diff --git a/mapflow/config.py b/mapflow/config.py
index e7a0dbb3..e522bac7 100644
--- a/mapflow/config.py
+++ b/mapflow/config.py
@@ -4,6 +4,9 @@
 from PyQt5.QtCore import QCoreApplication
 from qgis.core import QgsSettings
 
+
+SEARCH_CAPTURE_TIMEZONE = 'UTC'
+
 @dataclass
 class ConfigColumns():
     def __init__(self):
@@ -15,7 +18,7 @@ def __init__(self):
             QCoreApplication.translate('Config', 'Band Order'): 'colorBandOrder',
             QCoreApplication.translate('Config', 'Cloud %'): 'cloudCover',
             QCoreApplication.translate('Config', 'Off Nadir') + f' \N{DEGREE SIGN}': 'offNadirAngle',
-            QCoreApplication.translate('Config', 'Date & Time') + ' ({t})'.format(t=time.localtime().tm_zone): 'acquisitionDate',
+            QCoreApplication.translate('Config', 'Date & Time') + ' ({t})'.format(t=SEARCH_CAPTURE_TIMEZONE): 'acquisitionDate',
             QCoreApplication.translate('Config', 'Zoom level'): 'zoom',
             QCoreApplication.translate('Config', 'Spatial Resolution, m'): 'pixelResolution',
             QCoreApplication.translate('Config', 'Image ID'): 'id',
@@ -80,7 +83,9 @@ class Config:
     PPRVIEW_INDEX_COLUMN = tuple(ConfigColumns().METADATA_TABLE_ATTRIBUTES.values()).index('preview')
     NAME_COLUMN_INDEX = tuple(ConfigColumns().METADATA_TABLE_ATTRIBUTES.values()).index('providerName')
     ZOOM_COLUMN_INDEX = tuple(ConfigColumns().METADATA_TABLE_ATTRIBUTES.values()).index('zoom')
-    MAXAR_DATETIME_COLUMN_INDEX = tuple(ConfigColumns().METADATA_TABLE_ATTRIBUTES.keys()).index(QCoreApplication.translate('Config', 'Date & Time') + ' ({t})'.format(t=TIMEZONE))
+    MAXAR_DATETIME_COLUMN_INDEX = tuple(ConfigColumns().METADATA_TABLE_ATTRIBUTES.keys()).index(
+        QCoreApplication.translate('Config', 'Date & Time') + ' ({t})'.format(t=SEARCH_CAPTURE_TIMEZONE)
+    )
     MAXAR_CLOUD_COLUMN_INDEX = tuple(ConfigColumns().METADATA_TABLE_ATTRIBUTES.keys()).index(QCoreApplication.translate('Config', 'Cloud %'))
     MAXAR_MAX_FREE_ZOOM = 12
 
diff --git a/mapflow/entity/processing.py b/mapflow/entity/processing.py
index 16d35b6d..098cefe6 100644
--- a/mapflow/entity/processing.py
+++ b/mapflow/entity/processing.py
@@ -1,10 +1,11 @@
 import sys
-from datetime import datetime, timedelta
+from datetime import datetime, timedelta, timezone
 from typing import List, Dict, Optional, Tuple
 
 from .status import ProcessingStatus, ProcessingReviewStatus
 from ..errors import ErrorMessage
 from ..schema.processing import BlockOption, ProcessingParams
+from ..schema.base import parse_api_datetime_utc
 
 
 class Processing:
@@ -34,7 +35,7 @@ def __init__(self,
         self.workflow_def = workflow_def
         self.aoi_area = aoi_area
         self.cost = int(cost)
-        self.created = created.astimezone()
+        self.created = parse_api_datetime_utc(created)
         self.percent_completed = int(percent_completed)
         self.errors = errors
         self.raster_layer = raster_layer
@@ -61,7 +62,7 @@ def from_response(cls, processing):
             created = processing['created'].replace('Z', '+0000')
         else:
             created = processing['created']
-        created = datetime.strptime(created, '%Y-%m-%dT%H:%M:%S.%f%z').astimezone()
+        created = parse_api_datetime_utc(created)
         percent_completed = processing['percentCompleted']
         messages = processing.get('messages', [])
         errors = [ErrorMessage.from_response(message) for message in messages]
@@ -71,7 +72,7 @@ def from_response(cls, processing):
             review_status = processing.get('reviewStatus', {}).get('reviewStatus')
             in_review_until_str = processing.get('reviewStatus', {}).get('inReviewUntil')
             if in_review_until_str:
-                in_review_until = datetime.strptime(in_review_until_str, '%Y-%m-%dT%H:%M:%S.%f%z').astimezone()
+                in_review_until = parse_api_datetime_utc(in_review_until_str)
             else:
                 in_review_until = None
         else:
@@ -100,7 +101,7 @@ def from_response(cls, processing):
 
