NAFTZ

What NAFTZ does

NAFTZ (National Association of Foreign-Trade Zones) is a Washington, DC-based non-profit trade association founded in 1973 that serves as the sole membership body dedicated to the U.S. Foreign-Trade Zones program. The association serves nearly 800 member organizations across four tiers — Grantee (public entities administering FTZs), Operator/User (manufacturers and distributors using FTZs), Service Provider (customs brokers, consultants, technology firms), and Third-Party Fulfillment — spanning the United States and Puerto Rico, with a self-reported renewal rate above 93%.

Its product portfolio is built around professional credentials (the Accredited Zone Specialist designation and the newer Certified Zone Specialist credential delivered with NCBFAA's National Education Institute), a calendar of in-person and virtual events (Annual Conference, Legislative Summit, Regional Fundamentals training, monthly webinars), a member portal (InfoHub) on the GrowthZone AMS platform, an FTZ Marketplace directory, a Career Center, a Mentorship Program, and an advocacy apparatus engaging CBP, USTR, and Congress on FTZ-related policy.

Revenue is generated through annual membership dues, conference and event registration fees, certification program tuition, advertising and sponsorships across the website, newsletter, and events, and member benefits such as discounted FTZ operator bond rates. The association operates with a lean 1-10 person staff led by President Jeffrey Tafel, CAE, and is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors chaired by Katie Tangman of Columbia Sportswear Company.

Name

NAFTZ

Legal name

National Association of Foreign-Trade Zones

Website

https://naftz.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1973

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

NAFTZ is a Washington, DC-based non-profit trade association founded in 1973 that serves as the sole membership body representing the U.S. Foreign-Trade Zones program for nearly 800 grantees, operators, service providers, and professionals across the U.S. and Puerto Rico.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Trade Association Services

NAICS

Other Services (except Public Administration) (81)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYTLALAGAA

Bonded Warehouses (Customs-Bonded Storage Facilities)

Transportation & Logistics/Warehousing & Storage (Cold Chain, Fulfillment, Depots)/Bonded Warehousing & Customs Storage (FTZ)

Keywords

• Trade association services
• Foreign-trade zones advocacy
• Customs compliance education
• Professional certification programs
• Trade policy advocacy

Headquarters

HQ city

Washington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership fees from Grantee Members, Operator/User Members, Service Provider Members, and Third-Party Fulfillment (3FP) Members. The association reports over 93% annual renewal rate with nearly 800 members.
2. Conference and Event Fees: Revenue from Annual Conference & Exposition, Legislative Summit, Regional Fundamentals training events, and educational webinars. Includes sponsorship and exhibition fees from service providers.
3. Professional Certification Programs: Revenue from Certified Zone Specialist (CZS) and Accredited Zone Specialist (AZS) certification programs, including course materials and examination fees.
4. Advertising and Sponsorships: Website and newsletter advertising opportunities, event sponsorships, and career website advertising on NAFTZ career platform.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

NAFTZ is a non-profit trade association that serves as the collective voice of the U.S. Foreign-Trade Zones (FTZ) program. It provides membership services, professional certifications (Accredited Zone Specialist and Certified Zone Specialist), educational events including an annual conference and legislative summit, advocacy representation before Congress and federal agencies, and networking opportunities for nearly 800 member organizations spanning grantees, operators, service providers, and users across the U.S. and Puerto Rico.

Product overview

NAFTZ (National Association of Foreign-Trade Zones) is a non-profit trade association serving as the collective voice of the U.S. Foreign-Trade Zones Program. The organization offers a portfolio of membership-based products and services including professional certifications (Accredited Zone Specialist and Certified Zone Specialist), educational events (Annual Conference, Legislative Summit, Regional Fundamentals training, and monthly webinars), an online FTZ Marketplace for service provider connections, a Career Center job board, a Mentorship Program, advocacy services with Congressional engagement, and member discounts on customs bonds. The association connects nearly 800 members spanning public entities, public and private companies, and individuals across the U.S. and Puerto Rico. NAFTZ maintains a member portal (InfoHub) powered by GrowthZone association management software and a dedicated career website for job postings.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• NAFTZ Membership Programs

Named customers9 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Sorini Samet & Associates LLC (SSA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024SSA serves as NAFTZ's Government Relations Advisors effective January 1, 2024. The firm brings over three decades of U.S. trade negotiations and legislation experience, including former Ambassador Ron Sorini's work at USTR. SSA supports NAFTZ's 5-year advocacy vision with Congressional and regulatory engagement.
• NEI (National Education Institute) / NCBFAAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNAFTZ partnered with NEI, the educational foundation associated with NCBFAA (National Customs Brokers and Freight Forwarders Association), to develop and deliver the Certified Zone Specialist (CZS) certification program. NEI provides the online learning platform and administrative support for the certification exam.
• Smith Dawson Andrews (Prior)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNAFTZ acknowledge long-standing relationship with Smith Dawson Andrews for government relations prior to appointment of Sorini Samet & Associates in 2024.
• Watermark TrademinorGTM or Marketing PartnerEvent sponsor for NAFTZ conferences and educational programs
• Copper HillminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEvent sponsor for NAFTZ conferences and educational programs
• Braumiller Consulting GroupminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEvent sponsor for NAFTZ conferences and educational programs
• Braumiller LawminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEvent sponsor for NAFTZ conferences and educational programs
• ITC DiligenceminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEvent sponsor for NAFTZ conferences and educational programs
• UPSminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEvent sponsor for NAFTZ conferences and educational programs
• MIC Customs SolutionsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEvent sponsor for NAFTZ conferences and educational programs
• KrollminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEvent sponsor for NAFTZ conferences and educational programs
• QADminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEvent sponsor for NAFTZ conferences and educational programs; QAD Redzone provides FTZ-compatible global trade compliance solutions
• Thomson ReutersminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEvent sponsor for NAFTZ conferences and educational programs
• U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNAFTZ maintains ongoing engagement with CBP through quarterly meetings, monthly coordination calls, and advocacy on FTZ operational issues including ACE automation, RSP program, and forced labor storage policies
• Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNAFTZ engages with USTR on USMCA parity issues, Section 301 tariffs, and FTZ export penalty matters affecting manufacturing and trade competitiveness

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/NAFTZ
• Facebookfacebook.com/naftzdc
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-national-association-of-foreign-trade-zones
• Instagraminstagram.com/_naftz

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about NAFTZ