One of the big supply-chain challenges many companies face as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic is how to deal with growing bottlenecks created by imported merchandise arriving in the U.S. just as consumer demand has plummeted, and domestic distribution networks are significantly disrupted. This is one of the reasons many companies have asked the Administration to allow for deferrals in payment of duties. So far, those requests have been denied.

However, since the U.S. foreign-trade zone system is a duty-deferral program, FTZs could play an important role in helping to alleviate this problem. Some zones have already announced the availability of activated FTZ space to store excess merchandise during the current crisis and alleviate companies’ cash-flow challenges by deferring the payment of duties and other fees.

Ready to add your unused, activated space in your FTZ or zone operation to the list? Complete this form.

We also encourage you to forward the questionnaire to any 3PL, Logistics, and Op/Users in your zone you think might be helpful.

Jarmila Zapata
Director of Communications & Member Services
202-846-1520
jzapata@naftz.org