11-4-2956 CSOBAs - Foreign Producer Questionnaire

OMB No. 3117-0016/USITC No. 11-4-2956; Expiration Date: 6/30/2011
(No response is required if currently valid OMB control number is not displayed)

FOREIGN PRODUCERS’/EXPORTERS’ 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 CSOBAs from China and/or
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.

Name of firm
Address
World Wide Web address
Has your firm produced or exported CSOBAS (as defined in the instruction booklet) at any time since January 1,
2008?

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 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
Foreign Producers’/Exporters’ 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 20 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 CSOBAs in
2010.

No.

1

2

3

4

5

Importer’s name

Contact person

E-mail address

Area
code and
telephone
number

Share of
your 2010
exports
(%)

Business Proprietary
Foreign Producers’ Questionnaire – CSOBAs (731-TA-1186-1187 (Preliminary))

Page 3

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

Related U.S. producers.--Does your firm or any related firm produce, have the capability to
produce, or have any plans to produce CSOBAs in the United States or other countries?
No

I-5.

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 Cynthia Trainor for copies of that questionnaire).

Related U.S. importers.--Does your firm or any related firm import or have any plans to import
CSOBAs into the United States?
No

Yes--Please name the firm(s) below and ensure that they complete the
Commission’s importer questionnaire (contact Cynthia Trainor for
copies of that questionnaire).

Business Proprietary
Foreign Producers’ Questionnaire – CSOBAs (731-TA-1186-1187 (Preliminary))

Page 4

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
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 CSOBAs since January 1, 2008.
(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) ............

Business Proprietary
Foreign Producers’ Questionnaire – CSOBAs (731-TA-1186-1187 (Preliminary))

Page 5

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 CSOBAs 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 CSOBAs (in 1,000 pounds) for 2011 and 2012.

Same equipment, machinery, and workers.--Has your firm since 2008 produced, or does your
firm anticipate producing in the future, other products on the same equipment and machinery
used in the production of CSOBAs?
No

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

Product
Optical Brightener 71
Other optical brighteners

Period

Basis for allocation of capacity data

Business Proprietary
Foreign Producers’ Questionnaire – CSOBAs (731-TA-1186-1187 (Preliminary))

Page 6

PART II.--TRADE AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
II-4.
II-4a.

Same equipment, machinery, and workers.--Continued
(Quantity in 1,000 dry pounds (100 percent active ingredient basis)
Item

2008

2009

2010

2009

2010

Overall Production Capacity
Production of:
Subject merchandise (CSOBAs)
Fluorescent Brightener 71
All other optical brighteners
All other products

II-4b.
(Quantity in 1,000 pounds (in solution)
Item

2008

Overall Production Capacity
Production of:
Subject merchandise (CSOBAs)
Fluorescent Brightener 71
All other optical brighteners
All other products

II-5.

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

II-6.

Production shifting.--Is your firm able to switch production between CSOBAs and other
products in response to a relative change in the price of CSOBAs 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 CSOBAs.

Business Proprietary
Foreign Producers’ Questionnaire – CSOBAs (731-TA-1186-1187 (Preliminary))

Page 7

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

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

II-8.

Inventories in the United States.--Has your firm, since 2008, maintained any inventories of
CSOBAs 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.

II-8a.
(Quantity in 1,000 dry pounds (100 percent active ingredient basis)
Item

2008

2009

2010

Inventory of CSOBAs

II-8b.
(Quantity in 1,000 pounds (in solution)
Item

2008

2009

Inventory of CSOBAs

II-9.

Third country trade actions.--Are the CSOBAs exported by your firm subject to
antidumping/countervailing duty/safeguard findings, remedies, or procedings?
No

Yes--List the products(s), countries affected, and the date of such
findings/remedies/procedings.
Product

Country

Date

2010

Business Proprietary
Foreign Producers’ Questionnaire – CSOBAs (731-TA-1186-1187 (Preliminary))

Page 8

PART II.--TRADE AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
II-10a. Report your firm’s production capacity, production, shipments, and inventories related to the
production of CSOBAs in your establishment(s) in CHINA during the specified periods. (See
definitions in the instruction booklet.)

