[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 177 (Thursday, September 11, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 52816-52817]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-21231]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Foreign-Trade Zones Board

[Docket 48-2008]


Foreign-Trade Zone 176--Rockford, IL Application for Subzone 
Cellusuede Products, Inc. (Flock Fiber) Rockford, IL

    An application has been submitted to the Foreign-Trade Zones Board 
(the Board) by the Greater Rockford Airport Authority, grantee of FTZ 
176, requesting special-purpose subzone status for the manufacture of 
flock fiber at the facility of Cellusuede Products, Inc. (Cellusuede), 
located in Rockford, Illinois. 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 September 3, 2008.
    The Cellusuede facility (55 employees, 9 acres, 7-9 million pounds 
of flock per year) is located at the intersection of North Madison 
Street and Prairie Street, in Rockford, Illinois. The facility is used 
to manufacture and warehouse precision cut flocking (duty-

[[Page 52817]]

free). Components and materials sourced from abroad (representing 50-
65% of the value of the finished product) include: Synthetic filament 
tow, artificial filament tow, polyester fibers, polypropylene fibers 
and rayon fibers (HTSUS duty rate ranges from 4.3 to 7.5%).
    FTZ procedures would exempt Cellusuede from customs duty payments 
on the foreign components used in export production. The company 
anticipates that 10-20 percent of the plant's shipments will be 
exported. On its domestic sales, Cellusuede could choose the duty-free 
rate during customs entry procedures that applies to finished flock for 
the foreign inputs noted above. The request indicates that the savings 
from FTZ procedures would help improve the plant's international 
competitiveness.
    In accordance with the Board's regulations, Elizabeth Whiteman 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 
November 10, 2008. Rebuttal comments in response to material submitted 
during the foregoing period may be submitted during the subsequent 15-
day period to November 25, 2008.
    A copy of the application and accompanying exhibits will be 
available for public inspection at each of the following locations:

U.S. Department of Commerce Export Assistance Center, 605 Fulton Ave., 
Suite E103, Rockford, IL 61103.
Office of the Executive Secretary, Foreign-Trade Zones Board, U.S. 
Department of Commerce, Room 2111, 1401 Constitution Ave., NW., 
Washington, DC 20230.


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Elizabeth Whiteman at [email protected] or (202) 482-0473.

    Dated: September 3, 2008.
Andrew McGilvray,
Executive Secretary.
[FR Doc. E8-21231 Filed 9-10-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DS-P