Foreign Trade Zones (FTZ), sometimes known as Free Trade Zones, are neutral, secured areas legally outside of the U.S. customs territory that offer economic advantages for businesses involved in international trade.
There are six FTZs in North Carolina. Several subzones are also approved for use by individual manufacturers.
Foreign or domestic merchandise may enter these areas without a formal customs entry or the payment of customs duties or government excise taxes and without a thorough examination.
If the final product is exported from the United States, no custom duty is levied. If the final product is imported into the U.S., duty and excise taxes are due at the time of transfer from the foreign trade zone and formal entry is made into the U.S. Duty is paid on the product itself or its imported parts, whichever is lower.
Generally, merchandise is exempt from payment of duty even if it is:
- Manipulated
- Used in a manufacturing process
- Inspected
- Combined with other domestic or foreign materials
- Displayed for sale
- Re-exported
Spoiled or damaged goods or waste materials may be disposed of or re-exported without payment of duty.
Businesses save on personal property and sales and use taxes since state and local governments generally do not impose such taxes on items in the FTZ. Additional savings on interest, labor and shipping costs may also result.
New capital investment by firms who might otherwise have located in foreign countries is another important advantage. This new investment activity spurs development of support industries.
Helpful Resources | Foreign Trade Zones
For general information about Foreign Trade Zones in North Carolina, contact:
Jean Davis, Director of International Trade Division
North Carolina Department of Commerce
301 N. Wilmington St.
4320 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-4320
(919) 715-5746 jdavis@nccommerce.com
For information on a specific Foreign Trade Zone in North Carolina, please contact:
Zone #57
Charlotte Regional Partnership
550 South Caldwell Street
Suite 760
Charlotte, NC 28202
Tel: (704) 347-8942
fax: (704) 347-8981
Contact:
Laura K. Foor
Project Manager/Foreign Trade Zone Administrator
(704) 347-8942
lfoor@charlotteusa.com
Zone #66
N.C. Ports Authority: Wilmington
2202 Burnett Blvd.
Wilmington, NC 28401
Mailing address:
PO Box 9002
Wilmington, NC 28402
(800) 334-0682
fax: (910) 763-6440
Contact:
Lance Kenworthy
(910) 343-6228 lance_kenworthy@ncports.com
Zone #67
N.C. Ports Authority: Morehead City
113 Arendell St.
Morehead City, NC 28557
Mailing address:
PO Box 9002
Wilmington, NC 28557
(800) 334-0682
fax: (910) 397-1532
Contact:
Lance Kenworthy
(910) 343-6228 lance_kenworthy@ncports.com
Zone #93
Longistics
10900 World Trade Center Blvd.
Morrisville, NC 27560
Mailing address:
PO Box 110007
Research Triangle Park, NC 27709
(919) 872-7626 or (800) 289-0082
fax: (919) 872-2883
mail@longistics.com
Contacts:
Berry Petty, Controller
berry@longistics.com
Pat Long, President
pat@longistics.com
Duane Long, Chairman
(919) 872-7626 duane@longistics.com
Zone #214
Global Transpark Authority
2780 Jetport Road, Ste. A
Kinston, NC 28504
Mailing address:
PO Box 1476
Kinston, NC 28503
(252) 522-4929
fax: (252) 522-5778
info@ncgtp.com
Contact:
Darlene Waddell
(252) 522-4929 ext. 714 dwaddell@ncgtp.com
Zone #230
Piedmont Triad Regional Partnership
416 Gallimore Dairy Road, Suite M
Greensboro, NC 27409
(336) 668-4556 or (800) 668-3749
fax: (336) 668-3749
info@piedmonttriadnc.com
Contact:
Penny Whiteheart, Vice President, Research & Technology
(336) 369-2201 pwhiteheart@piedmonttriadnc.com
