The Oxnard Harbor District is the Grantee for U. S. Foreign-Trade Zone #205. This is the first zone ever established in Ventura County and was created to serve the broad interests of importers and exporters throughout California's Central Coast Region. The Port Hueneme Foreign-Trade Zone #205 is comprised of three sites totaling approximately 840 acres and includes the commercial seaport, South Oxnard (vehicle preparation centers) and North Oxnard (freezer facilities), all within five miles of the Port of Hueneme.

On October 13th 2011 the Foreign Trade Zones Board formally approved by Resolution the Oxnard Harbor District's Alternative Site Framework application recognizing FTZ 205 under the newly designated Alternative Site Framework. This designation is intended to fast track Zone compliant companies within the boundaries of Ventura County seeking to pursue use of FTZ 205. The ASF will permit flexible, focused, and predictable activation and designation of sites within this geographical area. ASF status does not change the Grantee/Operator structure and activation will still require specific approval by the FTZ Board with Local CBP and Grantee concurrence. However under ASF, this process will be expedited, FTZ staff indicates actions will take 30 days or less. ASF continues to permit the previous service area of FTZ-205 to remain unchanged for areas outside of Ventura County yet within 60 miles or 90 minutes driving time of the CBP port of entry limits. ASF (fast track) protocols apply to companies pursuing zone status within Ventura County. Zone status applications outside Ventura County yet within the previous service area may take longer.

Foreign-Trade Zones (or FTZs) are secure areas that are physically within the U. S., but are considered outside of U.S. Customs territory. The U. S. Foreign-Trade Zones Board governs the national FTZ program, and it was the organization which approved the District's zone application in October, 1994.

These FTZ sites are mechanisms which foster international trade and commerce. Companies or individuals may ship goods into a FTZ, manipulate, process, assemble and store imports within the boundaries, deferring Customs duty on these goods until such time as they are ready for consumption by the U. S. market. If the owner so desires, these goods may be alternatively shipped on to another FTZ, or another country, with the duty deferment still in effect or paying no duty at all.

FTZ users enjoy considerable flexibility in their operations. Paperwork associated with receiving Customs Drawback is not required if the foreign elements of the production remain in the zone until exported. Value-added improvements or storage are all conducted under a duty-deferred status. The Foreign-Trade Zone gives the importer discretion over when, if ever, the foreign product should enter the commerce of the US and be assessed the required duty.



Our economy receives zone benefits by encouraging trade activities in the U. S. which otherwise may not have been cost-effective without the FTZ program. U. S. Foreign-Trade Zone #205 handled over $1 billion in cargo value in 2002.

The Oxnard Harbor District - Port of Hueneme is an active member of the World Trade Center Association, whose mission is to promote international trade.