14-4-3336 Foreign Producer Questionnaire

OMB No. 3117-0016/USITC No. 15-4-3336; Expiration Date: 6/30/2017
(No response is required if currently valid OMB control number is not displayed)

FOREIGN PRODUCERS’/EXPORTERS’ QUESTIONNAIRE

CERTAIN STEEL NAILS FROM KOREA, MALAYSIA, OMAN, TAIWAN,
AND VIETNAM
This questionnaire must be received by the Commission by March 20, 2105
See last page 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 certain steel nails from Korea,
Malaysia, Oman, Taiwan, and Vietnam (inv. Nos. 701–TA–516–519 and 521 and 731–TA–1252–1255 and 1257 (Final)).
The information requested in the questionnaire is requested under the authority of the Tariff Act of 1930, title VII.
Name of firm
Address
Website
Has your firm produced or exported certain steel nails (as defined on next page) at any time since January 1,
2012?

NO

(Sign the certification below and promptly return only this page of the questionnaire to the Commission)

YES

(Complete all parts of the questionnaire, and return the entire questionnaire to the Commission)

Data reported in this questionnaire relate to (Check one):
Korea

Malaysia

Oman

Taiwan

Vietnam

Return questionnaire via the Commission Drop Box by clicking on the following link:
https://dropbox.usitc.gov/oinv/. (PIN: NAIL)
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

Fax:

Email address

Business Proprietary
Foreign Producers’ Questionnaire – Certain Steel Nails

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PART I.—GENERAL INFORMATION
Background. This proceeding was instituted in response to a petition filed on May 29, 2014, by Mid
Continent Nail Corporation (Poplar Bluff, MO). Antidumping and/or countervailing duties may be
assessed on the subject imports as a result of these proceedings if the Commission makes an affirmative
determination of injury, threat, or material retardation, and if the U.S. Department of Commerce makes
an affirmative determination of dumping and/or subsidation. Questionnaires and other information
pertinent to this proceeding are available at
http://www.usitc.gov/investigations/701731/2014/certain_steel_nails_korea_malaysia_oman_taiwan_a
nd/final.htm.
Certain steel nails or “subject product” covered by these investigations is certain steel nails having a
shaft length not to exceed 12 inches. Certain steel nails include, but are not limited to, nails made from
round wire and nails that are cut from plate. Certain steel nails may be made of one piece construction
or constructed of two or more pieces. Certain steel nails may be produced from any type of steel, and
may have any type of surface finish, head type, shank, point type, shaft length and shaft diameter.
Finishes include, but are not limited to, coating in vinyl, zinc (galvanized, including but not limited to
electroplating or hot dipping one or more times), phosphate cement, and paint. Certain steel nails may
have one or more surface finishes. Head styles include, but are not limited to, flat, projection, cupped,
oval, brad, headless, double, countersunk, and sinker. Shank styles include, but are not limited to,
smooth, barbed, screw threaded, ring shank and fluted. Screw-threaded nails subjected to this
proceeding are driven using direct force and not by turning the fastener using a tool that engages with
the head. Point styles include, but are not limited to, diamond, blunt, needle, chisel and no point.
Certain steel nails remain subject to the order whether imported alone or in combination with other
articles.
Excluded from the scope of the order are steel roofing nails specifically certified at the time of entry to
satisfy the specifications of certain Type I, Style 20 nails as identified in Tables 29 through 33 of ASTM
Standard F 1667 (2013 revision). Also excluded from the scope of the order are fasteners suitable for use
in powder-actuated hand tools, not threaded and threaded, which are currently classified under
HTSUS 7317.00.20. and 7317.00.30. Also excluded from the scope of the order are fasteners having a
case hardness greater than or equal to 50 HRC, a carbon content greater than or equal to 0.5 percent, a
round head, a secondary reduced-diameter raised head section, a centered shank, and a smooth
symmetrical point, suitable for use in gas-actuated hand tools. Also excluded from the scope of the
order are corrugated nails. A corrugated nail is made of a small strip of corrugated steel with sharp
points on the side. Also excluded from the scope of the order are thumb tacks, which are currently
classified under HTSUS 7317.00.10.00.
Certain steel nails subject to this proceeding are currently classified under the Harmonized Tariff
Schedule of the United States (“HTSUS”) subheadings 7317.00.55, 7317.00.65 and 7317.00.75. While
the HTSUS subheadings are provided for convenience and customs purposes, the written description of
the scope of this order is dispositive.
Reporting of information.-- If information is not readily available from your records, provide carefully
prepared estimates. If your firm is completing more than one questionnaire (i.e., a producer, importer,
purchaser and/or foreign producer questionnaire), you need not respond to duplicated questions.

