Foreign Trade Zones (FTZs) offer significant opportunities for import and export companies to reduce costs, improve supply chain efficiency, and navigate complex customs regulations with confidence. WTDC in Miami is a pioneer and leader in foreign trade zone consulting services, assisting businesses across South Florida and worldwide with FTZ application, activation, compliance, and optimization. Their expertise enables companies to unlock valuable duty deferrals, tariff reductions, and operational efficiencies tailored to their unique trade operations. Learn more at https://wtdc.com/ftz-consulting/
What is a Foreign Trade Zone?
An FTZ is a secure, designated area supervised by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) where imported goods can be stored, processed, or manufactured without the immediate payment of customs duties or federal excise tax. Duties are paid only when merchandise leaves the zone for domestic consumption. Many goods may be exported directly duty-free, saving money and improving cash flow for operators.
Miami-Dade County has the highest concentration of Foreign Trade Zones in the U.S., including PortMiami’s FTZ 281 and the Greater Miami Foreign-Trade Zone, leveraging Miami’s role as the Gateway to the Americas.
Range of Foreign Trade Zone Consulting Services at WTDC
WTDC provides end-to-end FTZ consulting designed to simplify and maximize trade operations:
- Initial Consultation: Evaluate if FTZ status aligns with your business goals based on facility, operations, and product profile.
- Application Preparation: WTDC assists Operators in preparing applications for the Grantee and Customs; managing documentation required by the Foreign Trade Zones Board and CBP.
- FTZ Activation Support: Coordination and compliance during the activation phase and beyond, including negotiating contracts between Operators and Grantees.
- Feasibility Studies & Cost-Benefit Analysis: Detailed assessments of duty savings, tariffs, and operational impacts.
- Operations & Compliance Planning: Inventory management system design and recordkeeping protocols tailored to U.S. Customs compliance.
- Training & Change Management: Comprehensive staff training ensuring smooth FTZ operation.
- Ongoing Monitoring: Support for CBP reporting, audit readiness, and optimized zone management.
- Tariff Support: Expert guidance on duty deferral strategies, valuation planning, drawback claims, and trade remedy mitigation.
WTDC’s Leadership in Miami Foreign Trade Zones
WTDC was the first entity to activate a Foreign Trade Zone within PortMiami’s FTZ 281 under the Alternative Site Framework (ASF), gaining critical insight and experience into FTZ operations in Miami-Dade County since 2012. With over 40 years of logistics, customs, and trade expertise, WTDC offers fully integrated services including customs brokerage and freight forwarding.
Benefits of FTZ Consulting with WTDC
Working with WTDC’s FTZ consultants in Miami provides companies with:
- Improved cash flow through duty deferral, paying tariffs only when goods enter U.S. commerce.
- Duty reduction or elimination when processing or exporting goods from the FTZ.
- Simplified customs entries through consolidated weekly filings reducing processing fees.
- Enhanced inventory visibility and combined handling of domestic and foreign merchandise.
- Management of fees including Merchandise Processing Fee (MPF) and Harbor Maintenance Fees spaced quarterly.
- Compliance with complex trade regulations protecting against penalties and audits.
WTDC’s Customs Brokerage Complement
As licensed Miami customs brokers, WTDC provides seamless oversight of shipment clearance including:
- Precise tariff classification and valuation.
- Electronic filing of CBP documentation.
- Inspection coordination and compliance review facilitation.
- Broker fee optimization and preemptive penalty avoidance.
This dual expertise in FTZ consulting and customs brokerage delivers exceptional operational efficiencies for clients shipping to and from Miami.
Industries Ideal for FTZ Implementation
FTZ-based operations support importers and exporters across sectors such as electronics, automotive parts, IT equipment, electrical components, food products, spirits, perfumes, and cosmetics, particularly in duty-free and travel retail supply chains.
Get Started with WTDC FTZ Services
Businesses interested in Foreign Trade Zone consulting in Miami can capitalize on WTDC’s deep experience and full-service logistics capabilities. The team guides clients from application through activation, continuous operations, and strategic enhancements.
Visit https://wtdc.com/ftz-consulting/ today or contact WTDC to learn how Foreign Trade Zone utilization can transform your supply chain and increase competitiveness.