11-4-2956 CSOBAs - Importer Questionnaire

Information collections for import injury investigations (producers, importers, purchasers, and foreign producer questionnaires and institution notices for 5-year reviews)

US Importer Questionnaire

Preliminary Investigations - April

OMB: 3117-0016

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OMB No. 3117-0016/USITC No. 11-2-2955; Expiration Date: 6/30/2011
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U.S. IMPORTERS’ QUESTIONNAIRE
CERTAIN STILBENIC OPTICAL BRIGHTENING AGENTS (CSOBAs)
FROM CHINA AND TAIWAN

This questionnaire must be received by the Commission by no later than April 15, 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 antidumping investigation(s) concerning Certain stilbenic optical brightening agents (CSOBAs) from
China and Taiwan (inv. No. 731-TA-1186-1187 (Preliminary)). 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 imported CSOBAs (as defined in the instruction booklet) from any country at any time since
January 1, 2008?

(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 this proceeding in any other import-injury proceedings conducted by
the Commission on the same or similar merchandise.
I acknowledge that information submitted in this questionnaire response and throughout this proceeding 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 proceeding 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
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – CSOBAs (731-TA-1186-1187 (Preliminary))

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 40 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.

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

Firm name

Yes--List the following information

Address

Extent of
ownership

Business Proprietary

U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - CSOBAs (731-TA-1186-1187 (Preliminary))

Page 3

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

Related importers/exporter.--Does your firm have any related firms, either domestic or foreign,
that are engaged in importing CSOBAs from China and/or Taiwan into the United States or that
are engaged in exporting CSOBAs from China and/or Taiwan to the United States?
No

Yes--List the following information

Firm name

I-5.

I-7.

Affiliation

Related producers.--Does your firm have any related firms, either domestic or foreign, that are
engaged in the production of CSOBAs?
Firm name

I-6.

Address

Affiliation

Importing operations.--Please indicate the nature of your firm’s importing operations on
CSOBAs. More than one answer may be applicable.
Importer of record

Takes title to the imported product(s)

Consignee of the imported products(s)

Customs broker or freight forwarder.

Consignee.--If your firm is an importer of record of CSOBAs but is not the consignee, please list
the consignees below (firm name, address, telephone number, and individual to contact).

Firm name

Address

Contact person and phone
number

Business Proprietary

U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - CSOBAs (731-TA-1186-1187 (Preliminary))

Page 4

PART I.--GENERAL INFORMATION--Continued
I-8.

I-9.

FTZ or bonded warehouses.--Please indicate whether your firm enters CSOBAs into, or
withdraws such merchandise from, foreign trade zones or bonded warehouses.
Foreign trade zones

Yes

Bonded warehouses

Yes

Temporary importation under bond.--Please indicate whether your firm imports CSOBAs
under the TIB (temporary importation under bond) program.
No

I-10.

Yes

Third-country trade activities.--To your knowledge, have the products subject to this
proceeding been the subject of any other import relief proceedings in the United States or in any
other countries?
No

Yes–Please specify.

Business Proprietary

U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - CSOBAs (731-TA-1186-1187 (Preliminary))

Page 5

PART II.--TRADE AND RELATED INFORMATION
Further information on this part of the questionnaire can be obtained from Cynthia Trainor (202-2053354, cynthia.trainor@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
parts II to IV 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 importation of CSOBAs since January 1, 2008.
(check as many as appropriate)
(please describe)
office/warehouse openings .......

office/warehouse closings ........

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

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

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

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

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

other..........................................

Business Proprietary

U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – CSOBAs (731-TA-1186-1187 (Preliminary))

Page 6

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

Arranged imports.--Has your firm imported or arranged for the importation of CSOBAs from
China and/or Taiwan for delivery after December 31, 2010?
No

II-4.

Yes–Indicate when such orders are to be delivered and the quantities
involved.

Reasons for importing.--If your firm also produces CSOBAs in the United States, please
indicate your reasons for importing this product. If your reasons differ by source, please
elaborate.

