13-2-3090 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

Silica Bricks and Shapes from China, Inv. No. 731-1205 (P)

OMB: 3117-0016

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OMB No. 3117-0016/USITC No. 13-2-3090; Expiration Date: 6/30/2014
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U.S. IMPORTERS’ QUESTIONNAIRE
SILICA BRICKS AND SHAPES FROM CHINA

This questionnaire must be received by the Commission by no later than NOVEMBER 28, 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 antidumping duty investigations concerning silica bricks and shapes from China (inv. No. 731-TA1205 (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
City

State

Zip Code

World Wide Web address
Has your firm imported silica bricks and shapes (as defined in the instruction booklet) from any country at any
time since January 1, 2009?

(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

Date

Phone:
Signature

Email address
Fax:

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – SILICA BRICKS AND SHAPES

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

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – SILICA BRICKS AND SHAPES

Page 3

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

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

Yes--List the following information.

Firm name

I-5.

Address

Related producers.--Does your firm have any related firms, either domestic or foreign, that are
engaged in the production of silica bricks and shapes?
No

Yes--List the following information.

Firm name

I-6.

I-7.

Affiliation

Address

Affiliation

Importing operations.--Please indicate the nature of your firm’s importing operations on silica
bricks and shapes. 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 silica bricks and shapes 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

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – SILICA BRICKS AND SHAPES

Page 4

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

I-9.

FTZ or bonded warehouses.--Please indicate whether your firm enters silica bricks and shapes
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 silica bricks
and shapes 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.

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – SILICA BRICKS AND SHAPES

Page 5

PART II.--TRADE AND RELATED INFORMATION
Further information on this part of the questionnaire can be obtained from Mary Messer
(mary.messer@usitc.gov). Supply all data requested on a calendar-year basis.
II-1.

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

II-2.

Changes in operations.--Please indicate whether your firm has experienced any of the following
changes in relation to the importation of silica bricks and shapes since January 1, 2009.
(check as many as appropriate)
office/warehouse openings ...........

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(please describe)

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Page 6

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

Arranged imports.--Has your firm imported or arranged for the importation of silica bricks and
shapes from China for delivery after September 30, 2011?
No

II-4.

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

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

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Page 7

PART II.--TRADE AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
II-5.
IMPORTS FROM CHINA.–Report your firm’s imports and your firm’s shipments and
inventories of silica bricks and shapes imported from China by your firm during the specified
periods. (See definitions in the instruction booklet.)

CHINA
Quantity (in short tons), value (in $1,000)
Calendar years
Item

2009

2010

January-September
2011

2011

2012

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:

2
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:

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:

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Page 8

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

IMPORTS FROM NONSUBJECT SOURCES.–Report your firm’s imports and your firm’s
shipments and inventories of silica bricks and shapes 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 short tons), value (in $1,000)
Calendar years
Item

2009

2010

January-September
2011

2011

2012

Please identify the country sources and foreign producers:

Yes

No--Please explain:

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Page 9

PART III.--PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION
Further information on this part of the questionnaire can be obtained from Aimee Larsen (202-205-3179,
aimee.larsen@usitc.gov) or Samantha Day (202-205-2088, samantha.day@usitc.gov).
III-1. Contact information.-- Please identify the responsible individual and the manner by which
Commission staff may contact that individual regarding the confidential information submitted in part III.
Name
Title
Email
Telephone
Fax

PRICE DATA
III-2.

These questions requests quarterly price and quantity data, f.o.b. your U.S. point of shipment, for
your commercial shipments to unrelated U.S. customers since January 1, 2009 of the following
products you imported from China, Czech Republic, Mexico, or United Kingdom:
Product 1.—Silica bricks or shapes with at least 90 percent silica content sold to the steel
industry.
Product 2.—Silica bricks or shapes with at least 90 percent silica content sold to the glass
making industry.

Please note that total dollar values should be f.o.b., U.S. point of shipment and should not include
U.S.-inland transportation costs. Total dollar values should reflect the final net amount paid to you
(i.e., should be net of all deductions for discounts or rebates). See instruction booklet.

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Page 10

PART III.--PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
III-2a. Price data.--Report below the quarterly price data1 for pricing products2 imported from China
and sold by your firm. Please note that quantity is requested in SHORT TONS and value is
requested in ACTUAL DOLLARS not $1,000s dollars.

CHINA
(Quantity in short tons, value in dollars)
Product 1
Quantity
Value
Quantity

Product 2
Period of shipment
Value
2009:
January-March
April-June
July-September
October-December
2010:
January-March
April-June
July-September
October-December
2011:
January-March
April-June
July-September
October-December
2012:
January-March
April-June
July-September
1
Net values (i.e., gross sales values less all discounts, allowances, rebates, prepaid freight, and the value of
returned goods), f.o.b. your U.S. point of shipment.
2
Pricing product definitions are provided on the first page of Part IV.
Note.--If your product does not exactly meet the product specifications but is competitive with the specified product,
provide a description of your product. Also, please explain any anomalies in your reported pricing data.
Product 1:
Product 2:

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Page 11

PART III.--PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
III-2b. Price data.--Report below the quarterly price data1 for pricing products2 imported from Czech
Republic and sold by your firm. Please note that quantity is requested in SHORT TONS and
value is requested in ACTUAL DOLLARS not $1,000s dollars.

CZECH REPUBLIC
(Quantity in short tons, value in dollars)
Product 1
Quantity
Value
Quantity

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - SILICA BRICKS AND SHAPES

Page 12

PART III.--PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
III-2c. Price data.--Report below the quarterly price data1 for pricing products2 imported from Mexico
and sold by your firm. Please note that quantity is requested in SHORT TONS and value is
requested in ACTUAL DOLLARS not $1,000s dollars.

MEXICO
(Quantity in short tons, value in dollars)
Product 1
Quantity
Value
Quantity

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Page 13

PART III.--PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
III-2d. Price data.--Report below the quarterly price data1 for pricing products2 imported from United
Kingdom and sold by your firm. Please note that quantity is requested in SHORT TONS and
value is requested in ACTUAL DOLLARS not $1,000s dollars.

UNITED KINGDOM
(Quantity in short tons, value in dollars)
Product 1
Quantity
Value
Quantity

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Page 14

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

Price setting.-- How does your firm determine the prices that it charges for sales of silica bricks
and shapes (check all that apply)? If your firm issues price lists, please submit sample pages of a
recent list.
Transaction
by
transaction

III-4.

If other, describe

Annual
total
volume
discounts

No
discount
policy

Other

Describe

Pricing terms for silica bricks and shapes.-(a)

What are your firm’s typical sales terms for silica bricks and shapes imported from
China?
Net 30 days

(b)

Net 60 days

2/10 net 30 days

Other (specify)

On what basis are your prices of imported silica bricks and shapes from China usually
quoted (check one)?
Delivered

III-6.

Other

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

Quantity
discounts

III-5.

Contracts

Set
price
lists

F.o.b.

If f.o.b., specify point

Contract versus spot.--Approximately what share of your firm’s sales of silica bricks and shapes
imported from China in 2011 were on a (1) long-term contract basis, (2) short-term contract basis,
and (3) spot sales basis?
Share of
2011 sales

Type of sale
Long-term contracts (multiple deliveries for more
than 12 months)

Short-term contracts (multiple deliveries up to and
including 12 months)

Spot sales (for a single delivery)

Total

100

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Page 15

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

III-7.

Contract provisions.— Please fill out the table with respect to provisions of your typical sales
contracts for silica bricks and shapes from China (or check “not applicable” if your firm does not
sell on a long term and/or short term contract basis).

Typical sales contract
provisions

Item

Average contract duration

Number of days

Price renegotiation (during the
contract period)

Yes

Short term contracts

Long term contracts

(multiple deliveries up to
and including 12 months)

(multiple deliveries for more
than 12 months)

No
Quantity

Fixed quantity and/or price

Price
Both

Meet or release provision

Yes
No

Not applicable

III-8.

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

Share of
2011 sales

From your U.S. inventory

From foreign manufacturers’ inventory

Produced to order

Total

100 %

Lead time
(days)

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Page 16

PART III.--PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
III-9.

Shipping information.—
(a)

What is the approximate percentage of the total delivered cost of silica bricks and shapes
imported from China that is accounted for by U.S. inland transportation costs?
percent.

(b)

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

(c)

When you sell silica bricks and shapes imported from China, from where is it shipped?
Point of importation
Storage facility
(check one)

(d)

Indicate the approximate percentage of your sales of silica bricks and shapes imported
from China that are delivered the following distances from your U.S. point of shipment.
Distance from your U.S. point of shipment

Within 100 miles

101 to 1,000 miles

Over 1,000 miles

%
Total

100

III-10. Geographical shipments--.-- Please estimate the share of your firms’ U.S. shipments of
silica bricks and shapes imported from any source by geographic market area in the United

States in 2011?

Geographic area

Est. Share of U.S.
shipments in 2011
(percent)

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.
TOTAL

100%

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Page 17

PART III.--PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
III-11. End uses-Describe the end uses of the silica bricks and shapes that you import from China. For
each end-use product, what percentage of the total cost is accounted for by silica bricks and
shapes and other inputs?
Share of total cost of end use product
accounted for by

End use product

Silica bricks and
shapes (percent)

Other inputs
(percent)

Total

100%

III-12. Substitutes.-- Can other products be substituted for silica bricks and shapes?
No

Substitute

Yes--Please fill out the table.

End use in which this
substitute is used

Have changes in the prices of this substitute
affected the price for silica bricks and
shapes?
No Yes

Explanation

1.
2.
3.

III-13. Demand trends.-- Indicate how demand within the United States and outside of the United States
(if known) for silica bricks and shapes 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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Page 18

PART III.--PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION
III-14. Product changes.--Have there been any significant changes in the product mix or marketing of
silica bricks and shapes since January 1, 2009?
No

Yes-- Please describe.

III-15. Business cycles.-(a) Is the silica bricks and shapes market subject to business cycles or conditions of competition
(including seasonal business) distinctive to silica bricks and shapes?
No (skip to question III-16.)

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

(b) If yes, have there been any changes in the business cycles or conditions of competition for
silica bricks and shapes since January 1, 2009?
No

Yes-- Please describe.

III-16. Supply constraints.--Has your firm refused, declined, or been unable to supply silica bricks and
shapes since January 1, 2009 (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 describe.

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Page 19

PART III.--PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION
III-17. Raw materials.—
(a)

To what extent have changes in the prices of raw materials affected your firm’s selling
prices for silica bricks and shapes since 2009?

(b)

Do you anticipate changes in your raw material costs in the foreseeable future?
No

Yes—Please explain.

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Page 20

PART III.--PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION
III-18. Interchangeability.--Are silica bricks and shapes 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

Czech Republic

Mexico

United Kingdom

Other countries

United States
China
Czech Republic
Mexico
United Kingdom

For any country-pair producing silica bricks and shapes that is sometimes or never interchangeable,
please explain the factors that limit or preclude interchangeable use:

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Page 21

PART III.--PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
III-19. Factors other than price.--Are differences other than price (i.e., quality, availability,
transportation network, product range, technical support, etc.) between silica bricks and shapes
produced in the United States and in other countries a significant factor in your firm’s sales 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

Czech Republic

Mexico

United Kingdom

Other countries

United States
China
Czech Republic
Mexico
United Kingdom

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

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Page 22

PART III.--PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
III-20. Customer Identification--Please identify the names and contact information for your firm’s
10 largest U.S. customers for silica bricks and shapes since January 1, 2009. Indicate the share of
the quantity of your firm’s total shipments of silica bricks and shapes that each of these customers
accounted for in 2011.

Customer’s name

Contact person

Telephone

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

Street Address

,
City

State

Street Address

,
City

State

,
State

Zip Code

Street Address

,
City

Zip Code

Street Address
City

Zip Code

Street Address
City

Zip Code

Street Address
City

Zip Code

Street Address
City

Zip Code

Street Address
City

Zip Code

Street Address
City

Zip Code

State

Zip Code

Street Address

,
City

State

Zip Code

Share
of 2011
sales
(%)

File Type	application/pdf
File Title	Microsoft Word - US Importer Questionnaire
Author	Mary.Messer
File Modified	2012-11-16
File Created	2012-11-16