California Circuits Firm Eyes Tax-Free Zone for Aerospace Gizmos
Published Date: 3/2/2026
Notice
Summary
CMS Circuits in Murrieta, California wants to make high-tech electronic parts for aerospace, medical, and industrial uses inside Foreign-Trade Zone 153. This means they can bring in certain materials without paying some import taxes, helping them save money and speed up production. The government is reviewing this plan, which could start soon and boost local manufacturing.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
Duty-free finished goods in FTZ 153
If CMS Circuits produces the listed products inside Foreign-Trade Zone 153 in Murrieta, California, the proposed finished products (for example, ceramic hybrid circuits, flexible medical endoscopes, assembled electro-medical accessories, and aerospace electronic control modules) would be admitted duty-free. That treatment can lower the company's import tax bills and help production begin faster inside the zone.
Imported components face duties up to 8.4%
The notification lists foreign-status inputs (such as integrated circuit microchips, charge-coupled device sensors, LEDs, precious metal conductive inks, medical tubing, and stainless hypotubes) with duty rates that range from duty-free to 8.4%. Suppliers and importers of these components may therefore face tariffs as high as 8.4% depending on the part.
Proposal could boost local manufacturing
Approval of the proposed FTZ production activity for CMS Circuits in Murrieta, California could help the company save import taxes and speed production, which the notice says could boost local manufacturing. The activity would take place within Foreign-Trade Zone 153 and is under review by the FTZ Board.
Certain inputs require Privileged Foreign status
The notice states that some materials/components are subject to Section 122, Section 232, or Section 301 trade actions and must be admitted into FTZs in Privileged Foreign (PF) status under 19 CFR 146.41. That determination depends on the country of origin and affects how those goods are handled in the zone.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
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.
2026-20253, 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.
2026-20254, 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!
2026-19777, 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
Eli Lilly wants to start making several special drug products at their Durham, North Carolina facility under Foreign-Trade Zone 93. This means they can use certain imported materials without paying duties while producing medicines for diabetes, migraines, inflammation, weight management, and Alzheimer's. The change could speed up production and save money, with the proposal officially received on September 17, 2026.
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