Best Practices

Foreign Trade Zone No. 39

An FTZ is an area within the United States, in or near a U.S. Customs port of entry, where foreign and domestic merchandise is considered to be outside the country, or at least, outside of U.S. Customs territory. Certain types of merchandise can be imported into a Zone without going through formal Customs entry procedures or paying import duties. Customs duties and excise taxes are due only at the time of transfer from the FTZ for U.S. consumption. If the merchandise never enters the U.S. commerce, then no duties or taxes are paid on those items.

Triple Freeport Inventory Tax Exemption

This amendment authorizes a type of property tax exemption for items classified as “Freeport Property.” Freeport property includes various types of goods that are detained in Texas for a short period of time, 175 days or less. The goods must be in Texas only for a limited purpose, such as storage or factory processing. This exemption was proposed to enhance the ability of certain areas to attract warehouse and distribution center facilities by offering a special property tax exemption for the goods they typically handle.

Inland Port of Pre-Clearance

The commercial vehicle pre-clearance facility will facilitate the most efficient interstate truck travel in the United States, as well as border crossings with Mexico and Canada. Through the development and implementation of such a facility, it will be possible to:
• Pre-weigh and apply anticipated interstate fees to avoid extended stops and unnecessary fines
• Coordinate with Mexican, Canadian, and U.S. Customs officials for pre-clearance for border crossings
• Utilize current technological innovations to maximize the cost/benefit for interstate truck travel
• Attract economically beneficial real estate and business relocation and development
• Serve as an interstate anti-terrorism watchdog and conjoin modern technologies with border security

This component will allow companies to fulfill and receive 'just in time' deliveries, saving both time and money.

This facility would also include safety and security measures regarding the cargo moving to and through the area. The safety and security of U.S. citizens and our nation's borders are a top priority for elected officials. As methods to ensure safety and security are continually enhanced and upgraded, it is necessary to appropriately monitor and implement procedures that more effectively ensure the safe and secure passage and transfer of international trade and cargo. The International Inland Port of Dallas is committed to the highest standards of safety and security.

Agile Port System

The Agile Port System/Inland Port is a shipping, receiving, and distribution hub for inbound and outbound containers through seaports. The port will facilitate the seamless transition of container movement among trucks, rail, and ships. The containers would be moved using state of the art technology so that they could easily be processed to meet “on demand” shipping requirements.

In April 2005, the U.S. Maritime Administration, City of Dallas, and Port of Houston Authority signed an historic Memorandum of Understanding agreeing to partner for the development and the implementation of the Dallas Agile Port System. The U.S. Maritime Administration’s Office of Intermodal Development defines an agile port system as “the physical design, business processes, and operational characteristics that increase the velocity of cargo moving through ports or terminals compared to current practices.”

In addition, the Port of Dallas seeks to serve as an inland distribution center for the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, as well as for the Pacific Mexican Ports of Lázaro Cárdenas, Manzanillo, Topolobampo, and Guaymas.

Agreements have been signed with several seaports to further develop trade relations and with the intent to use the Port of Dallas as an inland distribution center for international trade.

The International Inland Port of Dallas also has an agreement with the Panama Canal Authority that focuses on the all water route from Asia and utilizes the Panama Canal and the Port of Houston.