Foreign-Trade Zone Cold Storage in Portland, Maine
MICSF sits next to the International Marine Terminal, where imported refrigerated and frozen food comes off the vessel and into temperature-controlled storage. FTZ inventory is tracked in Descartes, so storage, customs recordkeeping and outbound movement are handled by one facility team.
What Is a Foreign-Trade Zone?
An FTZ is a way to hold imported goods in the United States before they formally enter U.S. commerce. For food importers, it pairs cold storage with customs-supervised inventory.
A foreign-trade zone is a designated, secure site in the United States, supervised by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), where imported goods can be stored and handled before formal customs entry. Goods in an activated zone are generally treated as outside U.S. customs territory for duty purposes until they leave the zone for the U.S. market.
CBP supervised
Zone operations follow CBP procedures for admission, inventory and removal.
Inventory is tracked
Every receipt and movement is recorded. At MICSF, that runs in Descartes.
Filings are documented
Admissions and other FTZ filings are supported in Descartes, coordinated with your customs broker.
How FTZ Storage Can Benefit Food Importers
Whether FTZ storage helps depends on your product, volume, timing and where it’s headed. These are the benefits importers most often evaluate with their broker.
Potential duty deferral
Duties are generally paid when product leaves the zone for U.S. commerce, rather than when it arrives in port.
Cash-flow timing
Paying duty closer to the time of sale can help importers who hold frozen inventory for weeks or months.
Re-export option
Goods exported from the zone generally aren’t subject to U.S. import duty, which can suit product moving on to Canada or Europe.
Weekly entry support
Descartes supports weekly entries for FTZ withdrawals, which can simplify filing for frequent shipments. How we manage records
FTZ treatment depends on product eligibility, zone authorization and CBP requirements. Savings aren’t guaranteed, and FTZ status doesn’t remove duties owed when goods enter U.S. commerce. Review your specific product with a licensed customs broker.
Refrigerated and Frozen Storage at MICSF
A 106,000 sq ft facility built in 2024 with two independent temperature-controlled rooms and a natural CO₂ refrigeration system.
Chilled storage
For fresh seafood, dairy, produce and other chilled product that needs consistent cold-chain handling.
Frozen storage
For frozen seafood, meat, vegetables, fruit, desserts and other product held long-term or staged for export.
Temperature monitoring
Continuous monitoring and alarming on both rooms.
Inventory visibility
24/7 customer portal in Synapse WMS by Made4Net.
Lot tracking
Lot and expiration control in Synapse; FTZ records kept separately in Descartes.
Food safety
SQF certified, FDA registered, GFSI-recognized program. Food safety
How MICSF Manages FTZ Records with Descartes
MICSF uses Descartes to manage the customs and inventory records behind its Foreign-Trade Zone operations, tracking goods as they enter, remain in and leave the zone, along with the documentation for each movement.
FTZ inventory control
Tracking merchandise movements and reconciling inventory records.
Customs filings
Electronic admissions and other FTZ filings, including support for weekly entries.
Traceability
Maintaining records that connect inventory activity with customs documentation.
Compliance oversight
Organizing information for reporting, reviews and audits.
Better control and visibility over goods stored under FTZ procedures. Descartes helps administer the records supporting those procedures, including duty deferral where applicable. Actual financial benefits depend on the merchandise and how it enters or leaves the zone.
Why Portland, Maine?
MICSF is on state-owned land at Portland’s International Marine Terminal, so imported containers can move from vessel to cold storage without a long inland leg.
Adjacent to the International Marine Terminal
Eimskip weekly service connects Portland with Iceland, Europe and Canada.
Class 1 rail
Rail service with on-site siding access.
I-295 and I-95
About 1.2 miles to the interstate, with direct routes to Boston, New York and Canada.
Transportation by Taylor
Drayage from the IMT plus refrigerated truckload and LTL. Location & intermodal access
Approximate drive times by truck. Eimskip’s weekly service also connects Portland with Iceland, Europe and Canada by sea.
How the Process Works
From the first product review to release, MICSF coordinates storage and FTZ recordkeeping while your broker handles customs filings.
