In a Cargo Systems Messaging Service bulletin published on September 16, 2024, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced that Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (CTPAT) Trade Compliance partners may use a Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) for the “storage of goods subject to potential forced labor enforcement action”.

For importers to use this benefit, they must:

• Be a CTPAT Trade Compliance partner in good standing;
• Identify to CBP which FTZ operator they will be using to store the goods; and
• Notify and receive permission from the Port Director to store the goods prior to moving the cargo.

Importers that are not CTPAT Trade Compliance partners will not be authorized to use an FTZ and may only store goods detained under forced labor enforcement in a Customs bonded warehouse.

CSMS # 62269186 and full instructions can be found here:
https://content.govdelivery.com/bulletins/gd/USDHSCBP-3b62702?wgt_ref=USDHSCBP_WIDGET_2