14-2-3299 U.S. Importer Questionnaire

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

WR(F)_US Importer Questionnaire

Carbon and Certain Alloy Steel Wire Rod from China, Inv. No.701-TA-512 (Final)

OMB: 3117-0016

⚠️ Notice: This form may be outdated.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

Document [pdf]

Download: pdf | pdf

OMB No. 3117-0016/USITC No. 14-2-3299; Expiration Date: 6/30/2017
(No response is required if currently valid OMB control number is not displayed)

U.S. IMPORTERS’ QUESTIONNAIRE
CARBON AND CERTAIN ALLOY STEEL WIRE ROD (“WIRE ROD”) FROM CHINA

This questionnaire must be received by the Commission by no later than OCTOBER 2, 2014
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 carbon and certain alloy steel wire rod
(“wire rod”) from China (Inv. Nos. 701-TA-512 and 731-TA-1248 (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 firm’s
possession (19 U.S.C. § 1333(a)).

Name of firm
Address
City

State

Zip Code

Website
Has your firm imported carbon and certain alloy steel wire rod (“wire rod”) (as defined in the instruction booklet)
at any time since January 1, 2011?

(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: WRODF)
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:

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Wire Rod (F)

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
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 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
(percent)

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Wire Rod (F)

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 wire rod from China into the United States or that are
engaged in exporting wire rod 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 wire rod?
No

Yes--List the following information.

Firm name

I-6.

Address

Affiliation

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

I-7.

Affiliation

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 wire rod but is not the consignee, please list
the consignees below (firm name, address, telephone number, and individual to contact).

Firm name

Address

Contact person
and phone
number

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Wire Rod (F)

Page 4

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

FTZ or bonded warehouses.--Please indicate whether your firm enters wire rod into, or
withdraws such merchandise from, foreign trade zones or bonded warehouses.
No

Yes

Foreign trade zones
Bonded warehouses

I-9.

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

I-10.

Yes

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

Yes–Please specify.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Wire Rod (F)

Page 5

PART II.—TRADE AND RELATED INFORMATION
Further information on this part of the questionnaire can be obtained from Carolyn Esko (202-205-3002,
Carolyn.Esko@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 wire rod since January 1, 2011.
Check as many as appropriate

Please describe

office/warehouse openings .............

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Wire Rod (F)

Page 6

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

Arranged imports.--Has your firm imported or arranged for the importation of wire rod for
delivery after December 31, 2013?
No

Yes–Fill out the table below.
Quantity (in short tons)

Period/Source

Jan-Mar 2014

Apr-Jun 2014

Jul-Sept 2014

Oct-Dec 2014

China
1

Other sources:
1

II-4.

Identify your other sources:

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

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Wire Rod (F)

Page 7

PART II.—TRADE AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
IMPORTS FROM SUBJECT SOURCES.–Report your firm’s imports and your firm’s
shipments and inventories of wire rod imported from China by your firm during the specified
periods. (See definitions in the instruction booklet.)

II-5.

Note -- The table below contains calculations that will appear when you have entered data in the MS
Word form fields.

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

2011

2012

January-June
2013

2013

2014

Beginning-of-period inventories (quantity) (A)
1

Imports:
Quantity of imports (B)
Value of imports (C)
U.S. shipments:
Commercial shipments:
Quantity of commercial shipments (D)
Value of commercial shipments (E)
Internal consumption/company transfers:
Quantity of internal consumption/transfers (F)
2

Value of internal consumption/transfers (G)
3

Export shipments:
Quantity of export shipments (H)
Value of export shipments (I)
4

End-of-period inventories (quantity) (J)
Channels of distribution:
U.S. commercial shipments to distributors (quantity)
(K)
U.S. commercial shipments to end users (quantity) (L)
1

Please identify the foreign producers, if known:

Sales to related firms (including internal consumption) must be valued at fair market value. In the event that your firm uses a
different basis for valuing these sales within your company, please specify that basis (e.g., cost, cost plus, etc.) and provide value
data using that basis for each of the periods noted above:
3

Identify your firm’s principal export markets:

RECONCILIATION OF SHIPMENTS
Please ensure that the quantities reported for channels of distribution (i.e., lines K and L) in each year equal the quantity reported
for U.S. commercial shipments (i.e., line D) in each period.
If the calculated fields below return values other than zero (i.e., “0”), the data in question II-5 needs to be revised prior to
submission to the Commission.
Calendar years
Reconciliation Item
U.S. shipments to distributors (K) + U.S. shipments to
end users (L) - U.S. commercial shipments (D) =

