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pdfOMB No. 3117-0016/USITC No. 14-3-3289; Expiration Date: 6/30/2017
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U.S. PURCHASERS’ QUESTIONNAIRE
BARIUM CARBONATE FROM CHINA
This questionnaire must be received by the Commission by no later than October 3, 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 review of the antidumping duty order concerning barium carbonate from China (Inv. No. 731-TA1020 (Second Review)). 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 possession (19 U.S.C. § 1333(a)). Further information on this
questionnaire can be obtained from Andrew Knipe (202-205-2390), andrew.knipe@usitc.gov).
Name of firm
Address
City
State
Zip Code
Website
Has your firm purchased barium carbonate (as defined in the instruction booklet) from any source (domestic or
foreign) at any time since January 1, 2008?
NO
(Sign the certification below and promptly return only this page of the questionnaire to the Commission)
YES
(Read the instruction booklet carefully, complete all parts of the questionnaire, and return the entire
questionnaire to the Commission so as to be received by the date indicated above)
Return questionnaire via the U.S. International Trade Commission Drop Box by clicking
on the following link: https://dropbox.usitc.gov/oinv/. (use the following PIN: BACO)
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 or reviews
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. Purchasers’ Questionnaire – Barium Carbonate
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 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
response or send them to the above address.
I-2.
Establishments covered.--Provide the name and address of establishment(s) covered by this
questionnaire, if different from that listed on the cover page (see page 3 of the instruction booklet
for reporting guidelines).
I-3.
Ownership.--Is your firm owned, in whole or in part, by any other firm?
No
Firm name
I-4.
Yes--List the following information.
Address
Extent of ownership
(percent)
Related SUBJECT importers/exporters.--Does your firm have any related firms, either
domestic or foreign, that import barium carbonate from China into the United States or that
export barium carbonate from China to the United States?
No
Firm name
Yes--List the following information.
Address
Affiliation
Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Barium Carbonate
Page 3
PART I.--GENERAL INFORMATION--Continued
I-5.
Related NONSUBJECT importers/exporters.--Does your firm have any related firms, either
domestic or foreign, that import barium carbonate from countries other than China into the United
States or that export barium carbonate from countries other than China to the United States?
No
Yes--List the following information.
Firm name and country
I-6.
Affiliation
Related producers.--Does your firm have any related firms, either domestic or foreign, that
produce barium carbonate?
No
Yes--List the following information.
Firm name and country
I-7.
Address
Address
Affiliation
Business plan.--Does your company or any related firm have a business plan or any internal
documents that describe, discuss, or analyze expected market conditions for barium carbonate?
No
Yes
If yes, please provide these documents. If you are not providing
the requested documents, please explain why not.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire – Barium Carbonate
Page 4
PART II.--PURCHASES
Contact information.-- Please identify the responsible individual and the manner by which Commission
staff may contact that individual regarding the confidential information submitted in this questionnaire.
Name
Title
Email
Telephone
Fax
II-1.
Purchases.—
(a)
Please estimate your firm’s total U.S. purchases of barium carbonate in 2013. (Do not
include imports for which your firm was the importer of record; such imports should be
reported in your U.S. importer’s questionnaire).
2013 purchases of
granular barium
carbonate
2013 purchases of
powdered barium
carbonate
Quantity (short tons)
(b)
Estimate the percentage of the quantity of your firm’s purchases of barium carbonate in
2013 that were produced in each of the specified countries.
Share of quantity of 2013 purchases
Barium carbonate
produced in:
Granular
barium carbonate
Powdered barium
carbonate
United States
%
%
China
%
%
All other countries1
%
%
Total (should sum to 100%)
1
Please identify these countries:
0.0
%
0.0
%
Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire – Barium Carbonate
Page 5
PART II.--PURCHASES--Continued
II-1.
Purchases.— (continued)
(c)
Please estimate the percentage of your 2013 purchases of granular barium carbonate that
was calcined and the percentage that was compacted (compressed).
