11-4-2921 Foreign producer questionnaire

OMB No. 3117-0016/USITC No. 11-4-2921; Expiration Date: 6/30/2011
(No response is required if currently valid OMB control number is not displayed)

FOREIGN PRODUCERS’/EXPORTERS’ QUESTIONNAIRE
HOT-ROLLED FLAT-ROLLED CARBON-QUALITY STEEL PRODUCTS
FROM BRAZIL, JAPAN, AND RUSSIA

This questionnaire must be received by the Commission by no later than January 10, 2011
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 five-year reviews concerning hot-rolled steel from Brazil, Japan, and Russia (inv. Nos. 701-TA-384
and 731-TA-806-808 (Second Review)). The information requested in the questionnaire is requested under the authority
of the Tariff Act of 1930, title VII.

Name of firm
Address
World Wide Web address
Has your firm produced or exported hot-rolled steel (as defined in the instruction booklet) at any time since
January 1, 2005?

NO
YES

(Sign the certification below and promptly return only this page of the questionnaire to the Commission)
(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 proceedings 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 this review or related proceedings for which this information is submitted, or in internal audits and
proceedings 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
Foreign Producers’/Exporters’ Questionnaire – Hot-Rolled Steel

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 30 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.

U.S. importers.--Please provide the names, street addresses (not P.O. boxes), contacts, telephone
numbers, and e-mail addresses of the FIVE largest U.S. importers of your firm’s hot-rolled steel
in 2010 (based upon quantity of hot-rolled steel exported by your firm to the United States).

No.

1

2

3

4

5

Importer’s name

Contact person

E-mail address

Area
code and
telephone
number

Share of
your 2010
exports
(%)

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Foreign Producers’/Exporters’ Questionnaire - Hot-Rolled Steel

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

U.S. production.--Does your firm or any related firm produce, have the capability to produce, or
have any plans to produce hot-rolled steel in the United States or other countries?
No

I-5.

U.S. importation.--Does your firm or any related firm import or have any plans to import hotrolled steel into the United States?
No

I-6.

Yes--Please name the firm(s) and country(ies) below and, if U.S. producer(s),
ensure that they complete the Commission’s producer questionnaire
(contact Joshua Kaplan (202-205-3184 or joshua.kaplan@usitc.gov)
for copies of that questionnaire).

Yes--Please name the firm(s) below and ensure that they complete the
Commission’s importer questionnaire (contact Joshua Kaplan (202205-3184 or joshua.kaplan@usitc.gov) for copies of that
questionnaire).

Business plan.--In Parts II and III 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 future market conditions for hot-rolled
steel?
No

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

Business Proprietary
Foreign Producers’/Exporters’ Questionnaire - Hot-Rolled Steel

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PART II.--TRADE AND RELATED INFORMATION
Further information on this part of the questionnaire can be obtained from Joshua Kaplan (202-205-3184,
joshua.kaplan@usitc.gov). Supply all data requested on a calendar-year basis.
II-1.

Please identify the individual to be contacted regarding the confidential information requested in
part II.
Name and title:
Please indicate the manner by which Commission staff may contact the individual responsible for
part II with questions regarding the submitted confidential information.
E-mail:
Fax: (

II-2.

Telephone: (

)

)

Changes in operations.--Please indicate whether your firm has experienced any of the following
changes in relation to the production of hot-rolled steel since January 1, 2005.
(check as many as appropriate)
(please describe)
plant openings ..........................

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Foreign Producers’/Exporters’ Questionnaire - Hot-Rolled Steel

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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 hot-rolled steel in
the future?
No

II-4.

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 hot-rolled steel (in short tons) for 2011 and
2012.

Anticipated changes in operations in the event the order is revoked.--Would your firm
anticipate any changes in the character of your operations or organization (as noted above)
relating to the production of hot-rolled steel in the future if the countervailing duty order (Brazil),
antidumping duty orders (Brazil and Japan), and/or suspension agreement (Russia) on hot-rolled
steel 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.