2011

2012
0

January-June
2013

2013
0

2014
0

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Wire Rod (F)

Page 8

PART II.—TRADE AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
RECONCILIATION OF INVENTORY, PRODUCTION, AND SHIPMENTS
Generally, the data reported for the end-of-period inventories (i.e., line J) in question II-5 should be equal to the beginning of
period inventories (i.e., line A), plus imports (i.e., line B), less total shipments (i.e., lines D, F, and H).
Please ensure that any differences are not due to data entry errors in completing this form, but rather actually reflect your firm's
records; and also provide any likely explanations for the differences (e.g., theft, loss, damage, record systems issues, et cetera).
If the calculated fields below return values other than zero (i.e., “0”), please correct any data errors in table II-5 or explain below.
Calendar years
Reconciliation Item

2011

Beginning inventories (A) + imports (B) – total shipments
(D+F+H) – End-of-period inventories (J) =

II-6.

2012

January-June
2013

2013
0

2014
0

U.S. shipments of wire rod from CHINA, by type.—Report your firm’s U.S. shipments
(including U.S. commercial shipments and U.S. internal consumption/transfers), by type, related
to the importation of wire rod from China reported above in question II-5 during calendar year
2013. (See definitions in the instruction booklet.)

CHINA
(Quantity in short tons)

Item

2013
Internal
consumption/
transfers

Commercial
shipments

Total U.S.
shipments

U.S. shipments of wire rod from CHINA (quantity):
Low/medium-low carbon industrial/standard quality
wire rod
High/medium-high carbon industrial/standard
quality wire rod
Tire cord quality wire rod and tire bead quality wire
rod
Welding quality wire rod
Cold heading quality (“CHQ”) wire rod
Other specialty carbon and alloy quality wire rod
1
All other wire rod shipments
Total
RECONCILIATION
1

0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0

Identify these types of wire rod and describe their uses:
.

Please ensure that the total 2013 shipments by type of wire rod in question II-6 equals the 2013 quantity reported for shipments by
type in question II-5. If the reconciliation line above returns values other than zero (i.e., “0”), please correct any data errors.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Wire Rod (F)

Page 9

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

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

Note -- The table below contains calculations that will appear when you have entered data in the MS
Word form fields.
Quantity (in short tons), value (in $1,000)
Calendar years
Item

2011

2012

January-June
2013

2013

2014

Beginning-of-period inventories (quantity) (A)
1

Value of internal consumption/transfers (G)
3

Export shipments:
Quantity of export shipments (H)
Value of export shipments (I)
4

End-of-period inventories (quantity) (J)
Channels of distribution:
U.S. commercial shipments to distributors (quantity)
(K)
U.S. commercial shipments to end users (quantity)
(L)
1

Please identify the foreign producers, if known:

Sales to related firms (including internal consumption) must be valued at fair market value. In the event that your
firm uses a different basis for valuing these sales within your company, please specify that basis (e.g., cost, cost plus,
etc.) and provide value data using that basis for each of the periods noted above:
3

Identify your firm’s principal export markets:
RECONCILIATION OF SHIPMENTS
Please ensure that the quantities reported for channels of distribution (i.e., lines K and L) in each year equal the
quantity reported for U.S. commercial shipments (i.e., line D) in each period.
If the calculated fields below return values other than zero (i.e., “0”), the data in question II-7 needs to be revised prior
to submission to the Commission.
Reconcilation item
U.S. shipments to distributors (K) + U.S. shipments to
end users (L) - U.S. commercial shipments (D) =

Calendar years
2011

2012
0

January-June
2013

2013
0

2014

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Wire Rod (F)

Page 10

PART II.—TRADE AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
RECONCILIATION OF INVENTORY, PRODUCTION, AND SHIPMENTS
Generally, the data reported for the end-of-period inventories (i.e., line J) in question II-7 should be equal to the
beginning of period inventories (i.e., line A), plus imports (i.e., line B), less total shipments (i.e., lines D, F, and H).
Please ensure that any differences are not due to data entry errors in completing this form, but rather actually reflect
your firm's records; and also provide any likely explanations for the differences (e.g., theft, loss, damage, record
systems issues, et cetera).
If the calculated fields below return values other than zero (i.e., “0”), please correct any data errors in table II-7 or
explain below.
Calendar years
Reconcilation Item

2011

Beginning inventories (A) + imports (B) – total
shipments (D+F+H) – End-of-period inventories (J) =

II-8.

