Form 15-2-3341 U.S. Importer Questionnaire

OMB No. 3117-0016/USITC No. 15-2-3341; Expiration Date: 6/30/2017
(No response is required if currently valid OMB control number is not displayed)

U.S. IMPORTERS’ QUESTIONNAIRE

SILICOMANGANESE FROM AUSTRALIA
This questionnaire must be received by the Commission by March 4, 2015
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 antidumping investigation concerning silicomanganese from Australia (inv. No. 731-TA-1269
(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

Website
Has your firm imported silicomanganese (as defined on next page) from any country 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)

Return questionnaire via the U.S. International Trade Commission Drop Box by clicking on the
following link: https://dropbox.usitc.gov/oinv/. (PIN: SIMN)
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

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Silicomanganese

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PART I.—GENERAL INFORMATION
Background. This proceeding was instituted in response to a petition filed on February 19, 2015, by
Felman Production LLC, Letart, West Virginia. Antidumping duties may be assessed on the subject
imports as a result of this proceeding 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. Questionnaires and other information pertinent to this proceeding are
available at
http://www.usitc.gov/investigations/701731/2015/silicomanganese_australia/preliminary.htm.
Silicomanganese. The products covered by this investigation are all forms, sizes and compositions of
silicomanganese except low-carbon silicomanganese, including silicomanganese briquettes, fines, and
slag. Silicomanganese is a ferroalloy composed principally of manganese, silicon, and iron, and normally
contains much smaller proportions of minor elements, such as carbon, phosphorus, and sulfur.
Silicomanganese is sometimes referred to as ferrosilicon manganese. Silicomanganese is used primarily
in steel production as a source of both silicon and manganese, and sometimes as an alloying agent in the
production of iron castings. Silicomanganese generally contains by weight not less than 4 percent iron,
more than 30 percent manganese, more than 8 percent silicon and not more than 0.2 percent
phosphorus. Silicomanganese is sold primarily in sized, lump form, with sizes generally varying from 8" x
4" to 2" x down,1 though all sizes of silicomanganese material are covered by the petition.
Silicomanganese is classifiable under subheading 7202.30.0000 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the
United States ("HTSUS").
Low-carbon silicomanganese is excluded from the scope of this petition. Low-carbon silicomanganese
contains lower levels of carbon than standard silicomanganese and higher amounts of silicon. It is
sometimes referred to as ferromanganese-silicon. Low-carbon silicomanganese is used in the
manufacture of stainless steel and special carbon steel grades, such as motor lamination grade steel,
which requires a very low carbon content. The low-carbon silicomanganese excluded from this petition
is a ferroalloy with the following chemical specifications by weight: minimum 55 percent manganese,
minimum 27 percent silicon, maximum 0.10 percent phosphorus, maximum 0.10 percent carbon, and
maximum 0.05 percent sulfur. Low-carbon silicomanganese is classifiable under HTSUS subheading
7202.30.0000.
1

The size “2” x down includes lumps that are 2” in length and 2” or less in width.

Importer.--Any person or firm engaged, either directly or through a parent company or subsidiary, in
importing product (as defined above) into the United States from a foreign manufacturer or through its
selling agent.
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,
and/or purchaser questionnaire), you need not respond to duplicated questions.
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

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Silicomanganese

Page 3

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.

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Silicomanganese
I-1a.

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
40 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 involved in the importation of silicomanganese,
including auxiliary facilities operated in conjunction with (whether or not physically separate
from) such facilities.

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)

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Silicomanganese
I-4.

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

Yes--List the following information.

Firm name

I-5.

Address

Yes--List the following information.

Firm name

Address

Affiliation

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

I-7.

Affiliation

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

I-6.

Page 5

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

Firm name

Address

Contact person
and phone
number

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Silicomanganese
I-8.

