About Hamriyah Free Zone
Hamriyah Free Zone Authority (HFZA) was established by Emiri Decree in November 1995 in the Emirate of Sharjah, and is considered the second-largest free-trade zone in the UAE after Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA). Sharjah is the only emirate with ports on both the Arabian Gulf and, via the Gulf of Oman, direct access to the Indian Ocean, giving Hamriyah Free Zone a strategic maritime position for trade between Europe, the Far East, and developing markets including India and East Africa.
The zone spans approximately 22-30 million square meters (sources vary) of industrial and commercial land, anchored by a 14-meter-deep seaport and 7-meter-deep inner harbour, with an AED 800 million infrastructure expansion contracted in 2010 to increase port capacity by up to 80%. Hamriyah Free Zone is organized into specialized sub-zones including an Oil and Gas Zone, Petrochemical Zone, Steel City, Construction World, Timber Land, Maritime City (for shipbuilding, repair, and offshore fabrication), and a dedicated Food Park offering Halal certification and food testing lab services for food processing and import/export businesses.
HFZA issues Industrial, Commercial (General Trading), and Service licences, and companies can be structured as a Free Zone Establishment (single shareholder) or Free Zone Company (up to five shareholders). The zone offers full 100% foreign ownership with no requirement for a UAE national shareholder, complete tax exemption on corporate and personal income, and no obligation to prepare or file annual financial statements or tax returns for most company types, keeping the business relatively low-maintenance from a compliance standpoint. Setup costs start from around AED 11,000-17,300 for a basic licence with one visa, with the zone advertising licence issuance within one hour of document submission in some cases and a typical overall setup process of about one week.
Home to nearly 6,500 businesses from more than 160 countries as of recent counts, spanning industries including oil and gas, petrochemicals, food production, steel, and logistics, Hamriyah Free Zone is generally positioned toward SMEs and industrial or manufacturing-focused businesses that benefit from direct port access, rather than office-based professional services firms.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes Hamriyah Free Zone suited to industrial businesses?
It offers direct access to a 14-meter deep seaport and specialized sub-zones like the Oil and Gas Zone, Steel City, and Maritime City, making it particularly well-suited to manufacturing, processing, and logistics businesses.
Does Hamriyah Free Zone require annual financial statements or tax filings?
No, most company types in Hamriyah Free Zone are not required to prepare annual financial statements or file tax returns, keeping compliance relatively low-maintenance.
What is the starting cost for a Hamriyah Free Zone licence?
Setup costs start from around AED 11,000-17,300 for a basic licence with one visa, depending on the licence type and facility chosen.
Is Hamriyah Free Zone only for large industrial companies?
No, despite its industrial focus, the zone also supports SMEs across trading and service activities, with a minimum package starting from around AED 11,000.
What is the Food Park within Hamriyah Free Zone?
It's a dedicated platform for food processing and allied businesses, offering value-added services including Halal certification and food testing and lab services.
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