FTZ’ine December 2025

December 1, 2025

FTZ’ine January 2026

The Waiting Is The Hardest Part

Happy New Year!

The FTZ’ine staff hopes at least some of our readers were on the right holiday list.

Because clearly most of us weren’t.

Despite a blizzard of requests to the North Pole for an affirmative Supreme Court decision, international traders will have to wait into the new year to see if hoofbeats on the roof will finally bring the IEEPA gifts we have been waiting for.

U.S. Customs is not waiting. They are working quickly to establish an electronic refund process in case a large-scale return of payments is required. Be sure to sign up.

Don’t let 2026 be the year of your ICE raid. CBP is pressing facilities under federal oversight like foreign-trade zones for more employee information and E-Verify use. Then they show up.

The U.S. recorded its lowest trade deficit in five years. A bill has just been introduced in the House to help make FTZs a driving force for exports to Canada and Mexico. Now wouldn’t that put a dent in the trade deficit.

Top Story - The Largest Pinata Ever

Just before the holiday break, U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced that collections of reciprocal and fentanyl tariffs instituted only nine months ago have already reached over $200 billion. That makes IEEPA the biggest pinata ever.

First contact - the Court of International Trade ruled in May that IEEPA does not give the President the power to impose the tariffs without the consent of Congress.

The second swing came from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. They struck a solid blow with a 7-4 ruling in August that upheld the CIT decision.

Now we are waiting for the Supreme Court to rip this thing wide open and shower billions of dollars in refunds into every corner of the economy.

“The core congressional power to impose taxes such as tariffs is vested exclusively in the legislative branch by the Constitution,” the Federal Circuit said in its ruling. “Tariffs are a core congressional power.”

International traders were hoping the Supreme Court would issue its decision in 2025. Without luck. The Court gets back to work on January 12th, and while a decision could come as late as this June, the importance of the tariff funds make it more likely that a decision will be announced before the March FTZ’ine publishes.

The $200 billion tally from CBP Commissioner Rodney Scott’s organization is only for the more than 40 executive orders International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) tariffs announced in 2025.

Traders are more comfortable that refunds will indeed be realized in the event of a fovorable Supremen Court Ruiling.

That is because the CIT recently confirmed that it has authority to order refunds through reliquidation if the IEEPA tariffs are ultimately held unlawful.

Counsel for CBP have repeatedly stated on the record that they will not contest the CIT’s authority to order reliquidation and refunds if the tariffs are invalidated, which would mean liquidation extensions would not be necessary to secure a refund.

Even so, importers should be prepared to pivot once the Supreme Court, CIT, and CBP provide direction on refund eligibility and process.

Tech Tip: Don't Miss The Party Train

Now we’re not saying there will be a party train. We’re just saying that if there is a party train, you won’t want to miss it.

Late last month U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) issued a message to the trade that beginning February 6, 2026, CBP will issue all refunds electronically via the Automated Clearing House (ACH). The transition away from paper checks (with some limited exceptions), was announced in the Electronic Refunds Interim Final Rule published January 2, 2026 in the Federal Register.

CBP recently improved the ACH refund sign-up process by:

• Adding an automated ACH Refund Authorization tool in the ACE Secure Data Portal (ACE Portal)

• Automating the ACE Portal’s importer account application, which is necessary to access the new ACH Refund Authorization tool

Don’t delay. Should the Supreme Court order refunds for IEEPA tariffs paid, failure to enable ACH payment will delay your refund.

Questions about how to sign up for ACH refunds from U.S. Customs? Contact us at info@iscm.co.

Article Highlights FTZ Risks Of ICE Raids

FTZs across the country have noticed increased scrutiny from U.S. Customs on employee list submission and requests for new hire information. This seems to be just one part of an effort by the Department of Homeland Security to widen enforcement of workplace hiring requirements.

At a Bonded Warehouse in Avenel, N.J., workers assigned to stock apparel were working when dozens of immigration agents swarmed the building and surrounded them.

Masked officers carrying long rifles blocked exits and used dogs and heat detectors to find employees who were hiding. A helicopter circled. Within hours, agents arrested 46 people, which federal officials said represented nearly one-fourth of the day’s work force.

