14-1-3173 U.S. Producer Questionnaire

OMB No. 3117-0016/USITC No. 14-1-3173; Expiration Date: 6/30/2014
(No response is required if currently valid OMB control number is not displayed)

U.S. PRODUCERS’ QUESTIONNAIRE
MONOSODIUM GLUTAMATE FROM CHINA AND INDONESIA

This questionnaire must be received by the Commission by no later than SEPTEMBER 30, 2013
See 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 and antidumping investigations concerning monosodium glutamate (“MSG”) from
China and Indonesia (Inv. Nos. 701-TA-503-504 and 731-TA-1229-1230 (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
firm’s possession (19 U.S.C. § 1333(a)).

Name of firm
Address
City

State

Zip Code

World Wide Web address
Has your firm produced MSG (as defined in the instruction booklet) at any time since January 1, 2010?

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)

Return questionnaire via the U.S. International Trade Commission Drop Box by clicking
on the following link: https://dropbox.usitc.gov/oinv/. (use the following PIN: MSG)
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. Producers’ Questionnaire – MSG (P)

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 50 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
firm’s 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.

Petition support.--Does your firm support or oppose the petition?
Country
China
Indonesia

Support

Oppose

Take no position

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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – MSG (P)

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

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

Firm name

I-5.

Address

Extent of
ownership
(percent)

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

I-6.

Yes--List the following information.

Yes--List the following information.
Address

Affiliation

Related producers.--Does your firm have any related firms, either domestic or foreign, that are
engaged in the production of MSG?
No
Firm name

Yes--List the following information.
Address

Affiliation

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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – MSG (P)

Page 4

PART II.--TRADE AND RELATED INFORMATION
Further information on this part of the questionnaire can be obtained from Amy Sherman (202-205-3289,
amy.sherman@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 production of MSG since January 1, 2010.
(check as many as appropriate)
plant openings ..............................

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(please describe)

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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – MSG (P)

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

Same equipment, machinery, and workers.--Has your firm since 2010 produced, or does your
firm anticipate producing in the future, other products on the same equipment and machinery
used in the production of MSG and/or using the same production and related workers employed
to produce MSG?
No

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

Product

Period

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

(Quantity in 1,000 pounds)
Calendar years
Item

2010

2011

January-June
2012

2012

2013

Overall Production Capacity
Production of:
MSG
Other product 1:
Other product 2:

II-4.

Production constraints and product shifting.--Please describe the constraint(s) that set the limit(s)
on your firm’s production capacity and its ability to shift production capacity between products.

II-5.

Tolling.--Since January 1, 2010, has your firm been involved in a toll agreement (see definition
in the instruction booklet) regarding the production of MSG?
No

II-6.

.

Foreign trade zone.--Does your firm produce MSG in a foreign trade zone (FTZ)?
No

II-7.

Yes--Name firm(s):

Yes--Identify FTZ(s):

.

Importer.--Since January 1, 2010, has your firm imported MSG?
No

Yes--COMPLETE AND RETURN A U.S. IMPORTERS’ QUESTIONNAIRE

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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – MSG (P)

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

Trade data.--Report your firm’s production capacity, production, shipments, inventories, and
employment related to the production of MSG in its U.S. establishment(s) during the specified
periods. (See definitions in the instruction booklet.)
Quantity (in 1,000 pounds) and value (in $1,000)
Calendar years
Item

2010

2011

January-June
2012

2012

2013

Average production capacity1 (quantity)
Beginning-of-period inventories (quantity)
Production (quantity)
U.S. shipments:
Commercial shipments:
Quantity of commercial shipments
Value of commercial shipments
Internal consumption:
Quantity of internal consumption
Value2 of internal consumption
Transfers to related firms:
Quantity of transfers
Value2 of 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)
Employment data:
Average number of PRWs (number)
Hours worked by PRWs (1,000 hours)
Wages paid to PRWs (value)
1

The production capacity (see definitions in instruction booklet) reported is based on operating
hours per week,
weeks per year. Please describe the methodology used to calculate production capacity, and explain any changes in
reported capacity (use additional pages as necessary).
2

Internal consumption and transfers to related firms must be valued at fair market value. In the event that your firm uses
a different basis for valuing these transactions, 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 firm’s principal export markets:
.
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?
4

Yes

No--Please explain:

.