2012
0

January-June
2013

2013
0

2014
0

U.S. shipments of wire rod from ALL OTHER SOURCES, by type.—Report your firm’s U.S.
shipments (including U.S. commercial shipments and U.S. internal consumption/transfers), by
type, related to the importation of wire rod from all other sources reported above in question II-7
during calendar year 2013. (See definitions in the instruction booklet.)

ALL OTHER SOURCES
(Quantity in short tons)

Item
Commercial
shipments
U.S. shipments of wire rod from ALL OTHER SOURCES (quantity):

2013
Internal
consumption/
transfers

Total U.S.
shipments

Low/medium-low carbon industrial/standard quality wire rod

High/medium-high carbon industrial/standard quality wire
rod
Tire cord quality wire rod and tire bead quality wire rod
Welding quality wire rod
Cold heading quality (“CHQ”) wire rod
Other specialty carbon and alloy quality wire rod
1
All other wire rod shipments
Total
RECONCILIATION
1

0
0
0
0
0
0
0

Identify these types of wire rod and describe their uses:
.

Please ensure that the total 2013 shipments by type of wire rod in question II-8 equals the 2013 quantity reported for
shipments by type in question II-7. If the reconciliation line above returns values other than zero (i.e., “0”), please correct any
data errors.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Wire Rod (F)

Page 11

PART III.—PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION
Further information on this part of the questionnaire can be obtained from 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 firm’s U.S. point of
shipment, for your firm’s commercial shipments to unrelated U.S. customers since January 1,
2011 of the following products your firm imported from China (subject) and Canada, Japan, and
Turkey (nonsubject):
Product 1.--

Industrial quality wire rod, grade C1006, 5.5 mm (7/32 inch) through 12 mm
(15/32 inch) in diameter, for hangers, chain link fencing, collated nails and
staples, grates, and other formed products (in green condition, e.g., NOT cleaned,
coated, etc.).

Product 2.--

Industrial quality wire rod, grade C1008 through C1010, 5.5 mm (7/32 inch)
through 12 mm (15/32 inch) in diameter, for hangers, chain link fencing, collated
nails and staples, grates, and other formed products (in green condition, e.g.,
NOT cleaned, coated, etc.).

Product 3.--

Mesh quality wire rod, grades C1006 through C1015, 5.5 mm (7/32 inch)
through 14 mm (9/16 inch) in diameter, for the manufacturing of concrete
reinforcement products such as wire for A-82 applications (in green condition,
e.g., NOT cleaned, coated, etc.).

Product 4.--

Grades C1050 through C1070, 5.5 mm (7/32 inch) through 6.5 mm (1/4 inch) in
diameter, for spring applications excluding valve spring (in green condition, e.g.,
NOT cleaned, coated, etc.).

Product 5.--

Industrial quality wire, Grades C1060 through 1065, 5.5mm (7/32 inch) through
17.5 mm (11/16 inch) in diameter, for spring wire rod used in upholstery and
mechanical applications, as well as oil-tempered spring applications.

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.
During January 2011-June 2014, did your firm import from China (subject) and/or Canada, Japan,
and/or Turkey (nonsubject) and sell to unrelated U.S. customers any of the above listed products
(or any products that were competitive with these products)?
Yes.--Please complete the following pricing data table as appropriate.
No.--Skip to question III-3.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Wire Rod (F)

Page 12

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.

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

Product 3
Period of shipment
Quantity
Value
2011:
January-March
April-June
July-September
October-December
2012:
January-March
April-June
July-September
October-December
2013:
January-March
April-June
July-September
October-December
2014:
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 III.
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:

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Wire Rod (F)

Page 13

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.

CHINA
Report data in actual short tons and actual dollars (not 1,000s).
(Quantity in short tons value in dollars)
Product 4
Product 5
Quantity
Value
Quantity

Period of shipment
Value
2011:
January-March
April-June
July-September
October-December
2012:
January-March
April-June
July-September
October-December
2013:
January-March
April-June
July-September
October-December
2014:
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 III.
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 4:
Product 5:

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Wire Rod (F)

Page 14

PART III.—PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
III-2b. Price data.--Report below the quarterly price data1 for pricing products2 imported from Canada
and sold by your firm.