Product review
We review your product, temperature, volume, origin and destination to confirm fit.
Customs coordination
We align with your customs broker on eligibility, documentation and admission.
Receiving and storage
Product is received at temperature, admitted electronically and recorded in Descartes.
Release
Product leaves the zone for domestic distribution or export, with outbound coordinated by our team.
Who This Service Is For
FTZ cold storage fits importers and distributors who hold foreign-origin refrigerated or frozen food before selling or re-shipping it.
Food importers
Companies bringing frozen or chilled food through Portland on Eimskip’s North Atlantic service.
Distributors holding inventory
Businesses that store imported product for extended periods and release it to customers over time.
Re-exporters
Suppliers moving foreign-origin product on to Canada, Europe or other markets.
USDA inspection and documentation support
USDA support is separate from FTZ authorization. FTZ status does not replace FDA or USDA requirements for imported food.
- USDA inspection coordination for animal-origin products
- Documentation handling, including USDA-CVD requirements
- USDA APHIS CVB compliant storage for veterinary biologics
MICSF Facility Facts
Key details for FTZ cold storage inquiries.
| Facility | Maine International Cold Storage Facility (MICSF) |
|---|---|
| Operator | Taylor Logistics, Inc. |
| Location | 20 West Commercial Street, Portland, ME 04102, adjacent to the International Marine Terminal |
| Refrigerated room | 35°F |
| Frozen room | −10°F |
| Size | 106,000 sq ft · 22,000 pallet positions |
| FTZ services | FTZ capabilities with inventory tracking and recordkeeping |
| FTZ inventory software | Descartes: inventory control, FTZ filings including weekly entries, traceability and compliance records |
| Warehouse system | Synapse WMS by Made4Net |
| Food safety | SQF certified · FDA registered · GFSI-recognized program |
| Contact | micsf@taylorlog.com · (207) 464-7648 |
FTZ Cold Storage FAQs
Direct answers to what importers ask us about FTZ cold storage at MICSF.
What is FTZ cold storage?
FTZ cold storage is refrigerated or frozen warehousing inside a foreign-trade zone, where imported goods can be held under U.S. Customs and Border Protection supervision before they formally enter U.S. commerce. It combines temperature control with FTZ inventory procedures.
Does MICSF offer activated FTZ storage?
Yes. MICSF offers FTZ capabilities supported by Descartes software for FTZ inventory tracking and recordkeeping.
Our team reviews your product, documentation and handling requirements with you and your customs broker before receiving.
Can refrigerated and frozen foods be stored in an FTZ?
Yes, refrigerated and frozen foods can be stored in an FTZ when the product is eligible and the zone site is authorized for that activity. Our team reviews each product with you and your customs broker before receiving.
When are import duties paid?
Duties on goods admitted to an FTZ are generally paid when the goods leave the zone and enter U.S. commerce, not when they arrive. Your customs broker files the entry and calculates the duty owed at that time.
Can products be re-exported from an FTZ?
Yes, goods admitted to an FTZ can generally be exported from the zone without paying U.S. import duties on them. Export documentation and destination-country requirements still apply.
Does FTZ status replace FDA or USDA requirements?
No, FTZ status does not replace FDA or USDA requirements. Imported food must still meet applicable FDA and USDA rules, and MICSF’s USDA inspection and documentation support is a separate service from FTZ operations.
What documents are needed to get started?
To start, send a product description, required temperature, estimated volume, country of origin and destination market. HTS codes and your customs broker’s contact are helpful but optional at the inquiry stage.
Who handles customs filings?
Customs filings are coordinated between MICSF and your licensed customs broker. MICSF uses Descartes to support electronic FTZ admissions and other zone filings, including weekly entries, and keeps the inventory records tied to each filing.
How do I request pricing?
Request pricing by completing the inquiry form on this page, emailing micsf@taylorlog.com or calling (207) 464-7648. Include product type, temperature, volume, origin and start date for the fastest response.
Discuss Your FTZ Storage Needs
Share a few details and our team will follow up on fit, FTZ requirements and pricing.
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