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FTZ 257 — Foreign-Trade Zone 257 — County of Imperial Community and Economic Development
California · Imperial County · Port of entry: CA, Calexico
FTZ 257 is a Foreign-Trade Zone covering Imperial County, California, sponsored by the County of Imperial Community and Economic Development and linked to the Calexico port of entry.
Foreign-Trade Zone 257 is a designated Foreign-Trade Zone located in Imperial County, California, and administered by the County of Imperial Community and Economic Development, which serves as the zone's grantee. The zone's service area covers Imperial County, and it operates in connection with the port of entry at Calexico, California.
A Foreign-Trade Zone is a secure area, treated for customs purposes as outside U.S. commerce, where companies may bring in foreign and domestic merchandise for storage, assembly, manufacturing, or other qualifying activity. Depending on the activity and the goods involved, use of an FTZ can allow duty deferral until goods enter U.S. commerce, duty reduction through inverted tariff provisions, or duty elimination on merchandise that is re-exported. These general program mechanics apply to FTZ 257 as they do to any designated zone, though specific outcomes depend on each company's operations.
FTZ 257 is relevant to importers, manufacturers, and distributors that operate, or are considering establishing, a facility within Imperial County and that move goods through the Calexico port of entry. Companies exploring whether a specific site or facility can obtain zone or subzone status typically work with a customs broker or an FTZ compliance consultant, who can evaluate the fit against the company's supply chain and help prepare and file the paperwork required by the FTZ Board and U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
Who qualifies
How to apply
1. Contact the County of Imperial Community and Economic Development, the grantee for FTZ 257, to discuss whether a specific facility in Imperial County may qualify for zone or subzone designation.
2. Consult a customs broker or FTZ compliance consultant to evaluate how FTZ procedures would apply to your import and production activity.
3. Review the official FTZ Board application process at https://www.trade.gov/how-to-apply for the formal steps and required filings.
Service area: Imperial County
Questions people ask
What is FTZ 257?
FTZ 257 is a Foreign-Trade Zone located in Imperial County, California, sponsored by the County of Imperial Community and Economic Development and associated with the Calexico port of entry.
Who is the grantee of FTZ 257?
The grantee is the County of Imperial Community and Economic Development.
What area does FTZ 257 cover?
Its service area is Imperial County, California.
What port of entry does FTZ 257 use?
It uses the port of entry at Calexico, California.
Do I need a customs broker to use an FTZ?
Many companies work with a customs broker or FTZ compliance consultant to determine whether their facility and activity qualify and to help file the required paperwork.
Is an FTZ the same as a bonded warehouse?
No, an FTZ and a bonded warehouse are different customs designations with different rules, though both involve special customs treatment of goods.
How do I get subzone status for my own facility?
You would generally contact the zone's grantee and follow the FTZ Board's application process to request subzone or site designation for a specific facility.
Can any business in Imperial County automatically use FTZ 257?
No, a company's specific facility must be reviewed and approved for zone or subzone status before FTZ procedures can be used.
What is the benefit of operating within an FTZ?
FTZs generally allow duty deferral, reduction, or elimination on qualifying merchandise, depending on the company's activity.
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.