[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 195 (Tuesday, October 8, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Page 53673]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-21934]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Foreign-Trade Zones Board

[B-61-2019]


Foreign-Trade Zone (FTZ) 155--Calhoun/Victoria Counties, Texas; 
Notification of Proposed Production Activity; Caterpillar, Inc. 
(Tractors and Forestry Machines); Victoria, Texas

    The Calhoun/Victoria Foreign Trade Zone, Inc., grantee of FTZ 155, 
submitted a notification of proposed production activity to the FTZ 
Board on behalf of Caterpillar, Inc. (Caterpillar) located in Victoria, 
Texas. The notification conforming to the requirements of the 
regulations of the FTZ Board (15 CFR 400.22) was received on September 
27, 2019.
    Caterpillar already has authority to produce hydraulic track-type 
excavators and related fabricated frame assemblies within FTZ 155. The 
current request would add finished products and foreign-status 
materials/components to the scope of authority. Pursuant to 15 CFR 
400.14(b), additional FTZ authority would be limited to the specific 
foreign-status materials/components and specific finished products 
described in the submitted notification (as described below) and 
subsequently authorized by the FTZ Board.
    Production under FTZ procedures could exempt Caterpillar from 
customs duty payments on the foreign-status materials/components used 
in export production. On its domestic sales, for the foreign-status 
materials/components noted below and in the existing scope of 
authority, Caterpillar would be able to choose the duty rates during 
customs entry procedures that apply to track-type tractors and forestry 
machines (duty free). Caterpillar 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 materials/components sourced from abroad include: Oil 
lubricant; plastic hose assemblies; cork sheets; cork gaskets for fuel 
tanks; cork plugs; paper certificates; paper envelopes; steel clamps 
for external mirrors; steel tooling and dies; steel installation 
crimping tools; steel brackets; flexible exhaust tubes for cooling; 
steel brackets for wire harnesses; steel plates for wire harnesses; 
steel plates for whole frame assemblies; heel assemblies; steel frame 
assembly blocks; steel covers for frame assemblies; undercarriage 
tracks; walkway assemblies for frame of excavators; steel sheets for 
frame assemblies; tube assemblies for grease lines; steel doors; 
radiator shrouds; boom assemblies (whole boom); guard assemblies for 
frame of excavators; steel pins; ignition systems; horns for excavator 
cabs; wiper blades for excavator cabs; lighting for excavator cabs; 
horn assemblies; wiper blade assemblies; mounted cameras; electronic 
navigational displays; alarm assemblies for rollover/backup protection; 
guard plates; steel connectors; inertial measurement unit navigational 
sensors; breakout electrical testing sensors; electrical sensors; and, 
boot scrapers (steel with plastic bristles) (duty rate ranges from 
duty-free to 5.3%).
    The request indicates that certain materials/components are subject 
to special duties Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 (Section 301), 
depending on the country of origin. The applicable Section 301 
decisions require 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 and sent to: 
[email protected]. The closing period for their receipt is November 18, 
2019.
    A copy of the notification will be available for public inspection 
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 3, 2019.
Camille R. Evans,
Acting Executive Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2019-21934 Filed 10-7-19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DS-P