[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 249 (Wednesday, December 29, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 77986-77987]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-28436]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Foreign-Trade Zones Board


Review of Oil/Petrochemical Refinery Subzone Activity

    Background. The Foreign-Trade Zones Board (the Board) has 
authorized 81 refinery/petrochemical complexes to conduct crude oil/
petrochemical product refining activity under FTZ procedures. In 2000, 
active refinery/petrochemical subzones requested and were approved an 
indefinite extension of their NPF authority, which initially had been 
granted for a five-year period (Board Order 1116, 65 FR 52696, 8/30/
2000). NPF authority involves full access to FTZ procedures for export 
activity and, with regard to products sold in the U.S., the ability to 
choose the Customs duty rates that apply to certain petrochemical 
products and refinery by-products (duty-free), by admitting incoming 
foreign inputs, such as crude oil, in non-privileged foreign status. 
Such petrochemicals and by-products account for about 20 to 25 percent 
of refinery activity, on average. [NPF authority does not apply to the 
foreign inputs used to produce other refinery products, such as 
gasoline, jet fuel, and heating oil (some 75-80% of output); they would 
continue to be subject to their normal duty rates.] The extension

[[Page 77987]]

case involved a comprehensive assessment of zone use by the refinery 
subzones considering their economic and regulatory circumstances. When 
the Board extended NPF authority for refinery subzones in September 
2000, it noted that the FTZ staff would conduct periodic reviews, as 
part of its zone monitoring program.
    Summary. The industry review will involve an overall industry-wide 
evaluation of the economic effects of the oil refining industry's use 
of FTZ procedures. It will address the role zone procedures play in 
helping the refineries and the industry to improve their international 
competitive situation, and in encouraging investment in the United 
States that might otherwise be done abroad.
    Public comment on the review 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 March 21, 2005.

    Dated: December 21, 2004.
Dennis Puccinelli,
Executive Secretary.
[FR Doc. 04-28436 Filed 12-28-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DS-P