[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 144 (Monday, July 28, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Page 44282]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-19138]



[[Page 44282]]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Foreign-Trade Zones Board

[Docket 36-2003]


Foreign-Trade Zone 234--Gregg County, TX, Application for Subzone 
Status, Eubank Manufacturing Enterprises, Inc. (Air Conditioning and 
Heating Equipment), Longview, TX

    An application has been submitted to the Foreign-Trade Zones Board 
(the Board) by Gregg County, Texas, grantee of FTZ 234, requesting 
special-purpose subzone status for the air conditioning and heating 
equipment manufacturing plant of Eubank Manufacturing Enterprises, Inc. 
(Eubank) (a subsidiary of Fedders Corporation), located in Longview, 
Texas. 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 
July 21, 2003.
    The Eubank plant (9 acres/140,000 sq.ft.) is located adjacent to 
Interstate Highway 20 and FM2011 in Longview (Gregg County), Texas. The 
facility (140 employees) is used to produce air conditioning units 
(window/wall, unitary, condensing) and components (A-coils), air 
handlers, and furnaces for export and the U.S. market. The finished 
products are manufactured from domestic and foreign-origin components. 
Components that are, or may be, purchased from abroad (representing 
approximately 25% of finished product value) include: gases classified 
under HTSUS heading 2903--saturated/unsaturated chlorinated derivatives 
of acyclic hydrocarbons; fluorinated, brominated or iodinated 
derivatives of acyclic hydrocarbons; halogenated derivatives of 
cyclanic, cyclenic or cycloterpenic hydrocarbons; halogenated 
derivatives of aromatic hydrocarbons; polystyrene, styrene 
acrylonitrile, ABS and MBS copolymers, plastic gaskets/washer/seals/o-
rings, v-belts and fasteners, articles of hard rubber, printed labels, 
glass fiber yarn (Category 201; must be admitted under privileged 
foreign status--19 CFR 146.41), glass fiber fabric, steel cloth/
netting/fencing/bands, fasteners, radiators, hot-air distributors, 
copper bars/rods/profiles/tubes/pipes/fittings, aluminum bars/rods/
profiles/plates/ sheets/strips/foil, compressors, pumps, fans, hoods, 
furnace burners, filters, valves (check, safety relief, control, 
regulator), electric motors, transformers, conductors, rectifiers, 
power supplies, capacitors, switches, terminals, connectors, 
switchboards, circuit breakers, contractors, wire, thermostats, 
regulators, and controllers (duty rate range: free--7.4%)
    FTZ procedures would exempt Eubank from Customs duty payments on 
the foreign materials used in export production. On its domestic sales 
and exports to NAFTA markets, the company would be able to choose the 
duty rate that applies to the finished air conditioning and heating 
equipment and components (free, 1.4%) for the foreign-sourced inputs 
noted above. Foreign status merchandise and domestic merchandise 
destined for export would be exempt from certain local inventory taxes. 
Eubank would be able to defer Customs duty payments on foreign-origin 
finished products that would be admitted to the proposed subzone for 
U.S. distribution. Duties would be deferred or reduced on foreign 
production equipment admitted to the proposed subzone until which time 
it becomes operational. The application indicates that subzone status 
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 September 26, 2003. 
Rebuttal comments in response to material submitted during the 
foregoing period may be submitted during the subsequent 15-day period 
(to October 14, 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 U.S. Department of Commerce 
Export Assistance Center, Business Education Building 119H, One 
University Place, Shreveport, LA 71115-2399.

    Dated: July 21, 2003.
Pierre V. Duy,
Acting Executive Secretary.
[FR Doc. 03-19138 Filed 7-25-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DS-P