JAFZA (Jebel Ali Free Zone): 2026 Costs and Setup Guide
Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA) is the UAE's flagship port free zone, wrapped around Jebel Ali Port. In 2026 a JAFZA trading license costs about AED 15,000 per year, a general trading license AED 25,000 to 35,000, and a realistic first-year budget for a standard trading setup with office and visas runs AED 40,000 to 60,000. JAFZA is the default choice when your business moves physical goods through Jebel Ali Port.
JAFZA Cost Table (2026)
JAFZA fees in 2026 depend on the license class: service licenses from about AED 5,000, trading licenses at AED 15,000, general trading at AED 25,000 to 35,000, warehouses from AED 48,000 per year, and realistic first years of AED 40,000 to 60,000; the table itemizes each line.
| Item | 2026 range (AED) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Service/light license, Type 1 (up to 7 activities in one group) | ~5,000 | Entry license class for non-trading activities |
| Service/light license, Type 2 (up to 12 activities, two groups) | ~8,500 | Broader activity mix, same class |
| Trading license | 15,000 | Separate class priced per year; required for goods trade |
| General trading license | 25,000–35,000 | The widest goods scope; a step above the trading class |
| Extra activity beyond package | ~500 each | |
| Realistic first year (office + visas) | 40,000–60,000 | Standard trading setup; can reach 150,000 with larger facilities |
| Standard warehouse (200-300 m²) | from ~48,000 / yr | Larger units with docks: 80,000–200,000+ |
| Cold storage / temperature-controlled | 85,000–150,000+ / yr |
Ranges per 2026 guides by UAE Free Zone Finder, Noble Core, and Henry Club (setup and facility costs). JAFZA quotes exact facility rents individually; land plots in National Industries Park are priced per square foot on request.
Who Actually Needs JAFZA
JAFZA earns its premium in three cases: importers and re-exporters that clear containers at Jebel Ali Port (the zone connects directly to the terminal), manufacturers that need industrial land with port access, and regional distribution hubs that want warehouse, customs, and licensing under one authority. A consultancy or e-commerce seller without physical goods pays less and gets licensed faster at IFZA, Meydan, or Dubai South.
Legal Forms and Share Capital: FZE vs FZCO
JAFZA registers two main company forms: an FZE (Free Zone Establishment, one shareholder) and an FZCO (Free Zone Company, two or more shareholders). The old blanket capital minimums (AED 1,000,000 for an FZE and AED 500,000 per shareholder for an FZCO) were removed: in 2026 JAFZA requires capital adequate for the licensed activity rather than a fixed figure, per the 2026 minimum-capital guide. A branch of an existing company is the third route and needs no separate capital. Residence visas cost roughly AED 3,000 to 5,000 all-in per person against the facility's quota.
JAFZA Offshore Is a Different Product
JAFZA also runs an offshore registry (JAFZA Offshore, since 2003), which is the only offshore vehicle the Dubai Land Department accepts for direct freehold property ownership. An offshore company cannot rent JAFZA premises, trade in the UAE, or sponsor visas; the differences are covered on the offshore company page.
Setup Notes
Three operational notes separate a JAFZA setup from the paper-light zones: a longer formation timeline, customs deposits for goods operations, and the standard federal tax duties.
- JAFZA setup takes longer than at the paper-light zones: facility allocation, port registrations, and customs codes add steps to the license itself.
- Budget customs deposits and gate passes for goods operations; these sit outside the license fee.
- Every JAFZA company registers for corporate tax; port-linked trading income can still qualify for 0% under QFZP rules when the counterparties and flows fit the qualifying definitions.