10-1-2840 US producers' question naire

OMB No. 3117-0016/USITC No. 10-1-2840; Expiration Date: 6/30/2011
(No response is required if currently valid OMB control number is not displayed)

U.S. PRODUCERS’ QUESTIONNAIRE
POLYETHYLENE RETAIL CARRIER BAGS FROM CHINA, MALAYSIA, AND THAILAND

This questionnaire must be received by the Commission by no later than February 19, 2010
See page 4 of the Instruction Booklet for filing instructions.
The information called for in this questionnaire is for use by the United States International Trade Commission in
connection with its reviews of the antidumping duty orders concerning polyethylene retail carrier bags (“PRCBs”) from
China, Malaysia, and Thailand (Inv. Nos. 731-TA-1043-1045 (Review)). The information requested in the questionnaire
is requested under the authority of the Tariff Act of 1930, title VII. This report is mandatory and failure to reply as
directed can result in a subpoena or other order to compel the submission of records or information in your possession (19
U.S.C. § 1333(a)).

Name of firm
Address
State

City

Zip Code

World Wide Web address
Has your firm produced PRCBs (as defined in the instruction booklet) at any time since January 1, 2004?

NO

(Sign the certification below and promptly return only this page of the questionnaire to the Commission)

YES

(Read the instruction booklet carefully, complete all parts of the questionnaire, and return the entire
questionnaire to the Commission so as to be received by the date indicated above)

CERTIFICATION
I certify that the information herein supplied in response to this questionnaire is complete and correct to the best of my knowledge
and belief and understand that the information submitted is subject to audit and verification by the Commission.
By means of this certification I also grant consent for the Commission, and its employees and contract personnel, to use the
information provided in this questionnaire and throughout these reviews in any other import-injury investigations or reviews
conducted by the Commission on the same or similar merchandise.
I acknowledge that information submitted in this questionnaire response and throughout these reviews may be used by the
Commission, its employees, and contract personnel who are acting in the capacity of Commission employees, for developing or
maintaining the records of these reviews or related proceedings for which this information is submitted, or in internal audits and
investigations relating to the programs and operations of the Commission pursuant to 5 U.S.C. Appendix 3. I understand that all
contract personnel will sign non-disclosure agreements.

Name of Authorized Official

Title of Authorized Official
Phone: (

Date

)

Signature

E-mail address
Fax (

)

Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - PRCBs from China, Malaysia, and Thailand

Page 2

PART I.—GENERAL INFORMATION
The questions in this questionnaire have been reviewed with market participants to ensure that issues of
concern are adequately addressed and that data requests are sufficient, meaningful, and as limited as
possible. Public reporting burden for this questionnaire is estimated to average 50 hours per response,
including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering the data needed,
and completing and reviewing the questionnaire. Send comments regarding the accuracy of this burden
estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing the
burden, to the Office of Investigations, U.S. International Trade Commission, 500 E Street, SW,
Washington, DC 20436.
I-1a.

OMB statistics.--Please report below the actual number of hours required and the cost to your
firm of preparing the reply to this questionnaire and completing the form.
hours

dollars

I-1b.

OMB feedback.--We are interested in any comments you may have for improving this
questionnaire in general or the clarity of specific questions. Please attach such comments to your
response or send them to the above address.

I-2.

Establishments covered.--Provide the name and address of establishment(s) covered by this
questionnaire (see page 3 of the instruction booklet for reporting guidelines). If your firm is
publicly traded, please specify the stock exchange and trading symbol.

I-3.

Support for continuation of order.--Do you support or oppose continuation of the antidumping
and/or countervailing duty orders currently in place for PRCBs from the following countries?
China

Support

Oppose

Take no position

Malaysia

Support

Oppose

Take no position

Thailand

Support

Oppose

Take no position

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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - PRCBs from China, Malaysia, and Thailand

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PART I.--GENERAL INFORMATION--Continued
I-4.

Ownership.--Is your firm owned, in whole or in part, by any other firm?
No

Yes--List the following information.

Firm name

I-5.

I-6.

Address

Extent of ownership

Related SUBJECT importers/exporters.--Does your firm have any related firms, either
domestic or foreign, which are engaged in importing PRCBs from China, Malaysia, and/ or
Thailand into the United States or which are engaged in exporting PRCBs from China, Malaysia,
and/or Thailand to the United States?
No

Yes--List the following information.

Firm name

Address

Affiliation

Related NONSUBJECT importers/exporters.--Does your firm have any related firms, either
domestic or foreign, which are engaged in importing PRCBs from countries other than China,
Malaysia, or Thailand into the United States or which are engaged in exporting PRCBs from
countries other than China, Malaysia, or Thailand to the United States?
No

Yes--List the following information.

Firm name and country

Address

Affiliation

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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - PRCBs from China, Malaysia, and Thailand

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PART I.--GENERAL INFORMATION--Continued
I-7.

I-8.

Related producers.--Does your firm have any related firms, either domestic or foreign, which
are engaged in the production of PRCBs?
No

Yes--List the following information.

