Port Lansing

The Capital Region International Airport has been granted Foreign Trade Zone status by the federal government.  A Foreign Trade Zone is legally considered to be outside of United States Customs territory and allows goods to be brought in to these areas duty free.  Products that are duty free help U.S. companies defer, eliminate or reduce custom fees on products, or charge comparable rates on items that are produced abroad.  Foreign Trade Zones give American businesses and companies a stronger competitive edge over similar companies based in other countries.  The process of receiving Foreign Trade Zone for the Lansing airport took nearly 12 months to complete and required strong community support from business and industry leaders, and Michigan’s Congressional delegation.

“Federal designation of the Capital Region International Airport as a Foreign Trade Zone is a tremendous step forward in our regionally coordinated effort to further enhance the economic value of  the airport as an  asset for the region and the State of Michigan,” said Robert Selig, Executive Director of the Capital Region Airport Authority.  “The Capital Region International Airport is a gateway to Michigan for international trade and travel, and its services and facilities are helping area companies compete in a global marketplace.” 

Lansing’s Capital Region International Airport was officially declared U.S. Port of Entry, known as Port Lansing, in January 2008 and enabled U.S. Customs and Border Protection Services begin providing entry and inspection services for international corporate passengers and cargo into the United States.  The Capital Region International Airport is the only international airport in Michigan outside Detroit with a full-service U.S. Customs and Border Protection Inspection Station.  The new inspection station is a $5 million facility designed to process up to 200 commercial airline passengers per hour.  Apple Vacations is scheduled to begin non-stop flights from Lansing to Cancun, Mexico on December 27, 2009.

“It is great to see a vision that many of us have shared become a reality,” said Tim Daman, president & CEO of the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce.  “We look forward to continuing to work on developing and marketing the Foreign Trade Zone with Port Lansing, and enhancing other international trade opportunities for the Lansing region.”

The Capital Region International Airport has been the site of nearly $20 million in airport improvement projects that included extending the main airport runway to 8,500 feet.