Khalifa Industrial Zone Abu Dhabi
KIZAD Company Setup, Accounting & Audit Services
KIZAD is Abu Dhabi's heavy industrial and logistics zone, linked to Khalifa Port, built for manufacturing, industrial and large-scale logistics operations.
Key facts
After setup, plan for corporate tax registration, monthly bookkeeping and the annual free zone audit, and check whether your income can qualify under the free zone corporate tax regime.
| Authority | Abu Dhabi Ports (KIZAD) |
| Typical activity | Heavy manufacturing, logistics, industrial processing |
| Location | Adjacent to Khalifa Port, Abu Dhabi |
| Audit requirement | Required annually |
| Emirate | Abu Dhabi |
| Liquidation timeline | Longer than commercial zones given industrial asset disposal — confirm current terms with Abu Dhabi Ports |
Accounting, audit & tax services in KIZAD
Industrial and manufacturing operations in KIZAD typically carry heavy fixed-asset registers and complex inventory costing — fixed asset verification and stock audit are often the two areas that need the most attention here.
Setting up and running a company in KIZAD
KIZAD (Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi) is part of AD Ports Group and sits beside Khalifa Port between Abu Dhabi and Dubai. It hosts manufacturers, logistics operators, food processors and heavy industry on leased land and warehouses — capital-intensive businesses where fixed assets, inventory costing and customs duty all drive the numbers.
| Company setup | Licence plus land lease, warehouse or pre-built facility in KIZAD |
| Customs | Customs registration and duty exemption procedures for industrial inputs where available |
| Tax registration | Corporate tax on EmaraTax; VAT above AED 375,000 |
| Monthly accounting | Cost accounting, inventory valuation under IAS 2 and capital project tracking |
| Annual audit | Audited IFRS statements for renewal, lenders and QFZP status |
| Corporate tax return | Filed within 9 months of year-end |
Corporate tax & VAT for KIZAD companies
A free zone company pays 0% corporate tax only on qualifying income and only while it meets every Qualifying Free Zone Person condition — adequate substance in the zone, audited financial statements, transfer pricing compliance and non-qualifying revenue within the de minimis limit (the lower of AED 5 million or 5% of revenue). Income from mainland customers and from individuals is generally non-qualifying.
Manufacturing and processing of goods are qualifying activities, which makes KIZAD manufacturers strong QFZP candidates — provided sales channels are structured correctly and the substance is documented. Local sales into the UAE mainland need careful analysis.
More services for KIZAD companies
Related guides from our team
Practical explanations of the rules behind this service, written by our chartered accountants.
Questions about operating in KIZAD
Do KIZAD companies need fixed asset verification services?+
Most heavy manufacturing and industrial operations benefit from periodic fixed asset verification, given the scale of plant and equipment typically involved — this often forms part of the annual audit scope.
Is KIZAD suitable for smaller trading companies?+
It's built primarily for heavy industry and large-scale logistics — smaller trading operations are usually better suited to a Dubai-based commercial free zone.
Is manufacturing a qualifying activity for corporate tax?+
Yes, manufacturing and processing of goods are qualifying activities, subject to the other QFZP conditions.
What accounting issues are typical for KIZAD companies?+
Capitalising construction costs, depreciation, standard costing and inventory valuation.
Can you help with ICV certification?+
Yes. We prepare and advise on ICV submissions, with certificates issued through an affiliated MoIAT-approved certifying body.
Do you work in Abu Dhabi?+
Yes, across KIZAD, ADGM, Masdar City, Abu Dhabi Airport Free Zone and the mainland.
We work directly with businesses across KIZAD and 10+ other UAE free zones.
Operating in KIZAD and need accounting or audit support?
Tell us your licence type and current filing status — we'll confirm exactly what KIZAD requires and quote a fixed fee within 24 hours.