List of free-trade zones in the United Arab Emirates


Free-trade zones in the United Arab Emirates are areas that have a special tax, customs and import regime, and are governed by their own framework of regulations.

Background

The UAE has a number of free zones across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Fujairah, Ajman, Ras al-Khaimah and Umm al-Quwain. Free zones may be broadly categorized as seaport free zones, airport free zones, and mainland free zones. Free-trade zone exemptions are:
Each Free Zone is designed around one or more business industry categories and only offers licenses to companies within those categories. An independent Free Zone Authority governs each free zone, and is the agency responsible for issuing FTZ operating licenses and assisting companies with establishing their business in the FTZ.
Investors can either register a new company in the form of a Free Zone Establishment or simply establish a branch or representative office of their existing or parent company based within the UAE or abroad. An FZE is a limited liability company governed by the rules and regulations of the Free Zone in which it is established. Except for acquiring nationality in the UAE, the provisions of the Commercial Companies Law do not apply to FZEs, provided that the Free Zones have special provisions regulating such companies.

Free zones

There are more than 37 Free Zones operating in UAE.
;Abu Dhabi
;Dubai
;Sharjah;
;Ajman
Ras Al Khaimah
Fujairah
Umm Al Quwain