
Free Zone vs. Mainland for General Trading in Dubai: Solving the 5 Biggest Setup Problems
Key Highlights A Dubai Free Zone General Trading license does not guarantee 0% corporate tax. The 9% rate applies to profits above AED 375,000 unless your business holds QFZP status in an FTA-recognized Designated Zone like JAFZA. As of March 2025, Free Zone companies can legally sell inside Dubai’s mainland market by obtaining a Dubai Executive Council Resolution No. (11) of 2025 branch permit for AED 10,000 per year. Foreign investors can own 100% of a Dubai Mainland General Trading









