2022-21280. Foreign-Trade Zone (FTZ) 134-Chattanooga, Tennessee; Notification of Proposed Production Activity; Volkswagen Group of America-Chattanooga Operations, LLC (Passenger Motor Vehicles); Chattanooga, Tennessee

Volkswagen Group of America—Chattanooga Operations, LLC submitted a notification of proposed production activity to the FTZ Board (the Board) for its facility in Chattanooga, Tennessee under FTZ 134. The notification conforming to the requirements of the Board's regulations (15 CFR 400.22) was received on September 26, 2022.

Pursuant to 15 CFR 400.14(b), FTZ production activity would be limited to the specific foreign-status material(s)/component(s) 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 material(s)/component(s) would be added to the production authority that the Board previously approved for the operation, as reflected on the Board's website.

The proposed foreign-status materials and components include: USB port for infotainment system; driver assistance (device that reads the sensors on the vehicle and relays information through the radio); camera systems; and, windshields (duty rate ranges from duty-free to 2.5%). The request indicates that certain materials/components are subject to duties under section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 (section 232) and 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 privileged foreign status (19 CFR 146.41).

Public comment is invited from interested parties. Submissions shall be addressed to the Board's Executive Secretary and sent to: [e-mail]. The closing period for their receipt is November 9, 2022.

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 Christopher Wedderburn at [e-mail].

Dated: September 27, 2022.

Elizabeth Whiteman,

Acting Executive Secretary.