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) recently announced a second False Claims Act (FCA) settlement this year involving violations of employment eligibility verification requirements – underscoring that government contractors face growing exposure if they fail to comply with the same E-Verify obligations FTZs face.

While U.S. Customs is able to directly request employee lists from FTZs and bonded warehouses, CBP is using a common federal contract clause to gain access without a search warrant.

The False Claims Act is a federal law that imposes liability on individuals or companies that knowingly submit false or fraudulent claims for payment to the U.S. government. In the context of government contracts, the DOJ has applied the FCA to contractors who allegedly used unauthorized workers on covered federal projects, reasoning that such labor costs were falsely claimed as compliant contract expenses.

Bonded Warehouses are abundant in Northern New Jersey, near both Newark International Airport and the Port of New York/New Jersey. Federal agents raided at least three of them during a span of four months this year, alarming worker rights activists who believe that President Trump’s immigration crackdown has ensnared the region’s import-export industry.

Federal officials said that work permits and pending asylum applications do not grant people legal status, although migrants with those designations have not historically been a priority for deportation.

Advocates for worker rights have questioned the legality of the government’s arrest tactic.

“ICE typically needs a warrant signed by a judge — a judicial warrant — to enter places and to try to detain folks, but they’re finding this loophole,” said Amanda Dominguez, a community organizer at New Labor, an advocacy group that represents low-wage immigrant workers. “I would argue that they still need their own judicial warrant.”

Asked whether the federal agents had a judicial warrant to arrest migrants, D.H.S. officials said they did not need one.

“D.H.S. enforces the laws of the nation every day and regularly inspects bonded warehouses, since they operate under the supervision and control of C.B.P.,” the officials wrote. “A bonded warehouse is within C.B.P. search authority, and a search may be conducted at any time, without a warrant, to include both people and things.”

Jeremy Jong, a staff attorney at Al Otro Lado, a nonprofit that provides legal services to migrants based in California, represented a migrant who sued after he was arrested at a bonded warehouse that was storing wine and liquor in Edison, N.J.

Mr. Jong said that the government had broken due process law by arresting people without verifying that they were in the country illegally — in addition to exploiting its relationship with businesses that keep products in bonded warehouses.

“Just because C.B.P. has a right to be there does not mean that the Fourth Amendment doesn’t apply,” Mr. Jong said, referring to the constitutional protection against unreasonable searches and seizures.

Bipartisan Panel Introduces Legislation To Plug USMCA Gap For FTZs

Last month a bipartisan group of Congressmen introduced a bill to allow duty free export of USMCA-qualifying goods from a foreign-trade zone.

Passage would be a monumental shift in U.S. trade policy with respect to Canada and Mexico. It would bring particular relief to auto parts manufacturers in the United States, who would then be able to ship duty-free components to final assembly locations in Canada and Mexico.

The measure is sponsored by Representatives Lance Gooden (R-TX), Vicente Gonzalez (D-TX), Monica De La Cruz (R-TX), Virginia Foxx (R-NC), Mike Kelly (R-PA), and Vern Buchanan (R-FL).

They introduced the Foreign-Trade Zone Export Enhancement Act (FTZEE Act) (Get it?) (Say it!) of 2025, with a goal to strengthen U.S. manufacturing, promote exports to key trading partners, and protect American jobs.

The bill establishes a new HTS code, 9801.00.95, that would be used for merchandise that is admitted into a United States foreign-trade zone, manufactured, or changed in condition there, and subsequently withdrawn for direct exportation to Canada or Mexico.

The legislation would amend the United States Mexico-Canada Agreement Implementation Act and Foreign Trade Zones Act; changes to the treaty itself are not required to effect the change.

Passage of the legislation would give U.S. Customs 90 days to issue any regulations as are necessary to implement the new HTS provision.

“American manufacturers should never be punished for building here at home,” said Congressman Gooden. “This bill cuts red tape, boosts U.S. exports, and strengthens trade with Mexico and Canada to keep good-paying jobs in America.”

“For the United States to remain competitive abroad and create new jobs at home, we must remove bureaucratic red tape that disrupts the flow of goods and increases costs for American manufacturers,” said Congressman Gonzalez.

