A Foreign-Trade Zone (FTZ) is a tool that companies can use to increase their global competitiveness.

A FTZ is a site within the USA that is legally considered outside of Customs territory, so goods may be brought into the site duty-free and without formal customs entry. A General Purpose FTZ has multiple users. A FTZ Subzone provides the same benefits as a General Purpose Zone, but is located at a specific business location.

The Columbus Regional Airport Authority is grantee and operator of Foreign-Trade Zone No. 138, which encompasses nearly 5,000 acres (2,023 hectares) at Rickenbacker. The FTZ at Rickenbacker can accommodate two types of uses - industrial and aeronautical.