Foreign Trade Zones

Questions and answers about Foreign Trade Zones

  • FTZ is past Sunset Date

    Question: I just joined a company that said they are actively using an FTZ, however when I go on to OFIS and look up the site, it is saying the status is “Approved” and the sunset date was 11/30/2024. How can the company say they are using it, when it isn’t showing any activity? Answer […]

  • FTZ Privileged Foreign Status and Future Sec 301 Increases

    Question: What is the prevailing thought on how the incoming Trump administration’s expected increase on Sec 301 rates will impact products in PF status in FTZs? Is it possible for increased duty rates to be applied retroactively to those products already admitted into the FTZ? Answer 1: There are certainly many uncertainties that will not […]

  • Manufacturing in an FTZ

    Question: In an FTZ with manufacturing, the process includes privileged foreign, non-privileged foreign and domestic goods.  The privileged foreign and non-privileged foreign status goods are entered on the weekly summary as the parts are moved into the manufacturing process. The duty is then paid, which would then move all products to domestic status. The finished […]

  • FTZ applications

    Question: Are completed FTZ applications available to be reviewed?  If yes, where would you access them? If not accessible, we are considering filing a FOIA request to review a current and accepted application. Should the FOIA request be sent to the local FTZ Board or to CBP? Answer 1: Applications are generally available under the […]

  • Sales to a Restricted Country

    Question: Our customer in a Restricted Country requested that our company (FZ) processes Transfer of ownership (Exw) to their FF who will act as the Exporter of Record. Can someone please help me to identify the consequences and implications on such sales, what would be the best practice for having our company as the Exporter […]

  • FTZ Manual Example

    Question: Can someone please provide an example of an approved FTZ manual?   I see this question has been asked before, and the response was to see the CBP guidance or ask a FTZ consultant.  The have the guidance, and don’t need the complete services of a consultant.  The grantee has been very helpful and I […]

  • FTZ vs. Bonded Warehouse

    Question: We have a customer that is requesting that we become a FTZ operator so they can become exempt from local property taxes. Does the storage of goods in a FTZ alleviate the need to pay all property taxes or does a bonded warehouse afford the same relief? Answer 1: No, there is no impact […]

  • FTZ Weekly Entries

    Question: Our company currently operates an FTZ and has opted to file weekly entries. We have recently encountered issues in regards to quota class merchandise and understand that items subject to quota are not allowed to be on a weekly entry. Are we allowed to file a “non-weekly” 06 entry to remove all quota items […]

  • QUESTION ON FTZ SELF-FILING

    QUESTION: We operate as an FTZ and are looking to self file our weekly withdrawals.  In order to do this, must we have a licensed broker on the staff? %%%%%%%%%% ANSWERS: Yes, you will need a LCB on site.  I hope that helps. %%%%%%%%%% If your company is the IOR then you do not need […]

  • Can 06 entries be updated

    QUESTION: Can an 06 Weekly FTZ entry be updated prior to 10th day, once it has been transmitted?  I am aware that the Weekly Estimate Cargo Release can not be, but I am uncertain about the Entry Summary. ========== Answer: Yes, it is possible to update an 06 Weekly FTZ Entry once it has been […]

  • FTZ TO KEEP DEFERRED INVENTORY ON BOOKS

    QUESTION: The company I work for buys parts from our related party and sells domestically. These specific parts have extremely long lead times and we are looking to better service our domestic customer by having these parts in-stock domestically upfront instead of having to place a PO with our related party once our customer needs […]

  • FTZ Suspension Strategies

    QUESTION: Are there any other manufacturer-importers that have suspended their FTZ operations due to the Transportation & Logistics challenges as a result of the pandemic? We are finding that because our consumption entries have increased so significantly, and we are doing far fewer FTZ Admissions, that the Administrative costs for running the FTZ have exceeded […]