Foreign-Trade Zones Watch Trade Deficit Shrink

The September U.S. trade deficit fell to its lowest level in five years. Due to the federal government shutdown (remember the shutdown?) trade statistics for September are the most recent ones released.

Imports in September grew just 0.6 percent from the month before to $342.1 billion, while exports rose 3 percent in the month, to $289.3 billion.

At $52.8 billion, the trade deficit in goods and services hit its lowest level in September since June 2020, when the United States was in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic.

However, for the year through September, the trade deficit in goods and services has actually widened more than 17 percent from the same period in 2024. Exports have risen 5.2 percent, while imports are up 7.7 percent for the time period as companies rushed to bring in merchandise before the new tariffs took effect.

The aggressive buying earlier this year has also allowed some firms to delay importing products.

It remains to be seen how much U.S. consumers and businesses will import in the months ahead, given the now-higher prices of foreign goods. As of November, the U.S. effective tariff rate had climbed to more than 16 percent, the highest level since 1935, according to the Budget Lab at Yale, making it significantly more expensive for importers to bring goods into the country.

Adding more uncertainty is the fact that tariffs could undergo significant changes in the weeks to come. The Supreme Court is set to rule soon on the legality of many of the new tariffs. Administration officials have said that if those tariffs were struck down, they would use other authorities to impose duties.

Other trade trends also reflect the effects of the administration’s trade moves. U.S. soybean exports fell sharply after China imposed levies of its own on American agriculture. In the year through September, U.S. exports of soybeans fell to $16.8 billion from $19.2 billion in the same period last year.

U.S. automotive imports and exports have also been weak this year, because of U.S. tariffs on foreign cars and stiff competition internationally from inexpensive Chinese-made vehicles. But U.S. exports of natural gas, corn, computers and airplanes have risen.

