15-2-3379 U.S. Importer Questionnaire

OMB No. 3117-0016/USITC No. 15-2-3379; Expiration Date: 6/30/2017
(No response is required if currently valid OMB control number is not displayed)

U.S. IMPORTERS’ QUESTIONNAIRE
MELAMINE FROM CHINA AND TRINIDAD & TOBAGO
This questionnaire must be received by the Commission by September 3, 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 countervailing duty and antidumping investigations concerning melamine from China and Trinidad &
Tobago (Inv. Nos. 701-TA-526-527 and 731-TA-1262-1263 (Final)). The information requested in the questionnaire is
requested under the authority of the Tariff Act of 1930, title VII. This report is mandatory and failure to reply as directed
can result in a subpoena or other order to compel the submission of records or information in your firm’s possession (19
U.S.C. § 1333(a)).

Name of firm
Address
City

State

Zip Code

Website
Has your firm imported melamine (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: MEL15)
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 - Melamine

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PART I.—GENERAL INFORMATION
Background.—This proceeding was instituted in response to a petition filed on November 12, 2014 by
Cornerstone Chemical Company, Waggaman, Louisiana. Countervailing and/or antidumping 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 subsidization and/or dumping. Questionnaires and
other information pertinent to this proceeding are available at
http://usitc.gov/investigations/701731/2015/melamine_china_and_trinidad_tobago/final.htm.
Melamine.—The merchandise subject to these investigations is melamine (Chemical Abstracts Service
(“CAS”) registry number 108-78-01, molecular formula C3H6N6). Melamine is a crystalline powder or
granule typically (but not exclusively) used to manufacture melamine formaldehyde resins. All melamine
is covered by the scope of these investigations irrespective of purity, particle size, or physical form.
Melamine that has been blended with other products is included within this scope when such blends
include constituent parts that have been intermingled, but that have not been chemically reacted with
each other to produce a different product. For such blends, only the melamine component of the
mixture is covered by the scope of these investigations. Melamine that is otherwise subject to these
investigations is not excluded when commingled with melamine from sources not subject to these
investigations. Only the subject component of such commingled products is covered by the scope of
these investigations.
The subject merchandise is provided for in subheading 2933.61.00 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of
the United States (“HTSUS”). Although the HTSUS subheading and CAS registry number are provided for
convenience and customs purposes, the written description of the scope is dispositive.
Importer.—Any person or firm engaged, either directly or through a parent company or subsidiary, in
importing melamine (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
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.

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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.
I-1a.

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 melamine, including
auxiliary facilities operated in conjunction with (whether or not physically separate from) such
facilities.

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Melamine
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 importers/exporters.—Does your firm have any related firms, either domestic or
foreign, that are engaged in importing melamine from China and/or Trinidad & Tobago into the
United States or that are engaged in exporting melamine from China and/or Trinidad & Tobago
to the United States?
No
Firm name

I-5.

Page 4

Yes—List the following information.
Address

Affiliation

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

Yes—List the following information.
Address

Affiliation

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Melamine
I-6.

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

I-7.

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 melamine 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 - Melamine
I-8.

Page 6

FTZ, TIB, or bonded warehouses.—Please indicate whether your firm enters melamine into, or
withdraws such merchandise from, foreign trade zones or bonded warehouses. Also indicate
whether your firm imports melamine under the TIB (temporary importation under bond)
program.
“Foreign trade zone” – 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” – 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” – 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 Cynthia Trainor (202-2053354, Cynthia.Trainor@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 melamine 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 - Melamine
II-3.

Page 8

Arranged imports.--Has your firm imported or arranged for the importation of melamine for
delivery on or after June 30, 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 1,000 pounds)

Period/Source

Jul-Sept 2015

Oct-Dec 2015

Jan-Mar 2016

Apr-Jun 2016

China
Trinidad & Tobago
Other sources:1
1

II-4.

Identify your other sources:

.

Reasons for importing.—If your firm also produces melamine 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.
Note.—As requested in Part I of this questionnaire, please keep all supporting
documents/records used in the preparation of the trade data, as Commission staff may contact
your firm regarding questions on the trade data. The Commission may also request that your
company submit copies of the supporting documents/records (such as production and sales
schedules, inventory records, etc.) used to compile these data.

