15-3-3410 U.S. Purchasers Questionnaire

OMB No. 3117-0016/USITC No. 15-3-3410; Expiration Date: 6/30/2017
(No response is required if currently valid OMB control number is not displayed)

U.S. PURCHASERS’ QUESTIONNAIRE
SILICOMANGANESE FROM AUSTRALIA
This questionnaire must be received by the Commission by December 11, 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 (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 possession (19 U.S.C. § 1333(a)). Further information on this questionnaire can be
obtained from Tana Farrington (202-205-2389, Tana.Farrington@usitc.gov).

Name of firm
Address
City

State

Zip Code

Website
Has your firm purchased silicomanganese (as defined on next page) from any source (domestic or foreign) 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: XXXX)
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 submitting this certification I also grant consent for the Commission, and its employees and contract personnel, to use the
information provided in this questionnaire and throughout this proceeding in any other import-injury proceedings conducted by
the Commission on the same or similar merchandise.
I acknowledge that information submitted in this questionnaire response and throughout this proceeding may be used by the
Commission, its employees, and contract personnel who are acting in the capacity of Commission employees, for developing or
maintaining the records of this proceeding or related proceedings for which this information is submitted, or in internal audits and
proceedings relating to the programs and operations of the Commission pursuant to 5 U.S.C. Appendix 3. I understand that all
contract personnel will sign non-disclosure agreements.
Name of Authorized Official

Title of Authorized Official

Date

Phone:
Signature

Fax

Email address

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Silicomanganese

Page 2

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/final.htm.
Silicomanganese. The scope of this investigation covers 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 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 properly 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 investigation. It is sometimes referred to
as ferromanganese-silicon. The low-carbon silicomanganese excluded from this investigation is a
ferroalloy with the following chemical specifications by weight: minimum 55 percent manganese,
minimum 27 percent silicon, minimum 4 percent iron, 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. The HTSUS subheadings are provided for convenience and
customs purposes. The written description of the scope is dispositive.
Purchaser.--Any firm engaged, either directly or through a parent company or subsidiary, in purchasing
silicomanganese from another firm that produces, imports, or otherwise distributes silicomanganese.
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.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Silicomanganese

Page 3

Release of information.--The information provided by your firm in response to this questionnaire, as
well as any other business proprietary information submitted by your firm to the Commission in
connection with this proceeding, may become subject to, and released under, the administrative
protective order provisions of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. § 1677f) and section 207.7 of the
Commission’s Rules of Practice and Procedure (19 CFR § 207.7). This means that certain lawyers and
other authorized individuals may temporarily be given access to the information for use in connection
with this proceeding or other import-injury proceedings conducted by the Commission on the same or
similar merchandise; those individuals would be subject to severe penalties if the information were
divulged to unauthorized individuals.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Silicomanganese
I-1.

Page 4

OMB statistics.--Please report 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
25 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 your U.S. establishment(s) covered
by this questionnaire, if different from that listed on the cover page. Firms operating more than
one establishment should combine the data for all establishments into a single report.
“Establishment”--Each facility of a firm involved in the purchase 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)

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Silicomanganese
I-4.

Related SUBJECT importers/exporters.--Does your firm have any related firms, either domestic
or foreign, which import silicomanganese from Australia into the United States or which export
silicomanganese from Australia to the United States?
No

Yes--List the following information.

Firm name

I-5.

Address

Affiliation

Related NONSUBJECT importers/exporters.--Does your firm have any related firms, either
domestic or foreign, which import silicomanganese from countries other than Australia into the
United States or which export silicomanganese from countries other than Australia to the
United States?
No

Yes--List the following information.

Firm name and country

I-6.

Page 5

Address

Affiliation

Related producers.--Does your firm have any related firms, either domestic or foreign, which
produce silicomanganese?
No
Firm name

Yes--List the following information.
Address

Affiliation

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Silicomanganese

Page 6

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.— Report your firm’s U.S. purchases of silicomanganese. (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).

Item
Purchases of silicomanganese produced
in-United States
Australia
Georgia
South Africa
All other countries:1
1

Please identify these countries:

2012

2013

2014

Quantity (in short tons)

JanuarySeptember
2015

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Silicomanganese
II-2.

Contract versus spot in 2014.--Approximately what share of your firm’s purchases of
silicomanganese 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
purchases, by
source
United
States
Australia
Georgia
South
Africa
All other
countries:
II-3.