     @property
     def is_new(self):
-        now = datetime.now().astimezone()
+        now = datetime.now(timezone.utc)
         one_day = timedelta(1)
         return now - self.created < one_day
 
@@ -109,7 +110,7 @@ def review_expires(self):
         if not isinstance(self.in_review_until, datetime)\
                 or not self.review_status.is_in_review:
             return False
-        now = datetime.now().astimezone()
+        now = datetime.now(timezone.utc)
         one_day = timedelta(1)
         return self.in_review_until - now < one_day
 
@@ -129,9 +130,9 @@ def asdict(self):
             'percentCompleted': self.percent_completed,
             'errors': self.errors,
             # Serialize datetime and drop seconds for brevity
-            'created': self.created.strftime('%Y-%m-%d %H:%M'),
+            'created': self.created.astimezone().strftime('%Y-%m-%d %H:%M'),
             'rasterLayer': self.raster_layer,
-            'reviewUntil':  self.in_review_until.strftime('%Y-%m-%d %H:%M') if self.in_review_until else "",
+            'reviewUntil':  self.in_review_until.astimezone().strftime('%Y-%m-%d %H:%M') if self.in_review_until else "",
             'description': self.description,
             'meta': self.meta
         }
diff --git a/mapflow/entity/status.py b/mapflow/entity/status.py
index a3b9d8f2..95873455 100644
--- a/mapflow/entity/status.py
+++ b/mapflow/entity/status.py
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@
 
 from PyQt5.QtCore import QObject
 
-from ..schema.base import Serializable, SkipDataClass
+from ..schema.base import Serializable, SkipDataClass, parse_api_datetime_utc
 
 
 class ProcessingStatusDict(QObject):
@@ -118,7 +118,7 @@ def from_dict(cls, data: Optional[dict]):
 
     def __post_init__(self):
         if self.inReviewUntil:
-            self.inReviewUntil = datetime.strptime(self.inReviewUntil, '%Y-%m-%dT%H:%M:%S.%f%z').astimezone()
+            self.inReviewUntil = parse_api_datetime_utc(self.inReviewUntil)
         self.reviewStatus = ProcessingReviewStatusEnum(self.reviewStatus)
 
     @property
diff --git a/mapflow/functional/service/processing_service.py b/mapflow/functional/service/processing_service.py
index 59404f2e..0a62f61d 100644
--- a/mapflow/functional/service/processing_service.py
+++ b/mapflow/functional/service/processing_service.py
@@ -730,14 +730,17 @@ def open_template_details(self):
         template = self.selected_template()
         if not template:
             return
+
+        local_created_at = template.createdAt.astimezone()
+        local_active_until = template.activeUntil.astimezone()
         