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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – MSG (P)

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

Related firms.--If your firm reported transfers to related firms in question II-8, please indicate
the nature of the relationship between your firm and the related firms (e.g., joint venture, wholly
owned subsidiary), whether the transfers were priced at market value or by a non-market formula,
whether your firm retained marketing rights to all transfers, and whether the related firms also
processed inputs from sources other than your firm.

II-10.

Purchases.--Other than direct imports, has your firm otherwise purchased MSG since January 1,
2010? (See definitions in the instruction booklet.)
Yes--Report such purchases below for the specified periods.1

No

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

2010

2011

January-June
2012

2012

2013

PURCHASES FROM U.S. IMPORTERS2
OF PRODUCT FROM—
China:
Quantity
Value
Indonesia:
Quantity
Value
All other countries:
Quantity
Value
PURCHASES FROM DOMESTIC
PRODUCERS:2
Quantity
Value
PURCHASES FROM OTHER SOURCES:2
Quantity
Value
1

Please indicate your firm’s reasons for purchasing this product. If your firm’s reasons differ by source, please
elaborate.
2
Please list the name of the firm(s) from which your firm purchased this product. If your firm’s suppliers differ
by source, please identify the source for each listed supplier.

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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – MSG (P)

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PART III.--FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Address questions on this part of the questionnaire to Jennifer Brinckhaus (202-205-3188,
jennifer.brinckhaus@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

III-2.

Accounting system.--Briefly describe your firm’s financial accounting system.
A.

When does your firm’s fiscal year end (month and day)?
If your firm’s fiscal year changed during the data-collection period, explain
below:

B.1.

Describe the lowest level of operations (e.g., plant, division, company-wide) for
which financial statements are prepared that include MSG:

2.
3.

4.

Does your firm prepare profit/loss statements for MSG:
Yes
No
How often did your firm (or parent company) prepare financial statements
(including annual reports, 10Ks)? Please check relevant items below.
Audited,
unaudited,
annual reports,
10Ks,
10 Qs,
Monthly,
quarterly,
semi-annually,
annually
Accounting basis:
GAAP,
cash,
tax, or
other comprehensive
basis of accounting (specify)

Note: The Commission may request that your company submit copies of its financial statements,
including internal profit-and-loss statements for the division or product group that includes MSG,
as well as those statements and worksheets used to compile data for your firm’s questionnaire
response.

III-3.

Cost accounting system.--Briefly describe your firm’s cost accounting system (e.g., standard
cost, job order cost, etc.).

______

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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – MSG (P)

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PART III.--FINANCIAL INFORMATION--Continued
III-4.

Allocation basis.--Briefly describe your firm’s allocation basis, if any, for COGS, SG&A, and
interest expense and other income and expenses.

III-5.

Other products.--Please list any other products your firm produced in the facilities in which your
firm produced MSG, and provide the share of net sales accounted for by these other products in
your firm’s most recent fiscal year:
Products

Share of sales

%

%

%

%

%

III-6.

Does your firm purchase inputs (raw materials, labor, energy, or any other services) used in the
production of MSG from any related firms?
Yes--Continue to question III-7 below.

III-7.

No--Continue to question III-9 below.

Inputs from related firms.--In the space provided below, identify the inputs used in the
production of MSG that your firm purchases from related parties.
Input

Related party

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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – MSG (P)

Page 10

PART III.--FINANCIAL INFORMATION--Continued
III-8.