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II-5.
IMPORTS FROM CHINA.—Report your firm’s imports and your firm’s shipments and
inventories of melamine imported from China by your firm during the specified periods. +Link
to definitions

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

2012

2013

January-June
2014

2014

2015

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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II-5.

Page 11

IMPORTS FROM CHINA.—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

2013

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

0

January-June
2014

0

2014
0

2015
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
K + L – D = zero ("0"), if not revise.

2012

2013
0

January-June
2014

0

2014
0

2015
0

0

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II-6.

Page 12

IMPORTS FROM TRINIDAD & TOBAGO.—Report your firm’s imports and your firm’s shipments
and inventories of melamine imported from Trinidad & Tobago by your firm during the specified
periods. +Link to definitions

TRINIDAD & TOBAGO
Quantity (in 1,000 pounds), value (in $1,000)
Calendar years
Item

2012

2013

January-June
2014

2014

2015

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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II-6.

Page 13

IMPORTS FROM TRINIDAD & TOBAGO.—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

2013

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

0

January-June
2014

0

2014
0

2015
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
K + L – D = zero ("0"), if not revise.

2012

2013
0

January-June
2014

0

2014
0

2015
0

0

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II-7.
IMPORTS FROM ALL OTHER SOURCES.—Report your firm’s imports and your firm’s shipments
and inventories of melamine imported from all other sources combined by your firm during the
specified periods. . +Link to definitions

ALL OTHER SOURCES COMBINED

(list sources:

)
Quantity (in 1,000 pounds), value (in $1,000)
Calendar years

Item

2012

2013

January-June
2014

2014

2015

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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II-7.

Page 15

IMPORTS FROM ALL OTHER SOURCES.—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

2013

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

0

January-June
2014

0

2014
0

2015
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
K + L – D = zero ("0"), if not revise.
II-8.

2012

2013
0

January-June
2014

0

2014
0

2015
0

Other explanations.—If your firm would like to further explain a response to a question in Part II
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.

0

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PART III.—PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION
Further information on this part of the questionnaire can be obtained from Lauren Gamache (202-2053589, Lauren.Gamache@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 China, Trinidad & Tobago, Germany and/or the Netherlands:
Product 1.—Unground melamine crystal unpackaged in bulk.
Product 2.—Unground melamine crystal in bags of 1,000 to 3,000 pounds.
Product 3.—Unground melamine crystal in bags of 50 to 60 pounds.

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 China, Trinidad & Tobago,
Germany and/or the Netherlands 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-2a. Price data.—Report below the quarterly price data1 for pricing products2 imported from China
and sold by your firm.

CHINA
Report data in actual pounds and actual dollars (not 1,000s).

Period of shipment

(Quantity in pounds, value in dollars)
Product 1
Product 2
Quantity
Value
Quantity
Value

Product 3
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
2015:
January-March
April-June
1
Net values (i.e., gross sales values less all discounts, allowances, rebates, prepaid freight, and the value of returned goods),
f.o.b. your firm’s U.S. point of shipment.
2
Pricing product definitions are provided on the first page of Part III.
Note.--If your firm’s product does not exactly meet the product specifications but is competitive with the specified product,
provide a description of your firm’s product. Also, please explain any anomalies in your firm’s reported pricing data.
Product 1:
Product 2:
Product 3:

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III-2b. Price data.—Report below the quarterly price data1 for pricing products2 imported from
Trinidad & Tobago and sold by your firm.

TRINIDAD & TOBAGO
Report data in actual pounds and actual dollars (not 1,000s).

Period of shipment

(Quantity in pounds, value in dollars)
Product 1
Product 2
Quantity
Value
Quantity
Value

Product 3
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
2015:
January-March
April-June
1
Net values (i.e., gross sales values less all discounts, allowances, rebates, prepaid freight, and the value of returned goods),
f.o.b. your firm’s U.S. point of shipment.
2
Pricing product definitions are provided on the first page of Part III.
Note.--If your firm’s product does not exactly meet the product specifications but is competitive with the specified product,
provide a description of your firm’s product. Also, please explain any anomalies in your firm’s reported pricing data.
Product 1:
Product 2:
Product 3:

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III-2c.

Page 19

Price data.—Report below the quarterly price data1 for pricing products2 imported from
Germany and sold by your firm.

