GetFundedUSA › Foreign-Trade Zones › FTZ 186
FTZ 186 — Foreign-Trade Zone 186 — City of Waterville
Maine · Waterville · Port of entry: ME, Belfast
FTZ 186 is a Foreign-Trade Zone sponsored by the City of Waterville in Maine, covering several counties including Kennebec and Cumberland, and using the port of entry at Belfast, Maine.
Foreign-Trade Zone 186 is administered by the City of Waterville, the zone's grantee, and is based in Waterville, Maine. FTZ 186 covers a service area spanning Androscoggin, Cumberland, Kennebec, Knox, Lincoln, Sagadahoc, and Waldo Counties, plus a portion of Somerset County, and it uses the port of entry at Belfast, Maine.
A Foreign-Trade Zone is a designated area, secure and under U.S. Customs and Border Protection supervision, where merchandise can be admitted for storage, processing, assembly, or manufacturing before it formally enters U.S. commerce. Businesses operating within an FTZ may qualify to defer, reduce, or in some cases eliminate customs duties on foreign-origin goods, depending on how those goods are used and whether they are re-exported or entered into the domestic market.
FTZ 186 is relevant to importers, manufacturers, and distributors that operate, or are considering establishing, a facility within its seven-and-a-half-county service area in central and coastal Maine. Companies with international supply chains that involve customs duties on imported components or finished goods may find value in evaluating zone status for a specific site.
A company exploring FTZ designation for a facility in this region typically works with a customs broker or an FTZ compliance consultant to determine whether its operations fit program requirements and to prepare the necessary filings with the grantee and the FTZ Board.
Who qualifies
How to apply
Service area: Androscoggin, Cumberland, Kennebec, Knox, Lincoln, Sagadahoc, and Waldo Counties, and Somerset (partial) County
Questions people ask
What is FTZ 186?
FTZ 186 is a Foreign-Trade Zone sponsored by the City of Waterville, covering a multi-county service area in Maine and using the Belfast, Maine port of entry.
Who is the grantee of FTZ 186?
The City of Waterville is the grantee, meaning it holds and administers the zone's grant of authority.
What area does FTZ 186 cover?
Its service area includes Androscoggin, Cumberland, Kennebec, Knox, Lincoln, Sagadahoc, and Waldo Counties, plus a portion of Somerset County, Maine.
What port of entry does FTZ 186 use?
FTZ 186 uses the port of entry at Belfast, Maine.
Do I need a customs broker to use an FTZ?
While not always legally required, most companies work with a customs broker or FTZ compliance consultant to navigate admission procedures and duty treatment correctly.
Is an FTZ the same as a bonded warehouse?
No, FTZs and bonded warehouses are distinct customs programs with different rules, though both involve deferring duties on imported goods under CBP oversight.
How do I get subzone status for my own facility?
You would typically contact the grantee, City of Waterville, and follow the FTZ Board's application process to request subzone designation for a specific site.
Can any business in Maine use FTZ 186?
Only businesses with facilities located within the zone's defined service area, or approved subzone sites, can operate under FTZ 186 status.
What are the benefits of FTZ status?
Generally, FTZ status can allow for duty deferral, reduction, or elimination on qualifying imported merchandise, depending on how the goods are used or re-exported.
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.