Quick answer
DAFZA setup starts at AED 35,000 for Standard FZE and AED 60,000+ for Light Industrial Unit. — The 10-15 day process grants direct access to DXB, the world’s #1 international cargo airport.
- Same-day port-to-warehouse for inbound air cargo (typically 4-8 hours from landing)
- Year-1 total estimate: AED 80,000-150,000 for office, AED 200,000-400,000 for Light Industrial Unit
- Hosts 1,800+ companies including Aramex, Etihad Cargo, and major aviation MROs
Best for: e-commerce fulfilment, electronics distribution, cold-chain pharmaceuticals, and time-critical logistics operations
Dubai Airport Free Zone (DAFZA) is the UAE’s premier air-cargo and e-commerce-focused free zone, established in 1996 adjacent to Dubai International Airport. Hosting 1,800+ companies including Aramex, Etihad Cargo, and major aviation MROs, DAFZA’s defining feature is direct air-cargo integration — DXB Cargo Village, Emirates SkyCargo, and global freight forwarders all operate within the zone. For e-commerce operators, aviation services, electronics distributors, and time-critical logistics, DAFZA’s air-side proximity is a competitive moat that no other UAE free zone matches.
This guide covers DAFZA setup for 2026: real fees from AED 35,000, allowed activities, the 10-15 day process, air-cargo benefits, visa quotas, and where DAFZA wins against JAFZA, IFZA, and DMCC for time-critical operations.
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DAFZA (Dubai Airport Free Zone): Costs and Visa Quotas (2026)
Dubai Airport Free Zone Authority publishes no licence prices, but it does publish its visa-quota rules by office size: Premium Plus at 50 sqm carries 6 visas, Premium at 25 sqm carries 3 visas, and a Standard Lease at 25 sqm carries a minimum of 2. DAFZA sets minimum share capital at AED 1, though a bank letter is required above AED 150,000.
Verified against the DAFZA site in August 2026. The only fee data published anywhere on the domain is a 2018 press release quoting percentage reductions — not current amounts — so any specific DAFZA price you are quoted is an agent’s figure.
| DAFZA package | Office size | Visa quota |
|---|---|---|
| Premium Plus | 50 sqm | 6 visas |
| Premium | 25 sqm | 3 visas |
| Standard Lease | 25 sqm | Minimum 2 |
| Minimum share capital | AED 1 (bank letter above AED 150,000) | |
| Published licence prices | None | |
DAFZA suits aviation, logistics and re-export businesses needing airport proximity. For published, comparable pricing see our verified UAE cost index, the visa quota comparison, or DAFZA vs DSO. Ask us for DAFZA’s current schedule in writing.
What Is DAFZA?
Dubai Airport Free Zone Authority (DAFZA) is a Dubai government-owned free zone occupying 5.5 sq km adjacent to Dubai International Airport. Its USP for 2026 is integration with DXB Cargo Village (the world’s #1 international cargo airport by tonnage) — making DAFZA the default UAE setup for any operation where air-cargo speed matters. Hosts include aviation MROs, e-commerce fulfilment, electronics distributors, pharmaceuticals (cold-chain), perishables (food/flowers), and high-value goods (jewellery, gold, luxury).
