Minty Fresh, With Federal Caps on Foreign Oil
Published Date: 11/10/2026
Notice
Summary
Essex Laboratories in Chehalis, Washington, got the green light to make mint oil blends using some imported mint oils, but with limits on how much foreign oil they can use each year. They must report their use of foreign and U.S. oils within a year, or risk losing this approval. This move helps Essex keep production local while carefully managing imports, starting now with clear rules and checks.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
Authorized production of mint oil blends
Essex Laboratories in Chehalis, Washington was authorized on a limited basis to produce mint oil blends within Foreign-Trade Zone (FTZ) 216 as of the FTZ Board notification on November 5, 2026. The authorization covers production using Mentha Piperita Oil, Mentha Spearmint Oil, and Mentha Arvensis Oil subject to further limits.
Annual limits on imported mint oils
Essex may use foreign-source Mentha Piperita Oil up to an annual amount equal to one-fifth the quantity of U.S.-origin Mentha Piperita Oil it sources. Annual limits for foreign-source Mentha Spearmint Oil and Mentha Arvensis are set at 45,000 kgs and 4,000 kgs respectively.
One-year sourcing report required
Essex must submit a single report within one year of the approval documenting its foreign and U.S. sourcing of the specified mint oil components. If Essex fails to provide this report, the FTZ Board may review the authorization for importing those components.
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this federal register document means for your household, plus every other regulation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-22765, Foreign-Trade Zone 27; Approval of Subzone Status; Persimmon Technologies Corporation; Bedford, Massachusetts
Persimmon Technologies in Bedford, Massachusetts, just got the green light to join Foreign-Trade Zone 27 as a special subzone. This means they can enjoy cool trade benefits under FTZ 27’s rules without exceeding the zone’s size limits. The approval happened on November 2, 2026, opening doors for smoother imports and exports with no extra costs announced yet.
2026-22620, Foreign-Trade Zone (FTZ) 70, Notification of Proposed Production Activity; Heidtman Tubular Products, LLC; (Galvanized Tubing); Erie, Michigan
Heidtman Tubular Products in Erie, Michigan wants to make galvanized steel tubing using special steel coils without paying extra import taxes. This change could save the company money and speed up production. People have until December 15, 2026, to share their thoughts on this plan.
2026-22622, Foreign-Trade Zone (FTZ) 81; Authorization of Production Activity; Hypertherm Inc.; (Plasma Cutting Equipment and Components); Hanover and Lebanon, New Hampshire
Hypertherm Inc. got the green light to make plasma cutting equipment and parts at their New Hampshire sites under Foreign-Trade Zone 81, but only for one year and with some limits. They can use most foreign materials freely, except for a special precision cut hafnium wire, which needs extra approval. This means faster, smoother production for Hypertherm, but they’ll need to apply again if they want to use that tricky wire.
2026-22634, Production Activity Not Authorized; Foreign-Trade Zone (FTZ) 21; Turbocam Inc.; (Turbine System Components); Ladson, South Carolina
Turbocam Inc. in Ladson, South Carolina, asked to start making turbine parts in Foreign-Trade Zone 21, but the government said not yet. They need to apply again for permission before they can begin production. This means no changes or money moves happen right now, and the company must follow new steps to get approval.
2026-22619, Foreign-Trade Zone (FTZ) 252, Notification of Proposed Production Activity; Fermi Inc.; (Modular Nuclear Power Plant and Natural Gas Power Plant); Panhandle, Texas; Correction
Fermi Inc. is updating its plans for building modular nuclear and natural gas power plants in Panhandle, Texas, clarifying that the natural gas plant has a 2.5% duty rate. This correction fixes a previous notice from June 2026 and affects how tariffs apply to their finished products. No new deadlines or costs were introduced, just a clearer picture for everyone involved.
2026-22635, Foreign-Trade Zone (FTZ) 155, Notification of Proposed Production Activity; Kerrville Public Utility Board Public Facility Corporation; (Natural Gas Reciprocating Internal Combustion Engine Generation Power Plant); Garwood, Texas; Correction
The Kerrville Public Utility Board’s plan to build a natural gas power plant in Garwood, Texas, got a small but important update: the finished product now officially has a 2% duty rate. This correction clears up confusion from the earlier notice and affects how tariffs apply, helping everyone involved understand the costs better. No big changes in timing or money, just a clearer picture!
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-22934, Amtrak's Request To Amend Its Positive Train Control Safety Plan and Positive Train Control System
Amtrak wants to update its Positive Train Control (PTC) safety plan and system to keep trains running safely and smoothly. This change affects Amtrak’s train operations and needs approval from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). The public can share their thoughts by November 30, 2026, before the updates roll out—no extra costs or delays expected!
Next: 2026-22937, Tin Mill Products From the Republic of Türkiye: Preliminary Affirmative Determination of Sales at Less Than Fair Value, and Preliminary Affirmative Determination of Critical Circumstances, in Part
The U.S. Department of Commerce says tin mill products from Türkiye are likely being sold in the U.S. for less than fair prices. This means some companies from Türkiye might face extra duties soon. The investigation covers sales from April 2025 to March 2026, and folks involved can share their thoughts before the final decision.