[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 241 (Monday, December 18, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Page 87403]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-27700]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Foreign-Trade Zones Board

[B-63-2023]


Foreign-Trade Zone (FTZ) 17, Notification of Proposed Production 
Activity; Panasonic Energy Corporation of North America; (Lithium-Ion 
Battery Cells); De Soto, Kansas

    Panasonic Energy Corporation of North America submitted a 
notification of proposed production activity to the FTZ Board (the 
Board) for its facilities in De Soto, Kansas within FTZ 17. The 
notification conforming to the requirements of the Board's regulations 
(15 CFR 400.22) was received on December 11, 2023.
    Pursuant to 15 CFR 400.14(b), FTZ production activity would be 
limited to the specific foreign-status material(s)/components and 
specific finished product described in the submitted notification 
(summarized below) and subsequently authorized by the Board. The 
benefits that may stem from conducting production activity under FTZ 
procedures are explained in the background section of the Board's 
website--accessible via www.trade.gov/ftz.
    The proposed finished product is finished lithium-ion battery cells 
(duty rate is 3.4%).
    The proposed foreign-status materials and components include: 
graphite components (natural; synthetic; natural and synthetic blend); 
sealants; N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP); N-methylpyrrolidone with carbon 
black conductive agent; lithiated nickel oxide; silicon monoxide; 
lithiated silicate; silicon composite material; poly(vinylidene 
fluoride) binder (PVDF); polyacrylamide; sodium carboxymethyl cellulose 
thickener; polypropylene components (film with acrylic adhesive tape; 
gaskets; insulator); polyimide adhesive tape; polyethylene separators; 
styrene butadiene rubber latex; copper foil; nickel clad copper 
negative tabs; and, aluminum components (rolls; foil; rupture discs; 
cathode tabs) (duty rate ranges from duty-free to 6.5%).The request 
indicates that some components are subject to an antidumping/
countervailing duty (AD/CVD) order/investigation if imported from 
certain countries. The Board's regulations (15 CFR 400.14(e)) require 
that merchandise subject to AD/CVD orders, or items which would be 
otherwise subject to suspension of liquidation under AD/CVD procedures 
if they entered U.S. customs territory, be admitted to the zone in 
privileged foreign (PF) status (19 CFR 146.41). The request also 
indicates that certain materials/components are subject to duties under 
section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 (section 232) or section 
301 of the Trade Act of 1974 (section 301), depending on the country of 
origin. The applicable section 232 and section 301 decisions require 
subject merchandise to be admitted to FTZs in PF status.
    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 January 29, 
2024.
    A copy of the notification will be available for public inspection 
in the ``Online FTZ Information System'' section of the Board's 
website.
    For further information, contact Juanita Chen at 
[email protected].

    Dated: December 12, 2023.
Juanita Chen,
Acting Executive Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2023-27700 Filed 12-15-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DS-P