Consumer goods brands, FMCG distributors, luxury goods importers, and online retail companies use UAE free zones as distribution hubs for the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia markets.
JAFZA — The Dominant FMCG Hub
JAFZA hosts the largest concentration of consumer goods companies in the UAE including Procter and Gamble, Unilever, Nestle, and over 400 other FMCG brands. The free zone offers direct access to Jebel Ali Port (the largest container port in the Middle East) and a bonded trading zone for re-export without customs payment. Costs for consumer goods companies: AED 25,000–60,000/year for licence and standard warehouse. JAFZA’s proximity to Jebel Ali also enables same-day port operations for time-sensitive FMCG logistics.
RAKEZ — Cost-Effective Alternative
Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ) is popular with mid-size consumer goods importers and SME retail brands that want a UAE free zone presence without JAFZA’s premium pricing. RAKEZ offers warehouse units from AED 25/sqft/year — approximately 40% cheaper than JAFZA. Licence costs: AED 10,000–18,000/year. RAKEZ clients must transport goods to Jebel Ali or Sharjah ports for most export operations.
Sharjah Free Zones
Sharjah has two key free zones for consumer goods: SAIF Zone (Sharjah Airport International Free Zone) and Hamriyah Free Zone. SAIF Zone is preferred for air-freight-dependent consumer goods (beauty, healthcare, electronics). Hamriyah is better for bulk goods. Combined costs at SAIF Zone: AED 8,000–18,000/year.
E-Commerce and D2C Brands
Online-only consumer brands should consider IFZA or Meydan Free Zone for their licence (AED 12,500–15,000/year) and outsource logistics to a 3PL provider in JAFZA or a dedicated UAE fulfilment centre. This approach costs 30–40% less than a direct JAFZA licence while maintaining access to the same logistics infrastructure.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RAKEZ | Instant licence Basic / SME package | AED 14,000 all-inclusive (SME package with 1 visa, official); AED 6,000 Biz Starter (0-visa coworking, official rakez.com) Confidence: Verified official price |
Quote-based renewal Confidence: Needs confirmation |
Quote-based 3-year total Confidence: Needs confirmation |
Basic no visa; all-inclusive option includes 1 residence visa | Co-working facility on basic; office, warehouse or facility options available | Verified official price | Official authority offer page | Current package / renewal confirmation required | June 2026 |
| What is included | Basic package lists one shareholder, one business activity and co-working facility; RAKEZ homepage lists an all-inclusive option with 1 residence visa. |
|---|---|
| What is not included | Warehouse, office, extra activities, visas beyond package, insurance and regulated approvals unless quoted. |
| Hidden-cost risk | Facility, activity, visa and promotion terms can change the final amount and renewal. |
| Banking difficulty | Medium |
| Best fit | SMEs, trading, light industrial, warehouse-led, e-commerce and cost-sensitive service businesses. |
Family and Dependent Visa Scope
RAKEZ lists spouse, child and newborn dependent visa routes through its own e-service flow, but the company licence package and dependent residence workflow are still separate checks. Confirm the sponsor residence, relationship documents, applicant status, medical or Emirates ID steps, insurance, deposits, in-country processing and the current authority route before payment.
| Dependent visa check | Planning guidance | Source confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Sponsor status | The sponsor should hold a valid UAE residence route before dependent residence is planned. | Official ICP/GDRFA procedural sources; confirm category-specific terms. |
| Family documents | Marriage, birth, kinship, passport, photograph, housing and income evidence may be requested depending on category and emirate. | Official procedural sources; document format and attestation can vary. |
| Medical, Emirates ID and insurance | Residence processing may include medical testing, Emirates ID and health insurance steps depending on age, applicant status and authority process. | Official procedural sources; final component list must be checked. |
| Cost and timing | RAKEZ publishes dependent-visa component and package signals for its own process, but VAT, deposits, urgent processing, in-country charges and status can change the final invoice. | Official RAKEZ e-service plus ICP/GDRFA context; current quote required. |
Useful sources: ICP residence permit service, GDRFA family entry visa service, GDRFA family residence service, RAKEZ dependent visa e-service. See visa cost planning, document checklist and corrections.
Compare Before Choosing
Shortlist this profile against the other common options before choosing on headline price alone. The three-way guide compares DMCC, IFZA and RAKEZ on cost exposure, visa planning, banking readiness and fit by setup scenario.
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.