Washington Builder Seeks Duty-Free Zone for Prefab Steel Homes
Published Date: 5/21/2025
Notice
Summary
PINNACLEMOD LLC in Aberdeen, Washington, wants to make prefabricated modular steel buildings using certain imported parts under special Foreign-Trade Zone rules. This move could save them money on import duties (about 2.9%) and speed up production. The government got their request on May 13, 2025, and is reviewing it to approve the plan.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
FTZ use can lower import duties
PINNACLEMOD applied to make prefabricated modular steel buildings inside Foreign-Trade Zone (FTZ) 173 in Aberdeen, Washington. The proposed finished product has a U.S. duty rate of 2.9%, so producing the product under FTZ procedures could reduce or defer those duties on imports used in making the buildings.
Imported parts face varied duties and special rules
The notification lists many foreign-sourced components (duty rates ranging from duty-free up to 6.3%) that would be used in the prefabricated buildings. The request also says some materials are subject to tariffs or restrictions under section 1702(a)(1)(B), section 232, or section 301 and must be admitted to FTZs in "privileged foreign status" under 19 CFR 146.41.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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