Value rises for Kansas City-area foreign trade zone goods

The value of goods forwarded from the Kansas City area???s Foreign Trade Zones increased by 2.5 percent in the fiscal year that ended Sept. 30 from the prior year, the Greater Kansas City Foreign Trade Zone Inc. said.

CEO Al Figuly said Monday that the value of area foreign trade zones??? forwarded goods ??? forwarded within the United States and to other countries ??? was $762.4 million last year, up from $743.5 million the prior year. Kansas City???s developing economy as a trade hub helped boost the figure for fiscal 2008, Figuly said.

The area???s foreign trade zones??? payroll and benefits exceeded $233 million in 2008, up from $185.6 million in 2001.

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???The increase results from tracking leads and follow-up on potential clients, strong marketing and providing assistance to existing trade zone operators on matters dealing with customs classifications, admission and entry requirements,??? Figuly said in a release.

Foreign trade zones were created in the United States in 1934 to provide special customs procedures to U.S. plants engaged in international trade-related activities, according to the Greater Kansas City Foreign Trade Zone and the U.S. Department of Commerce. Items processed in foreign trade zones for domestic consumption or export receive lower customs duties and fees or duty-free treatment.

The Greater Kansas City Foreign Trade Zone is responsible for Foreign Trade Zone No. 17, which covers the eastern half of Kansas, and Foreign Trade Zone No. 15, which covers the western half of Missouri.

The Kansas City sites include: Hunt Midwest; Sony Corp.; Kansas City Aviation; Pure Fishing; and Interstate Underground Warehouse. Pony Express Warehouse in St. Joseph and Zorrel Inc. in Grandview also were active FTZ users during 2008.