[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 213 (Friday, November 2, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 55143-55144]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-24015]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Foreign-Trade Zones Board

[B-68-2018]


Foreign-Trade Zone (FTZ) 23--Buffalo, New York; Notification of 
Proposed Production Activity; Panasonic Eco Solutions Solar New York 
America, Subzone 23E, (Crystalline Silicon Photovoltaic Cells), 
Buffalo, New York

    Panasonic Eco Solutions Solar New York America (PESSNY) submitted a 
notification of proposed production activity to the FTZ Board for its 
facility in Buffalo, New York. The notification conforming to the 
requirements of the regulations of the FTZ Board (15 CFR 400.22) was 
received on October 24, 2018.
    PESSNY already has authority to produce crystalline silicon 
photovoltaic (CSPV) solar panels/modules within Subzone 23E. The 
current request would add a finished product (CSPV cells) to the scope 
of authority. Pursuant to 15 CFR 400.14(b), additional FTZ authority 
would be limited to the specific finished product described in the 
submitted notification and subsequently authorized by the FTZ Board.
    Production under FTZ procedures could exempt PESSNY from customs 
duty payments on the foreign-status materials/components in the 
existing scope of authority used in export production of CSPV cells. On 
its domestic sales, for the foreign-status materials/components 
(primarily silicon wafers and silver paste) in the existing scope of 
authority (duty rates range between duty-free and 5.8%), PESSNY would 
be able to choose the duty rate during customs entry procedures that 
applies to CSPV cells (duty free). PESSNY would be able to avoid duty 
on foreign-status components which become scrap/waste. Customs duties 
also could possibly be deferred or reduced on foreign-status production 
equipment. The request indicates that certain materials/components in 
the existing scope of authority are subject to special duties under 
Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 (Section 301),

[[Page 55144]]

depending on the country of origin. The applicable Section 301 
decision(s) requires subject merchandise to be admitted to FTZs in 
privileged foreign status (19 CFR 146.41).
    Public comment is invited from interested parties. Submissions 
shall be addressed to the Board's Executive Secretary at the address 
below. The closing period for their receipt is December 12, 2018.
    A copy of the notification will be available for public inspection 
at the Office of the Executive Secretary, Foreign-Trade Zones Board, 
Room 21013, U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue NW, 
Washington, DC 20230-0002, and in the ``Reading Room'' section of the 
Board's website, which is accessible via www.trade.gov/ftz.
    For further information, contact Diane Finver at 
[email protected] or (202) 482-1367.

    Dated: October 29, 2018.
Andrew McGilvray,
Executive Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2018-24015 Filed 11-1-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-DS-P