GRCA Commerce Quarterly Winter 2020 - 6

a message from our Executive Vice President and COO

International Business
resources at the
fingertips of GRCA

ow far do you have to go to
get international business assistance? Not far. In fact, you can
find it right here at GRCA.
Import Assistance

You probably didn't know that GRCA is the grantee for the Foreign
Trade Zone Corp of Southern PA (FTZ 147). FTZ 147 covers
an 11-county region of Southcentral Pennsylvania from Berks to
Fulton County.
The fundamental benefit of being in a designated
FTZ is the ability to defer, reduce or even eliminate Customs duties on products admitted to
the zone. Benefits can also include aggregation of Merchandise Processing Fees (MPF).
Companies can realize significant cost savings
by taking advantage of FTZ benefits. If you are
wondering if FTZ designation could benefit
your company, just let us know. Financial
feasibility analyses are free and could result in
big savings for your company.
Export Assistance
Berks County is covered by the World Trade Center (WTC) of
Harrisburg. This organization is part of the statewide Regional Export
Network (REN) and GRCA is a member. WTC promotes global
trade, provides educational programs, up to date trade information,
trade assistance and research, and referral services for companies.
WTC also annually hosts the PA international trade representatives
who represent the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania all across the
world. If you are looking to open new international markets, or
learn how to better conduct business in specific countries, WTC
is an excellent resource - and you can access their services through,
yes the Greater Reading Chamber Alliance.
6 COMMERCE QUARTERLY WINTER 2020

Made in Berks
If you are making a product in Berks County and are shipping
it internationally, you may or may not need one (or more) of these.
GRCA processes Certificates of Origin. Not familiar with it? A
Certificate of Origin (COO) is a document required by some foreign
governments that validates the country of origin where a product was
manufactured. In order to be acceptable and valid, the Certificate of
Origin must be signed by the exporter, notarized and then validated
by a locally designated agency such as - you guessed it - the GRCA.
GRCA provides this service to our members for a
discounted fee of $10 per certificate. Non-members
are charged $32 for each certificate processed.
Additionally, Notary service is provided to
members at no cost and $5 per page for
non-members.
Did you know? That the Office of
International Business Development (OIBD)
is part of the Department of Community and
Economic Development (DCED) and focuses
on Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and Trade.
Don't forget, we know the alphabet soup so that
you don't have to. Contact GRCA if you need export,
import or general international business support. We will
find you the right resource, right here to meet your needs.

COO Processing Hours
GRCA offers COO processing Monday through Friday,
9 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. During holidays
when the Chamber is closed, notice is provided by
email concerning special processing hours. For more
information, please contact GRCA Administrative
Specialist Anna Lisa at 610.376.6766 x100.

GRCA Commerce Quarterly Winter 2020

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of GRCA Commerce Quarterly Winter 2020