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FTZ 079 — Foreign-Trade Zone 079 — City of Tampa c/o Tampa Port Authority

Florida · Tampa · Port of entry: FL, Tampa

FTZ 079 is a Foreign-Trade Zone sponsored by the City of Tampa c/o Tampa Port Authority, covering Hillsborough and Polk counties and the City of Tampa, Florida, and served by the port of entry at Tampa, FL.

Foreign-Trade Zone (FTZ) 079 is a federally designated zone sponsored by the City of Tampa, c/o Tampa Port Authority, located in Tampa, Florida. The zone's service area covers Hillsborough and Polk counties and the City of Tampa, and it is served by the port of entry at Tampa, FL.

A Foreign-Trade Zone is a secure area, treated for customs purposes as outside U.S. commerce, where companies can defer, reduce, or in some cases eliminate customs duties on imported merchandise that is stored, assembled, processed, or manufactured within the zone before entering U.S. commerce. This can be useful for importers, manufacturers, and distributors that bring in foreign-origin components or goods and want more flexibility in how and when duties are paid.

FTZ 079 is relevant to businesses operating, or considering operating, a facility within its stated service area of Hillsborough and Polk counties and the City of Tampa. Companies interested in determining whether their operations qualify for FTZ status typically work with a customs broker or an FTZ compliance consultant, who can evaluate the specific facility and product flows, and assist with the paperwork required to seek site or subzone designation through the FTZ grantee and the FTZ Board's formal application process.

This listing provides the basic identifying facts about FTZ 079 — its zone number, grantee, service area, and port of entry — as a starting point for further research.

Who qualifies

FTZ 079 is relevant to importers, manufacturers, and distributors that operate, or plan to operate, a facility within Hillsborough or Polk counties or the City of Tampa. Businesses that regularly import foreign-origin merchandise or components into this area may want to evaluate whether zone status could apply to their site. Eligibility and fit depend on the specifics of each facility and its import activity, which is typically assessed on a case-by-case basis.

How to apply

1. Contact the zone grantee, City of Tampa c/o Tampa Port Authority, to discuss designation for a specific facility within the service area.

2. Alternatively, engage a customs broker or FTZ compliance consultant to review the facility's import activity and determine whether site or subzone status is a good fit.

3. Review the official FTZ Board application process at https://www.trade.gov/how-to-apply for the formal steps required to seek FTZ designation.

Service area: Counties of Hillsborough and Polk and the City of Tampa

Contact zone operator ↗

FTZ Board source ↗

Questions people ask

What is FTZ 079?

FTZ 079 is a Foreign-Trade Zone sponsored by the City of Tampa c/o Tampa Port Authority, covering Hillsborough and Polk counties and the City of Tampa in Florida.

Who is the grantee of FTZ 079?

The grantee is the City of Tampa, c/o Tampa Port Authority.

What area does FTZ 079 cover?

It covers Hillsborough and Polk counties and the City of Tampa, Florida.

What port of entry does FTZ 079 use?

It uses the port of entry at Tampa, FL.

Do I need a customs broker to use an FTZ?

Many companies work with a customs broker or FTZ compliance consultant to evaluate fit and manage the required paperwork, though this is not stated as a strict requirement here.

Is an FTZ the same as a bonded warehouse?

No, FTZs and bonded warehouses are different customs mechanisms, though both involve deferring duties on imported goods; general FTZ rules allow broader activity such as manufacturing and assembly.

How do I get subzone status for my own facility?

You would typically contact the zone grantee or a customs broker/FTZ compliance consultant and follow the FTZ Board's formal application process.

Where can I find the official application process?

The official FTZ Board application process is available at https://www.trade.gov/how-to-apply.

Can any business in Hillsborough or Polk county use FTZ 079?

Only businesses with a facility located within the stated service area and approved for site or subzone designation can operate under FTZ 079.

Does FTZ 079 guarantee duty savings?

The listing does not state specific savings figures; actual benefits depend on each company's import activity and are typically assessed individually.

Source: FTZ Board OFIS zone list (ofis.trade.gov). GetFundedUSA is independent and not affiliated with this zone's operator.