Summary
JAFZA, established in 1985 beside Jebel Ali Port, is the UAE’s best-known logistics and industrial free zone, home to more than 9,000 companies. KEZAD, formerly KIZAD, is Abu Dhabi’s major industrial and logistics zone beside Khalifa Port.
Fee data is not directly comparable: JAFZA is “indicative band” and KEZAD is “indicative band”. Request written quotes for both against the same activity, visa count and premises.
JAFZA vs KEZAD at a glance
| JAFZA | KEZAD | |
|---|---|---|
| Emirate | Dubai | Abu Dhabi |
| Authority | Jebel Ali Free Zone Authority (JAFZA) | KEZAD Group (Abu Dhabi Ports) |
| Best for | Logistics, trading & industrial | Industrial, manufacturing & logistics |
| Location | Jebel Ali, beside Jebel Ali Port, Dubai | Between Abu Dhabi and Dubai, near Khalifa Port |
| Licence cost | Trading licence from about AED 5,000/yr (one activity group) · office, warehouse and visas extra | Indicative AED 55,000+ for industrial or warehouse setups (quote required) |
| Fee data | Indicative band | Indicative band |
| Setup time | 1–3 weeks | 2–6 weeks |
| Visa allocation | Linked to office or warehouse size | Linked to facility size |
| Banking ease (editorial) | Good | Good |
| Renewal | Licence and lease renew annually | Annual licence and lease renewals |
Which fits which situation
Consider JAFZA if…
- Importers, exporters and re-exporters
- Warehousing and distribution
- Manufacturers and light industrial operators
Its main considerations
- The real cost is the warehouse or office lease, not the licence
- Poor fit for a purely online or services business — IFZA or Meydan cost far less
Consider KEZAD if…
- Manufacturers and industrial operators
- Distributors and logistics companies
- Companies needing large-scale space
Its main considerations
- Poor fit for small service or online businesses
- Total cost is driven by land and building size
JAFZA vs KEZAD: FAQs
JAFZA or KEZAD: which is cheaper?
Fee data is not directly comparable: JAFZA is “indicative band” and KEZAD is “indicative band”. Request written quotes for both against the same activity, visa count and premises.
Who is JAFZA better suited to than KEZAD?
JAFZA is associated with: importers, exporters and re-exporters; warehousing and distribution; manufacturers and light industrial operators. KEZAD is associated with: manufacturers and industrial operators; distributors and logistics companies; companies needing large-scale space. Match your activity and customers to those profiles and confirm the permitted-activity lists.
Can I change from JAFZA to KEZAD later?
Moving between free zones usually means cancelling one licence and applying for another, with new fees, and possibly new visas and bank details. Choosing carefully first avoids the extra cost.
Do either of them let me trade directly on the UAE mainland?
Generally not without a distributor, a dual-licence arrangement where the zone offers one, or a separate mainland entity. Confirm for your activity.
Read the full guides
Get a written quote for JAFZA or KEZAD
Tell us your activity and how many visas you need. We reply on WhatsApp or email with government fees shown separately from any service fee.
- Free, no obligation
- Honest advice — including when a different zone or mainland fits better
- No guarantee of visa or bank-account approval; both are subject to the relevant authority or bank
Information on this page is general and was compiled from public sources; fees and rules are set by the relevant authorities and change. Figures were last reviewed in July 2026 and exclude professional-service fees, office rent beyond any bundled desk, external approvals and bank requirements. This is not legal, tax or immigration advice. Always confirm the current position with the relevant authority before paying. See our Disclaimer.