Share of quantity of 2013 purchases
Granular barium carbonate
produced in:
(d)
Compacted
(compressed)
Calcined
Total
(should sum to
100% across)
United States
%
%
0.0
%
China
%
%
0.0
%
All other countries
%
%
0.0
%
Please estimate the percentage of your 2013 purchases of powdered barium carbonate
that was free flowing, such as CPC’s Micro-FloTM, and the percentage that was other than
free-flowing.
Share of quantity of 2013 purchases
Powdered barium carbonate
produced in:
II-2.
Free-flowing
Other than
free-flowing
Total
(should sum to
100% across)
United States
%
%
0.0
%
China
%
%
0.0
%
All other countries
%
%
0.0
%
Changes in purchasing patterns.--Please indicate how the shares of your firm’s purchases of
barium carbonate from different sources have changed since January 1, 2008.
Source of
purchases
United States
China
All other
countries
Did not Decreased Increased Constant Fluctuated
purchase
Explanation for
trend
Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire – Barium Carbonate
Page 6
PART II.--PURCHASES--Continued
II-3.
High-purity barium carbonate.--Has your firm purchased high-purity barium carbonate?
No
Yes
Quantity of 2013 Identify the country of origin of the high-purity barium
purchases
carbonate purchased by your firm.
(short tons)
II-4.
Purchases from one country only.--If your firm has purchased barium carbonate from only one
country, please explain the reasons for doing so.
II-5.
Supplier identification.-- Please list your firm’s FIVE largest suppliers for barium carbonate
since January 1, 2008. Also, provide the share of the quantity of your firm’s total purchases of
barium carbonate that each of these suppliers accounted for in 2013.
No.
Supplier’s name
City and state
Share of quantity of
2013 purchases
1
%
2
%
3
%
4
%
5
%
Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire – Barium Carbonate
Page 7
PART III.-- MARKET CHARACTERISTICS AND PURCHASING PRACTICES
III-1.
Firm type.--Which of the following best describes your firm as a purchaser of barium carbonate
(check all that apply)?
Firm type
Glass manufacturer
Describe
Brick manufacturer
Tile manufacturer
Distributor
Other
If your firm is a distributor of barium carbonate, please answer questions III-2 and III-3.
III-2.
Competition for sales.--Do you compete for sales to your customers with the manufacturers or
importers from which you purchase barium carbonate?
No
III-3.
Yes
If yes, please describe.
Types of customers.--What are the major types of consumers to which you sell barium
carbonate?
If your firm is an end user of barium carbonate, please answer questions III-4 and III-5.
III-4.
End uses.--List the top 3 products you make using barium carbonate, whether you use granular or
powdered barium carbonate in their production, and estimate the percent of your total production
cost that is accounted for by barium carbonate and by other inputs (such as labor, energy, and
other raw materials).
Type of barium
carbonate used
End use
products
Granular
barium
carbonate
Powdered
barium
carbonate
Share of total cost in each of the
product(s) you produce accounted for by
Total
Barium
Carbonate
Total
Other inputs
%
+
%
0.0 %
%
+
%
0.0 %
%
+
%
0.0 %
Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire – Barium Carbonate
Page 8
PART III.-- MARKET CHARACTERISTICS AND PURCHASING PRACTICES--Continued
III-5.
Demand for end use products.-(a)
Has the demand for your firm’s final products incorporating barium carbonate changed
since January 1, 2008?
Increased
(b)
Decreased
Fluctuated
Has this had any effect on your firm’s demand for barium carbonate?
No
III-6.
No change
Yes
Explain
Changes in end uses.-- Have there been any changes in the end uses of barium carbonate since
January 1, 2008? Do you anticipate any future changes?
Changes in end
uses
No
Yes
Explain
Changes since
2008
Anticipated
changes
III-7.
Substitutes.--Can other products be substituted for barium carbonate?
No
Substitute
1.
2.
3.
Yes--Please fill out the table.
End use in which this
substitute is used
Have changes in the price of this substitute
affected the price for barium carbonate?
