Shannon Free Zone in Ireland

Located at the edge of Shannon Airport, SFZ in Ireland is spread over 600 acres with 200 building house and more than 100 companies at service.

Ireland is one of Europe’s most attractive business markets, offering numerous incentives for both local and international companies. Notably, it was the first European nation to establish a free zone—a designated commercial area where companies in specific industries can operate with unique advantages. Many entrepreneurs choose to start their businesses in a free zone to maximize these benefits. Let's explore one of Ireland's most prominent free zones: the Shannon Free Zone.

The Shannon Trade Free Zone

Located at the edge of the airport, Shannon Free Zone is spread over 600 acres with 200 building houses and more than 100 companies at service. It was launched in 1959 and is the world’s first free trade zone. The Shannon Free Trade Zone is known for international distribution in Europe due to its exemption from customs duties and easy access to air, land, and water transportation.

Benefits of the Shannon Free Trade Zone

• No value-added tax on imported goods
• The goods which are imported from any non-EU countries for processing are duty-free
• The goods which are exported to any non-EU countries are also exempted from customs duty
• A corporate tax of as low as 12.5% for all trading profits is charged
• Proximity to Shannon Airport with daily connections to the US and Asia
• Capital, employment, training, and research and development grants
• A skilled and educated workforce
• Excellent transportation network connection through air, water, and land

Activities Allowed in the Shannon Free Zone

• Repair and maintenance of the aircraft
• Trading activities which need to have prior approval from the Ministry of Finance
• IP rights activities
• Manufacturing of products related to the industry

Key Sectors in the Shannon Free Trade Zone

• Aviation—The aviation sector includes businesses that deal in aircraft maintenance. Since this zone is located next to a major airport, most Shannon Free Zone companies involved in this sector prefer to have their aviation businesses here, as it reduces the need for a separate runway for the aircraft.
• Engineering
• Pharmaceuticals
• Medical devices
• Commercial Industries- This sector includes activities that range from information and communication technology to telecommunication, insurance, and finance
• International services
• Trading- It includes ancillary or secondary trading

Why Proceed with Shannon Free Zone Companies?

The Shannon free zone is developed, managed, and owned by Shannon Development. It is one of the leading sources of foreign direct investment and is home to hundreds of companies around the world. The zone facilitates investment in varied sectors and currently has around eight thousand employees. Most companies prefer the Shannon free trade zone because it exempts imported goods, including raw materials, from VAT. If 75% of the end product (or the manufactured product) is exported, the zone is also free from VAT.

Shannon Free Trade Zones' ability to offer investors the opportunity to maintain raw materials and inventory at a substantially low rate has elevated the popularity of free zones worldwide. The incentives and exemptions provided make international companies rush to the free zone to establish their presence in the European Continent.

It can be difficult to start from scratch in a foreign land, even with all the advantages that come with it. That being said, it is no surprise that a little help from a professional can go a long way when it comes to establishing Shannon Free Zone companies. And we at Business Setup Worldwide understand this. Our team of professionals are well versed in the legalities that come with company registration in Ireland. If you are interested in setting up your company in the Shannon free trade zone, feel free to contact us today! We’d be happy to help you.