Qorvo Proposes Duty-Free Chip Production in Texas FTZ
Published Date: 1/22/2026
Notice
Summary
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.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
FTZ use can reduce Qorvo's import taxes
Qorvo submitted a request to produce semiconductor wafers, modules, and chips at its Richardson, Texas facility inside Foreign-Trade Zone 39. Operating in the FTZ lets them use certain imported materials with lower or no import taxes, which the company says will help it save money and speed up production; the Board received the notification on January 15, 2026 and is reviewing it.
Specified duty-rate ranges for products and inputs
The notice lists duty-rate ranges for the proposed finished products as duty-free to 3.7%, and for the listed foreign-status materials/components as duty-free to 6.1%. Those ranges apply to the specific items named in the notification, such as wafers, amplifiers, capacitors, and semiconductor test boards.
Some inputs subject to special trade duties and FTZ status rules
The request states certain materials/components may be subject to duties under section 1702 (IEEPA), section 232, or section 301 depending on country of origin. Those decisions require subject merchandise to be admitted to FTZs in privileged foreign status under 19 CFR 146.41.
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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
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