No Yes
Explanation
Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire – Barium Carbonate
Page 9
PART III.-- MARKET CHARACTERISTICS AND PURCHASING PRACTICES--Continued
III-8.
Changes in substitutes.-(a)
Have there been any changes in the number or types of products that can be substituted
for barium carbonate since January 1, 2008? Do you anticipate any future changes?
Changes in
substitutes
No Yes
Explain
Changes since 2008
Anticipated changes
(b)
Have there been any changes in the number or types of products that can be substituted
for CPC’s Micro-Flo™ product since January 1, 2008? Do you anticipate any future
changes?
Changes in
substitutes
Changes since 2008
Anticipated changes
No Yes
Explain
Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire – Barium Carbonate
Page 10
PART III.-- MARKET CHARACTERISTICS AND PURCHASING PRACTICES--Continued
III-9.
Demand trends.-- Indicate how demand within the United States and outside of the United States
(if known) for barium carbonate has changed since January 1, 2008, and how you anticipate
demand will change in the future. Explain any trends and describe the principal factors that have
affected, and that you anticipate will affect, these changes in demand.
Market
Overall
No
increase change
Overall
decrease
Fluctuate
with no
clear trend
Explanation and factors
Demand since 2008
Within
the United
States
Outside
the United
States
Anticipated future demand
Within
the United
States
Outside
the United
States
III-10. Market studies.--Please provide as a separate attachment to this request any studies, surveys, etc.
that you are aware of that quantify and/or otherwise discuss barium carbonate supply (including
production capacity and capacity utilization) and demand in (1) the United States, (2) each of the
other major producing/consuming countries, including China, and (3) the world as a whole. Of
particular interest is such data from 2008 to the present and forecasts for the future.
III-11. Availability of supply.--Has the availability of barium carbonate in the U.S. market changed
since January 1, 2008? Do you anticipate any future changes?
Availability in the U.S.
market
Changes since 2008:
U.S.-produced product
Subject imports
Nonsubject imports
Anticipated changes:
U.S.-produced product
Subject imports
Nonsubject imports
Please explain, noting the countries and reasons for
No Yes the changes.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire – Barium Carbonate
Page 11
PART III.-- MARKET CHARACTERISTICS AND PURCHASING PRACTICES--Continued
III-12. Importance of purchasing domestic product.--Please fill out the table below, estimating the
percentage of your firm’s total 2013 purchases of barium carbonate that required barium
carbonate produced in the United States.
Purchases that did not require domestic product
Purchases that were required by law or regulation to be
domestic product (e.g., government purchases under “Buy
American” provisions)
Purchases that were not required by law or regulation, but were
required by your customers to be domestic product
Purchases that were required to be domestic product for other
reasons (explain:
)
Total (should sum to 100%)
Estimated
percentage of
your firm’s total
2013 purchases of
barium carbonate
%
%
%
0.0
%
%
III-13. Conditions of competition.-(a) Is the barium carbonate market subject to business cycles (other than general economy-wide
conditions) and/or other conditions of competition distinctive to barium carbonate?
Check all that apply.
Please describe.
Skip to question III-14.
No
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
barium carbonate since January 1, 2008?
No
Yes
If yes, describe.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire – Barium Carbonate
Page 12
PART III.-- MARKET CHARACTERISTICS AND PURCHASING PRACTICES--Continued
III-14. Decisions based on producer and country-of-origin.--How often does your firm, and if you
know, do your customers, make purchasing decisions involving barium carbonate based on its
producer or country of origin?
Always
Usually
Sometimes
Never
If at least sometimes, explain.
Decision based on producer
Your firm
Your
customers
Decision based on country of origin
Your firm
Your
customers
III-15. Supply constraints.--Has any firm refused, declined, or been unable to supply barium carbonate
since January 1, 2008 (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-16. Purchasing frequency.-(a)
How frequently do you make purchases of barium carbonate (check one)?
Daily
(b)
Weekly
Monthly
Quarterly
Annually
Other
If other, specify
Do you expect this purchasing frequency to change in the next two years?