Inputs from related firms at cost.--All intercompany profit on inputs purchased from related
parties should be eliminated from the costs reported to the Commission in question III-10 (i.e.,
costs reported in question III-10 should only reflect the related party’s cost and not include an
associated profit component). Reasonable methods for determining and eliminating the
associated profit on inputs purchased from related parties are acceptable.
Has your firm complied with the Commission’s instructions regarding costs associated with
inputs purchased from related parties?
Yes

III-9.

No--Please contact Jennifer Brinckhaus (202-205-3188,
jennifer.brinckhaus@usitc.gov).

Nonrecurring items (charges and gains) included in reported in MSG financial results.--For
each annual and interim period for which financial results are reported in question III-10, please
specify all material (significant) nonrecurring items (charges and gains) in the schedule below,
the specific table III-10 line item where the nonrecurring items are included, a brief description of
the relevant nonrecurring items, and the associated values (in $1,000), as reflected in table III-10;
i.e., if an aggregate nonrecurring item has been allocated to table III-10, only the allocated value
amount included in table III-10 should be reported in the schedule below. Note: The
Commission’s objective here is to gather information only on material (significant) nonrecurring
items which impacted the reported MSG financial results in table III-10.

Fiscal years ended-2010
Nonrecurring item: In this column please provide a
brief description of each nonrecurring item and indicate
the specific table III-10 line item where the nonrecurring
item is included.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

2011

January-June
2012

2012

2013

Nonrecurring item: In these columns please report the amount (in
$1,000) of the relevant nonrecurring item reported in table III-10.

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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – MSG (P)

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PART III.--FINANCIAL INFORMATION--Continued
III-10. Operations on MSG.--Report the revenue and related cost information requested below on the
MSG operations of your firm’s U.S. establishment(s).1 Do not report resales of products. Note
that internal consumption and transfers to related firms must be valued at fair market value and
purchases from related firms must be at cost.2 Provide data for your firm’s three most recently
completed fiscal years, and for the specified interim periods. If your firm was involved in tolling
operations (either as the toller or as the tollee), please contact Jennifer Brinckhaus at (202) 2053188 before completing this section of the questionnaire.
Quantity (in 1,000 pounds) and value (in $1,000)
Fiscal years ended-Item

2010

2011

January-June
2012

2012

2013

Net sales quantities:3
Commercial sales (“CS”)
Internal consumption (“IC”)
Transfers to related firms (“Transfers”)
Total net sales quantities

0

0

0

0

0

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0
0.0

0.0
0.0

0.0
0.0

0.0
0.0

0.0
0.0

0.0
0.0

0.0
0.0

0.0
0.0

0.0
0.0

0.0
0.0

0.0
0.0

0.0
0.0

0.0
0.0

0.0
0.0

0.0
0.0

3

Net sales values:
Commercial sales
Internal consumption
Transfers to related firms
Total net sales values
Cost of goods sold (COGS):4
Raw materials
Direct labor
Other factory costs
Total COGS
Gross profit or (loss)
Selling, general, and administrative
(SG&A) expenses:
Selling expenses
General and administrative expenses
Total SG&A expenses
Operating income (loss)
Other expenses and income:
Interest expense
All other expense items
All other income items
All other expenses/(income), net
Net income or (loss) before income taxes
Depreciation/amortization included above
1

Include only sales (whether domestic or export) and costs related to your U.S. manufacturing operations.
Please eliminate any profits or (losses) on inputs from related firms pursuant question III-8.
Less discounts, returns, allowances, and prepaid freight. The quantities and values should approximate the corresponding
shipment quantities and values reported in Part II of this questionnaire.
4
COGS should include costs associated with CS, IC, and Transfers, as well as export shipments in question II-8.
2

3

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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – MSG (P)