Business Proprietary
Foreign Producers’/Exporters’ Questionnaire - Hot-Rolled Steel

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

Same equipment, machinery, and workers.—Has your firm since January 1, 2005 produced, or
does your firm anticipate producing in the future, other products on the same equipment and
machinery used in the production of hot-rolled steel and/or using the same production and related
workers employed to produce hot-rolled steel? Examples include hot-rolled alloy steel and
discrete plate produced on a Steckel mill. Please do not include downstream products produced
from internally consumed hot-rolled steel; these products are addressed below in question II-8.
No

Product

II-6.

Period

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

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

II-7.

Yes--List the following information regarding production of these products.

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 hot-rolled steel.

Constraints on production.— Please identify bottlenecks in your firm’s production of hot-rolled
steel and describe your plans and efforts to alleviate any such bottlenecks.

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Foreign Producers’/Exporters’ Questionnaire - Hot-Rolled Steel

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PART II.--TRADE AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
II-8.
Overall production capability.—Please report your firm’s production capability for
slab, hot strip mill products, and downstream products during the periods specified below.
(Quantity in short tons)
Item

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

Average Production Capacity
Production
Hot Strip Mill:
Average Production Capacity
Subject Production1
Nonsubject Production2
Cold-Rolled Steel3:
Average Production Capacity
Production
Coated Steel4:
Average Production Capacity
Production
Steel Plate (Cut from Coils):
Average Production Capacity
Production
Tubular Products:
Average Production Capacity

Please provide 2010 data on the following page per the
instructions found therein.

Slab Casting:

Production
1

Please note that production reported in this line should match that reported in Table II-15.
2
Examples include hot-rolled alloy steel and discrete plate produced on a Steckel mill.
3
Includes steel for further processing into coated products
4
All metallic-flat-rolled steel flat products including galvanized and aluminized steel, tin-plate, and terne-coated steel.

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Foreign Producers’/Exporters’ Questionnaire - Hot-Rolled Steel

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

Overall production capability.—Continued
(Quantity in short tons)

Average Production Capacity
Production
Hot Strip Mill:
Average Production Capacity
Subject Production1
Nonsubject Production2
Cold-Rolled Steel3:
Average Production Capacity
Production
Coated Steel4:
Average Production Capacity
Production
Steel Plate (Cut from Coils):
Average Production Capacity
Production
Tubular Products:
Average Production Capacity
Production
1

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

Data for calendar year 2010 reported on this page should
be submitted to the Commission separately in a
supplemental response. These data are due to the
Commission by no later than February 7, 2011.

Item
Slab Casting:

Please note that production reported in this line should match that reported in Table II-15.
Examples include hot-rolled alloy steel and discrete plate produced on a Steckel mill.
Includes steel for further processing into coated products
4
All metallic-flat-rolled steel flat products including galvanized and aluminized steel, tin-plate, and terne-coated steel.
2
3

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Foreign Producers’/Exporters’ Questionnaire - Hot-Rolled Steel

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PART II.--TRADE AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
II-9.

Share of sales.--What percentage of your firm’s total sales in its most recent fiscal year was
represented by sales of hot-rolled steel?
Percent

II-10.

Inventories in the United States.--Did your firm, from January 1, 2005 through 2009,
maintain any inventories of hot-rolled steel in the United States (not including inventories held by
firms identified in question I-3)?
No

Yes--Report the quantity of such end-of-period inventories below.
(Quantity in short tons)
Item

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

Inventory

Did your firm, in 2010, maintain any inventories of hot-rolled steel in the United States (not
including inventories held by firms identified in question I-3)?
No

Yes--Report the quantity of such end-of-period inventories below.
(Quantity in short tons)
Item

Inventory

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

Please provide in supplemental response by
February 7, 2011.

2010

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Foreign Producers’/Exporters’ Questionnaire - Hot-Rolled Steel

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PART II.--TRADE AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
II-11.

