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pdfINSTRUCTION BOOKLET
GENERAL INFORMATION, INSTRUCTIONS, AND
DEFINITIONS FOR COMMISSION QUESTIONNAIRES
CERTAIN LIGHTWEIGHT THERMAL PAPER
FROM CHINA AND GERMANY
Investigation Nos. 701-TA-451 and 731-TA-1126-1127 (Review)
Further information.--If you have any questions concerning the enclosed
questionnaire(s) or other matters related to this proceeding, you may contact
the following members of the Commission=s staff (Fax 202-205-3205):
Nathanael Comly, investigator (202-205-3174; Email NATHANAEL.COMLY@USITC.GOV)
regarding general questions and trade and related information;
Mary Klir, auditor (202-205-3247; Email MARY.KLIR@USITC.GOV)
regarding financial information; and
Amelia Preece, economist (202-205-3250; Email AMELIA.PREECE@USITC.GOV)
regarding pricing, market, and related information.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Background.--On November 24, 2008, the Department of Commerce issued a countervailing duty
order on imports of China (73 F.R. 70958) and an antidumping duty order from China and
Germany (73 F.R. 70959). On October 1, 2013, the Commission instituted reviews pursuant to
section 751(c) of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. § 1675(c)) (the Act) to determine whether
revocation of the orders would be likely to lead to continuation or recurrence of material injury to
the domestic industry within a reasonably foreseeable time (78 F.R. 60313). If the Commission
makes affirmative determinations, the orders will remain in place. If the Commission makes
negative determinations, the Department of Commerce will revoke the orders.
Questionnaires and other information pertinent to this proceeding are available at
http://www.usitc.gov/trade_remedy/731_ad_701_cvd/investigations/2014/lightweight_thermal_paper/reviewphase.htm .
Please direct questions regarding the questionnaire and correspondence to Nathanael Comly
(nathanael.comly@usitc.gov, 202-205-3174) at the U.S. International Trade Commission, 500 E
Street, W, Washington, D.C. 20436. Correspondence may be sent to the above address or via FAX
to 202-205-3205.Hearing-impaired individuals can obtain information regarding this proceeding
via the Commission’s TDD terminal (202-205-1810).
Due date of questionnaire(s).-- Please submit the completed questionnaire(s) to the United States
International Trade Commission so as to be received by no later than SEPTEMBER 5, 2014.
Because Commission staff might contact you with questions during the course of the proceeding,
save the final version of the document(s) and retain all files and worksheets associated with the
completed questionnaire(s). Please also retain a copy of any paper original document that you
submit.
Service of questionnaire response(s).--In the event that your firm is a party to this proceeding, you
are required to serve a copy of the questionnaire(s), once completed, on parties to the proceeding
that are subject to administrative protective order (see 19 CFR ' 207.7). A list of such parties is
maintained by the Commission’s Secretary and may be obtained by calling 202-205-1803. A
certificate of service must accompany the copy of the completed questionnaire(s) you submit (see
19 CFR ' 207.7).
Confidentiality.--The commercial and financial data furnished in response to the enclosed
questionnaire(s) 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.
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GENERAL INFORMATION--Continued
Verification.--The information submitted in the enclosed questionnaire(s) is subject to audit
and verification by the Commission. To facilitate possible verification of data, please keep
all of your files, worksheets, and supporting documents used in the preparation of the
questionnaire response(s).
Release of information.--The information provided by your firm in response to the
questionnaire(s), as well as any other business proprietary information submitted by your firm to
the Commission in connection with the 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 review or other import-injury proceedings or reviews
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.
INSTRUCTIONS
Answer all questions.--Do not leave any question or section blank unless a questionnaire expressly
directs you to skip over certain questions or sections. If the answer to any question is zero or
“none”, enter the number zero or “none”. If information is not readily available from your
records in exactly the form requested, furnish carefully prepared estimates. Answers to
questions and any necessary comments or explanations should be entered in the space provided or
in a separate MS Word document submitted along with the questionnaire(s). If your firm is
completing more than one questionnaire in connection with this proceeding (i.e., a producer,
importer, and/or purchaser questionnaire), you need not respond to duplicated questions in the
questionnaires.
Consolidate all U.S. establishments.--Report the requested data for your establishment(s) located
in the United States. Firms operating more than one establishment should combine the data
for all establishments into a single report.