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Foreign Producers’ Questionnaire – Certain Steel Nails

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Confidentiality.--The commercial and financial data furnished in response to this questionnaire that
reveal the individual operations of your firm will be treated as confidential by the Commission to the
extent that such data are not otherwise available to the public and will not be disclosed except as may
be required by law (see 19 U.S.C. '1677f). Such confidential information will not be published in a
manner that will reveal the individual operations of your firm; however, general characterizations of
numerical business proprietary information (such as discussion of trends) will be treated as confidential
business information only at the request of the submitter for good cause shown.
Verification.--The information submitted in this questionnaire is subject to audit and verification by the
Commission. To facilitate possible verification of data, please keep all files, worksheets, and supporting
documents used in the preparation of the questionnaire response. Please also retain a copy of the final
document that you submit.
Release of information.--The information provided by your firm in response to this questionnaire, as
well as any other business proprietary information submitted by your firm to the Commission in
connection with this proceeding, may become subject to, and released under, the administrative
protective order provisions of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. '1677f) and section 207.7 of the
Commission’s Rules of Practice and Procedure (19 CFR '207.7). This means that certain lawyers and
other authorized individuals may temporarily be given access to the information for use in connection
with this proceeding or other import-injury proceedings conducted by the Commission on the same or
similar merchandise; those individuals would be subject to severe penalties if the information were
divulged to unauthorized individuals.

Business Proprietary
Foreign Producers’ Questionnaire – Certain Steel Nails
I-1.

Page 4

OMB statistics.--Please report below the actual number of hours required and the cost to your
firm of completing this questionnaire.
Hours

Dollars

The questions in this questionnaire have been reviewed with market participants to ensure that
issues of concern are adequately addressed and that data requests are sufficient, meaningful,
and as limited as possible. Public reporting burden for this questionnaire is estimated to average
20 hours per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, gathering data, and
completing and reviewing the questionnaire.
We welcome comments regarding the accuracy of this burden estimate, suggestions for
reducing the burden, and any suggestions for improving this questionnaire. Please attach such
comments to your response or send to the Office of Investigations, USITC, 500 E St. SW,
Washington, DC 20436.
I-2.

Establishments covered.--Provide the name and address of establishment(s) covered by this
questionnaire. If your firm is publicly traded, please specify the stock exchange and trading
symbol.
“Establishment”-- Each facility of a firm in Korea, Malaysia, Oman, Taiwan, and Vietnam
involved in the production or export of Certain Steel Nails, including auxiliary facilities operated
in conjunction with (whether or not physically separate from) such facilities. Firms operating
more than one establishment in Korea, Malaysia, Oman, Taiwan, and Vietnam should combine
the data for all establishments into a single report.

I-3.

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

Yes--Please name the firm(s) and country(ies) below and, if U.S. producer(s),
ensure that they complete the Commission’s U.S. producer
questionnaire.

Business Proprietary
Foreign Producers’ Questionnaire – Certain Steel Nails
I-4.

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

I-5.

2

3

4

5

Yes--Please name the firm(s) below and ensure that they complete the
Commission’s importer questionnaire.

U.S. importers.--Please provide the names, street addresses (not P.O. boxes), contacts,
telephone numbers, and e-mail addresses of the FIVE largest U.S. importers of your firm’s the
subject product in 2014.

Importer’s name

1

Page 5

Contact
person

Email

Telephone

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

Street Address
,
City State Zip Code
Street Address
,
City State Zip Code
Street Address
,
City State Zip Code
Street Address
,
City State Zip Code
Street Address
,
City State Zip Code

Share of
your
firm’s
2014 U.S.
exports
(%)

Business Proprietary
Foreign Producers’ Questionnaire – Certain Steel Nails

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PART II.--TRADE AND RELATED INFORMATION
Further information on this part of the questionnaire can be obtained from Fred Ruggles (202-205-3187,
fred.ruggles@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 the subject product since January 1, 2012.
(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)

Business Proprietary
Foreign Producers’ Questionnaire – Certain Steel Nails
II-3.

Anticipated changes in operations.--Does your firm anticipate any changes in the character of
its operations or organization (as noted above) relating to the production of the subject product
in the future?
No

II-4a.

Page 7

Yes–Supply details as to the time, nature, and significance of such changes
and provide underlying assumptions, along with relevant portions of
business plans or other supporting documentation that address this
issue. Include in the response a specific projection of your firm’s
capacity to produce the subject product (in short tons) for 2015 and
2016.