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

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Wire Rod (F)

Page 15

PART III.—PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
III-2b. Price data.--Report below the quarterly price data1 for pricing products2 imported from Canada
and sold by your firm.

CANADA
Report data in actual short tons and actual dollars (not 1,000s).
(Quantity in short tons value in dollars)
Product 4
Product 5
Quantity
Value
Quantity

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Wire Rod (F)

Page 16

PART III.—PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
III-2c. Price data.--Report below the quarterly price data1 for pricing products2 imported from Japan
and sold by your firm.

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

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Wire Rod (F)

Page 17

PART III.—PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
III-2c. Price data.--Report below the quarterly price data1 for pricing products2 imported from Japan
and sold by your firm.

JAPAN
Report data in actual short tons and actual dollars (not 1,000s).
(Quantity in short tons value in dollars)
Product 4
Product 5
Quantity
Value
Quantity

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Wire Rod (F)

Page 18

PART III.—PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
III-2d. Price data.--Report below the quarterly price data1 for pricing products2 imported from Turkey
and sold by your firm.

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

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Wire Rod (F)

Page 19

PART III.—PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
III-2d. Price data.--Report below the quarterly price data1 for pricing products2 imported from Turkey
and sold by your firm.

TURKEY
Report data in actual short tons and actual dollars (not 1,000s).
(Quantity in short tons value in dollars)
Product 4
Product 5
Quantity
Value
Quantity

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Wire Rod (F)

Page 20

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

Price setting.-(a)

How does your firm determine the prices that it charges for sales of wire rod (check all
that apply)? If your firm issues price lists, please submit sample pages of a recent list.

Transaction
by
transaction

(b)

Other

If other, describe

Separate
surcharge

Other

If other, describe. If separate surcharge, describe
how your surcharge mechanism works.

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

Quantity
discounts

III-5.

Contracts

How does your firm take into account scrap prices when setting prices for wire rod?

Included in
cost

III-4.

Set
price
lists

Annual
total
volume
discounts

No
discount
policy

Other

Describe

Pricing terms for wire rod.-(a)

What are your firm’s typical sales terms for wire rod imported from China?
Net 30
days

(b)

Net 60
days

2/10 net 30
days

Other

Other (specify)

On what basis are your firm’s prices of imported wire rod from China usually quoted
(check one)?
Delivered

F.o.b.

If f.o.b., specify point

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Wire Rod (F)

Page 21

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

Contract versus spot.--Approximately what share of your firm’s sales of wire rod imported from
China in 2013 were on a (1) long-term contract basis, (2) short-term contract basis, and (3) spot
sales basis?
Type of sale
Short-term
contracts (multiple
Spot sales (for a
deliveries up to and
single delivery)
including 12 months)

Long-term
contracts (multiple
deliveries for more
than 12 months)
Share of your
2013 sales

III-7.

Total
(should sum to
100%)

0.0

Contract provisions.— Please fill out the table with respect to provisions of your firm’s typical
sales contracts for wire rod 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 firm’s share of sales of wire rod imported from China 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 wire rod?
Source

Share of
2013 sales

From your firm’s U.S. inventory

From foreign manufacturers’ inventory

Produced to order

Total (should sum to 100%)

100 %

Lead time
(days)

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Wire Rod (F)

Page 22

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

Shipping information.—
(a)

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

(b)

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

(c)

When your firm sells wire rod imported from China, from where is it shipped?
(check one)
Point of importation

(d)

Storage facility

Ship directly to final customer

Indicate the approximate percentage of your firm’s sales of wire rod imported from China
that are delivered the following distances from your firm’s U.S. point of shipment.