Electronic completion.—Please electronically enter your responses into the Commission
provided MS Word document. The MS Word versions of all the questionnaires in this
proceeding are available online at the ITC web page or may be obtained directly from the
Commission’s Investigator, Nathanael Comly (nathanael.comly@usitc.gov, 202-205-3174).
Electronic submission.--Responding firms should submit their questionnaire responses
electronically in MS Word format. The submission of questionnaire responses in the MS Word
format allows the Commission to electronically extract data from questionnaires and thus, compile,
assess, and analyze submitted data more efficiently and promptly. Furthermore, the electronic
submission of questionnaires completed in MS Word facilitates the Commission’s ability to
produce documents that comply with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. There are
three electronic submissions options detailed below.
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INSTRUCTIONS--Continued
OPTIONS FOR FILING
This questionnaire is available as a “fillable” form in MS Word format on the
Commission’s website at:
http://www.usitc.gov/trade_remedy/731_ad_701_cvd/investigations/2014/lightweight_thermal_paper/reviewphase.htm .
Please do not attempt to modify the format or permissions of the questionnaire
document. Please complete the questionnaire and submit it electronically 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 completed questionnaire in MS Word format 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: LWTP
• E-mail.—E-mail your questionnaire to the investigator identified on page 1 of the Instruction
Booklet; include a scanned copy of the signed certification page (page 1). Type the following in
the e-mail subject line: BPI Questionnaire, INV. NO. 451. 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.
• Compact disc (CD).—Copy your MS Word questionnaire onto a CD. Also please include a
signed certification page (page 1), and mail to the U.S. International Trade Commission, 500 E.
Street, SW, Washington, DC 20024. It is strongly recommended that you use an overnight mail
service. U.S. mail sent to government offices undergoes additional processing which not only
results in substantial delays in delivery but may also damage CDs.
Note: If you are a party to the proceeding, and service of the questionnaire is required, such
service should be made in paper form.
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DEFINITIONS
Certain lightweight thermal paper.( “certain LW thermal paper”)-- thermal paper with a basis
weight of 70 grams per square meter (g/m) (with a tolerance of± 4.0 g/m2) or less; irrespective of
dimensions; 1 with or without a base coat 2 on one or both sides; with thermal active coating(s) 3 on
one or both sides that is a mixture of the dye and the developer that react and form an image when
heat is applied; with or without a top coat; 4 and without an adhesive backing. Certain LW thermal
paper is typically (but not exclusively) used in point-of-sale applications such as ATM receipts,
credit card receipts, gas pump receipts, and retail store receipts.
The merchandise subject to this order is covered in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the
United States (HTS) by subheading 4820.10.20 and statistical reporting numbers 3703.10.6000,
4811.59.2000, 4811.90.8000, 4811.90.8030, 4811.90.8040, 4811.90.8050, 4811.90.9000,
4811.90.9030, 4811.90.9035, 4811.90.9050, 4811.90.9080, 4811.90.9090, and 4823.40.0000.
Jumbo roll.—A roll of certain LW thermal paper that measures over 12 inches in width.
Slit roll.—A roll of certain LW thermal paper that measures less than 12 inches in width.
Coaters.–Firms that conduct blending and coating operations on uncoated paper (whether
internally produced or purchased) in the production of jumbo rolls of certain lightweight thermal
paper. Coaters may or may not conduct slitting and packaging operations in the United States. For
purposes of these investigations, those firms that conduct slitting and packaging operations in the
United States on jumbo rolls purchased or imported are considered U.S. converters.
Converters.–Firms that conduct slitting and packaging operations on jumbo rolls which they
purchase or import.
Firm.--An individual proprietorship, partnership, joint venture, association, corporation
(including any subsidiary corporation), business trust, cooperative, trustee in bankruptcy, or
receiver under decree of any court.
Related firm.--A firm that your firm solely or jointly owned, managed, or otherwise controlled; a
firm that solely or jointly owned, managed, or otherwise controlled your firm; and/or a firm that
was solely or jointly owned, managed, or otherwise controlled by a firm that also solely or jointly
owned, managed, or otherwise controlled your firm.
1
Certain LW thermal paper is typically produced in jumbo rolls that are slit to the specifications of the converting
equipment and then converted into finished slit rolls. Both jumbo and converted rolls (as well as certain LW thermal
paper in any other form, presentation, or dimension) are covered by the scope of the order.
2
A base coat, when applied, is typically made of clay and/or latex and like materials and is intended to cover the rough
surface of the paper substrate and to provide insulating value.