Firm name

Address

Affiliation

Business plan.--In Parts II and IV of this questionnaire we request a copy of your company’s
business plan. Does your company or any related firm have a business plan or any internal
documents that describe, discuss, or analyze expected market conditions for PRCBs?
No

Yes--Please provide the requested documents. If you are not providing the
requested documents, please explain why not.

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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - PRCBs from China, Malaysia, and Thailand

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PART II.--TRADE AND RELATED INFORMATION
Further information on this part of the questionnaire can be obtained from Nathanael Comly
(202-205-3174, nathanael.comly@usitc.gov). Supply all data requested on a calendar-year basis.
II-1.

Contact information (Trade).--Who should be contacted regarding the requested trade and
related information?
Company contact:
Name and title
(
)
Phone number

II-2.

E-mail address

Changes in operations.--Please indicate whether your firm has experienced any of the following
changes in relation to the production of PRCBs since January 1, 2004?
(check as many as appropriate)
plant openings ..........................

plant closings............................

relocations ................................

expansions ................................

acquisitions...............................

consolidations...........................

prolonged shutdowns or
production curtailments .................
revised labor agreements ..........

other (e.g., technology) ............

(please describe)

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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - PRCBs from China, Malaysia, and Thailand

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PART II.--TRADE AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
II-3.

Anticipated changes in operations.--Does your firm anticipate any changes in the character of
your operations or organization (as noted above) relating to the production of PRCBs in the
future?
No

Yes--Supply details as to the time, nature, and significance of such changes
and provide underlying assumptions, along with relevant portions of
business plans or other supporting documentation that address this issue.
Include in your response a specific projection of your firm’s
capacity to produce PRCBs (in 1,000 bags and 1,000 pounds) for
2010.

For question II-4, if your response differs for particular orders, please indicate and explain the
particular effect of revocation of specific orders.
II-4.

Anticipated changes in operations in the event the orders are revoked.--Would your firm
anticipate any changes in the character of your operations or organization (as noted above)
relating to the production of PRCBs in the future if the antidumping duty orders on PRCBs from
China, Malaysia, and Thailand were to be revoked?
No

Yes--Supply details as to the time, nature, and significance of such changes
and provide underlying assumptions, along with relevant portions of
business plans or other supporting documentation that address this issue.

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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - PRCBs from China, Malaysia, and Thailand

Page 7

PART II.--TRADE AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
II-5.

Same equipment, machinery, and workers.--Has your firm since January 1, 2004 produced, or
does your firm anticipate producing in the future, other products on the same equipment and
machinery used in the production of PRCBs and/or using the same production and related
workers employed to produce PRCBs?
No

Yes--List the following information and report your firm’s combined
production capacity and production of these products and PRCBs in
the periods indicated.

Product

Period

Basis for allocation of capacity and
employment data (indicate if different)

(Quantity in 1,000 bags and 1,000 pounds))
Item

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

Overall Production Capacity
1,000 bags
1,000 pounds
Production of: (1,000 pounds)
Subject merchandise
Other product 1
Other product 2

II-6.

Constraints on production.--Please describe the constraint(s) that set the limit(s) on your
production capacity.

II-7.

Production shifting.--Is your firm able to switch production between PRCBs and other products
in response to a relative change in the price of PRCBs vis-a-vis the price of other products, using
the same equipment and labor?
No

Yes--Please identify the other products, the approximate time and cost
involved in switching, and the minimum relative price change required
for your firm to switch production to or from PRCBs.

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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - PRCBs from China, Malaysia, and Thailand

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PART II.--TRADE AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
II-8.

Production methods.--Which of the production methods below do you use? Please mark all that
apply.
The rotogravure process:
The flexographic process:
Another type of process:
Solvent-based inks:
Water-based inks:
Other types of inks:

II-9.

No
No
Please describe:

Yes
.
Yes
Yes
.

Yes--Name firm(s):

.

FTZ.--Does your firm produce PRCBs in a foreign trade zone (FTZ)?
No

II-11.

No
Please describe:

Yes

Toll production.--Since January 1, 2004, has your firm been involved in a toll agreement (see
definition in the instruction booklet) regarding the production of PRCBs?
No

II-10.

No

Yes--Identify FTZ(s):

Direct imports.--Since January 1, 2004, has your firm imported PRCBs?
No

Yes--COMPLETE AND RETURN A U.S. IMPORTERS’ QUESTIONNAIRE

.

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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - PRCBs from China, Malaysia, and Thailand

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PART II.--TRADE AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
II-12.

