Foreign Trade Zone

Helping businesses reduce costs and compete in the global marketplace.

The Baltimore Development Corporation administers Foreign Trade Zone #74 on behalf of Baltimore City and the surrounding counties, helping companies engaged in international trade access federal Foreign Trade Zone benefits.

A Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) is a federally designated area located within the United States that is considered outside U.S. Customs territory for the purpose of assessing and collecting import duties and taxes. FTZ #74 provides economic incentives for companies importing or exporting international goods and supports warehouse, distribution, and manufacturing operations throughout the region.

Benefits of FTZ #74

Foreign Trade Zone procedures can help businesses improve operational efficiency through benefits such as:

Deferred customs duties
Reduced processing fees
Streamlined logistics
Greater flexibility for manufacturing, warehousing, and distribution operations

These advantages can help businesses reduce costs and improve supply chain performance.

Why Baltimore’s FTZ?

FTZ #74 is one of the largest and most active Foreign Trade Zones in the United States, supported by the Port of Baltimore and the region’s transportation network. Operating under the Alternative Site Framework (ASF) allows eligible companies within the service area to complete the activation process in a matter of weeks.