Overall capacity and production.-- Please report your firm’s production of products made on
the same equipment and machinery used to produce the subject product, and the combined
production capacity on this shared equipment and machinery.
“Average production capacity” or “capacity” –The level of production that your
establishment(s) could reasonably have expected to attain during the specified periods for all
products manufactured in that establishment using the same manufacturing equipment.
Assume normal operating conditions (i.e., using equipment and machinery in place and ready to
operate; normal operating levels (hours per week/weeks per year) and time for downtime,
maintenance, repair, and cleanup; and a typical or representative product mix).
“Production” --All production in your establishment(s) in Korea, Malaysia, Oman, Taiwan, and
Vietnam, including production consumed internally within your firm.
(Quantity in short tons)
Calendar years
Item

2012

2013

2014

Overall production capacity
Production of:
Subject product (i.e., certain nails)1
Other products
Total
1
2

II-4b.

0

0

0

0

0

0

2

Data entered for production of subject product will populate here once reported in question II-10.
Please identify these products:

Operating parameters.--The production capacity (see definitions in instruction booklet) reported in
II-4a is based on operating
hours per week,
weeks per year.

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Foreign Producers’ Questionnaire – Certain Steel Nails

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II-4c.

Capacity calculation.--Please describe the methodology used to calculate overall production
capacity reported in II-4a, and explain any changes in reported capacity.

II-4d.

Production constraints.--Please describe the constraint(s) that set the limit(s) on your firm’s
production capacity.

II-4e.

Product shifting.—
(i).

Is your firm able to switch production (capacity) between subject product and other
products using the same equipment and/or labor?
No

(ii).

Yes-- (i.e., have produced other products or are able to produce other
products). Please identify other actual or potential products:

Please describe the factors that affect your firm’s ability to shift production capacity
between products (e.g., time, cost, relative price change, etc.), and the degree to which
these factors enhance or constrain such shifts.

II-5.

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

II-6.

Firm's estimated share of production in subject country.--Please estimate the percentage of total
production of subject product in the country specified on the certification page accounted for by
your firm’s production in 2014.
percent

II-7.

Firm's estimated share of country's exports.--Please estimate the percentage of total exports to
the United States of subject product from the country specified on the certification page
accounted for by your firm’s exports in 2014.
percent

Business Proprietary
Foreign Producers’ Questionnaire – Certain Steel Nails
II-8.

Page 9

Inventories in the United States.--Has your firm, since 2012, maintained any inventories of
subject product in the United States (not including inventories held by firms identified in
question I-3)?
“Inventories”--Finished goods inventory, not raw materials or work in progress.
No

Yes--Report the quantity of such end-of-period inventories below.
Quantity (in short tons)
Calendar year
Item

2012

2013

2014

Inventory
II-9.

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

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

Business Proprietary
Foreign Producers’ Questionnaire – Certain Steel Nails
II-10.

Page 10

Trade data.--Report your firm’s production capacity, production, shipments, and inventories
related to the production of subject product in your establishment(s) in Korea, Malaysia, Oman,
Taiwan, and Vietnam during the specified periods.
Do not submit data by manufacturing facility if they are in the same country. If your firm has
multiple manufacturing establishments within one country, you are required to combine data
for those establishments within one foreign producer questionnaire response.
Do not submit data on multiple countries combined. The establishments reported here should
all be located in the country of the firm’s address reported on the certification page.
Multinational companies with production in multiple subject countries should submit separate
foreign producer questionnaire responses for each subject country.
“Shipments”--Shipments of products produced in your establishment(s) in Korea, Malaysia,
Oman, Taiwan, and Vietnam. Quantities reported should be net of returns.
“Home market commercial shipments”--Shipments, other than internal consumption and
transfers to related firms, within Korea, Malaysia, Oman, Taiwan, and Vietnam.
“Home market internal consumption/transfers to related firms”--Shipments made to
related firms in Korea, Malaysia, Oman, Taiwan, and Vietnam, including product consumed
internally by your firm.
“Export shipments”--Shipments to destinations outside Korea, Malaysia, Oman, Taiwan, and
Vietnam, including shipments to related firms.
“Inventories”--Finished goods inventory, not raw materials or work-in-progress.

Business Proprietary
Foreign Producers’ Questionnaire – Certain Steel Nails
II-10.

Page 11

Trade data--Continued.

Quantity (in short tons)
Projections1

Actual experience
Item

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2

Average production capacity (A)
Beginning-of-period inventories
(B)
Production (C)
Home market shipments:
Internal consumption/
transfers (D)
Commercial shipments (E)
Exports to the United States (F)
Exports to all other markets3 (G)
Total exports (H)
(should equal F+G)

0

0

0

0

0

Total shipments (I)
(should equal D+E+F+G)

0

0

0

0

0

End-of-period inventories (J)
1

Please explain the basis for your firm’s projections.
The production capacity reported is based on operating
hours per week,
weeks per year.
Please describe the methodology used to calculate production capacity, and explain any changes in reported
capacity.
3
Identify principal other export markets.
2

Business Proprietary
Foreign Producers’ Questionnaire – Certain Steel Nails

II-10.

