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Global Trade and Foreign-Trade Zones

by Mary Rooney | Jun 05, 2018

The Greater Kansas City Foreign-Trade Zone, Inc. (GKCFTZ) is a regional grantee of the national FTZ program. GKCFTZ sponsors both Foreign-Trade Zone No. 15 in Kansas City, Missouri, and Zone No. 17 in Kansas City, Kansas. Zone 15 serves FTZ needs in 22 contiguous counties in the western half Missouri. Zone 17 presently serves nine counties in metropolitan Kansas City, Kansas.

Benefits of a Foreign-Trade Zone to companies that are involved with international trade include: duty exemption / deferral / reduction / elimination, inverted tariff, streamlined customs procedure, no storage limits, improved inventory control, shorter transit times using direct delivery and more.

The GKCFTZ is a proud supporter of the National Association of Foreign-Trade Zones (NAFTZ). NAFTZ tracks numerous trade topics that could impact Foreign Trade Zones and advocates for FTZ’s at a national level. The current global trade topics NAFTZ is tracking and advocating on behalf of FTZ’s around the country include:

Trade Remedies

  • Washing Machines, Solar Cells/Panels Safeguard - Sec. 201 of the 1974 Trade Act
  • Steel & Aluminum Tariffs - Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962
  • Pending Tariffs on Chinese Products - Sec. 301 of the Trade of 1974
  • CBP Enforcement - AD/CVD & Forced Labor Enforce and Protect Act of 2015 (EAPA)

Regulatory Issues

  • Part 146 Revisions
  • Automated Commercial Environment (ACE)
  • Production Authority
  • In-Bond
  • Trusted Trader Programs/Physical Security Guidelines
  • Mitigation Guidelines

Other Current Issues:

  • NAFTA Renegotiation
  • 321/De Minimis
  • Miscellaneous Trade Bill
  • Iran Sanctions
  • CustomsMod2.0
  • GSP Reviews

With global trade issues changing daily, the NAFTZ is a great resource for updates on trade regulations and the potential impact to FTZs.  Read more about the NAFTZ, available resources and membership benefits.

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