Page 12

PART III.--FINANCIAL INFORMATION--Continued
III-11. Asset values.--Report the total assets (i.e., both current and long-term assets) associated with the
production, warehousing, and sale of MSG. If your firm does not maintain some or all of the
specific asset information necessary to calculate total assets for MSG in the normal course of
business, please estimate this information based upon a method (such as production, sales, or
costs) that is consistent with your firm’s cost allocations in the previous question. Provide data as
of the end of your firm’s three most recently completed fiscal years.
Note: Total assets should reflect net assets after any accumulated depreciation and allowances deducted.
Total assets should be allocated to the subject products if these assets are also related to other products.
Please provide a brief explanation if there are any substantial changes in total asset value during the
period; e.g., due to asset write-offs, revaluation, and major purchases.
Value (in $1,000)
Fiscal years ended-Item

2010

2011

2012

Total assets (net)

III-12. Capital expenditures and research and development expenses.--Report your firm’s capital
expenditures and research and development expenses on MSG. Provide data for your firm’s three
most recently completed fiscal years, and for the specified interim periods.
Value (in $1,000)
Fiscal years ended-Item

2010

2011

January-June
2012

2012

Capital expenditures
Research and development expenses

III-13. Data consistency and reconciliation.--Please indicate whether your firm’s financial data for
questions III-10, 11, and 12 are based on a calendar year or on your firm’s fiscal year:
Calendar year

Fiscal year

Specify fiscal year

Please note the quantities and values reported in question III-10 should reconcile with the data
reported in question II-8 (including export shipments) as long as they are reported on the same
calendar year basis.
Do these data in question III-10 reconcile with data in question II-8?
Yes

No

If no, please explain.

2013

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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – MSG (P)

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PART III.--FINANCIAL INFORMATION--Continued
III-14. Effects of imports.--Since January 1, 2010, has your firm experienced any actual negative effects
on its return on investment or its growth, investment, ability to raise capital, existing development
and production efforts (including efforts to develop a derivative or more advanced version of the
product), or the scale of capital investments as a result of imports of MSG from China or
Indonesia?
No

Yes--My firm has experienced actual negative effects as follows:
Cancellation, postponement, or rejection of expansion projects
Denial or rejection of investment proposal
Reduction in the size of capital investments
Rejection of bank loans
Lowering of credit rating
Problem related to the issue of stocks or bonds
Other (specify)

III-15. Anticipated effects of imports.--Does your firm anticipate any negative effects due to imports of
MSG from China or Indonesia?
No

Yes

If yes, my firm anticipates negative effects as follows:

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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – MSG (P)

Page 14

PART IV.--PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION
Further information on this part of the questionnaire can be obtained from Michele Breaux (202-2052781, Michele.Breaux@usitc.gov).
IV-1.

Contact information.--Please identify the individual that Commission staff may contact
regarding the confidential information submitted in part IV.
Name
Title
Email
Telephone
Fax

PRICE DATA
IV-2.

This question requests quarterly quantity and value data, f.o.b. your firm’s U.S. point of
shipment, for your firm’s commercial shipments to unrelated U.S. customers since January 1,
2010 of the following products produced by your firm.
Product 1.—MSG FINE 50 LB – Paper Bag
Product 2.—MSG REGULAR 50 LB – Paper Bag
Product 3.-- MSG REGULAR 100 LB DRM – Fiber Drum

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
your firm (i.e., should be net of all deductions for discounts or rebates). See instruction booklet.

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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – MSG (P)

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PART IV.--PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
IV-2.

Pricing data--Continued.--Report below the quarterly price data1 for pricing products2 produced
and sold by your firm.

Report data in actual pounds and actual dollars (not 1,000s).
(Quantity in pounds, value in dollars)
Product 1
Product 2
Quantity
Value
Quantity
Value

Product 3
Period of shipment
Quantity
Value
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
October-December
2013:
January-March
April-June
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 firm’s U.S. point of shipment.
2
Pricing product definitions are provided on the first page of Part IV.
Note.--If your firm’s product does not exactly meet the product specifications but is competitive with the specified
product, provide a description of your firm’s product. Also, please explain any anomalies in your firm’s reported
pricing data.
Product 1:
Product 2:
Product 3:

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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – MSG (P)

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

IV-3.