FTZ Staff Activity

FTZ Board Staff processed a processed a Termination (S-348-2025) in FTZ 21 on behalf of Busy Park Industrial Park, Goose Creek, SC on November 20, 2025
FTZ Board Staff processed a processed a Minor Boundary Modification (S-349-2025) in FTZ 104 on behalf of UNIS, LLC, Pooler, GA on November 24, 2025
FTZ Board Staff processed a processed a Minor Boundary Modification (S-350-2025) in FTZ 104J on behalf of PGS USA, LLC, Pooler, GA on November 24, 2025
FTZ Board Staff processed a processed a TSF Subzone subject to the activation limits of the Grantee (S-351-2025) in FTZ 147M on behalf of DP World Tech US, LLP, Middletown, PA on November 24, 2025
FTZ Board Staff processed a processed a Minor Boundary Modification (S-352-2025) in FTZ 57G on behalf of The Armored Group (TAG) Shelby Operating LLC, Shelby, NC on November 25, 2025
FTZ Board Staff processed a processed a Minor Boundary Modification (S-353-2025) in FTZ 75W on behalf of Master International Corporation dba Master Electronics, Pheonix, AZ on November 24, 2025
FTZ Board Staff processed a processed a Minor Boundary Modification (S-354-2025) in FTZ 81 on behalf of SubCom, LLC, Newington, NH on November 25, 2025
FTZ Board Staff processed a processed a Minor Boundary Modification (S-355-2025) in FTZ 75W on behalf of Foxx Development, Inc., San Diego, CA on November 25, 2025
FTZ Board Staff processed a processed a Minor Boundary Modification (S-356-2025) in FTZ 153 on behalf of Johnson Storage and Moving Co., San Diego, CA on November 25, 2025
FTZ Board Staff processed a processed a Minor Boundary Modification (S-357-2025) in FTZ 25 on behalf of Total Marine Solutions, Inc., Fort Lauderdale, FL on November 26, 2025
FTZ Board Staff processed a processed a Minor Boundary Modification (S-358-2025) in FTZ 25 on behalf of WGI Telecom, Inc., Fort Lauderdale, FL on November 26, 2025
FTZ Board Staff processed a processed a Minor Boundary Modification (S-359-2025) in FTZ 93 on behalf of General Electric Company, Durham, MD on November 26, 2025
FTZ Board Staff processed a processed a Minor Boundary Modification (S-360-2025) in FTZ 281 on behalf of PROZONE Logistics Inc., Miami, FL on November 26, 2025
FTZ Board Staff processed a processed a Minor Boundary Modification (S-361-2025) in FTZ 281 on behalf of Quirch Floods LLC, Opa Locka, FL on November 26, 2025
FTZ Board Staff processed a processed a Minor Boundary Modification (S-362-2025) in FTZ 230G on behalf of Corning Optical Communication, LLC, Winston-Salem, GA on November 26, 2025
FTZ Board Staff processed a processed a Minor Boundary Modification (S-363-2025) in FTZ 138 on behalf of MES, Inc., Lockbourne, OH on November 28, 2025
FTZ Board Staff processed a processed a Minor Boundary Modification (S-364-2025) in FTZ 138 on behalf of American Furukawa, Inc., Columbus, OH on December 1, 2025
FTZ Board Staff processed a processed a Minor Boundary Modification (S-365-2025) in FTZ 219 on behalf of Gois Enterprises, LLC, Somerton, AZ on December 3, 2025
FTZ Board Staff processed a processed a Minor Boundary Modification (S-366-2025) in FTZ 38 on behalf of Himatsingka America, Inc., Spartanburg, OH on December 2, 2025
FTZ Board Staff processed a processed a Minor Boundary Modification (S-367-2025) in FTZ 153P on behalf of Aptera Motors Corp., Carlsbad, CA on December 3, 2025
FTZ Board Staff processed a processed a Minor Boundary Modification (S-368-2025) in FTZ 50 on behalf of Hayes Company LLC dba Knight-Swift Warehousing & Fulfillment, Santa Fe Springs, CA on December 3, 2025
FTZ Board Staff processed a processed a Minor Boundary Modification (S-369-2025) in FTZ 193 on behalf of Freedom Global Inc., Odessa, FL on December 4, 2025
FTZ Board Staff processed a processed a Minor Boundary Modification (S-370-2025) in FTZ 32 on behalf of Reach International Inc., Hialeah, FL on December 4, 2025
FTZ Board Staff processed a processed a Termination (S-371-2025) in FTZ 180 on behalf of Prism Team Services Inc. of The East Bay on December 4, 2025
FTZ Board Staff processed a processed a Minor Boundary Modification (S-372-2025) in FTZ 93 on behalf of Alder SOL Holdings LLC dba StayOnline on December 4, 2025
FTZ Board Staff processed a processed a Minor Boundary Modification (S-373-2025) in FTZ 38V on behalf of Total Distribution Inc., Greer, SC on December 5, 2025
FTZ Board Staff processed a processed a Minor Boundary Modification (S-374-2025) in FTZ 50 on behalf of Columbus International Transport Co. Ltd, Cerritos, CA on December 4, 2025
