Global CFS Trade policy changes don’t arrive quietly. They hit hard, fast, and without much warning. For importers, exporters, and manufacturers, it’s not just a matter of tracking headlines—it’s about protecting your business when tariffs spike and exemptions change, expire, or explode overnight. In this kind of environment, Foreign Trade Zones (FTZs) have gone from a “nice-to-have” logistics strategy to an essential shield.
At Global CFS, we work with businesses navigating daily uncertainty around duties, sourcing, and supply chain costs. One of the most reliable tools in that toolkit right now is a well-positioned FTZ.
What FTZs Actually Do
An FTZ allows importers to defer, reduce, or even eliminate duties on goods brought into the U.S. while those goods remain in the zone. That means inventory can be stored, processed, kitted, or even re-exported without triggering immediate duty payment. And in a landscape where tariff rates are swinging by 25%, 34%, even 145%, that kind of control isn’t just strategic—it’s survival.
With the latest round of tariff pauses and retaliatory threats from trading partners, FTZs also allow companies to build inventory buffers without locking in unpredictable costs.
“In times of uncertainty, consistency becomes the highest form of leverage.” – President Steve Panzarella, Global CFS.
Why It Matters Now
While tariff rates are paused or shifting, many importers are rushing to push cargo through ports before deadlines hit. But long term, that scramble wears thin. An FTZ lets you step out of the reaction cycle. You bring goods in, hold them securely, and make duty decisions when the dust settles—not during the storm.
Global CFS helps businesses of all sizes unlock the value of FTZs, from strategic entry planning to full operational support. If you’re looking for stability when trade becomes unpredictable, an FTZ might be the smartest place to start.
Let’s talk about how to use an FTZ to protect your margins and take the panic out of policy.