Business Proprietary

U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – CSOBAs (731-TA-1186-1187 (Preliminary))

Page 7

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

IMPORTS FROM SUBJECT SOURCES.–Report your firm’s imports and your firm’s
shipments and inventories of CSOBAs imported from China by your firm during the specified
periods. (See definitions in the instruction booklet

CHINA
Quantity in 1,000 dry pounds (100 percent active ingredient basis), value (in $1,000)
Calendar years
Item

2008

2009

2010

Beginning-of-period inventories (quantity)
Imports:1
Quantity of imports
Value of imports
U.S. shipments:
Commercial shipments:
Quantity of commercial shipments
Value of commercial shipments
Internal consumption/company transfers:
Quantity of internal consumption/transfers
Value2 of internal consumption/transfers
Export shipments:3
Quantity of export shipments
Value of export shipments
End-of-period inventories4 (quantity)
Channels of distribution:
U.S. shipments to distributors (quantity)
U.S. shipments to end users (quantity)
1

Please identify the foreign producers, if known:

Sales to related firms (including internal consumption) must be valued at fair market value. In the event that you use a
different basis for valuing these sales within your company, 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:
Reconciliation of data.--Please note that the quantities reported above should reconcile as follows: beginning-of-period
inventories, plus imports, less total shipments, equals end-of-period inventories. Do the data reported reconcile?
4

Yes

No--Please explain:

Business Proprietary

U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – CSOBAs (731-TA-1186-1187 (Preliminary))

Page 8

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

CHINA
Quantity in 1,000 pounds (in solution), value (in $1,000)
Calendar years
Item
Beginning-of-period inventories (quantity)

2008

2009

2010

Imports:1 5
Quantity of imports
Value of imports
U.S. shipments:
Commercial shipments:5
Quantity of commercial shipments
Value of commercial shipments
Internal consumption/company transfers:5
Quantity of internal consumption/transfers
Value2 of internal consumption/transfers
Export shipments:3 5
Quantity of export shipments
Value of export shipments
End-of-period inventories4 5 (quantity)
Channels of distribution:5
U.S. shipments to distributors (quantity)
U.S. shipments to end users (quantity)
1

Please identify the foreign producers, if known:

Yes

No--Please explain:

If the quantity in these categories is not in the form of a solution, please provide the quantity in 1000 pounds and weighted
average percentage of active ingredient
Category: 2008: Quantity _______________; % active ingredient ____________
2009: Quantity________________; % active ingredient ____________
2010: Quantity _______________; % active ingredient _____________

Business Proprietary

U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – CSOBAs (731-TA-1186-1187 (Preliminary))

Page 9

PART II.--TRADE AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
II-6a.

Trade data.--Report your firm’s shipments by category of CSOBAs and Fluorescent
Brightener 71 from your imports from China during the specified periods. (See definitions in
the instruction booklet.)

CHINA
Quantity in 1,000 dry pounds (100 percent active ingredient basis), and value (in $1,000)
Calendar years
Item

2008

2009

2010

U.S. commercial shipments of CSOBAs:
Di-category:
Quantity of commercial shipments
Value of commercial shipments
Tetra-category:
Quantity of commercial shipments
Value of commercial shipments
Hexa-category:
Quantity of commercial shipments
Value of commercial shipments
All other categories of CSOBAs:
Quantity of commercial shipments
Value of commercial shipments

U.S. commercial shipments of Fluorescent
Brightener 71:
Quantity of commercial shipments
Value of commercial shipments
1

Reconciliation of data.--Please note that the total of the quantities and values reported by category should equal the
total quantity and value of commercial shipments reported in question II-8b. The total of the quantity and values
reported for CSOBAs plus fluorescent brightener 71 should equal the total quantity and value of commercial shipments
reported in question II-8a. Do the data reported reconcile?
Yes

No--Please explain:

Business Proprietary

U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – CSOBAs (731-TA-1186-1187 (Preliminary))

Page 10

PART II.--TRADE AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
II-6b.

CHINA
Quantity in 1,000 pounds (in solution), and value (in $1,000)
Calendar years
Item

2008

2009

2010

U.S. commercial shipments of Fluorescent
Brightener 71:
Quantity of commercial shipments
Value of commercial shipments
1

No--Please explain:

If the quantity in these categories is not in the form of a solution, please provide the quantity in 1000 pounds and
weighted average percentage of active ingredient
Category: 2008: Quantity _______________; % active ingredient ____________
2009: Quantity________________; % active ingredient ____________
2010: Quantity _______________; % active ingredient _____________

Business Proprietary

U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – CSOBAs (731-TA-1186-1187 (Preliminary))

Page 11

PART II.--TRADE AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
II-7a.