FTZ Board Staff processed a processed a Minor Boundary Modification (S-375-2025) in FTZ 110E on behalf of Intel Foundry Corporation on December 8, 2025
FTZ Board Staff processed a processed a Minor Boundary Modification (S-376-2025) in FTZ 76V on behalf of Cadi Company, Inc., Greer, NH on December 5, 2025
FTZ Board Staff processed a processed a Minor Boundary Modification (S-377-2025) in FTZ 49 on behalf of Research & Mfg Co of America, Inc. (RAMCOA), Linden, NH on December 5, 2025
FTZ Board Staff processed a processed a TSF Subzone subject to the activation limits of the Grantee (S-378-2025) in FTZ 40W on behalf of Atlantic Veal & Lamb, LLC, Creston/Sterling, SC on December 05, 2025
FTZ Board Staff processed a processed a Minor Boundary Modification (S-379-2025) in FTZ 33D on behalf of Mitsubishi Electric Power Products, Inc., Warrendale, NH on December 8, 2025
FTZ Board Staff processed a processed a TSF Subzone subject to the activation limits of the Grantee (S-380-2025) in FTZ 37 on behalf of Oerlikon Metco (US) Inc., Westbury, NY on December 8, 2025
FTZ Board Staff processed a processed a Minor Boundary Modification (S-381-2025) in FTZ 38Y on behalf of BLG Logistics, Greer, NH on December 8, 2025
FTZ Board Staff processed a processed a Minor Boundary Modification (S-382-2025) in FTZ 40P on behalf of Trademark Global LLC, Lorain, OH on December 8, 2025
FTZ Board Staff processed a processed a Minor Boundary Modification (S-383-2025) in FTZ 50 on behalf of Round Bridge Inc. dba HTT Packaging & Design, Huntington Beach, CA on December 8, 2025
FTZ Board Staff processed a processed a Minor Boundary Modification (S-384-2025) in FTZ 281 on behalf of International Cruise Food & Hospitality Suppliers Inc., Hialeah, FL on December 8, 2025
FTZ Board Staff processed a processed a Minor Boundary Modification (S-385-2025) in FTZ 26AD on behalf of LOGISTEED America Inc., Jackson, GA on December 9, 2025
FTZ Board Staff processed a processed a Minor Boundary Modification (S-386-2025) in FTZ 21Q on behalf of KION North America Corporation, Summerville, OH on December 9, 2025
FTZ Board Staff processed a processed a Minor Boundary Modification (S-387-2025) in FTZ 200C on behalf of Mon Cheri Bridals, Trenton, NJ on December 10, 2025
FTZ Board Staff processed a processed a Minor Boundary Modification (S-388-2025) in FTZ 281 on behalf of Accelerated Global Solutions Inc., Doral, FL on December 10, 2025
FTZ Board Staff processed a processed a Minor Boundary Modification (S-389-2025) in FTZ 202 on behalf of Southwest Equipment Parts, Rancho Cucamonga, CA on December 10, 2025
FTZ Board Staff processed a processed a Minor Boundary Modification (S-390-2025) in FTZ 94 on behalf of Brennan & Company Inc., Laredo, TX on December 10, 2025
FTZ Board Staff processed a processed a Minor Boundary Modification (S-391-2025) in FTZ 94 on behalf of OF Customs Inc., Laredo, TX on December 11, 2025
FTZ Board Staff processed a processed a Minor Boundary Modification (S-392-2025) in FTZ 244B on behalf of Komar Distribution Services Inc., Perris, CA on December 11, 2025
FTZ Board Staff processed a processed a Termination (S-393-2025) in FTZ 135C on behalf of USA Timing Inc., Stuart, FL on December 11, 2025
FTZ Board Staff processed a processed a Minor Boundary Modification (S-394-2025) in FTZ 30 on behalf of JKD Products Inc., Ogden, UT on December 11, 2025
FTZ Board Staff processed a processed a Minor Boundary Modification (S-395-2025) in FTZ 281 on behalf of Global Phone Solutions LLC, Doral, FL on December 15, 2025
FTZ Board Staff processed a processed a Minor Boundary Modification (S-396-2025) in FTZ 281D on behalf of IP Trading Florida LLC, Miami, FL on December 15, 2025
FTZ Board Staff processed a processed a Minor Boundary Modification (S-397-2025) in FTZ 38 on behalf of Purem Novi Inc., Spartanburg, SC on December 12, 2025
FTZ Board Staff processed a processed a Minor Boundary Modification (S-398-2025) in FTZ 49 on behalf of Berje Inc., Carteret, NJ on December 15, 2025
FTZ Board Staff processed a processed a Minor Boundary Modification (S-399-2025) in FTZ 77 on behalf of Pheonix Assurance LLC, Memphis, SC on December 15, 2025
FTZ Board Staff processed a processed a Termination (S-400-2025) in FTZ 89 on behalf of Lithion Battery, Henderson, NV on December 15, 2025
FTZ Board Staff processed a processed a Termination (S-401-2025) in FTZ 89 on behalf of Spector & Co., North Las Vegas, NV on December 16, 2025