Page 12

Trade data.—Continued.
RECONCILIATION OF SHIPMENTS, PRODUCTION, AND INVENTORY.--Generally, the data reported
for the end-of-period inventories (i.e., line J) should be equal to the beginning-of-period
inventories (i.e., line B), plus production (i.e., line C), less total shipments (i.e., lines D, E, F, and
G). 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 any
differences (e.g., theft, loss, damage, record systems issues, etc.) if they exist.
Actual experience
Item

B + C – D – E – F –G – J =
should equal zero ("0") or
provide an explanation.1

2012

2013

0

Projections
2014

0

2015

0

2016

0

1

Explanation if the calculated fields above are returning values other than zero (i.e., “0”) but are nonetheless
accurate.

II-11.

Other explanations.--If your firm would like to further explain a response to a question in Part II
that did not provide a narrative box, please note the question number and the explanation in
the space provided below. Please also use this space to highlight any issues your firm had in
providing the data in this section, including but not limited to technical issues with the MS Word
questionnaire.

0

Business Proprietary
Foreign Producers’ Questionnaire – Certain Steel Nails

II-12.

Page 13

Exports to United States by type and finish.--Please provide the quantity and value of your firm’s
exports to the United States of certain steel nails during 2014 by type and finish.
Quantity (short tons)

Value ($1,000)

Collated.-Bright (no finish)
Galvanized
Other
Subtotal, collated
0
0
Uncollated.-Bright (no finish)
Galvanized
Other
Subtotal, uncollated
0
0
Total
0
0
1
Reconciliation of total
0
NA
1
The reconciliation line tests whether the data reported in this question match the data
reported in question II-10 for exports to the United States. If the reconciliation line returns a
value other than zero ("0"), please revise your data prior to submission to the Commission.

Business Proprietary
Foreign Producers’ Questionnaire – Certain Steel Nails

II-13.

Page 14

Exports to the United States by type and form.--Please provide the quantity and value of your firm’s
exports to the United States of certain steel nails during 2014 by type and form.
Quantity (short tons)

Value ($1,000)

Collated.-Common nail (e.g., framing, decking, box,
sinkers)
Finishing nail
Drywall nail
Flooring nail
Pallet nail
Concrete/masonry
All other products not listed above1
Subtotal, collated
0
0
Uncollated.-Common nail (e.g., framing, decking, box,
sinkers)
Finishing nail
Drywall nail
Flooring nail
Pallet nail
Concrete/masonry
All other products not listed above1
Subtotal, uncollated
0
0
Total
0
0
2
Reconciliation of total
0
NA
1
Please list these products
2
The reconciliation line tests whether the data reported in this question match the data
reported in question II-10 for exports to the United States. If the reconciliation line returns a
value other than zero ("0"), please revise your data prior to submission to the Commission.

Business Proprietary
Foreign Producers’ Questionnaire – Certain Steel Nails

Page 15

HOW TO FILE YOUR QUESTIONNAIRE RESPONSE
This questionnaire is available as a “fillable” form in MS Word format on the
Commission’s website at:
http://www.usitc.gov/investigations/701731/2014/certain_steel_nails_korea_malaysia_
oman_taiwan_and/final.htm

Please do not attempt to modify the format or permissions of the questionnaire
document. Please submit the completed questionnaire using one of the methods
noted below. If your firm is unable to complete the MS Word questionnaire or
cannot use one of the electronic methods of submission, please contact the
Commission for further instructions.
• Upload via Secure Drop Box.—Upload the MS Word questionnaire along with a scanned copy
of the signed certification page (page 1) through the Commission’s secure upload facility:
Web address: https://dropbox.usitc.gov/oinv/ Pin: NAIL
• E-mail.—E-mail your questionnaire to fred.ruggles@usitc.gov; include a scanned copy of the
signed certification page (page 1). Please note that submitting your questionnaire by e-mail may

subject your firm’s business proprietary information to transmission over an unsecure environment and
to possible disclosure. If you choose this option, the Commission warns you that any risk involving
possible disclosure of such information is assumed by the submitter and not by the Commission.

If your firm did not produce or export this product, please fill out page 1, print, sign, and
submit a scanned copy to the Commission.
Parties to this proceeding.—If your firm is a party to this proceeding, you are required to serve
a copy of the completed questionnaire on parties to the proceeding that are subject to
administrative protective order (see 19 CFR '207.7). A list of such parties may be obtained from
the Commission’s Secretary (202-205-1803). A certificate of service must accompany the
completed questionnaire you submit (see 19 CFR '207.7). Service of the questionnaire must be
made in paper form.