IMPORTS FROM SUBJECT SOURCES.–Report your firm’s imports and your firm’s
shipments and inventories of CSOBAs imported from TAIWAN by your firm during the
specified periods. (See definitions in the instruction booklet

TAIWAN
Quantity in 1,000 dry pounds (100 percent active ingredient basis), value (in $1,000)
Calendar years
Item

2008

2009

2010

Please identify the foreign producers, if known:

Yes

No--Please explain:

Business Proprietary

U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – CSOBAs (731-TA-1186-1187 (Preliminary))

Page 12

PART II.--TRADE AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
II-7b.

TAIWAN
Quantity in 1,000 pounds (in solution), value (in $1,000)
Calendar years
Item
Beginning-of-period inventories (quantity)

2008

2009

2010

Please identify the foreign producers, if known:

Yes

No--Please explain:

5
If the quantity in these categories is not in the form of a solution, please provide the quantity in 1000 pounds and weighted
average percentage of active ingredient

Category:____________
2008: Quantity _______________; % active ingredient ____________
2009: Quantity________________; % active ingredient ____________
2010: Quantity _______________; % active ingredient _____________

Business Proprietary

U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – CSOBAs (731-TA-1186-1187 (Preliminary))

Page 13

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

Trade data.--Report your firm’s shipments by category of CSOBAs and Fluorescent
Brightener 71 from your firm’s imports from TAIWAN during the specified periods. (See
definitions in the instruction booklet.)

TAIWAN
Quantity in 1,000 dry pounds (100 percent active ingredient basis), value (in $1,000)
Calendar years
Item

2008

2009

2010

U.S. commercial shipments of Fluorescent
Brightener 71:
Quantity of commercial shipments
Value of commercial shipments
1

No--Please explain:

Business Proprietary

U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – CSOBAs (731-TA-1186-1187 (Preliminary))

Page 14

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

TAIWAN
Quantity in 1,000 wet pounds (in solution), and value (in $1,000)
Calendar years
Item

2008

2009

2010

U.S. commercial shipments of Fluorescent
Brightener 71:
Quantity of commercial shipments
Value of commercial shipments
1

No--Please explain:

If the quantity in these categories is not in the form of a solution, please provide the quantity in 1000 pounds and
weighted average percentage of active ingredient
Category: 2008: Quantity _______________; % active ingredient ____________
2009: Quantity________________; % active ingredient ____________
2010: Quantity _______________; % active ingredient _____________

Business Proprietary

U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – CSOBAs (731-TA-1186-1187 (Preliminary))

Page 15

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

IMPORTS FROM NONSUBJECT SOURCES.–Report your firm’s imports and your firm’s
shipments and inventories of CSOBAs imported from all other sources combined by your firm
during the specified periods. (See definitions in the instruction booklet.)

ALL OTHER SOURCES COMBINED
Quantity in 1,000 dry pounds (100 percent active ingredient basis), value (in $1,000)
Calendar years
Item
Beginning-of-period inventories (quantity)

2008

2009

2010

Imports:1
Quantity of imports
Value of imports
U.S. shipments:
Commercial shipments:
Quantity of commercial shipments
Value of commercial shipments
Internal consumption/company transfers:
Quantity of internal consumption/transfers
Value2 of internal consumption/transfers
Export shipments:3
Quantity of export shipments
Value of export shipments
End-of-period inventories4 (quantity)
Channels of distribution:
U.S. shipments to distributors (quantity)
U.S. shipments to end users (quantity)
1

Please identify the foreign producers, if known:

Yes

No--Please explain:

Business Proprietary

U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – CSOBAs (731-TA-1186-1187 (Preliminary))

Page 16

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

ALL OTHER SOURCES COMBINED
Quantity in 1,000 pounds (in solution), value (in $1,000)
Calendar years
Item
Beginning-of-period inventories (quantity)

2008

2009

2010

Please identify the foreign producers, if known:

Yes

No--Please explain:

Business Proprietary

U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – CSOBAs (731-TA-1186-1187 (Preliminary))

Page 17

PART II.--TRADE AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
II-10a. Trade data.--Report your firm’s shipments by category of CSOBAs and Fluorescent
Brightener 71 from your firm’s imports from ALL OTHER SOURCES COMBINED during
the specified periods. (See definitions in the instruction booklet.)