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

IV-4.

If other, describe

Annual
total
volume
discounts

No
discount
policy

Other

Describe

Pricing terms for MSG.-(a)

What are your firm’s typical sales terms for its U.S.-produced MSG?
Net 30
days

(b)

Net 60
days

2/10 net
30 days

Other

Other (specify)

On what basis are your firm’s prices of domestic MSG usually quoted (check one)?
Delivered

IV-6.

Other

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

Quantity
discounts

IV-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 its U.S.-produced MSG
in 2012 was on a (1) long-term contract basis, (2) short-term contract basis, and (3) spot sales
basis?
Share of
2012 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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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – MSG (P)

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

IV-7.

Contract provisions.— Please fill out the table with respect to provisions of your firm’s typical
sales contracts for MSG (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
Yes

Meet or release provision

No

Not applicable

IV-8.

Lead times.--What is your firm’s share of sales both from inventory and produced to order and
what is the typical lead time between a customer’s order and the date of delivery for your firm’s
sales of its U.S.-produced MSG?
Source
From inventory

%

Produced to order

%

Total

IV-9.

Share of
2012 sales

Lead time (days)

100 %

Shipping information.-(a)

What is the approximate percentage of the total delivered cost of MSG that is accounted
for by U.S. inland transportation costs?
%

(b)

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

(c)

Indicate the approximate percentage of your firm’s sales of MSG that are delivered the
following distances from its production facility.
Distance from production facility

Share

Within 100 miles

%

101 to 1,000 miles

%

Over 1,000 miles

%
Total

100

%

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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – MSG (P)

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

IV-10. Geographical shipments.-- What is the geographic market area in the United States served by
your firm’s shipments of MSG? (check all that apply)
Geographic area

√ if applicable

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, and VI, among others.

IV-11. End uses.--List the end uses of the MSG that your firm manufactures. For each end-use product,
what percentage of the total cost is accounted for by MSG and other inputs?
Share of total cost of end use product
accounted for by
End use product

MSG (percent)

Other inputs (percent)

Total

%

%

100%

%

%

100%

%

%

100%

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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – MSG (P)

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PART IV.--PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
IV-12. Substitutes.-- Can other products be substituted for MSG?
No

Yes--Please fill out the table.

End use in which this
substitute is used

Substitute

Have changes in the prices of this substitute
affected the price for MSG?
No Yes

Explanation

1.
2.
3.

IV-13. Demand trends.-- Indicate how demand within the United States and outside of the United States
(if known) for MSG has changed since January 1, 2010. Explain any trends and describe the
principal factors that have affected these changes in demand.

Market

Fluctuate
Overall
No
Overall
with no
increase change decrease clear trend

Explanation and factors

Within
the United
States
Outside
the United
States

IV-14. Product changes.--Have there been any significant changes in the product range, product mix, or
marketing of MSG since January 1, 2010?
No

Yes

If yes, please describe and quantify if possible.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – MSG (P)

Page 20

PART IV.--PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
IV-15. Business cycles.-a) Is the MSG market subject to business cycles (other than general economy-wide conditions)
and/or other conditions of competition distinctive to MSG?
No (skip to question IV-16).
Yes-Business cycles (e.g. seasonal business).
Yes-Other distinctive conditions of competition.
If yes, describe below.
Business cycles
Other conditions
of competition

(b) If yes, have there been any changes in the business cycles or conditions of competition for
MSG since January 1, 2010?
No

Yes

If yes, please describe.

IV-16. Supply constraints.--Has your firm refused, declined, or been unable to supply MSG since
January 1, 2010 (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

If yes, please describe.

