Built for Heavy Industry
Large industrial plots, warehouses and pre-built units geared to manufacturing, processing and assembly — not repurposed office floors.
Hamriyah Free Zone (HFZA)
Company Formation
Set up in one of the UAE's largest industrial free zones. Established by the Government of Sharjah in 1995 and built around a deep-water port, Hamriyah Free Zone is home to around 6,500 businesses across oil & gas, manufacturing, maritime and logistics.
- 100% Ownership
- Established 1995
- Deep-Water Port
- Industrial & Maritime
- 6,500+ Businesses
Sharjah's Industrial Powerhouse
Hamriyah Free Zone (HFZA) was established by the Government of Sharjah in 1995 and run by the Hamriyah Free Zone Authority. One of the UAE's largest industrial free zones, it is built around a deep-water port and home to around 6,500 businesses across oil and gas, manufacturing, maritime and logistics.
Hamriyah Free Zone was established by Emiri Decree No. 6 on 12 November 1995 by the Government of Sharjah, and is run by the Hamriyah Free Zone Authority (HFZA). It has grown into one of the largest industrial free zones in the UAE — home to around 6,500 businesses from more than 160 countries, drawn by its scale, its port and its industrial land.
What sets HFZA apart is heavy infrastructure. It is built around a deep-water port and an inner harbour, with large industrial plots, warehousing and pre-built units geared to manufacturing and processing. That makes it a natural home for oil & gas, petrochemicals, maritime and shipbuilding, steel and metals, building materials, food processing and logistics — the kind of capital-intensive operations a service-only zone cannot accommodate. For an industrial or trading business that needs space, port access and power, Hamriyah is one of the most cost-effective bases in the country.
Deep-water port + large industrial land at low cost
Why Hamriyah Free Zone
HFZA competes on industrial capability and value. For manufacturing, processing, maritime and heavy trading, its port, land and infrastructure are the deciding factors a service-focused zone cannot match.
Deep-Water Port & Inner Harbour
An on-site deep-water port and inner harbour for import, export and re-export of bulk and project cargo — a genuine logistics advantage.
Among the UAE's Most Cost-Effective
Competitive land, facility and licensing costs make HFZA one of the best-value industrial bases in the country.
Oil, Gas & Maritime Ecosystem
A deep cluster of oil & gas, petrochemical, maritime and steel businesses — suppliers, contractors and buyers in one place.
100% Foreign Ownership
Full foreign ownership of the company, with profit and capital repatriation — no local partner required.
UAE Free-Zone Tax Status
Free-zone status with eligibility for the 0% Qualifying Free Zone Person Corporate Tax rate on qualifying income.
Ideal for
- Manufacturing and processing businesses
- Oil, gas and petrochemical companies
- Maritime, shipbuilding and marine services
- Steel, metals and building-materials firms
- Heavy and bulk trading / re-export
- Logistics and warehousing operators
Hamriyah Free Zone Licence Types
HFZA licences are weighted towards industry, trade and the services around them.
Industrial Licence
For manufacturing, processing, assembly and other industrial activities — the core of HFZA, supported by land and pre-built units.
- Manufacturing & processing
- Petrochemicals & plastics
- Steel, metals & fabrication
- Building materials
- Food & beverage production
Commercial / Trading Licence
For trading, import, export and re-export — including bulk and project cargo through the on-site port.
- General & specialised trading
- Import / export & re-export
- Oil, gas & energy trading
- Distribution & stockholding
- Maritime & marine supplies
Service Licence
For the contracting, technical and professional services that support the zone's industrial base.
- Engineering & contracting
- Oilfield & marine services
- Logistics & freight
- Inspection & technical services
- Management & consultancy
Legal Structures Under Hamriyah Free Zone
HFZA recognises the standard free-zone legal forms.
Free Zone Establishment (FZE)
A limited-liability entity with a single shareholder, individual or corporate — common for owner-run industrial and trading businesses.
Free Zone Company (FZC / FZCO)
A limited-liability entity with two or more shareholders, for partnerships and joint ventures.
Branch of an Existing Company
A branch of an existing UAE or foreign company operating under the parent's identity — used by established industrial groups.
How a Hamriyah Free Zone Company Is Formed
Six steps from activity to a licensed, port-connected operation.
- 01
Define Activity & Licence Type
Select the industrial, commercial or service activities and the matching licence, and size the land or facility the operation needs.
