Title 19 — Customs DutiesRelease 119-73not60

§81b Establishment of Zones

Title 19 › Chapter 1A— FOREIGN TRADE ZONES › § 81b

Last updated Apr 5, 2026|Official source

Summary

The Board may let corporations set up and run foreign‑trade zones at or near U.S. ports of entry if they apply and follow the rules. Each port must have at least one zone. If a port lies in more than one State, each State may have a zone. If one port includes two cities separated by water, each city may have a zone. Extra zones are allowed only if the Board finds existing zones aren’t enough for commerce. Public corporations are given preference. If a State has some ports owned by the State and others owned by a city, then a public corporation’s application for a zone in that State needs a law passed by that State’s legislature after June 18, 1934.

Full Legal Text

Title 19, §81b

Customs Duties — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)The Board is authorized, subject to the conditions and restrictions of this chapter and of the rules and regulations made thereunder, upon application as hereinafter provided, to grant to corporations the privilege of establishing, operating, and maintaining foreign-trade zones in or adjacent to ports of entry under the jurisdiction of the United States.

(b)Each port of entry shall be entitled to at least one zone, but when a port of entry is located within the confines of more than one State such port of entry shall be entitled to a zone in each of such States, and when two cities separated by water are embraced in one port of entry, a zone may be authorized in each of said cities or in territory adjacent thereto. Zones in addition to those to which a port of entry is entitled shall be authorized only if the Board finds that existing or authorized zones will not adequately serve the convenience of commerce.

(c)In granting applications preference shall be given to public corporations.

(d)In case of any State in which harbor facilities of any port of entry are owned and controlled by the State and in which State harbor facilities of any other port of entry are owned and controlled by a municipality, the Board shall not grant an application by any public corporation for the establishment of any zone in such State, unless such application has been authorized by an Act of the legislature of such State (enacted after June 18, 1934).

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

19 U.S.C. § 81b

Title 19 — Customs Duties

Last Updated

Apr 5, 2026

Release point: 119-73not60