Domestic (D) status merchandise in an FTZ is either a product of the United States, or imported merchandise on which all duties, fees, and applicable excise taxes have been paid. One benefit of admitting material in domestic status is that duties and fees will not be collected again at the time the merchandise is withdrawn from the FTZ.

Zone status is the way zone users elect the duty rate they intend to pay if and when the merchandise is sold in the United States. Zone status is selected at the time merchandise is admitted to a foreign-trade zone for the first time. There are four options: Domestic, Non Privileged Foreign, Privileged Foreign, and Zone Restricted.

The Operator is the legal entity responsible to U.S. Customs and the Grantee for the compliant operation of the zone site or subzone.

The User is the legal entity using a zone site or subzone for storage, handling, or processing of merchandise in a zone site or subzone.

Just over 300 foreign-trade zones have been established around the United States, though only about 2/3 remain active. There are active foreign-trade zones in all 50 states and Puerto Rico.here, then distributed to each of the controlled copy holders.

The foreign-trade zones program was created by Congress in 1934 as a way to promote U.S. employment in international trade. Since then, the program has been regularly updated through both changes in legislation and regulation.

The foreign-trade zone program is administered by the U.S. Department of Commerce. The Secretary of Commerce is the CEO of the Foreign-Trade Zones Board that oversees the program with a staff of about 10 people. U.S. Customs and Border Protection of the Department of Homeland Security also plays a active role in the setup and operation of zones.

Just over 300 foreign-trade zones have been established around the United States, though only about 2/3 are currently available for use. There are active foreign-trade zones in all 50 states and Puerto Rico. Foreign-trade zones are located in or near ports of entry to the United States.

A foreign-trade zone (FTZ) is an area, typically a factory or warehouse, where special U.S. Customs procedures are permitted to defer, and possibly alter the cost of international trade in the United States. Customs duties and fees are generally deferred until merchandise is sold into the United States, and eliminated if the merchandise is exported, scrapped, or destroyed. The program […]