Mint Magic: Lab Seeks Duty-Free Oil Blends in Washington Zone
Published Date: 2/23/2026
Notice
Summary
Essex Laboratories in Chehalis, Washington, wants to start making special mint oil blends inside Foreign-Trade Zone 216. This move could save them money on import duties for certain ingredients, with public comments open until April 6, 2026. If approved, it means smoother, cheaper production for these refreshing products!
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Essex Labs Seeks FTZ Production in WA
Essex Laboratories in Chehalis, Washington, has applied to make mint oil blends inside Foreign-Trade Zone (FTZ) 216. The company says producing under FTZ procedures could save money on import duties for certain ingredients used in those products.
Duty Rate Ranges for Products and Inputs
The notice lists proposed finished mint oil products with duty rates ranging from duty-free to 4.2%, and foreign-status input materials with duty rates ranging from duty-free to 5.5%. If these items enter FTZ 216 under the proposed activity, those duty ranges apply to the listed products and components.
Some Inputs Need Privileged FTZ Status
The notice says certain materials are subject to duties under section 1702(a)(1)(B) of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act or section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, depending on country of origin. Those decisions require such merchandise to be admitted to FTZs in privileged foreign status under 19 CFR 146.41.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-17124, Foreign-Trade Zone (FTZ) 129, Notification of Proposed Production Activity; Corvus Energy USA Ltd.; (Energy Storage Systems); Bellingham, Washington
2026-17022, Foreign-Trade Zone 163; Approval of Subzone Status; Pompina Mayaguez LLC; Ponce, Puerto Rico
2026-16752, Foreign-Trade Zone (FTZ) 176, Notification of Proposed Production Activity; Coilcraft, Inc.; (Ferrous Iron Pre-Fabrication Material); Princeton, Illinois
2026-16104, Foreign-Trade Zone (FTZ) 21, Notification of Proposed Production Activity; Translucent Solar, LLC; (Solar Modules); Summerville, South Carolina
Translucent Solar, LLC wants to make solar panels in Summerville, South Carolina, using some imported parts with special duty rules inside Foreign-Trade Zone 21. This move could save money on import taxes and speed up production. Public comments are open until September 16, 2026, so folks can share their thoughts before the plan moves forward.
2026-15937, Foreign-Trade Zone (FTZ) 18, Notification of Proposed Production Activity; Western Digital Technologies, Inc.; (Semiconductor Die); San Jose and Fremont California
2026-15804, Foreign-Trade Zone (FTZ) 12; Authorization of Production Activity; Avant Technology, Inc.; (Solid-State Drives and Memory Modules); Pharr, Texas
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