Trade data on PRCBs.--Report your firm’s production capacity, production, shipments,
inventories, and employment related to the production of PRCBs in your U.S. establishment(s)
during the specified periods. (See definitions in the instruction booklet.)
Quantity (in 1,000 bags unless specified otherwise) and value (in $1,000)
Calendar year
Item

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

1

Average production capacity
1,000 bags (A)
1,000 pounds

Beginning-of-period inventories
(quantity) (B)
Production
1,000 bags (C)
1,000 pounds
U.S. shipments:
Commercial shipments:
quantity (D)
value (E)
Internal consumption:2
quantity (F)
value (G)
Transfers to related firms:2
quantity (H)
value (I)
Export shipments:3
quantity (J)
value (K)
End-of-period inventories (quantity)
(L)
Channels of distribution:
U.S. shipments to distributors
(quantity) (M)
U.S. shipments to end users
(quantity) (N)
Employment data:
Average number of PRWs
(number) (O)
Hours worked by PRWs (1,000
hours) (P)
Wages paid to PRWs (value) (Q)
1

The production capacity (see definitions in instruction booklet) reported is based on operating
hours per week,
weeks per year. Please describe the methodology used to calculate production capacity, and explain any changes in
reported capacity (use additional pages as necessary).
2

Internal consumption and transfers to related firms should be valued at fair market value. In the event that you use a
different basis for valuing these transactions, please specify that basis (e.g., cost, cost plus, etc.) and provide value data
using that basis for each of the periods noted above:
3

Identify your principal export markets:

.

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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - PRCBs from China, Malaysia, and Thailand

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PART II.--TRADE AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
II-13. Reconciliation of trade data.-(a)

Please note that the quantities reported in question II-12 should reconcile as follows in
each period (i.e., in each column):
Reconciliation
B+C–D–F–H–J=L
D+F+H=M+N

(b)

Yes

No--Please

Yes

No--Please

Please note that the quantities reported for end of period inventories should equal the
beginning of period inventories reported in the subsequent calendar year (i.e., line L of
year 2004 should equal line B of year 2005). Do these data reconcile for each adjacent
calendar year?
Yes.

II-14.

Do these data reconcile?
explain
Do these data reconcile?
explain

No--Please explain.

Transfers to related firms.--If you reported transfers to related firms in question II-12 please
indicate the nature of the relationship between your firm and the related firms (e.g., joint venture,
wholly owned subsidiary), whether the transfers were priced at market value or by a non-market
formula, whether your firm retained marketing rights to all transfers, and whether the related
firms also processed inputs from sources other than your firm.

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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - PRCBs from China, Malaysia, and Thailand

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PART II.--TRADE AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
II-15.

Purchases.--Other than direct imports, has your firm otherwise purchased PRCBs since January
1, 2004? (See definitions in the instruction booklet.)
No

Yes--Please indicate the reasons for your purchases (if your reasons differ by
source, please elaborate) and report the quantity and value of such
purchases below for the specified periods

Reasons:
(Quantity in 1,000 bags, value in $1,000)
Item

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

PURCHASES FROM U.S.
1
IMPORTERS OF PRCBs FROM.—
China:
quantity
value
Malaysia:
quantity
value
Thailand:
quantity
value
All other countries:
quantity
value
PURCHASES FROM DOMESTIC
PRODUCERS:2
quantity
value
PURCHASES FROM OTHER
SOURCES:
quantity
Value
1

Please list the name of the importer(s) from which you purchased this product. If your suppliers differ by
source, please identify the source for each listed supplier.
2

Please list the name of the domestic producer(s) from which you purchased this product.

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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - PRCBs from China, Malaysia, and Thailand

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PART II.--TRADE AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
For questions II-16 and II-17, if your response differs for particular orders, please indicate and
explain the particular effect of imposition and/or revocation of specific orders.
II-16.

Effect of order.--Describe the significance of the existing antidumping duty orders covering
imports of PRCBs from China, Malaysia, and Thailand in terms of their effect on your firm’s
production capacity, production, U.S. shipments, inventories, purchases, employment, revenues,
costs, profits, cash flow, capital expenditures, research and development expenditures, and asset
values. You may wish to compare your firm’s operations before and after the imposition of the
order.

II-17.

Likely effect of revocation of orders.--Would your firm anticipate any changes in its production
capacity, production, U.S. shipments, inventories, purchases, employment, revenues, costs,
profits, cash flow, capital expenditures, research and development expenditures, or asset values
relating to the production of PRCBs in the future if the antidumping duty orders on PRCBs from
China, Malaysia, and Thailand were to be revoked?
No

Yes--Supply details as to the time, nature, and significance of such changes
and provide underlying assumptions, along with relevant portions of
business plans or other supporting documentation for any trends or
projections you may provide.

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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - PRCBs from China, Malaysia, and Thailand

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PART III.--FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Address questions on this part of the questionnaire to Charles Yost (202-205-3432,
charles.yost@usitc.gov).
III-1.

Who should be contacted regarding the requested financial information?
Company contact:
Name and title
(
)
Phone number

III-2.

E-mail address

Accounting system.--Briefly describe your financial accounting system.
A.

When does your fiscal year end (month and day)?
If your fiscal year changed during the period examined, explain below:

B.1.

Describe the lowest level of operations (e.g., plant, division, company-wide) for
which financial statements are prepared that include subject merchandise:

2.
3.

4.

Does your firm prepare profit/loss statements for the subject merchandise:
Yes
No
How often did your firm (or parent company) prepare financial statements
(including annual reports, 10Ks)? Please check relevant items below.
Audited,
unaudited,
annual reports,
10Ks,
10 Qs,
Monthly,
quarterly,
semi-annually,
annually
Accounting basis:
GAAP,
cash,
tax, or
other comprehensive
(specify)

Note: The Commission may request that your company submit copies of its financial statements,
including internal profit-and-loss statements for the division or product group that includes
PRCBs, as well as those statements and worksheets used to compile data for your firm’s
questionnaire response.