IV-17. Raw materials.--Please describe any trends in the prices of raw materials used to produce MSG
and whether your firm expects these trends to continue.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – MSG (P)

Page 21

PART IV.--PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
IV-18. Interchangeability.--Is MSG 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

Indonesia

Other countries

United States
China
Indonesia

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

Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – MSG (P)

Page 22

PART IV.--PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
IV-19. Factors other than price.--Are differences other than price (i.e., quality, availability,
transportation network, product range, technical support, etc.) between MSG 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

Indonesia

Other countries

United States
China
Indonesia

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

Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – MSG (P)

Page 23

PART IV.--PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
IV-20. Customer Identification--Please identify the names and contact information for your firm’s
10 largest U.S. customers for MSG since January 1, 2010. Indicate the share of the quantity of
your firm’s total shipments of MSG that each of these customers accounted for in 2012.

Customer’s name

1

Contact person

Email

Telephone

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

Street Address

,
City

2

State

Street Address

,
City

3

State

,
State

,
State

,
State

,
State

,
State

,
State

Zip Code

Street Address

,
City

10

Zip Code

Street Address
City

9

Zip Code

Street Address
City

8

Zip Code

Street Address
City

7

Zip Code

Street Address
City

6

Zip Code

Street Address
City

5

Zip Code

Street Address
City

4

Zip Code

State

Zip Code

Street Address

,
City

State

Zip Code

Share
of 2012
sales
(%)

Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – MSG (P)

Page 24

PART IV.--PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
IV-21. Competition From Imports--Lost Revenue.-Since January 1, 2010: To avoid losing sales to competitors selling MSG from China or
Indonesia, did your firm:
No

Yes

Reduce prices
Roll back announced price increases
The table below is to be completed only by NON-PETITIONERS. (Note: petitioners may
provide allegations involving quotes made AFTER the filing of the petition.)
If you indicated “yes” above, please furnish the following information for each affected
transaction. If possible, provide documentation (e.g., copies of invoices, sales reports, or letters
from customers). Please note that the Commission may contact the firms named to verify the
allegations reported.
Customer name, contact person, phone and fax numbers
Specific product(s) involved
Date of your firm’s initial price quotation
Quantity involved
Your firm’s initial rejected price quotation (total delivered value)
Your firm’s accepted price quotation (total delivered value)
The country of origin of the competing imported product
The competing price quotation of the imported product (total delivered value)
Customer name,
contact person,
phone and fax
numbers

Firm
Contact
Phone

Fax

Firm
Contact
Phone

Fax

Firm
Contact
Phone

Fax

Firm
Contact
Phone

Fax

Product

Country
of origin

Date of
quote

Quantity
(pounds)

Initial
rejected U.S.
price (total
value-dollars)

Accepted
U.S. price
(total value-dollars)

Competing
import price
(total
value—
dollars)

Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – MSG (P)

Page 25

PART IV.--PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
IV-22. Competition From Imports--Lost Sales.—
Since January 1, 2010: Did your firm lose sales of MSG to imports of these products from China
or Indonesia?
No
Yes
The table below is to be completed only by NON-PETITIONERS. (Note: petitioners may
provide allegations involving quotes made AFTER the filing of the petition.)
If you indicated “yes” above, please furnish the following information for each affected
transaction. If possible, provide documentation (e.g., copies of invoices, sales reports, or letters
from customers). Please note that the Commission may contact the firms named to verify the
allegations reported.
Customer name, contact person, phone and fax numbers
Specific product(s) involved
Date of your firm’s price quotation
Quantity involved
Your firm’s rejected price quotation (total delivered value)
The country of origin of the competing imported product
The accepted price quotation of the imported product (total delivered value)
Customer name,
contact person,
phone and fax
numbers

Firm
Contact
Phone

Fax

Firm
Contact
Phone

Fax

Firm
Contact
Phone

Fax

Firm
Contact
Phone

Fax

Product

Country
of
origin

Date of
quote

Quantity
(pounds)

Rejected
U.S. price
(total
value-dollars)

Competing
import price
(total
value—
dollars)