Properties in Carson Receive Trade Zone Designation

Watson Land Co. said it has secured foreign trade zone designation from the Commerce Department for the 900 acres and 8 million square feet of office, technology and industrial space in its Carson business centers.

The properties have been incorporated into the Port of Los Angeles’ existing Foreign Trade Zone 202, one of 11 such zones in California, it said.

The new trade zone properties include Watson Industrial Center South, Watson Corporate Center and Dominguez Technology Center.

Foreign trade zones offer a number of cost-savings incentives to importers, exporters and manufacturers, including the capacity to delay or lower tariff payments and waive duties on merchandise. A company that imports parts for assembly in a foreign trade zone, for example, can decide which duty rate is more advantageous--the duty on separate components or that for the assembled product.

Carson-based Watson is one of the largest developers of industrial centers in Los Angeles County.