12-3-3018 Purchaser Questionnaire

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

US Purchaser Questionnaire

High Pressure Steel Cylinder from China, Inv. No. 701-480

OMB: 3117-0016

⚠️ Notice: This form may be outdated. More recent filings and information on OMB 3117-0016 can be found here:

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OMB No. 3117-0016/USITC No. 12-3-3018; Expiration Date: 6/30/2014
(No response is required if currently valid OMB control number is not displayed)

U.S. PURCHASERS’ QUESTIONNAIRE
HIGH PRESSURE STEEL CYLINDERS FROM CHINA

This questionnaire must be received by the Commission by no later than March 16, 2012
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 countervailing duty/antidumping investigation(s) concerning high pressure steel cylinders from China
(inv. Nos. 701-TA-480 and 731-TA-1188 (Final). 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)). Further information on this questionnaire can be obtained from Clark Workman (202-205-3248,
clark.workman@usitc.gov).

Name of firm
Address
City

State

Zip Code

World Wide Web address
Has your firm purchased high pressure steel cylinders (as defined in the instruction booklet) from any source
(domestic or foreign) at any time since January 1, 2009, or is your firm a buying group that negotiates prices for
high pressure steel cylinders on behalf of your members?

(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 submitting 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

Date

Phone:
Signature

E-mail address
Fax

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire – High Pressure Steel Cylinders

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 25 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 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?

I-4.

Yes--List the following information.

Firm name

Address

Extent of
ownership

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

Yes--List the following information.

Firm name

Address

Affiliation

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire – High Pressure Steel Cylinders

Page 3

PART I.--GENERAL INFORMATION--Continued
I-5.

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

Yes--List the following information.

Firm name and country

I-6.

Address

Affiliation

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

Yes--List the following information.

Firm name

Address

Affiliation

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - High Pressure Steel Cylinders

Page 4

PART II.--PURCHASES
Contact information.-- Please identify the responsible individual and the manner by which Commission
staff may contact that individual regarding the confidential information submitted in this questionnaire.
Name
Title
Email
Telephone
Fax

II-1.

Purchases.--Report, as indicated below, your firm’s purchases (either directly or through a sales
agent or broker) of high pressure steel cylinders. Report based on delivery date, not order date.

Quantity (in UNITS) and value (in $1,000)
Item
2009
2010
Purchases of high pressure steel
cylinders produced in-The United States:
Quantity
Value
China:
Quantity
Value
1
All other countries:
Quantity
Value
1

Please identify these countries:

2011

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - High Pressure Steel Cylinders

Page 5

PART II.--PURCHASES--Continued
II-2.

Changes in purchasing patterns.—Please indicate how the relative levels of your firm’s
purchases of high pressure steel cylinders from different sources have changed in the last three
years.

Source of Did not
purchases purchase Decreased Increased Constant Fluctuated

Explanation for trend

United
States

China
All other
countries

II-3.

Purchases from one country only.--If your firm has purchased high pressure steel cylinders
from only one country, please explain the reasons for doing so.

II-4.

Supplier identification.--Please list your firm’s FIVE largest suppliers for high pressure steel
cylinders since 2009. Also, provide the share of the quantity of your firm’s total purchases of
high pressure steel cylinders that each of these suppliers accounted for in 2011.

No.

Supplier’s name

City and state

Share of quantity of
2011 purchases

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - High Pressure Steel Cylinders

Page 6

PART III.--MARKET CHARACTERISTICS AND PURCHASING PRACTICES
III-1(a). Firm type.--Which of the following best describes your firm as a purchaser of high pressure steel
cylinders (check all that apply)?
End user
Distributor
Other (Describe:

)

If you checked the box indicating that your firm functioned as a distributor, please attach a list of your
customers for high pressure steel cylinders. If your firm, acting as a distributor, negotiated prices with a
buying group, please identify each buying group to which a competitive bid was submitted and provide
all correspondence relating to your 2010 bids , including your initial quotes to the buying groups(s), any
responses from the buying groups(s), and any subsequent quotes that were modifications to your original
quotes.
III-1(b): Do you represent a buying group?
Yes

III-1(c): If you are the representative of a buying group, please provide all bid and term sheets submitted by
suppliers of high pressure steel cylinders during 2009, 2010, and 2011, as well as the identity of all
preferred and qualified suppliers of high pressure steel cylinders during 2008, 2010, and 2011.
III-1(b): Is your firm a member of a buying group?
Yes

If yes, check the buying group in which your firms is a member, and complete question III-28 of this
questionnaire.
Name of group

Member?