CHINA
Quantity in 1,000 dry pounds (100 percent active ingredient basis)
Actual experience
1

Projections
Item

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

Average production capacity2
Beginning-of-period inventories3
Production4
Shipments:
Internal consumption/transfers
Home market sales
Exports to-United States5
All other export markets6
Total exports
Total shipments
End-of-period inventories
1

Please explain the basis for your projections.

2

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.

3

Reconciliation of data.--Please note that the quantities reported above should reconcile as follows: beginning-of-period
inventories, plus production, less total shipments, equals end-of-period inventories. Do the data reported reconcile?
Yes

No--Please explain:

4
Please estimate the percentage of total production of CSOBAS in China accounted for by your firm’s production in
2010.
Percent
5
Please estimate the percentage of total exports to the United States of CSOBAS from China accounted for by your
firm’s exports in 2010:
Percent

Please advise the weighted average percentage of active ingredient contained:
2008:
; 2009:
2010:
Do your firm’s exports to the United States differ in form (liquid or powder) from exports to other destinations?
No
Yes: --Please explain:
6

Identify principal other export markets.

Business Proprietary
Foreign Producers’ Questionnaire – CSOBAs (731-TA-1186-1187 (Preliminary))

Page 9

PART II.--TRADE AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
II-10b. Report your firm’s production capacity, production, shipments, and inventories related to the
production of CSOBAS in your establishment(s) in CHINA during the specified periods. (See
definitions in the instruction booklet.)

CHINA
Quantity in 1,000 pounds (in solution)
Actual experience
1

Projections
Item

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2

Average production capacity

Beginning-of-period inventories3
Production4
Shipments:
Internal consumption/transfers
Home market sales
Exports to-United States5
All other export markets6
Total exports
Total shipments
End-of-period inventories
1

Please explain the basis for your projections.

2

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.

3

Reconciliation of data.--Please note that the quantities reported above should reconcile as follows: beginning-of-period
inventories, plus production, less total shipments, equals end-of-period inventories. Do the data reported reconcile?
Yes

No--Please explain:

4

Please estimate the percentage of total production of CSOBAS in China accounted for by your firm’s production in
2010.
Percent
5

Please estimate the percentage of total exports to the United States of CSOBAS from China accounted for by your
firm’s exports in 2010:
Percent
Please advise the weighted average percentage of active ingredient contained:
2008:
; 2009:
2010:
Do your firm’s exports to the United States differ in form (liquid or powder) from exports to other destinations?
No
Yes: --Please explain:
6

Identify principal other export markets.

Business Proprietary
Foreign Producers’ Questionnaire – CSOBAs (731-TA-1186-1187 (Preliminary))

Page 10

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

Trade data.--Report your firm’s exports to the United States by category of CSOBAs and
Fluorescent Brightener 71 during the specified periods. (See definitions in the instruction
booklet.)
CHINA
Quantity in 1,000 dry pounds (100 percent active ingredient basis) and in 1,000 pounds (in solution)
Calendar years
Item

2008

2009

2010

Exports to the United States of CSOBAs:1
Di-category:
Quantity of exports in powder
Quantity of exports in solution
Tetra-category:
Quantity of exports in powder
Quantity of exports in solution
Hexa-category:
Quantity of exports in powder
Quantity of exports in solution
All other categories of CSOBAs:
Quantity of exports in powder
Quantity of exports in solution
Exports to the United States of Fluorescent
Brightener 71:
Quantity of exports in powder
Quantity of exports in solution
Identify your principal export markets by category of CSOBA: Di:

; Tetra:

Hexa:

If your exports to the United States are shipped in powder form, please advise the weighted average percentage of
active ingredient contained:
Di:
2008:
; 2009:
2010:
Tetra: 2008:
; 2009:
2010:
Hexa: 2008:
; 2009:
2010:

Business Proprietary
Foreign Producers’ Questionnaire – CSOBAs (731-TA-1186-1187 (Preliminary))

Page 11

PART II.--TRADE AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
II-12a. Report your firm’s production capacity, production, shipments, and inventories related to the
production of CSOBAs in your establishment(s) in TAIWAN during the specified periods. (See
definitions in the instruction booklet.)

