We are Off and Running! 

Fall is in full swing and so is the NAFTZ. We had an excellent turn-out for our first post conference Town Hall meeting. We plan to hold virtual Town Halls on a quarterly basis to give you, the membership, opportunities to engage directly with the Executive Committee and the NAFTZ team on any topic -- whether focused towards advocacy, conferences, member experience, communications or even NAFTZ administrative issues – we want to hear from you.

As with the Town Hall held this past Tuesday, we also want to use these as an opportunity to update our members on a real time basis on any pressing issues. A great example is the update we provided on the recent meeting held with U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP) Headquarters regarding the ability to store goods targeted on a forced labor basis in a foreign-trade zone pending CBP review. The NAFTZ had requested that CBP assemble the appropriate stakeholders within CBP Headquarters including the Office of Field Operations, the Forced Labor Division, the Trade Remedies Law Enforcement Directorate and the Office of Trade Relations to further discuss the reversal of CBP’s position issued in CSMS #57200992 on August 3, 2023. Although more work lies ahead, we remain confident in our ability to articulate the errors in CBP's position and advocate for a reinstatement of CBP's previous policy.

This issue adds to the list of advocacy topics already in the hopper including FTA eligibility for production in a FTZ, revocation of duty deferral restrictions under USMCA and the extension of de minimis benefits to goods withdrawn from a FTZ. Another issue that is starting to percolate is CBP’s Reimbursable Services Program (RSP) by which companies can request CBP to perform additional services for compensation. Stay tuned as there is more to come!

One Honest Voice can be Louder than a Crowd

Virtual Fly-Ins are scheduled the first week in December and we are already looking ahead to the Legislative Summit in February. The Fly-Ins are opportunities to be in front of Congressional members and their staff to discuss the FTZ program, the challenges and opportunities we face not only as an Association, but also, more importantly, the specific impact to your companies. New to the Fly-Ins? That’s ok! The NAFTZ can help prepare you with talking points or, if you want to just listen in your first time around, your presence is just as valuable as Congress wants to see their constituents. The Fly-Ins also set the stage for our Legislative Summit in Washington, DC.

Mind the Gap! 

We are in membership renewal mode. Be sure not to leave a gap in your membership by letting it lapse. In today’s international trade environment, our members are being asked to wear multiple hats which means looking for ways to stay abreast not only on FTZ-related issues, but other trade issues affecting the movement, manufacture and distribution of their goods in the supply chain. The Membership and Program Committees have worked tirelessly on benefits for members by creating broader and more comprehensive programs that support NAFTZ members in their trade compliance and operational roles. And speaking of Committees, get involved and join one! We are based on volunteers and committees are crucial to our mission. Have questions? Reach out to any EC member, Board member or NAFTZ Team who will be happy to help.

By: 

Shannon Fura, Page Fura, P.C.
NAFTZ Chair