III-3.

Cost accounting system.--Briefly describe your cost accounting system (e.g., standard cost, job
order cost, etc.).

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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - PRCBs from China, Malaysia, and Thailand

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PART III.--FINANCIAL INFORMATION--Continued
III-4.

Allocation basis.--Briefly describe your allocation basis, if any, for COGS, SG&A, and interest
expense and other income and expenses.

III-5.

Other products.--Please list any other products you produced in the facilities in which you
produced PRCBs, and provide the share of net sales accounted for by these other products in your
most recent fiscal year:
Products

III-6.

Share of sales

Raw materials from related firms.--Does your firm receive inputs (raw materials such as
ethylene or polyethylene, labor, energy, or any other services) used in the production of PRCBs
from any related firm?
Yes—Continue to question III-7 below.

III-7.

No--Continue to question III-10 below.

Inputs from related firms.--In the space provided below, identify the inputs related to the
production of PRCBs that your firm receives from related parties whose financial statements are
consolidated with the financial statements of your firm.
Input

Related party

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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - PRCBs from China, Malaysia, and Thailand

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PART III.--FINANCIAL INFORMATION--Continued
III-8.

Related firms consolidated statements.--With respect to the related companies identified in
response to question III-7 above, are their financial statements consolidated with your firm’s
financial statements? (In other words, are profits or losses arising from intercompany
transactions eliminated?
Yes--Continue to question III-9 below.

III-9.

No--Continue to question III-10
below.

Inputs from related firms at cost.--All intercompany profit on inputs purchased from related
parties that is eliminated pursuant to formal financial statement consolidation should also be
eliminated from the costs reported to the Commission in question III-11 (i.e., costs reported in
question III-11, to the extent that they reflect inputs purchased from related parties, should only
reflect the related party’s cost and not include an associated profit component). Reasonable
methods for determining and eliminating the associated profit on inputs purchased from related
parties are acceptable.
Has your firm complied with the Commission’s instructions regarding costs associated with
inputs purchased from related parties?
Yes

No--Please contact Charles Yost (202-205-3432, charles.yost@usitc.gov).

III-10. Nonrecurring charges.--For each annual period for which financial results are reported in
question III-11a, please indicate in the schedule below the specific nonrecurring charges, the
particular expense/cost line items from question III-11 where the associated charges are included,
a brief description of the charges, and the associated values (in $1,000). Nonrecurring charges
would include, but are not limited to, items such as asset write-offs and accelerated depreciation
due to restructuring of the company’s total PRCB operations.
Fiscal years ended-Item
Non-recurring charges: (In this column please
provide a brief description of each nonrecurring
charge and indicate the particular expense/cost line
items where the associated charges are classified in
question III-11a.)
1.

, classified in

2.

, classified in

3.

, classified in

4.

, classified in

5.

, classified in

6.

, classified in

7.

, classified in

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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - PRCBs from China, Malaysia, and Thailand

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PART III.--FINANCIAL INFORMATION--Continued
III-11. Operations on PRCBs.--Report the revenue and related cost information requested below on the
PRCB operations of your U.S. establishment(s).1 Do not report resales of purchased products.
Note that internal consumption and transfers to related firms must be valued at fair market value
and purchases from related firms must be at cost.2 Provide data for your six most recently
completed fiscal years in chronological order from left to right. If your firm was involved in
tolling operations (either as the toller or as the tollee) please contact Charles Yost before
completing this section of the questionnaire.
Quantity (in 1,000 bags) and value (in $1,000)
Fiscal years ended-Item
Net sales quantities (1,000 bags):3
Commercial sales
Internal consumption
Transfers to related firms
Total net sales quantities
Net sales values:3
Commercial sales
Internal consumption
Transfers to related firms
Total net sales values
Cost of goods sold (COGS):4
Raw materials
Direct labor
Other factory costs
Total COGS
Gross profit or (loss)
Selling, general, and administrative
(SG&A) expenses:
Selling expenses
General and administrative expenses
Total SG&A expenses
Operating income (loss)
Other income and expenses:
Interest expense
All other expense items
All other income items
All other income or expenses, net
Net income or (loss) before income taxes
Depreciation/amortization included
above
1

Include only sales (whether domestic or export) and costs related to your U.S. manufacturing operations.
Please list the expense categories and amounts of any profits on internal inputs or inputs from related firms that are reflected on your books but
which are eliminated from the costs reported below.
3
Less discounts, returns, allowances, and prepaid freight. The quantities and values should approximate the corresponding shipment quantities and
values including exports, reported in Part II of this questionnaire.
4
COGS should include costs associated with internal consumption and transfers to related firms.
2

