Hoku Scientific Inc.’s polysilicon manufacturing plant being built in Idaho has been granted foreign-trade zone subzone status, exempting it from customs duty payments on foreign materials used in export production.

Honolulu-based Hoku said the ruling will allow it to import foreign raw materials in a duty-free status, provided they are destined for export overseas as components of finished polysilicon.
Under its existing customer supply agreements, more than 80 percent of Hoku's total annual production capacity of polysilicon, and 100 percent of what has been presold to date, is destined for export to China,
Hoku's facility will be the only designated Foreign Trade Subzone in Idaho.