[Federal Register: May 6, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 88)]
[Notices]              
[Page 25373]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr06my04-33]                        

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Foreign-Trade Zones Board

[Docket 17-2004]

Foreign-Trade Zone 84--Houston, TX; Application for Subzone,
Michelin North America (Tire and Tire Accessories Distribution),
Houston, TX

    An application has been submitted to the Foreign-Trade Zones Board
(the Board) by the Port of Houston Authority, grantee of FTZ 84,
requesting special-purpose subzone status for the tire and tire
accessory warehousing/distribution facility of Michelin North America
(MNA), in Houston, Texas. The facility is located within the Houston-
Galveston CBP port of entry. The application was submitted pursuant to
the provisions of the Foreign-Trade Zones Act, as amended (19 U.S.C.
81a-81u), and the regulations of the Board (15 CFR part 400). It was
formally filed on April 29, 2004.
    The MNA facility (1 building, 660,000 sq. ft. on 40.6 acres) is
located at 8800 City Park Loop, Houston (Harris County), Texas. The
facility (50 employees) is used for the warehousing and distribution of
tires and tire accessories (including tire flaps, inner tubes and
gaskets), activities which MNA intends to perform under FTZ procedures.
Some 30 percent of the tires are sourced abroad. About 10 percent of
MNA's tire sales are currently exported.

    Zone procedures would exempt MNA from Customs duty payments on
foreign products that are re-exported. On domestic sales, the company
would be able to defer payments until merchandise is shipped from the
plant. FTZ designation would further allow MNA to utilize certain
Customs procedures resulting in increased efficiencies for its
logistics and distribution operations. MNA would be able to avoid duty
on foreign inputs which become scrap/waste, estimated at 1-3 percent of
total inventory. FTZ status may also make a site eligible for benefits
provided under State/local programs. The application indicates that the
savings from zone procedures will help improve the plant's
international competitiveness.
    In accordance with the Board's regulations, a member of the FTZ
Staff has been designated examiner to investigate the application and
report to the Board.
    Public comment is invited from interested parties. Submissions
(original and 3 copies) shall be addressed to the Board's Executive
Secretary at one of the following addresses:

    1. Submissions Via Express/Package Delivery Services: Foreign-
Trade-Zones Board, U.S. Department of Commerce, Franklin Court
Building--Suite 4100W, 1099 14th St., NW., Washington, DC 20005; or
    2. Submissions Via the U.S. Postal Service: Foreign-Trade-Zones
Board, U.S. Department of Commerce, FCB--Suite 4100W, 1401 Constitution
Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20230.
    The closing period for their receipt is July 6, 2004. Rebuttal
comments in response to material submitted during the foregoing period
may be submitted during the subsequent 15-day period (to July 20,
2004).
    A copy of the application and accompanying exhibits will be
available for public inspection at the Office of the Foreign-Trade
Zones Board's Executive Secretary at address Number 1 listed above, and
at the U.S. Department of Commerce Export Assistance Center, 15600 John
F. Kennedy Blvd., Suite 530, Houston, TX 77032.

    Dated: April 29, 2004.
Dennis Puccinelli,
Executive Secretary.
[FR Doc. 04-10332 Filed 5-5-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DS-P