IWDC

____

Big Buying Group

____

AIWD

____

ADA/LDA

____

IDC

____

Other_____

____

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - High Pressure Steel Cylinders

Page 7

PART III.--MARKET CHARACTERISTICS AND PURCHASING PRACTICES--Continued
III-2.

Competition for sales.--If you are a distributor or reseller of high pressure steel cylinders, do you
compete for sales to your customers with the manufacturers or importers from which you purchase high
pressure steel cylinders?

Yes--Please describe.

III-3.

Types of customers.--If your firm is a distributor or reseller of high pressure steel cylinders, what are the
major types of consumers to which you sell high pressure steel cylinders?

III-4.

End uses.--If your firm is an end user of high pressure steel cylinders, list in order of quantity of high
pressure steel cylinders consumed, the top 3 products for which your firm purchases high pressure steel
cylinders as a component part or input. Please indicate what percentage of the total cost is accounted for
by high pressure steel cylinders and other inputs.
Share of total cost in each of the product(s)
you produce accounted for by
Product(s) you
produce

High pressure steel
cylinders (percent)

Other inputs (percent)

Total

100%

III-5.

Demand for end use products.--

(a)

If your firm is an end user of high pressure steel cylinders, has the demand for your firm’s final products
incorporating high pressure steel cylinders changed since 2009?
Increased

(b)

No change

Decreased

Fluctuated

Has this had any effect on your firm’s demand for high pressure steel cylinders?
No

Yes--Please describe.

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - High Pressure Steel Cylinders

Page 8

PART III.--MARKET CHARACTERISTICS AND PURCHASING PRACTICES--Continued
III-6.

Substitutes.--Can other products be substituted for high pressure steel cylinders?

Yes--Please fill out the table below.

End use in which this
substitute is used

Substitute

Have changes in the prices of this substitute
affected the price for high pressure steel
cylinders?
No Yes

Explanation

1.
2.
3.

III-7.

ISO cylinders.--Are cylinders meeting ISO standards a substitute for the high pressure steel cylinders
that are the subject of these investigations?
No

Yes

Please discuss the extent of substitutability or lack of substitutability in the space provided.

III-8.

Do DOT HIGH PRESSURE STEEL CYLINDERS and UN-ISO-9809-1 HIGH PRESSURE STEEL
CYLINDERS have the same physical characteristics and end uses?
No

Yes

Please describe the similarities and/or differences between the physical characteristics or end uses.

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - High Pressure Steel Cylinders

Page 9

PART III.--MARKET CHARACTERISTICS AND PURCHASING PRACTICES--Continued
III.9.

Do you or your customers perceive DOT HIGH PRESSURE STEEL CYLINDERS and
UN-ISO-9809-1 HIGH PRESSURE STEEL CYLINDERS to be similar products?
Yes

III.10.

No, please describe the perceived differences between the two products:

Are there generally differences in price between DOT HIGH PRESSURE STEEL
CYLINDERS and UN-ISO-9809-1 HIGH PRESSURE STEEL CYLINDERS of the same size?
No
Yes, DOT HIGH PRESSURE STEEL CYLINDERS are generally higher in price than
UN-ISO-809-1 HIGH PRESSURE STEEL CYLINDERS of the same size.
Yes, UN-ISO-9809-1 HIGH PRESSURE STEEL CYLINDERS are generally higher in price
than DOT HIGH PRESSURE STEEL CYLINDERS of the same size.

Please explain:

III-11. DOT high pressure aluminum cylinders.--Are DOT high pressure aluminum cylinders a substitute for
the high pressure cylinders that are the subject of these investigations?
No

Yes

Please discuss the extent of substitutability or lack of substitutability in the space provided.

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - High Pressure Steel Cylinders

Page 10

PART III.--MARKET CHARACTERISTICS AND PURCHASING PRACTICES--Continued
III-12. Do DOT HIGH PRESSURE STEEL CYLINDERS and DOT HIGH PRESSURE ALUMINUM
CYLINDERS have the same physical characteristics and end uses?
No

Yes

Please describe the similarities and/or differences between the physical characteristics or end uses.

III.13. Do you or your customers perceive DOT HIGH PRESSURE STEEL CYLINDERS and
DOT HIGH PRESSURE ALUMINUM CYLINDERS to be similar products?
Yes

III.14.

