[Federal Register: March 21, 2002 (Volume 67, Number 55)]
[Notices]               
[Page 13125-13126]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr21mr02-35]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Foreign-Trade Zones Board

[Docket 17-2002]

 
Foreign-Trade Zone 126, Reno, Nevada Request for Manufacturing 
Authority (Personal Computers)

    An application has been submitted to the Foreign-Trade Zones Board 
(the Board) by the Economic Development Authority of Western Nevada, 
grantee of FTZ 126, requesting, on behalf of Dell Computer Corporation 
(Dell), authority to manufacture personal computers under zone 
procedures within Site 5 (725 Waltham Way, McCarran, Nevada) of FTZ 126 
(Reno 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 March 14, 2002.

[[Page 13126]]

    Dell intends to share a 330,000 square-foot facility within FTZ 126 
(110 employees projected) for the manufacture of personal computers, 
including servers and workstations. Dell is already authorized to 
manufacture such computers under zone procedures within Foreign-Trade 
Zone 78, Foreign Trade Zone 183, and Subzone 183A. This proposal 
involves an increase in the overall level of production under FTZ 
procedures for Dell.
    The specific finished products for which Dell seeks authority to 
produce under FTZ procedures are various types of computers (desktop 
and notebook computers, workstations, and network servers) and data 
storage products. All of these products fall into HTSUS classifications 
which are duty free. The imported components for which Dell is seeking 
authority for inverted tariff benefits are cables, batteries, and 
carrying cases (leather only). Duty rates on these specific items range 
from 2.6% to 4.5% ad valorem, and components purchased from foreign 
sources currently comprise up to 48 percent of the finished product's 
value.
    This application requests authority to allow Dell to conduct its 
activity under FTZ procedures, which it says would help improve the 
international competitiveness of Dell's Reno facility. According to 
Dell's application, the principal tangible benefit is that, on its 
domestic sales, the company would be able to choose the duty rate that 
applies to finished computers (duty free) for the foreign components 
noted above. The company also anticipates ``procedural benefits'' 
through the use of FTZ procedures.
    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 May 20, 2002. Rebuttal 
comments in response to material submitted during the foregoing period 
may be submitted during the subsequent 15-day period to June 4, 2002.
    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, 1755 East 
Plumb Lane, Suite 152, Reno, NV 89502.

    Dated: March 14, 2002.
Dennis Puccinelli,
Executive Secretary.
[FR Doc. 02-6871 Filed 3-20-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DS-P