NAFTZ serves as the unified voice of the U.S. Foreign-Trade Zone community and works to ensure the continued effectiveness and integrity of this congressionally established program. We engage proactively with Congress, federal agencies, and administration officials to support policies and administrative practices that strengthen the program and the U.S. economy.

Drawing on the real-world expertise of our diverse membership, NAFTZ provides policymakers and regulators with practical insight into how trade and customs policies affect American operations, investment, and jobs. This engagement helps ensure informed decision-making and the continued success of the FTZ program as a tool of U.S. economic competitiveness.

Our Advocacy Approach

NAFTZ’s advocacy approach is grounded in the fact that the U.S. Foreign-Trade Zone program is a congressionally established and authorized tool designed to support American jobs, domestic investment, and global competitiveness.

Our role is not to debate broad trade policy, but to ensure policymakers understand how FTZs advance national economic objectives and to address unintended consequences that may affect U.S. operations.

We focus on practical, program-specific solutions and maintain constructive relationships with policymakers and regulators across administrations. This balanced approach allows NAFTZ to effectively represent the interests of the FTZ community while preserving the access and credibility necessary to achieve results.

Engagement Priorities

NAFTZ focuses its advocacy efforts on ensuring the U.S. Foreign-Trade Zone program operates as Congress intended and continues to support American economic objectives. Our engagement priorities include:

Ensuring Effective Program Administration
We work with the Foreign-Trade Zones Board, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and other agencies to support clear, consistent, and efficient administration of the program.

Addressing Operational and Regulatory Issues
NAFTZ identifies and raises operational challenges and unintended consequences that may affect FTZ users, and works collaboratively with policymakers and regulators to develop practical solutions.

Supporting Policies that Strengthen U.S. Competitiveness
We engage on legislative, regulatory, and administrative matters that affect the ability of U.S. companies to compete globally while maintaining and growing domestic operations.

Providing Industry Expertise to Policymakers
NAFTZ serves as a trusted resource for policymakers seeking to understand how trade and customs policies affect real-world operations, investment decisions, and supply chain management.

How NAFTZ Engages

NAFTZ maintains active, constructive engagement with Congress, federal agencies, and policymakers responsible for the administration and oversight of the U.S. Foreign-Trade Zone program. Our engagement focuses on providing practical expertise and supporting effective program administration.

NAFTZ engagement includes:

• Direct engagement with Members of Congress and Congressional staff
• Regular communication with the Foreign-Trade Zones Board, U.S. Department of Commerce, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection
• Submission of formal written comments on proposed regulations, policy changes, and administrative actions
• Testimony before federal agencies and participation in public hearings, advisory processes, and other official forums
• Engagement with the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative and other federal agencies on matters affecting the FTZ program
• Educational briefings and informational meetings with policymakers and regulatory officials
• Coordination with member companies and stakeholders to provide real-world operational insight

Through this ongoing engagement, NAFTZ helps ensure policymakers and regulators have accurate information and practical perspectives needed to support effective administration of the FTZ program and advance U.S. economic competitiveness.

Member-Driven Advocacy

NAFTZ’s advocacy efforts are informed directly by the real-world experience of our members, including grantees, operators, manufacturers, logistics providers, and service providers across the United States.

Member input helps ensure NAFTZ’s engagement reflects operational realities and addresses issues that affect American facilities, workers, and communities. This collaborative approach strengthens NAFTZ’s credibility and effectiveness in representing the FTZ community.

NAFTZ remains committed to ensuring the U.S. Foreign-Trade Zone program continues to operate as an effective, congressionally authorized tool supporting American jobs, investment, and global competitiveness.