Barriers.-(a)

Are your firm’s exports of hot-rolled steel subject to tariff or non-tariff barriers to trade
(for example, antidumping or countervailing duty findings or remedies, tariffs, quotas, or
regulatory barriers) in any countries other than the United States?
No

Yes--List the products(s), country(ies), the year each such barrier was
imposed, and the type of barrier.
Product

(b)

Year imposed

Barrier (if tariff,
give rate)

Are your firm’s exports of hot-rolled steel subject to current proceedings in any countries
other than the United States that might result in tariff or non-tariff barriers to trade?
No

Yes--List the products(s), country(ies), and type of proceeding.
Product

II-12.

Country

Country

Type of proceeding

Other export markets.--Identify export markets (other than the United States) that you have
developed or where you have increased your sales of hot-rolled steel since January 1, 2005.
Please identify and discuss below.

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Foreign Producers’/Exporters’ Questionnaire - Hot-Rolled Steel

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PART II.--TRADE AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
II-13.

Significance of countervailing duty order and/or antidumping duty orders.--Describe the
significance of the existing countervailing duty order (Brazil), antidumping duty orders (Brazil
and Japan), and/or suspension agreement (Russia) covering imports of hot-rolled steel in terms of
the effect on your firm’s production capacity, production, home market shipments, exports to the
United States and other markets, and inventories. You may wish to compare your firm’s
operations before and after the imposition of the orders.

II-14.

Anticipated changes if order revoked.--Would your firm anticipate any changes in its
production capacity, production, home market shipments, exports to the United States and other
markets, or inventories relating to the production of hot-rolled steel in the future if the
countervailing duty order (Brazil), antidumping duty orders (Brazil and Japan), and/or suspension
agreement (Russia) 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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Foreign Producers’/Exporters’ Questionnaire - Hot-Rolled Steel

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PART II.--TRADE AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
II-15a. Trade data (Brazil).-- Report production capacity, production, shipments, and inventories of
hot-rolled steel produced by your firm in Brazil during the 2005-09 period. (See definitions in
the instruction booklet.)

Brazil
Quantity (in short tons) and Value (in 1,000 dollars)
Calendar year
Item

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

1

Average production capacity (A)
Production (C)
Home market shipments:
Internal consumption/transfers
quantity (D)
Commercial shipments
quantity (E)
value (F)
Export shipments:
to the United States:
quantity (G)
value (H)
to the European Union:2
quantity (I)
value (J)
to Asia:3
quantity (K)
value (L)
to all other markets:4
quantity (M)
value (N)
Total exports (quantity) (O)

Please provide 2010 data on following page per the
instructions found therein.

Beginning-of-period inventories (B)

Total shipments (quantity) (P)
End-of-period inventories (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.
2

Identify your principal European Union export markets:
Identify your principal Asian export markets:
4
Identify your principal other export markets:
3

.
.
.

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Foreign Producers’/Exporters’ Questionnaire - Hot-Rolled Steel

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PART II.--TRADE AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
II-15b. Trade data (Brazil).-- Report production capacity, production, shipments, and inventories of
hot-rolled steel produced by your firm in Brazil during 2010. (See definitions in the instruction
booklet.)

Brazil
Quantity (in short tons) and Value (in 1,000 dollars)
Calendar year
Item

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

1

Average production capacity (A)
Beginning-of-period inventories (B)
Production2 (C)
Home market shipments:
Internal consumption/transfers
quantity (D)
Commercial shipments
quantity (E)
value (F)
Export shipments:
to the United States:3
quantity (G)
value (H)
to the European Union:4
quantity (I)

Data for calendar year 2010 reported on this page should
be submitted to the Commission separately in a
supplemental response. These data are due to the
Commission by no later than February 7, 2011.

value (J)
to Asia:5
quantity (K)
value (L)
to all other markets:6
quantity (M)
value (N)
Total exports (quantity) (O)
Total shipments (quantity) (P)
End-of-period inventories (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.
2

Please estimate the percentage of total production of hot-rolled steel in Brazil accounted for by your firm’s production in
2010:
Percent
3
Please estimate the percentage of total exports to the United States of hot-rolled steel in Brazil accounted for by your
firm’s exports in 2010:
Percent
4
Identify your principal European Union export markets:
.
5
Identify your principal Asian export markets:
.
6
Identify your principal other export markets:
.

