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
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Previous: 2026-03509 — Submission for OMB Review; Buy American, Trade Agreements, and Duty-Free Entry
The government is asking to keep collecting info from companies about how they follow Buy American rules, trade agreements, and duty-free entry when selling to the U.S. This affects businesses bidding on federal contracts and helps ensure they meet domestic content and trade law requirements. Comments are open until March 25, 2026, so get ready to share your thoughts!
Next: 2026-03511 — Certain Frozen Warmwater Shrimp From the Socialist Republic of Vietnam: Final Results of and Final Rescission of Review, in Part, of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review; 2023-2024
The U.S. Department of Commerce found that some Vietnamese shrimp sellers sold their frozen shrimp at unfairly low prices from February 2023 to January 2024. They confirmed 24 exporters get special treatment but stopped reviewing one company, Trang Khanh Seafood. These decisions, effective February 23, 2026, could affect import duties and prices for shrimp buyers and sellers.
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