Eli Lilly Gets FTZ Green Light for Drug Making in NC
Published Date: 9/25/2026
Notice
Summary
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.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Eli Lilly seeks duty-free FTZ production
Eli Lilly notified the Foreign-Trade Zones Board on September 17, 2026 that it wants to produce multiple drug products at its Concord, North Carolina facility within FTZ Subzone 57F. The listed finished products (including incretin-based therapies, CGRP monoclonal antibody products for migraine prevention, IL-17A, IL-13, IL-23 therapies, amylin and amyloid-targeted therapies, and packaged forms in filled syringes, vials, or delivery pens) and listed foreign-status components (including drug substances, vials, syringes, delivery-device parts, and needles) are described as duty free when admitted under FTZ procedures.
Some inputs may still face 232/301 duties
The request states certain materials/components may be subject to duties under section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 or section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 depending on country of origin. Those subject merchandise items must be admitted to FTZs in "privileged foreign status" as described in 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
2026-19698, 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.
2026-19589, Foreign-Trade Zone (FTZ) 40, Notification of Proposed Production Activity; Olon USA LLC; (Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients); Concord, Ohio
Olon USA LLC in Concord, Ohio wants to start making special cancer and kidney treatment ingredients in Foreign-Trade Zone 40. This means they can save money on import duties for certain materials, with rates between 3% and 6.5%. People have until November 3, 2026, to share their thoughts before the plan gets the green light.
2026-19592, Foreign-Trade Zone 57, Notification of Proposed Production Activity; AUMOVIO Systems, Inc.; (Electronic Braking, Suspension, Hydraulic, Pneumatic, and Related Automotive Components and Systems); Morganton, North Carolina
AUMOVIO Systems in Morganton, NC, wants to make car parts like brakes and suspension components using some imported materials under special trade rules. This move could save them money on import duties, with rates from zero to 2.5%. The government is reviewing this plan, which was officially submitted in early September 2026.
2026-19593, Foreign-Trade Zone 57; Approval of Subzone Status; AUMOVIO Systems, Inc.; Morganton, North Carolina
AUMOVIO Systems in Morganton, North Carolina, just got the green light to become a special part of Foreign-Trade Zone 57, called Subzone 57J. This means they can enjoy benefits like easier customs rules, helping their business grow without extra costs. The approval happened on September 21, 2026, and fits within the zone’s size limits, so things are set to roll smoothly!
2026-19591, Foreign-Trade Zone (FTZ) 272, Notification of Proposed Production Activity; Infinera Corporation; (Telecommunications Devices); Allentown, Pennsylvania
Infinera Corporation in Allentown, PA, wants to make special fiber optic parts in Foreign-Trade Zone 272, which means they can save on import taxes for certain materials. This change helps Infinera build cool telecom devices like Optical Transmit/Receive Subassemblies and Transceiver Photonic Integrated Circuits more cheaply and efficiently. The government is reviewing this now, so keep an eye out for updates soon!
2026-19590, Foreign-Trade Zone (FTZ) 49, Notification of Proposed Production Activity; Merck, Sharp & Dohme LLC; (Drug Products and Intermediates); Rahway, New Jersey
Merck, Sharp & Dohme LLC wants to expand its drug-making activities at its Rahway, New Jersey site inside Foreign-Trade Zone 49. They plan to add new drug products and ingredients, like cancer and neurological disease treatments, that can enter duty-free or with low duties. This move helps Merck save money on import taxes and keep making important medicines efficiently.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 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.
Next: 2026-19700, Dermatologic and Ophthalmic Drugs Advisory Committee; Notice of Meeting; Establishment of a Public Docket; Request for Comments-New Drug Application (NDA) 219694 for Atropine Sulfate Ophthalmic Solution, 0.01%
The FDA is holding a public meeting on October 30, 2026, to discuss a new eye drop medicine called Atropine Sulfate Ophthalmic Solution, 0.01%. This meeting lets people share their thoughts before the FDA decides if the drug should be approved. Anyone interested, especially patients and eye care providers, can join online or in person and send comments by October 29, 2026.