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U.S. SBA/Ex-IM Bank of the U.S. Joint Application for Working Capital Guarantee Application For Medium Term Export Credit Insurance Quotation Application
Foreign Trade Zones
Foreign Trade Zones (FTZs) are secure areas located in or near U.S. Customs ports of entry, but are legally considered to be outside the Customs territory for the purpose of tariff laws and Customs entry procedures. The ECIDA administers Foreign Trade Zone #23 for Erie County.
Foreign Trade Zone #23 - Fact Sheet
There are two types of zones:
1. General-purpose zones
General-purpose zones involve public facilities that can be used by more than one firm, and are most commonly ports or industrial parks used by small to medium sized businesses for warehousing/distribution and some processing/assembly.
2. Subzones
Subzones typically involve a single firm's site which is used for more extensive manufacturing/processing or warehousing/distribution that cannot easily be accomplished in a general-purpose zone.
Benefits:
- No duties on or quota charges on re-exports.
- Customs duties and federal excise tax deferred on imports.
- In situations where zone manufacturing results in a finished product that has a lower duty rate than the rates on foreign inputs (inverted tariff), the finished products may be entered at the duty rate that applies to its condition as it leaves the zone -- subject to public interest considerations.
- Foreign goods and domestic goods held for export are exempt from state/local inventory taxes. FTZ status may also make a site eligible for state/local benefits which are unrelated to the FTZ Act.
Applications for New Subzones
If you are interested in establishing a foreign trade subzone within Erie County please contact the ECIDA International Division at 716-856-6525. Applications for a zone can be rather involved and expect a somewhat lengthy approval process, perhaps a year or more. Once a zone is granted by the Foreign Trade Zone Board, the zone operator shall make written application to the Customs Port Director to obtain approval for activation of a zone.
To take advantage of existing General-purpose zones, contact:
WNY Foreign Trade Zone
Timothy Palisano
10 North Gates Avenue
Phone: (716) 823-2142
Fax: (716) 823-2613
http://www.wnyftz.com
Danason's Border Services, Inc.
Dan Shea
357 Lang Boulevard, PO Box 81
Grand Island, NY 14072
Phone: (716) 716-773-7301
Gateway Trade Center Inc. (Zone is in Lackawanna)
Ms. Patricia Schreiber
2544 Clinton Street
West Seneca, NY 14224
Phone: (716) 826-2890
Fax: (716) 826-1342