[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 197 (Thursday, October 9, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 59597-59598]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-24024]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Foreign-Trade Zones Board

[Docket 53-2008]


Foreign-Trade Zone 242 Boundary County, Idaho, Application for 
Subzone, Hoku Materials, Inc. (Polysilicon Manufacturing), Pocatello, 
Idaho

    An application has been submitted to the Foreign-Trade Zones (FTZ) 
Board (the Board) by Boundary County, Idaho, grantee of FTZ 242, 
requesting special-purpose subzone status with manufacturing authority 
at the polysilicon manufacturing facility of Hoku Materials, Inc., 
located in Pocatello, Idaho. 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 
October 3, 2008.
    The Hoku facility (approximately 200 employees, 67 acres, 200,000 
sq. ft.), currently under construction, is located at One Hoku Way, 
Pocatello, Idaho. Hoku is proposing to manufacture under zone 
procedures polysilicon (3,500 metric tons with possible expansion up to 
8,000 metric tons) for the solar module market. The applicant is 
requesting to use two foreign-origin inputs (some 11% of finished 
product value): silicon (HTSUS 2804.69 duty rate 5.5%) and 
trichlorosilane (HTSUS 2853.00 duty rate 2.8%) in the manufacturing 
process.
    FTZ procedures would exempt Hoku from customs duty payments on 
foreign materials used in export production (some 95% of plant 
shipments). On its domestic shipments, Hoku could defer duty until the 
product is entered for

[[Page 59598]]

consumption, and choose the duty-free rate that applies to the finished 
polysilicon for the foreign inputs used in production. The company may 
also realize certain logistical/procedural savings related to weekly 
entry and direct delivery procedures, as well as savings on materials 
that become scrap/waste during manufacturing. The application indicates 
that FTZ procedures would help improve the plant'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 
December 8, 2008. Rebuttal comments in response to material submitted 
during the foregoing period may be submitted during the subsequent 15-
day period (to December 23, 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, 700 W. State Street, 2nd floor, Boise, Idaho 83720; 
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: October 3, 2008.
Andrew McGilvray,
Executive Secretary.
[FR Doc. E8-24024 Filed 10-8-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DS-S