[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]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
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