U.S. businesses have a lot to overcome in today’s challenging tariff climate. The average effective U.S. tariff rate jumped from 2.5% at the start of 2025 to a pre-substitution tariff rate of 16.8% in November 2025, according to analysis by the Yale Budget Lab.
With rising tariff rates and shifting policies, importers are facing higher customs costs alongside unpredictable buyer behavior—such as reduced order volumes or supplier changes driven by price sensitivity. These pressures disrupt both inventory flow and working capital, making it increasingly difficult to operate business as usual.
The most competitive suppliers are those that stay nimble by getting creative with their foreign trade logistics.
One tactical approach to consider is the use of customs bonded warehousing services. When importers and re-exporters leverage bonded warehouses at major ports where they’re already active–such as the Port of Savannah, Georgia–they have more say over how and when they spend funds on customs duties, which can help maximize cash flow and reduce business risk.
In this article, we explain what bonded warehouses are, how they work, and why duty-deferred storage in Savannah can be a strategic advantage for importers in the area who are navigating today’s tariff landscape.
A customs bonded warehouse is a secured facility supervised by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) where imported goods can be stored for up to five years without paying customs duties until they are released for U.S. consumption. If the goods are re-exported, duties may be avoided altogether.
With customs bonded warehousing services, the warehouse owner or operator assumes liability for the goods through a CBP-required surety bond.
Key benefits include:
Bonded warehouses are classified based on factors such as ownership, product type, storage method, and allowable activities (including cleaning, sorting, labeling, and repackaging).
Because bonded warehouses operate under CBP oversight, they must meet strict compliance standards. Facilities must be properly licensed, bonded (minimum $25,000 per bonded area), insured, and equipped with security measures such as surveillance systems and restricted access.
Operators must also comply with applicable federal regulations—such as FDA requirements for food-grade products—and maintain detailed inventory records subject to regular CBP audits. This oversight ensures goods stored in duty-deferred storage remain secure, compliant, and fully documented.
Most import-eligible products can be stored in a bonded warehouse, such as apparel, food products, alcohol, electronics, automotive parts, raw materials, and luxury goods. Certain restricted or prohibited items—such as explosives—may be excluded.
Bonded warehousing is particularly valuable for:
Despite common misconceptions, customs bonded warehousing services are not limited to large enterprises. Mid-sized and growing importers can also leverage bonded warehouses as a cost-control and cash-flow tool.
Many shippers get confused by the variety of warehousing options that are available. Here’s a breakdown of the difference between regular warehouses, bonded warehouses, and foreign trade zones (FTZs). An FTZ is a designated geographic area within the U.S. (located in or near a CBP port of entry) that is not considered part of U.S. commerce.
| Regular Warehouse | Warehouses on U.S. soil storing domestic and/or foreign goodsCustoms duties for foreign must be paid immediatelyGoods considered within U.S. commerce during storageNo supervision by the CBPNo access limitationsNo time limit |
Bonded Warehouse | Warehouses on U.S. soil only storing foreign goodsDelayed payment of customs duties for goods released to the U.S. market (up to 5 years)Goods not considered within U.S. commerce during storageWaived customs duties for re-exported goodsRequires a surety bond (warehouse owner/operator assumes liability)Supervised by the U.S. CBPAccess limited to customs authorities5-year time limit |
| Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) | Designated geographic area in the U.S. that’s not considered part of U.S. commerceNot subject to usual customs regulations during storage in the zoneCan store both domestic and foreign goodsPayment of custom duties delayed, but rates may be set upon arrival in certain situations (i.e., component or finished good rate)Goods considered within international commerceWarehouse standards supervised by the U.S. CBP, but custom duty rules don’t apply while in the zoneNo access limitationsNo time limit |
Each option has advantages, but bonded warehouses often provide the most straightforward solution for importers seeking tariff flexibility without the complexity of FTZ designation.
When importers already move freight through a major port, proximity matters. A bonded warehouse in Savannah allows companies to unload containers, store goods in-bond, and make informed decisions about U.S. entry or re-export—without immediately paying duties.
If you’re currently importing and/or exporting goods through the Port of Savannah, Porter Logistics’ bonded warehouses makes it easier to land containers in Savannah, hold inventory in-bond, and then enter the goods for U.S. consumption or re-export via Savannah or other ports without paying U.S. duties.
Porter Logistics offers comprehensive bonded warehousing and 3PL warehousing in Savannah that provides seamless storage and supply chain logistics for all types of products, including food-grade products, HAZMAT products, pharmaceuticals, and more.
To learn more about duty-deferred storage in Savannah and our full range of Savannah 3PL solutions, contact our team today.