ALL OTHER SOURCES COMBINED
Quantity in 1,000 dry pounds (100 percent active ingredient basis) and value (in $1,000)
Calendar years
Item

2008

2009

2010

U.S. commercial shipments of CSOBAs:
Di-category:
Quantity of commercial U shipments
Value of commercial shipments
Tetra-category:
Quantity of commercial shipments
Value of commercial shipments
Hexa-category:
Quantity of commercial shipments
Value of commercial shipments
All other categories of CSOBAs:
Quantity of commercial shipments
Value of commercial shipments

U.S. commercial shipments of Fluorescent
Brightener 71:
Quantity of commercial shipments
Value of commercial shipments
1

No--Please explain:

Business Proprietary

U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – CSOBAs (731-TA-1186-1187 (Preliminary))

Page 18

PART II.--TRADE AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
II-10b. Trade data.--Report your firm’s shipments by category of CSOBAs and Fluorescent
Brightener 71 from your firm’s imports from ALL OTHER SOURCES COMBINED during
the specified periods. (See definitions in the instruction booklet.)

ALL OTHER SOURCES COMBINED
Quantity in 1,000 pounds (in solution) and value (in $1,000)
Calendar years
Item

2008

2009

2010

U.S. commercial shipments of Fluorescent
Brightener 71:
Quantity of commercial shipments
Value of commercial shipments
1

No--Please explain:

If the quantity in these categories is not in the form of a solution, please provide the quantity in 1000 pounds and
weighted average percentage of active ingredient
Category: 2008: Quantity _______________; % active ingredient ____________
2009: Quantity________________; % active ingredient ____________
2010: Quantity _______________; % active ingredient _____________

Business Proprietary

U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – CSOBAs (731-TA-1186-1187 (Preliminary))

Page 19

PART III.--PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION
Further information on this part of the questionnaire can be obtained from Gerry Benedick (202-2053244, gerald.benedick@usitc.gov)
III-1.

Please identify the individual to be contacted regarding the confidential information requested in
part 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:

Telephone:

Fax:
PRICE DATA
Check here
if your firm imported CSOBAs in solution form (i.e., without any ‘let-down’ process)
into the United States and sold the product in solution to U.S. paper-producing companies; if checked,
please provide the requested price information in question III-2.
Check here
if your firm imported CSOBAs in powder form into the United States, then reconstituted
the powder to liquid form and sold the product in solution to U.S. paper-producing companies; if checked
please provide the requested price information in question III-3.
III-2.

This section requests quarterly selling quantity and value data during January 2008-December
2010 for your firm’s U.S. commercial shipments of the following products that it imported
directly in solution from China and/or Taiwan and from its largest nonsubject country source
and shipped in solution to U.S. paper-producing companies unrelated to your firm by
ownership. Such imports should represent full production of CSOBAs in these countries and
without any ‘let-down’ operation that reconstitutes the powder form into the liquid form.
Product 1.–4,4’-bis[4-[bis (2-hydroxyethyl) amino]-6-(4-sulfoanilino)-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl]amino2,2’-stilbenedisulfonic acid, C40H44N12O16S4 (“Fluorescent Brightener 220”)1 -For example:
Clariant’s Leucophor T-100 Liquid, T-105 Liquid, or T-4 Liquid;
BASF’s Tinopal ABP-A Liquid;
TFM’s Taflunol UMS T/P Powder or UMS 640L Liquid; and
Hongda’s 4PL-C, BBU-D, or Elcowhite TS.
Report Fluorescent Brightener 220 in solution, in bulk packaging (e.g., tank trucks, road tankers,
and/or rail cars);
Product 2.–Fluorescent Brightener 220 in solution, in non-bulk packaging (e.g., drums, totes,
and/or intermediate bulk containers).
Note: The largest nonsubject supply country is based on your firm’s total U.S. imports of
CSOBAs in solution from all nonsubject countries during January 2008-December 2010.

Representative forms of this compound include the free acid form (CAS No. 3066-05-5), identified in the
product descriptions, as well as the tetrasodium salt form (CAS No. 16470-24-9).