Business Proprietary
Foreign Producers’/Exporters’ Questionnaire - Hot-Rolled Steel

Page 14

PART II.--TRADE AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
II-15c. Trade data (Japan).-- Report production capacity, production, shipments, and inventories of
hot-rolled steel produced by your firm in Japan during the 2005-09 period. (See definitions in
the instruction booklet.)

Japan
Quantity (in short tons) and Value (in 1,000 dollars)
Calendar year
Item

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

1

Average production capacity (A)
Production (C)
Home market shipments:
Internal consumption/transfers
quantity (D)
Commercial shipments
quantity (E)
value (F)
Export shipments:
to the United States:
quantity (G)
value (H)
to the European Union:2
quantity (I)
value (J)
to Asia:3
quantity (K)
value (L)
to all other markets:4
quantity (M)
value (N)
Total exports (quantity) (O)

Please provide 2010 data on following page per the
instructions found therein.

Beginning-of-period inventories (B)

Total shipments (quantity) (P)
End-of-period inventories (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.
2

Identify your principal European Union export markets:
Identify your principal Asian export markets:
4
Identify your principal other export markets:
3

.
.
.

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Foreign Producers’/Exporters’ Questionnaire - Hot-Rolled Steel

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PART II.--TRADE AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
II-15d. Trade data (Japan).-- Report production capacity, production, shipments, and inventories of
hot-rolled steel produced by your firm in Japan during 2010. (See definitions in the instruction
booklet.)

Japan
Quantity (in short tons) and Value (in 1,000 dollars)
Calendar year
Item

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

1

Average production capacity (A)
Beginning-of-period inventories (B)
Production2 (C)
Home market shipments:
Internal consumption/transfers
quantity (D)
Commercial shipments
quantity (E)
value (F)
Export shipments:
to the United States:3
quantity (G)
value (H)
to the European Union:4
quantity (I)

Data for calendar year 2010 reported on this page should
be submitted to the Commission separately in a
supplemental response. These data are due to the
Commission by no later than February 7, 2011.

value (J)
to Asia:5
quantity (K)
value (L)
to all other markets:6
quantity (M)
value (N)
Total exports (quantity) (O)
Total shipments (quantity) (P)
End-of-period inventories (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.
2

Please estimate the percentage of total production of hot-rolled steel in Japan accounted for by your firm’s production in
2010:
Percent
3
Please estimate the percentage of total exports to the United States of hot-rolled steel in Japan accounted for by your
firm’s exports in 2010:
Percent
4
Identify your principal European Union export markets:
.
5
Identify your principal Asian export markets:
.
6
Identify your principal other export markets:
.

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Foreign Producers’/Exporters’ Questionnaire - Hot-Rolled Steel

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PART II.--TRADE AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
II-15e. Trade data (Russia).-- Report production capacity, production, shipments, and inventories of
hot-rolled steel produced by your firm in Russia during the 2005-09 period. (See definitions in
the instruction booklet.)

Russia
Quantity (in short tons) and Value (in 1,000 dollars)
Calendar year
Item

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

1

Average production capacity (A)
Production (C)
Home market shipments:
Internal consumption/transfers
quantity (D)
Commercial shipments
quantity (E)
value (F)
Export shipments:
to the United States:
quantity (G)
value (H)
to the European Union:2
quantity (I)
value (J)
to Asia:3
quantity (K)
value (L)
to all other markets:4
quantity (M)
value (N)
Total exports (quantity) (O)

Please provide 2010 data on following page per the
instructions found therein.

Beginning-of-period inventories (B)

Total shipments (quantity) (P)
End-of-period inventories (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.
2

Identify your principal European Union export markets:
Identify your principal Asian export markets:
4
Identify your principal other export markets:
3

.
.
.

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Foreign Producers’/Exporters’ Questionnaire - Hot-Rolled Steel

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PART II.--TRADE AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
II-15f. Trade data (Russia).-- Report production capacity, production, shipments, and inventories of
hot-rolled steel produced by your firm in Russia during 2010. (See definitions in the instruction
booklet.)

