by Jessica Ingram
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U.S. ports are moving to expand their Foreign-Trade Zones (FTZs) as breakbulk and project cargo volumes continue to rise. According to the Journal of Commerce, shippers are increasingly using FTZs to reduce tariff exposure and improve cargo flow for oversized and high-value industrial goods. This strategic use of “tariff engineering” allows companies to delay duties or bypass them when components are assembled into products with lower tariff classifications.
The Port of New Orleans is among the latest to receive federal approval for FTZ expansion, enabling it to capture more project cargo tied to energy, construction, and manufacturing sectors. Other ports are considering similar moves as they compete to attract cargoes that require specialized handling and long-term storage solutions. These expansions reflect a broader shift in port investment strategies, even as containerized trade remains uneven.
Source: Autumn Cafiero Giusti, “US ports seek to expand FTZs for breakbulk cargo,” Journal of Commerce, Nov. 21, 2025.
https://www.joc.com/article/us-ports-seek-to-expand-ftzs-for-breakbulk-cargo-6121418
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