Page 7

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

%

%
%

%
%

%
%

%
%

0.0
0.0

%
%

%

%

%

%

0.0

%

%

%

%

%

0.0

%

Changes in purchasing patterns.--Please indicate how the shares of your firm’s purchases of
silicomanganese from different sources have changed since January 1, 2012.
Source of Did not
purchases purchase Decreased Increased Constant Fluctuated
United
States
Australia

Georgia
South
Africa
All other
countries

Explanation for trend

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Silicomanganese

Page 8

II-4.

Purchases from one country only.--If your firm has purchased silicomanganese from only one
country, please explain the reasons for doing so.

II-5.

Supplier identification.--Please list your firm’s FIVE largest suppliers for silicomanganese since
January 1, 2012. Also, provide the share of the quantity of your firm’s total purchases of
silicomanganese that each of these suppliers accounted for in 2014.

No.

Supplier’s name

City and state

Share of quantity of
2014 purchases

1

%

2

%

3

%

4

%

5

%

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Silicomanganese
II-6.

Page 9

Pricing terms.-(a)

On what basis are your firm’s purchases of silicomanganese usually quoted?
Source

Delivered

F.o.b.

If f.o.b., specify point

United States
Australia
Georgia
South Africa
All other countries

(b)

What is the approximate percentage of the total delivered cost of silicomanganese you
purchased that is accounted for by U.S. inland transportation and other logistics costs
from
the importer to your facilities?

percent.

the U.S. producer to your facilities?
i.

II-7.

percent.

If the percentages reported above varied or fluctuated since January 2012, please
explain.

Inventories.--Report your firm’s U.S. inventories of silicomanganese.

Item
Inventories of silicomanganese -Beginning of period inventories
End of period inventories

2012

2013

2014

Quantity (in short tons)

JanuarySeptember
2015

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Silicomanganese

Page 10

PART III.--MARKET CHARACTERISTICS AND PURCHASING PRACTICES
III-1.

Firm type.--Which of the following best describes your firm as a purchaser of silicomanganese
(check all that apply)?
End user

Distributor

Other

Describe other

If your firm is a distributor of silicomanganese, please answer questions III-2 and III-3.
III-2.

Competition for sales.--Does your firm compete for sales to customers with the manufacturers
or importers from which your firm purchases silicomanganese?
No

III-3.

Yes

If yes, please describe.

Types of customers.--What are the major types of consumers to which your firm sells
silicomanganese?

If your firm is an end user of silicomanganese, please answer questions III-4 and III-5.
III-4.

End uses.--List the top 3 products your firm makes using silicomanganese and estimate the
percent of your total production cost that is accounted for by silicomanganese and by other
inputs (such as labor, energy, and other raw materials).
Share of total cost in each of the product(s) your
firm produces accounted for by
Product(s) your firm
produces

Silicomanganese

Total
(should
sum to
100.0%
across)

Other inputs
% +

%

=

0.0 %

% +

%

=

0.0 %

% +

%

=

0.0 %

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Silicomanganese
III-5.

Demand for end use products.-(a)

Has the demand for your firm’s final products incorporating silicomanganese changed
since January 1, 2012?
Increased

(b)

No change

Decreased

Fluctuated

Has this had any effect on your firm’s demand for silicomanganese?
No

III-6.

Page 11

Yes

Explain

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

Substitute

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 silicomanganese?
No Yes

Explanation

1.
2.
3.
III-7.

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
Within the United
States
Outside the United
States

Overall
increase

No
change

Fluctuate
Overall
with no
decrease clear trend

Explanation and factors

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Silicomanganese
III-8.

Importance of purchasing domestic product.--Please fill out the table below, estimating the
percentage of your firm’s total 2014 purchases of silicomanganese that required
silicomanganese 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 100.0%)
III-9.

Page 12

Estimated percentage of
your firm’s total 2014
purchases of
silicomanganese
%
%
%
%
0.0 %

Conditions of competition.-(a)

Is the silicomanganese market subject to business cycles (other than general economywide conditions) and/or other conditions of competition distinctive to silicomanganese?

Check all that apply.

Please describe.

No

Skip to question III-10.