Russia
Quantity (in short tons) and Value (in 1,000 dollars)
Calendar year
Item

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

1

Average production capacity (A)
Beginning-of-period inventories (B)
Production2 (C)
Home market shipments:
Internal consumption/transfers
quantity (D)
Commercial shipments
quantity (E)
value (F)
Export shipments:
to the United States:3
quantity (G)
value (H)
to the European Union:4
quantity (I)

Data for calendar year 2010 reported on this page should
be submitted to the Commission separately in a
supplemental response. These data are due to the
Commission by no later than February 7, 2011.

value (J)
to Asia:5
quantity (K)
value (L)
to all other markets:6
quantity (M)
value (N)
Total exports (quantity) (O)
Total shipments (quantity) (P)
End-of-period inventories (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.
2

Please estimate the percentage of total production of hot-rolled steel in Russia accounted for by your firm’s production
in 2010:
Percent
3
Please estimate the percentage of total exports to the United States of hot-rolled steel in Russia accounted for by your
firm’s exports in 2010:
Percent
4
Identify your principal European Union export markets:
.
5
Identify your principal Asian export markets:
.
6
Identify your principal other export markets:
.

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Foreign Producers’/Exporters’ Questionnaire - Hot-Rolled Steel

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PART II.--TRADE AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
II-16.

Reconciliation of trade data.—
(a)

The quantities reported in question II-15 should reconcile as follows in each period (i.e.,
in each column):
Reconciliation
B+C–D–E–G–I–K–M=Q

(b)

Do these data reconcile?
explain:

Yes

No--Please

Further, the quantities reported for end-of-period inventories should equal the beginningof-period inventories reported in the subsequent calendar year (i.e., line Q of year 2005
should equal line B of year 2006). Do these data reconcile for each adjacent calendar
year?
Yes.

No--Please explain:

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Foreign Producers’/Exporters’ Questionnaire - Hot-Rolled Steel

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PART III.--MARKET FACTORS
Further information on this part of the questionnaire can be obtained from Craig Thomsen (202-2053226, craig.thomsen@usitc.gov).
III-1.

Please identify the individual to be contacted regarding the confidential information requested in
parts III.
Name and title:
Please indicate the manner by which Commission staff may contact the individual responsible for
part III with questions regarding the submitted confidential information.
E-mail:
Fax: (

III-2.

Telephone: (

)

)

Raw material pricing.-(a)

What are the major raw materials used by your firm in the production of hot-rolled steel
since 2005? If this has changed since 2005, please note when the change(s) occurred.

(b)

What is the typical contract length for the raw materials that you purchase?

(c)

Has this changed since 2005?
No

Yes -- How has it changed and what effect has it had on your
purchasing patterns of these raw materials (e.g., availability of material,
price levels, etc.)?

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Foreign Producers’/Exporters’ Questionnaire - Hot-Rolled Steel

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PART III.--MARKET FACTORS--Continued
III-3. Contract versus spot.--Approximately what share of your firm’s sales of hot-rolled steel to U.S.
customers in 2010 was on a (1) long-term contract basis (multiple deliveries for more than 12 months),
(2) short-term contract basis (multiple deliveries up to 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
III-4.

III-5.

Long-term contact provisions.--If you sell hot-rolled steel to U.S. customers on a long-term
contract basis, please answer the following questions with respect to provisions of a typical longterm 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

Quantity

No
Price

Yes

Both
No

Short-term contract provisions.--If you sell hot-rolled steel to U.S. customers on a short-term
contract basis, please answer the following questions with respect to provisions of a typical shortterm 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

Quantity

No
Price

Yes

Both
No

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PART III.--MARKET FACTORS--Continued
III-6.

Lead times.--What is the average lead time for hot-rolled steel to U.S. customers between a
customer’s order and the date of delivery for your firm’s sales of hot-rolled steel?
Source

Share of sales in 2010

Lead time

From inventory
Produced to order
Total

100 %

III-7.

Raw materials.--To what extent have changes in the prices of raw materials affected your firm’s
selling prices for hot-rolled steel since 2005? Also discuss any anticipated changes in your raw
material costs.

III-8.

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 in the U.S. or other markets of hot-rolled
steel produced in Brazil, Japan, and/or Russia since 2005?
No

Yes-- Please describe.

