Managing Imports and Exports

Given the continued record growth of U.S. imports and exports, it’s not surprising that more trade professionals are taking advantage of the benefits of foreign trade zones (FTZs) to increase efficiencies and lower costs. In 2006, for example, the value of goods processed through U.S. FTZs reached $491 billion (a 20 percent increase over 2005), according to the National Association of Foreign Trade Zones (NAFTZ). The value of exports from FTZs in 2006 was $30 billion (see graph) and is increasing at double the rate of growth of U.S. manufactured exports as a whole.