- 02
Reserve Name & Initial Approval
Reserve the company name and secure HFZA's initial approval for the chosen activities.
- 03
Arrange Land / Facility
Select the industrial land plot, warehouse, pre-built unit or office that matches the licence and the operation.
- 04
Submit Documents & Sign
Submit incorporation documents and sign the constitutional documents.
- 05
Licence, Establishment Card & Customs
The licence and establishment card are issued, and customs registration is completed for import and export.
- 06
Bank Account & Visas
Open the corporate bank account and process residence visas with Emirates ID and medicals.
Documents Required for Hamriyah Free Zone Setup
The standard set, plus project detail for industrial activities.
- Passport copies of all shareholders and directors (valid at least 6 months)
- UAE residence visa copy for residents in the country
- Emirates ID for UAE residents
- Passport-sized photographs of shareholders
- Proposed company names and a description of activities
- Business / project plan for industrial and land-based activities
- For corporate shareholders: licence, constitutional documents, board resolution and UBO list
Why Choose Hamriyah Free Zone
HFZA pairs heavy infrastructure with free-zone ownership and value.
100% foreign ownership of the company
Full repatriation of profits and capital
A deep-water port and inner harbour on site
Large, competitively priced industrial land
An established oil, gas, maritime and steel ecosystem
0% Corporate Tax on qualifying income under the QFZP regime
Pre-built warehouses and units for fast start-up
Among the most cost-effective industrial bases in the UAE
Tax & Compliance Position — Hamriyah Free Zone
HFZA entities follow UAE Federal Corporate Tax and can qualify for the 0% QFZP rate. As a goods and industrial zone, the VAT and customs position around imports and re-exports matters.
UAE Corporate Tax
9% Headline · 0% QFZP on Qualifying Income
HFZA entities follow UAE Federal Corporate Tax under Decree-Law 47/2022 — 9% on taxable income above AED 375,000. Most can elect the Qualifying Free Zone Person (QFZP) regime and pay 0% on Qualifying Income.
QFZP eligibilityQualifying activities include manufacturing, processing and qualifying trading/re-export; sales into the UAE mainland are treated differently. Eligibility needs adequate Free Zone substance, arm's-length transfer pricing and audited financials.
UAE VAT
5% Standard Rate · Designated-Zone Treatment May Apply
HFZA entities follow UAE VAT — 5% on taxable supplies, AED 375,000 mandatory registration threshold. Exports are typically zero-rated while domestic sales are standard-rated.
Designated Zone status: verify with FTADesignated-Zone status for goods is set by Cabinet decision and can change. Several industrial free zones hold Designated-Zone status, which affects the VAT treatment of goods. We confirm the current status for your specific flows before relying on it.
Ongoing Compliance Obligations
- Annual Corporate Tax return (9 months from FY-end)
- VAT returns per FTA assignment, with import/export flows correctly treated
- Audited financial statements (free zone requirement; mandatory for QFZP)
- Customs registration and per-shipment documentation
- Trade / industrial-licence renewal with HFZA
- ESR notification + report where a Relevant Activity is carried on
- UBO register maintained and updated
Sources & official references: Federal Decree-Law 47/2022 (Corporate Tax) · Cabinet Decision 100/2023 (QFZP) · Federal Decree-Law 8/2017 (VAT) · Cabinet Decision 59/2017 (Designated Zones)
Sectors Active in Hamriyah Free Zone
HFZA's tenant base is industry, energy, maritime and trade.
Manufacturing & Processing
Oil, Gas & Petrochemicals
Maritime & Shipbuilding
Steel, Metals & Materials
Trading & Re-Export
Logistics & Warehousing
Food & Beverage
Contracting & Services
The Avyanco Advantage
Avyanco runs HFZA setups end-to-end — matching the licence and land to your operation and handling customs, banking, visas and tax.
Industrial Structuring
We structure the entity around your industrial or trading operation and the land, facility and power it requires.
Port & Customs Setup
Customs registration and documentation set up for import, export and re-export through the on-site port.
Industrial Tax & VAT
QFZP assessment for manufacturing and qualifying trading, plus VAT and Designated-Zone treatment mapped to your goods flows.
Corporate Bank Account
Introductions to UAE banks that onboard industrial and trading businesses, with the compliance file prepared.
Visas & Emirates ID
Investor, management and labour visas processed with Emirates ID and medicals.
Ongoing Compliance
Corporate Tax, VAT, customs, ESR and UBO obligations handled so the operation stays compliant.
