Government Approves Faster Car Part Making in South Carolina

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.

2026-14967, Foreign-Trade Zone (FTZ) 45; Authorization of Limited Production Activity; SSI Shredding Systems, Inc.; (Industrial Shredders and Compactors); Wilsonville and Portland, Oregon

SSI Shredding Systems in Oregon got the green light to start limited production of industrial shredders and compactors in their Foreign-Trade Zone facilities. They must pay duties on steel and aluminum parts unless special trade rules apply. This change kicks in now and helps SSI grow while following trade rules.

2026-14968, Foreign-Trade Zone (FTZ) 173; Authorization of Limited Production Activity; PINNACLEMOD LLC; (Prefabricated Modular Steel Buildings); Aberdeen, Washington

PINNACLEMOD LLC in Aberdeen, Washington, got the green light to start limited production of their prefabricated modular steel buildings inside Foreign-Trade Zone 173. They can bring in some wood parts duty-free but must pay duties on most steel and aluminum unless special rules apply. This approval kicks in now and helps the company save money while making their cool buildings.

2026-14969, Foreign-Trade Zone (FTZ) 38; Authorization of Limited Production Activity; GE Gas Turbines (Greenville) LLC; (Gas Turbines); Greenville, SC

GE Gas Turbines in Greenville, SC, got the green light to do some limited production in their Foreign-Trade Zone 38 facility. They can now make gas turbines with some rules about paying duties on certain metal parts. This update kicks in right away and helps GE manage costs while keeping trade fair.

2026-14949, Foreign-Trade Zone (FTZ) 35, Notification of Proposed Production Activity; ifm prover USA, Inc.; (Sensors, Controllers, Software and Systems for Industrial Automation); Malvern, Pennsylvania

ifm prover USA, Inc. in Malvern, Pennsylvania wants to start making sensors, controllers, software, and systems for industrial automation inside Foreign-Trade Zone 35. This means they can produce these products with special trade benefits, like fewer customs fees, helping them save money and speed up operations. The change is official once approved, so keep an eye out for updates!

Previous: 2026-04674, Foreign-Trade Zone (FTZ) 196; Authorization of Production Activity; RECARO Aircraft Seating Americas, LLC; (Aircraft Seats); Fort Worth, Texas

RECARO Aircraft Seating Americas in Fort Worth, Texas, got the green light to make aircraft seats inside Foreign-Trade Zone 196. This means they can produce parts with special trade benefits, helping them save money and speed up operations. The approval was finalized on March 5, 2026, so production can roll forward without extra delays.

Next: 2026-04676, Certain Steel Racks and Parts Thereof From the People's Republic of China: Preliminary Results and Partial Rescission of the Antidumping Duty Administrative Review; 2023-2024

The U.S. Department of Commerce found that some Chinese companies sold steel racks in the U.S. at unfairly low prices from September 2023 to August 2024. They’re stopping the review for five companies and asking for public comments on these early findings. This could affect import duties and how much money companies pay soon.