Smarter Trade, Stronger Margins: Your FTZ Strategy Partner
Most companies that could benefit from a Foreign Trade Zone program are not using one. Not because they are not eligible, but because no one has ever walked them through the numbers in plain language.
A Foreign Trade Zone is a designated area within the United States where imported goods can be stored, processed, or assembled under customs supervision before they formally enter US commerce. The financial benefit is straightforward: you defer or, in some cases, eliminate duty payments, pay lower duty rates on finished goods rather than raw materials, and reduce the administrative burden of customs compliance.
GLI connects you with specialists who can tell you in clear terms whether your business qualifies and what the dollar impact would be: no jargon, no guesswork, just a clear picture of what is possible.
GLI connects you with specialists who can tell you in clear terms whether your business qualifies and what the dollar impact would be: no jargon, no guesswork, just a clear picture of what is possible.
Faster Clearance. Lower Duties. Effective Trade.
- DutiesStop paying duties before you have to. With an FTZ program, duty payments are deferred until your goods actually enter US commerce. If you re-export, you may eliminate those duties entirely. And in many cases, you pay the lower duty rate on your finished goods rather than the higher rate on the raw materials that went into them.
- Simplify CustomsCustoms paperwork is a tax on your team's time. FTZ programs reduce the number of entries your business has to file, lower fees like Merchandise Processing Fees, and use weekly entry filing to cut both the administrative burden and the costs that come with it.
- InventoryGoods stored in an FTZ do not trigger duty payments until they leave the zone. That is cash that stays in your business instead of sitting with customs. Enhanced inventory tracking and a compliance framework also keep your operation audit-ready and operationally agile.
- ManufacturingIf your team assembles, kits, repairs, or repackages goods in the United States, an FTZ can change the economics of those operations. Finished goods may qualify for preferential duty treatment or reduced tariffs, and your flexibility to adjust production stays intact.
- Quotas & TariffsTrade policy changes quickly, and the financial impact on importers can be significant. We help you understand how current quotas and tariff structures affect your specific import mix and where an FTZ strategy could reduce your exposure.
- Beyond StorageAn FTZ is not just a warehousing solution. For the right operation, it is a cash flow improvement, a competitive advantage, and a smarter way to move goods across borders. The first step is finding out whether your business is one that benefits.
How It Works
GLI does not operate FTZs or replace your customs broker. Instead, we act as your advisor and coordinator, working alongside your broker and our FTZ specialist partners to move the process forward efficiently.
GLI works with licensed customs and international trade professionals who have decades of experience. This ensures each FTZ program follows regulations and supports informed decisions.
GLI works with licensed customs and international trade professionals who have decades of experience. This ensures each FTZ program follows regulations and supports informed decisions.
Our role includes:
- Reviewing import data to identify potential FTZ benefits.
- Helping determine whether a general-purpose zone or subzone is the right fit.
- Coordinating with FTZ operators, customs brokers, and compliance specialists.
- Supporting program setup, documentation, and operational alignment.
- Making sure your FTZ strategy aligns with your overall logistics mode.
FTZ programs are not the same for everyone. Their value depends on how your products move, where you store them, and how duties apply in your supply chain.
Companies often see the strongest FTZ impact when they:
Companies often see the strongest FTZ impact when they:
- Import high-value or high-duty goods.
- Re-export a portion of their inventory.
- Perform light manufacturing, kitting, or assembly in the U.S.
- Want better control over duty timing and cash flow.