[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 108 (Wednesday, June 4, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 31812-31813]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-12487]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Foreign-Trade Zones Board

[Docket 38-2008]


Foreign-Trade Zone 50 Long Beach, California, Application for 
Subzone, Michelin North America, Inc. (Tire and Tire Accessories 
Distribution), San Bernardino, California

    An application has been submitted to the Foreign-Trade Zones (FTZ) 
Board (the Board) by the Port of Harbor Commissioners of the Port of 
Long Beach, grantee of FTZ 50, requesting special-purpose subzone 
status for the tire and tire accessories warehouse/distribution 
facility of Michelin North America, Inc. (Michelin), in San Bernardino, 
California. The application was submitted pursuant to 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 May 28, 2008.
    The proposed subzone facility (37.6 acres, 1 building, 801,000 sq. 
ft. of enclosed space) is being constructed at 3525 North Mike Daley 
Drive, San Bernardino, California. The facility will be used for 
quality control, labeling, marking, warehousing, and distribution of 
foreign and domestic tires for the U.S. and export markets. None of the 
activities which Michelin is proposing to perform under zone procedures 
would constitute manufacturing or processing under the FTZ Board's 
regulations. The application indicates that FTZ procedures would be 
used to support Michelin's California-based distribution activity in 
competition with facilities abroad.

[[Page 31813]]

    FTZ procedures would exempt Michelin from customs duty payments on 
foreign products that are re-exported (some 5-10% of shipments). On its 
domestic shipments, duty payments would be deferred until the products 
are entered for consumption. The company may also realize certain 
logistical benefits related to the use of direct delivery and weekly 
customs entry procedures. The application indicates that the savings 
from FTZ procedures would help improve the facility's international 
competitiveness.
    In accordance with the Board's regulations, Diane Finver of the FTZ 
staff is 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 the address below. The closing period for their receipt is 
August 4, 2008. Rebuttal comments in response to material submitted 
during the foregoing period may be submitted during the subsequent 15-
day period (to August 18, 2008).
    A copy of the application will be available for public inspection 
at each of the following locations: U.S Department of Commerce Export 
Assistance Center, 11150 West Olympic Boulevard, Suite 975, Los 
Angeles, CA 90064; and, Office of the Executive Secretary, Foreign-
Trade Zones Board, Room 2111, U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401 
Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C. 20230-0002.
    For further information, contact Diane Finver at [email protected] or (202) 482-1367.

    Dated: May 28, 2008.
Pierre V. Duy,
Acting Executive Secretary.
[FR Doc. E8-12487 Filed 6-3-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DS-S