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Grantee Responsibilities

  1. Maintain a file of zone documents:
        - Foreign-Trade Zones (FTZ) Board Orders and Notices of applications (See FTZ Applications and Orders, 1980-1997 or 1998-2001)
       - Copies of all applications and requests made to the FTZ Board.
       - All correspondence from the FTZ Board
       - Documents relating to the lapse provision for the zone and all subzones
       - List of approved zone sites and maps of all zone sites with zone boundaries
       - Agreements between grantee and zone/subzone operators and private land owners (See special requirements for supervising private property 15 CFR Sec. 400.28(a)(8)).

  2. Ensure that each subzone also maintains the above listed documents pertaining to the subzone.

  3. Maintain a zone schedule (see zone schedule guidelines and 15 CFR Sec. 400.42). The zone schedule must be available for public inspection at the offices of the grantee and operator.

  4. Maintain a system of communication with zone parties: operators, subzones, property owners, etc.

  5. Inform the FTZ staff of changes in grantee's address, phone number and contact person. This information appears on the FTZ staff's list of zones that is published on the web and in the annual report. Also, keep the FTZ staff informed of any significant changes in the zone project.

  6. Review zone Customs inventory control system with zone operator, including automated Customs reporting procedures, inventory method and software.

  7. Discuss the zone project periodically with local Customs.

  8. Review periodically zone facilities and activity.

  9. Note that all zones and FTZ Board Orders are subject to the special conditions and restrictions of Section 400.28 of the FTZ Board regulations. (Grantees generally should review the FTZ Board regulations.)

  10. Maintain a copy of the latest FTZ annual report format and have an understanding of FTZ Board reporting requirements and the methodologies involved in calculating the merchandise figures. Provide operator/subzones with latest FTZ annual report format. A copy of the annual report format may be downloaded from the FTZ web site: http://www.trade.gov/ftz. Annual report guidelines are also available on the web site. Prior to submitting annual reports to the FTZ Board, please discuss with zone/subzone operator the basis for the numbers. If you need assistance in the annual report, please call the FTZ staff (202-482-2862).

  11. For subzones, periodically review with the subzone operator the activity of the subzone to assess whether the subzone plan, objectives and economic effects are being achieved and whether this is being reported to the FTZ Board in the subzone’s annual report. Other topics that should be reviewed include whether the subzone is operating within its scope (products, sourcing, levels, exports) as indicated in its application and order. If the zone or any subzone is subject to special restrictions, develop a system or checklist to ensure compliance.

  12. Assess the level of training completed by the grantee and/or zone operators. Discuss the types and content of FTZ-specific training sessions attended and dates, and review the need for further training.