GERMANY
Report data in actual pounds and actual dollars (not 1,000s).

Period of shipment

(Quantity in pounds, value in dollars)
Product 1
Product 2
Quantity
Value
Quantity
Value

Product 3
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
2015:
January-March
April-June
1
Net values (i.e., gross sales values less all discounts, allowances, rebates, prepaid freight, and the value of returned goods),
f.o.b. your firm’s U.S. point of shipment.
2
Pricing product definitions are provided on the first page of Part III.
Note.--If your firm’s product does not exactly meet the product specifications but is competitive with the specified product,
provide a description of your firm’s product. Also, please explain any anomalies in your firm’s reported pricing data.
Product 1:
Product 2:
Product 3:

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III-2d. Price data.—Report below the quarterly price data1 for pricing products2 imported from the
Netherlands and sold by your firm.

NETHERLANDS
Report data in actual pounds and actual dollars (not 1,000s).

Period of shipment

(Quantity in pounds, value in dollars)
Product 1
Product 2
Quantity
Value
Quantity
Value

Product 3
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
2015:
January-March
April-June
1
Net values (i.e., gross sales values less all discounts, allowances, rebates, prepaid freight, and the value of returned goods),
f.o.b. your firm’s U.S. point of shipment.
2
Pricing product definitions are provided on the first page of Part III.
Note.--If your firm’s product does not exactly meet the product specifications but is competitive with the specified product,
provide a description of your firm’s product. Also, please explain any anomalies in your firm’s reported pricing data.
Product 1:
Product 2:
Product 3:

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

Note.—As requested in Part I of this questionnaire, please keep all supporting documents/records used in the
preparation of the price data, as Commission staff may contact your firm regarding questions on the price data.
The Commission may also request that your company submit copies of the supporting documents/records (such as
sales journal, invoices, etc.) used to compile these data.

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

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

III-4.

Contracts

Other

If other, describe

Annual
total
volume
discounts

No
discount
policy

Other

Describe

Pricing terms.—
(a)

What are your firm’s typical sales terms for melamine imported from China and/or
Trinidad & Tobago?
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 melamine from China and/or Trinidad
& Tobago usually quoted (check one)?
Delivered

III-6.

Set
price
lists

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

Quantity
discounts

III-5.

Page 21

F.o.b.

If f.o.b., specify point

Contract versus spot.—Approximately what share of your firm’s sales of melamine imported
from China and/or Trinidad & Tobago 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

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

%

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Melamine

III-7.

Page 22

Contract provisions.—Please fill out the table regarding your firm’s typical sales contracts for
melamine from China and/or Trinidad & Tobago (or check “not applicable” if your firm does not
sell on a long term, short term and/or annual 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

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

Annual contracts
(multiple deliveries
for 12 months)

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

365

Yes
No
Quantity
Price
Both
Yes
No

Not applicable
III-8. Lead times.—What is your firm’s share of sales of melamine imported from China and/or
Trinidad & Tobago 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 melamine?
Source
From your firm’s U.S. inventory

%

From foreign manufacturers’ inventory

%

Produced to order

%

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

Share of
2014 sales

0.0

Lead time
(days)

%

Shipping information.—
(a)

What is the approximate percentage of the total delivered cost of melamine imported
from China and/or Trinidad & Tobago that is accounted for by U.S. inland transportation
costs?
percent.

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Melamine

Page 23

(b)

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

(c)

When your firm sells melamine imported from China and/or Trinidad & Tobago, from
where is it shipped?
Point of importation
Storage facility (check one)

(d)

Indicate the approximate percentage of your firm’s sales of melamine imported from
China and/or Trinidad & Tobago 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

%

III-10. Geographical shipments.—In which U.S. geographic market area(s) has your firm sold melamine
imported from subject countries since January 1, 2012 (check all that apply)?
Geographic area
Northeast.–CT, ME, MA, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, and VT.
Midwest.–IL, IN, IA, KS, MI, MN, MO, NE, ND, OH, SD, and WI.
Southeast.–AL, DE, DC, FL, GA, KY, MD, MS, NC, SC, TN, VA, and
WV.
Central Southwest.–AR, LA, OK, and TX.
Mountains.–AZ, CO, ID, MT, NV, NM, UT, and WY.
Pacific Coast.–CA, OR, and WA.
Other.–All other markets in the United States not previously listed,
including AK, HI, PR, and VI, among others.

