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Hamriyah Free Zone
The Hamriyah Free Zone Authority (HFZA) is an industrial-based free zone within the Emirate of Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates. Being founded in November 1995 by an Emiri decree, HFZA has turned into the central portal of industrial and commercial resources that is appealing to companies anywhere in the world.
Key Features of Hamriyah Free Zone
- Strategic Location: Sharjah has an advantage of being at the mouth of the Arabian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman and it is in a good position as the country of HFZA to be used in conducting trade between the Far East, Europe, and in other developing markets like India, Saudi Arabia, and Iran.
- Size and Infrastructure: HFZA, which covers a 30 square kilometres area, has become a deep-water port (14 meters) and inner harbour (7 meters) as well as industrial plots and warehouse and office spaces that can be made available according to the business needs.
- Accessibility:The area has excellent connectivity through the means of major highways, three seaports and Sharjah international airport. That is why it is an ideal place of logistics and trade.
Business Opportunities and Benefits
More than 6,500 companies representing more than 160 countries operate in HFZA based in many different industries including oil and gas, petrochemicals, food production, steel, logistics, etc. It has got a number of benefits:
Specialised Zones
HFZA has dedicated sub-zones tailored to specific industries:
1
Oil & Gas Zone
2
Steel City
3
Maritime City
4
Timber Land
4
Perfume Land
Food Park (focused on food processing and allied industries)
Tax-Free Environment: Businesses enjoy 100% exemption from corporate and personal income taxes, import/export duties, and other commercial levies
- Full Ownership: Foreign investors can own 100% of their companies without the need for a local sponsor
- Repatriation of Profits: Investors can repatriate all profits and capital without restrictions
- Affordable Setup Costs: Packages start as low as AED 11,000 for licenses with visa options
- Flexible Leasing Options: Long-term leases with renewable terms are available for industrial land (up to 25 years). Pre-built warehouses and executive offices are also offered
- Large land bank: This free zone is more suitable for companies planning to set up extensive manufacturing facilities
Licensing Options
HFZA provides various license types to cater to diverse business activities:
- Industrial License: For manufacturing, processing, assembly, or packaging.
- Commercial License: For import/export, distribution, storage, and trading.
- Service License: For service-oriented businesses operating within the free zone
Specialised Zones
HFZA has dedicated sub-zones tailored to specific industries:
- Oil & Gas Zone
- Steel City
- Maritime City
- Timber Land
- Perfume Land
- Food Park (focused on food processing and allied industries)
Business Setup Process
Establishing a company in HFZA involves three simple steps:
- Submit signed application forms with the required documents.
- Make the payment.
- Collect the trade license
It takes only a business day to issue licenses on most activities. One has to be present personally or by power of attorney in the process of registration.
Additional Support
HFZA offers a wide range of support services on online portal on document verification, VAT registration changes, visa applications etc. Cost-effective energy rates and availability of economical workforce are also available in the zone.
Hamriyah Free Zone presents a very attractive business environment to any company that would want to get growth opportunities in the UAE and other regions. It is a favorable state to investors in different industries due to its strategic occupancy, its well-developed infrastructure, its tax breaks as well as policies that are friendly to investors.
Company Setup Procedure in Hamriyah Free Zone Authority
The process of setting up a company in Hamriyah Free Zone Authority (HFZA) involves the following, and Alpha Equity is here to guide you through each step to ensure a smooth and successful setup.
key steps:
Select your license type and status in the law
Choose your carrying place of business
Present passports and other papers required
Make a trade license, and lease agreement
Perfect visa and immigration formalities
Types of License and Juridical Forms
HFZA offers the following options:
- Free Zone Establishment (FZE): Single shareholder
- Free Zone Company (FZC): Multiple shareholders (up to 5)
- Branch or Subsidiary of existing company
License types include commercial, service, industrial, and e-commerce
Facility Options
- Offices
- Warehouses
- Land plots
- Virtual offices
- Document Requirements
For FZE/FZC:
- Passport copies of shareholders and manager
- Visa copies or NOC from the current sponsor
- Bank reference letter
For Branch/Subsidiary:
- Parent company documents (license, incorporation certificate, etc.)
- Board resolution for opening branch
Costs
License fees start from:
- Commercial/Service License: AED 11,000
- General Trading License: AED 12,000
- E-Commerce License: AED 12,000
Additional costs include:
- Registration fee: AED 9,000
- Facility rental (e.g. office space)
- Visa fees
The overall cost of set up will be between AED 17,300 and above AED 50,000 based on the type of license, facility and visa numbers
Key Benefits
- 100% foreign ownership
- 0% corporate tax for certain entities per federal decree law no. 47 of 2022
- Tax and customs duty exemptions
- No personal income tax
- 100% repatriation of capital and profits
- Strategic location with seaport access
The setup procedure may last an average of one week only with HFZA purporting to issue the license within one hour after submission of documents.
There is a minimum Cost Estimate of AED 11,000 (USD2,995) of a basic company setup in Hamriyah Free Zone (HFZA). This established Free Zone is tax free and customs duty free.