Page 6

FTZ, TIB, or bonded warehouses.--Please indicate whether your firm enters silicomanganese
into, or withdraws such merchandise from, foreign trade zones or bonded warehouses. Also
indicate whether your firm imports silicomanganese under the TIB (temporary importation
under bond) program.
“Foreign trade zone” is a designated location in the United States where firms utilize special
procedures that allow delayed or reduced customs duty payments on foreign merchandise, as
well as other savings. A foreign trade zone must be designed as such pursuant to the rules and
procedures set forth in the Foreign-Trade Zones Act.
“Bonded warehouse” is a secured facility supervised by U.S. customs, where dutiable landed
imports are stored pending their re-export, or release after payment of import duties, taxes, and
other charges. A bonded warehouse must be designed as such pursuant to the rules and
procedures set forth in 19 U.S. Code § 1555.
“Temporary Importation under Bond (“TIB”) program” is a procedure whereby imported
merchandise may be entered under certain conditions for a limited time into the United States
free of duty. Under the program, an importer posts a bond for twice the amount of duty, taxes,
etc. that would otherwise be owed on the importation and agrees to export or destroy the
merchandise within a specified time or pay liquidated damages. This program is restricted to
certain categories of merchandise listed in subheadings 9813.00.05 through 9813.00.75 of the
Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States(HTS).
No

Yes

Foreign trade zones
Bonded warehouses
Temporary importation under bond

I-9.

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

Yes–Please specify.

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PART II.--TRADE AND RELATED INFORMATION
Further information on this part of the questionnaire can be obtained from Michael Szustakowski (202205-3169, mgs@usitc.gov) or Keysha Martinez (202-205-2136, Keysha.Martinez@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 silicomanganese since January 1, 2012.
(check as many as appropriate)
Office/warehouse openings
Office/warehouse closings
Relocations
Expansions
Acquisitions
Consolidations
Prolonged shutdowns or
production curtailments
Revised labor agreements
Other (e.g., technology)

(please describe)

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Silicomanganese
II-3.

Page 8

Arranged imports.--Has your firm imported or arranged for the importation of silicomanganese
for delivery on or after January 1, 2015?
“Arranged imports” are imports for which your firm has placed an order with a foreign producer
for subject merchandise, but delivery of those imports is not scheduled to occur until after the
date listed above.
No

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

Period/Source

Jan-Mar 2015

Apr-Jun 2015

Jul-Sept 2015

Oct-Dec 2015

Australia
Other sources:1
1

II-4.

Identify your other sources:

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

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Definitions
“Imports” –Those products identified for Customs purposes as imports for consumption for
which your firm was the importer of record (i.e., was responsible for paying any import duty) or
consignee (i.e., to which the merchandise was first delivered).
“Import quantities” –Quantities reported should be net of returns.
“Import values”—Values reported should be landed, duty-paid values at the U.S. port of entry,
including ocean freight and insurance costs, brokerage charges, and import duties (i.e., all
charges except inland freight in the United States).
“U.S. commercial shipments”— Shipments made within the United States as a result of an arm’s
length commercial transaction in the ordinary course of business. Report net values (i.e., gross
sales values less all discounts, allowances, rebates, prepaid freight, and the value of returned
goods) in U.S. dollars, f.o.b. your point of shipment.
“Internal consumption” –Product consumed internally by your firm.
“Transfers to related firms” –Shipments made to related domestic firms. Such transactions are
valued at fair market value.
“Related firm” –A firm that your firm solely or jointly owns, manages, or otherwise controls.
Such transactions are valued at fair market value.
“Export shipments”— Shipments to destinations outside the United States, including shipments
to related firms.
“Inventories” --Finished goods inventory, not raw materials or work in progress.

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Silicomanganese
II-5.

