The number of free zones in Dubai is more than 44 free zones distributed in the seven emirates. Get to know them with us in this blog and learn about the various activities that you can engage in in each of them:
Free Zones, Emirate of Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi Airports Free Zone
Abu Dhabi Global Market
Khalifa Industrial City in Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi Industrial City
Higher Corporation for Specialized Economic Zones
Masdar City
Media Zone Authority in Abu Dhabi
Free Zones, Emirate of Dubai
Dubai Biotechnology Research Park (DuBiotech)
Dubai Motor City Free Zone (DUCAMS)
Dubai Design District
Dubai Flower Centre
Dubai Gold and Diamond Park
Dubai Medical District
Industrial City (DIC)
The International Academy in Dubai
Dubai International Financial Centre
Dubai Internet City (DIC)
Knowledge Village in Dubai
Dubai Logistics City
Dubai Media City
Dubai Multi Commodities Centre
Dubai Outsourcing Zone
Dubai Silicon Oasis
Dubai Science Park
Dubai Studio City
Dubai Technopark
Dubai Textile Village
Dubai Technology and Media Free Zone
International Media Production Zone
International City for Humanitarian Services
Jebel Ali Free Zone
Jumeirah Lakes Towers Free Zone
Dubai South or DWC
In addition to many free zones known as “Dubai City” according to their specialization:
for production
for cars
for the internet
to outsource
for information
for production
Dubai Knowledge Village
Dubai International Academy
Dubai Studio City
Dubai Science Park
Dubai Design District
Free zones in the Emirate of Sharjah
Hamriyah Free Zone Authority
Sharjah Airport International Free Zone
Sharjah Media City – Shams
Free zones in the Emirate of Ajman
Ajman Free Zone
Ajman Media City
Free zones in the Emirate of Umm Al Quwain
Umm Al Quwain Free Trade Zone
Free zones in the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah
Ras Al Khaimah Free Zone Authority
Free zones in the Emirate of Fujairah
Fujairah Free Zone Authority
International Free Zone Authority – Fujairah
Creativity City – Fujairah
Advantages of free zones
Free zones are commercial zones established with the aim of increasing commercial traffic and encouraging local and foreign investment. By providing large commercial facilities to stimulate the movement of labor and encourage the establishment of companies and attract capital.
The United Arab Emirates has been very interested in investing. Where it established the first free zone in the year 1985 in the Jebel Ali region, and it was the correct beginning upon which international standards were based and the model by which many free zones were established in the UAE in general. And the Emirate of Dubai in particular, which has become one of the leading cities in the field of investment in free zones, as it offers many privileges, which are:
- Full ownership of companies up to 100% for foreign investors
- Providing full freedom for the investor to choose employment without being bound by the rules and laws of sponsorship and employment
- Granting various and distinct customs and tax exemptions on exports and imports to investors in UAE free zones
Administrative requirements for commercial work in free zones
The Free Zones Department has worked to organize the works and put plans and designs accompanying them. It obligated the companies operating in it to abide by the international trade laws recognized in the free zones at the external level with regard to the fields of export and import.
The services of administrative facilities provided by the free zones include furnishing offices with good office spaces, with the availability of multiple options in terms of furnished or semi-furnished furnishing.
After fulfilling all the requirements related to the necessary licenses and approvals by the investor and starting to practice the business, The Free Zone Authority activates the rest of the vital services required by businesses, such as electricity connections, laying water lines, etc. It also provides the following advantages:
Information and technology services and ensuring their continuity is one of the types of internal support
Communication equipment and internet connection with standard specifications and high speed
Information network connections and wireless communication technologies
The possibility of marketing for work and advertising
Laws governing the free zone
There are several laws and regulations set by the UAE to ensure the continuation of the continuous work in attracting investment to the free zones and to continue the global leadership that it has achieved.
These federal laws apply to all free zones in their various locations in accordance with Federal Law No. 8 of 2004 on financial free zones. And according to Cabinet Resolution No. 28 included in the executive regulations of Federal Law No. 8 of 2004 regarding financial free zones
Advertising services are provided as one of the support services provided to the investor in the free zones. The UAE applies Many of the policies regulating the work of advertising and advertising are all subject to the laws and regulations that fall under the authority of the Department of Economic Development. And in the event that the business carries out advertising campaigns, the approval of the Transport Authority or the approval of the municipal authorities must be obtained, whether it is promotional campaigns on means of transportation, road signs, or any other means.
Goods prohibited in free zones
established the United Arab Emirates, A list of goods prohibited for specific types of entry into free zones and duty-free shops, These prohibited goods were identified based on their nature and source. Under the provisions of the unified customs law of the Gulf Cooperation Council states, or any other federal law regarding such goods, is import, or storage, or transport any of the items classified as prohibited goods, A crime punishable by law in the UAE.
It includes goods prohibited from trading in free zones
Military weapons, ammunition and explosives, except those licensed by the competent authorities
flammable goods, except for operating fuels, and goods permitted by the authority supervising free zones and duty-free shops, according to specific conditions
drugs of all kinds, and its derivatives
All kinds of radioactive materials
Goods originating from economically boycotted countries
Goods that violate commercial, industrial and technical property protection laws, and literary
General customs conditions for import into the free zone:
First, The importer obtains an imported code from the customs
Secondly, The conformity of the imported goods with the activity of the establishment licensed to operate within the free zones
The arrival time of the imported goods to the free zone does not exceed 72 hours from the date of the customs declaration
Third, not open the goods, or change it, Or dispose of it by the licensee before it reaches the free zone, and certified by customs
Fourthly, All goods are subject to inspection while entering the free zone
Fifth, Payment of incomplete documents insurance, In the event that the customer is unable to present the required documents, The amount does not exceed 500 dirhams
This means that the company or commercial entity operating in the free zone is exempted. Those who are authorized to import from abroad shall be free from paying customs duties. Unless goods are transported from the free zone to various other free zones in the UAE.
In the same context, In order to make things easier for investors and business owners, the state has provided many warehouses in the ports and allocated them to companies that wish to store their imported goods or those that wish to re-export them. A security deposit of the value of customs duties must be paid. It is retrieved upon re-export.
at the end, We would like to remind you that in Itqan we have a full team of experts specialized in company registration issues in all free zones in the Emirates. You can contact us at any time to help you choose the most appropriate free zone for your business.
