I know that every one is digging the Spade suicide.. but please remember the term FREE PORT/FREE TRADE ZONE (FTZ).
What is a free port/free economic zone?
''In special economic zones business and trades laws differ from the rest of the country. … Often they have relaxed jurisdiction of customs or related national regulations. They can be ports or other large areas or smaller allocated areas.
Terms include free port (porto Franco), free zone (zona franca), bonded area (US: foreign-trade zone), free economic zone, free trade zone, export processing zone and maquiladora.
Most commonly a free port is a special customs area or small customs territory with generally less strict customs regulations (or no customs duties and/or controls for transshipment). Earlier in history, some free ports like Hong Kong enjoyed political autonomy. Many international airports have free ports, though they tend to be called customs areas, customs zones, or international zones.''
It was actually a radio docu on the Art world that got me on to this but it did light up the Q red led in my brain. Have a look at record art sales, follow the money …
"Free zones range from specific-purpose manufacturing facilities to areas where legal systems and economic regulation vary from the normal provisions of the country concerned."
It is a bit like Snowden in the Russian airport, he was technically in no mans land, hadn't gone through customs so not in Russia. This is the same but with these warehouses. Also they can be completely privately owned.
Added benefit, as you don't pass customs no stamps on passports or records of entry into the country. So you can fly in on your private jet, collect or drop off whatever with no official record of ever being there and then continue on your way.
Looking up a list of Free ports ..
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_free_economic_zones
China has 5, France 1, Germany 5, Ireland 2, Italy 5, UK 5, Argentina 2 …. Nigeria 25, UAE 40.
Why has Nigeria got 25?? pic
Also, and this is what bought me to post this … TUSCON has one.
tl:dr Free ports are customs exempt warehouses all around the world that you don't have to pass customs to access.