DAFZA Cost Breakdown 2026
| Setup tier | Setup fee (AED) | Workspace | Year-1 estimate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard FZE/FZCO | AED 35,000+ | Office allocation 100+ sq m | AED 80,000-150,000 |
| Light Industrial Unit (LIU) | AED 60,000+ | Pre-built warehouse 250-1,000 sq m | AED 200,000-400,000 |
| Custom-built warehouse | AED 80,000+ | Custom airside warehouse | AED 350,000+ |
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Activities Allowed at DAFZA
- Air-cargo logistics: Freight forwarding, cargo handling, customs clearance, courier services
- E-commerce fulfilment: Multi-channel fulfilment, returns processing, last-mile coordination
- Electronics distribution: Consumer electronics, mobile phones, IT hardware, accessories
- Pharmaceuticals (cold-chain): Temperature-controlled distribution with airside speed
- Perishables: Flowers, fresh food, time-critical commodities
- High-value goods: Jewellery, gold, luxury items, watches
- Aviation services: MRO (maintenance, repair, overhaul), parts distribution, aviation training
- Tech & digital services: SaaS, software, IT consulting
Air-Cargo Adjacency Advantage
DAFZA’s defining feature is its physical and operational integration with Dubai International Airport’s cargo facilities. For licensees:
- Direct airside access for licensees with airside warehouses
- Same-day port-to-warehouse for inbound cargo (typically 4-8 hours from landing to warehouse)
- Bonded warehousing with goods cleared into FZ without customs duties until re-export
- DXB Cargo Village integration — direct customs portal access
- Emirates SkyCargo + Etihad Cargo direct relationships at DAFZA
- Cold-chain infrastructure for pharmaceuticals + perishables
DAFZA vs JAFZA vs IFZA for Logistics
| Free Zone | Setup cost | Logistics edge | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| DAFZA | AED 35,000+ | Air cargo (DXB world #1) | Time-critical, e-commerce, perishables |
| JAFZA | AED 50,000+ | Sea cargo (Jebel Ali world #11) | Container volume, heavy goods |
| IFZA (DSO) | AED 12,500+ | Inland — no port | Cost-conscious general business |
| RAKEZ | AED 17,500+ | RAK Port (smaller) | Mid-market manufacturing |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does DAFZA setup cost in 2026?
Standard FZE: AED 35,000+ setup, AED 80,000-150,000 year-1. Light Industrial Unit (warehouse): AED 60,000+ setup, AED 200,000-400,000 year-1. Custom airside warehouse: AED 80,000+ setup, AED 350,000+ year-1. Premium reflects air-cargo adjacency value.
What activities does DAFZA support?
Air-cargo logistics, e-commerce fulfilment, electronics distribution, pharmaceuticals (cold-chain), perishables, high-value goods (jewellery/gold), aviation services (MRO, parts), and tech/digital services. Optimised for time-critical and cargo-intensive operations.
Why pick DAFZA over JAFZA for logistics?
DAFZA wins for air-cargo (DXB is world’s #1 international cargo airport), time-critical shipments, cold-chain pharmaceuticals, perishables, and high-value goods. JAFZA wins for sea-cargo container volume. Pick based on cargo type — air vs sea is the binary decision.
Does DAFZA allow 100% foreign ownership?
Yes. Standard UAE free zone benefit — 100% foreign ownership, 0% personal income tax, 100% capital repatriation. Corporate Tax 0% on QFZP qualifying income (subject to substance requirements).
How long does DAFZA setup take?
Standard FZE: 10-15 working days from application to operational. Light Industrial Unit (pre-built warehouse): 4-6 weeks. Custom airside warehouse: 12-16 weeks (including construction).
Can I sell to UAE mainland from DAFZA?
Yes, but indirectly. Goods crossing from DAFZA to UAE mainland attract 5% customs duty. Most DAFZA licensees are export-focused (re-exporting via DXB Cargo Village) or use mainland distributors for UAE-domestic sales.
What’s the visa quota for DAFZA?
Standard FZE: 3-6 visas based on office size. LIU with warehouse: 6-15 visas. Custom warehouse with airside access: 20-50+ visas. MOHRE substance requirements apply — actual employment must match sponsorship.
Is DAFZA suitable for e-commerce fulfilment?
Yes — particularly for international e-commerce with UAE as MENA distribution hub. Air-cargo speed enables 1-2 day delivery to GCC + Africa + India + Pakistan markets. Ideal for high-value or time-critical SKUs. For purely UAE-domestic e-commerce, cheaper inland zones may make more sense due to mainland customs.