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PART III.--MARKET FACTORS--Continued
III-9.

Availability of SUBJECT import supply.-(a)

Do you anticipate any changes in terms of the availability of Brazil, Japan, and Russiaproduced hot-rolled steel 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.

III-10. Product shifting.--Describe how easily your firm can shift its sales of hot-rolled steel between
the U.S. market and alternative country markets. In your discussion, please describe any
contracts, other sales arrangements, or other constraints (including any third-country trade
barriers such as tariffs, quotas, or other non-tariff barriers) that would prevent or retard your firm
from shifting hot-rolled steel between the U.S. and alternative country markets within a 12-month
period.

III-11. Product changes.—(a) Is the product range, product mix, or marketing of hot-rolled steel in
your home market different from that of hot-rolled steel for export to the United States or to thirdcountry markets?
No

Yes—Please explain.

(b) Have there been any significant changes in the product range, product mix, or marketing of
hot-rolled steel in your home market, for export to the United States, or for export to thirdcountry markets since 2005?
No

Yes--Please describe.

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PART III.--MARKET FACTORS--Continued
III-12. Anticipated product changes.--Do you anticipate changes in the product range, product mix, or
marketing of hot-rolled steel in your home market, for exports to the United States, or for exports
to third-country markets?
No

Yes--Please explain.

III-13. Substitutes.--Are there any nonsubject products that may be substituted for hot-rolled steel?
No

Yes—Please fill in the following table.

Substitute product

Description of applications
Have changes in the prices of this
and end uses in which this substitute affected the price of hot-rolled
substitute can be used
steel since January 1, 2005

1.

No

Yes—Please explain.

2.

No

Yes--Please explain.

3.

No

Yes--Please explain.

4.

No

Yes--Please explain.

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PART III.--MARKET FACTORS--Continued
III-14. Changes in substitutes.--Have there been any changes in the number or types of products that
can be substituted for hot-rolled steel since 2005?
No

Yes--Please explain.

III-15. Anticipated changes in substitutes.--Do you anticipate any changes in terms of the
substitutability of other products for hot-rolled steel?
No

Yes--Please describe.

III-16. Interchangeability.--Is the hot-rolled steel produced by your firm and sold in its home market
interchangeable (i.e., can be used in the same applications) with your firm’s hot-rolled steel sold
to the United States and/or to third-country markets?
Yes

No--Identify the market(s) and any differences in the products.

III-17. End uses.--Describe the end uses of the hot-rolled steel that you manufacture and sell to your
home market. If these end uses differ from those of the hot-rolled steel you sell to the U.S.
market or to third-country markets, explain.

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PART III.--MARKET FACTORS--Continued
III-18. Changes in end uses.--Have there been any changes in the end uses of hot-rolled steel since
2005?
No

Yes--Please describe.

III-19. Anticipated changes in end uses.--Do you anticipate any changes in terms of the end uses of
hot-rolled steel?
No

Yes--Please describe.

III-20. Demand trends.--How has the demand for hot-rolled steel changed since January 1, 2005? What
principal factors affect changes in demand? If your answer differs for specific markets outside
the United States (i.e., specific regions, or developed v. developing markets), please specify.

Increased
Demand in:
Your home market
The United States
Other markets

No change

Decreased

Fluctuated

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PART III.--MARKET FACTORS--Continued
III-21. Anticipated demand trends.-- How do you anticipate demand will change for hot-rolled steel?
What principal factors that are likely to affect demand? If your answer differs for specific markets outside
the United States (i.e., specific regions, or developed v. developing markets), please specify.
Increase

No change

Decrease

Fluctuate

Demand in:
Your home market
The United States
Other markets

III-22. Price differences.--Please compare market prices of hot-rolled steel in your home market, the
United States, and third-country markets.

III-23. Description of home market.--Describe briefly your home market for hot-rolled steel, including
the number of, and competition between, producers.

III-24. Import competition.--Do you face competition from imports of hot-rolled steel in your home
market?
No

Yes--Please identify the country sources of any imports of hot-rolled steel
into your home market.