3
A thermal active coating is typically made of sensitizer, dye, and co-reactant.
4
A top coat, when applied, is typically made of polyvinyl acetone, polyvinyl alcohol, and/or like materials and is
intended to provide environmental protection, an improved surface for press printing, and/or wear protection for the
thermal print head.
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DEFINITIONS--Continued
Establishment.--Each facility of a firm in the United States involved in the production,
importation, and/or purchase of certain LW thermal paper (as defined above), including auxiliary
facilities operated in conjunction with (whether or not physically separate from) such facilities.
United States.--For purposes of this review, the 50 States, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands,
and the District of Columbia.
Importer.--Any person or firm engaged, either directly or through a parent company or subsidiary,
in importing certain LW thermal paper (as defined above) into the United States from a foreign
manufacturer or through its selling agent.
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 (but not including
antidumping and/or countervailing duties) at the U.S. port of entry, including ocean freight
and insurance costs, brokerage charges, and normal import duties (i.e., including all
charges except inland freight in the United States and antidumping and/or countervailing
duties).
Purchaser.--Any person or firm engaged, either directly or through a parent company or subsidiary,
in purchasing certain LW thermal paper (as defined on page 2) from another firm that produces,
imports, or otherwise distributes certain LW thermal paper. A retail firm that is the importer of
record may be considered a purchaser.
Purchases.--Purchases from all sources, NOT including direct imports from foreign sources
located outside of the United States (which should be reported in an importer questionnaire).
Purchase quantities.--Quantities reported should be net of returns.
Purchase values.--Values reported should be net values (i.e., gross purchase values less all
discounts, allowances, rebates, and the value of returned goods), delivered to your U.S.
receiving point.
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DEFINITIONS--Continued
Shipments.--Shipments of products produced in or imported by your U.S. establishment(s).
Include shipments to the contracting firm of product produced by your firm under a toll agreement.
Shipment quantities.--Quantities reported should be net of returns.
Shipment values.--Values reported should be net values (i.e., gross sales values less all
discounts, allowances, rebates, prepaid freight, and the value of returned goods), f.o.b. your
U.S. point of shipment. The value of domestic shipments to the contracting firm under a
toll agreement is the conversion fee (including profit).
Types of shipments:
U.S. shipments.--Commercial shipments, internal consumption, and transfers to related
firms within the United States.
Commercial shipments.--Shipments, other than internal consumption and transfers
to related firms, within the United States.
Internal consumption.--Product consumed internally by your firm.
Transfers to related firms.--Shipments made to related domestic firms.
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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DEFINITIONS--Continued
The following definitions apply only to the PRODUCER QUESTIONNAIRE.
Average production capacity.--The level of production that your establishment(s) could
reasonably have expected to attain during the specified periods. 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).
Toll agreement.--Agreement between two firms whereby the first firm furnishes the raw materials
and the second firm uses the raw materials to produce a product that it then returns to the first firm
with a charge for processing costs, overhead, etc.
Production.--All production in your U.S. establishment(s), including production consumed
internally within your firm and production for another firm under a toll agreement.
PRWs.--Production and related workers, including working supervisors and all nonsupervisory
workers (including group leaders and trainees) engaged in fabricating, processing, assembling,
inspecting, receiving, storage, handling, packing, warehousing, shipping, trucking, hauling,
maintenance, repair, janitorial and guard services, product development, auxiliary production for
plant=s own use (e.g., power plant), recordkeeping, and other services closely associated with the
above production operations.
Average number employed.--Add the number of employees, both full-time and part-time, for the
12 pay periods ending closest to the 15th of the month and divide that total by 12. For the
January-June periods, calculate similarly and divide by 2.
Hours worked.--Include time paid for sick leave, holidays, and vacation time. Include overtime
hours actually worked; do not convert overtime pay to its equivalent in straight-time hours.
Wages paid.--Total wages paid before deductions of any kind (e.g., withholding taxes, old-age and
unemployment insurance, group insurance, union dues, bonds, etc.). Include wages paid directly
by your firm for overtime, holidays, vacations, and sick leave.
Fiscal year.--The 12-month period between settlement of your firm’s financial accounts.
Purchases other than direct imports.--Purchases from U.S. producers, U.S. importers, and other
U.S. sources.
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File Type | application/pdf |
File Title | Domestic instructions - sunset |
Author | USITC |
File Modified | 2014-08-01 |
File Created | 2014-08-01 |