TAIWAN
Quantity in 1,000 dry pounds (100 percent active ingredient basis)
Actual experience
1

Projections
Item

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2

Average production capacity

Beginning-of-period inventories3
Production4
Shipments:
Internal consumption/transfers
Home market sales
Exports to-United States5
All other export markets

6

Total exports
Total shipments
End-of-period inventories
1

Please explain the basis for your projections.

2

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.

3

Reconciliation of data.--Please note that the quantities reported above should reconcile as follows: beginning-of-period
inventories, plus production, less total shipments, equals end-of-period inventories. Do the data reported reconcile?
Yes

No--Please explain:

4

Please estimate the percentage of total production of CSOBAS in Taiwan accounted for by your firm’s production in
2010.
Percent
5

Please estimate the percentage of total exports to the United States of CSOBAS from Taiwan accounted for by your
firm’s exports in 2010:
Percent
Please provide the weighted average percentage of active ingredient contained:
2008:
; 2009:
2010:
Do your firm’s exports to the United States differ in form (liquid or powder) from exports to other destinations?
No
Yes: --Please explain:
6

Identify principal other export markets.

Business Proprietary
Foreign Producers’ Questionnaire – CSOBAs (731-TA-1186-1187 (Preliminary))

Page 12

PART II.--TRADE AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
II-12b. Report your firm’s production capacity, production, shipments, and inventories related to the
production of CSOBAs in your establishment(s) in TAIWAN during the specified periods. (See
definitions in the instruction booklet.)

TAIWAN
Quantity in 1,000 pounds (in solution)
Actual experience
1

Projections
Item

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

Average production capacity2
Beginning-of-period inventories3
Production4
Shipments:
Internal consumption/transfers
Home market sales
Exports to-United States5
All other export markets6
Total exports
Total shipments
End-of-period inventories
1

Please explain the basis for your projections.

2

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.

3

Reconciliation of data.--Please note that the quantities reported above should reconcile as follows: beginning-of-period
inventories, plus production, less total shipments, equals end-of-period inventories. Do the data reported reconcile?
Yes

No--Please explain:

4
Please estimate the percentage of total production of CSOBAS in Taiwan accounted for by your firm’s production in
2010.
Percent
5
Please estimate the percentage of total exports to the United States of CSOBAS from Taiwan accounted for by your
firm’s exports in 2010:
Percent

Please provide the weighted average percentage of active ingredient contained:
2008:
; 2009:
2010:
Do your firm’s exports to the United States differ in form (liquid or powder) from exports to other destinations?
No
Yes: --Please explain:
6

Identify principal other export markets.

Business Proprietary
Foreign Producers’ Questionnaire – CSOBAs (731-TA-1186-1187 (Preliminary))

Page 13

PART II.--TRADE AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
II-14.

Trade data.--Report your firm’s exports to the United States by category of CSOBAs and
Fluorescent Brightener 71 during the specified periods. (See definitions in the instruction
booklet.)
TAIWAN
Quantity in 1,000 dry pounds (100 percent active ingredient basis) and in 1,000 pounds (in solution)
Calendar years
Item

2008

2009

2010

Exports to the United States of CSOBAs:
Di-category:
Quantity of exports in powder
Quantity of exports in solution
Tetra-category:
Quantity of exports in powder
Quantity of exports in solution
Hexa-category:
Quantity of exports in powder
Quantity of exports in solution
All other categories of CSOBAs:
Quantity of exports in powder
Quantity of exports in solution
Exports to the United States of Fluorescent
Brightener 71:
Quantity of exports in powder
Quantity of exports in solution
Identify your principal export markets by category of CSOBA: Di:

; Tetra:

Hexa:

If your exports to the United States are shipped in powder form, please advise the weighted average percentage of
active ingredient contained:
Di:
2008:
; 2009:
2010:
Tetra: 2008:
; 2009:
2010:
Hexa: 2008:
; 2009:
2010: