1. Draft. We recommend that you submit a draft of an application first. The FTZ staff will review the draft and let you know if any information is missing. This can speed up the filing and processing of the application later.
2. Filing. When an application is filed by the FTZ staff, it is assigned a “docket number” and notice is published in the Federal Register for public comment on the proposal. The public comment period usually lasts 60 days (30 days for temporary/interim manufacturing cases).
3. Review. During this period the application is being reviewed by an analyst on the FTZ staff, the CBP Port Director and by industry experts (for subzone and manufacturing applications).
4. Interagency Clearance. Once the analyst completes their review and recommendation, the application is sent to CBP headquarters and the Department of the Treasury for review. If there is concurrence with the recommendation, the application will be returned to the Department of Commerce for final review by the Board member or designee who has the authority to sign the Board Order. The Board Order is then published in the Federal Register.

For more information see the Application Page and the Standard Application Process Diagram.