Business Proprietary

U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – CSOBAs (731-TA-1186-1187 (Preliminary))

Page 20

PART III.--PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
III-2.--Continued
Please note that the total quarterly sales values, on a shipment basis, should be reported two ways:
(1) Delivered to U.S. customers (paper companies)-Please report transactions on a delivered sales basis. The total quarterly quantities
should correspond to sales values shown on a delivered shipment basis. Total dollar figures
should reflect the FINAL NET amount paid to your firm (i.e., should be net of all deductions
for discounts, allowances, rebates, and the value of returned goods).
And, to the extent possible,
(2) Estimated f.o.b. U.S. port(s)-of-entry, excluding all U.S.-inland freight, to U.S. customers
(paper companies)-Deduct from the delivered price (a) an estimate of U.S.-inland freight and shipping
charges from your U.S. shipping point(s) to the U.S. customers and (b) an estimate of any
U.S.-inland freight from your firm’s U.S. port(s)-of-entry to its non-port U.S. shipping points,
and report the resulting estimated f.o.b. U.S. port(s)-of-entry sales value. Please report
transactions only where your firm can report values on an (estimated) f.o.b. U.S.
port(s)-of-entry sales basis.
The total quarterly quantities should correspond to sales values shown on the estimated
f.o.b. U.S. port(s)-of-entry basis. Total dollar figures should reflect the FINAL NET return to
your firm (i.e., should be net of all deduction for discounts, allowances, rebates, absorbed
freight, and the value of returned goods).

Business Proprietary

U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – CSOBAs (731-TA-1186-1187 (Preliminary))

Page 21

PART III.--PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
III-2a. Pricing data.—Please report below the quarterly price data for the specified pricing products1
imported by your firm directly from China in solution and sold by your firm in solution to U.S.
paper-producing companies unrelated by ownership to your firm.
CHINA

Period of
shipment
2008:
Jan-Mar

Quantity

(Quantity in pounds, value in dollars)
Product 1
Product 2
Delivered
U.S. f.o.b.
Delivered
Value2
Quantity
value3
Quantity
Value2
Quantity

U.S. f.o.b.
value3

Apr-June
July-Sept
Oct.-Dec
2009:
Jan-Mar
Apr-June
July-Sept
Oct.-Dec
2010:
Jan-Mar
Apr-June
July-Sept
Oct.-Dec
1

Pricing product definitions are provided on the first page of Part III.
Net values (i.e., gross sales values less all discounts, allowances, rebates, and the value of returned goods), delivered to your U.S.
customers.
3
Net values (i.e., gross sales values less all discounts, allowances, rebates, absorbed freight, and the value of returned goods), f.o.b.
your U.S. port(s)-of-entry, estimated to exclude U.S.-inland freight.
2

Business Proprietary

U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – CSOBAs (731-TA-1186-1187 (Preliminary))

Page 22

PART III.--PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
III-2b. Pricing data.—Please report below the quarterly price data for the specified pricing products1
imported by your firm directly from Taiwan in solution and sold by your firm in solution to
U.S. paper-producing companies unrelated by ownership to your firm.
TAIWAN

Period of
shipment
2008:
Jan-Mar

Quantity

(Quantity in pounds, value in dollars)
Product 1
Product 2
Delivered
U.S. f.o.b.
Delivered
Value2
Quantity
value3
Quantity
Value2
Quantity

U.S. f.o.b.
value3

Apr-June
July-Sept
Oct.-Dec
2009:
Jan-Mar
Apr-June
July-Sept
Oct.-Dec
2010:
Jan-Mar
Apr-June
July-Sept
Oct.-Dec
1

Business Proprietary

U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – CSOBAs (731-TA-1186-1187 (Preliminary))

Page 23

PART III.--PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
III-2c. Pricing data.—Please report below the quarterly price data for the specified pricing products1
imported by your firm directly from its largest nonsubject country source in solution and sold
by your firm in solution to U.S. paper-producing companies unrelated by ownership to your
firm. Identify the largest nonsubject country source below.
LARGEST NONSUBJECT COUNTRY:

(Quantity in pounds, value in dollars)
Period of
shipment
2008:
Jan-Mar

Quantity

Product 1
Delivered
Value2
Quantity

U.S. f.o.b.
value3

Quantity

Product 2
Delivered
Value2
Quantity

U.S. f.o.b.
value3

Apr-June
July-Sept
Oct.-Dec
2009:
Jan-Mar
Apr-June
July-Sept
Oct.-Dec
2010:
Jan-Mar
Apr-June
July-Sept
Oct.-Dec
1

Business Proprietary

U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – CSOBAs (731-TA-1186-1187 (Preliminary))

Page 24

PART III.--PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
III-3.

Report the requested pricing data in this section only if your firm imported CSOBA products in
powder form directly from China and/or Taiwan into the United States and then reconstituted (by
importer or third party) the powder to the liquid form before selling the products.
This section requests quarterly selling quantity and value data during January 2008-December
2010 for your firm’s U.S. commercial shipments of products 1 and 2 (shown on the first page of
Part III) that it imported in powder form into the United States directly from China and/or
Taiwan, then reconstituted the powder to the liquid form and sold the products in solution to U.S.
paper-producing companies unrelated to your firm by ownership.

