(TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA) As of August 12, 2025, Tallahassee’s long-planned International Processing Facility (IPF) at Tallahassee International Airport (TLH) is entering its final stretch. Airport officials say the $28–$30.5 million build remains on schedule to open by the end of 2025. The 40,000‑square‑foot expansion will add a full Federal Inspection Services area so U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) can screen international passengers and cargo on site — a shift city leaders say will bring new air service, trade, and jobs to Northwest Florida.
Project scope, timeline, and financing
Construction reached about 80% complete in March 2025, according to airport updates. Crews continue interior buildout, systems testing, and federal compliance steps needed before the facility can go live.
The IPF’s inspection hall and support spaces are designed to CBP standards and sized to process up to 200 passengers per hour. That throughput target will allow TLH to handle simultaneous arrivals from regional jets, larger narrow‑body aircraft, and general aviation traffic that today must land elsewhere for customs clearance.
Key timeline and funding facts:
– Broke ground: May 2022 (after nearly a decade of planning beginning ~2014).
– Part of TLH’s Five‑Year Strategic Plan to modernize the airport and raise annual economic impact to $1 billion.
– Approved state matching grant: $2.1 million from the Florida Department of Transportation (approved by the City Commission earlier in 2025).
– Budget: $28–$30.5 million; target opening: end of 2025.
Airport Director of Aviation David Pollard has tied the IPF to jobs, economic diversification, and improved options for travelers and companies: if TLH can clear people and goods through CBP locally, airlines and shippers can plan service that connects Tallahassee to more places without extra stops.
Economic stakes and the new Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ)
The IPF is the backbone for a new Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) that will operate under CBP oversight and initially serve an 11‑county region, stretching from Interstate 75 to Port St. Joe.
City projections for the FTZ:
– Support 1,600+ jobs over the next decade.
– Generate more than $300 million in yearly economic activity by 2034.
Benefits of FTZ designation:
– Firms can delay, reduce, or sometimes avoid customs duties on imports.
– Lower costs and faster supply chains for participating companies.
– Advantages that can influence site-selection decisions for manufacturers and distribution centers.
For official program rules and benefits, CBP’s FTZ page explains the basics: https://www.cbp.gov/trade/programs-administration/foreign-trade-zones.
Analysis by VisaVerge.com shows the project timeline and job estimates align with the city’s broader strategy to attract investment, grow exports, and support local manufacturers that need quick access to global markets. TLH’s long-term traffic targets include:
– 1 million passengers annually
– Up to 22 million pounds of cargo
Regional partners say the FTZ will give companies a reason to base operations near TLH rather than ship through out‑of‑state hubs, keeping more business in the Big Bend. Practical implications include movement of medical devices, aerospace parts, and food products through secure airport channels with customs processing handled in Tallahassee instead of Miami or Orlando.
What travelers and businesses can expect
When the IPF opens, TLH will be able to receive international flights directly, eliminating the detour where Tallahassee‑bound passengers must first clear customs at another Florida airport. That translates to:
- Shorter travel days and fewer missed connections for families, students, and business travelers.
- A predictable CBP clearance option for general aviation pilots at their home field.
- New scheduling flexibility for airlines and cargo operators.
On-the-ground changes once the facility is active:
1. International arrivals enter the new FIS area for passport checks, customs screening, and baggage inspection — all under CBP procedures.
2. Airlines can schedule seasonal or year‑round routes from nearby Caribbean points or other markets without relying on a gateway stop for inspection.
3. Cargo operators gain a path to move international freight through TLH for same‑day or next‑day distribution across North Florida and South Georgia.
For companies using the FTZ, benefits extend beyond speed:
– Duty relief, weekly entry procedures, and staged imports can help manage cash flow and inventory.
– These tools can be decisive when manufacturers choose where to place a new line or warehouse.
– Airport staff and the Office of Economic Vitality will assist firms in accessing workforce pipelines and site options tied to the zone.
Operations, security, and partnerships
City and airport documents note the IPF’s design reflects CBP security and processing standards, including:
– Space for inspection booths
– Secondary screening areas
– Secure baggage systems
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is a partner, ensuring new flows fit with domestic screening, recheck, and airside access rules. Collaboration among the city, CBP, TSA, and FDOT has kept the multi‑year project moving forward.
Additional operational context:
– Major systems are in place and commissioning is underway.
– Final months will focus on testing, staffing, and practical drills required before accepting flights.
– The airport is hosting TakeOff North America 2025, bringing network planners and airports together — a timely opportunity to showcase an international‑ready facility.
“If TLH can clear people and goods through CBP locally, airlines and shippers can plan service that connects Tallahassee to more places without extra stops.” — City/Airport messaging
Regional resilience and broader impacts
Stakeholders frame the IPF as a tool for both resilience and growth. Capturing more traffic and trade locally may reduce the region’s exposure to shutdowns or bottlenecks at distant hubs. This matters for:
– Hospitals needing time‑sensitive shipments
– Universities hosting international students
– Small businesses relying on just‑in‑time parts
The city’s clear objective is to finish construction, certify the facility with federal partners, and open before year’s end. For residents, the day the first international arrival uses the IPF will mark Tallahassee’s emergence as a true international gateway for the Big Bend and the wider North Florida region.
Officials will keep the public updated on progress and operational dates as the IPF moves through final steps. For now:
– The build remains on budget
– The target opening remains end of 2025
– The city’s investment in global access has the potential to reshape how people and goods move through Florida’s capital.
Frequently Asked Questions
This Article in a Nutshell
Tallahassee’s $28–$30.5M International Processing Facility (IPF) will open by end‑2025, adding a 40,000‑sq‑ft CBP FIS. Construction is about 80% complete, enabling direct international arrivals, FTZ benefits across 11 counties, and projected 1,600+ jobs and $300M annual economic activity by 2034.