I

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PART III.--FINANCIAL INFORMATION--Continued
III-12. Asset values.--Report the total assets associated with the production, warehousing, and sale of
PRCBs (table III-11). If your firm does not maintain some or all of the specific asset data in the
normal course of business, please estimate it based upon some rational method (such as
production, sales, or costs) that is consistent with your cost allocations in the previous question.
Your finished goods inventory value should reconcile with the inventory quantity data reported in
Part II. Provide data as of the end of your six most recently completed fiscal years in
chronological order from left to right.
Fiscal years ended-Item
Assets associated with the production,
warehousing, and sale of product:
1. Current assets:
A. Cash and equivalents
B. Accounts receivable, net
C. Inventories (finished goods)
D. Inventories (raw materials and work in
process)
E. All other (describe:

)

F. Total current assets (lines 1.A.
through 1.E.)
2. Property, plant, and equipment
A. Original cost of property, plant, and
equipment
B. Less: Accumulated depreciation
C. Equals: Book value of property, plant,
and equipment
3. All other (describe:

)

4. Total assets (lines 1.F., 2.C., and 3)

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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - PRCBs from China, Malaysia, and Thailand

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PART III.--FINANCIAL INFORMATION--Continued
III-13. Capital expenditures and research and development expenses.--Report your firm’s capital
expenditures and research and development expenses on PRCBs. Provide data for your six most
recently completed fiscal years in chronological order from left to right.
Value (in $1,000)
Fiscal years ended-Item
Capital expenditures
Research and development expenses

Please provide a description of the nature or focus of your firm’s capital expenditures:

Please provide a description of the nature or focus of your firm’s R&D expenses:

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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – PRCBs from China, Malaysia, and Thailand

Page 19

PART IV.—PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION
Further information on this part of the questionnaire can be obtained from Nancy Bryan (202-205-2088,
Nancy.Bryan@usitc.gov).
IV-1.

Contact information (Price).--Who should be contacted regarding the requested pricing and
related information?
Company contact:
Name and title
(
)
Phone number

E-mail address

PRICE DATA
This section requests quarterly quantity and value data, f.o.b. your U.S. point of shipment, for your
commercial shipments to unrelated U.S. customers during January 2004–December 2009 of the following
products produced by your firm in the United States:
Product 1.--“T-shirt sack”-style bag with (a) dimensions 8-9” width x 4-6” side x 15-17” length,
(b) 11-13 microns film thickness, (c) side gussets, and (d) printed with one or two
colors on at least one side (5-30 percent ink coverage for entire bag). Typically, these
PRCBs weigh between 4.7 and 7.9 pounds per 1,000 bags.
Product 2.-- “T-shirt sack”-style bag with (a) dimensions 10-11” width x 6.5-7” side x 17-20”
length, (b) 12-15 microns film thickness, (c) side gussets, and (d) printed with one or
two colors on at least one side (5-30 percent ink coverage for entire bag). Typically,
these PRCBs weigh between 8.1 and 13.2 pounds per 1,000 bags.
Product 3.--“T-shirt sack”-style bag with (a) dimensions 11.5-12” width x 6.5-7” side x 20-22”
length, (b) 12-15 microns film thickness, (c) side gussets, and (d) printed with one or
two colors on at least one side (5-30 percent ink coverage for entire bag). Typically,
these PRCBs weigh between 10.2 and 15.3 pounds per 1,000 bags.
Product 4.-- “T-shirt sack”-style bag with (a) dimensions 15-16” width x 7-9” side x 27-30”
length, (b) 15-18 microns film thickness, (c) side gussets, and (d) printed with one or
two colors on at least one side (5-30 percent ink coverage for entire bag). Typically,
these PRCBs weigh between 21.8 and 33.4 pounds per 1,000 bags.
Product 5.--Die-cut-handle-style merchandise bags with (a) dimensions 15-17” width x 3-5” side
x 20-25” length, (b) 20-24 microns film thickness, (c) side gussets, and (d) printed
with at least two colors on at least one side (5-50 percent ink coverage for entire
bag).

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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – PRCBs from China, Malaysia, and Thailand

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PART IV.--PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION
Product 6.-- Die-cut-handle-style merchandise bags with (a) dimensions 15-18” width x 17-19”
length, (b) 31-39 microns film thickness, (c) no side gussets, and (d) with or without
a bottom gusset of up to 6” (3” plus 3”), and (e) printed with at least two colors on at
least one side (5-50 percent ink coverage for entire bag).
Product 7.--Merchandise or carry-out bag with (a) rope drawstring attached, (b) dimensions
15-18” width x 16-20” length (with or without bottom gusset), (c) 30-60 microns
film thickness, and (d) print with 1-6 colors (5-100 percent ink coverage for entire
bag).
Product 8.--Heat-sealed, square-bottomed merchandise or carry-out bag with or without a
bottom cardboard insert, having (a) dimensions 11-18” width x 4-8” side x 12-20”
length (with or without side gusset, (b) 50-150 microns film thickness, (d) separately
applied flat flexible plastic handle, and (e) print with 1-6 colors on up to 5 sides (5100 percent ink coverage for entire bag).

For your sales of product 8, data included represent PRCBs that:
Have cardboard inserts:
Do not have cardboard inserts:
Please note that total dollar values should be f.o.b., U.S. point of shipment and should not include
U.S.-inland transportation costs. Total dollar values should reflect the final net amount paid to you
(i.e., should be net of all deductions for discounts or rebates). See instruction booklet.
*** If your product does not exactly meet the product specifications but is competitive with the
specified product, provide a description of your product in the space provided at the bottom of each
of the following tables.

