KEZAD Abu Dhabi Industrial & Logistics Guide
A current guide to KEZAD's industrial and logistics ecosystem, including serviced land tariffs, Free Zone startup packages, Khalifa Port connectivity, dual licensing, customs treatment, facilities and Corporate Tax considerations.
2026 update: Current KEZAD material describes a broader approximately 550 km² integrated ecosystem and publishes live land tariffs. The old AED 11,000 licence + AED 45/m² + AED 3,500/visa formula is therefore replaced below.
KEZAD Land & Setup Planning Tool
Compare current published land tariffs and KEZAD Free Zone startup packages. The tool deliberately does not manufacture an all-in project cost because industrial projects also have utilities, infrastructure, approvals, construction and lease terms that vary by site.
Published land-use estimate
AED 32,000–AED 38,000 per year before escalation and any strategic-land premium.
Common-area maintenance levy: AED 3,000 per year.
KEZAD startup-package reference
Current published package for 3 visas: AED 12,850 including VAT for the selected period.
This is a package reference, not an additional charge to the land estimate above. Package composition and eligibility should be confirmed with KEZAD.
KEZAD land lease tariffs
| Land category | Current annual standard use fee | Additional charge |
|---|---|---|
| Serviced industrial plots, Abu Dhabi | AED 32–38/m²/year | AED 3/m²/year common-area maintenance levy |
| Serviced logistics plots, Abu Dhabi | AED 36–45/m²/year | AED 3/m²/year common-area maintenance levy |
| Temporary industrial plots, Domestic Zone | AED 15–20/m²/year | Contract terms and maintenance levy apply |
| Temporary laydown area | AED 10–12/m²/year | Contract-specific |
Free Zone startup packages
| Visa package | 1 year, VAT included | 2 years, VAT included | 3 years, VAT included |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 visa | AED 9,450 | AED 17,800 | AED 22,575 |
| 2 visas | AED 11,150 | AED 21,000 | AED 26,625 |
| 3 visas | AED 12,850 | AED 24,200 | AED 28,988 |
| 4 visas | AED 14,550 | AED 27,400 | AED 32,813 |
KEZAD's current startup-package page states these prices include VAT. The packages should not be added to the land tariff as though they were identical products; confirm exactly which licence, workspace, visa and setup components are included in the selected package.
Free Zone vs Domestic Economic Zone
KEZAD Free Zone
- 100% foreign ownership.
- Designed for re-exporters, wholesalers, warehousing and industrial projects targeting markets outside the GCC.
- No customs duties within the Free Zone.
- Local-market access through distributors/agents or the dual-licence route.
Domestic Economic Zone
- Direct access to UAE and GCC markets.
- Up to 100% foreign ownership in more than 1,100 activities, subject to the applicable rules.
- Standard VAT applies.
- Manufacturing can support “MADE IN UAE” certification and GCC trade benefits where the applicable conditions are met.
Dual licence for Free Zone companies
KEZAD states that a Free Zone company can obtain an additional licence from the Department of Economic Development, Abu Dhabi. This enables the qualifying KEZAD Free Zone company to conduct its economic activity outside the Free Zone without needing additional offices or business facilities under the described dual-licence framework.
Khalifa Port and multimodal connectivity
KEZAD is located next to Khalifa Port and is supported by a multimodal network of ports, airports, highways and planned rail infrastructure.
Sea
Khalifa Port access.
Road
Major multi-lane highway connections.
Air
Access to multiple international airports.
Rail
Rail connectivity is part of KEZAD's developing logistics network.
Facilities for industrial investors
Pre-built warehouses
KEZAD Logistics Park provides move-in-ready warehouses, offices and light-manufacturing facilities.
Build-to-suit
Customised space can be structured around the operational requirements of manufacturing and logistics businesses.
Startup solutions
KEZAD also provides planned free-zone offices and startup packages for smaller businesses.
Utilities and operating-cost advantages
| Electricity | KEZAD currently advertises power tariffs starting at AED 0.27/kWh and visibility on tariffs for ten years. |
| Natural gas | On-site gas supply is available at competitive rates for qualifying industrial users. |
| Incentive programmes | KEZAD advertises a Power Tariff Incentive Programme for qualified industries and land-lease rebate programmes for selected strategic sectors. |
UAE Corporate Tax and customs
KEZAD's promotional materials describe tax and customs advantages, but current federal law still determines Corporate Tax treatment.
A Qualifying Free Zone Person can receive 0% Corporate Tax on Qualifying Income. Taxable income that is not Qualifying Income can be subject to 9%.
Ministerial Decision No. 229 of 2025 updated the qualifying/excluded-activity framework. An industrial investor should therefore assess its actual manufacturing, logistics, trading, IP and other income streams before using a blanket “0% tax” statement.
Current KEZAD scale
Approximately 550 km²
Current KEZAD material describes the integrated ecosystem as spanning approximately 550 square kilometres.
The original 410 km² figure was therefore outdated for a page explicitly labelled as a 2026 guide.
Typical KEZAD setup workflow
Choose jurisdiction
Select Free Zone or Domestic Economic Zone based on target markets and operations.
Select activity
Determine the correct industrial, trading, logistics, service or other permitted activity.
Select facility
Choose serviced land, warehouse, Light Industrial Unit, office, shared workspace or build-to-suit facility.
Complete setup
Complete licensing, lease, establishment-card, immigration, utilities, EHS and any sector-specific approvals.
Related UAE Tools & Guides
2026 VerifiedFrequently Asked Questions
International Money Transfer & FX Rates
Sending funds for tuition, rent, or immigration fees? Retail banks sneak 2.5%–4% into exchange rates. Check today's real mid-market rate first.
KEZAD quick facts
Current startup package example
KEZAD currently publishes Free Zone startup packages including:
| 1 visa / 1 year | AED 9,450 |
| 2 visas / 1 year | AED 11,150 |
| 3 visas / 1 year | AED 12,850 |
| 4 visas / 1 year | AED 14,550 |
Published startup-package prices include VAT; package composition and eligibility should be confirmed with KEZAD.
Official KEZAD portals
This page relies primarily on KEZAD's current land and service tariffs, Free Zone startup-package information, jurisdiction rules, facility information and regulations, together with the current UAE Corporate Tax framework. Land leases, strategic premiums, utilities, construction and project-specific costs remain contract or quotation-dependent.