What is the difference between Jebel Ali Port and JAFZA?
Jebel Ali Port is the main container port of Dubai. The Jebel Ali Free Zone, known as JAFZA, is the free zone beside it.
A company licensed in JAFZA follows the free zone procedure. A company licensed on the mainland clears its goods into the UAE market. The port is the same, the paperwork is different.
How is cargo cleared for a JAFZA company?
Goods can enter the free zone and be stored there. Duty is due when the goods move into the mainland.
We prepare the free zone papers on arrival, and the transfer papers later if you sell into the UAE market.
How is cargo cleared for a mainland company?
Goods imported into the mainland pay duty when they are cleared at the port. Most goods pay 5 percent of the CIF value in duty, then 5 percent VAT on the CIF value plus duty.
The consignee needs a Dubai Customs business code, which many importers call an import code.
How long does customs clearance take at Jebel Ali?
With complete documents, most shipments clear in 1 to 2 working days. Goods that need a permit from a UAE authority can take longer.
Can you move cargo from Jebel Ali to other emirates and the GCC?
Yes. We truck containers and loose cargo from the port to any emirate.
We also run full and part loads by road to Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar and Bahrain, with the border documents.
Can cargo be transshipped through Jebel Ali?
Yes. Cargo from any origin can be consolidated at Jebel Ali and forwarded to East and West Africa, the GCC and CIS under one Gxpress file.
What do we need to quote a Jebel Ali shipment?
Send these five details and we reply within one business day.
- Origin and destination
- What the goods are, with the HS code if you have it
- Weight and dimensions, or the number of containers
- The trade term on your order
- The date the goods will be ready
Written by the Gxpress Dubai team on 10 October 2026.
