UAE setup for trading & logistics.
Commodities, FMCG, freight, customs-bonded operations. JAFZA dominates the physical-goods playbook; DMCC dominates the paper-trading one.
JAFZA
USD 30,000. Port-adjacent. Customs-bonded warehousing. For 8-figure logistics.
DMCC
USD 17,800. World's most-awarded free zone. Tier 1 banking. Default for paper-trading.
Dubai Mainland
USD 16,000. For distribution to UAE customers without a free-zone distributor layer.
JAFZA — when physical goods matter
If your business moves physical inventory through Jebel Ali Port, JAFZA's customs-bonded zone status is decisive. Goods can sit in your bonded warehouse for re-export without triggering UAE duty. The licence cost is higher (USD 28,000+) but the customs and operational advantages compound for high-throughput operators.
DMCC — for commodities & paper trading
DMCC was built for the commodities trade — gold, diamonds, tea, coffee, base metals. Strong UAE Tier 1 bank acceptance (decisive for trade-finance facilities). Audit-mandatory, which actually helps with banking.
FAQ
Can a JAFZA company sell to UAE mainland customers?
Indirectly, via a UAE mainland distributor (5% duty + VAT). Direct mainland sales require a mainland LLC. Many groups run dual structures.
DMCC vs Mainland for FMCG distribution?
For UAE retail distribution: mainland. For international wholesale / export: DMCC. Some operators run both — DMCC parent owns inventory; mainland subsidiary handles UAE retail.