• ROCKFORD’S FOREIGN TRADE ZONE #176

    Connecting businesses in northern Illinois to the world

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    FTZ zones

FTZ ROCKFORD

Companies in Rockford and across Northern Illinois can now apply to become a Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) or subzone through FTZ Rockford and the Greater Rockford Airport Authority. FTZ locations are specially designated areas considered to be outside of U.S. Customs territory. They help to reduce the cost of manufacturing, making domestic manufacturing more cost competitive than overseas production.

In 1991, the National FTZ Board approved the Greater Rockford Airport Authority’s (GRAA) application to become a grantee of the FTZ program, serving the Rockford region. In 2007, FTZ #176 was expanded to serve a defined 11-county service area in northern Illinois. Today, companies within 60 miles of GRAA in Stephenson, Winnebago, Boone, McHenry, Ogle, DeKalb, Kane, Lee, Bureau and LaSalle and Putnam Counties can apply through FTZ #176.

WHY FTZ #176

FTZ #176 is one of Northern Illinois’ most valuable assets for companies that engage in international trade. Businesses now have a tool to improve the efficiency of processes and reduction in costs associated with imports and exports.

For some companies, the benefits of an FTZ can have a significant impact on operations and the bottom line. As cargo arrived in the country for an FTZ operator, it receives preferential treatment with duties deferred, reduced or eliminated. When product is not held at the port of entry for customs clearance, supply chain management becomes more predictable and streamlined. Accurate reporting improves inventory accuracy, reducing the need for costly emergency shipments. These are just some of the immediate impacts an FTZ can have on private companies.

BENEFITS OF

FTZ#176

  • Cash-Flow Savings

    Only pay duties on imported items as they leave the FTZ and enter domestic territory.

  • Zone Transfers

    Transfer merchandise in bond to another FTZ without an entry.

  • Weekly Entry

    Reduce paperwork and save money by replacing individual or daily entries with one weekly entry.

  • Inverted Duty

    Choose between paying the duty rate of the finished product or the rate that applies to imported parts and/or materials.

  • Avoid Losses

    Avoid duties on obsolete, surplus, waste, or scrap parts.

  • Duty Exemption

    Avoid merchandise processing fees, duty payments, and duty drawback on exported products.

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FEASIBILITY

Want to know if an FTZ can benefit your company? FTZ #176 can conduct a no-cost feasibility analysis for you to estimate the potential value of becoming an FTZ site or subzone.

FEATURED SUCCESS STORY

UniCarriers Leverages FTZ to Grow Marengo Operations

As an international firm, UniCarriers manages a complex global supply chain is are always looking for opportunities for cost savings. Competing with manufacturers in low-cost countries can be difficult, but fortunately UniCarriers leverages the foreign-trade zone to make manufacturing in the United States a competitive advantage.

FEATURED NEWS

Greater Rockford Airport Authority and Zethmayr Partner to Help Companies Optimize Supply Chains Using Foreign Trade Zone

As partners, Zethmayr will administer the airport’s Foreign Trade Zone program, focused on helping companies operate more efficient international supply chains

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