The paper is devoted to the evolution of special economic zones (SEZ) in the BRICS countries. The article describes the evolution of zones development within the context of internal and external factors influence. The authors review key goals and objectives of special economic zones in selected economies, as well as their common problems. The article also assesses the activity of the zones in terms of the concordance with their missions. The authors conclude that the BRICS countries often used different strategies for the SEZ development, and their various types. SEZs did not always generate the result that they were expected to generate, and increased competition from existing and newly created SEZs significantly complicates addressing the tasks that governments put on the zones. The authors also note the increasing pressure of international rules on national policy makers that create the rules of state support in the zones.