         # Show template details in a message box for now
         # TODO: Create a proper template details dialog
         details = (
             f"<b>{template.name}</b><br/>"
             f"<b>Status:</b> {template.status}<br/>"
-            f"<b>Created:</b> {template.createdAt.strftime('%Y-%m-%d %H:%M')}<br/>"
-            f"<b>Active Until:</b> {template.activeUntil.strftime('%Y-%m-%d %H:%M')}<br/>"
+            f"<b>Created:</b> {local_created_at.strftime('%Y-%m-%d %H:%M')}<br/>"
+            f"<b>Active Until:</b> {local_active_until.strftime('%Y-%m-%d %H:%M')}<br/>"
             f"<b>Active:</b> {'Yes' if template.isActive else 'No'}<br/>"
             f"<b>Archived:</b> {'Yes' if template.isArchived else 'No'}<br/>"
             f"<b>New Images:</b> {template.newImagesCount or 0}<br/>"
diff --git a/mapflow/functional/view/data_catalog_view.py b/mapflow/functional/view/data_catalog_view.py
index d147f081..3aa000dc 100644
--- a/mapflow/functional/view/data_catalog_view.py
+++ b/mapflow/functional/view/data_catalog_view.py
@@ -194,8 +194,9 @@ def display_mosaic_info(self, mosaic: MosaicReturnSchema, images: list[ImageRetu
                                     pixel_size=pixel_size,
                                     crs=images[0].meta_data.crs,
                                     count=images[0].meta_data.count)
+            local_created_at = mosaic.created_at.astimezone()
         text += self.tr("Created: {date} at {time} \nTags: {tags}"
-                       ).format(date=mosaic.created_at.date(), time=mosaic.created_at.strftime('%H:%M'),
+                       ).format(date=local_created_at.date(), time=local_created_at.strftime('%H:%M'),
                                 tags=tags_str)
         self.dlg.catalogInfo.setText(text)
         self.display_image_number(0, len(images))
@@ -245,6 +246,7 @@ def full_image_info(self, image: ImageReturnSchema):
             # Otherwise - CRS is most likely projected
             else:
                 pixel_size = round(pixel_size, 2) # meters or other units
+            local_uploaded_at = image.uploaded_at.astimezone()
             message = self.tr('<b>Name</b>: {filename}\
                               <br><b>Uploaded</b></br>: {date} at {time}\
                               <br><b>Size</b></br>: {file_size}\
@@ -254,8 +256,8 @@ def full_image_info(self, image: ImageReturnSchema):
                               <br><b>Height</br></b>: {height} pixels\
                               <br><b>Pixel size</br></b>: {pixel_size}'\
                              ).format(filename=image.filename, 
-                                     date=image.uploaded_at.date(),
-                                     time=image.uploaded_at.strftime('%H:%M'),
+                                     date=local_uploaded_at.date(),
+                                     time=local_uploaded_at.strftime('%H:%M'),
                                      file_size=get_readable_size(image.file_size), 
                                      crs=image.meta_data.crs,
                                      bands=image.meta_data.count,
@@ -423,13 +425,14 @@ def show_image_info(self, image: ImageReturnSchema):
         # Otherwise - CRS is most likely projected
         else:
             pixel_size = round(pixel_size, 2) # meters or other units
+        local_uploaded_at = image.uploaded_at.astimezone()
         self.dlg.catalogInfo.setText(self.tr("Uploaded: {date} at {time} \n"
                                              "File size: {size} \n"
                                              "Pixel size: {pixel_size} \n"
                                              "CRS: {crs} \n"
                                              "Bands: {count}"
-                                            ).format(date=image.uploaded_at.date(),
-                                                     time=image.uploaded_at.strftime('%H:%M'),
+                                            ).format(date=local_uploaded_at.date(),
+                                                     time=local_uploaded_at.strftime('%H:%M'),
                                                      size=get_readable_size(image.file_size),
                                                      pixel_size=pixel_size,
                                                      crs=image.meta_data.crs,
diff --git a/mapflow/functional/view/processing_view.py b/mapflow/functional/view/processing_view.py
index 74816a1c..2512c46e 100644
--- a/mapflow/functional/view/processing_view.py
+++ b/mapflow/functional/view/processing_view.py
@@ -205,7 +205,7 @@ def create_table_items(self, processing: Union[ProcessingDTO, ProcessingTemplate
                 table_item.setToolTip(self.tr("Please review or accept this processing until {}."
                                               " Double click to add results"
                                               " to the map").format(
-                    processing.reviewUntil.strftime('%Y-%m-%d %H:%M') if processing.reviewUntil else ""))
+                    processing.reviewUntil.astimezone().strftime('%Y-%m-%d %H:%M') if processing.reviewUntil else ""))
             elif processing.status.is_ok:
                 table_item.setToolTip(self.tr("Double click to add results to the map."
                                               ))
diff --git a/mapflow/mapflow.py b/mapflow/mapflow.py
index 69584172..954fb9bd 100644
--- a/mapflow/mapflow.py
+++ b/mapflow/mapflow.py
@@ -587,12 +587,14 @@ def show_template_details_and_navigation(self, template):
         linked_processings = self._linked_processings_from_template(template)
         linked_count = len(linked_processings)
         new_images = template.newImagesCount or 0
+        local_created_at = template.createdAt.astimezone()
+        local_active_until = template.activeUntil.astimezone()
 
