JAFZA company setup means licensing a business in Jebel Ali Free Zone, beside Jebel Ali Port in south Dubai. It is the usual base for importers, re-exporters, logistics firms, manufacturers and the regional distribution arms of overseas groups. Wordcraft attests and translates the parent documents in-house, files the application, then processes the establishment card, staff visas and bank file.
JAFZA Company Setup Features
JAFZA lists its current facilities and rules on jafza.ae. Here is our summary for a first conversation.
| Feature | JAFZA |
|---|---|
| Who it suits | Importers and re-exporters, logistics and freight operators, manufacturers, regional headquarters of foreign groups |
| Office options | Offices, warehouses, light-industrial units and land plots |
| Typical activities | Trading, logistics, industrial and service activities, plus an offshore registry for non-trading holding companies |
| Remote setup possible? | Partly. Documents and the application can start from abroad; leasing a warehouse or plot normally involves site visits |
| Visas | They follow the facility, and warehouses or industrial units support bigger operational teams than an office |
| Trade on the UAE mainland | Through a local distributor, a branch or a mainland license, with customs duty where goods enter the mainland |
Why Goods-Based Businesses Choose Jebel Ali
Location decides most JAFZA cases. Containers land at Jebel Ali Port next door, Al Maktoum International Airport is close, and the highways run to Abu Dhabi, the northern emirates and Saudi Arabia. A re-exporter can bring goods in, hold them under free zone customs procedures and ship them on without touching the UAE market.
That same profile makes JAFZA a poor fit for a one-person consultancy. If you need neither storage nor port access, a flexi-desk zone will be simpler, and the UAE free zones comparison lists the alternatives.
License Types, Branches and JAFZA Offshore
JAFZA issues trading, service, industrial and logistics licenses. You can form a new company with one or more shareholders, or register a branch of a UAE or foreign parent, which is how many multinationals enter the zone. Food, chemicals and other regulated goods may need approvals and safety or environmental checks before operations begin.
For holding structures that will not trade in the UAE, JAFZA also runs an offshore registry. What such a company may own is confirmed at application, and our offshore business setup page explains how offshore differs from a free zone company.
What JAFZA Asks Parent Companies For
Because so many JAFZA applicants are subsidiaries or branches, the parent's file carries the most weight. Prepare:
- Certificate of incorporation, memorandum and articles, and the latest shareholder register
- A board resolution approving the JAFZA entity, its manager and its authorized signatories
- A certificate of good standing issued recently enough for the zone to accept it
- A power of attorney appointing the local manager
- A business plan covering products, suppliers, shipping routes and expected volumes
Each foreign document passes through the home-country authority and then the UAE embassy, which in most countries now adds MOFA attestation digitally. We then translate whatever JAFZA needs into Arabic. Individual shareholders simply supply passports, visa pages or entry stamps and address proof.
How a JAFZA Setup Runs with Wordcraft
- Tell us your goods, facility size and ownership structure, and we reply with a priced quote within 10–30 minutes.
- We start the parent-document attestation early, since it is usually the longest step.
- We reserve the trade name and submit the application with the business plan.
- You sign the lease for the office, warehouse or plot, and JAFZA issues the license.
- We register the establishment card, support customs registration and run visas for managers and warehouse staff through our PRO services.
Customs, Tax and Banking Notes
Goods leaving JAFZA for a mainland buyer clear customs and pay duty where it applies. On profits, a JAFZA company registers with the Federal Tax Authority. Qualifying income can be taxed at 0% if the company meets the free zone conditions, and other taxable income at 9%. Sales to mainland customers can change that picture, so check your position with a registered tax agent; Wordcraft handles licensing and documents, not tax filing.
Banks look hard at trading companies. Supplier contracts, customer lists and parent financials make the difference, and we build that file with your company bank account application.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is JAFZA only for large companies?
No. Multinationals are its best-known tenants, but JAFZA also licenses smaller trading and service companies on office-based packages.
Can I import goods into JAFZA and re-export them?
Yes. Re-export is one of the zone's core uses, with goods moving through the port under free zone customs procedures.
Can a JAFZA company sell to customers in Dubai?
Sales into the UAE mainland go through a distributor, a branch or a mainland license, and customs duty is paid where applicable.
What is the difference between JAFZA and JAFZA Offshore?
A JAFZA free zone company operates from the zone with an office or warehouse and can hold visas. An offshore company is a holding vehicle that does not trade in the UAE.
Can I set up a factory in JAFZA?
Industrial units and land are available for approved manufacturing. See how to start a manufacturing business in Dubai for the approvals involved.
How long does the parent-document attestation take?
It depends on the country that issued the papers and how quickly its ministry works. Timing is confirmed in your written quote, and we start this step first.
What drives the cost of a JAFZA setup?
The facility type and size, the license category, the number of visas and any sector approvals. Our quote shows each charge separately.
Last updated: September 2026
