---
kind: "section"
citation: "19 U.S.C. § 81n"
title: "19"
title_heading: "Customs Duties"
number: "81n"
heading: "Operation of zone as public utility; cost of customs service"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/19/81n"
units:
  - "Chapter 1A — Foreign Trade Zones"
---

# §81n. Operation of zone as public utility; cost of customs service


Each [zone](/usc/19/81a.md?p=i) shall be operated as a public utility, and all rates and charges for all [services](/usc/19/2576b.md?p=4) or privileges within the [zone](/usc/19/81a.md?p=i) shall be fair and reasonable, and the [grantee](/usc/19/81a.md?p=h) shall afford to all who may apply for the use of the [zone](/usc/19/81a.md?p=i) and its facilities and appurtenances uniform treatment under like conditions, subject to such treaties or commercial conventions as are now in force or may hereafter be made from time to time by the [United States](/usc/19/1683.md?p=9) with foreign governments and the cost of maintaining the additional customs [service](/usc/19/2576b.md?p=4) required under this chapter shall be paid by the operator of the [zone](/usc/19/81a.md?p=i).


## Source credit

(June 18, 1934, ch. 590, § 14, 48 Stat. 1001.)