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09 December 2025 / Quick Take
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Copy LinkWith ongoing trade uncertainty and volatile tariff rates, companies are increasingly seeking out foreign trade zones (FTZs) and bonded warehouses as part of their supply chain strategy. On these US sites, goods can be stored and even processed without immediate tariff obligations.
An overall effective tariff rate of 17%, pending court rulings, and renegotiated trade agreements—including the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement in 2026—have made FTZs and bonded warehouses increasingly key for importers and manufacturers. About 3,400 companies operate in more than 250 FTZs, where $184 billion of imported goods were destined in the first eight months of 2025, and the US is home to 1,700 bonded warehouses.
At these sites, certified and approved by US Customs and Border Protection, goods can remain duty-free until they are removed for sale or exported, allowing companies to maximize cash flow, protect margins, and hedge against risks associated with future tariff-rate changes. The sites also offer certain local and state tax exemptions.
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