Best free zone for trading in the UAE
Importing, exporting or distributing goods? Choose a zone with the right trading activities and logistics access — port, airport or warehouse.
Our top picks
- fromAED 6,180
RAKEZ is Ras Al Khaimah's main economic zone and one of the most flexible in the UAE. It covers everything from freelancers and consultancies to factories and warehouses, all under one authority.
- Low-cost starter and 1-visa packages
- Industrial land and warehouses
- Wide range of licence types
- Good reputation with banks
- fromAED 5,923
SHAMS (Sharjah Media City) is one of the most affordable ways to own a UAE company. It started as a media free zone, but today it licenses hundreds of activities across media, consulting, e-commerce and general trading.
- One of the lowest-cost licences in the UAE
- Very fast online setup
- Wide range of media and service activities
- Freelancer-friendly packages
- fromAED 5,923
SPC Free Zone is based in Sharjah Publishing City, close to the Dubai border. Despite the name, it licenses well over a thousand activities including general trading, e-commerce, consultancy and media.
- Very competitive prices
- Combine many activities
- Close to Dubai
- Quick online setup
- fromAED 5,149
Ajman Media City Free Zone (AMCFZ) is one of the newest free zones in the UAE and frequently one of the cheapest. It offers media, consulting, trading and e-commerce activities with quick online setup.
- Among the lowest prices in the UAE
- Quick online setup
- Many activity options
- fromAED 5,768
Ajman Free Zone is one of the oldest free zones in the UAE and one of the most affordable. It offers trading, service and industrial licences, plus warehouses and small factory units at lower rents than Dubai.
- Very low licence cost
- Warehouses and factory units available
- Fast setup
- Close to Sharjah and Dubai
- fromAED 5,665
UAQ Free Trade Zone is one of the most affordable free zones in the UAE. It offers commercial, service, e-commerce and industrial licences with quick online setup.
- Very low prices and frequent promotions
- Combine many activities
- Fast online setup
- fromAED 12,875
Meydan Free Zone is based at the Meydan Grandstand, close to Downtown Dubai. It offers a central Dubai address at a price that competes with IFZA, and a fully digital setup.
- Central Dubai address near Downtown
- Many activities allowed on one licence
- Fast digital setup, often within a few working days
- Good reputation with banks
- fromAED 13,287
IFZA is one of the most popular choices for entrepreneurs who want a Dubai-issued licence without paying premium Dubai prices. It sits in Dubai Silicon Oasis and is known for a fast, fully online setup process.
- Dubai licence at a mid-range price
- Mix trading and service activities on one licence
- Fully online setup, often in 3–5 working days
- Well known to UAE banks
Prices are “from” estimates and subject to free zone fees. Confirm the final quote with our advisor before you pay.
FAQs
What is the best free zone for trading?
RAKEZ ranks first on our scoring for trading, balancing cost, speed, banking and popularity. The right answer depends on your budget, visas and whether you need a Dubai address.
What is the cheapest free zone for trading?
ANCFZ (Ajman) from an estimated AED 5,047.
What is the cheapest Dubai free zone for trading?
Dubai South, from an estimated AED 12,360.
How did you rank these free zones?
We score each zone on starting price (40%), setup speed (20%), banking ease (25%) and popularity with our clients (15%). Prices are estimates and are reviewed regularly.
Get the best free zone for your trading business
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