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Page 21

PART IV.--PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION
IV-2.

Pricing data.--Report below the quarterly price data1 for pricing products2 produced in the
United States and sold by your firm.
(Quantity in 1,000 bags and pounds, value in dollars)

Period of
shipment

Product 1
1,000 bags

Pounds

Product 2
Value

1,000 bags

Pounds

Product 3
Value

1,000 bags

Pounds

Value

2004:
Jan-March
April-June
July-Sept
Oct-Dec
2005:
Jan-March
April-June
July-Sept
Oct-Dec
2006:
Jan-March
April-June
July-Sept
Oct-Dec
2007:
Jan-March
April-June
July-Sept
Oct-Dec
2008:
Jan-March
April-June
July-Sept
Oct-Dec
2009:
Jan-March
April-June
July-Sept
Oct-Dec
1

Net values (i.e., gross sales values less all discounts, allowances, rebates, prepaid freight, and the value of returned goods), f.o.b.
your U.S. point of shipment.
2
Pricing product definitions are provided on the first page of Part IV.
Note.--If your product does not exactly meet the product specifications but is competitive with the specified product, provide a description
of your product:
Product 1:

.

Product 2:

.

Product 3:

.

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PART IV.--PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION
IV-2.

Pricing data.—Continued
(Quantity in 1,000 bags and pounds, value in dollars)

Period of
shipment

Product 4
1,000 bags

Pounds

Product 5
Value

1,000 bags

Pounds

Product 6
Value

1,000 bags

Pounds

Value

2004:
Jan-March
April-June
July-Sept
Oct-Dec
2005:
Jan-March
April-June
July-Sept
Oct-Dec
2006:
Jan-March
April-June
July-Sept
Oct-Dec
2007:
Jan-March
April-June
July-Sept
Oct-Dec
2008:
Jan-March
April-June
July-Sept
Oct-Dec
2009:
Jan-March
April-June
July-Sept
Oct-Dec
1

Net values (i.e., gross sales values less all discounts, allowances, rebates, prepaid freight, and the value of returned goods), f.o.b.
your U.S. point of shipment.
2
Pricing product definitions are provided on the first page of Part IV.
Note.--If your product does not exactly meet the product specifications but is competitive with the specified product, provide a description
of your product:
Product 4:

.

Product 5:

.

Product 6:

.

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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – PRCBs from China, Malaysia, and Thailand

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PART IV.--PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION
IV-2.

Pricing data.—Continued
(Quantity in 1,000 bags and pounds, value in dollars)

Period of
shipment

Product 7
1,000 bags

Pounds

Product 8
1

Value

1,000 bags

Pounds

Value1

2004:
Jan -March
April-June
July-Sept
Oct-Dec
2005:
Jan -March
April-June
July-Sept
Oct-Dec
2006:
Jan -March
April-June
July-Sept
Oct-Dec
2007:
Jan -March
April-June
July-Sept
Oct-Dec
2008:
Jan -March
April-June
July-Sept
Oct-Dec
2009:
Jan-March
April-June
July-Sept
Oct-Dec
1
Net values (i.e., gross sales values less all discounts, allowances, rebates, prepaid freight, and the value of
returned goods), f.o.b. your U.S. point of shipment.
2
Pricing product definitions are provided on the first page of Part IV.
Note.--If your product does not exactly meet the product specifications but is competitive with the specified product,
provide a description of your product:
Product 7:

.

Product 8:

.

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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – PRCBs from China, Malaysia, and Thailand

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PART IV.--PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION
IV-3.

(a) Price setting.-- How does your firm determine the prices that it charges for sales of PRCBs
(check all that apply)? If your firm issues price lists, please include a copy of a recent price list with
your submission. If your price list is large, please only submit some sample pages.
Transaction by transaction

Contracts

Set price lists

Internet sales

Other--Please describe:

(a) Price setting.-- Does the availability of PRCB pricing via the internet, including websites and
bid solicitations, affect the prices you offer in the U.S. market?
No

IV-4.

Yes --Please describe how they affect your pricing of PRCBs.

Discount policy.-- Please indicate and describe your firm’s discount policies (check all that
apply).
Quantity discounts

Annual total volume discounts

No discount policy

Other--Please describe:

IV-5.

Pricing terms for PRCBs.-(a)

What are your firm’s typical sales terms for its U.S.-produced PRCBs (e.g., 2/10 net 30
days)?
.

(b)

On what basis are your prices of domestic PRCBs usually quoted? (check one)
F.o.b.--Please specify point:
Delivered

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PART IV.--PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION
IV-6.

Contract versus spot.--Approximately what shares of your firm’s sales of its U.S.-produced
PRCBs in 2009 were on a (1) long-term contract basis (multiple deliveries for more than
12 months), (2) short-term contract basis (multiple deliveries up to and including 12 months), and
(3) spot sales basis (for a single delivery)?
Type of sale

Share of sales (percent)

Long-term contracts
Short-term contracts
Spot sales
IV-7.

