Iwis Drives into Duty-Free Zone for Custom Parts Production
Published Date: 1/15/2026
Notice
Summary
Iwis Drive Systems in Whitestown, Indiana, wants to start making customized parts and drive system components using some imported materials with lower or no duties inside Foreign-Trade Zone 72. This move could save the company money on import taxes and speed up production. The government got their request on January 9, 2026, and is reviewing it to give the green light soon.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Use FTZ to Cut Import Taxes
Iwis Drive Systems seeks permission to make customized parts inside Foreign-Trade Zone 72 in Whitestown, Indiana so it can use some imported materials with lower or no U.S. customs duties. The company says this could save it money on import taxes and speed up production.
Duty Treatment: Finished Goods and Inputs
The notification lists proposed finished products that would be duty-free and identifies foreign-status input materials whose duty rates range from duty-free up to 10.7%. Those duty treatments would apply to the specific products and inputs described for the Whitestown facility.
Special Duty Rules and Privileged Status
The request says certain inputs may be subject to duties under section 1702(a)(1)(B), section 232, or section 301, and some items may be subject to antidumping/countervailing duty (AD/CVD) orders. Merchandise subject to those measures must be admitted to the FTZ in privileged foreign status under 19 CFR 146.41.
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this federal register document means for your household, plus every other regulation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-16752, Foreign-Trade Zone (FTZ) 176, Notification of Proposed Production Activity; Coilcraft, Inc.; (Ferrous Iron Pre-Fabrication Material); Princeton, Illinois
2026-16104, Foreign-Trade Zone (FTZ) 21, Notification of Proposed Production Activity; Translucent Solar, LLC; (Solar Modules); Summerville, South Carolina
Translucent Solar, LLC wants to make solar panels in Summerville, South Carolina, using some imported parts with special duty rules inside Foreign-Trade Zone 21. This move could save money on import taxes and speed up production. Public comments are open until September 16, 2026, so folks can share their thoughts before the plan moves forward.
2026-15937, Foreign-Trade Zone (FTZ) 18, Notification of Proposed Production Activity; Western Digital Technologies, Inc.; (Semiconductor Die); San Jose and Fremont California
2026-15804, Foreign-Trade Zone (FTZ) 12; Authorization of Production Activity; Avant Technology, Inc.; (Solid-State Drives and Memory Modules); Pharr, Texas
2026-15564, Foreign-Trade Zone (FTZ) 202, Notification of Proposed Production Activity; Industrial Parts Depot, LLC; (Engine Parts and Components); Carson, California
2026-15422, Foreign-Trade Zone (FTZ) 153, Notification of Proposed Production Activity; Aptera Motors Corp; (Solar Electric Vehicles); Carlsbad, California
Aptera Motors in Carlsbad, California wants to make solar electric vehicles using some imported parts with special trade benefits. This means they can save on import taxes (ranging from 0% to 5.5%) for parts like batteries, airbags, and body panels. The plan was officially submitted on July 23, 2026, and if approved, it could help Aptera build greener cars more affordably and faster.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-00736, Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Direct Investment Surveys: BE-605, Quarterly Survey of Foreign Direct Investment in the United States-Transactions of U.S. Affiliate With Foreign Parent
The Department of Commerce is asking for public feedback on a survey that collects info about money and business deals between U.S. companies owned by foreign parents and their foreign affiliates. This survey helps track foreign investment in the U.S. and happens every quarter. If you’re involved in these businesses, you might need to share info by March 16, 2026, but the goal is to keep reporting easy and clear.
Next: 2026-00738, Foreign-Trade Zone (FTZ) 204, Notification of Proposed Production Activity; Eastman Chemical Company; (Paraxylene Derivative Products); Kingsport, Tennessee
Eastman Chemical Company in Kingsport, Tennessee wants to add new paraxylene-based products to their Foreign-Trade Zone production list, which could save them money on import duties. This change affects their manufacturing process and invites public comments until February 24, 2026. If approved, it helps Eastman keep costs down while making important chemical products.