| M a n u f a c t u r i n g W i t h i n a G e n e r a l - P u r p o s e Z o n e
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- The FTZ staff has established a goal of processing all manufacturing applications within 6-8 months
(fast processing depends on good applications and no case issues arising).
- We advise all applicants to send a complete draft of their application to our dedicated e-mail address:
ftz@trade.gov. Complete drafts must include all
required answers and documents. The only document that may be omitted from the draft application – if it is
not yet ready – is the final version of the application (transmittal) letter. However,
the draft application should include a draft copy of the application letter so that
it can be checked for adequacy.
- An application can be submitted using the following format:
- The Manufacturing Center contains additional information and sample applications.
- There is also an option for temporary/interim manufacturing (T/IM)authority. T/IM
authority can be approved for up to two years, during which time an application for
permanent authority can be processed. A decision on T/IM is generally made within
75 days of the submission of the application. T/IM authority can be approved for a
wide range of products that have been reviewed by the FTZ Board over the past five years.
For more information on the T/IM process and eligibility, click here.
- Applicants are allowed to use estimates, ranges, categories, etc. in providing specific
plant or FTZ savings information so that information so that information is presented
in non-proprietary form (applications are available to the public).
- An objective of the zone program is to encourage
commercial and industrial operations in the United States that would otherwise
have been conducted abroad for Customs reasons, including export activity.
Zones should help create employment, not simply divert it from one region of the
country to another.
- Required Number of Copies: As of February 2009, we require an original, three paper copies
(reduced from eight copies) and an electronic copy (Adobe PDF format preferred). If you cannot
submit a PDF-format copy, you may submit a MS Word-format copy. Note that, in either case, the
electronic copy must include color maps and scans of the signed versions of all letters. If you
have any questions, please contact Elizabeth Whiteman at elizabeth_whiteman@ita.doc.gov or (202) 482-0473.
- If an application involves the same products in a circumstance similar to
one recently approved by the FTZ Board, the application may qualify for a
slightly reduced procedure. This would be determined during the FTZ staff review.
For more information, click here.
- Applications should be sent to: Andrew McGilvray, Executive Secretary, Foreign-Trade Zones Board,
U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Ave., NW, Room 2111, Washington, DC 20230
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