[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 12 (Thursday, January 19, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 2699-2700]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-980]


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 DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Foreign-Trade Zones Board

[Docket T-1-2012]


Foreign-Trade Zone 267--Fargo, ND; Application for Temporary/
Interim Manufacturing Authority, CNH America, LLC (Agricultural and 
Construction Equipment Manufacturing); Fargo, ND

    An application has been submitted to the Executive Secretary of the 
Foreign-Trade Zones Board (the Board) by the Fargo Municipal Airport 
Authority, grantee of FTZ 267, requesting temporary/interim 
manufacturing (T/IM) authority within Site 2 of FTZ 267 at two CNH 
America, LLC (CNH) facilities, located in Fargo, North Dakota. The 
application was filed on January 12, 2012.
    The CNH facilities (761 employees, capacity--up to 7,200 
agricultural tractors and 4,000 construction wheel loaders/year) were 
approved by the Board in 2009 for the manufacture of agricultural 
tractors (HTSUS 8701.90) and construction wheel loaders (HTSUS 8429.51) 
(Board Order 1639, 74 FR 41373, 8/17/2009). Under T/IM procedures, CNH 
has requested additional authority to produce certain related 
subassemblies and parts of tractors, combines, and wheel loaders. The 
additional activity would involve the manufacture of the following 
equipment (approx. 1,000 units of each/year): Cabs for agricultural 
tractors and other special-purpose vehicles (HTSUS 8707.90, duty rate 
range--free to 4%); track-laying tractors for agriculture and 
construction (HTSUS 8701.30, duty-free); cabs and steps for 
construction equipment (HTSUS 8431.49, duty-free); combine parts and 
subassemblies, including undercarriages and track kits

[[Page 2700]]

(HTSUS 8433.90, duty free); tractor parts and subassemblies, including 
front fenders (HTSUS 8708.29, duty rate range--free to 2.5%); radiators 
and radiator parts (HTSUS 8708.91, duty free); and, undercarriages, 
front and rear frames, battery doors, hydraulic tanks, draw bars and 
connecting links (HTSUS 8708.99, duty free). Foreign components that 
would be used in production (representing some 30% to 40% of the value 
of the finished products) include: Rubber hoses (HTSUS 4009.21, 
4009.22, 4009.31); rubber transmission belts (HTSUS 4010.33); rubber 
floor mats (HTSUS 4016.91); cork friction rings (HTSUS 4504.90); 
cardboard boxes and sheets (HTSUS 4819.10); manuals (HTSUS 4901.99); 
instruction sheets (HTSUS 4911.10); iron and steel hardware, including 
pin stops (HTSUS 7301.61), fittings (HTSUS 7307.92, 7307.99), and 
washers/locks/clips (HTSUS 7318.21, HTSUS 7318.24); copper wire and 
cable (HTSUS 7413.00); metal latches and locks (HTSUS 8301.20); metal 
sign plates (HTSUS 8310.00); fans (HTSUS 8414.59); valves (HTSUS 
8413.81, 8481.30); electric heating apparatus (HTSUS 8516.29); audio 
speakers and parts (HTSUS 8518.90); speed sensors (HTSUS 8526.10), 
switches (HTSUS 8536.50); terminals and couplings (HTSUS 8536.90); 
insulated wire/harness assemblies (HTSUS 8544.30); bumpers (HTSUS 
8708.10); cab suspension system components (HTSUS 8708.80); and, heater 
controls (HTSUS 9032.89). Duty rates range from duty free to 8.5 
percent. T/IM authority could be granted for a period of up to two 
years.
    FTZ procedures could exempt CNH from customs duty payments on the 
foreign components used in export production. The company anticipates 
that 30 to 45 percent of the facilities' shipments will be exported. On 
its domestic sales, CNH would be able to choose the duty rates during 
customs entry procedures that apply to the finished subassemblies and 
parts (duty rate range, duty-free to 4%) for the foreign inputs noted 
above.
    In accordance with the Board's regulations, Diane Finver 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 pursuant to Board Orders 1347 and 1480.
    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, 
Foreign-Trade Zones Board, U.S. Department of Commerce, Room 2111, 1401 
Constitution Ave. NW., Washington, DC 20230. The closing period for 
their receipt is February 21, 2012.
    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 www.trade.gov/ftz. For 
further information, contact Diane Finver at [email protected] or 
(202) 482-1367.

    Dated: January 12, 2012.
Andrew McGilvray,
Executive Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2012-980 Filed 1-18-12; 8:45 am]
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