         details = (
             f"<b>{template.name}</b><br/>"
             f"<b>Status:</b> {template.status}<br/>"
-            f"<b>Created:</b> {template.createdAt.strftime('%Y-%m-%d %H:%M')}<br/>"
-            f"<b>Active Until:</b> {template.activeUntil.strftime('%Y-%m-%d %H:%M')}<br/>"
+            f"<b>Created:</b> {local_created_at.strftime('%Y-%m-%d %H:%M')}<br/>"
+            f"<b>Active Until:</b> {local_active_until.strftime('%Y-%m-%d %H:%M')}<br/>"
             f"<b>Linked processings:</b> {linked_count}<br/>"
             f"<b>New images:</b> {new_images}"
         )
diff --git a/mapflow/schema/base.py b/mapflow/schema/base.py
index aaf4893c..723a6e5f 100644
--- a/mapflow/schema/base.py
+++ b/mapflow/schema/base.py
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 import dataclasses
 import json
 from dataclasses import dataclass, fields
-from datetime import datetime
+from datetime import datetime, timezone
 from typing import Optional
 
 
@@ -44,3 +44,19 @@ def as_dict(self, skip_none=True):
 
     def as_json(self, skip_none=True):
         return json.dumps(self.as_dict(skip_none=skip_none))
+
+
+def parse_api_datetime_utc(value: Optional[object]) -> Optional[datetime]:
+    """Parse API datetime preserving UTC semantics for internal state."""
+    if value is None or value == "":
+        return None
+    if isinstance(value, datetime):
+        if value.tzinfo is None:
+            return value.replace(tzinfo=timezone.utc)
+        return value.astimezone(timezone.utc)
+    if isinstance(value, str):
+        parsed = datetime.fromisoformat(value.replace("Z", "+00:00"))
+        if parsed.tzinfo is None:
+            return parsed.replace(tzinfo=timezone.utc)
+        return parsed.astimezone(timezone.utc)
+    raise TypeError(f"Unsupported datetime value type: {type(value)}")
diff --git a/mapflow/schema/catalog.py b/mapflow/schema/catalog.py
index 79e77e69..27b8bb12 100644
--- a/mapflow/schema/catalog.py
+++ b/mapflow/schema/catalog.py
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
 from enum import Enum
 from typing import Optional, Mapping, Any, Union, List
 
-from .base import Serializable, SkipDataClass
+from .base import Serializable, SkipDataClass, parse_api_datetime_utc
 
 from ..config import Config
 
@@ -77,7 +77,7 @@ class ImageSchema(Serializable, SkipDataClass):
 
     def __post_init__(self):
         if isinstance(self.acquisitionDate, str):
-            self.acquisitionDate = datetime.fromisoformat(self.acquisitionDate.replace("Z", "+00:00"))
+            self.acquisitionDate = parse_api_datetime_utc(self.acquisitionDate)
         elif not isinstance(self.acquisitionDate, datetime):
             raise TypeError("Acquisition date must be either datetime or ISO-formatted str")
         self.cloudCover = self.cloudCover
diff --git a/mapflow/schema/data_catalog.py b/mapflow/schema/data_catalog.py
index 56c29444..ecf72e74 100644
--- a/mapflow/schema/data_catalog.py
+++ b/mapflow/schema/data_catalog.py
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
 from typing import Sequence, Union, Optional, List
 from dataclasses import dataclass
 
-from .base import Serializable,  SkipDataClass
+from .base import Serializable, SkipDataClass, parse_api_datetime_utc
 from .layer import RasterLayer
 
