Free zone company
JAFZA company setup in Jebel Ali Free Zone, Dubai
JAFZA is the Jebel Ali Free Zone in Dubai, established in 1985 and run by DP World. It lies alongside Jebel Ali Port and is built for companies that import, store, manufacture and re-export goods. It suits traders, logistics operators and manufacturers who need warehouses, land or showrooms close to the port.
At a glance Fact sheet
- Emirate
- Dubai
- Authority
- Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza), part of DP World
- Location
- Jebel Ali, on Sheikh Zayed Road, alongside Jebel Ali Port
- Known for
- Port-side trade, logistics, manufacturing, petrochemicals, food and automotive
- Ownership
- Full foreign ownership
- Office options
- Offices, co-working desks, warehouses, showrooms, retail units and plots of land
Overview
Jebel Ali Free Zone opened in 1985 with a small group of companies and now hosts more than 11,000, according to the zone. DP World, which describes it as its flagship free zone, runs it. The zone spreads across both sides of Sheikh Zayed Road at the western end of Dubai, with Jebel Ali Port next door and Al Maktoum International Airport within reach.
Everything here is organised around physical goods. JAFZA is a customs bonded zone, so stock can arrive by sea, be stored, assembled or processed, and leave again for other markets. Logistics, petrochemicals, oil and gas, food and agriculture, automotive parts, electronics and machinery are among the industries with the largest presence.
That focus makes JAFZA a serious commitment. A lease on a facility in the zone is part of setting up the company, and the facility has to suit the activity. For a consultant or a small online business this is usually more than is needed. For an importer, a distributor or a factory it is often the natural choice. Caliph helps you match the licence, the company type and the facility.
Why trading and industrial companies choose JAFZA
The port is next door
Containers move between Jebel Ali Port and your warehouse without crossing the city, which keeps handling and transport short.
Facilities sized for goods
You can lease a pre-built warehouse, a showroom with storage behind it, or an infrastructure-ready plot and build to your own design.
A logistics licence of its own
Alongside trading, service and industrial licences, JAFZA issues a logistics licence for companies whose business is storage and distribution.
Several company forms
A single owner can register a Free Zone Establishment, several owners a Free Zone Company, and an existing company can open a branch.
Staff housing inside the zone
JAFZA offers on-site accommodation for workers, which matters when you run shifts in a warehouse or plant.
What to have ready for JAFZA
- Passport copies for the shareholders, directors and manager
- Your chosen company type and licence type
- A description of the goods or services and how you will use the facility
- For a corporate shareholder or a branch: certificate of incorporation, constitutional documents and a board resolution, attested as required
- Details of the office, warehouse, showroom or plot you intend to lease
- For industrial activities: an outline of the production process and the materials used
JAFZA publishes a separate guide for each company type, and industrial or regulated activities need more. Your Caliph consultant confirms what applies to you.
How JAFZA company setup works
Company type and licence chosen
Your consultant settles the formation type, such as an FZE, an FZCO or a branch, and the trading, service, industrial or logistics licence.
Facility shortlisted
We compare offices, warehouses, showrooms and land against your stock volumes and the way your goods move.
Application and documents submitted
The application and the supporting documents go to JAFZA and the setup fees are paid.
Lease signed
You sign the lease agreement for the facility. JAFZA treats the lease as an essential part of the company setup.
Licence issued and premises handed over
JAFZA issues the licence and you take possession of the facility.
Visas and bank file
Caliph opens the establishment card, applies for residence visas for owners and staff and prepares the file your bank asks for.
Good to know
- JAFZA also registers offshore companies. These are a different product with no right to trade in the UAE, covered on our JAFZA Offshore page.
- Goods moved from the zone into the mainland market are subject to UAE customs duty at that point.
- Industrial activities can need environmental, safety or other approvals before production starts. Your consultant lists them with the licence.
Questions people ask
Where is JAFZA located?
JAFZA is in Jebel Ali, at the western end of Dubai. It lies on both sides of Sheikh Zayed Road and can also be reached from Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road. Jebel Ali Port is alongside the zone, and Al Maktoum International Airport is the closer of Dubai's two airports.
Who runs JAFZA?
JAFZA is part of DP World, the Dubai company that also operates Jebel Ali Port. The free zone was established in 1985. Company formation, licensing and leasing are all handled by the zone, so you deal with one organisation for the company and the premises.
What is the difference between an FZE and an FZCO in JAFZA?
The difference is the number of owners. A Free Zone Establishment has a single shareholder. A Free Zone Company has more than one shareholder. JAFZA also registers branches of existing companies and public listed companies. Your consultant recommends the form that matches your ownership.
Is JAFZA suitable for a small service company?
It can be, since JAFZA issues service licences and offers offices and co-working desks. But the zone is designed around goods, and a lease in the zone is part of every setup. If you do not handle stock, a zone built for service firms is often a better fit.
What facilities can I lease in JAFZA?
JAFZA offers office space in high and low-rise buildings, co-working desks, pre-built warehouses for storage and light manufacturing, showrooms with a warehouse and offices attached, retail outlets and infrastructure-ready plots of land. Custom-built facilities and on-site workers' accommodation are also available.
Can a JAFZA company sell goods in the UAE market?
A JAFZA company trades inside the zone and internationally. To supply mainland buyers it normally works through a licensed mainland distributor or sets up a mainland branch or company, and the goods are subject to customs duty when they enter the mainland. Caliph plans this with you before you choose the licence.
Reviewed by Caliph Business Solutions on . Rules differ by activity and by authority. Your Caliph consultant confirms what applies to you.
Ready to establish your company in the UAE?
Book a free consultation. Tell us what you want to open and we come back with the route, the documents and the cost.
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