JAFZA logistics guideJAFZA, the Jebel Ali Free Zone, for shippers.
JAFZA, the Jebel Ali Free Zone, is a DP World free zone beside Jebel Ali Port where thousands of companies store, trade and re-export goods. Airlift Logistics, a freight forwarder in Dubai, explains how cargo moves into JAFZA in bond, how goods leave it for the UAE mainland or re-export, and which customs declarations, duty and VAT rules apply to each move.
JAFZA at a glance
One of the oldest and largest free zones in the region, built around Jebel Ali Port.
- Operator
- DP World
- Established
- 1985
- Area
- About 57 square kilometres
- Companies
- More than 11,000, according to JAFZA
- Next to
- Jebel Ali Port (AEJEA)
- Nearest airport
- Al Maktoum International (DWC)
- Road
- Sheikh Zayed Road (E11) runs through the zone
- Type
- Free zone for trading, logistics and light manufacturing
Moving goods in and out of JAFZA
The free zone sits outside the UAE customs territory, so each move in or out needs the right declaration.
- 01
Containers for a company in the zone move from the port without paying duty.
- 02
Store, label and repack
Warehouses in the zone handle storage, labelling and light assembly.
- 03
Goods sold abroad leave on a re-export declaration, with no UAE duty.
- 04
Goods sold in the UAE pay duty and VAT when they leave the zone.
- 05
GCC road freight
Trucks to Saudi Arabia and Oman can load directly in the zone.
- 06
Air via DWC or DXB
Air exports are trucked to Al Maktoum or Dubai International airport.
Free zone customs moves at a glance
Each type of movement uses its own Dubai Customs declaration.
| Movement | What happens |
|---|---|
| Port to the free zone | Transfer in bond, no duty paid |
| Free zone to UAE mainland | Import declaration, 5% duty on most goods plus VAT |
| Free zone to another country | Re-export declaration, no UAE duty |
| To another free zone | Free zone to free zone transfer in bond |
VAT on goods inside designated zones follows Federal Tax Authority rules. Check your case with a tax adviser.
Free zone or mainland: the differences
Where your company is licensed changes how goods are cleared, taxed and sold.
| Point | Jebel Ali Free Zone | Dubai Airport Free Zone | Dubai mainland |
|---|---|---|---|
| Next to | Jebel Ali Port | Dubai International Airport | Anywhere in Dubai |
| Duty on arrival | None while goods stay | None while goods stay | 5% on most goods |
| Selling in the UAE | Import declaration on exit | Import declaration on exit | Direct |
| Best for | Sea freight and regional stock | Air cargo and high value | Local sales |
| Re-export | Duty-free | Duty-free | Possible, under duty refund rules |
It stands for Jebel Ali Free Zone. It is a free zone in Dubai run by DP World, set up in 1985 beside Jebel Ali Port. Licensed companies can import, store, trade and re-export goods without paying UAE customs duty while the goods stay inside the zone.
- It is next to Jebel Ali Port.
- More than 11,000 companies are based there.
Only goods entering the UAE mainland pay duty. When a company in the zone sells goods to a buyer in the UAE, the goods leave on an import declaration and pay customs duty, usually 5%, plus VAT. Goods re-exported to another country leave on a re-export declaration and pay no UAE duty.
- Transfers to other free zones stay in bond.
- Keep records of every movement.
Yes, but the goods must clear customs first. The free zone seller or its forwarder files an import declaration, and duty and VAT are paid before the goods reach the mainland buyer. Some free zone companies sell through a mainland distributor instead. The right route depends on both companies' licences.
- Check licence activities first.
- We file the declaration for you.
The zone is close to Al Maktoum International Airport. DWC, the cargo-focused airport at Dubai South, is a short drive away, and Dubai International (DXB) is further, across the city. This makes sea-air routings practical, with cargo landed at Jebel Ali and flown out from DWC.
- Check which airport your airline uses.
- Trucks link both airports.