International Information

Thanks to its central Atlantic coast location, skilled workforce, and strong communications, education and transportation infrastructures, eastern North Carolina is ideally suited to helping you succeed in today's increasingly global marketplace.

And that's true if your business is already based here and you're looking to build business internationally, or if your business is based  abroad and you want to build business in North America.

The North Carolina Department of Commerce can provide people, programs and resources to help you maximize your success in either case.

Click here if you're with a North Carolina company interested in pursuing or increasing revenues through exporting or foreign operations.

Or click here if you're with a foreign-based company seeking an ideal location to expand or begin U.S. operations.

And here in eastern North Carolina, we have people, programs and resources to help as well. We also work to ensure that all international trade efforts on your behalf complement each other. Just click here for complete contact information.

A significant number of foreign-owned firms already have substantial operations in the Region, for more on those firms and the reasons they chose eastern North Carolina, click here. And you can learn more about our Foreign Direct Investment initiative here.

International Trade Services

According to the North Carolina Department of Commerce, nearly one in five jobs in the state is tied to international trade.

The department's business development managers help North Carolina companies enter worldwide markets with a range of services including:

• Preparing marketing plans
• Handling export operations
• Providing market research
• Identifying best market prospects
• Advising on finance and insurance options
• Working to find customers and partners.

For more information about exporting from NC to a specific area, please click below.

• Brazil
• Canada
• Europe
• Hong Kong
• Japan
• Mexico
• China

Services offered by the Department of Commerce international trade division include:

• Distribution Searches
• Fast Track Service
• Export Ready
• Education & Training
• Export Financing
• Advocacy
• MBA Research Project
• Foreign Trade Zones
• Counseling and Referrals

There are six Foreign or Free Trade Zones (FTZ) in North Carolina. Two are strategically located within eastern North Carolina. Throughout the state, several subzones are also approved for use by individual manufacturers.

Foreign or domestic merchandise may enter these areas without a formal customs entry, or the payment of customs duties, or government excise taxes and without a thorough examination.

If the final product is exported from the United States, no custom duty is levied. If the final product is imported into the U.S., duty and excise taxes are due at the time of transfer from the foreign trade zone and formal entry is made into the U.S. Duty is paid on the product itself or its imported parts, whichever is lower.

Generally, merchandise is exempt from payment of duty even if it is:

• Manipulated
• Used in a manufacturing process
• Inspected
• Combined with other domestic or foreign materials
• Displayed for sale
• Re-exported

Spoiled or damaged goods or waste materials may be disposed of or re-exported without payment of duty.

Businesses save on personal property and sales and use taxes since state and local governments generally do not impose such taxes on items in the FTZ. Additional savings on interest, labor and shipping costs may also result.

New capital investment by firms who might otherwise have located in foreign countries is another important advantage. This new investment activity spurs development of support industries.

For information on a specific Foreign Trade Zone in North Carolina, please contact:

Zone #67

N.C. Ports Authority
Morehead City
113 Arendell St.
Morehead City, NC 28557

Mailing address:
PO Box 9002
Wilmington, NC 28557
(800) 334-0682
fax: (910) 397-1532

Contact:
Lance Kenworthy
(910) 343-6228
lance_kenworthy@ncports.com

Zone #214

Global Transpark Authority
2780 Jetport Road, Ste. A
Kinston, NC 28504

Mailing address:
PO Box 1476
Kinston, NC 28503
(252) 522-4929
fax: (252) 522-5778
info@ncgtp.com

Contact:
Darlene Waddell
(252) 522-4929 ext. 714
dwaddell@ncgtp.com

Contacts:
Penny Whiteheart, Vice President, Research & Technology
(336) 369-2201
pwhiteheart@piedmonttriadnc.com

Michael Staley, Vice President, Finance & Administration
(336) 668-0473
mstaley@piedmonttriadnc.com

For general information about Foreign Trade Zones in North Carolina, contact:
Jean Davis, Director of International Trade Division
North Carolina Department of Commerce
301 N. Wilmington St.
4320 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-4320
(919) 715-5746
jdavis@nccommerce.com