Page 10

IMPORTS FROM AUSTRALIA.–Report your firm’s imports and your firm’s shipments and
inventories of silicomanganese imported from Australia by your firm during the specified
periods. +Link to definitions

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

2012

2013

2014

Beginning-of-period
inventories (quantity) (A)
Imports:1
Quantity (B)
Value (C)
U.S. shipments:
Commercial shipments:
Quantity (D)
Value (E)
Internal
consumption/company
transfers:
Quantity (F)
Value2 (G)
Export shipments:3
Quantity (H)
Value (I)
End-of-period inventories
(quantity) (J)
Channels of distribution:
Commercial U.S.
shipments:
To distributors
(quantity) (K)
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:
2

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Silicomanganese
II-5.

Page 11

IMPORTS FROM AUSTRALIA.–Continued

RECONCILIATION OF SHIPMENTS, IMPORTS, AND INVENTORIES.--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 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 any differences (e.g., theft, loss, damage, record systems
issues, etc.) if they exist.
Calendar years
Reconciliation

2012

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

2013

2014

0

0

0

1

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

RECONCILIATION OF CHANNELS.--Please ensure that the quantities reported for channels of distribution
(i.e., lines K and L) in each time period equal the quantity reported for commercial U.S. commercial
shipments (i.e., line D) in each time period. If the calculated fields below return values other than zero
(i.e., “0”), the data reported must be revised prior to submission to the Commission.
Calendar years
Reconciliation item

2012

K + L – D = zero ("0"), if not revise.
II-6.

2013
0

2014
0

0

Imports of low-carbon silicomanganese from Australia.—The scope of this investigation
includes silicomanganese except low-carbon silicomanganese (+Link to product description).
Imports of all silicomanganese products typically enter under the following HTS statistical
reporting number: 7202.30.0000.
Did your firm import low-carbon silicomanganese or other out-of-scope merchandise from
Australia under HTS statistical reporting number 7202.30.0000? Such imports should be
reported in the table below but should not be included in II-5.
No

Yes–Please report the quantity and value below.
Quantity (in short tons), value (in $1,000)
Calendar years
Item

Imports:
Quantity of imports
Value of imports

2012

2013

2014

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Silicomanganese
II-7.

Page 12

IMPORTS FROM GEORGIA.–Report your firm’s imports and your firm’s shipments and
inventories of silicomanganese imported from Georgia by your firm during the specified periods.
+Link to definitions

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

2012

2013

2014

Beginning-of-period
inventories (quantity) (A)
Imports:1
Quantity (B)
Value (C)
U.S. shipments:
Commercial shipments:
Quantity (D)
Value (E)
Internal
consumption/company
transfers:
Quantity (F)
Value2 (G)
Export shipments:3
Quantity (H)
Value (I)
End-of-period inventories
(quantity) (J)
Channels of distribution:
Commercial U.S.
shipments:
To distributors
(quantity) (K)
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:
2

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Silicomanganese
II-7.

Page 13

IMPORTS FROM GEORGIA.–Continued

RECONCILIATION OF SHIPMENTS, IMPORTS, AND INVENTORIES.--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 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 any differences (e.g., theft, loss, damage, record systems
issues, etc.) if they exist.
Calendar years
Reconciliation

2012

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

2013

2014

0

0

0

1

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

RECONCILIATION OF CHANNELS.--Please ensure that the quantities reported for channels of distribution
(i.e., lines K and L) in each time period equal the quantity reported for commercial U.S. commercial
shipments (i.e., line D) in each time period. If the calculated fields below return values other than zero
(i.e., “0”), the data reported must be revised prior to submission to the Commission.
Calendar years
Reconciliation item

2012

K + L – D = zero ("0"), if not revise.
II-8.

2013
0

2014
0

0

Imports of low-carbon silicomanganese from Georgia.—The scope of this investigation includes
silicomanganese except low-carbon silicomanganese (+Link to product description). Imports of
all silicomanganese products typically enter under the following HTS statistical reporting
number: 7202.30.0000.
Did your firm import low-carbon silicomanganese or other out-of-scope merchandise from
Georgia under HTS statistical reporting number 7202.30.0000? Such imports should be reported
in the table below but should not be included in II-7.
No

Yes–Please report the quantity and value below.
Quantity (in short tons), value (in $1,000)
Calendar years
Item

Imports:
Quantity of imports
Value of imports

2012

2013

2014

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Silicomanganese
II-9.