Please note that the total quarterly sales values of the CSOBA products in solution, on a shipment basis,
should be reported two ways:
(1) Delivered to U.S. customers (paper companies) for the products in solution-Please report transactions on a delivered sales basis. The total quarterly quantities
should correspond to sales values shown on a delivered shipment basis. Total dollar figures
should reflect the FINAL NET amount paid to your firm (i.e., should be net of all deductions
for discounts, allowances, rebates, and the value of returned goods).
And, to the extent possible,
(2) Estimated f.o.b. U.S. port(s)-of-entry, excluding all U.S.-inland freight, to U.S. customers
(paper companies)-Deduct from the delivered price (a) an estimate of U.S.-inland freight and shipping
charges from your U.S. shipping point(s) to the U.S. customers and (b) an estimate of any
U.S.-inland freight from your firm’s U.S. port(s) of entry of the CSOBAs in powder form to
its U.S. let-down facilities and any other U.S. shipping points, and report the resulting
estimated f.o.b. U.S. port(s)-of-entry sales value (excluding all U.S.-inland freight). Please
report transactions only where your firm can report values f.o.b. U.S. port(s)-of-entry,
but excluding all U.S.-inland freight.
The total quarterly quantities should correspond to sales values shown on the estimated
f.o.b. U.S. port(s)-of-entry, excluding U.S.-inland freight. Total dollar figures should reflect
the FINAL NET return to your firm (i.e., should be net of all deduction for discounts,
allowances, rebates, absorbed freight, and the value of returned goods).

Business Proprietary

U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – CSOBAs (731-TA-1186-1187 (Preliminary))

Page 25

PART III.--PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
III-3a. Pricing data.—Please report below the quarterly price data for the specified pricing products1
imported by your firm directly from China in powder form, then reconstituted into liquid form
and sold by your firm in solution to U.S. paper-producing companies unrelated by ownership
to your firm.
CHINA

Period of
shipment
2008:
Jan-Mar

Quantity

(Quantity in pounds, value in dollars)
Product 1
Product 2
Delivered
U.S. f.o.b.
Delivered
Value2
Quantity
value3
Quantity
Value2
Quantity

U.S. f.o.b.
value3

Apr-June
July-Sept
Oct.-Dec
2009:
Jan-Mar
Apr-June
July-Sept
Oct.-Dec
2010:
Jan-Mar
Apr-June
July-Sept
Oct.-Dec
1

Business Proprietary

U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – CSOBAs (731-TA-1186-1187 (Preliminary))

Page 26

PART III.--PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
III-3b. Pricing data.— Please report below the quarterly price data for the specified pricing products1
imported by your firm directly from Taiwan in powder form, then reconstituted into liquid form
and sold by your firm in solution to U.S. paper-producing companies unrelated by ownership
to your firm.
TAIWAN

Period of
shipment
2008:
Jan-Mar

Quantity

(Quantity in pounds, value in dollars)
Product 1
Product 2
Delivered
U.S. f.o.b.
Delivered
Value2
Quantity
value3
Quantity
Value2
Quantity

U.S. f.o.b.
value3

Apr-June
July-Sept
Oct.-Dec
2009:
Jan-Mar
Apr-June
July-Sept
Oct.-Dec
2010:
Jan-Mar
Apr-June
July-Sept
Oct.-Dec
1

Business Proprietary

U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – CSOBAs (731-TA-1186-1187 (Preliminary))

Page 27

PART III.--PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
III-3c. Let-down value.—Please report for products 1 and 2 that your firm imported from China and/or
Taiwan in the powder form an estimate of the percentage share of your firm’s delivered selling
prices (on a per pound basis) of the products in solution, reported in sections III-3a and III-3b,
accounted for by the cost of the let-down process used to reconstitute the powder form of the
imported products to the liquid form. Please report as an annual average for each country,
product, and year reported.
China:
Product 1--

2008

percent

2009

percent

2010

percent

Product 2--

2008

percent

2009

percent

2010

percent

Product 1--

2008

percent

2009

percent

2010

percent

Product 2--

2008

percent

2009

percent

2010

percent

Taiwan:

III-4.