No, please describe the perceived differences between the two products:

Are there generally differences in price between DOT HIGH PRESSURE STEEL
CYLINDERS and DOT HIGH PRESSURE ALUMINUM CYLINDERS of the same size?
No
Yes, DOT HIGH PRESSURE STEEL CYLINDERS are generally higher in price than DOT
HIGH PRESSURE ALUMINUM CYLINDERS of the same size.
Yes, DOT HIGH PRESSURE ALUMINUM CYLINDERS are generally higher in price than
DOT HIGH PRESSURE STEEL CYLINDERS of the same size.

Please explain:

III-15. Do DOT HIGH PRESSURE STEEL CYLINDERS ABOVE 150 CUBIC FEET (“LARGE
CYLINDERS”) AND DOT HIGH PRESSURE STEEL CYLINDERS 150 CUBIC FEET
AND BELOW (“SMALL CYLINDERS”) have the same physical characteristics and end uses?
No

Yes

Please describe the similarities and/or differences between the physical characteristics or end uses.

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - High Pressure Steel Cylinders

Page 11

PART III.--MARKET CHARACTERISTICS AND PURCHASING PRACTICES--Continued
III.16. Do you or your customers perceive LARGE CYLINDERS AND SMALL CYLINDERS to be similar
products?
Yes

III.17.

No, please describe the perceived differences between the two products:

Are there generally differences in price between LARGE CYLINDERS AND SMALL CYLINDERS?
No
Yes, LARGE CYLINDERS are generally higher in price than SMALL CYLINDERS.
Yes, SMALL CYLINDERS are generally higher in price than LARGE CYLINDERS.

Please explain:

III-18. Demand trends.-- Indicate how demand within the United States and outside of the United States (if
known) for high pressure steel cylinders has changed since January 1, 2009. Describe the principal
factors that have affected these changes in demand.

Market
Within
the United
States
Outside
the United
States

No
Increase change Decrease Fluctuate

Factors

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - High Pressure Steel Cylinders

Page 12

PART III.--MARKET CHARACTERISTICS AND PURCHASING PRACTICES--Continued
III-19. Importance of purchasing domestic product.--Is buying a product that is produced in the United States
an important factor in your firm’s purchases of high pressure steel cylinders (check ALL that apply)?
No
Yes--Purchases of domestic product are required by law or regulation (for example, government purchases
under “Buy American” provisions). This involves
percent of all purchases of high pressure steel
cylinders.
Yes--Purchases of domestic product are not required by law or regulation, but are by your customers. This
involves
percent of all purchases of high pressure steel cylinders.
Yes--Purchases of domestic product are required for other reasons (please specify these reasons below). This
involves
percent of all purchases of high pressure steel cylinders.

III-20. Conditions of competition.-(a)

Is the high pressure steel cylinders market subject to business cycles or conditions of competition other
than the changes in the overall economy?
No

(b)

Yes--Please explain and estimate the duration of any such cycle.

Have the business cycles or conditions of competition for high pressure steel cylinders changed since
2009?
No

Yes--Please explain any such changes.

III-21. Decisions based on producer.--Does your firm, and to the extent that you know, do your customers
make purchasing decisions involving high pressure steel cylinders based on the producer of the high
pressure steel cylinders you purchase?

Always

Your firm
Your
customers

Usually

Sometimes

Never

If at least sometimes, discuss
how your firm/customers
determine the producer and why
this information is important

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - High Pressure Steel Cylinders

Page 13

PART III.--MARKET CHARACTERISTICS AND PURCHASING PRACTICES--Continued
III-22. Decisions based on country-of-origin.--Does your firm, and to the extent that you know, do your
customers make purchasing decisions involving high pressure steel cylinders based on the country of
origin of the high pressure steel cylinders you purchase?

Always

Usually

Sometimes

Never

If at least sometimes, discuss
how your firm/customers
determine the source and why
this information is important

Your firm
Your
customers

III-23. Purchasing frequency.-(a)

How frequently do you make purchases (check one)?
Daily

(b)

Weekly

Monthly

Quarterly

Annually

Other

If other, specify

Have you made significant changes in your purchasing patterns (e.g., frequency) since 2009?
No
Yes—Please describe.

III-24. Number of suppliers contacted.--How many suppliers do you generally contact before making a
purchase?
firms

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - High Pressure Steel Cylinders

Page 14

PART III.--MARKET CHARACTERISTICS AND PURCHASING PRACTICES--Continued
III-25. Supplier negotiations.-(a)

Do purchases of high pressure steel cylinders usually involve negotiations between supplier and
purchaser?
No

(b)

Yes--Please describe these negotiations, noting whether purchasers generally quote
competing prices as part of the negotiation process.

Does your firm tend to vary its purchases from a given supplier within a specified time period based on
the price offered for that period?
No

Yes--Specify the time period.