Page 14

IMPORTS FROM SOUTH AFRICA.–Report your firm’s imports and your firm’s shipments and
inventories of silicomanganese imported from South Africa by your firm during the specified
periods. +Link to definitions

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

2012

2013

2014

Beginning-of-period
inventories (quantity) (A)
Imports:1
Quantity (B)
Value (C)
U.S. shipments:
Commercial shipments:
Quantity (D)
Value (E)
Internal
consumption/company
transfers:
Quantity (F)
Value2 (G)
Export shipments:3
Quantity (H)
Value (I)
End-of-period inventories
(quantity) (J)
Channels of distribution:
Commercial U.S.
shipments:
To distributors
(quantity) (K)
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:
2

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Silicomanganese
II-9.

Page 15

IMPORTS FROM SOUTH AFRICA.–Continued

RECONCILIATION OF SHIPMENTS, IMPORTS, AND INVENTORIES.--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 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 any differences (e.g., theft, loss, damage, record systems
issues, etc.) if they exist.
Calendar years
Reconciliation

2012

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

2013

2014

0

0

0

1

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

RECONCILIATION OF CHANNELS.--Please ensure that the quantities reported for channels of distribution
(i.e., lines K and L) in each time period equal the quantity reported for commercial U.S. commercial
shipments (i.e., line D) in each time period. If the calculated fields below return values other than zero
(i.e., “0”), the data reported must be revised prior to submission to the Commission.
Calendar years
Reconciliation item

2012

K + L – D = zero ("0"), if not revise.
II-10.

2013
0

2014
0

0

Imports of low-carbon silicomanganese from South Africa.—The scope of this investigation
includes silicomanganese except low-carbon silicomanganese (+Link to product description).
Imports of all silicomanganese products typically enter under the following HTS statistical
reporting number: 7202.30.0000.
Did your firm import low-carbon silicomanganese or other out-of-scope merchandise from
South Africa under HTS statistical reporting number 7202.30.0000? Such imports should be
reported in the table below but should not be included in II-9.
No

Yes–Please report the quantity and value below.
Quantity (in short tons), value (in $1,000)
Calendar years
Item

Imports:
Quantity of imports
Value of imports

2012

2013

2014

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Silicomanganese
II-11.

Page 16

IMPORTS FROM ALL OTHER SOURCES COMBINED.–Report your firm’s imports and your firm’s
shipments and inventories of silicomanganese imported from all other sources combined by
your firm during the specified periods. +Link to definitions

(list sources:

ALL OTHER SOURCES COMBINED
)
Quantity (in short tons), value (in $1,000)
Calendar years

Item

2012

2013

2014

Beginning-of-period
inventories (quantity) (A)
Imports:1
Quantity (B)
Value (C)
U.S. shipments:
Commercial shipments:
Quantity (D)
Value (E)
Internal
consumption/company
transfers:
Quantity (F)
Value2 (G)
Export shipments:3
Quantity (H)
Value (I)
End-of-period inventories
(quantity) (J)
Channels of distribution:
Commercial U.S.
shipments:
To distributors
(quantity) (K)
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:
2

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Silicomanganese
II-11.

Page 17

IMPORTS FROM ALL OTHER SOURCES COMBINED.–Continued

RECONCILIATION OF SHIPMENTS, IMPORTS, AND INVENTORIES.--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 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 any differences (e.g., theft, loss, damage, record systems
issues, etc.) if they exist.
Calendar years
Reconciliation

2012

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

2013

2014

0

0

0

1

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

RECONCILIATION OF CHANNELS.--Please ensure that the quantities reported for channels of distribution
(i.e., lines K and L) in each time period equal the quantity reported for commercial U.S. commercial
shipments (i.e., line D) in each time period. If the calculated fields below return values other than zero
(i.e., “0”), the data reported must be revised prior to submission to the Commission.
Calendar years
Reconciliation item

2012

K + L – D = zero ("0"), if not revise.
II-12.

