[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 210 (Wednesday, October 30, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 66109-66110]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-27632]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Foreign-Trade Zones Board

[Docket 49-2002]


Foreign-Trade Zone 38--Spartanburg, SC; Application for Subzone 
Status SAI Automotive USA d/b/a/ Faurecia Interior Systems (Automotive 
Interior Components), Fountain Inn, South Carolina

    An application has been submitted to the Foreign-Trade Zones Board 
(the Board) by the South Carolina State Ports Authority, grantee of FTZ 
38, requesting special-purpose subzone status for the automotive 
interior components manufacturing plant of SAI Automotive USA d/b/a/ 
Faurecia Interior Systems (Faurecia IS) (a subsidiary of Faurecia S.A., 
of France), located in Fountain Inn, South Carolina. 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 October 18, 2002.

[[Page 66110]]

    The Faurecia IS plant (35 acres, 326,000 sq.ft.), is located at 101 
International Boulevard, Fountain Inn (Laurens County), South Carolina, 
about 20 miles southeast of Greenville. The facility (670 employees) is 
used to produce automotive interior components--storage boxes, 
consoles, glove boxes, instrument panels, dash boards, bolsters, and 
door panels--for passenger motor vehicles manufactured in the U.S., as 
well as for export. Production activity involves injection molding, 
blow molding, painting, and assembly using domestic and foreign-origin 
inputs. Components and materials purchased from abroad (representing up 
to 25% of material value) include: polypropylene, PVC foil and sheet, 
rubber straps and mats, carpet sets, floor mats, fasteners, speakers, 
switches, airbag straps/frames/brackets, retainers, inserts and related 
items under HTSUS 8708.99.8080, vents, knobs, air ducts, sun visors, 
consoles, grab handles, plates, fabrics (Category 229) and sun shades 
(duty rates: 2.5-8.5%). FTZ procedures would exempt Faurecia IS from 
Customs duty payments on the foreign items used in production for 
export to non-NAFTA countries. On domestic shipments transferred in-
bond to U.S. automobile assembly plants with subzone status, no duties 
would be paid on foreign-origin materials and components used in auto 
production under FTZ procedures until the finished vehicles are entered 
for domestic consumption, at which time the finished auto duty rate 
(2.5%) would be applied to the foreign-origin component parts and 
materials. For the individual interior components withdrawn from the 
proposed subzone for Customs entry, Faurecia IS would be able to choose 
the finished auto part duty rate (2.5%) for the foreign-origin items 
noted above. The application indicates that the savings from FTZ 
procedures would 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 on the application is invited from interested 
parties. Submissions (original and three copies) shall be addressed to 
the Board's Executive Secretary at 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 Street, NW, Washington, DC 20005; or,
    2. Submissions via the U.S. Postal Service: Foreign-Trade Zones 
Board, U.S. Department of Commerce, FCB-4100W, 1401 Constitution Ave., 
NW, Washington, DC 20230.
    The closing period for their receipt is [December 30, 2002]. 
Rebuttal comments in response to material submitted during the 
foregoing period may be submitted during the subsequent 15-day period 
[to January 13, 2003].
    A copy of the application will be available for public inspection 
at the Office of the Foreign-Trade Zones Board's Executive Secretary at 
address No.1 listed above and at the Office of the Port Director, U.S. 
Customs Service, 150-A West Phillips Road, Greer, SC 29650.

    Dated: October 18, 2002.
Dennis Puccinelli,
Executive Secretary.
[FR Doc. 02-27632 Filed 10-29-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DS-P