IV-8.

IV-9.

Long-term contract provisions.--If you sell on a long-term contract basis, please answer the
following questions with respect to provisions of a typical long-term contract.
(a)

What is the average duration of a contract?

(b)

Can prices be renegotiated during the contract period?

(c)

Does the contract fix quantity, price, or both?

(d)

Does the contract have a meet-or-release provision?

Yes

No

Quantity

Price
Yes

Both
No

Short-term contract provisions.--If you sell on a short-term contract basis, please answer the
following questions with respect to provisions of a typical short-term contract.
(a)

What is the average duration of a contract?

(b)

Can prices be renegotiated during the contract period?

(c)

Does the contract fix quantity, price, or both?

(d)

Does the contract have a meet-or-release provision?

Yes

No

Quantity

Price
Yes

Both
No

Lead times.--What is your share of sales both from inventory and produced to order and what is
the average lead time between a customer’s order and the date of delivery for your firm’s sales of
your U.S.-produced PRCBs?
Source

Share of sales in 2009

From inventory
Produced to order
Total

100 %

Lead time

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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – PRCBs from China, Malaysia, and Thailand

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PART IV.--PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION
IV-10. Shipping information.-(a)

What is the approximate percentage of the total delivered cost of PRCBs that is
accounted for by U.S. inland transportation costs?
percent.

(b)

Who generally arranges the transportation to your customers’ locations? (check one)
Your firm or
the purchaser

(c)

What proportion of your sales is delivered within 100 miles of your production facility?
percent. Within 101 to 1,000 miles?
percent. Over 1,000 miles?
percent.

IV-11. Geographical shipments.-- What is the geographic market area in the United States served by
your firm’s PRCBs? (check all that apply)
Geographic area
Northeast.–CT, ME, MA, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, and VT.
Midwest.–IL, IN, IA, KS, MI, MN, MO, NE, ND, OH, SD, and WI.
Southeast.–AL, DE, DC, FL, GA, KY, MD, MS, NC, SC, TN, VA, and WV.
Central Southwest.–AR, LA, OK, and TX.
Mountains.–AZ, CO, ID, MT, NV, NM, UT, and WY.
Pacific Coast.–CA, OR, and WA.
Other.–All other markets in the United States not previously listed, including AK, HI,
PR, VI, among others.

√ if applicable

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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – PRCBs from China, Malaysia, and Thailand

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PART IV.--PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION
IV-12. Substitutes.--Please list in order of importance any products that may be substituted for PRCB.
For each possible substitute product, please describe the degree of substitutability and indicate
whether changes in the price of the substitute affect the price for PRCBs, and to what degree, the
length of any time lag of such an effect.

Substitute

Application

1.

Frequency of
substitution
(Circle one)
Always

Have changes in the prices
of this substitute affected
the price for PRCBs?

No

Yes—Explain.

No

Yes—Explain.

No

Yes—Explain.

Frequently
Sometimes
Rarely
2.

Always
Frequently
Sometimes
Rarely

3.

Always
Frequently
Sometimes
Rarely

IV-13. Changes in substitutes.--Have there been any changes in the number or types of products that
can be substituted for PRCBs since January 1, 2004?
No

Yes--Please explain.

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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – PRCBs from China, Malaysia, and Thailand

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PART IV.--PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION
IV-14. Anticipated changes in substitutes.--Do you anticipate any changes in terms of the
substitutability of other products for PRCBs in the future?
No

Yes--Please describe. Provide any underlying assumptions, along with
relevant portions of business plans or other supporting documentation
that address this issue.

IV-15. Demand trends.-(a)

How has the demand within the United States for PRCBs changed since January 1, 2004?
What principal factors affect changes in demand?
Increased

(b)

No Change

Decreased

Fluctuated

How has the demand outside the United States (if known) for PRCBs changed since
January 1, 2004? What principal factors affect changes in demand?
Increased

No Change

Decreased

Fluctuated

IV-16. Anticipated demand trends.—
(a)

Do you anticipate any future changes in PRCBs demand within the United States?
No

Yes--Please describe and identify the time period. Provide any
underlying assumptions, along with relevant portions of
business plans or other supporting documentation that address
this issue.

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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – PRCBs from China, Malaysia, and Thailand

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PART IV.--PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION
IV-16. (b)

Do you anticipate any future changes in PRCBs demand outside the United States?
No

Yes--Please describe and identify the time period. Provide any
underlying assumptions, along with relevant portions of
business plans or other supporting documentation that address
this issue.

IV-17. Product changes.--Have there been any significant changes in the product range, product mix, or
marketing (including sales over the internet) of PRCBs since January 1, 2004?
No

Yes--Please describe and quantify if possible.

IV-18. Anticipated product changes.--Do you anticipate any changes in terms of the product range,
product mix, or marketing (including sales over the internet) of PRCBs in the future? Provide
any underlying assumptions, along with relevant portions of business plans or other supporting
documentation that address this issue.
No

Yes--Please identify, including the time period.

