[Federal Register: August 26, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 165)]
[Notices]               
[Page 52489]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr26au04-21]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Foreign-Trade Zones Board

[Docket 36-2004]

 
Foreign-Trade Zone 243--Victorville, CA; Application for Subzone; 
Black & Decker Corporation (Power Tools, Lawn and Garden Tools, and 
Home Products Distribution); Rialto, CA

    An application has been submitted to the Foreign-Trade Zones Board 
(the Board) by the Southern California Logistics Airport Authority, 
grantee of FTZ 243, requesting special-purpose subzone status for the 
tools and home products warehousing/distribution facility of Black & 
Decker Corporation, in Rialto, California. The facility is located 
adjacent to the Los Angeles/Long Beach U.S. Customs port of entry. The 
application was submitted pursuant to the provisions of the Foreign-
Trade Zones Act, as amended (19 U.S.C. 81a-81u), and the regulations of 
the Board (15 CFR part 400). It was formally filed on August 19, 2004.
    The Black & Decker facility (1 building, 543,000 sq. ft., 28.64 
acres) is located at 1590 N. Tamarind Avenue within the I-210 
Industrial Park in Rialto, California. The facility is currently under 
construction and is expected to be completed in early 2005. The 
facility (115 employees) is used for order fulfillment, repackaging, 
re-labeling, warehousing and distribution of hand-held tools and 
accessories; home products (including vacuums, flashlights and wet 
scrubbers); security hardware; plumbing products (including kitchen and 
bath faucets and accessories); and, fastening and assembly systems 
(including stud welding, specialty screws and related products and 
accessories); activities which Black & Decker is proposing to perform 
under FTZ procedures.
    Zone procedures would exempt Black & Decker from Customs duty 
payments on products that are re-exported. Currently, some 3-5 percent 
of the products are re-exported. On its domestic sales, the company 
would be able to defer duty payments until merchandise is shipped from 
the plant and entered for consumption. Some 80 percent of the products 
are sourced abroad (average weighted duty rate--1.6%). FTZ designation 
would further allow Black & Decker to utilize certain Customs 
procedures resulting in increased efficiencies and cost reductions for 
its logistics and distribution operations. The request indicates that 
the savings from FTZ procedures would help improve the plant's 
international competitiveness.
    In accordance with the Board's regulations, a member of the FTZ 
Staff has been designated examiner to investigate the application and 
report to the Board.
    Public comment is invited from interested parties. Submissions 
(original and 3 copies) shall be addressed to the Board's Executive 
Secretary at one of the following addresses:
    1. Submissions Via Express/Package Delivery Services: Foreign-
Trade-Zones Board, U.S. Department of Commerce, Franklin Court 
Building--Suite 4100W, 1099 14th St., NW., Washington, DC 20005; or
    2. Submissions Via the U.S. Postal Service: Foreign-Trade-Zones 
Board, U.S. Department of Commerce, FCB--Suite 4100W, 1401 Constitution 
Ave. NW., Washington, DC 20230.

The closing period for their receipt is October 25, 2004. Rebuttal 
comments in response to material submitted during the foregoing period 
may be submitted during the subsequent 15-day period (to November 9, 
2004).
    A copy of the application and accompanying exhibits will be 
available for public inspection at the Office of the Foreign-Trade 
Zones Board's Executive Secretary at address Number 1 listed above, and 
at the U.S. Department of Commerce Export Assistance Center, 2940 
Inland Empire Blvd., Suite 121, Ontario, CA 91764.

    Dated: August 19, 2004.
Dennis Puccinelli,
Executive Secretary.
[FR Doc. 04-19531 Filed 8-25-04; 8:45 am]