Notification of Proposed Production Activity, Mercedes-Benz U.S. International, Inc., Subzone 98A, (Passenger Motor Vehicles), Vance, Alabama

Topics:  Mercedes-Benz

Andrew McGilvray
Department of Commerce
August 20, 2015

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 161 (Thursday, August 20, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 50598-50599]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-20601]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Foreign-Trade Zones Board

[B-54-2015]


Notification of Proposed Production Activity, Mercedes-Benz U.S. 
International, Inc., Subzone 98A, (Passenger Motor Vehicles), Vance, 
Alabama

    Mercedes-Benz U.S. International, Inc. (MBUSI), operator of Subzone 
98A, submitted a notification of proposed production activity to the 
FTZ Board for its facility in Vance, Alabama. The notification 
conforming to the requirements of the regulations of the FTZ Board (15 
CFR 400.22) was received on July 22, 2015.
    MBUSI already has authority to produce multipurpose/sport utility 
passenger motor vehicles. The current request would add a new finished 
product (passenger vehicle bodies) and foreign-status materials and 
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 and 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 MBUSI from customs 
duty payments on the foreign status materials and components used in 
export production. On its domestic sales, MBUSI would be able to choose

[[Page 50599]]

the duty rate during customs entry procedures that applies to passenger 
motor vehicles and related bodies (duty rate 2.5%) for the foreign 
status materials and components noted below and in the existing scope 
of authority. Customs duties also could possibly be deferred or reduced 
on foreign status production equipment.
    The materials and components sourced from abroad include: First-aid 
kits; adhesives; putties; caulks; lubricating oils; cleaning agents/
polishing compounds; plastic protective sheets; paper shapes with 
adhesive backing; felt shapes; tufted floor coverings; adhesive cotton 
tape; steel tacks; aluminum fasteners (rivets, washers, nuts); wrenches 
(lug, socket); iron/steel rivets; windshield washer assemblies and 
related parts; electromechanical hydraulic units/appliances; power 
supplies; magnets; engine heaters; block heaters; telematics/media/GPS 
assemblies; microphone assemblies; speaker/amplifier assemblies; parts 
of speakers and microphones; radio/television transmission apparatus; 
cameras; radar devices; radio navigation equipment; radio remote 
controls; video monitors; vehicle angle modules; control modules; 
carrier plates; wheel speed sensors; radio interference filters; flat 
panel displays; checking instruments; electrical instruments; and, felt 
strips (HTSUS Subheading 5602.10) (duty rate ranges from free to 12%). 
Inputs included in textile category 223 (classified within HTSUS 
Subheading 5602.10) will be admitted to Subzone 98A under privileged 
foreign status (19 CFR 146.41), thereby precluding inverted tariff 
benefits on such items.
    Public comment is invited from interested parties. Submissions 
shall be addressed to the FTZ Board's Executive Secretary at the 
address below. The closing period for their receipt is September 29, 
2015.
    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 
FTZ Board's Web site, which is accessible via www.trade.gov/ftz.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Pierre Duy at Pierre.Duy@trade.gov or 
(202) 482-1378.

    Dated: August 6, 2015.
Andrew McGilvray,
Executive Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2015-20601 Filed 8-19-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DS-P