[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 88 (Thursday, May 6, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Page 25373]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-10332]


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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