IV-19. Business cycles.-(a) Is the PRCB market subject to business cycles or conditions of competition (including
seasonal business) distinctive to PRCBs?
No (skip to question IV-20.)

Yes-- Please describe below and then answer part (b).

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PART IV.--PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION
IV-19. (b) If yes, have there been any changes in the business cycles or conditions of competition for
PRCBs since January 1, 2004?
No

Yes-- Please describe.

IV-20. Supply constraints.--Has your firm refused, declined, or been unable to supply PRCBs since
January 1, 2004 (examples include placing customers on allocation or “controlled order entry,”
declining to accept new customers or renew existing customers, delivering less than the quantity
promised, been unable to produce the type(s) of PRCBs requested, been unable to meet timely
shipment commitments, etc.)?
No

Yes-- Please describe.

IV-21. Raw materials.--Please describe any trends in the prices of raw materials used to produce
PRCBs and whether your firm expects these trends to continue.

IV-22. Changes in factors affecting supply.--Have any changes occurred in any other factors affecting
supply (e.g., changes in availability or prices of energy or labor; transportation conditions;
production capacity and/or methods of production; technology; export markets; or alternative
production opportunities) that affected the availability of U.S.-produced PRCBs in the U.S.
market since January 1, 2004?
No

Yes--Please note the time period(s) of any such changes, the factors(s)
involved, and the impact such changes had on your shipment volumes
and prices.

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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – PRCBs from China, Malaysia, and Thailand

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PART IV.--PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION
IV-23. Availability of supply (U.S.-produced).-(a)

Do you anticipate any changes in terms of the availability of U.S.-produced PRCBs in the
U.S. market in the future?
Increase

(b)

No change

Decrease

If you anticipate changes in supply, please identify the changes, including the time period
and the impact of such changes on shipment volumes and prices. Provide any underlying
assumptions, along with relevant portions of business plans or other supporting
documentation that address this issue.

IV-24. Availability of supply (subject).—Has the availability of SUBJECT PRCBs (i.e., PRCBs
imported from China, Malaysia, and Thailand) changed since January 1, 2004?
No

Yes--Please explain.

IV-25. Availability of supply (nonsubject).--Has the availability of NONSUBJECT PRCBs (i.e.,
PRCBs imported from countries other than China, Malaysia, and Thailand) changed since
January 1, 2004?
No

Yes--Please explain.

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Page 32

PART IV.--PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION
IV-26. Export constraints.--Describe how easily your firm can shift its sales of PRCBs between the
U.S. market and alternative country markets. In your discussion, please describe any contracts,
other sales arrangements, or other constraints that would prevent or retard your firm from shifting
PRCBs between the U.S. and alternative country markets within a 12-month period. Provide any
underlying assumptions, along with relevant portions of business plans or other supporting
documentation that address this issue.

IV-27. Price comparisons.--Please compare market prices of PRCBs in U.S. and non-U.S. markets, if
known. Provide specific information as to time periods and regions for any price comparisons.

IV-28. Market studies.--Please provide as a separate attachment to this request any studies, surveys, etc.
that you are aware of that quantify and/or otherwise discuss PRCBs supply (including production
capacity and capacity utilization) and demand in (1) the United States, (2) each of the other major
producing/consuming countries, and (3) the world as a whole. Of particular interest is such data
from January 1, 2004 to the present and forecasts for the future.
IV-29. Barriers to trade.--Are your exports of PRCBs subject to any tariff or non-tariff barriers to trade
in other countries?
No

Yes--Please list the countries and describe any such barriers and any
significant changes in such barriers that have occurred since January 1,
2004, or that are expected to occur in the future.

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PART IV.--PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION
IV-30. Interchangeability.--Are PRCBs produced in the United States and in other countries
interchangeable (i.e., can they physically be used in the same applications)? Please indicate below, using
“A” to indicate that the products from a specified country-pair are always interchangeable, “F” to indicate
that the products are frequently interchangeable, “S” to indicate that the products are sometimes
interchangeable, “N” to indicate that the products are never interchangeable, and “0” to indicate no
familiarity with products from a specified country-pair.1
Country-pair

China

Malaysia

Thailand

Other countries2

United States
China
Malaysia
Thailand
1

For any country-pair producing PRCBs which are sometimes or never interchangeable, please
explain the factors that limit or preclude their interchangeable use:

2

List the countries.

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PART IV.--PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION
IV-31. Factors other than price.--Are differences other than price (i.e., quality, availability,
transportation network, product range, technical support, etc.) between PRCBs produced in the
United States and in other countries a significant factor in your firm’s sales of the products?
Please indicate below, using “A” to indicate that such differences are always significant, “F” to
indicate that such differences are frequently significant, “S” to indicate that such differences are
sometimes significant, “N” to indicate that such differences are never significant, and “0” to
indicate no familiarity with products from a specified country-pair.1
Country-pair

China

Malaysia

Thailand

Other countries2

United States
China
Malaysia
Thailand
1

For any country-pair for which factors other than price always or frequently are a significant factor in
your firm’s sales of PRCBs, identify the country-pair and report the advantages or disadvantages imparted
by such factors:

2

List the countries.