Business Setup in International Humanitarian City Free Zone

Company Formation in Dubai International Humanitarian Free Zone (IHC)

The International Humanitarian City (IHC) was founded in 2003, it is the one and only non-profit, independent, humanitarian free-zone Authority hosting a community of members comprised of UN organizations, international non-governmental organizations, intergovernmental organizations, and commercial companies.

In 2011, IHC tripled its size and moved to its current strategic location at 18 from Al Maktoum Airport and 21 km from Jebel Ali Port, the largest man-made port in the world, giving members the ability to move shipments from sea to air in as little as 10 minutes.

The International Humanitarian City is the largest humanitarian hub with more than 127,000 square meters of warehouses and offices. This is set to double by 2020, and triple by 2022, reaching up to 360,000 square meters to meet a sharp rise in global demand for emergency aid worldwide.

Specialised Services to Registered Companies in Dubai International Humanitarian Free Zone

IHC provides its member organisations with a range of specialised services to facilitate their operations — offices, conference management, facilities management, government services, portals for recruitment, volunteerism, and pro-bono work and public events, plus donor assistance and press office functions.

Benefits in Forming a Company in Dubai International Humanitarian Free Zone: 

• 100% foreign ownership 
• 100% repatriation of capital and profits 
• 100% free transfer of funds 
• 100% exemption of import and export duties 

Value Added Tax (VAT):

Value Added Tax (VAT) has been introduced across the UAE on 1 January 2018 at a standard rate of 5%.

Who should register for VAT?

A business whether situated in a designated zone or non-designated zone or outside a free zone should register for VAT if the taxable supplies and imports exceed the mandatory registration threshold of AED 375,000 within the preceding 12 months or it is anticipated that the total value of taxable supplies exceeds AED 375,000 in the next thirty 30 days. Upon registration, a tax registration number (TRN) would be issued to businesses by the Federal Tax Authority.

What is a designated zone?

A Designated zone is a specified fenced geographical area having security measures and customs controls in place to monitor entry and exit of individuals and the movement of goods to and from the area. Following free zones are declared as designated zones.

a. Free Trade Zone of Khalifa Port
b. Abu Dhabi Airport Free Zone
c. Khalifa Industrial Zone
d. Jebel Ali Free Zone (North-South)
e. Dubai Cars and Automative Zone (DUCAMZ)
f. Dubai Textile City
g. Free Zone Area in Al Quoz
h. Free Zone Area in Al Qusais
i. Dubai Aviation City
j. Dubai Airport Free Zone
k. Hamriyah Free Zone
l. Sharjah Airport International Free Zone
m. Ajman Free Zone
n. Umm Al Quwain Free Trade Zone in Ahmed Bin Rashid Port
o. Umm Al Quwain Free Trade Zone on Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road
p. RAK Free Trade Zone
q. RAK Maritime City Free Zone
r. RAK Airport Free Zone
s. Fujairah Free Zone
t. FOIZ (Fujairah Oil Industry Zone)

What is a non-designated zone?

Any free zone which is not declared as a designated zone is a non-designated zone. In other words, a non – designated zone is any geographical area within the UAE that does not have any security measures and customs controls in place to monitor the entry and exit of goods and individuals. Eg. DMCC, Dubai Media City, DIFC, and Dubai Internet city.

What transactions are subject to VAT within Designated zones?

a) Goods transferred between designated zones shall not be subject to VAT. However, goods supplied by an entity in the designated zone to entities outside the designated zone are subject to 5% VAT.
b) Services provided by an entity to other entities inside the designated zone or outside the designated zone are subject to 5% VAT.
c) Professional fees for services are subject to VAT @ 5%.

What government/free zone fees (License/Visa/rent) are subject to VAT?

In case of designated zones the trade license fees, visa fees, lease rentals will not be subject to VAT. And in case of non-designated zones the trade license fees and visa fees are not subject to vat however rent is subject to 5% VAT.

If you need additional assistance or have any questions, please contact the following:
Email: info@freezonesuae.com
Tel: +971 4 343 8022