FTZ Board Staff processed a processed a Termination (S-402-2025) in FTZ 2M on behalf of Packard Pipe Terminals LLC, New Orleans, LA on December 16, 2025
FTZ Board Staff processed a processed a Minor Boundary Modification (S-403-2025) in FTZ 94 on behalf of CARGOQUIN INC., Laredo, TX on December 17, 2025
FTZ Board Staff processed a processed a Minor Boundary Modification (S-404-2025) in FTZ 94 on behalf of CARGOQUIN INC., Laredo, TX on December 18, 2025
FTZ Board Staff processed a processed a Minor Boundary Modification (S-405-2025) in FTZ 281 on behalf of Tire Group International LLC, Miami, FL on December 18, 2025
FTZ Board Staff processed a processed a Minor Boundary Modification (S-406-2025) in FTZ 281M on behalf of FTAI Aviation Ireland Limited, Miami, FL on December 18, 2025
FTZ Board Staff processed a processed a Minor Boundary Modification (S-407-2025) in FTZ 207AE on behalf of Lineage Logistics LLC, Chester, NC on December 18, 2025
FTZ Board Staff processed a processed a Minor Boundary Modification (S-408-2025) in FTZ 138N on behalf of Shiseido Americas Corporation, Groveport, OH on December 18, 2025
FTZ Board Staff processed a processed a Minor Boundary Modification (S-409-2025) in FTZ 45 on behalf of Nanoverse Technologies, Beaverton, OR on December 18, 2025
FTZ Board Staff processed a processed a Minor Boundary Modification (S-410-2025) in FTZ 78AE on behalf of Sumiden Wire Products Corporation, Dickson, NC on December 18, 2025
FTZ Board Staff processed a processed a Minor Boundary Modification (S-411-2025) in FTZ 76 on behalf of Eurostar Industries Inc., Norwalk, CT on December 18, 2025
FTZ Board Staff processed a processed a Minor Boundary Modification (S-412-2025) in FTZ 29AC on behalf of Electrolux Professional Inc., Louisville, KY on December 19, 2025
FTZ Board Staff processed a processed a Minor Boundary Modification (S-413-2025) in FTZ 38F on behalf of Benteler Automotive Corporation, Duncan, SC on December 22, 2025
FTZ Board Staff processed a processed a Minor Boundary Modification (S-414-2025) in FTZ 189J on behalf of Pratt & Whitney Component Solutions Inc., Norton Shores on December 22, 2025
FTZ Board Staff processed a processed a Minor Boundary Modification (S-415-2025) in FTZ 207 on behalf of QuibicaAMF Worldwide LLC, Mechanicsville, VA on December 22, 2025
FTZ Board Staff processed a processed a Minor Boundary Modification (S-416-2025) in FTZ 50 on behalf of KDA Products Inc. dba White Knight Wheels Accessories, Cerritos, CA on December 23, 2025
FTZ Board Staff processed a processed a Minor Boundary Modification (S-417-2025) in FTZ 50AG on behalf of AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP, Santa Monica/Tarzana, CA on December 29, 2025
FTZ Board Staff processed a processed a Minor Boundary Modification (S-418-2025) in FTZ 26 on behalf of Robert Bosch LLC, Atlanta, GA on December 29, 2025
FTZ Board Staff processed a processed a Minor Boundary Modification (S-419-2025) in FTZ 83G on behalf of Adtran Inc., Huntsville, AL on December 29, 2025
FTZ Board Staff processed a processed a Minor Boundary Modification (S-420-2025) in FTZ 49Q on behalf of Kinder Morgan Liquids Terminals LLC, Perth Amboy, NJ on December 29, 2025
FTZ Board Staff processed a processed a Minor Boundary Modification (S-421-2025) in FTZ 177P on behalf of Exel Inc. dba DHL Supply Chain, Mt. Vernon, MD on December 30, 2025
FTZ Board Staff processed a processed a TSF Subzone subject to the activation limits of the Grantee (S-422-2025) in FTZ 37 on behalf of Centrome Inc. dba Advanced Biotech, Oneonta, NY on December 30, 2025
FTZ Board Staff processed a processed a Minor Boundary Modification (S-423-2025) in FTZ 84 on behalf of U.S. Metals Inc., Houston, TX on December 31, 2025
FTZ Board Staff processed a processed a Minor Boundary Modification (S-424-2025) in FTZ 171 on behalf of deugro (USA) Inc., Baytown, TX on December 31, 2025
FTZ Board Staff processed a processed a Minor Boundary Modification (S-425-2025) in FTZ 84 on behalf of Primary Arms LLC, Houston, TX on December 31, 2025
FTZ Board Staff processed a processed a Minor Boundary Modification (S-426-2025) in FTZ 94 on behalf of Salinas Warehouse & Distribution Inc., Laredo, TX on December 31, 2025
FTZ Board Staff processed a processed a Minor Boundary Modification (S-427-2025) in FTZ 93K on behalf of Eli Lilly and Company, Durham, SC on December 31, 2025
FTZ Board Staff processed a processed a Minor Boundary Modification (S-428-2025) in FTZ 127H on behalf of AESC Florence LLC, Blythewood, SC on December 31, 2025

