Harmonized Code Tariff Schedule of the U.S.
The Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTS) was enacted by Congress and made effective on Jan. 1, 1989, replacing the former Tariff Schedules of the United States. The HTS comprises a hierarchical structure for describing all goods in trade for duty, quota, and statistical purposes. This structure is based upon the international Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System administered by the World Customs Organization in Brussels. It is administered in the United States by the U.S. International Trade Commission. More information, including an annotated listing, can be found online at www.usitc.gov/tata/hts

Council of the Americas
The Council of the Americas helps member companies achieve their business goals and successfully navigate the challenges generated by a diverse region from Canada to Argentina. The council regularly hosts presidents, cabinet ministers, central bankers, government officials, and leading experts in economics, politics, business, and finance. The council provides information and insights into the region and helps government leaders understand the needs and perspectives of U.S. and international businesses. More information is available online at www.counciloftheamericas.org

Pacific Basin Economic Council
The Pacific Basin Economic Council's mission is to achieve a business environment that ensures open trade and investment and encourages competitiveness based on the capabilities of individual companies. The Pacific Basin region contains the world's largest economies, including China, Japan, and the United States. The council provides information, networking forums, and services to members that increase their business opportunities. More information is available online at www.pbec.org

Dates of Major Events Worldwide
DateDex lists the event calendars of many of the world's most influential organizations, countries, religions, etc. It even lists sporting events and trade shows. It provides the date and location, if appropriate, of such diverse events as the next European Union summit and next OPEC conference. More information is available online at www.datedex.com

Fed Stats: Federal Statistics Online
Searching through the mountain of statistics produced by the federal government can be accomplished at FedStats, a gateway to statistics produced by more than 100 U.S. federal agencies. The site contains both links to statistical agencies and to the statistics themselves. There are topic links, agency links by alphabet, statistical profiles of various geographic locations, data access tools, and even a link to kids' pages on agency web sites. More information is available online at www.fedstats.gov

China Business Information Center
The U.S. Commercial Service, part of the U.S. Commerce Department, has established a China Business Information Center (BIC) to help U.S. exporters interested in doing business in China evaluate export readiness, pursue trade opportunities and achieve international business objectives. The BIC's Web site is a comprehensive information portal designed to help American companies find information published by federal and state government agencies, associations, and private sector entities. More information is available online at www.export.gov/china