Four ways zones save importers money
Every FTZ benefit comes down to one mechanic: goods in a zone haven’t entered U.S. commerce yet. What follows from that mechanic depends on what your business does. Here are the four that matter, each with real math.
Duty deferral
Pay duties when goods leave the zone, not when they arrive. A permanent improvement in cash flow for any steady importer.
The inverted tariff
Manufacturers can pay the duty rate of the finished product instead of the higher rates on its imported parts. The biggest line-item saver in the program.
Duty elimination on exports
Goods that enter a zone and leave the country never enter U.S. commerce — so no duty is ever paid on them. The same goes for scrap and waste.
Weekly entry
One customs entry per week instead of one per shipment. For high-volume importers, the fee savings alone can pay for the program.