How suppliers can reduce costs on imports/exports

Did you know that utilizing a Foreign-Trade Zone (FTZ) can significantly reduce total landed costs? The Foreign Trade Zone Act was passed by the U.S. Government in 1939 to facilitate global trade and enhance the competitiveness of U.S. companies. With restricted access, an FTZ such as TVI Logistics, US Foreign Trade Zone #70, is treated by U.S. Customs as if it is located outside the United States. If you import components, light assembly, sequencing, re-packaging and other manufacturing operations can be done in the FTZ, then the company has the option to pay the often less expensive or duty-free finished product duty rate as opposed to the component duty rate. In addition, if a company re-exports the finished product, duty fees are not charged on the component materials. 

Other potential savings include weekly Customs entries versus transaction fees per entry, avoiding duties on imported materials that become scrap as well as a host of administrative savings and efficiencies. 

TVI Logistics is a remarkable woman/minority/veteran-owned Warren-based company that operates Macomb County’s one and only public FTZ. Its services include: 

• Deferral, reduction, and elimination of customs duties and taxes 

• Optimized customs transaction/consolidated, expedited clearances 

• Manufacturing of goods onsite for duties and tax benefits including inspection, assembly, sorting, sequencing and re-packaging 

• Inventory management and analysis 

• Full warehousing, fulfillment and global distribution services 

This company earned recognition by DIV500 as the #9 Veteran owned company in the US and it recently formed a unique partnership with RUSH Trucking, owned by Automotive's very own Andra Rush, to efficiently provide OEM, Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers with additional transportation and supply chain management services. They optimize logistics operations, eliminate waste, and conveniently expedite import/export activity.

TVI Logistics is a Woman/Minority/Service-disabled Veteran-owned Enterprise that was founded in 1992 by Constance Blair (See her Profile on Bloomberg). Blair is a veteran of the U.S. Air Force and served during the Vietnam War. After her service, Blair worked as a consultant in management, marketing and designs and served as liaison at the Pentagon between U.S. Army and Air Force staff as well as Department of Defense officials. She supported the Army Mobilization and Readiness Division and has a solid history in the area of logistics, transportation and inventory control. For 14 years she also served as President of the National Defense Industrial Association. The company has been widely recognized as a top business by INC Magazine and Diversity Business and was recently named the 2016 “Best Warehouse & Distribution Management Company in Michigan” by Acquisition International’s Global Mobility, Immigration & Logistics Awards. 

“Tell me about your needs, and we will build a customized logistics solution that will save you money and time,” said Blair.  The team is pleased to offer an opportunity for area companies to learn more about its services at an upcoming Exporting 101 workshop. The event will feature business leaders who are already using FTZ services as well as trade experts from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, Baker Tilly and others. The workshop will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. on Wednesday, May 18 at TVI Logistics in Warren. 

Click here to register for the workshop. Limited seating available. Cost $20. Light breakfast will be served.