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U.S. Foreign-Trade Zones
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Foreign-Trade Zones 101

What should I be doing while my application is being reviewed?

What should I be doing while my application is being reviewed?


Once a request has been submitted in final and docketed by the FTZ staff, it is assigned a “docket number”. The processing time for the request varies but there are several things that an applicant can be doing while the request is being reviewed:

  • When the FTZ Board approves a request, the zone operator must separately apply for activation of the zone or subzone with the Port Director of the local Customs and Border Protection port of entry before the zone can be used. Many zone operators begin the activation process while their application is being reviewed so that activation can occur quickly if their application is approved.

  • You can check the status of your case on the FTZ webpage. The case status available on the web is the most up to date and detailed information available. The status is displayed in the heading of the Federal Register notice, which can be accessed through the “Reading Room” on the main page. 

  • Each application is assigned to a member of the FTZ staff. The staff member is referred to as the “examiner” for the application. The examiner for your case can answer any questions you may have.
  • During the review of the application, the FTZ examiner may also contact you if there any questions that come up during the processing of the application.

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Global Business Navigator Chatbot Beta

Welcome to the Global Business Navigator, an artificial intelligence (AI) Chatbot from the International Trade Administration (ITA). This tool, currently in beta version testing, is designed to provide general information on the exporting process and the resources available to assist new and experienced U.S. exporters. The Chatbot, developed using Microsoft’s Azure AI services, is trained on ITA’s export-related content and aims to quickly get users the information they need. The Chatbot is intended to make the benefits of exporting more accessible by understanding non-expert language, idiomatic expressions, and foreign languages.

Limitations

As a beta product, the Chatbot is currently being tested and its responses may occasionally produce inaccurate or incomplete information. The Chatbot is trained to decline out of scope or inappropriate requests. The Chatbot’s knowledge is limited to the public information on the Export Solutions web pages of Trade.gov, which covers a wide range of topics on exporting. While it cannot provide responses specific to a company’s product or a specific foreign market, its reference pages will guide you to other relevant government resources and market research. Always double-check the Chatbot’s responses using the provided references or by visiting the Export Solutions web pages on Trade.gov. Do not use its responses as legal or professional advice. Inaccurate advice from the Chatbot would not be a defense to violating any export rules or regulations.

Privacy

The Chatbot does not collect information about users and does not use the contents of users’ chat history to learn new information. All feedback is anonymous. Please do not enter personally identifiable information (PII), sensitive, or proprietary information into the Chatbot. Your conversations will not be connected to other interactions or accounts with ITA. Conversations with the Chatbot may be reviewed to help ITA improve the tool and address harmful, illegal, or otherwise inappropriate questions.

Translation

The Chatbot supports a wide range of languages. Because the Chatbot is trained in English and responses are translated, you should verify the translation. For example, the Chatbot may have difficulty with acronyms, abbreviations, and nuances in a language other than English.

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