Chapter

FOREWORD

The purpose of the Foreign Trade Zone Manual is to place in one document, the various laws, regulations, policies and procedures that Customs and Border Protection personnel, grantees, operators and users need to know in the daily operation of Foreign Trade Zones. It may also be useful to brokers, freight forwarders, bonded and international carriers and other members of the import-export community.

Many laws and regulations in this manual are paraphrased for the sake of simplicity and easier reading. Grantees, operators, users and other readers are urged to study the actual text of the cited laws and/or regulations before making any costly investment decisions initially based on information in this manual. This manual is not itself law, it is intended merely as a guide. Readers may seek rulings from the Office of International Trade concerning matters covered by this manual pursuant to the procedures of 19 CFR 177.

This manual supersedes FTZ Manual, Publication #: 0000-0559, issued in March, 2003. CBP internal instructions, not intended for public disclosure are not included in this manual, but are still in effect. Any new measures taken by Customs and Border Protection affecting the Foreign Trade Zone program, after issuance of this manual will be announced through various methods, e.g., electronic bulletin board, e-mail and facsimile transmission, directives and rulings. These issuances will be provided as supplements for inclusion in this manual upon release. This manual is intended to be maintained with current information to better serve all parties.

This manual has been compiled by Customs and Border Protection as a joint effort with the Foreign-Trade Zones Board, the U.S. Census Bureau and the National Association of Foreign Trade Zones. Their contributions to this document are appreciated.

Thomas S. Winkowski Assistant Commissioner Office of Field Operations

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