 
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@ class MosaicCreateReturnSchema(SkipDataClass):
     tags: Union[Sequence[str], None] = ()
 
     def __post_init__(self):
-        self.created_at = datetime.fromisoformat(self.created_at.replace("Z", "+00:00"))
+        self.created_at = parse_api_datetime_utc(self.created_at)
 
 @dataclass
 class MosaicReturnSchema(SkipDataClass):
@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@ class MosaicReturnSchema(SkipDataClass):
     tags: Union[Sequence[str], None] = ()
 
     def __post_init__(self):
-        self.created_at = datetime.fromisoformat(self.created_at.replace("Z", "+00:00"))
+        self.created_at = parse_api_datetime_utc(self.created_at)
         self.rasterLayer = RasterLayer.from_dict(self.rasterLayer)
 
 
@@ -87,5 +87,5 @@ class ImageReturnSchema(SkipDataClass):
     available_for_download: bool = True
 
     def __post_init__(self):
-        self.uploaded_at = datetime.fromisoformat(self.uploaded_at.replace("Z", "+00:00"))
+        self.uploaded_at = parse_api_datetime_utc(self.uploaded_at)
         self.meta_data = ImageMetadataSchema.from_dict(self.meta_data)
diff --git a/mapflow/schema/processing.py b/mapflow/schema/processing.py
index 461304ce..2c87efde 100644
--- a/mapflow/schema/processing.py
+++ b/mapflow/schema/processing.py
@@ -2,11 +2,11 @@
 
 from qgis.core import QgsVectorLayer
 from dataclasses import dataclass, fields
-from datetime import datetime, timedelta
+from datetime import datetime, timedelta, timezone
 from typing import Optional, Mapping, Any, Union, Iterable, List
 from uuid import UUID
 
-from .base import SkipDataClass, Serializable
+from .base import SkipDataClass, Serializable, parse_api_datetime_utc
 from .status import ProcessingStatus, ProcessingReviewStatus
 from .layer import RasterLayer, VectorLayer
 from .workflow_def import WorkflowDef
@@ -155,16 +155,7 @@ class PostProcessingSchemaV2(Serializable):
 
 def _parse_iso_datetime(dt_str: str) -> datetime:
     """Parse ISO 8601 datetime strings with or without microseconds."""
-    if not dt_str:
-        return None
-    # Handle both formats: with and without microseconds
-    # e.g., "2025-09-26T06:25:55.820336Z" or "2026-03-15T17:00:00Z"
-    try:
-        # Try format with microseconds first
-        return datetime.strptime(dt_str, '%Y-%m-%dT%H:%M:%S.%fZ').replace(tzinfo=None).astimezone()
-    except ValueError:
-        # Fall back to format without microseconds
-        return datetime.strptime(dt_str, '%Y-%m-%dT%H:%M:%SZ').replace(tzinfo=None).astimezone()
+    return parse_api_datetime_utc(dt_str)
 
 
 @dataclass
@@ -281,7 +272,7 @@ def as_processing_table_dict(self):
             "percentCompleted": "N/A",
             "aoiArea": self.aoi_area,
             "cost": None,
-            "created": self.createdAt.strftime('%Y-%m-%d %H:%M'),
+            "created": self.createdAt.astimezone().strftime('%Y-%m-%d %H:%M'),
             "reviewUntil": None,
             "id": self.id,
         }
@@ -374,7 +365,7 @@ def review_expires(self):
         if not isinstance(self.reviewStatus.inReviewUntil, datetime)\
                 or not self.reviewStatus.is_in_review:
             return False
-        now = datetime.now().astimezone()
+        now = datetime.now(timezone.utc)
         one_day = timedelta(1)
         return self.reviewStatus.inReviewUntil - now < one_day
 
@@ -407,7 +398,7 @@ def as_processing_table_dict(self):
             "percentCompleted": self.percentCompleted,
             "aoiArea": self.aoiArea/1000000,
             "cost": self.cost,
-            "created": self.created.strftime('%Y-%m-%d %H:%M'),
+            "created": self.created.astimezone().strftime('%Y-%m-%d %H:%M'),
             "reviewUntil": self.reviewUntil,
             "id": self.id
         }
diff --git a/mapflow/schema/project.py b/mapflow/schema/project.py
index 989b9c6f..1b3401f6 100644
--- a/mapflow/schema/project.py
+++ b/mapflow/schema/project.py
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
 from enum import Enum
 from typing import Optional, List, Dict
 
