Qorvo Seeks FTZ Approval for Semiconductor Wafers in Greensboro
Published Date: 1/22/2026
Notice
Summary
Qorvo US, Inc. in Greensboro, North Carolina, wants to start making semiconductor wafers, chips, and modules using special foreign materials under Foreign-Trade Zone rules. This move could help them save on import duties and speed up production. The government got their request on January 15, 2026, and is reviewing it to give the green light soon.
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 2 costs, 1 mixed.
FTZ use may lower import duties
Qorvo’s request would let its Greensboro plant conduct production inside Foreign-Trade Zone (FTZ) procedures, which the notice says could help the company save on import duties and speed up production. The notification was received by the FTZ Board on January 15, 2026.
Some finished products enter duty-free
The notice lists proposed finished products (for example, radio frequency integrated circuits) and states that duty rates for those finished products are duty-free. Companies making or importing those listed finished products could avoid import duties on those items when produced under the FTZ authorization.
Component duties: 0% to 5.0% range
The notice lists proposed foreign-status materials/components and states duty rates for those components range from duty-free to 5.0%. Importers or manufacturers using those listed components could face duties anywhere in that 0%–5.0% range when bringing them into FTZ production for this request.
Certain goods must be admitted in PF status
The notice says some materials/components are subject to duties under section 1702, section 232, or section 301 depending on origin, and those decisions require such merchandise to be admitted to FTZs in privileged foreign (PF) status (19 CFR 146.41). Importers of those items must follow PF admission rules.
Polyethylene bags hit by AD/CVD rules
The notice states polyethylene bags included among the proposed foreign-status materials are subject to an antidumping/countervailing duty (AD/CVD) order or investigation if imported from certain countries, and such AD/CVD merchandise must be admitted to the FTZ in privileged foreign (PF) status.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-20254, Foreign-Trade Zone (FTZ) 45; Authorization of Limited Production Activity; Qorvo US, Inc.; (Semiconductor Wafers and Modules); Hillsboro, Oregon
Qorvo US, Inc. in Hillsboro, Oregon got the green light to start limited production of semiconductor wafers and modules in Foreign-Trade Zone 45. This means they can use some imported parts with special rules for two years, helping them save money and speed up manufacturing. The approval came after a careful review and public input, so it’s official and ready to roll!
2026-20253, Foreign-Trade Zone (FTZ) 75; Authorization of Production Activity; Essai, Inc.; (Semiconductor Test Equipment); Chandler, Arizona
Essai, Inc. in Chandler, Arizona, got the green light to make semiconductor test equipment inside Foreign-Trade Zone 75. This means they can produce their high-tech gear with special trade benefits, helping them save money and speed up operations. The approval was finalized on September 28, 2026, so Essai can start or continue their work without any extra delays.
2026-20261, Foreign-Trade Zone (FTZ) 153; Authorization of Limited Production Activity; CMS Circuits, Inc.; (Electronic Manufacturing Services in Aerospace, Industrial, and Medical Applications); Murrieta, California
CMS Circuits, Inc. in Murrieta, California, got the green light to start limited production of electronic parts for aerospace, industrial, and medical uses inside Foreign-Trade Zone 153. This means they can bring in certain fiber optic bundles under special foreign status, but only for two years. The City of San Diego and local businesses will benefit from this move, which could boost local manufacturing and trade.
2026-19777, Foreign-Trade Zone (FTZ) 106, Notification of Proposed Production Activity; Hitachi Vantara Manufacturing; (Enterprise Datacenter Disk Storage System Hardware); Norman, Oklahoma
Hitachi Vantara Manufacturing in Norman, Oklahoma, wants to start making parts for datacenter disk storage systems inside Foreign-Trade Zone 106. This means they can use some imported materials with lower or no import taxes, helping them save money and speed up production. The government got their request on September 16, 2026, and is reviewing it now.
2026-19699, Foreign-Trade Zone (FTZ) 57, Notification of Proposed Production Activity; Eli Lilly and Company; (Drug Products); Concord, North Carolina
Eli Lilly wants to start making several important drug products at their Concord, North Carolina facility under special Foreign-Trade Zone rules. This move helps them save on import duties for certain materials while producing medicines for diabetes, migraines, inflammation, weight management, and Alzheimer's. The government got their request on September 17, 2026, and is reviewing it to give the green light soon.
2026-19698, Foreign-Trade Zone (FTZ) 93, Notification of Proposed Production Activity; Eli Lilly and Company; (Drug Products); Durham, North Carolina
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Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-01110, Foreign-Trade Zone (FTZ) 45, Notification of Proposed Production Activity; Qorvo US, Inc.; (Semiconductor Wafers and Modules); Hillsboro, Oregon
Qorvo US, Inc. in Hillsboro, Oregon, wants to start making special semiconductor wafers and modules using certain imported materials under Foreign-Trade Zone rules. This move helps them save on import duties (some as high as 2.8%) and speeds up production. The government is reviewing their plan, which was submitted in January 2026, to approve these cost-saving changes.
Next: 2026-01112, Foreign-Trade Zone (FTZ) 39, Notification of Proposed Production Activity; Qorvo US, Inc.; (Semiconductor Wafers, Modules, and Chips); Richardson, Texas
Qorvo US, Inc. wants to start making semiconductor wafers, chips, and modules at their Richardson, Texas facility inside Foreign-Trade Zone 39. This means they can use certain imported materials with lower or no import taxes, helping them save money and speed up production. The government got their request on January 15, 2026, and is reviewing it to give the green light soon.