Foreign-Trade Zone Board Activity

- Recodeal Energy Inc., submitted a notification of proposed production activity for galvanized steel within Foreign-Trade Zone 84AK in Houston, Texas. MORE
- Applied Materials, Inc., submitted an application by the grantee of Foreign-Trade Zone 183, requesting subzone status for their facilities in Austin and Pflugerville, Texas. MORE
- Atlantic Veal and Lamb, LLC, submitted an application by the grantee of Foreign-Trade Zone 40, requesting subzone status for their facilities in Creston and Sterling, Ohio. MORE
- Oerlikon Metco (US) Inc., submitted an application by the grantee of Foreign-Trade Zone 37, requesting subzone status for their facility in Westbury, New York. MORE
- Catalina Components Inc., submitted a notification of proposed production activity for vehicle parts within Foreign-Trade Zone 075 in Chandler, Arizona. MORE
- Phillips 66 Company submitted an application by the grantee of Foreign-Trade Zone 115, requesting subzone status for their facility in Nederland, Texas. MORE
- Pinnaclemod LLC received approval to operate their Aberdeen, Washington facility as Foreign-Trade Zone 173B. MORE
- Plascore, Inc., submitted a notification of proposed production activity for metal, aramid paper and plastic honeycomb within Foreign-Trade Zone 189I in Zeeland, Michigan. MORE
- Nanoverse Technologies submitted a notification of proposed production activity for semiconductor production equipment within Foreign-Trade Zone 45 in Beaverton, Oregon. MORE
- Boart Longyear Co., submitted a notification of proposed production activity for diamond drill bits within Foreign-Trade Zone 30 in West Valley City, Utah. MORE
- P.J. Wallbank Springs, Inc., submitted a notification of proposed production activity for spring pack assemblies used in automotive transmissions within Foreign-Trade Zone 210 in Port Huron, Michigan. MORE
- Q-Edge Corp., submitted a notification of proposed production activity for hardware/modules relating to consumer electronics and servers within Foreign-Trade Zone 84 in Houston, Texas. MORE
- Centrome Inc. dba Advanced Biotech submitted an application by the grantee of Foreign-Trade Zone 37, requesting subzone status for their facility in Oneonta, New York. MORE

No Cake And Ice Cream Yet:

It was another month of dynamic trade developments for the foreign-trade zone community. While there is cause for optimism that trade terms will stabilize soon, too much remains unsettled to do any celebrating just yet.

Negotiations with China resulted in a temporary pause in the sky-high rates FTZs had been paying on their imports. But recent rhetoric from Washington suggests the pause won’t last past the 90 days of the agreement. If it even lasts that long.

The U.S. Court of International Trade ruled that the use of IEEPA to place a 10% additional tariff on all imports overstepped presidential authority. The IEEPA tariffs are still being collected until higher courts make a final ruling. The financial stakes are HUGE for both sides.

An investment deal in U.S. Steel prompted the doubling of Section 232 tariffs on imported steel and aluminum beginning this Thursday. Nothing on the table suggests those 50% rates will be reduced anytime soon. Zones need to prepare accordingly.

Foreign-trade zone applications are down. Way down. Staff losses at the Foreign-Trade Zones Board and the loss of the NPF status option appear to be taking their toll. Bonded Warehouse applications? Still overwhelming CBP in certain ports.