No
Yes
If yes, explain.
III-17. Number of suppliers contacted.--How many suppliers do you generally contact before making a
purchase? Between
and
firms.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire – Barium Carbonate
Page 13
PART III.-- MARKET CHARACTERISTICS AND PURCHASING PRACTICES--Continued
III-18. Supplier negotiations.--Do your purchases of barium carbonate usually involve negotiations
between supplier and purchaser?
No
Yes
If yes, explain the factors you generally negotiate and note whether
your firm quotes competing prices during negotiations.
III-19. Change in suppliers.--Have you changed suppliers since January 1, 2008?
No
Yes
If yes, please list the supplier(s), whether the firm was added or
dropped, and the reasons for the change.
III-20. New suppliers.-(a)
Are you aware of any new suppliers, either foreign or domestic, that have entered the
market since January 1, 2008?
No
(b)
Yes
If yes, please identify the firms.
Do you expect new barium carbonate suppliers to enter the U.S. market?
No
Yes
If yes, please explain.
III-21. Supplier qualification --Do you require your suppliers to be or to become certified or qualified
to sell barium carbonate to your firm?
If yes, provide the following information.
No
The number of days to qualify a new supplier.
A general description of the certification or qualification process. Also, a brief
description of the factors that you consider when qualifying a new supplier (e.g., quality
of product, reliability of supplier, etc.).
Yes
Number
of days Process and factors
Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire – Barium Carbonate
Page 14
PART III.-- MARKET CHARACTERISTICS AND PURCHASING PRACTICES--Continued
III-22. Failure to certify.--Since January 1, 2008, have any domestic or foreign producers failed in their
attempts to certify or qualify their barium carbonate with your firm or have any producers lost
their approved status?
No
If yes, please identify these firms, the countries where they are located,
and the reasons why they failed the certification/qualification.
Yes
III-23. Major purchasing factors.-- Please list, in order of their importance, the three major factors
your firm considers in deciding from whom to purchase barium carbonate (examples include
availability, extension of credit, contracts, price, quality, range of supplier’s product line,
traditional supplier, etc.).
1.
2.
3.
Please list any other factors that are very important in your purchase decisions:
III-24. Purchasing factors.--Please rate the importance of the following factors in your firm’s
purchasing decisions for barium carbonate.
Factor
Availability
Delivery terms
Delivery time
Discounts offered
Extension of credit
Minimum quantity requirements
Packaging
Price
Product consistency
Product range
Quality exceeds industry standards
Quality meets industry standards
Reliability of supply
Technical support/service
U.S. transportation costs
Very
important
Somewhat
important
Not
important
Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire – Barium Carbonate
Page 15
PART III.-- MARKET CHARACTERISTICS AND PURCHASING PRACTICES--Continued
III-25. Quality characteristics.--What characteristics does your firm consider when determining the
quality of barium carbonate?
III-26. Frequency of decisions based on price.--How often does your firm purchase the barium
carbonate that is offered at the lowest price?
Always
Usually
Sometimes
Never
III-27. Price leaders.— A price leader is defined as (1) one or more firms that initiate a price change,
either upward or downward, that is followed by other firms, or (2) one or more firms that have a
significant impact on prices. A price leader is not necessarily the lowest-priced supplier.
Please list the names of any firms you considered price leaders in the barium carbonate market
since January 1, 2008.
Firm(s)
Describe how the firm(s) exhibited price leadership
III-28. Changes in U.S. industry.-(a)
Please identify and discuss any improvements/changes in the U.S. barium carbonate
industry since January 1, 2008 and explain the factors, including the order(s) under
review, that were responsible for each improvement/change.
(b)
Please discuss any improvements/changes that you anticipate in the future in the U.S.
barium carbonate industry. Identify the time period and causes for these
improvements/changes.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire – Barium Carbonate
Page 16
PART III.-- MARKET CHARACTERISTICS AND PURCHASING PRACTICES--Continued
III-29. Effect of revocation.--What do you think will be the likely effects of any revocation of the
antidumping duty order for imports of barium carbonate from China? As appropriate, please
discuss any potential effects of revocation of the antidumping duty order on (1) the future
activities of your firm and (2) the U.S. market as a whole. Please note the future time period to
which you are referring.
