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Zarqa Free Zone
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The Zarqa Free Zone, established in 1983, serves as one of the most vital economic hubs and logistical platforms in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. Located near the city of Zarqa, the zone covers an area of approximately 5.5 square kilometers, making it one of the largest facilities of its kind in the Middle East. It is widely recognized as a major regional terminal for the automotive trade, while also hosting numerous warehouses and industrial plants across various sectors. Businesses operating within the zone enjoy extensive tax exemptions, customs benefits, and the unrestricted repatriation of profits and capital. Its strategic location along the primary transit routes connecting Jordan with Iraq and Saudi Arabia makes it an indispensable hub for regional trade. The zone plays a decisive role in job creation and attracting foreign direct investment, with ongoing efforts focused on modernizing export processes and implementing digital administrative systems.
- Location: Jordan
- Nearby: Al-Hashimiyah (7 km)
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is May, Sep, Oct.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | 8 | 9 | 13 | 17 | 21 | 25 | 27 | 27 | 25 | 21 | 14 | 9 |
| Rain mm | 44 | 43 | 23 | 11 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 18 | 35 |
📋 Practical info
What is this place?
Functioning as Jordan's paramount inland logistical center, the Zarqa Free Zone drives immense regional trade, particularly specializing in the high-volume import and re-export of international vehicles. It serves as a vital economic engine facilitating commercial distribution across the broader Middle East.
Visiting
Access to this massive commercial and customs compound is heavily regulated and restricted solely to registered traders, logistics personnel, and official business associates. Casual tourists cannot enter the sprawling lots to browse the endless rows of transit vehicles or commercial goods.
Where to view it
The colossal scale of the free zone and its countless parked vehicles can often be perceived from the adjacent regional highways traversing the dusty desert landscape. However, the high security walls and flat terrain generally prevent any detailed observation of the internal trade operations.
Local products
As a wholesale-focused international transit hub, the zone does not offer retail shopping or local artisanal markets for passing travelers. Those interested in traditional Jordanian products, crafts, or local dining should head to the bustling city center of nearby Zarqa or Amman.
Active season
The facility experiences a relentless flow of commercial traffic throughout the year, consistently buzzing with truck convoys and logistical coordination. Activity peaks significantly during the standard business week, from Sunday to Thursday, aligning with Jordanian corporate and customs schedules.
Nearby
While the free zone itself is industrial, its strategic location on major trade routes makes it a prominent landmark when driving between Amman and the desert castles to the east. Travelers usually bypass the facility quickly en route to the historical ruins of Jerash or the bustling markets of the capital.
Geography
Facts
- The Zarqa Free Zone was officially inaugurated in 1983.
- It spans a total land area of approximately 5.5 square kilometers.
- The zone is a major regional hub for the re-export of automobiles.
- Investors receive full tax exemptions on profits earned from exports.
- It is situated on the main international highways to Iraq and Saudi Arabia.
- The facility hosts hundreds of companies engaged in industry and trade.
Explore nearby
Notable places around
Route planner — Car & Motorhome
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Sights nearby
Frequently asked questions
What is the main business in the Zarqa Free Zone?
Mainly known for the trade in used cars.
Can anyone enter the free zone?
Visitors must identify and register themselves at the entrance.
Where is the free zone located?
Right by the city of Zarqa, northeast of Amman.
Are there tax advantages there?
Yes, companies enjoy customs and tax exemptions.
How large is the site?
It covers an area of several square kilometers.
Zarqa Free Zone: where is it located?
Zarqa Free Zone is located in Jordan.
Zarqa Free Zone: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is May, Sep, Oct.
Zarqa Free Zone: why is it worth visiting?
The Zarqa Free Zone, established in 1983, serves as one of the most vital economic hubs and logistical platforms in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.
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Nearby cities
Zarqa
Zarqa is the primary industrial center of Jordan.
Russeifa
Russeifa connects the cities of Amman and Zarqa into a massive metropolitan area.
Azraq
Azraq is an oasis town deep in the eastern desert of Jordan.
Al-Hashimiyah
Al-Hashimiyah is an emerging city in the Zarqa region.
Mafraq
Mafraq serves as the gateway to the Jordanian desert.
Al-Muwaqqar
Al-Muwaqqar was a magnificent desert palace in early Islamic times.
Ain Basha
Ain Basha is located on the edge of the capital on fertile land.
Al-Jiza
Al-Jiza forms the southern gateway to the Greater Amman area.
Fuheis
Fuheis is a picturesque town northwest of Amman, inhabited almost exclusively by Jordanian Christians.
Mahis
Mahis is situated on the hills above the Jordan Valley.
Ar-Ramtha
Ar-Ramtha is situated right on the Syrian border.
Al-Husn
Al-Husn is one of the most traditional towns in the north.
Daraa
Daraa is located in southern Syria near the Jordanian border and is a historically significant agricultural center.
History & landmarks
King Abdullah I Mosque
A distinctive landmark of Amman, known for its magnificent blue mosaic dome.
Arch of Hadrian
This massive triumphal arch was erected in honor of the visit of the Roman Emperor Hadrian in 129 AD at the southern entrance of Jerash.
Qasr al-Mushatta
The ruin of the largest Umayyad desert castle in Jordan.
Nature
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Samra Electric Power Plant
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Quseir Amra
One of the most famous desert castles in Jordan, renowned for its unique early Islamic frescoes and well-preserved bathhouse.
Shaumari Wildlife Reserve
A small reserve established for the breeding and reintroduction of rare desert animals like the Arabian oryx.
Azraq Desert Agriculture
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Qasr Azraq
A desert castle built from black basalt, famously used by T.E.
Azraq Wetland Reserve
This desert oasis was once a vast marshland and is today an important resting place for millions of migratory birds.
Mafraq Development Area
A special economic zone designed as a logistics and industrial center to promote investments.