Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) Consulting

WTDC is an FTZ operator and an FTZ consultant. The company provides FTZ application and activation through an operations-based approach, offering continual support and best practices. How can we help you?

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FTZ Consulting Services

WTDC offers end-to-end Foreign-Trade Zone consulting services designed to simplify your international trade operations:

  • Foreign Trade Zone Application & Activation: Complete guidance through the FTZ application and activation process with U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
  • FTZ CBP Compliance and FTZ Training: Full compliance with CBP is a requirement of any FTZ, new or existing. Contact WTDC for in-depth training and compliance review of your future or existing FTZ operation.
  • Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) Development: Create custom SOPs for FTZ, bonded warehouse, and domestic warehousing operations.
  • Government Agencies Compliance: Support with TTB, FDA, CBP, and other regulatory agency.
  • Logistics Software Implementation: Deploy industry-leading software to optimize inventory, shipments, and compliance.
  • Supply Chain Design, Implementation, & Management: Design and manage end-to-end supply chains that maximize FTZ and bonded warehouse benefits while improving efficiency.
  • Duty Drawback: Recover duties paid on imported goods that are later exported, improving cash flow.

What is a foreign-trade zone (FTZ)?

A Foreign-Trade Zone (FTZ) is a designated area in the U.S. where companies can store, manufacture, and distribute goods with reduced customs duties and simplified regulatory processes. FTZs allow businesses to defer, reduce, or eliminate certain customs fees, improving cash flow and lowering costs.

Import/Export companies of duty free proucts, food, electronics, electrical components, IT and networking equipment, as well as automobile and tractor parts companies are are ideal candidates for FTZ status in South Florida. Miami-Dade County has the highest concentration of Foreign Trade Zones in the USA. Thanks to Miami’s geographic location and its logistics infrastructure, Miami has been dubbed “The Gateway to the Americas.”

WTDC has assisted with the FTZ application and activation process of numerous Foreign Trade Zones in Miami-Dade County. WTDC was the first FTZ in Miami-Dade County to take advantage of the Alternative Site Framework (ASF) for PortMiami’s FTZ 281. WTDC became an active FTZ on December 12, 2012.

Benefits of Partnering with WTDC

Working with WTDC ensures your business fully capitalizes on FTZ and related programs to:

  • Reduce or eliminate customs duties and fees
  • Improve cash flow through duty deferral and drawback
  • Ensure regulatory compliance with Customs, FDA, TTB, and more
  • Streamline inventory control and supply chain logistics
  • Implement efficient logistics technology solutions

Who Can Benefit from WTDC Consulting?

Our FTZ and trade consulting services help:

  • Importers and exporters aiming to reduce customs costs
  • Manufacturers optimizing inbound and outbound supply chains
  • Distributors and 3PL providers improving warehouse and logistics efficiency
  • Businesses navigating FDA, TTB, and Customs regulatory requirements

about FTZ Application

Application consulting includes:

  1. Application process with Grantee & Foreign Trade Zones Board
  2. Activation with Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
  3. Implementation of operational procedures and CBP compliance protocols

Initial Consultation – WTDC works with our clients to evaluate if Foreign Trade Zone status is a good fit for their operation. Following a meeting where we review the operation and facility, WTDC will prepare a proposal for our services as well as an outline of fees due to other parties as part of the process. As an operator, we can offer further insight on the day to day expectations of a Foreign Trade Zone, not just assistance in compiling the application.

Application – WTDC works with clients – the Operator – to prepare an FTZ Application to be processed by the Grantee. An Operator is a corporation or partnership that maintains and operates the Zone at the permission of the Grantee and in compliance with U.S. Customs. A Grantee is a public or private entity that has the authority to establish, operate, or maintain a Zone. There are two grantees in Miami – Port Miami’s FTZ 281 operated by Miami-Dade County and Greater Miami Foreign-Trade Zone Inc.’s FTZ 32. There are fees due to the Grantee for the Application and then an annual fee. . The completed Application is then sent by the Grantee to the Foreign Trade Zones Board for approval. The Foreign Trade Zones Board is within the Department of Commerce. Following this approval, a contract will be drafted by the Grantee to bind the Operator and the Grantee.

Following the Foreign Trade Zones Board approval and contract with the Grantee, the Operator will prepare another application to U.S Customs. This application is more in-depth than the Grantee application and will take cooperation between the Operator and WTDC. The CBP Application includes all the systems and processes detailing how the Operator will receive, store, and release cargo in compliance with U.S. Customs.

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Ready to unlock duty savings and improve your supply chain with expert Foreign-Trade Zone, bonded warehouse, and trade consulting? Reach out today!