[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 40 (Tuesday, March 1, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Page 11196]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-4510]



[[Page 11196]]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Foreign-Trade Zones Board

[Docket 14-2011]


Foreign-Trade Zone 158--Vicksburg/Jackson, MS, Application for 
Expansion of Manufacturing Authority, Subzone 158D, Nissan North 
America, Inc. (Motor Vehicles)

    An application has been submitted to the Foreign-Trade Zones Board 
(the Board) by Nissan North America, Inc. (NNA), operator of FTZ 158D, 
NNA plant, Canton, Mississippi, requesting authority to expand the 
scope of FTZ manufacturing authority. The application was submitted 
pursuant to the provisions of the Foreign-Trade Zones Act, as amended 
(19 U.S.C. 81a-81u), and section 400.28(a)(2) of the Board's 
regulations (15 CFR part 400). It was formally filed on February 22, 
2011.
    Subzone 158D was approved by the Board in 2002 with authority 
granted for the manufacture of up to 250,000 light-duty passenger 
vehicles at the NNA plant (4,417 employees/1,350 acres) located at 300 
Nissan Drive in Canton, Mississippi (Board Order 1212, 67 FR 11091, 3-
12-2002). In 2005 the Board approved an expansion of NNA's scope of 
authority to include additional production capacity (authorized level 
of production increased to 400,000 vehicles annually) (Board Order 
1367, 70 FR 6616, 2-8-2005). Components and materials sourced from 
abroad (representing 20 percent of the finished vehicles' value) that 
are currently within NNA's existing scope of authority include: 
gasoline and diesel engines and parts of such engines, labels, body 
parts and trim, fasteners, catalytic converters, parts of steering 
systems, brake fittings, half shafts, transmissions and parts thereof, 
differentials, bearings and bearing housings, flywheels/pulleys, wiring 
harnesses, handles/knobs, gaskets, fasteners, windshields and windows, 
springs, relays, and switches (duty rate range: free--8.6%).
    The applicant now seeks to expand the scope of authority to include 
light commercial passenger vans as an additional finished product to be 
manufactured under FTZ procedures. The applicant also requests that the 
scope of authority be expanded to include the following additional 
foreign-origin components: hoses, fan belts, caps/lids, floor mats, 
mirrors, locks, tool sets, reservoir tanks, fans, air-conditioner 
components, filters, valves, thermostats, door roller assemblies, 
windshield wiper assemblies, batteries, electrical components, 
lighting/signaling equipment, horns, sensors, telephonic equipment, 
audio speakers, audio systems, video cameras, navigation systems, 
antennas, cables, connectors, brake parts, shock absorbers, radiators, 
exhaust components, speedometers, tachometers, electronic controllers, 
seats, and cigarette lighter cases (duty rate range: free--12.0%). The 
application also requests approval from the FTZ Board for flexibility 
to shift production between Subzone 158D and Subzone 78A (NNA's 
facilities in Smyrna and Decherd, Tennessee) as needed, provided that 
NNA's activity globally at the two subzones remains consistent with the 
products, components and production capacity authorized for Subzone 
158D and Subzone 78A.
    Expanded FTZ procedures could continue to exempt NNA from customs 
duty payments on the foreign-origin components used in light commercial 
passenger vans manufactured for export (20% of shipments). On its 
domestic shipments, NNA would be able to choose the duty rate during 
customs entry procedures that applies to light commercial passenger 
vans (duty rate--2.0%) for the foreign inputs noted above. Subzone 
status would further allow NNA to realize logistical benefits through 
the use of weekly customs entry procedures. Customs duties also could 
possibly be deferred or reduced on foreign status production equipment. 
NNA would also be exempt from duty payments on foreign inputs that 
become scrap during the production process.
    In accordance with the Board's regulations, Pierre Duy of the FTZ 
Staff is designated examiner to evaluate and analyze the facts and 
information presented in the application and case record and to report 
findings and recommendations 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 following address: Office of the Executive Secretary, 
Room 2111, U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue, NW., 
Washington, DC 20230-0002. The closing period for receipt of comments 
is May 2, 2011. Rebuttal comments in response to material submitted 
during the foregoing period may be submitted during the subsequent 15-
day period to May 16, 2011.
    A copy of the application will be available for public inspection 
at the Office of the Foreign-Trade Zones Board's Executive Secretary at 
the address listed above and in the ``Reading Room'' section of the 
Board's Web site, which is accessible via http://www.trade.gov/ftz.
    For further information, contact Pierre Duy at [email protected] 
or (202) 482-1378.

    Dated: February 22, 2011.
Andrew McGilvray,
Executive Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2011-4510 Filed 2-28-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE P