MIAMI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT GAINS FREE TRADE ZONE STATUS

Miami-Dade Aviation Department (MDAD) has gained final approval from the US Department of Commerce to designate Miami International Airport’s entire 3,230-acre land parcel as a Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) magnet site.

The decision allows existing or prospective airport tenants to operate manufacturing, warehousing and/or distribution centers on airport property, and have their federaltariffs deferred, reduced or eliminated– providing time and cost savings for approved importers and exporters.

“The MIA FTZ creates an attractive business opportunity for companies to begin or expand their operations directly on-site at the passenger and cargo gateway of the Americas,” enthused Miami-Dade County Mayor, Carlos Gimenez. 

“Congratulations to the MIA team for achieving this significant milestone, which has strong potential for new business revenue and job creation in our community.”

 Gifts and souvenirs with aviation theme --->>>



The new magnet site – an expansion of Miami-Dade County’s existing FTZ 281 – will allow companies to receive and process materials and merchandise with reduced or eliminated Customs duties upon entry into the country at MIA.

“I commend the Aviation Department and PortMiami, for bringing this important designation to MIA and to Miami-Dade County,” said Miami-Dade County Commissioner, Rebeca Sosa, and chair of the County’s Economic Development and Tourism Committee. 

“Because of their efforts with our federal partners, MIA can be an even larger economic engine for our community.”

Companies handling high-traffic commodities at MIA such as pharmaceuticals, electronics, textiles, footwear, auto parts, aircraft parts, avionics, machinery equipment, consumer goods and perishables are expected to be FTZ applicants. 



To be an FTZ operator, companies must first complete an application with PortMiami – the grantee of FTZ 281 – and then receive approval from US Customs and Border Protection.

The expedited application process takes approximately 30 days.

“Our FTZ magnet site approval dovetails perfectly with our growth strategy as one of the world’s leading pharma hubs, as well as our efforts to become the e-commerce hub of the Americas,” noted Miami-Dade Aviation Department's chief of staff, Joseph Napoli. 

“We look forward toopening new doors at MIA within the trade and logistics industries.”

FTZ 281 encompasses land from SW 8th Street to the Broward County line, and from Miami Beach in the east to the Urban Development line in the west.



Companies within an FTZ are able to defer paying duties only when product exits the site, reduce duties on combined finished products instead of on each individual product, and eliminate duties on products being imported to the site and then exported.

In 2016, MIA’s air trade was valued at USD 57.3 billion – representing 92% of the value of Florida’s total air trade and 40% of the State’s total (air and sea) trade with the world.

“Six years after being approved by the US Department of Commerce, FTZ 281 has more than 65 approved sites,” said PortMiami director and CEO Juan Kuryla. 

”Adding MIA as a magnet site is a huge accomplishment. It makes Miami a more competitive global gateway for growing international trade and commerce in Miami-Dade County. We welcome MIA to FTZ281."