FTZ Site Selection & Activation
Identify and establish FTZ sites to maximize operational and financial benefits.
Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) Services
Duty Deferral. Trade Compliance. Strategic Advantage.
Our expertise in FTZ compliance and logistics helps businesses optimize their supply chain, defer duties, and enhance global trade strategies. As a licensed U.S. customs broker and freight forwarder, W.M. Stone designs and manages Foreign Trade Zone programs that keep your goods moving and your capital working. From site selection through daily inventory reporting, our team handles the regulatory detail so your business can focus on growth.
Your Trusted Partner for FTZ Solutions.
Navigating Foreign Trade Zones requires a logistics partner with deep regulatory knowledge and a strategic approach to customs compliance.
Our FTZ services enable businesses to streamline import/export operations while maximizing cost savings and minimizing delays. Whether you are evaluating a Foreign Trade Zone for the first time or looking to optimize an existing zone status, W.M. Stone brings the regulatory fluency and CBP relationships needed to structure a program that fits your supply chain, not the other way around. W.M. Stone brings 250+ years of combined industry experience to every FTZ engagement, continuing a long Norfolk customs brokerage heritage. That heritage, paired with our standing as both a licensed U.S. customs broker and a freight forwarder, is what lets us streamline FTZ services with W.M. Stone: through our FTZ implementations and strong relationships with customs authorities, we give businesses the expertise and strategic advantage needed to leverage Foreign Trade Zones effectively.
Duty Deferral & Reduction
Defer, reduce, or eliminate customs duties and tariffs on imported goods stored in an FTZ.
Inventory Management & Compliance
Maintain full visibility and control over bonded inventory with seamless tracking and reporting.
Regulatory Expertise & Customs Brokerage
Our specialists ensure FTZ compliance with U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP).
Strategic Site Selection
Evaluate and activate the right FTZ site for your operation, aligning zone status with your broader supply chain and trade strategy.
250+ Years of Combined Industry ExperienceA licensed U.S. customs broker and freight forwarder rooted in the Port of Virginia.
Our Foreign Trade Zone Services.
From initial site selection to daily inventory reporting, our FTZ team manages every step of your zone program.
Duty Management & Tariff Mitigation
Optimize duty deferral, drawback programs, and tax incentives to improve cost efficiency.
Inventory Control & Recordkeeping
Integrated tracking solutions for managing FTZ inventory, ensuring compliance with CBP requirements.
Customs Brokerage & Trade Compliance
Ensure adherence to trade regulations with expert documentation and regulatory management.
Manufacturing & Assembly within FTZs
Leverage FTZ benefits for manufacturing, kitting, and assembly without incurring import duties.
Supply Chain Integration & FTZ Logistics
Streamline the movement of goods through bonded zones, reducing customs bottlenecks and improving efficiency.
The W.M. Stone Commitment.
We provide compliance, cost savings, and efficiency to strengthen your global trade operations.
Reduce Costs & Improve Cash Flow
Take advantage of duty exemptions, tax benefits, and deferred customs payments.
Accelerate Global Trade Operations
FTZ programs simplify customs clearance and eliminate unnecessary delays.
Ensure Regulatory Compliance
Our team manages the complexities of FTZ filings, security, and reporting.
Commonly Asked Questions.
Answers to the questions we hear most from importers evaluating a Foreign Trade Zone strategy.
What is a Foreign Trade Zone and how does it save my business money?
A Foreign Trade Zone is a secure area, supervised by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, that is treated as being outside U.S. customs territory for duty purposes. Goods held in an FTZ can have duty payments deferred until the goods enter U.S. commerce, and depending on how the goods are handled, duties may be reduced or eliminated altogether. W.M. Stone structures FTZ programs to align with your supply chain so you capture these benefits without adding operational friction.
How does W.M. Stone help us select and activate an FTZ site?
We evaluate your import volumes, product mix, and distribution footprint to determine whether an FTZ makes sense and, if so, where it should be located. Our team then manages the activation process with the grantee and CBP so the zone is operational and compliant from day one.
Can we manufacture or assemble products inside an FTZ?
Yes. Manufacturing, kitting, and assembly can be performed within an FTZ without incurring import duties on the components used, which is one of the more significant cost advantages of zone status. We help structure these operations so they meet CBP requirements while delivering the intended duty savings.
What is involved in day-to-day FTZ inventory control and recordkeeping?
FTZ status comes with strict recordkeeping obligations. W.M. Stone provides integrated tracking for admissions, withdrawals, and inventory status, keeping your records audit-ready and aligned with CBP recordkeeping and reporting requirements at all times.
Does W.M. Stone also handle the customs brokerage side of our FTZ program?
Yes. W.M. Stone is a licensed U.S. customs broker as well as a freight forwarder, so entry filings, classification, and compliance documentation for goods moving in and out of your zone are handled by the same team managing your FTZ program, rather than being split across separate providers.
How do we get started with an FTZ evaluation?
Call our Norfolk office at (757) 800-6080 or reach us at info@wmstone.com. We will walk through your current import flows, assess whether an FTZ fits your operation, and outline the steps to get a zone site selected and activated.
Our Accreditations.
Optimize Your Global Trade Strategy.
Through our FTZ implementations and strong relationships with customs authorities, W.M. Stone provides businesses with the expertise and strategic advantage needed to leverage Foreign Trade Zones effectively. We help businesses reduce costs, streamline trade operations, and enhance compliance. Let us handle the complexities of FTZ logistics so you can focus on growth.