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FTZ 003 — Foreign-Trade Zone 003 — San Francisco Port Commission
California · San Francisco · Port of entry: CA, San Francisco
FTZ 003 is a Foreign-Trade Zone sponsored by the San Francisco Port Commission in California, covering San Francisco and several nearby counties and using the San Francisco port of entry.
Foreign-Trade Zone 003 is sponsored by the San Francisco Port Commission and serves the City and County of San Francisco, San Mateo County, Contra Costa, Marin and Solano Counties, and portions of Napa and Sonoma Counties, in the state of California. The zone uses the San Francisco, CA port of entry.
A Foreign-Trade Zone is a designated area, secure and under U.S. Customs and Border Protection supervision, where merchandise can be brought in without immediate payment of customs duties. Depending on how goods are used within the zone, companies may defer, reduce, or in some cases eliminate certain duties on imported merchandise, particularly where goods are re-exported or transformed into a different tariff classification through qualifying production activity.
FTZ 003 is relevant to importers, manufacturers, and distributors that operate — or are considering operating — a facility within its service area. Businesses interested in exploring zone status for a specific site typically work with a customs broker or an FTZ compliance consultant to evaluate whether their operations and location fit the program, and to help prepare and file the paperwork required for site or subzone designation. This listing describes the zone's sponsor, geographic coverage, and port of entry only; it does not represent tax, savings, or approval-timeline guidance.
Who qualifies
How to apply
Service area: City and County of San Francisco, San Mateo County, Contra Costa, Marin and Solano Counties and portions of Napa and Sonoma Counties
Questions people ask
What is FTZ 003?
FTZ 003 is a Foreign-Trade Zone sponsored by the San Francisco Port Commission, covering San Francisco and several surrounding California counties, using the San Francisco port of entry.
Who is the grantee of FTZ 003?
The grantee is the San Francisco Port Commission.
What area does FTZ 003 cover?
It covers the City and County of San Francisco, San Mateo County, Contra Costa, Marin and Solano Counties, and portions of Napa and Sonoma Counties.
What port of entry does FTZ 003 use?
It uses the San Francisco, CA port of entry.
Do I need a customs broker to use an FTZ?
Many companies work with a customs broker or FTZ compliance consultant to determine fit and handle the required paperwork, though this is a business decision rather than a strict legal requirement.
Is an FTZ the same as a bonded warehouse?
No, an FTZ and a bonded warehouse are different customs programs with different rules, though both involve holding goods under CBP supervision before duties are finalized.
How do I get subzone status for my own facility?
You would typically contact the grantee, the San Francisco Port Commission, or a customs broker/FTZ consultant, and follow the official FTZ Board application process described at the provided apply_url.
Can any business in the service area automatically use FTZ benefits?
No, a facility must be granted specific site or subzone designation through the application process; simply being located in the service area does not automatically confer FTZ status.
What kind of businesses typically use FTZs?
Importers, manufacturers, and distributors that handle imported merchandise commonly evaluate FTZ status for their facilities.
Where can I find the official application process?
The official FTZ Board application process is described at https://www.trade.gov/how-to-apply.
Source: FTZ Board OFIS zone list (ofis.trade.gov). GetFundedUSA is independent and not affiliated with this zone's operator.