[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 244 (Wednesday, December 18, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 66651-66652]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-32117]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Foreign-Trade Zones Board
[Docket No. 83-96]


Foreign-Trade Zone 210--St. Clair County, MI; Request for 
Manufacturing Authority, Petri, Inc. (Automotive Steering Wheels/
Related Components)

    An application has been submitted to the Foreign-Trade Zones Board 
(the Board) by the Port Huron-St. Clair County Industrial Development 
Corporation, grantee of FTZ 210, pursuant to Sec. 400.28(a)(2) of the 
Board's regulations (15 CFR Part 400), requesting authority on behalf 
of Petri, Inc. (Petri) (a subsidiary of Petri AG, Germany) to 
manufacture automotive steering wheels and related components under FTZ 
procedures within FTZ 210. It was formally filed on December 10, 1996.
    The Petri facilities (134,000 sq. ft. on 18 acres) are located 
within Site 2 of FTZ 210 at 2223 Dove Street, Port Huron Industrial 
Park, City of Port Huron, Michigan. The Petri facilities (270 
employees) are used to manufacture automotive steering wheels, airbag 
modules and covers, and clocksprings (for airbag deployment). 
Components sourced from abroad (from 13 to 82% of finished product 
material value) include: wheel frames, airbag modules, clocksprings, 
foam inserts, contact rings, wiring harnesses, electrical switches, 
vliesses, and terminal covers (duty rate range: 2.9-7.5%). The 
application indicates that 50 percent of the facilities' shipments are 
exported.
    FTZ procedures would exempt Petri from Customs duty payments on the 
foreign components used in export production. On its domestic sales, 
Petri would be able to choose the duty rates during Customs entry 
procedures that apply to finished steering wheels and airbag components 
(2.9, 4.2%) for the foreign inputs noted above. The motor vehicle duty 
rate (2.5%) could apply to the finished steering wheels and airbag 
components that are shipped to U.S.

[[Page 66652]]

motor vehicle assembly plants with subzone status for manufacture into 
finished motor vehicles under FTZ procedures. The request indicates 
that the savings from FTZ procedures would help improve the facilities' 
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 on the application is invited from interested 
parties. Submissions (original and three copies) shall be addressed to 
the Board's Executive Secretary at the address below. The closing 
period for their receipt is February 18, 1996. Rebuttal comments in 
response to material submitted during the foregoing period may be 
submitted during the subsequent 15-day period (to March 5, 1997.)
    A copy of the application and the accompanying exhibits will be 
available for public inspection at the following location: Office of 
the Executive Secretary, Foreign-Trade Zones Board, U.S. Department of 
Commerce, Room 3716, 14th Street & Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, 
DC 20230-0002.

    Dated: December 10, 1996.
Dennis Puccinelli,
Acting Executive Secretary.
[FR Doc. 96-32117 Filed 12-17-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-05-M