Watches with Silver Case – CBP is reaffirming its classification of a sterling silver watch case with a stainless steel bezel under subheading 9102.11.95, HTSUS, the provision for "Wrist watches…other than those of heading 9101:…Other: Other: Other." Because bezels are not an insignificant component of the watches and they are not covered with a precious metal, they fail the criteria stipulated by the heading notes for classification under heading 9101.

U.S. – ASEAN Trade Pact - The U.S. and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) (Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar (Burma), the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam) are expected to sign a Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) at the end of this week. The agreement is an attempt to foster closer economic ties with the bloc and act as a counterweight to foreign investment in China. Because of the participation of Myanmar, which is subject to certain sanctions imposed by the U.S., the agreement was not structured as a free trade pact so as to allow the U.S. to sign it even without Congressional approval.

ASEAN-wide Trade Market – The ASEAN nations are seeking to accelerate the creation of a single market, a-la the EU, by 2015 rather than the current target of 2020. The single marketplace covering half the world’s population will encompass the ASEAN nations along with Australia, China, India, Japan, South Korea, and New Zealand.

Myanmar (Burma) – President Bush signed into law a one year extension of the import ban on products from Myanmar. In addition, the U.S. Congress approved a provision allowing for additional three yearly extensions, should they be necessary.

Welded Carbon Steel Pipe and Tube – Continuation of the AD order on certain welded carbon steel pipes and tubes from Brazil, Mexico, and Korea, and the continuation of the CV order from Turkey.

Circular Welded Non-Alloy Pipes and Tubes – Continuation of the AD order from Brazil, Mexico, and Korea.

Light-Walled Welded Rectangular Carbon Steel Tubing – Continuation of the AD order from Taiwan and the revocation of the AD order from Argentina.

Stainless Steel Wire Rods – The revocation of the AD order from Brazil and France.

Bearings – The revocation of the AD order on spherical plain bearings from France and the AD order on ball bearings from Singapore.

Certain Lined Paper Products – Made a final affirmative decision in its AD investigation from Indonesia, and in its CV investigation from India and Indonesia.

ATV Proposed Rules – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is seeking comments by October 14, 2006 on its proposed safety requirements for all-terrain vehicles (ATV). Among the proposals are: a ban on all new sales of three-wheel ATV’s; new warning and disclosure requirements; free safety training; and new certifications, testing, and recordkeeping guidelines.

Settlement Agreement – The CPSC accepted a civil penalty settlement of $262,500 from an upscale jeweler over its alleged sale of defective baby rattles and teethers.

Recall of Laptop Batteries – The CPSC recently announced that a major computer manufacturer is recalling and replacing 4.1 million notebook computer batteries, as they can short circuit, overheat and cause a fire.