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FTZ 129 — Foreign-Trade Zone 129 — Port of Bellingham
Washington · Bellingham · Port of entry: WA, Bellingham
FTZ 129 is Foreign-Trade Zone 129, a designated Foreign-Trade Zone in Bellingham, Washington, sponsored by the Port of Bellingham and covering a service area within Whatcom County.
Foreign-Trade Zone 129 is a designated Foreign-Trade Zone located in Bellingham, Washington, with the Port of Bellingham serving as the zone's grantee. FTZ 129 covers a service area encompassing Whatcom County and operates in connection with the Bellingham, WA port of entry.
A Foreign-Trade Zone is a secure area, considered outside normal U.S. Customs territory for tariff purposes, where companies engaged in importing, warehousing, assembly, manufacturing, or distribution may defer, reduce, or in some cases eliminate customs duties on qualifying merchandise. Duty deferral applies while goods remain within the zone, and duty reduction or elimination can apply depending on the nature of the operations performed and how the finished goods are ultimately classified when entered into U.S. commerce.
FTZ 129 is relevant to importers, manufacturers, and distributors with existing or planned operations within Whatcom County who want to evaluate whether zone status could apply to their facility. Because FTZ designation and subzone status involve specific federal application and compliance procedures administered through the FTZ Board, companies typically work with a customs broker or an FTZ compliance consultant to assess whether their operations qualify, determine the appropriate designation type, and prepare the necessary filings. The Port of Bellingham, as grantee, is the relevant local contact for questions about the zone's boundaries and service area.
Who qualifies
How to apply
1. Contact the Port of Bellingham, the grantee for FTZ 129, to discuss whether a specific facility in Whatcom County could be designated as a site or subzone within the zone.
2. Consider engaging a customs broker or FTZ compliance consultant to help evaluate fit and prepare required documentation.
3. Review the official FTZ Board application process at https://www.trade.gov/how-to-apply for the formal federal procedure and filing requirements.
Service area: Whatcom County
Questions people ask
What is FTZ 129?
FTZ 129 is Foreign-Trade Zone 129, a designated zone located in Bellingham, Washington, sponsored by the Port of Bellingham.
Who is the grantee of FTZ 129?
The Port of Bellingham is the grantee, or sponsoring organization, for FTZ 129.
What area does FTZ 129 cover?
Its service area is Whatcom County, Washington.
What port of entry is associated with FTZ 129?
FTZ 129 is associated with the Bellingham, WA port of entry.
Do I need a customs broker to use an FTZ?
While not always strictly required, companies typically work with a customs broker or FTZ compliance consultant to determine fit and handle the necessary filings.
Is a Foreign-Trade Zone the same as a bonded warehouse?
No, an FTZ and a bonded warehouse are different customs designations with different rules, though both can involve duty deferral on stored goods.
How do I get subzone status for my own facility?
You would contact the Port of Bellingham as grantee and generally follow the FTZ Board's official application process.
Can any business in Whatcom County automatically use FTZ 129?
No, a specific facility must be designated as a site or subzone within the zone before it can operate under FTZ status.
What are the benefits of FTZ status?
Generally, qualifying activity within a zone can allow for duty deferral, reduction, or elimination on certain merchandise, depending on the operations performed.
Where can I find the official application process?
The official FTZ Board application process is available 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.