Plans for up to 10 new free ports across the country have been unveiled by the Government.
Ministers claim the new "business and enterprise hubs" will create thousands of jobs.
The Northern Powerhouse Partnership has said the proposals would "need to guarantee significant additional growth", while Labour's shadow chancellor called it "another ideological move from a far-right government".
A consultation process is being launched by the Government aimed at naming the locations of the free ports by the end of the year so that they can be open for business in 2021, the Press Association reports.
Chief Secretary to the Treasury Rishi Sunak said: "Free ports will unleash the potential in our proud historic ports, boosting and regenerating communities across the 海角视频 as we level up.
"They will attract new businesses, spreading jobs, investment and opportunity to towns and cities up and down the country.
"This is all part of our mission as an open, outward-looking country, championing global free trade with vibrant free ports that work for all of the 海角视频."
Henri Murison, director of Northern Powerhouse Partnership said:
“We have a number of international gateways across the Northern Powerhouse, from the Humber to the Mersey, the river Tees to Barrow, that could benefit from incentivised status to attract industry. The detail of these proposals will need to guarantee significant additional growth, in particular in trade, to justify their designation.”
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"If the government can enhance these links through delivering promised capacity, there is a case for linking these trade flows to specific sectors and the detail for this network of free ports that connect together will be presented as a detailed case in response to the consultation.”
Secretary of State for International Trade Liz Truss said: "We are taking back control of our trade policy, and opening every corner of the 海角视频 to opportunities across the world.
"Free ports will unleash the potential of our historic ports, creating jobs and regenerating communities across the 海角视频. These hubs will also deepen partnerships around the world as we restore our economic and political independence."
Business Secretary Andrea Leadsom said: "Free ports represent a fantastic opportunity for our businesses to increase their trade with companies from all over the world.
"Not only will they help create jobs and level up the 海角视频, but they underscore our commitment to championing global free trade - unleashing our country's potential."
Communities and Local Government Secretary Robert Jenrick said: "Our new Free ports will drive forward investment and regeneration, delivering high-skilled jobs and new homes for people across the country."
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The free ports could see goods brought in to them not receiving tariffs until they enter the domestic market, with no duty payable if they are re-exported.
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Free ports could be located inland as well as adjacent to ports, the Government said.
Once the 10-week consultation is completed, the Government will invite sea, air and rail ports to bid for free port status "on a competitive basis".
Ministers said a full customs declaration would not be required to move goods into a free port.
Labour's shadow chancellor John McDonnell said the move was the initiative of a "far right" Government.
He said: "This is the revival of a failed Thatcherite plan from the 1980s, designed to cut away at regulation and our tax base.
"There is very little solid evidence that so-called free ports create jobs or boost economic growth, showing this up as another ideological move from a far-right government.
"This plan only represents a 'levelling-up' for the super-rich, who will use free ports to hoard assets and avoid taxes while the rest of us feel the effects of under-funded public services."
However, it has been embraced in areas where it could unleash a new wave of investment.
Julian Walker is chief commercial officer of the 海角视频's leading ports group, Associated British Ports. He said: “ABP welcomes the Government’s announcement of a consultation on developing free ports. We believe that free ports have the potential to increase the ability of ports to drive trade and economic growth by boosting the 海角视频’s manufacturing base and exports.
"In particular, our ports on the Humber and in South Wales offer ideal locations for port-centric manufacturing and this policy can help turn this ambition into reality.”
Cleethorpes MP Martin Vickers’ constituency covers Immingham, the largest port by tonnage handled in the 海角视频, and part of the Humber complex operated by ABP.
The Conservative has been a strong advocate of free ports since Brexit hit the agenda, working in Westminster with like-minded colleagues to push the Treasury and BEIS.
“It is good news. It is a significant step forward and it is one that I and my free port group in parliament have been campaigning for,” he said. “I have much hope that Immingham and the winder Humber ports will be in contention for this. I know Associated British Ports will be working hard to put a good case forward to government.
“It is a real opportunity to attract investment into the area, and I would sincerely hope we are chosen, and I will be doing all I can to lobby for Immingham’s inclusion.”