III-26. Change in suppliers.--Have you changed suppliers since 2009?
No

Yes--Please list the supplier(s), whether the firm was added or dropped, the reasons for the
change, and how frequently you change suppliers.

III-27. New suppliers.--Are you aware of any new suppliers, either foreign or domestic, that have entered the
market since 2009?
No

Yes --Please identify the firms and indicate how you became aware of them.

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - High Pressure Steel Cylinders

Page 15

PART III.--MARKET CHARACTERISTICS AND PURCHASING PRACTICES--Continued
III-28. Supplier qualification
(a) Do you require your suppliers to be or to become certified or qualified to sell high pressure steel cylinders to
your firm?
No

Yes--

percent of purchases in 2011

Yes--all purchases

(b) Please provide a general description of the certification or qualification process. Briefly describe the factors
that you consider when qualifying a new supplier (e.g., quality of product, reliability of supplier, etc.)

days

III-29. Failure to certify.--Since 2009, have any domestic or foreign producers failed in their attempts to certify
or qualify their high pressure steel cylinders with your firm or have any producers lost their approved
status?
No

Yes--Please identify these firms, the countries where they are located, and the reasons why
they failed the certification/qualification process.

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - High Pressure Steel Cylinders

Page 16

PART III.--MARKET CHARACTERISTICS AND PURCHASING PRACTICES--Continued
III-30. Purchasing factors.--For the factors listed below, please rate each in terms of its importance in your
purchase decision for high pressure steel cylinders.
Very
important
Availability .......................................
Delivery terms .................................
Delivery time ...................................
Discounts offered ............................
Extension of credit...........................
Price ................................................
Minimum qty requirements ..............
Packaging .......................................
Product consistency ........................
Quality meets industry standards ....
Quality exceeds industry standards
Product range ..................................
Reliability of supply .........................
Technical support/service ...............
U.S. transportation costs .................
Other (specify):
.........
.........
.........

Somewhat
important

Not
important

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - High Pressure Steel Cylinders

Page 17

PART III.--MARKET CHARACTERISTICS AND PURCHASING PRACTICES--Continued
III-31. Major purchasing factors.--Please list, in order of their importance, the three major factors generally
considered by your firm in deciding from whom to purchase high pressure steel cylinders for any one
order (examples include availability, extension of credit, contracts, price, quality, range of supplier’s
product line, traditional supplier, etc.).
1.
2.
3.
Other factors or comments:

III-32. Quality characteristics.--What characteristics does your firm consider when determining the quality of
high pressure steel cylinders?

III-33. Frequency of decisions based on price.--How often does your firm purchase the high pressure steel
cylinders that is offered at the lowest price?
Always

Usually

Sometimes

Never

III-34. Price leaders.— A price leader is defined as (1) one or more firms that initiate a price change, either
upward or downward, that is followed by other firms, or (2) one or more firms that have a significant
impact on prices. A price leader is not necessarily the lowest priced supplier.
Please list the names of any firms you considered price leaders in the high pressure steel cylinders market since
2009. Describe how the firm(s) exhibited price leadership.

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - High Pressure Steel Cylinders

Page 18

PART III.--MARKET CHARACTERISTICS AND PURCHASING PRACTICES--Continued
III-35. Buying group benefits.
(a) Did your firm purchase high pressure steel cylinders from your buying group’s preferred supplier?
Yes

(b) Did your firm purchase high pressure steel cylinders from a supplier approved by your buying group?
Yes

(c) Did your firm purchase high pressure steel cylinders from a supplier other than a supplier approved by your
buying group?
Yes

(d) Did the price negotiated by your buying group serve as a ceiling or otherwise affect your negotiation of price
with suppliers of high pressure steel cylinders?
Yes
No If yes, please explain the impact of buying group membership on the prices at which you are
able to purchase high pressure steel cylinders.

(e) Have you ever negotiated or received a price or terms outside of or better than that offered to the buying
group of which you are a member?
Yes
No If yes, please provide all correspondence relating to bids received from the supplier in 2010,
including the supplier’s initial quotes to you, any responses or counter offers made by you to the supplier, and any
subsequent quotes that were modifications to the supplier’s initial quotes.

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - High Pressure Steel Cylinders

Page 19

PART IV.—PRODUCT COMPARISONS
IV-1.

Country knowledge.--Please indicate the countries of origin for high pressure steel cylinders for
which your firm has actual marketing/pricing knowledge.
United States
China
Other countries (specify

IV-2.

