DHL to Open 1M-Square-Foot Healthcare Distribution Hub in Pennsylvania

DHL Supply Chain is expanding its life sciences and healthcare footprint with a 1-million-square-foot distribution center in Annville, Pa., set to open in 2026. The facility will operate as a Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ), enabling tariff mitigation, faster customs processing, and streamlined regulatory coordination with agencies such as the FDA and USDA.

FTZs are secure sites overseen by U.S. Customs and Border Protection that allow imported goods to be stored, processed, or assembled without duties until they enter the domestic market. Duties are assessed only when products leave the zone, often at the finished-goods rate, and are not paid on damaged or destroyed inventory.

The Annville facility will serve as a life sciences center of excellence, offering FDA- and GMP-compliant infrastructure and advanced temperature-controlled environments for biologics and specialty pharmaceuticals. Located in Central Pennsylvania, it provides multimodal connectivity for time-sensitive healthcare distribution while incorporating energy-efficient systems, solar power, and EV charging.

“As pharmaceutical companies navigate tariff changes, rising demand for temperature-controlled infrastructure, and strict regulatory requirements, they need logistics partners with proven expertise,” said Mark Kunar, CEO of DHL Supply Chain North America.

The investment supports DHL’s Strategy 2030, which positions life sciences and healthcare as a key growth pillar and strengthens the company’s end-to-end healthcare logistics capabilities.