Foreign Trade Zones

Logistics Management Group News Editor Jeff Berman spoke with Jeff Tafel, president of the Washington, D.C.-based National Association of Foreign-Trade Zones. Topics covered included: the impact of the recent removal of the de minimis exemption on Foreign Trade-Zone activity, the mission of the NAFTZ, and the impact of tariffs, among others.

In the face of ongoing tariff uncertainty, 18 C-suite executives share their strategies for navigating the evolving landscape. Many companies are absorbing tariff costs, passing them onto customers, or sourcing domestically to reduce reliance on foreign suppliers.

Amid shifting trade requirements, evolving tariffs, and the threat of trade wars, shippers are leaning on global trade management (GTM) solutions to automate compliance and navigate an increasingly unpredictable business landscape and vendors are responding to their needs.

With 2025 on the horizon, the lingering uncertainty around trade policies could significantly affect importer strategies and bottom lines. Our trade specialist offers a few suggestions to get ready.

The foreign-trade zone program was designed to strike a balance between transparency and confidentiality—and there are now additional ways to leverage the program to further enhance U.S. economic security. Is your operation putting these advantages to work?

Our foreign trade specialist shares ways in which U.S. Foreign-Trade Zones serve as economic development tools and often mitigate changes in Customs and trade regulations—critical insight that every shipper should understand to remain globally competitive in 2024.

How more shippers are unlocking efficiency, avoiding fines and staying compliant with the help of global trade management (GTM) software.

A recent United States International Trade Commission report delves into the economic impact, benefits, and challenges related to FTZs in the U.S. This study is the first of its kind since the 1980s.

Due to mounting disruptions, free zones and economic zones are gaining in popularity all around the world—which is causing some confusion about the specifics of the U.S. Foreign Trade Zone program. Our FTZ consultant shares some of the basics and the overall benefits these zones can bring to your supply chain operations.

If your company is still not utilizing the FTZ program, now is a good time to consider how it can benefit your company and your local economy.

By utilizing foreign trade zones this year, U.S. shippers can save time, money and lower their risk window when doing business with manufacturers in Mexico and Canada.

With trade policy currently a hot political topic, the U.S. Foreign-Trade Zones program plays an even more important role in promoting trade, investment, and job creation. Indeed, industry leaders say it’s a “show stealer” this year.

Softening the impact of tariffs by utilizing Foreign Trade Zones (FTZs) has long been an attractive option for savvy shippers. But in today’s world of sudden changes in trade policies, the practice may need to be more widely embraced.

In a move that may augur a new global strategy for third party logistics (3PLs) parties, CEVA Global Logistics, LLC (CEVA) and IMS Worldwide, Inc. (IMSW) recently announced that they have entered into a Strategic Alliance to offer the benefits of Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) services to customers in the United States.

Erik Autor, president of the National Association of Free Trade Zones shares his insight on current state of NAFTA.