Industrial
Food Processing & Packaging licence in the UAE
Processing and packaging food products. 14 free zones on Freezone King license this activity — starting from AED 5,665. Filter by emirate and visas below, then buy online or ask for a quote.
Free zones that allow food processing & packaging
- UAQ FTZLowest price
Umm Al Quwain ~3 days up to 6 visas
UAQ FTZ Starter (no visa) · 0 visas · Flexi-desk
Ras Al Khaimah ~14 days up to 10 visas
RAK Maritime Starter (no visa) · 0 visas · Private office
Dubai ~14 days up to 6 visas
Gold & Diamond Park Starter (no visa) · 0 visas · Private office
Prices are “from” estimates and subject to free zone fees. Confirm the final quote with our advisor before you pay.
How to start a food processing & packaging business in a UAE free zone
Starting a food processing & packaging company in a UAE free zone is straightforward when the activity is on the zone's approved list. You choose a free zone that licenses it, pick a package with the number of visas you need, and submit your passport copy and photo. Most zones issue the licence within a few working days.
Price is only one part of the decision. Think about where your customers are, whether you need to hold stock or a warehouse, how many people you will hire, and how important a well-known address is for your bank and clients. With 14 zones to choose from, you can usually find a good balance of cost and credibility.
Licence type: Industrial Licence
An industrial licence allows manufacturing, assembling, processing or packaging goods in a free zone facility such as a warehouse, factory unit or land plot.
Learn more about the industrial licenceSteps
- Pick a free zone from the list above (or ask us to recommend one).
- Choose a package and pay securely online.
- Upload passport copies and photos for all shareholders.
- We reserve your trade name and submit your application.
- Receive your licence, then we process visas and bank account opening.
Food Processing & Packaging — FAQs
Which free zones allow food processing & packaging?
14 free zones on our list license this activity, across 7 emirates: JAFZA, DSO, Dubai South, DSP, Gold & Diamond Park, DMC, KEZAD, SAIF Zone, HFZA, Ajman FZ, RAKEZ, RAK Maritime, UAQ FTZ, FFZ.
What is the cheapest free zone for food processing & packaging?
UAQ FTZ in Umm Al Quwain currently has the lowest estimated starting price at AED 5,665 for a licence without visas. The best choice also depends on visas, office needs and banking.
What licence type do I need for food processing & packaging?
Usually a industrial licence. Manufacture, assemble and process.
Can I add other activities to the same licence?
In most free zones, yes — usually up to 3–10 related activities on one licence, depending on the zone and package. Some zones also allow mixing trading and services.
Do I need any special approval?
Normally no. Standard documents (passport copy and photo) are enough for most zones.
Start your food processing & packaging company today
Tell us about your business. An advisor will recommend the best free zone and send you a full cost breakdown — usually within one working hour.
- Honest advice across all free zones
- Full cost breakdown — no hidden fees
- Licence, visa, bank account and tax in one place