Yes-Business cycles (e.g.
seasonal business)
Yes-Other distinctive
conditions of competition
(b)

Have there been any changes in the business cycles or conditions of competition for
silicomanganese since January 1, 2012?
No

Yes

If yes, describe.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Silicomanganese

Page 13

III-10. Decisions based on producer and country-of-origin.--How often does your firm, and if known,
do your customers, make purchasing decisions involving silicomanganese 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-11. Availability of supply.--Has the availability of silicomanganese in the U.S. market changed since
January 1, 2012?
Availability in the U.S.
Please explain, noting the countries, timing of the changes,
market
No Yes and reasons for the changes.
U.S.-produced product
Australian imports
Georgian imports
South African imports
All Other imports
III-12. Supply constraints.--Has any firm refused, declined, or been unable to supply your firm with
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,
supply agreements/contract disputes, lack of availability. etc.)?

No

Yes

If yes, please describe, including the time period(s) during which you
experienced supply constraints.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Silicomanganese

Page 14

III-13. Product quality.--Has your firm ever rejected or incurred extra costs in connection with a
shipment of silicomanganese due to product quality?
No

Yes

If yes, please describe.

III-14. Purchasing frequency.-(a)

How frequently does your firm make purchases of silicomanganese (check one)?
Daily

(b)

Weekly

Monthly

Quarterly

Annually

Other

If other, specify

Has this purchasing frequency changed since January 1, 2012?
No

Yes

If yes, please describe.

III-15. Number of suppliers contacted.--How many suppliers does your firm generally contact before
making a purchase? Between
and
firms
III-16. Supplier negotiations.--Does your firm’s purchases of silicomanganese usually involve
negotiations between supplier and purchaser?

No

Yes

If yes, explain the factors your firm generally negotiates and note
whether your firm quotes competing prices during negotiations.

III-17. Change in suppliers.--Has your firm changed suppliers since January 1, 2012?

No

Yes

If yes, please list the supplier(s), whether the firm was added or
dropped, and the reasons for the change.

III-18. New suppliers.--Are you aware of any new suppliers, either foreign or domestic, that have
entered the market since January 1, 2012?
No

Yes

If yes, please identify the firms.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Silicomanganese

Page 15

III-19. Supplier qualification.--Do you require your suppliers to be or to become certified or qualified
to sell silicomanganese to your firm?
If yes, provide the following information.
• 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.).

No

Yes

Number
of days Process and factors

III-20. Failure to certify.--Since January 1, 2012, have any domestic or foreign producers failed in their
attempts to certify or qualify their silicomanganese with your firm or have any producers lost
their approved status?

No

Yes

If yes, please identify these firms, the countries where they are located,
and the reasons why they failed the certification/qualification.

III-21. Major purchasing factors.--Please list, in order of their importance, the three major factors your
firm considers in deciding from whom to purchase silicomanganese (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:

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Silicomanganese

Page 16

III-22. Purchasing factors.--Please rate the importance of the following factors in your firm’s
purchasing decisions for silicomanganese.

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 - Silicomanganese

Page 17

III-23. Quality characteristics.--What characteristics does your firm consider when determining the
quality of silicomanganese?

III-24. Frequency of decisions based on price.-(a)
How often does your firm purchase the silicomanganese that is offered at the lowest
price?
Always

Usually

Sometimes

Never

(b)
If usually, sometimes, or never, what factors affect your firm’s decision not to purchase
the lowest-priced product?

III-25. 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 silicomanganese market
since January 1, 2012.
Firm(s)

Describe how the firm(s) exhibited price leadership

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Silicomanganese

Page 18

III-26. Price Indices.-(a)
Do U.S. producers and/or importers base their sales prices to your firm on price indices,
such as Ryan’s Notes or Platt’s? If so, please indicate which indices are referenced when
determining price.
Check all that apply.
No

Please indicate the price index primarily referenced.
Skip to question III-27.

Yes-U.S. Producers
Yes-Importers
(b)

What types of sales are based on these indices?
Long-term
contracts
(multiple
deliveries for
more than 12
months)

Annual
contracts
(multiple
deliveries for 12
months)

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

Spot sales
(for a single
delivery)
If other, describe

(c)
Please describe how these price indices are used, including adjustments or discounts
given by the U.S. producer or importer.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Silicomanganese
(d)

Page 19

Since January 1, 2012, did your firm report its purchase prices to these price indices?
Source
No

Yes

If yes, please indicate how frequently
If yes, please list your firm reports its prices and if prices
the publication(s) are on a spot or contract basis.

