Plug2UAEDubai
Dubai Airport Free Zone: real costs, licences and review
Airside logistics for high-value, low-volume goods — pharma, electronics, aviation parts.
Estimate. DAFZA does not publish a full price list. This figure is our own estimate rather than a rate confirmed by the authority: treat it as an order of magnitude and ask us for a firm quotation.
Our view
DAFZA sits on the perimeter of Dubai International and exists for cargo that flies rather than sails. Pharmaceuticals, electronics, aviation components, luxury goods — anything where air freight cost is trivial against unit value. Customs clearance into the airport is the entire proposition.
Pricing is premium and office space is effectively mandatory. DAFZA now sits within the Dubai Integrated Economic Zones authority alongside Dubai Silicon Oasis and Dubai CommerCity, which has brought some administrative harmonisation.
Choose it when proximity to the airport changes your unit economics. If not, JAFZA or Dubai South are worth comparing.
Key facts
| Emirate | Dubai |
|---|---|
| Licence from | AED 35,000 |
| Typical cost (1 visa) | AED 72,000 |
| Issuance time | 7–20 working days |
| Visa quota | Unlimited (with office) |
| Flexi-desk | Yes |
| Remote setup | No |
| Licence types | Commercial, Professional / service, Industrial |
| Established | 1996 |
Official source: www.dafz.ae
Strengths and points to weigh
Strengths
- Immediate airside customs access
- Strong fit for regulated goods
- Prestigious operational address
- Unlimited visas with space
Points to weigh
- Premium pricing
- Office space effectively mandatory
- No benefit for service businesses
- Limited flexibility on activity changes
Who this suits
- Pharmaceutical distribution
- Electronics and high-value components
- Aviation parts and MRO
- Luxury goods re-export
Your quotation within one working day
Four details are all we need. We come back with a firm quotation, the recommended free zone and the reasons for it.