China

Trinidad &
Tobago

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Melamine

Page 24

III-11. End uses.—List the end uses of the melamine that your firm imports from China and/or Trinidad
& Tobago. For each end-use product, what percentage of the total cost is accounted for by
melamine and other inputs?
Share of total cost of end use product
accounted for by
End use product

Melamine

Total
(should sum to
100.0% across)

Other inputs
%

%

0.0 %

%

%

0.0 %

%

%

0.0 %

IV-12. Substitutes.—
(a)

Can other products be substituted for melamine?
No

Yes—Please fill out the table.

End use in which this
substitute is used

Substitute

Have changes in the prices of this substitute
affected the price for melamine?
No Yes

Explanation

1.
2.
3.
(b)

Are your customers able to switch between various packaging sizes (e.g. 50 to 60 pound bags, 1,000 to
3,000 pound bags, or bulk/loose)?

No

Yes

If no, please explain. If yes, please explain reasons for preferences
for particular size, and what factors would prompt your customers
to switch between packaging sizes.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Melamine

Page 25

III-13. Demand trends.—
(a)

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

Overall
increase

Market

No
change

Fluctuate
Overall
with no
decrease clear trend

Explanation and factors

Within the United
States
Outside the United
States
(b)

Indicate how demand for melamine in 50 to 60 pound bags, 1,000 to 3,000 pound bags, and loose
melamine (bulk) has changed since January 1, 2012. Explain any trends and describe the principal factors
that have affected these changes in demand.

Overall
increase

Market

No
change

Overall
decrease

Fluctuate
with no
clear trend

Explanation and factors

50 to 60 pound bags
1,000 to 3,000 bags
Bulk/loose
III-14. Product changes.—Have there been any significant changes in the product range, product mix
or marketing of melamine since January 1, 2012?
No

Yes

If yes, please describe.

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Melamine

Page 26

III-15. Conditions of competition.—
(a) Is the melamine market subject to business cycles (other than general economy-wide
conditions) and/or other conditions of competition distinctive to melamine?
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
melamine since January 1, 2012?
No

Yes

If yes, describe.

III-16. Supply constraints.—Has your firm refused, declined, or been unable to supply melamine 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. Impurities, contaminants, or physical defects in product.—Since January 1, 2012 have your customers
reported experiencing impurities, contaminants, or other physical defects (e.g., “clumping”) in their
melamine purchases?
No

Yes

If yes, please explain and indicate the country source.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Melamine

Page 27

III-18. Raw materials.—How have melamine 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
melamine.

III-19. Interchangeability.—Is melamine 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

Trinidad &
Tobago

Germany

Netherlands Other countries

United States
China
Trinidad & Tobago
Germany
Netherlands
For any country-pair producing melamine that is sometimes or never interchangeable, identify
the country-pair and explain the factors that limit or preclude interchangeable use:

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Melamine

Page 28

III-20. Factors other than price.—Are differences other than price (e.g., quality, availability,
transportation network, product range, technical support, etc.) between melamine produced in
the United States and in other countries a significant factor in your firm’s sales of the products?
Please indicate A, F, S, N, or 0 in the table below:
A = such differences are always significant
F = such differences are frequently significant
S = such differences are sometimes significant
N = such differences are never significant
0 = no familiarity with products from a specified country-pair

Country-pair

China

Trinidad &
Tobago

Germany

Netherlands Other countries

United States
China
Trinidad & Tobago
Germany
Netherlands
For any country-pair for which factors other than price always or frequently are a significant
factor in your firm’s purchases of melamine, identify the country-pair and report the
advantages or disadvantages imparted by such factors:

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Melamine

Page 29

III-21. Customer identification.—List the names and contact information for your firm’s 10 largest U.S.
customers for melamine since January 1, 2012. Indicate the share of the quantity of your firm’s
total shipments of melamine that each of these customers accounted for in 2014.
Customer’s name

City

State

Share of 2014
sales (%)

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

III-22. 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.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Melamine

Page 30

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/melamine_china_and_trinidad_tobago/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: MEL15

• E-mail.—E-mail the MS Word questionnaire to Cynthia.Trainor@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 (202205-1803). 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.