(1) Activities of
your firm
(2) Entire U.S.
market
Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire – Barium Carbonate
Page 17
PART IV.-- PRODUCT COMPARISONS
IV-1.
Country knowledge.--Please indicate the countries of origin for barium carbonate for which your
firm has actual marketing/pricing knowledge.
United States
IV-2.
China
Other countries (specify)
Interchangeability.--Is barium carbonate 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
Other countries
United States
China
For any country-pair producing barium carbonate which is sometimes or never interchangeable,
please identify the country-pair and explain the factors that limit or preclude interchangeable
use:
Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire – Barium Carbonate
Page 18
PART IV.-- PRODUCT COMPARISONS--Continued
IV-3.
Factors other than price.--Are differences other than price (e.g., quality, availability,
transportation network, product range, technical support, etc.) between barium carbonate
produced in the United States and in other countries a significant factor in your firm’s purchases
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
Other countries
United States
China
For any country-pair for which factors other than price always or frequently are a significant
factor in your firm’s purchases of barium carbonate, identify the country-pair and report the
advantages or disadvantages imparted by such factors:
IV-4.
Availability of merchandise.--Are certain grades/types/sizes of barium carbonate available only
from certain country sources?
No
IV-5.
Yes
If yes, please identify the countries and the grade/type/size.
Choice of product not based on price.--If you purchased barium carbonate from one source,
although a comparable product was available from another country source at a lower price, please
explain your reasons for doing so (please specify by country).
Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire – Barium Carbonate
Page 19
PART IV.-- PRODUCT COMPARISONS--Continued
IV-6. Factor country comparisons.--For the factors listed below, please rate how barium carbonate
produced in each country you identified in your response to the first question in Part IV compares with
barium carbonate produced in each of the other countries you identified.
If you are unfamiliar with the product from a particular country, please leave the boxes for those
country comparisons blank.
Inferior
Comparable
product from
China
compared to
product from
Nonsubject
countries
Superior
Inferior
Comparable
product from
United States
compared to
product from
Nonsubject
countries
Superior
Inferior
Comparable
Superior
product from
United States
compared to
product from
China
Availability
Delivery terms
Delivery time
Discounts offered
Extension of credit
Minimum quantity requirements
Packaging
Price1
Product consistency
Product range
Quality exceeds industry standards
Quality meets industry standards
Reliability of supply
Technical support/service
U.S. transportation costs1
1
A rating of superior on price and U.S. transportation costs indicates that the first country generally has
lower prices/U.S. transportation costs than the second country.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire – Barium Carbonate
Page 20
PART IV.-- PRODUCT COMPARISONS--Continued
IV-7.
Minimum quality.--How often does barium carbonate from the following countries meet
minimum quality specifications for your uses or your customers’ uses?
Source
Always
Usually
Sometimes
Rarely or
never
Don’t
know
United States
China
Other:
Other:
IV-8.
Change in price.-(a)
Since January 1, 2008, has there been a change in the price of barium carbonate? If so,
has the price of U.S.-produced barium carbonate changed more or less than the price of
imported barium carbonate from China?
No change in price.
Prices have changed by the same amount.
Price of U.S.-produced barium carbonate has changed relative to the price of
barium carbonate from China.
(b)
If the price of U.S.-produced barium carbonate has changed relative to the price of
barium carbonate from China, the price of U.S.-produced barium carbonate is now
relatively
Higher
Lower
than that from China.
IV-9.
Other explanations--If your firm would like to further explain a response to a question that did
not provide a narrative response box, please note the question number(s) and the explanation(s) in
the space provided below.
| File Type | application/pdf |
| File Title | Microsoft Word - BC Review_US Purchaser Questionnaire |
| Author | amy.sherman |
| File Modified | 2014-09-05 |
| File Created | 2014-09-05 |