September 2017 FTZine

Top Story - Harvey Causes Major Disruption of Gulf Traffic

Hurricane Harvey landed a double punch on Gulf Coast ocean freight when it rumbled ashore late last month. First, the brute force of the storm did significant damage to coastal areas, then, the major rainfall which accompanied the storm caused widespread flooding and additional damage, hampering efforts to begin repairs. Customs and Border Protection announced that commercial trade operations at the Ports of 2101 (Port Arthur), 5301 (Houston Seaport), 5309 (Houston Airport), 5310 (Galveston), and 5311 (Freeport, TX) were temporarily suspended, but all Port Houston facilities were scheduled to resume operations on Friday, Sept. 1st. The Port Of Houston said in a statement that there was no evidence of flooding and no visible damage to containers, cranes, or other terminal equipment.

GAO Report Suggests Changes to CBP Oversight of FTZs

Late last month the Government Accountability Office (GAO) released its long-awaited review of the FTZ program.

Economic Growth Revision Points to Strong U.S. Economy

The U.S. economy grew at a faster clip than initially believed during the second quarter.

Second Round of NAFTA Renegotiation Set to Begin

Trade negotiators from Canada, Mexico and the United States are resuming discussions on the future of the North American Free Trade Agreement.

U.S. Foreign-Trade Zones Board Activity

DPT Laboratories, Ltd. received approval for production activity of pharmaceutical products within Subzone 80F in San Antonio, Texas (Learn More)

Pfizer, Inc. received approval for production activity of xerographic pharmaceutical products within Subzone 43E in Kalamazoo, Michigan (Learn More)

Valeo North America, Inc. received approval for production activity of motor vehicle air-conditioner compressors within Site #1 of Foreign-Trade Zone No. 39 in Dallas, Texas (Learn More)

Nisshinbo Automotive Manufacturing, Inc. submitted a notification of proposed production activity for automotive brake linings, pads, and disc pads assembly and production within Site 33 of FTZ 26 in Covington, Georgia (Learn More)

5.11, Inc. received approval to expand their Modesto, Lathrop and Manteca, California facilities in Subzone 231B (Learn More)

MTD Consumer Group, Inc. received approval to operate their Martin, Tennessee facility as Subzone 283A (Learn More)

Coleman Co., Inc. submitted new evidence in support of their application requesting unrestricted production authority for personal flotation devices within Subzone 119I in Sauk Rapids, Minnesota, reopening a public comment period (Learn More)

Polaris Industries, Inc. received authorization of production activity for spark-ignition internal combustion engines within Subzone 167B in Osceola, Wisconsin (Learn More)

CornellCookson, Inc. submitted a notification of proposed production activity for rolling steel doors within Site #11 of Foreign-Trade Zone No. 277 in Goodyear, Arizona (Learn More)

BMW Manufacturing Co., LLC submitted an application to expand Subzone 38A by adding a 10th site with 10.68 acres in Duncan, South Carolina (Learn More)

The Grand Forks Region Economic Development Corporation took over Grantee responsibilities for Foreign-Trade Zone No. 103 in Grand Forks, North Dakota (Learn More)

https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2017/08/21/2017-17530/designation-of-new-grantee-foreign-trade-zone-103-grand-forks-north-dakota (Learn More)

Westlake Chemical Corp. received approval to expand Subzone 87F in Sulphur, Louisiana (Learn More)

Glovis America, Inc. received approval to operate their Shreveport, Louisiana facility as Subzone 145B (Learn More)

SGL Automotive Carbon Fibers, LLC received approval of their revised production notification which requires SGL to make duty payment at the polyacrylonitrile (PAN) fiber duty rate on the full value of PAN fiber introduced into the production process, including scrap, within Site #3 of FTZ 203 in Moses Lake, Washington (Learn More)

Universal Metal Products, Inc. received approval to operate their Pharr, Texas facility as Subzone 12B (Learn More)

The City of Fort Lauderdale applied to expand the Alternative Site Framework service area of Foreign-Trade Zone No. 241 to include additional area in Broward County (Dania’s Cut) and to expand Subzone 241A to include two additional sites totaling 25.84 acres in Dania Beach, Florida(Learn More)

Brose North America Inc. submitted a notification of proposed production activity for automotive seats, drives and door frames within a new subzone of FTZ 98 in Vance, Alabama (Learn More)

General Electric Transportation submitted a notification of proposed production activity to add underground mining vehicles and their components for assembly at its facilities in Fort Worth and Haslet, Texas within Subzone 196B, and in Erie and Grove City, Pennsylvania, within Subzones 247A and 247B (Learn More)

Klaussner Home Furnishings submitted a notification of proposed production activity for additional components of upholstered furniture within Subzone 230D in Asheboro and Candor, North Carolina (Learn More)

The devastation caused by Hurricane Harvey drowned out the normal news din in your Nation’s Capital last month. Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Houston and its environs affected by the storm. The scale of the storm means the road to rebuild will be long. You can help here.

The staff of the Foreign-Trade ‘Zine hopes everyone enjoyed a safe and happy Labor Day weekend. (more)