U.S. Customs is opening a 4,000-square-foot refrigerated inspection space at the Port of Savannah starting July 1, 2026. The Georgia Ports Authority says the new on-terminal facility will support expedited handling of perishable cargo, reducing the risk of temperature abuse and delays during the inspection process.
Savannah is one of the fastest-growing ports in the country and handles a meaningful volume of fresh produce imports. Until now, inspections of chilled cargo lacked a dedicated cold environment on-site, creating potential quality risks during the process. The nearly $50 million project also houses facilities for USDA and the Wildlife Service.
This is a practical win for importers routing perishable freight through the Southeast. Watch for whether this spurs additional import volume through Savannah, particularly for tropical fruits and other temperature-sensitive commodities.