-from .base import Serializable, SkipDataClass
+from .base import Serializable, SkipDataClass, parse_api_datetime_utc
 from .workflow_def import WorkflowDef
 from ..config import Config
 
@@ -78,8 +78,8 @@ def __post_init__(self):
         else:
             self.shareProject = None
         if self.created and self.updated:
-            self.created = datetime.fromisoformat(self.created.replace("Z", "+00:00"))
-            self.updated = datetime.fromisoformat(self.updated.replace("Z", "+00:00"))
+            self.created = parse_api_datetime_utc(self.created)
+            self.updated = parse_api_datetime_utc(self.updated)
     
 class UserRole(str, Enum):
     readonly = "readonly"
diff --git a/mapflow/schema/status.py b/mapflow/schema/status.py
index 86e41bd4..08bea75e 100644
--- a/mapflow/schema/status.py
+++ b/mapflow/schema/status.py
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@
 
 from PyQt5.QtCore import QObject
 
-from .base import Serializable, SkipDataClass
+from .base import Serializable, SkipDataClass, parse_api_datetime_utc
 
 
 class ProcessingStatusDict(QObject):
@@ -114,7 +114,7 @@ def from_dict(cls, data: Optional[dict]):
 
     def __post_init__(self):
         if self.inReviewUntil:
-            self.inReviewUntil = datetime.strptime(self.inReviewUntil, '%Y-%m-%dT%H:%M:%S.%f%z').astimezone()
+            self.inReviewUntil = parse_api_datetime_utc(self.inReviewUntil)
         self.reviewStatus = ProcessingReviewStatusEnum(self.reviewStatus)
 
     @property
diff --git a/tests/test_data_catalog.py b/tests/test_data_catalog.py
index fdf497e7..b8b91d0c 100644
--- a/tests/test_data_catalog.py
+++ b/tests/test_data_catalog.py
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
 """
 import json
 from unittest.mock import MagicMock, patch
-from datetime import datetime
+from datetime import datetime, timedelta
 
 import pytest
 
@@ -68,6 +68,7 @@ def test_uploaded_at_parsed(self):
         data = _image_data()
         image = ImageReturnSchema.from_dict(data)
         assert isinstance(image.uploaded_at, datetime)
+        assert image.uploaded_at.utcoffset() == timedelta(0)
 
     def test_meta_data_parsed(self):
         """meta_data dict is parsed into ImageMetadataSchema."""
diff --git a/tests/test_processing_templates.py b/tests/test_processing_templates.py
index 60713e55..e61fdb21 100644
--- a/tests/test_processing_templates.py
+++ b/tests/test_processing_templates.py
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 import json
 from unittest.mock import MagicMock
+from datetime import timedelta
 
 import pytest
 
@@ -50,6 +51,11 @@ def test_template_dto_from_dict(self):
         assert dto.isArchived is False
         assert dto.maxAoiIntersectionPercent == 85.5
 
+    def test_template_datetimes_kept_in_utc(self):
+        dto = ProcessingTemplateDTO.from_dict(_template_payload())
+        assert dto.createdAt.utcoffset() == timedelta(0)
+        assert dto.activeUntil.utcoffset() == timedelta(0)
+
     def test_template_details_from_dict(self):
         details = ProcessingTemplateDetails.from_dict({
             "template": _template_payload(),
@@ -159,6 +165,11 @@ def test_template_table_mapping(self, payload_updates, expected_status):
         assert table_row["status"] == expected_status
         assert table_row["aoiArea"] is None
 
+    def test_template_table_created_is_localized_for_display(self):
+        dto = ProcessingTemplateDTO.from_dict(_template_payload())
+        table_row = dto.as_processing_table_dict()
+        assert table_row["created"] == dto.createdAt.astimezone().strftime("%Y-%m-%d %H:%M")
+
 
 class TestTemplateApi:
     def setup_method(self):