Today customers are becoming more in tune with the quality of materials used to manufacture their apparel, footwear and accessories holding brands and retailers to a much higher standard than ever before. That being said, companies are beginning to dig deeper into their supply chain to better understand the environmental and social impact of the products they make and sell. 

Foreign Trade Zones (FTZs) can help global shippers maximize savings and minimize operational costs. Speeding customs clearance and eliminating paperwork seals the deal.

According to this great Inbound Logistics report, FTZ’s were created in 1938 and have grown in importance ever since, as goods are increasingly made, assembled and sold in different countries. Domestic and foreign commercial merchandise that goes through an FTZ receives the same customs treatment it would if it were outside the commerce of the United States.

That means importers, distributors, manufacturers, and other shippers can use FTZ’s to defer, eliminate, or reduce significant duties on imported goods.

Want to learn more? Join Amber Road and American Shipper for a webinar on The Free Trade Zone Boom: Using Automation to Power FTZ-Driven Duty Savings tomorrow, May 14, at 2 PM EDT.

Recent AberdeenGroup research found that Foreign Trade Zones (FTZ) and free trade agreements (FTA) offer the most direct and significant duty and tariff reduction opportunities. In fact, 57% of companies claim that they have, or will build, FTZ capabilities into their global trade functionality to support global transformation and reduce total landed costs. Isn’t it time you took advantage of FTZs as well?

Aberdeen’s newest report, Advancing Global Trade: Foreign Trade Zone Solutions Revealed, highlights the rising importance of cross-border trade, reshoring, and FTZ solutions in today’s global supply chain. Key themes include:

• The strong correlation between FTA/FTZ automation and superior supply chain performance
• Mission-critical features and functions required of an FTZ solution
• Five key process steps you should take to join the FTZ leader ranks

Surprisingly, U.S. trade with Russia grew in March, despite rising tensions and Russia’s annexation of Crimea. According to the Commerce Department, exports of U.S. goods to Russia rose 9% from the prior month, and imports from Russia rose 36%.

The U.S. tends to import Russian oil, metals and fertilizers and export machinery, vehicles, and food. March’s trade increase can largely be attributed to a surge in exports of civilian aircraft and autos.