Price setting.-- How does your firm determine the prices that it charges for sales of its imported
CSOBAs from China
and/or Taiwan
(check all countries 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. (Check all selections that apply)
Transaction by transaction

Contracts

Set price lists

Reverse internet auction sales
Other--Please describe:

III-5.

Discount policy.-- Please indicate and describe your firm’s discount policies for sales of its
imported CSOBAs from China
and/or Taiwan
(check all countries that apply).
(Check all selections that apply).
Quantity discounts
Other--Please describe:

Annual total volume discounts

No discounts

Business Proprietary

U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – CSOBAs (731-TA-1186-1187 (Preliminary))

Page 28

PART III.--PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
III-6.

Pricing terms for CSOBAs.-(a)

(b)

III-7.

What are your firm’s typical sales terms for CSOBAs imported from China
(check all countries that apply). (e.g., 2/10 net 30 days)?
Taiwan

and/or
.

On what basis are your prices of imported CSOBAs from China
and/or Taiwan
(check all countries that apply) usually quoted?
F.o.b.--Please specify point:
Delivered (Check one)

Contract versus spot.--Approximately what share of your firm’s U.S. commercial shipment
f.o.b. values of CSOBAs imported from China or Taiwan in 2010 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 U.S. Commercial shipment values in 2010
(percent)
China
Taiwan

Long-term contracts
Short-term contracts
Spot sales
Total 100 %
III-8.

100 %

Long-term contract provisions.--If you sell CSOBAs that your firm imported from China
and/or Taiwan
(check all countries that apply) 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

Quantity

Price
Yes

Both
No

Business Proprietary

U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – CSOBAs (731-TA-1186-1187 (Preliminary))

Page 29

PART III.--PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
III-9.
Short-term contract provisions.--If you sell CSOBAs imported from China
and/or
(check all countries that apply) on a short-term contract basis, please answer the following
Taiwan
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

Quantity

Price
Yes

Both
No

III-10. Lead times.--What is your firm’s share of its U.S. commercial shipment f.o.b. values in 2010 of
its CSOBAs imported from China and/or Taiwan, 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
shipments of the imported CSOBAs?
China:

Source

Share of U.S.
commercial shipment
values in 2010

Lead time

From your U.S. inventory

days

From foreign manufacturers’
inventory

days

Produced to order

days

Total

100 %

Taiwan:

Source

Share of U.S.
commercial shipment
values in 2010

Lead time

From your U.S. inventory

days

From foreign manufacturers’
inventory

days

Produced to order

days

Total

100 %

Business Proprietary

U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – CSOBAs (731-TA-1186-1187 (Preliminary))

Page 30

PART III.--PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
III-11. Shipping information.—
(a)

What is the approximate percentage of the total delivered price of your firm’s imported
CSOBAs from China
and/or Taiwan
(check all countries that apply) that is
percent.
accounted for by U.S. inland transportation costs?

(b)

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

(c)

When you sell CSOBAs imported from China
and/or Taiwan
that apply), from where is it shipped?
(check one) point of U.S. importation
or U.S. storage facility

(d)

What proportion of your U.S. sales of CSOBAs imported from China
and/or Taiwan
(check all countries that apply) are delivered within 100 miles of your U.S. point of
shipment (provide the percentages)?
percent. Within 101 to 1,000 miles?
percent. Over 1,000 miles?
percent.

(check all countries

III-12. Geographical shipments--What is the geographic market area in the United States served by
your firm’s shipments of CSOBAs that it imported? (check all that apply)

√ if applicable
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.

China

Taiwan

All other countries

Business Proprietary

U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – CSOBAs (731-TA-1186-1187 (Preliminary))

Page 31

PART III.--PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
III-13. End uses-Describe the top three end uses of the CSOBAs that you import from China
and/or
(check all countries that apply). For each end-use product, what percentage of the
Taiwan
total cost is accounted for by CSOBAs and other inputs?
Share of total cost of end use product
accounted for by
End use product

CSOBAs (percent)

Other inputs (percent)

Total

1.
100%
2.
100%
3.
100%

Business Proprietary

U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – CSOBAs (731-TA-1186-1187 (Preliminary))

Page 32

PART III.--PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
III-14. Substitutes.-(a) Can other products be substituted for CSOBAs?
No
Yes--Please complete (b).
(b) Please list in order of importance any products that may be substituted for CSOBAs in the
U.S. market. For each possible substitute product, please describe the degree of substitutability
and indicate whether changes in the price of the substitute affect the price and/or quantity for
CSOBAs.

