Foreign-Trade Zone #189 was established on January 15, 1993 by the U.S. FTZ board designating Kent-Ottawa-Muskegon Foreign-Trade Zone Authority (KOM-FTZ) with grant authority offering FTZ benefits to West Michigan businesses.

In 1999, Van Andel Global Trade Center began providing support to the Kent-Ottawa-Muskegon Foreign-Trade Zone Authority.   

A foreign-trade zone is a designated area within the United States where commercial merchandise receives the same Customs treatment it would if it were outside the commerce of the United States. Merchandise may be held in the Zone without being subject to customs duties and other ad valorem taxes until it leaves the FTZ. 

Businesses that have global supply chains could benefit from using the FTZ program to manage its supply chain and be able to either maintain and/or create local employees in their local community as a result of using the FTZ program.

For more information on foreign-trade zone services in Kent, Ottawa and Muskegon counties, visit www.komftz.org or call (616) 331-6810.