As we announced in last week’s blog, CWI Logistics has recently acquired a warehousing site located in Jacksonville’s Foreign Trade Zone No. 64. Warehousing in Foreign Trade Zones (FTZs) was first introduced in the United States in 1934, and FTZs are currently under the supervision of United States Bureau of Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Every state has at least one FTZ; Florida has 20. The Port of Jacksonville’s FTZ No. 64 has been ranked as one of the top in the world by FDI magazine.
What Are the Benefits of Warehousing in Foreign Trade Zones (FTZs)?
So, why is this news? Because conducting your warehousing in a Foreign Trade Zone comes with some pretty hefty advantages. Lowering or eliminating taxes and duties, and more available cash flow are just some of the perks that make storing goods in an FTZ so appealing.
The Benefits
- Less Paperwork – Usually, customs entries must be filed daily. In an FTZ, customs entries are organized and filed on a weekly basis. That means less paperwork, fewer labor costs, and huge financial savings on merchandise processing fees (MPF) for high-volume importers.
- Direct Delivery – As long as FTZ operators have prior approval from Customs, they do not need to wait for a Customs officer to be present before moving foreign products. Direct delivery results in substantial time savings and much less hassle, especially for operations like cross-docking.
- Saves Time – Expect to shave 1-3 days off of your supply chain timeline, as there is no need to hold goods for customs clearance.
- Flexible Storage – Unlike a bonded warehouse, FTZs do not have time limits on storage periods. Goods can also be released at any time.
- Exemptions – Goods moving through an FTZ with a final destination outside of the United States are exempt from duties and excise taxes, which adds up to significant savings.
Elevate Your Operations with CWI Packaging Services in FTZs in Florida and Beyond
Tapping into the Jacksonville FTZ means unlocking even more potential for your supply chain, and that’s where our CWI packaging services really shine—right at the heart of it all. We’ve got the setup to handle everything from temperature-controlled repackaging to custom club packs without the usual customs holdups, keeping your goods moving fast and your costs in check. It’s the kind of seamless integration that turns global headaches into straightforward wins, especially when you’re juggling high-volume imports or just need that extra edge in a competitive market.
CWI Logistics Is Your Expert At Warehousing in Foreign Trade Zones in Florida and the United States
Looking to become more competitive? Positioning your warehouse or distribution center within a Foreign Trade Zone is the way to go. If you’re involved in global trade, taking advantage of the value-added services offered by a 3PL located within an FTZ can help level the international playing field. To learn more about our Jacksonville FTZ warehouse, please contact the CWI professional team today.
Warehousing in Foreign Trade Zones Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is a Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ), and why are they important for warehousing?
Foreign Trade Zones (FTZs) are secure areas under U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) supervision where goods can be stored, manipulated, or processed with deferred or reduced duties. Established in the U.S. since 1934, FTZs like Jacksonville’s highly ranked No. 64 provide significant advantages for global trade, including cost savings, streamlined processes, and improved cash flow for importers and exporters.
2. What are the main benefits of warehousing in a Foreign Trade Zone?
Key benefits include weekly (instead of daily) customs filings for reduced paperwork and merchandise processing fees, direct delivery without waiting for customs officers, 1-3 days shaved off supply chain timelines, unlimited storage periods (unlike bonded warehouses), and full exemptions from duties/excise taxes on goods ultimately exported outside the U.S.
3. How do FTZs help reduce costs and improve efficiency for businesses?
FTZs lower or eliminate duties and taxes on re-exported goods, minimize labor-intensive daily customs entries, enable faster direct delivery and cross-docking, and offer flexible, indefinite storage. These efficiencies translate to substantial savings on fees, freight, and processing—while enhancing cash flow and reducing administrative hassles for high-volume operations.
4. What services does CWI Logistics offer in its new Jacksonville FTZ facility?
In our recently acquired site within Jacksonville’s top-ranked Foreign Trade Zone, CWI provides comprehensive warehousing, temperature-controlled repackaging, custom club/variety packs, value-added packaging, and seamless distribution—all with FTZ advantages like deferred duties, direct delivery, and integrated customs processes for faster, cost-effective global supply chains.
5. Why choose CWI Logistics for FTZ warehousing in Florida?
With our new Jacksonville FTZ location and decades of 3PL expertise, CWI offers turnkey solutions that combine FTZ benefits (duty exemptions, reduced paperwork, unlimited storage) with our proven packaging and logistics services. This levels the playing field for international trade, boosts competitiveness, and streamlines operations. Contact our team today to explore how we can optimize your global supply chain!