Distance from your firm’s U.S. point of shipment

Share of 2013
commercial
shipments

Within 100 miles

101 to 1,000 miles

Over 1,000 miles

Total (should total 100%)

0.0

III-10. Geographical shipments--In which U.S. geographic market area(s) has your firm sold wire rod
imported from subject countries since January 1, 2011 (check all that apply)?
Geographic area
Northeast.–CT, ME, MA, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, and VT.
Midwest.–IL, IN, IA, KS, MI, MN, MO, NE, ND, OH, SD, and WI.
Southeast.–AL, DE, DC, FL, GA, KY, MD, MS, NC, SC, TN, VA, and WV.
Central Southwest.–AR, LA, OK, and TX.
Mountains.–AZ, CO, ID, MT, NV, NM, UT, and WY.
Pacific Coast.–CA, OR, and WA.
Other.–All other markets in the United States not previously listed, including
AK, HI, PR, and VI, among others.

China

All other
countries

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Wire Rod (F)

Page 23

PART III.—PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
III-11. End uses.—
(a)

List the top three end uses of the wire rod that your firm imports and sells commercially.
For each end-use product, what percentage of the total cost is accounted for by wire rod
and other inputs?
Share of total cost of end use
product accounted for by
End use product
(commercial sales)

(b)

Wire rod

Other inputs

Total
(should sum to
100% across)

100 %

List the top three end uses of the wire rod that your firm imports and transfers to related
firms and or consumes internally. For each end-use product, what percentage of the total
cost is accounted for by wire rod and other inputs?

End use product
(internal consumption or transferred
to a related firm)

Share of total cost of end use
product accounted for by
Wire rod

Other inputs

Total
(should sum to
100% across)

100 %

III-12. Substitutes.-- Can other products be substituted for wire rod?
No

Substitute
1.
2.
3.

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 wire rod?
No Yes

Explanation

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Wire Rod (F)

Page 24

PART III.—PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
III-13. Demand trends.-- Indicate how demand within the United States and outside of the United States
(if known) for wire rod has changed since January 1, 2011. Explain any trends and describe the
principal factors that have affected these changes in demand.

Market

Overall
No
Overall Fluctuate with
increase change decrease no clear trend

Explanation and factors

Within
the United
States
Outside
the United
States

III-14. Product changes.--Have there been any significant changes in the product mix or marketing of
wire rod since January 1, 2011?
No

Yes

If yes, please describe.

III-15. Conditions of competition.-(a) Is the wire rod market subject to business cycles (other than general economy-wide
conditions) and/or other conditions of competition distinctive to wire rod? If yes, describe.

Check all that apply.

Please describe.

Skip to question III-16.

Yes-Business cycles (e.g.
seasonal business)
Yes-Other distinctive
conditions of competition

(b) If yes, have there been any changes in the business cycles or conditions of competition for
wire rod since January 1, 2011?
No

Yes

If yes, describe.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Wire Rod (F)

Page 25

PART III.—PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued

III-16. Supply constraints.--Has your firm refused, declined, or been unable to supply wire rod since
January 1, 2011 (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.

III-17. Raw materials.-- How have wire rod raw materials prices changed since January 1, 2011?
Fluctuate
with no
Overall
No
Overall
clear
increase change decrease
trend

Explain, noting how raw material price changes
have affected your firm’s selling prices for wire
rod.

III-18. Interchangeability.--Is wire rod 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

Canada

Japan

Turkey

Other countries

United States
China
Canada
Japan
Turkey

For any country-pair producing wire rod that is sometimes or never interchangeable, identify the
country-pair and explain the factors that limit or preclude interchangeable use:

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Wire Rod (F)

Page 26

PART III.—PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
III-19. Factors other than price.-- Are differences other than price (e.g., quality, availability,
transportation network, product range, technical support, etc.) between wire rod 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

Canada

Japan

Turkey

Other countries

United States
China
Canada
Japan
Turkey

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

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Wire Rod (F)

Page 27

PART III.—PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
III-20. Customer identification--Please provide the names and location of your firm’s 10 largest U.S.
customers for wire rod since January 1, 2011. Indicate the share of the quantity of your firm’s
total shipments of wire rod that each of these customers accounted for in 2013.

Customer’s name

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8

City and state

,
City

State

,
City

State

,
City

State

,
City

State

,
City

State

,
City

State

,
City

State

,
City

State

,
City

Share
of 2013
sales
(%)

State

,
City

State

III-21. Other explanations--If your firm would like to further explain a response to a question in Part III
that did not provide a narrative response box, please note the question number and the
explanation in the space provided below.

File Type	application/pdf
File Title	US importer questionnaire
Subject	Title 7 investigations
Author	USITC
File Modified	2014-09-04
File Created	2014-09-04