Delaware Foreign-Trade Zone #99 Allows You To Comply, Compete & Grow

By Patricia A Cannon, MSM, AZS, Delaware Department of State

Patricia A Cannon, MSM, AZS

State of Delaware’s Foreign-Trade Zone #99 is the Grantee for the U.S. Foreign-Trade Zone program that has been helping U.S. businesses to compete in the global economy for over 90 years. The U.S. Foreign Trade Zones Act of 1934 and corresponding Federal Regulations allow for improved cash flow that empowers those businesses willing to comply with all existing importing and exporting requirements, including more robust oversight from US Commerce (Foreign-Trade Zones Board) and US Homeland Security (Customs & Border Protection). This helps the US-based FTZ approved and activated business to compete with international markets that may have lower labor costs and/or lower quality standards. It also allows those approved and activated US-based FTZ operators and users to grow by creating more jobs and adding to the U.S. Gross Domestic Product.

Why FTZ#99? The federal Foreign-Trade Zone Act was passed in 1934. NY was granted authority to manage the 1st Foreign-Trade Zone so they are named FTZ#1. In 1984, the State of Delaware was granted authority as the 99th Foreign-Trade Zone. This newly granted authority under the Traditional Framework allowed Delaware to manage the Port of Wilmington, DE and contiguous parcels as a Foreign-Trade Zone. On July 5, 2012, the State of Delaware’s Authority was expanded to be statewide under the Alternative Site Framework.

Local U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP) maintains ultimate authority over goods and materials being imported into or exported out the U.S. They can seize shipments that are suspected of being non-compliant with U.S. laws. They are credited for pulling millions of counterfeit goods and pounds of illicit drugs, such as Fentanyl, out of the US market. Delaware FTZ #99 is proud to work closely with our Local CBP officers to ensure that the FTZ operators and users are aware of the importance of compliance! It is through that robust compliance that businesses can compete and grow! For more information on Delaware’s FTZ program, please visit www.business.delaware.gov/ftz99.

To learn more about other programs that may be helpful to your business, please visit Delaware Division of Small Business website at www.business.delaware.gov.

To plan your next Delaware adventure, please visit Delaware Tourism website at www.visitdelaware.com.

Patricia A. “Patty” Cannon, MSM, AZS, is the Director of Special Projects for the Division of Small Business and the Grantee Administrator for Foreign Trade Zone No. 99 within the State of Delaware’s Department of State.