Substitute

End use(s) in which this
substitute is used

Have changes in the prices of this substitute
affected the price and/or quantity for
CSOBAS?

Yes-- Please explain.

Yes--Please explain.

Business Proprietary

U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – CSOBAs (731-TA-1186-1187 (Preliminary))

Page 33

PART III.--PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
III-15. Demand trends.-(a)

How has the demand within the United States for CSOBAs changed since January 1,
2008? What principal factors affect changes in demand?
Increased

(b)

No Change

Decreased

Fluctuated

How has the demand outside the United States (if known) for CSOBAs changed since
January 1, 2008? What principal factors affect changes in demand?
Increased

No Change

Decreased

Fluctuated

III-16. Product changes.--Have there been any significant changes in the product range, product mix, or
marketing (including sales over the internet) of CSOBAs since January 1, 2008?
No

Yes-- Please describe.

Business Proprietary

U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – CSOBAs (731-TA-1186-1187 (Preliminary))

Page 34

PART III.--PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
III-17. Business cycles.-(a) Is the U.S. CSOBA market subject to business cycles or conditions of competition (including
seasonal business) distinctive to CSOBAs?
No (skip to question IV-16.)

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

(b) If yes, have there been any changes in the business cycles or conditions of competition for
CSOBAs since January 1, 2008?
No

Yes-- Please describe.

III-18. Supply constraints.--Has your firm refused, declined, or been unable to supply CSOBAs that it
imported from China , Taiwan , and/or other countries
(check all countries that apply)
since January 1, 2008 (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 meet timely shipment commitments, etc.)?
No

Yes-- Please fill in the table.

Type of supply
constraint

When this
occurred

Which purchasers
were affected by the
constraint

Why did the supply
constraint occur

1.
2.
3.

III-19. Raw materials.--Please describe any trends in the prices of raw materials used to produce
CSOBAs that your firm imported from China , Taiwan , and/or other countries
(check
all countries that apply) and whether your firm expects these trends to continue.

Business Proprietary

U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – CSOBAs (731-TA-1186-1187 (Preliminary))

Page 35

PART III.--PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
III-20. Interchangeability.—Is CSOBAs produced in the United States and in other countries
interchangeable in the U.S. market (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 countrypair.1
Country-pair

China

Taiwan

Other countries

United States
China
Taiwan
1
For any country-pair producing CSOBAs that is sometimes or never interchangeable, please explain
the factors that limit or preclude interchangeable use (please identify any ‘other countries”):

Business Proprietary

U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – CSOBAs (731-TA-1186-1187 (Preliminary))

Page 36

PART III.--PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
III-21. Factors other than price.--Are differences other than price (i.e., quality, availability,
transportation network, product range, technical support, etc.) between CSOBAs produced in the
United States and in other countries a significant factor in your firm’s U.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

Taiwan

Other countries

United States
China
Taiwan
1
For any country-pair for which factors other than price always or frequently are a significant factor in
your firm’s sales of its imported CSOBAs, identify the country-pair and report the advantages or
disadvantages imparted by such factors (please identify any ‘other countries’):

Business Proprietary

U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – CSOBAs (731-TA-1186-1187 (Preliminary))

Page 37

PART III.--PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
III-22. Customer Identification.--Please identify below the names and addresses of your firm’s
10 largest customers for its imported CSOBAs from China and/or Taiwan during 2008-2010
(next to the company name identify in parenthesis whether an end user (EU) or distributor (D)).
Please also provide the name and telephone number of a contact person and the share of the U.S.
f.o.b. value of your firm’s total U.S. shipments of CSOBAs from China and/or Taiwan that each
of these customers accounted for in 2010. Report separately for each subject country.
China:
No.

Customer’s name

Street address (not P.O.
box), city, state, and zip
code

Contact person and
e-mail address

Area
code and
telephone
number

Share of
2010
shipments
(%)

Business Proprietary

U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – CSOBAs (731-TA-1186-1187 (Preliminary))

Page 38

PART III.--PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
III-22. Customer Identification.—Continued
Taiwan:
No.

Customer’s name

Street address (not P.O.
box), city, state, and zip
code

Contact person and
e-mail address

Area
code and
telephone
number

Share of
2010
shipments
(%)

File Type	application/pdf
File Title	Microsoft Word - Importer Questionnaire OBA.doc
Author	cynthia.Trainor
File Modified	2011-04-05
File Created	2011-04-05