ModusLink Corp. has submitted a notification of proposed production activity to the Foreign-Trade Zone Board for its facility in Riverside, Calif.
ModusLink already has authority for the kitting of cameras and accessories into retail packages on behalf of Go Pro Inc. within Site 11 of FTZ 244. The company seeks to add finished products and foreign status materials and components to the scope of authority.
Production under FTZ procedures could exempt ModusLink from customs duty payments on the foreign-status materials and components used in export production. On its domestic sales, for the foreign-status materials and components in the scope of authority, ModusLink would be able to choose the duty rates during customs entry procedures that apply to Manfrotto/MBooms3K monopods; wireless transmitters; digital video camera bundles; pro seat rail mounts; karma upgrade kits (cameras, mounts, batteries, chargers, grips and stabilizers); point of purchase displays; and lens replacement kits (duty rate ranges from duty-free to 10 percent). ModusLink would be able to avoid duty on foreign-status components that become scrap or waste. Customs duties possibly could be deferred or reduced on foreign-status production equipment.
Materials and components sourced from abroad include dog harness camera mounts; chest mount harnesses (textile); camera mount hardware; USB hubs (vertical 7-ports); remote controls; protective lenses for cameras; protective lens cover films; inner tray plastic packaging; envelopes; knob thumbscrew assemblies; screws, bolts, nuts, rivets, cotter pins and washers (iron/steel); stainless steel nuts; non-threaded screws, nuts, washers and bolts; camera stands or tripods; screwdrivers; product security sensors; electrical switches and connectors; electrical boards; instruction guides; insulated logo bottles; textile bag packs; men’s knitted shirts; men’s T-shirts; women’s T-shirts; men’s sweatshirts; lithium-ion storage batteries; belt buckles; women’s sweatshirts; men’s jackets; hats; and WiFi remote key rings (duty rate ranges from duty-free to 32 percent).
The request indicates that textile bag packs, textile chest mount harnesses, bags, microfibers, dive filters, camera cases, knitted shirts, T-shirts, sweatshirts, lithium-ion storage batteries and jackets will be admitted to the zone in privileged foreign status, thereby precluding inverted tariff benefits on such items.
Comments from interested parties should be addressed to Elizabeth Whiteman, acting executive secretary, Foreign-Trade Zones Board, U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20230-0002. A copy of the notification is available on the board’s website.