Perry Ellis Files for FTZ Subzone

On March 24, 2026, the Foreign-Trade Zones Board [S-152-2026] published in the Federal Register (91 FR 13996) Foreign-Trade Zone 104; Application for Subzone; Supreme International LLC dba Perry Ellis International; Dublin, Georgia.

An application has been submitted to the Foreign-Trade Zones (FTZ) Board by the World Trade Center Savannah, LLC grantee of FTZ 104, requesting subzone status for the facility of Supreme International LLC dba Perry Ellis International, located in Dublin, Georgia. The application was submitted pursuant to the provisions of the Foreign-Trade Zones Act, as amended (19 U.S.C. 81a-81u), and the regulations of the FTZ Board (15 CFR part 400). It was formally docketed on March 19, 2026.

The proposed subzone (133.35 acres) is located at 125 Old Valambrosia Road, Dublin, Georgia (Perry Ellis Internation Distribution Center). No authorization for production activity has been requested at this time. The proposed subzone would be subject to the existing activation limit of FTZ 104.

Production Authority Not Approved; Foreign-Trade Zone 38; Teijin Carbon Fibers, Inc.

On April 17, 20245, the Foreign-Trade Zone Board published in the Federal Register (89 FR 27413) Production Authority Not Approved; Foreign-Trade Zone 38; Teijin Carbon Fibers, Inc.; (Carbon Fiber); Greenwood, South Carolina.

The Board adopted the findings and recommendations of the examiner's report, and found that the requirements of the FTZ Act and the Board's regulations have not been satisfied.

Therefore, the Board did not approve the application, as amended, requesting to remove the restriction requiring that all foreign status 24,000 tow PAN fiber admitted for production activity be re-exported (entry for U.S. consumption was not authorized) within FTZ 38 at the facility of Teijin Carbon Fibers, Inc., located in Greenwood, South Carolina, as described in the application and Federal Register notice.

Mohawk FTZ Application Denided

On April 1, 2024, the Foreign-Trade Zone Board published in the Federal Register (89 FR 22372) Production Activity Not Authorized; Foreign-Trade Zone (FTZ) 26; Mohawk Carpet Distribution, LLC; (Machine-Made Woven and Tufted Rugs of Polypropylene); Calhoun and Sugar Valley, Georgia

Foreign-Trade Zones Board Proceedings

On February 8, 2024, the Foreign-Trade Zone Board published in the Federal Register (89 FR 8525) Foreign-Trade Zones Board Proceedings: Final rule.

This action adopts minor modifications to the regulations of the Foreign-Trade Zones Board (the Board). The primary purpose for these modifications is to provide flexibility on the method to submit application fees. The prior regulations required submitting application fees by check. The changes allow for the submission of multiple forms of electronic payments in addition to paper checks. Other revisions in this rulemaking update the regulatory language to provide clarification and to reflect current practices. The Board is also confirming it has met the information collection requirements from a 2012 final rule.

Flemish Master Weavers FTZ Application Approved Subject to Quantitative Restriction

On November 13, 2023, the Foreign-Trade Zone Board published in the Federal Register (88 FR 77549) Approval for Production Authority; Foreign-Trade Zone 186; Flemish Master Weavers; (Machine-Made Woven Area Rugs); Waterville, Maine.

The application for production authority under zone procedures within Subzone 186A on behalf of Flemish Master Weavers, as described in the application and Federal Register notice, is approved, subject to the FTZ Act and the Board's regulations, including section 400.13, and further subject to the following restrictions:

1. the annual quantitative volume of continuous filament polypropylene yarn that FMW may admit into Subzone 186A under nonprivileged foreign (NPF) status (19 CFR 146.42) is limited to 2.6 million kilograms; and,

2. approval is limited to a period of five years, subject to extension upon review.

FTZ Authorization of Limited Production Activity; GSM Engineered Fabrics, LLC; (Industrial Belts)

On August 16, 2023, the Foreign-Trade Zone Board published in the Fedeeral Register (88 FR 55662 Foreign-Trade Zone (FTZ) 204; Authorization of Limited Production Activity; GSM Engineered Fabrics, LLC; (Industrial Belts); Kingsport, Tennessee.

The FTZ Board authorized the production activity described in the notification on a limited basis, subject to the FTZ Act and the Board’s regulations, including section 400.14, and further subject to a restriction requiring that the following components be admitted in privileged foreign status (19 CFR 146.41): (1) rolls of woven plastic polyester belt material and (2) rolls of spiral polyphenylene sulfide plastic belt material.