United States
Australia
Georgia
South Africa
All other countries
(e)
If yes to III-25(d), does your firm know whether the reported prices are used in the
published price index?

No

Yes

If yes, please describe how your firm’s reported prices are incorporated
into the published price index, to the best of your knowledge.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Silicomanganese

Page 20

III-27. Switching to imports.—
(a)

Since January 2012, did your firm decrease its share of total purchases of U.S. produced
silicomanganese to imports of silicomanganese from Australia?
Source

No
(If “No”, skip to III-28)

Yes (also respond to part (b))

Australia
(b)

If your firm responded “Yes” above, was price a primary reason for shift?

Source

Australia
(c)

Yes

If Yes, estimate the quantity
of purchases that your firm
shifted to imports since
January 2012 because of price
(in short tons)

No

If No, please indicate the
reason for the shift

short tons

If the quantities reported above varied or fluctuated since January 2012, please explain.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Silicomanganese

Page 21

III-28. U.S. producers and import competition.—
(a)

Since January 1, 2012, did U.S. producers, in connection with a sale or offer to sell
silicomanganese to your firm, reduce their prices of domestically produced
silicomanganese or increase their contractual discount from the reference price in order
to compete with lower-priced imports of silicomanganese from subject countries?
Source

Yes (also respond to
part (b))

No (If “No”, skip to IV-1)

Don’t know

Australia
(b)

If your firm responded “yes” above, please provide an estimate of the reduction in U.S.
producers’ prices, and any additional explanations, such as timing (e.g., months/years),
frequency of price reductions, or other market/competitive factors.

Source
Australia
(c)

Estimated
reduction in U.S.
prices
(percent)

Additional explanation, include such information as
timing (e.g., months/years), frequency of price
reductions, or other market/competitive factors

%

If the percentages reported above varied or fluctuated since January 2012, please
explain.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Silicomanganese

Page 22

PART IV.—PRODUCT COMPARISONS
IV-1.

Country knowledge.--Please indicate the countries of origin for silicomanganese for which your
firm has actual marketing/pricing knowledge.
United
States

IV-2.

Australia

Georgia

South
Africa

Other
countries

Other countries (specify)

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

Georgia

South Africa

Other countries

United States
Australia
Georgia
South Africa
For any country-pair producing silicomanganese 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 - Silicomanganese
IV-3.

Page 23

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 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

Australia

Georgia

South Africa

Other countries

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

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Silicomanganese
IV-4.

Country preferences.--Do you or your customers ever specifically order silicomanganese from
one country in particular over other possible sources of supply?
No

IV-5.

Yes

If yes, identify the countries and explain.

Availability of merchandise.--Are certain grades/types/sizes of silicomanganese available from
only certain country sources?
No

IV-6.

Page 24

Yes

If yes, please identify the countries and the grade/type/size.

Choice of product not based on price.--If you purchased silicomanganese from one country
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 - Silicomanganese
IV-7.

Page 25

Factor country comparisons.--For the factors listed below, please rate how silicomanganese
produced in each country you identified in your response to the first question in Part IV
compares with silicomanganese 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.
Product from
United States
compared to product from
Australia

Superior

Comparable

Inferior

Factor
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 - Silicomanganese
IV-7.

Page 26

Continued.

If you are unfamiliar with the product from a particular country, please leave the boxes for those
country comparisons blank.

Inferior

Comparable

Product from
Australia
compared to product from
Nonsubject countries

Superior

Inferior

Comparable

Factor

Superior

Product from
United States
compared to product from
Nonsubject countries

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 - Silicomanganese
IV-8.

Page 27

Minimum quality.--How often does silicomanganese 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
Australia
Nonsubject Countries
Other:
IV-9.

Other explanations.--If your firm would like to further explain a response to any question that
did not provide a narrative response box, please note the question number and the explanation
in the space provided below.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Silicomanganese

Page 28

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/title_7/2015/silicomanganese_australia/

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: SIMN

• E-mail.—E-mail the MS Word questionnaire to Tana.Farrington@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 does not purchase 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 your firm submits (see
19 CFR § 207.7). Service of the questionnaire must be made in paper form.