2013
0

2014
0

0

Imports of low-carbon silicomanganese from all other sources combined.—The scope of this
investigation includes silicomanganese except low-carbon silicomanganese (+Link to product
description). Imports of all silicomanganese products typically enter under the following HTS
statistical reporting number: 7202.30.0000.
Did your firm import low-carbon silicomanganese or other out-of-scope merchandise from all
other sources combined under HTS statistical reporting number 7202.30.0000? Such imports
should be reported in the table below but should not be included in II-11.
No

Yes–Please report the quantity and value below.
Quantity (in short tons), value (in $1,000)
Calendar years
Item

Imports:
Quantity of imports
Value of imports

2012

2013

2014

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PART III.--PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION
Further information on this part of the questionnaire can be obtained from Cindy Cohen (202-205-3230,
cindy.cohen@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.

This question requests quarterly quantity and value data for your firm’s commercial shipments
to unrelated U.S. customers since January 1, 2012 of the following products your firm imported
from Australia, Georgia, and/or South Africa:
Product 1.-- ASTM grade B bulk silicomanganese sold to steel producers under quarterly
requirement contracts
Product 2.-- ASTM grade B bulk silicomanganese sold to steel producers as spot sales

Please note that values should be f.o.b., U.S. point of shipment and should not include U.S.-inland
transportation costs. Values should reflect the final net amount paid to your firm (i.e., should be net
of all deductions for discounts or rebates).
During January 2012-December2014, did your firm import from Australia, Georgia, and/or South
Africa, 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 tables as appropriate.
No.--Skip to question III-3.

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III-2(a). Price data.--Report below the quarterly price data1 for pricing products2 imported from Australia
and sold by your firm.

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

Product 2
Period of shipment
Quantity
Value
2012:
January-March
April-June
July-September
October-December
2013:
January-March
April-June
July-September
October-December
2014:
January-March
April-June
July-September
October-December
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:

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III-2(b). Price data.--Report below the quarterly price data1 for pricing products2 imported from Georgia
and sold by your firm.

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

Product 2
Period of shipment
Quantity
Value
2012:
January-March
April-June
July-September
October-December
2013:
January-March
April-June
July-September
October-December
2014:
January-March
April-June
July-September
October-December
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:

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III-2(c). Price data.--Report below the quarterly price data1 for pricing products2 imported from South
Africa and sold by your firm.

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

Product 2
Period of shipment
Quantity
Value
2012:
January-March
April-June
July-September
October-December
2013:
January-March
April-June
July-September
October-December
2014:
January-March
April-June
July-September
October-December
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:

III-2(d). Pricing data methodology.—Please describe the method and the kinds of documents/records
that were used to compile your price data.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Silicomanganese
III-3.

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

III-4.

Set
price
lists

Contracts

Other

If other, describe

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

Quantity
discounts

III-5.

Page 22

Annual
total
volume
discounts

No
discount
policy

Other

Describe

Pricing terms.-(a)

What are your firm’s typical sales terms for silicomanganese imported from Australia?
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 silicomanganese from Australia usually
quoted (check one)?
Delivered

F.o.b.

If f.o.b., specify point

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Silicomanganese
III-6.

Contract versus spot.--Approximately what share of your firm’s sales of silicomanganese
imported from Australia in 2014 was on a (1) long-term contract basis, (2) annual contract basis,
(3) short-term contract basis, and (4) spot sales basis?

Share of 2014
sales
III-7.

Page 23

Long-term
contracts
(multiple
deliveries for
more than 12
months)
%

Type of sale
Short-term
Annual
contracts
contracts
(multiple
(multiple
deliveries for
deliveries for 12
less than 12
months)
months)
%

Total
(should
sum to
100.0%)

Spot sales
(for a single
delivery)
%

%

0.0

%

Contract provisions.— Please fill out the table regarding your firm’s typical sales contracts for
silicomanganese from Australia (or check “not applicable” if your firm does not sell on a longterm and/or short-term contract basis).

