Activation
Before FTZ procedures can be used at an approved FTZ site, the operator must request "activation" from local U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Activation requests should include the following:
- Letter on company letterhead signed by a company officer requesting the need for FTZ activation.
- Letter from Georgia Foreign-Trade Zone supporting the activation request.
- Qualifications, character, and experience of an operator, principle officers, and/or key employees that are responsible for the zone are of critical importance. The activation request must therefore include completed background investigation forms on company officers and key FTZ personnel including any employee that has access or could cause changes to the inventory and recordkeeping system. Questions on this form should be answered with complete honesty. If the background investigation discloses derogatory information, including omissions and falsehoods, the Port Director may deny the request.
- A blueprint of the area to be activated.
- A gauge table, when appropriate, showing the capacity in metric units of any tank certified to be correct by the operator of the tank.
- An Operator’s Procedure Manual describing the inventory control and recordkeeping system that will be used in the zone.
Review of Request
- As a condition of approval of the request, the Port Director will order an inquiry by a Customs officer into the security, suitability, and fitness of the facility to receive merchandise in zone status. The surveying officer may prepare a survey report addressing Customs physical and procedural standards. (Cargo Security Survey)
- The Port Director in making a decision whether to approve the request may consider other factors. (Examples: sell of firm to another party prior to approval; demonstration of inability or unwillingness to comply with the law, regulations or grant conditions).
Decision on Request
- The Port Director shall promptly notify the applicant in writing of the decision to approve or deny the request to activate. If denied, the notification will state the grounds for denial. The decision of the Port Director will be the final CBP administrative determination in the matter.
- On approval of the request, an FTZ Operator’s Bond shall be executed on CBP Form 301, containing the bond conditions of Section 19 CFR 113.73.
- Upon the Port Director’s approval of the request and acceptance of the executed bond, the zone site will be considered activated and merchandise may be admitted to the zone in zone status.
Georgia Foreign-Trade Zone will assist as needed in the coordination of meetings between the FTZ operator and USCBP and with facilitation of the overall activation process.
