Foreign Trade Zones

QUESTION: Does anyone in the membership have a sample FTZ activation request that they can share? I have read through 19 CFR 146, and it seems simple, but knowing CBP, there has to be more to it. Most of the other steps have taken place, such as local government approvals, zone application, etc.. Just need […]

QUESTION: Does anyone in the membership have experience with importing aluminum subject to the 232 duties into an FTZ, and then withdrawing it and applying an exclusion? That should work, right? Provided the exclusion was valid on the date on the 214? ========== Answer: Yes – when you admit the product in – if there […]

QUESTION: I import plain end pipe into my FTZ subzone under 7304 or 7305. It’s properly entered on a 214. It is manufactured into a new a distinct article of commerce. Country of origin and HTS change. When I do my 7512 or 7501/3461, depending on where it’s going, that filing needs to be with […]

QUESTION: I understand that in-bond shipments, moving in or out of an FTZ, must be moved by bonded carriers. Can an FTZ operator be the bonding agent for in-bond shipments? I want to ship FTZ outbound collect shipments in-bond, but our customer’s carrier will not bill the in-bond fees to us directly, and our customer […]

QUESTION: Oops. Exported something from my FTZ without filing a 7512. It didn’t enter US commerce, it was a true and complete US export. Can I file a late 7512? Will I get in trouble? I know, I know. Talk to a trade attorney……… *************** Answers: Is it still the same zone week? Can you […]

QUESTION: What is the process of moving LCL loads into a Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) from arrival at the port of import to delivery to the FTZ? Routing could be via rail or truck. Understand that it needs to move in bond, but how is LCL segregated from non-bonded merchandise? ========== Answers: You would on […]

QUESTION: New job, this company has an FTZ but no FTZ manual. Any good FTZ manual templates out there? My need is semi-urgent. %%%%%%%%%% ANSWERS: I would poke around somemore and even reach out to Customs – at some point a manual would have been submitted to Customs as a part of the activation process. […]

QUESTION: Our company will be setting up a DC on the west coast. This DC will feed our factory which is a few miles away. The plan is to set up an FTZ at the factory to take advantage of a lower duty rate on transformation. However, since the imported material will not be stored […]

QUESTION: Does anyone in the membership have any pointers when applying for an FTZ designation? I’m only speaking of designation and not activation. ========== Answers: Hi There, Designation can be done through an application on the FTZ Board website. If you are considering designation, please also consider a solid plan for activation and operation. ========== […]

QUESTION: For items manufactured in an FTZ that contain Privileged Foreign, Non-Privileged Foreign, and Domestic status components, should the reported weight (on the 7501 line for the manufactured item) be calculated using the finished good weight, or should it be calculated using the Non-Privileged Foreign status components that underwent duty invert for that line? It […]

QUESTION: Would appreciate feedback on experience with how FTZ activated space is controlled/designated in different FTZ’s around the nation. Some FTZ’s require fencing (sometimes all the way to the ceiling and comporting with Bonded Warehouse requirements) surrounding the “activated” areas. If the FTZ area expands/contracts modifications/movement of the fencing is required. Other FTZ’s rely more […]