Cargo Service Development

MIA is the busiest cargo hub in the world to launch an AI-powered communications platform for its cargo community, designed to streamline supply chain logistics, reduce congestion, and lower carbon emissions at the global gateway. The new Airport Cargo Community System (ACCS), developed by industry leader Kalé, creates a shared online portal for MIA’s extensive network of freight forwarders, cargo handlers, truckers, carriers, and ground handlers, reducing reliance on fragmented, manual information exchange.

If the ACCS were adopted across MIA’s entire cargo operation, it would yield massive environmental and sustainability benefits. Based on modest estimates of savings of 15% in paper handling and an average of two hours of truck turnaround time, implementing Kalé’s ACCS across MIA’s cargo community has the potential to save annually:

• 5,900 U.S. tons of carbon dioxide emissions
• 3,000 trees
• $250 million in operational costs 

In 2025, MIA:

• Handled a record 3.4 million tons of airfreight, a 13.2% increase over 2024
• Reached a trade value of $89 Billion (O&D only), an 8.2% increase over 2024
• Handled 85% international freight versus 15% domestic freight
• Saw in-transit freight surpass O&D freight for the first time in more than a decade, resulting in a 55%/45% split and underscoring the airport’s hub status

MIA handles cargo of all types, from life-saving medications, to e-commerce, to perishables. Below are our leading 2024 commodity groupings, with imports dominated by perishables and exports led by high-value manufactured goods.

THE MIA FOREIGN TRADE ZONE ADVANTAGE
The advantages of operating a business at MIA extend beyond our strategic location and global network. On-airport businesses at MIA can leverage our Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) Magnet Site designation to build their competitive advantage in an increasingly complex global trade environment.

How It Works
FTZs are secure sites near CBP-administered U.S. ports of entry like MIA that are legally considered outside of Customs territory for the purpose of duties. This allows businesses to bring imported goods into their dedicated FTZ site duty-free and defer payment of duties on those imported goods until they enter the U.S. market for sale – whether in a day, a week or ten years. 

Duties on imports to an FTZ site that are later re-exported can be avoided altogether, while duties on products assembled onsite within the FTZ from imported components can be reduced. Whatever your import/export business needs are, FTZs offer clear advantages.

FTZ Benefits

• Defer and reduce customs duties/reduce taxes & fees on import goods
• Avoid duties on re-exports altogether
• Potentially reduce duties on products assembled onsite from imported components
• Increase control over supply chain and free up cash flow
• Enjoy reduced administrative costs and streamlined Customs processing
• Store goods indefinitely and duty-free within FTZ business site
• Allows manufacturing and kitting, mixing foreign/domestic merchandise 
   

Why Operate Your FTZ at MIA?

• Direct access to America’s #1 airport for international freight, including 35+ all-cargo airlines and a network of more than 100 destinations
• Unrivalled market access to Latin America & the Caribbean, plus direct connections with manufacturers and consumers in Asia, Europe and the Middle East
• A wide range of available onsite office and warehouse spaces to meet the specific needs of your business
• Immediate proximity to U.S. Customs staff, plus the security benefits of operating at a major U.S. airport  
• Simplified logistics that can eliminate or minimize the need for off-airport ground transport

Common FTZ Operator Industries

• Avionics
• E-Commerce
• Manufacturing 
• Luxury goods
• Precious metals/minerals
• Pharmaceuticals
• Electronics
• Aerospace
• Auto parts
• Machinery/equipment

How to Become an FTZ Operator at MIA
MIA’s magnet site designation simplifies the process of becoming an FTZ operator, from a lengthy, three-step process, to a quicker, two-step process, saving your business time and money.

Customs & Boarder Protection FTZ Manual

Click on the region trade data analysis book cover to view.

Monthly trade data provided by WorldCity 

Click to view MIA monthly trade data

In 2015, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) recognized MIA as the first IATA-designated Pharma Hub Airport in the U.S. and the second in the world. MIA earned this recognition by engaging the local cargo community in the IATA Center of Excellence for Independent Validators (CEIV) Pharma Certification Program, which prepares logistics companies to become experts at properly handling sensitive pharma products shipped by air. Eleven members of the MIA cargo community have completed the CEIV Certification Program, including 6 cargo airlines, 2 international freight forwarders and 3 ground handling company.