Meet Our Specialists
Partner-level advisors covering every leg of a Hamriyah setup — industrial structuring, customs, tax and ongoing compliance.
Why Industrial Founders Choose Avyanco for HFZA
Three things that come up in every Hamriyah engagement once the licence is issued.
Industrial Fluency
We set up manufacturers and traders and understand the land, port and customs realities HFZA is built around.
End-to-End Delivery
Licence, land, customs, bank, visas and tax — coordinated by one team.
Tax Done for Industry
QFZP, VAT and Designated-Zone treatment mapped for the way industrial and trading revenue actually arises.
Compare Other UAE Free Zones
Hamriyah Free Zone suits industry, energy, maritime and heavy trade. Other zones serve different sectors — compare here.
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Read moreWhat Clients Say
A slice of recent feedback from founders who set up their UAE entities through Avyanco.
I had an excellent experience with Avyanco Business Setup Consultancy for both my company formation and family dependent visa process in the UAE.
Read more — Eder Schaphauser Ziomek's review on GoogleE
Eder Schaphauser Ziomek29 April 2026
We had an excellent experience working with this company for our ADGM company setup in Abu Dhabi.
Read more — Nikhil Nadanga's review on GoogleN
Nikhil Nadanga25 May 2026
I have been dealing with Akshta for more than a year now and she has been very professional.
Read more — Sherif Ayub's review on GoogleS
Sherif Ayub24 May 2026
In so far as the emigration process can ever be made easy, Avyanco achieves exactly this.
Read more — Sheru George's review on GoogleS
Sheru George12 May 2026
We are very satisfied with Avyanco's support for Nanasu Realty — especially across AML compliance, accounting, and company setup.
Read more — Purushottam Mukkundi's review on GoogleP
Purushottam Mukkundi6 May 2026
I've used the services of Avyanco twice over the past 3 years for visa processing, and they have never failed to impress me.
Read more — Dominic Pinto's review on GoogleD
Dominic Pinto11 May 2026
Hamriyah Free Zone — Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about setting up in Hamriyah Free Zone.
What is Hamriyah Free Zone?
Hamriyah Free Zone (HFZA) is one of the UAE's largest industrial free zones, established by the Government of Sharjah in 1995 and run by the Hamriyah Free Zone Authority. Built around a deep-water port and inner harbour, it is home to around 6,500 businesses from more than 160 countries, concentrated in oil & gas, manufacturing, maritime, steel and logistics.
What is Hamriyah best for?
It is built for capital-intensive industry and heavy trade — manufacturing, processing, oil & gas, petrochemicals, maritime and shipbuilding, steel and metals, and bulk trading or re-export. Its port, large industrial land and competitive costs are the advantage. For purely service or office-based businesses, a service-focused zone often fits better.
Does Hamriyah have its own port?
Yes. HFZA is built around a deep-water port and an inner harbour, used for the import, export and re-export of bulk and project cargo. That on-site port access is one of its main advantages for industrial and trading operations.
Does a Hamriyah company qualify for the 0% Corporate Tax rate?
Hamriyah is a UAE free zone for Corporate Tax. The 0% rate applies to qualifying income earned by a Qualifying Free Zone Person — which can include manufacturing and qualifying trading/re-export — while mainland sales are treated differently and non-qualifying income is taxed at 9%. We assess the position against your activity.
Is Hamriyah a VAT Designated Zone?
Designated-Zone status for goods is set by Cabinet decision and can change. Several industrial free zones hold Designated-Zone status, which affects the VAT treatment of goods. We confirm the current status for Hamriyah and map the VAT treatment to your specific import/export flows rather than assuming it.
Can Avyanco arrange industrial land or a warehouse?
Yes. We help select the industrial land plot, warehouse or pre-built unit that matches your licence and operation, and coordinate it with HFZA alongside the company setup, customs registration, banking and visas.
Verification & independence
Content verified against the official Hamriyah Free Zone Authority (hfza.ae), the UAE Ministry of Economy and Wikipedia as of June 2026. Avyanco Business Consultancy LLC is independent of HFZA, the Government of Sharjah and all UAE government authorities, and is not affiliated with or endorsed by any of them.
Free zone regulations, Designated-Zone status, licence categories, VAT treatment and Corporate Tax Qualifying Free Zone Person eligibility evolve. Always confirm the current rules for your specific activity directly with the Hamriyah Free Zone Authority and the Federal Tax Authority before acting on any fact on this page.
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