GetFundedUSA › Foreign-Trade Zones › FTZ 098
FTZ 098 — Foreign-Trade Zone 098 — City of Birmingham
Alabama · Birmingham · Port of entry: AL, Birmingham
FTZ 098 is a Foreign-Trade Zone sponsored by the City of Birmingham, serving the Birmingham, Alabama area through the Birmingham port of entry.
Foreign-Trade Zone 098 is a designated Foreign-Trade Zone sponsored by the City of Birmingham, located in Birmingham, Alabama, and served by the Birmingham port of entry. Foreign-Trade Zones are secure areas, authorized under federal law, where merchandise can be brought in without formal customs entry procedures or the immediate payment of duties. Companies operating within an FTZ may be able to defer, reduce, or in some cases eliminate customs duties on qualifying imported goods, depending on how the goods are used, processed, or re-exported.
FTZ 098 is relevant to importers, manufacturers, and distributors that operate, or are considering establishing, facilities in the Birmingham, Alabama area and that regularly move goods through the Birmingham port of entry. This can include companies engaged in warehousing, assembly, kitting, light manufacturing, or distribution activities where imported components or finished goods are involved.
Because FTZ eligibility, site or subzone designation, and the specific duty treatment of a company's goods depend on the details of that company's operations and supply chain, a business evaluating FTZ status for a facility in the Birmingham service area typically works with a licensed customs broker or an FTZ compliance consultant. These professionals help determine whether a given operation is a good fit for FTZ 098 and assist in preparing and filing the paperwork required to obtain site or subzone status through the applicable federal process.
Who qualifies
How to apply
Questions people ask
What is FTZ 098?
FTZ 098 is a Foreign-Trade Zone sponsored by the City of Birmingham, serving the Birmingham, Alabama area.
Who is the grantee of FTZ 098?
The City of Birmingham is the grantee, or sponsor, of FTZ 098.
What area does FTZ 098 cover?
FTZ 098 covers the Birmingham, Alabama area, based at the Birmingham port of entry.
What port of entry does FTZ 098 use?
FTZ 098 uses the Birmingham, Alabama port of entry.
Do I need a customs broker to use an FTZ?
Most companies work with a customs broker or FTZ compliance consultant to determine fit and handle the required filings, though this is a business decision rather than a strict legal requirement.
Is an FTZ the same as a bonded warehouse?
No, FTZs and bonded warehouses are distinct customs programs with different rules, though both can involve deferring duties on imported goods.
How do I get subzone status for my own facility within FTZ 098?
You would typically contact the City of Birmingham as grantee or a customs broker/FTZ consultant, then follow the FTZ Board's official application process.
What kinds of companies use FTZs like FTZ 098?
Importers, manufacturers, and distributors with operations in the zone's service area commonly use FTZs for warehousing, assembly, or processing of imported goods.
Does FTZ 098 guarantee duty savings?
No specific savings figures are guaranteed; potential duty deferral, reduction, or elimination depends on a company's particular goods and operations.
Where can I find the official application process for FTZ status?
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.