DETROIT, March 13 /PRNewswire/ -- The value of goods leaving Greater Detroit Foreign Trade Zone, Inc., (GDFTZ) zones in 2008 was the highest in more than 10 years. Goods valued at $12.7 billion were shipped from Detroit-area FTZs in 2008, an increase of $700 million over the previous year.

In 1997 - the last year domestic automakers used the zones program - a volume of goods worth a record $34.4 billion was forwarded. Since that time, foreign-trade zone use by the automotive OEMs (perennially the largest user of foreign-trade zones) has been in decline in the United States. Changes in GATT reduced or eliminated significant trade barriers, allowing most imported components used in the manufacture of automobiles to enter this country duty-free. Exports to other countries in 2008 from Detroit zones equaled almost $500 million.

Last year, general-purpose zone activity was the highest it's ever been. The 21 active general-purpose zones served 36 firms and handled 3,298 commodities from 18 different foreign countries. Merchandise forwarded from GDFTZ general-purpose zones was valued at more than $3.1 billion. The value of exports to other countries from these zones equaled $363.7 million.

During 2008, one subzone was operating in an automotive manufacturing facility, the AutoAlliance International plant in Flat Rock. Marathon Petroleum Company, L.L.C., in Detroit and Wacker Chemical Corp. in Adrian, Mich., operated the other active subzones. Twenty-one general-purpose zones served a diverse range of companies during 2008 at six locations in the city of Detroit and in Romulus, Riverview, Melvindale, Taylor, Temperance, Troy, Wyandotte, Lincoln Park, Hamtramck and Highland Park.

Active general-purpose zones included the Detroit International Bridge Co.; Progressive Distribution Centers, Inc., in Detroit and Melvindale; W.F. Whelan Co. in Romulus and Taylor, Metro International Trade Services, Inc., with 10 sites in Romulus, Riverview, and Detroit, among others; and Northwest Airlines, Inc., at Metro Airport. Additional zones were active last year at Empire Electronics in Troy, Michelin North America in Temperance, and BP Products in Taylor.

Foreign trade zones permit foreign and domestic goods to be stored, distributed, combined with other foreign or domestic products, or used in manufacturing operations while in the zone. No Customs duty is paid on goods in a foreign trade zone until they are transferred to U.S. commerce. The zones encourage the export of goods since imported goods may be exported from a zone duty-free.

Detroit area zones are licensed by Greater Detroit Foreign Trade Zone, Inc., a non-profit Michigan corporation administered by the Detroit/Wayne County Port Authority.

SOURCE Greater Detroit Foreign Trade Zone, Inc.