industrial licences also use different official fee lines. |
| Banking difficulty | Medium to high |
| Best fit | Large trading, logistics, warehouse, import/export and industrial companies needing port access. |
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.