A zone user is a company or individual authorized to bring goods into a Foreign-Trade Zone (FTZ) for storage, manufacturing, assembly, or distribution without immediately paying customs duties.
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A zone user is a company or individual authorized to bring goods into a Foreign-Trade Zone (FTZ) for storage, manufacturing, assembly, or distribution without immediately paying customs duties.
Zone users operate within FTZs to take advantage of duty deferral, reduction, or elimination. They may store products, perform light assembly, or prepare items for re-export or U.S. distribution. This role is ideal for businesses looking to reduce import costs and streamline supply chains.
As a zone user, your business brings goods into an FTZ where you can store, assemble, or relabel items without paying duties upfront. You only pay duties when products enter U.S. commerce, or skip them entirely if you export the goods.
This flexibility helps reduce costs and improve your cash flow. With a 3PL partner supporting zone user operations, you also benefit from expert compliance, streamlined customs processes, and efficient warehousing.
Buske Logistics is a Top 40 3PL with over 35 warehouses across North America, specializing in warehousing, transportation, and value-added services. We provide tailored logistics solutions serving major Fortune 500 companies.
Zone users are vital for maximizing the cost-saving benefits of Foreign-Trade Zones. By using an FTZ, companies can delay paying import duties until goods leave the zone for U.S. consumption—or avoid them entirely if items are exported. For 3PL and warehousing operations, acting as or supporting a zone user provides clients with greater control, flexibility, and reduced customs expenses.
For example, an e-commerce business may become a zone user and store its imported goods in a 3PL-managed FTZ. Products remain duty-free until sold and shipped domestically, helping the business manage cash flow and inventory more effectively.