)

Interchangeability by country-pair.--Is high pressure steel cylinders produced in the United
States and in other countries interchangeable (i.e., can they physically be used in the same
applications)?
Please indicate A, F, S, N, or 0 in the table below:
A = the products from a specified country-pair are always interchangeable
F = the products are frequently interchangeable
S = the products are sometimes interchangeable
N = the products are never interchangeable
0 = no familiarity with products from a specified country-pair

Country-pair

China

Other countries

United States
China
1

For any country-pair producing high pressure steel cylinders that is sometimes or never
interchangeable, please explain the factors that limit or preclude interchangeable use:

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - High Pressure Steel Cylinders

Page 20

PART IV.—PRODUCT COMPARISONS--Continued
IV-3.

Factors other than price.--Are differences other than price (i.e., quality, availability,
transportation network, product range, technical support, etc.) between high pressure steel
cylinders produced in the United States and in other countries a significant factor in your firm’s
purchases of the products?
Please indicate A, F, S, N, or 0 in the table below:
A = such differences are always significant
F = such differences are frequently significant
S = such differences are sometimes significant
N = such differences are never significant
0 = no familiarity with products from a specified country-pair
Country-pair

China

Other countries

United States
China
1

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

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - High Pressure Steel Cylinders

Page 21

PART IV.—PRODUCT COMPARISONS--Continued
IV-4.

Country preferences.--Do you or your customers ever specifically order high pressure steel
cylinders from one country in particular over other possible sources of supply?
No

IV-5.

Availability of merchandise.--Are certain grades/types/sizes of high pressure steel cylinders
available from only a single source (domestic or foreign, including both subject and nonsubject
countries)?
No

IV-6.

Yes--Please identify all relevant countries (including the United States and
both subject and nonsubject foreign countries) from which you or your
customers prefer to order, and indicate why high pressure steel
cylinders from these countries is preferred over product from other
countries (please note the specific product in your response).

Yes--Please identify the source and the grade/type/size.

Choice of product not based on price.--If you purchased high pressure steel cylinders from one
source although a comparable product was available from another source at a lower price, please
explain your reasons for doing so (please specify by country, including the United States and both
subject and nonsubject foreign countries). Possibilities might include transaction characteristics
such as length of time to fill orders, minimum order size, reliability of supply, etc.

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - High Pressure Steel Cylinders

Page 22

PART IV.—PRODUCT COMPARISONS--Continued
IV-7. Factor country comparisons.--For the factors listed below, please rate how high pressure steel
cylinders produced in each country you identified in your response to the first question in Part IV
compares with high pressure steel cylinders produced in each of the other countries you identified
(including the United States and both subject and nonsubject foreign countries). Duplicate (copy

and paste) this table to account for a reasonable number of country comparisons
given the number of countries subject to the proceeding and delete this note.

Inferior

Comparable

compared to
product from

Superior

compared to
product from

Inferior

product from

Comparable

product from

Superior

Inferior

Comparable

Superior

product from
United States
compared to
product from
China

Availability ...............................................
Delivery terms .........................................
Delivery time ...........................................
Discounts offered ....................................
Extension of credit...................................
1

Price .......................................................
Minimum quantity requirements ..............
Packaging ...............................................
Product consistency ................................
Quality meets industry standards ............
Quality exceeds industry standards ........
Product range ..........................................
Reliability of supply .................................
Technical support/service .......................
1

U.S. transportation costs .......................
Other (specify):

A rating of superior on price and U.S. transportation costs indicates that the first country generally has
lower prices/U.S. transportation costs than the second country.

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - High Pressure Steel Cylinders

Page 23

PART IV.—PRODUCT COMPARISONS--Continued
Continued.

Inferior

Comparable

Superior

compared to
product from

Inferior

compared to
product from

Comparable

compared to
product from

Superior

product from

Inferior

product from

Comparable

product from

Superior

IV-7.

U.S. transportation costs .......................
Other (specify):

A rating of superior on price and U.S. transportation costs indicates that the first country generally has
lower prices/U.S. transportation costs than the second country.

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - High Pressure Steel Cylinders

Page 24

PART IV.—PRODUCT COMPARISONS--Continued

IV-8.

Minimum quality.--How often does high pressure steel cylinders from the following countries
meet minimum quality specifications for your uses or your customers’ uses?
Source
United States
China
Canada
Korea
Other:
Other:

Always

Usually

Sometimes

Rarely or
never

Don’t
know

File Type	application/pdf
File Title	US purchaser questionnaire
Author	USITC
File Modified	2012-01-25
File Created	2012-01-25