The Foreign-Trade Zones Board (the Board) proposes to amend its regulations and invites public comment

On June 9, 2023, the Foreign-Trade Zone Board published in the Federal Register (88 FR 37815 Proposed rule and request for comments.

SUMMARY: The Foreign-Trade Zones Board (the Board) proposes to amend its regulations and invites public comment on these proposed revisions. These modifications, if adopted, would allow for additional electronic fee payment options and make other minor clarifications and corrections to the regulatory language. Sections of the Board’s 2012 regulations regarding application formats contained information collection requirements and could not be effective until the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approved the information collection requests, which occurred on March 25, 2013.

DATES: To be assured of consideration, written comments must be received no later than July 10, 2023.

Application for FTZ Production Authority; Flemish Master Weavers

On March 6, 2023 the Foreign Trade Zone Board published in the Federal Register (88 FR 13778) Foreign-Trade Zone 186; Application for Production Authority; Flemish Master Weavers; (Machine-Made Woven Area Rugs); Sanford, Maine.

This is FMW's fourth attempt in the past seven years to get this approval, which the U.S. textile industry has successfully opposed.

Foreign-Trade Zone 38; Application for Production Authority; Teijin Carbon Fibers, Inc.; (Polyacrylonitrile-Based Carbon Fiber)

On March 1, 2023, the Foreign-Trade Zone Board published in the Federal Register (88 FR 12912) Foreign-Trade Zone 38; Application for Production Authority; Teijin Carbon Fibers, Inc.; (Polyacrylonitrile-Based Carbon Fiber); Extension of Comment Period on Submission Containing New Evidence.

This controversial FTZ application has been under consideration since 2019, as Agathon Associates previously reported.

Foreign-Trade Zone 38—Spartanburg County, South Carolina, Application for Production Authority, Teijin Carbon Fibers, Inc. (Polyacrylonitrile-Based Carbon Fiber), Opening of Comment Period on Submission Containing New Evidence.

On January 30, 2023, the Foreign Trade Zone Board published in the Federal Register (88 FR 5853) Foreign-Trade Zone 38—Spartanburg County, South Carolina, Application for Production Authority, Teijin Carbon Fibers, Inc. (Polyacrylonitrile-Based Carbon Fiber), Opening of Comment Period on Submission Containing New Evidence.

The FTZ Board is inviting public comment on a submission containing new evidence pertaining to the application, as amended, on behalf of Teijin Carbon Fibers, Inc. (TCF), requesting production authority within FTZ 38 in Greenwood, South Carolina. Specifically, the amended application requests removal of the restriction requiring the reexport of foreign status 24,000 filament tow polyacrylonitrile fiber used to produce carbon fiber.

This controversial FTZ application has been under consideration since 2019, as Agathon Associates previously reported.

Voluntary Relinquishment of Auburn, Maine, FTZ Grant of Authority

On August 22, 2022, the Foreign-Trade Zones Board published in the Federal Register (87 FR 51332) [Order No. 2127] Voluntary Relinquishment of the Grantof Authority; Foreign-Trade Zone (FTZ)263; Auburn, Maine

Flemish Master Weavers Back with Another FTZ Application for Rug Manufacturing

On August 8, 2022 the Foreign Trade Zone Board published in the Federal Register (87 FR 48149) Foreign-Trade Zone 186 -- Waterville, Maine; Notification of Proposed Production Activity, Flemish Master Weavers (Machine-Made Woven Area Rugs), Sanford, Maine

In 2016, FMW received limited FTZ authority to produce machine-made woven area rugs using polypropylene and polyester yarns in privileged foreign (PF) status (19 CFR 146.41), which precludes inverted tariff benefits on those inputs (see 81 FR 51850, August 5, 2016).

In 2017, FMW requested authority to admit continuous filament polypropylene (CFPP) yarn in nonprivileged foreign (NPF) status (19 CFR 146.42) (B-28-2017, 82 FR 26434, 6/7/2017). That request was approved subject to the following restrictions: (1) the annual quantitative volume of CFPP yarn that FMW may admit into Subzone 186A under NPF status was limited to 3 million kilograms; and, (2) approval was limited to an initial period of five years, subject to extension upon review (Board Order 2071, 83 FR 54709, 10/31/2018).

The pending notification requests to remove the restriction requiring admission in PF status for CFPP yarn--to which FMW's operation would otherwise be subject beginning on October 25, 2023 (upon expiration of the time-limited authority approved in Board Order 2071).

Authorization of FTZ Production Activity; CGT U.S., Ltd. (Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) Coated Upholstery Fabric Cover Stock)

On April 12, 2022, the Foreign Trade-Zone Board published in the Federal Register (87 FR 21611 ) [B-84-2021] Foreign-Trade Zone (FTZ) 80--San Antonio, Texas, Authorization of Production Activity; CGT U.S., Ltd. (Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) Coated Upholstery Fabric Cover Stock), New Braunfels, Texas.

The FTZ Board authorized the production activity described in the notification, subject to the FTZ Act and the Board’s regulations, including Section 400.14. The foreign-status material (100% polyester woven weft pile fabric—dyed) may only be admitted in privileged foreign status (19 CFR 146.41).

There will be no inverted tariff relief for the fabric admitted in priviledged foreign status.

Another FT Granted with no Inverted Tariff Relief for Textiles

On March 28, 2022, the Foreign Trade Zone Board published in the Federal Register (87 FR 17269) Foreign-Trade Zone (FTZ) 138 -- Columbus, Ohio; Authorization of Limited Production Activity; Fluvitex USA, Inc.; (Quilts, Comforters and Cushions); Groveport, Ohio

The FTZ Board authorized the production activity described in the notification on a limited basis, subject to the FTZ Act and the Board’s regulations, including Section 400.14, and further subject to a restriction requiring all foreign-status materials be admitted to the zone in privileged foreign status (19 CFR 146.41) with the exception of foreign-status polybags.

In other words, no inverted tariff relief for textile components in articles entering U.S. commerce.

USITC Study Effects of FTZ Policies and Practices on U.S. Firms Operating in U.S. FTZs and Under Similar Programs in Canada and Mexico

On Janaury 31, 2022, the U.S. International Trade Commission published in the Federal Register (87 FR 4914) Foreign Trade Zones (FTZs): Effects of FTZ Policies and Practices on U.S. Firms Operating in U.S. FTZs and Under Similar Programs in Canada and Mexico.

USITC to Investigate Conditions Of Competitiveness In Foreign Trade Zones

The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) is undertaking a new factfinding investigation on operations and conditions of competitiveness in U.S. foreign trade zones and similar programs in Canada and Mexico (FTZs).

The investigation, Foreign Trade Zones (FTZs): Effects of FTZ Policies and Practices on U.S. Firms Operating in U.S. FTZs and Under Similar Programs in Canada and Mexico, Inv. No. 332-588, was requested by the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) in a letter received on December 14, 2021.

As requested, the USITC, an independent, nonpartisan, factfinding federal agency, will prepare a public report for the USTR. The report will provide, to the extent practicable:

• an overview of economic activity in FTZs operating in the United States, Canada, and Mexico since 2016;
• an overview of the current FTZ policies and practices in the United States, Canada, and Mexico; and
• an analysis of the effects of current FTZ policies and practices in the United States, Canada, and Mexico on the cost-competitiveness of products of U.S. firms operating in these FTZs.

The USITC expects to submit its report to the USTR by April 14, 2023.

The USITC will hold a public hearing in connection with the investigation at 9:30 a.m. on May 17, 2022.  Information about how to participate in the hearing, including whether it will be virtual, will be posted on the Commission’s website no later than April 12, 2022, at https://usitc.gov/research_and_analysis/what_we_are_working_on.htm.  

Requests to appear at the hearing should be filed no later than 5:15 p.m. on May 3, 2022 with the Secretary, U.S. International Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20436.  See below for important information regarding filing a request to appear at a USITC hearing.

The USITC also welcomes written submissions for the record.  Written submissions should be addressed to the Secretary of the Commission and should be submitted no later than 5:15 p.m. on June 6, 2022. All written submissions, except for confidential business information, will be available for public inspection.

FTZ Request Filed for Upholstery Fabric

On December 28, 2021, the Foreign Trade-Zone Board published in the Federal Register (86 FR 73730) [B–84–2021] Foreign-Trade Zone (FTZ) 80 -- San Antonio, Texas; Notification of Proposed Production Activity CGT U.S., Ltd. (Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) Coated Upholstery Fabric Cover Stock) New Braunfels, Texas.

CGT U.S., Ltd. (CGT) submitted a notification of proposed production activity to the FTZ Board for its facility in New Braunfels, Texas within Subzone 80E.

The proposed foreign-status material is 100% polyester woven weft pile fabric—dyed (duty rate, 9.8%). The request indicates that the proposed material will be admitted to the zone in privileged foreign (PF) status (19 CFR 146.41), thereby precluding inverted tariff benefits on this item. The request also indicates that the material is subject to duties under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 (Section 301), depending on the country of origin. The applicable Section 301 decisions require subject merchandise to be admitted to FTZs in PF status.

Public comment is invited from interested parties. Submissions shall be addressed to the Board’s Executive Secretary and sent to: ftz@trade.gov. The closing period for their receipt is February 7, 2022.

This company was approved for a similar fabric in 2019

Fluvitex Quilt and Comforter Manufacturers Files FTZ Application

In a Federal Register notice scheduled for publication November 30, 2021, the Foreign Trade-Zone Board reports that Fluvitex USA, Inc., has submitted a notification of proposed production activity to the FTZ Board (the Board) for its facility in Groveport, Ohio under FTZ 138. The notification was received on November 23, 2021.

Comments are due 40 days from publication.

The proposed finished products include: plain cotton quilts and comforters; other quilts and comforters; cotton pillows and cushions; and, non-cotton pillows and cushions (duty rate ranges from 4.4% to 12.8%).

The proposed foreign-status materials include:

• recycled hollow conjugated and siliconized 100% polyester fiber – 64mm cut length, density 7 deniers, 32mm cut length, density 7 deniers and 64mm cut length, density 15 deniers;
• recycled polyester microfiber – 32mm cut length, 0.9 deniers and 10mm cut length, 6.1 decitex;
• lyocell fibers, 60mm cut length, 6.7 deniers;
• STRA FABRIC – recycled 65% polyester 35% cotton blend fabric (bleached and dyed) – construction is yarn number 45 (mass divided per unit length) warp x 45 weft, 110 threads per inch (warp) and 76 threads per inch (weft), generates a weight of 100 grams per square meter;
• PLUS FABRIC and PLUS DOTS FABRIC – 55% tencel-natural fiber: viscose and 45% cotton blend (non-printed and printed fabric) – construction is yarn number 40 warp x 40 weft, 140 threads per inch (warp) and 96 threads per inch (weft), construction generates a weight of 140 grams per square meter;
• 100% polyester fabric;
• 100% polypropylene nonwoven fabric;
• 100% polyester pillow covers; sac/bags of cotton for packing of certain pillows;
• cotton pillow covers; cotton pillow shells;
• polyester pillow shells; and, polybags (duty rate ranges from duty-free to 14.9%).

Foreign-Trade Zone (FTZ) 38-Spartanburg County, South Carolina; Application for Production Authority; Teijin Carbon Fibers, Inc.; (Polyacrylonitrile-based Carbon Fiber); Invitation for Public Comment

On July 19, 2021, the Foreign Trade Zone Board published in the Federal Register (86 FR 38010) Foreign-Trade Zone (FTZ) 38— Spartanburg County, South Carolina; Application for Production Authority; Teijin Carbon Fibers, Inc.; (Polyacrylonitrile-based Carbon Fiber); Invitation for Public Comment

In response to a request from Hexcel Corporation, the FTZ Board is inviting public comment on the rebuttal submission of Teijin Carbon Fibers, Inc. (TCF) (dated July 1, 2021) pursuant to 15 CFR 400.32(c)(2). The rebuttal submission was presented in the context of the FTZ Board’s consideration of the pending application, as amended, requesting certain authority for TCF to produce polyacrylonitrile-based carbon fiber at its facility in Greenwood, South Carolina. In response to this invitation for public comment, parties may also address argument or evidence presented in the application and in other parties’ direct and rebuttal comment submissions in earlier comment periods in this proceeding.

This controversial FTZ application has been under consideration since 2019, as Agathon Associates previously reported.

Foreign-Trade Zone 38-Spartanburg County, South Carolina; Application for Production Authority; Teijin Carbon Fibers, Inc.; Extension of Rebuttal Comment Period

On June 24, 2021, the Foreign Trade Zone Board published in the Federal Register (86 FR 33218) Foreign-Trade Zone 38-Spartanburg County, South Carolina; Application for Production Authority; Teijin Carbon Fibers, Inc.; Extension of Rebuttal Comment Period.

The rebuttal period for the amended application for production authority within FTZ 38 on behalf of Teijin Carbon Fibers, Inc., in Greenwood, South Carolina, submitted by the South Carolina State Ports Authority (85 FR 49359, August 13, 2020), is being extended to July 2, 2021, based on a request from the applicant, to allow additional time for the submission of rebuttal comments.

This controversial FTZ application has been under consideration since 2019, as Agathon Associates previously reported.