Import & Export in SAIF Zone
Importing goods into the UAE and exporting or re-exporting them to regional and global markets
- 5–7 daysSetup time
- Free ZoneLicence type
- Flexi | PhysicalOffice / facility
- Visa supportVisa eligibility
- StandardApprovals needed
- On requestRenewal cost
Why SAIF Zone
If you are weighing up where to register in the UAE, SAIF Zone deserves a close look for its Airport proximity and straightforward renewal process. A SAIF Zone company can be owned entirely by foreign nationals, needs no local sponsor and can start trading internationally as soon as the licence is released. Typical examples of this activity include food re-export, auto parts, textiles and machinery, which can typically sit together on one SAIF Zone licence. From day one, import & Export in SAIF Zone means importing goods into the UAE and exporting or re-exporting them to regional and global markets, and it is licensed as a commercial activity.
In short, one of the reasons we recommend SAIF Zone is its Airport proximity, which matters more than most business owners realise once the business is running. SAIF Zone licences are renewed annually with a simple online payment and updated passport copies, and GoldenKey sends a reminder 60 days before the due date. For import & export, SAIF Zone offers the office options such a business actually needs and a visa quota that can grow with the team.
Pricing — choose the right package for your business
Just as important, pricing for import & export in SAIF Zone depends on the package you choose; every option below includes GoldenKey's service and the government fees stated. The figures below for import & export in SAIF Zone are updated by GoldenKey whenever the authority changes its fees, so the price you see is the current one.
Message us with your activity and visa count — we reply shortly with prices in writing.
Get my quoteExplore business activities in SAIF Zone
SAIF Zone licenses trading, service, professional and industrial activities. Search every activity we license across the UAE and see where it is available and what it costs.
Documents required
Gather these papers and GoldenKey will take care of the rest of import & export in SAIF Zone.
Scanned colour copies are enough to start. We check every item before anything is submitted.
For individuals
- Customs code application
- A passport-size photograph on a white background
- A short business plan or activity description for certain professional activitiesif applicable
- Attested parent-company paperwork and a board resolution if the shareholder is a companyif applicable
- The UAE entry stamp or visa page if you are already in the countryif applicable
- Proof of address such as a utility bill or bank statement, requested by some zonesif applicable
For companies
- Certificate of incorporation (attested)
- Memorandum & articles of association
- Board resolution approving the UAE company
- Passport copies of shareholders & directors
- Company profile / business plan
How SAIF Zone works with GoldenKey
- 1
Consultation and activity selection
In the first call we check that SAIF Zone lists your activity, settle the licence type and match the visa package and office to what you actually need.
- 2
Name reservation and initial approval
Your trade name is reserved with the SAIF Zone authority and initial approval is obtained; this stage rarely takes more than two working days. We keep a written record of this step so your file for import & export in SAIF Zone is audit-ready.
- 3
Document submission and payment
As a rule, with the forms and memorandum signed, GoldenKey lodges the attested documents and settles the licence fee with the authority on your behalf.
- 4
Licence issued and next steps
Your SAIF Zone licence, certificate of incorporation and lease are issued, and we move straight on to the establishment card, visas and bank introduction. We keep a written record of this step so your file for import & export in SAIF Zone is audit-ready.
Frequently asked questions
Straight answers about SAIF Zone. Anything else — ask GK AI or message us.
View all FAQsDo I need to visit the UAE to set up in SAIF Zone?
For most clients, most SAIF Zone licences can be issued remotely with scanned papers and a signed power of attorney. You will need to enter the UAE for the medical test and Emirates ID biometrics when your residence visa is processed.
How long does the SAIF Zone licence take?
Once your supporting documents are complete, the registrar as a rule issues the licence within 5 working days. Visas and bank account opening follow afterwards.
What is the difference between an FZE and an FZCO in SAIF Zone?
An FZE has one shareholder and an FZCO has two or more. Both offer limited liability and 100% foreign ownership, and the fees in SAIF Zone are usually the same.
What approvals does import & export need?
Just as important, customs code; product-specific approvals for food, cosmetics, medical and telecom goods. GoldenKey obtains these as part of the setup.
Is import & export allowed in SAIF Zone?
Yes. Import & Export is an available activity in {ent}, and GoldenKey lists the exact sub-activities on your licence. Customs code; product-specific approvals for food, cosmetics, medical and telecom goods.
Ready to start your business in SAIF Zone?
To be clear, message GoldenKey now and we will prepare a personalised quotation for import & export in SAIF Zone, valid for 30 days and confirmed in writing.
More about SAIF Zone
Why the UAE
English is the working language of business, contracts are routinely drafted in English, and government portals are bilingual, which simplifies import & export in SAIF Zone for international founders. The dirham has been pegged to the US dollar since 1997, which removes currency risk for import & export in SAIF Zone and makes international pricing simple.
Why GoldenKey
On the ground, our quotations for import & export in SAIF Zone list every government fee and our service fee on one page, in writing, before you pay anything. We speak the languages our clients speak, including English, Arabic, Hindi, Urdu and Malayalam, and we can arrange Russian, French and Mandarin support for import & export in SAIF Zone. GoldenKey is based in Ajman Free Zone and has helped company owners from more than 60 countries with import & export in SAIF Zone, so the paperwork, approvals and timing hold no surprises for us.