Typical sales
contract provisions

Item

Average contract
duration

# of days

Price renegotiation
(during contract
period)
Fixed quantity
and/or price
Meet or release
provision
Not applicable

Yes
No
Quantity
Price
Both
Yes
No

Short-term
contracts
(multiple deliveries
for less than 12
months)

Annual contracts
(multiple deliveries
for 12 months)
365

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

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Silicomanganese
III-8.

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Lead times.--What is your firm’s share of sales of silicomanganese imported from Australia 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 silicomanganese?
Share of
2014 sales

Source
From your firm’s U.S. inventory

%

From foreign manufacturers’ inventory

%

Produced to order

%

Total (should sum to 100.0%)
III-9.

0.0

Lead time
(days)

%

Shipping information.—
(a)

What is the approximate percentage of the total delivered cost of silicomanganese
imported from Australia 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 silicomanganese imported from Australia, from where is it
shipped?
Point of importation
Storage facility (check one)

(d)

Indicate the approximate percentage of your firm’s sales of silicomanganese imported
from Australia 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

Within 100 miles

%

101 to 1,000 miles

%

Over 1,000 miles

%

Total (should sum to 100.0%)

0.0

%

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III-10. Geographical shipments--In which U.S. geographic market area(s) has your firm sold
silicomanganese imported from Australia since January 1, 2012 (check all that apply)?
Geographic area

Australia

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.

III-11. End uses--List the end uses of the silicomanganese that your firm imports from Australia. For
each end-use product, what percentage of the total cost is accounted for by silicomanganese
and other inputs?
Share of total cost of end use product
accounted for by
End use product

Silicomanganese

Total
(should sum to
100.0% across)

Other inputs

%

%

0.0 %

%

%

0.0 %

%

%

0.0 %

III-12. Substitutes.-- Can other products be substituted for silicomanganese?
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 silicomanganese?
No Yes

Explanation

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Silicomanganese

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III-13. Demand trends.-- Indicate how demand within the United States and outside of the United
States (if known) for silicomanganese has changed since January 1, 2012. Explain any trends and
describe the principal factors that have affected these changes in demand.

Market

Overall
increase

No
Overall Fluctuate with
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 range, product mix or
marketing of silicomanganese since January 1, 2012?
No

Yes

If yes, please describe.

III-15. Conditions of competition.—
(a) Is the silicomanganese market subject to business cycles (other than general economy-wide
conditions) and/or other conditions of competition distinctive to silicomanganese?
Check all that apply.

Please describe.

No

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
silicomanganese since January 1, 2012?
No

Yes

If yes, describe.

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III-16. Supply constraints.--Has your firm refused, declined, or been unable to supply silicomanganese
since January 1, 2012 (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 silicomanganese raw materials prices changed since January 1,
2012?

Overall
increase

Fluctuate
with no
clear
No
Overall
change decrease
trend

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

III-18. Interchangeability.--Is silicomanganese 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

Australia

Other countries

United States
Australia
For any country-pair producing silicomanganese that is sometimes or never interchangeable,
identify the country-pair and explain the factors that limit or preclude interchangeable use:

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III-19. Factors other than price.--Are differences other than price (e.g., quality, availability,
transportation network, product range, technical support, etc.) between silicomanganese
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

Australia

Other countries

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

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III-20. Customer identification--List the names and contact information for your firm’s 10 largest U.S.
customers for silicomanganese since January 1, 2012. Indicate the share of the quantity of your
firm’s total shipments of silicomanganese that each of these customers accounted for in 2014.

Customer’s name

Contact person

Email

Telephone

City

State

Share
of
2014
sales
(%)

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

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. 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.

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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/701731/2015/silicomanganese_australia/preliminary.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: SIMN
• E-mail.—E-mail the MS Word questionnaire to mgs@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 import 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, it is 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.