Nearly 50 years of foreign-trade zone expertise
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
FOREIGN TRADE ZONES
discipline. However, the grantee is often the doorway to the program.
For economic developers, that doorway can unlock great opportunity.
One of the simplest messages shared with economic development professionals is this: If a company is importing or exporting, think about a foreign-trade zone. That does not mean the United
States FTZ program is always the answer. It means the foreign-trade zone question should be raised early enough that a company can evaluate the option before facility, sourcing, investment or supply chain decisions are settled.
US foreign-trade zones can support attraction, retention and expansion conversations because they give communities another strategy to help companies compete from a US location. Grantees are central to that discussion, because they connect federal trade policy to local economic development. They understand the regional business
The FTZ question should be raised early enough that a company can evaluate the option before facility, sourcing, investment or supply chain decisions are settled. environment, the local zone structure and the public mission behind the program.
The public utility framework keeps that access grounded. It reinforces that the US FTZ program should be administered consistently and in support of broader economic development objectives.
For companies interested in the program, the practical takeaway is clear: Get to know your grantee. If a company is evaluating a foreign-trade zone opportunity, the grantee can be an essential early resource. The Foreign- Trade Zones Board’ s Online FTZ Information System( OFIS), includes a public Zone & Site Information page, where companies can identify the grantee for a particular state or region and review related zone information: https:// ofis. trade. gov /.
The US FTZ program works best when federal policy, local leadership and private-sector operations are aligned. Grantees help make that possible. They are more than administrative sponsors of the program. They form the public utility foundation that connects FTZ access to economic opportunity. n
Leigh Ryan, AZS, CZS, serves as senior vice president of World Trade Center Savannah, the grantee for Foreign-Trade Zone No. 104.
Nearly 50 years of foreign-trade zone expertise
Rockefeller Group FTZ Services has nearly 50 years of experience helping companies implement, activate, and manage foreigntrade zone( FTZ) operations and navigate the complexities of FTZ compliance. The company offers consulting services tailored to each company’ s needs. FTZ services include FTZ designation, production authority, activation, inventory control system implementation, training, development of standard operating procedures( SOPs) and ongoing operational and compliance support.
Bonded warehouse services include bonded warehouse application and approval support, inventory control system implementation, training, SOP development, and ongoing operational and compliance support. Rockefeller Group’ s foreigntrade zone professionals monitor trade and customs developments and maintain strong relationships with government offices and agencies responsible for trade. The company’ s experience spans the retail, distribution and manufacturing industries; more than three decades spent building long-term professional relationships.
Rockefeller Group’ s industrial projects are considered FTZenabled and eligible for bonded warehouse designation. FTZ-enabled sites are located within the area of an FTZ project sponsored by a grantee. Bonded warehouse designation are generally located within 35 miles of a US Customs and Border Protection port of entry. Although these sites do not yet have FTZ or bonded warehouse designation, their locations, within defined geographic areas, may provide confidence that federal approval can be obtained and, in some cases, expedited. Rockefeller Group is positioned to align FTZ and bonded warehouse implementation with building occupancy, having identified the necessary steps and established the federal and local relationships to facilitate the process.
Rockefeller Group FTZ Services also offers a full suite of foreign-trade zone administration training modules for every aspect of FTZ operations. Training can be delivered remotely using online tools or, in person, at the client’ s preferred location. The company offers CCS / CES credit through NCBFAA for any Live Delivery training modules. n
For more information visit rgftz. com
48 Journal of Commerce | August 3, 2026 www. joc. com