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pdfOMB No. 3117‐0016/USITC No. 15‐1‐3404; Expiration Date: 6/30/2017
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U.S. PRODUCERS’ QUESTIONNAIRE
POLYETHYLENE RETAIL CARRIER BAGS FROM CHINA, INDONESIA, MALAYSIA,
TAIWAN, THAILAND, AND VIETNAM
This questionnaire must be received by the Commission by December 4, 2015
See last page for filing instructions.
The information called for in this questionnaire is for use by the United States International Trade Commission in
connection with its review of the countervailing duty and antidumping duty orders concerning polyethylene retail carrier
bags (“PRCBs”) from China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam (Inv. Nos. 701‐TA‐462 and 731‐TA‐1156‐
1158 (First Review) and 731‐TA‐1043‐1045 (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 firm’s possession (19
U.S.C. § 1333(a)).
Name of firm
Address
City
State
Zip Code
Website
Has your firm produced PRCBs (as defined on the next page) at any time since January 1, 2009?
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 Commission Drop Box by clicking on the following link:
https://dropbox.usitc.gov/oinv/ (PIN: PRCB)
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
Fax:
Email address
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire ‐ PRCBs
Page 2
PART I.—GENERAL INFORMATION
Background. On May 4, 2010, the Department of Commerce (“Commerce”) issued a countervailing duty
order on imports of PRCBs from Vietnam and antidumping duty orders on imports of PRCBs from
Indonesia, Taiwan, and Vietnam. On August 9, 2004, Commerce issued antidumping duty orders on
imports of PRCBs from China, Malaysia, and Thailand. Following first five‐year reviews by Commerce and
the Commission, effective July 7, 2010, Commerce issued a continuation of the antidumping duty orders
on imports of PRCBs from China, Malaysia, and Thailand. On April 1, 2015, the Commission instituted
reviews pursuant to section 751(c) of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. § 1675(c)) (the Act) to determine
whether revocation of the orders would be likely to lead to continuation or recurrence of material injury
to the domestic industry within a reasonably foreseeable time. If both the Commission and Commerce
make affirmative determinations, the orders will remain in place. If either the Commission or
Commerce makes negative determinations, Commerce will revoke the orders. Questionnaires and other
information pertinent to this proceeding are available at
http://www.usitc.gov/investigations/701731/2015/polyethylene_retail_carrier_bags_china_indonesia/s
econd_review_full.htm.
Polyethylene retail carrier bags (“PRCBs”) covered by these investigations may be referred to as t‐shirt
sacks, merchandise bags, grocery bags, or checkout bags. The subject merchandise is defined as non‐
sealable sacks and bags with handles (including drawstrings), without zippers or integral extruded
closures, with or without gussets, with or without printing, of polyethylene film having a thickness no
greater than 0.035 inches (0.889 mm) and no less than 0.00035 inches (0.00889 mm), and with no
length or width shorter than 6 inches (15.24 cm) or longer than 40 inches (101.6 cm). The depth of the
bag may be shorter than 6 inches but not longer than 40 inches (101.6 cm).
PRCBs are typically provided without any consumer packaging and free of charge by retail
establishments, e.g., grocery, drug, convenience, department, specialty retail, discount stores, and
restaurants, to their customers to package and carry their purchased products. The scope of the order
excludes (1) polyethylene bags that are not printed with logos or store names and that are closeable
with drawstrings made of polyethylene film and (2) polyethylene bags that are packed in consumer
packaging with printing that refers to specific end‐uses other than packaging and carrying merchandise
from retail establishments, e.g., garbage bags, lawn bags, trash‐can liners.
As a result of changes to the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS), imports of the
subject merchandise are currently classifiable under statistical category 3923.21.0085 of the HTSUS.
Furthermore, although the HTSUS subheading is provided for convenience and customs purposes, the
written description of the scope of the order is dispositive.
Reporting of information.‐‐ If information is not readily available from your records in exactly the form
requested, furnish carefully prepared estimates. If your firm is completing more than one questionnaire
in connection with this proceeding (i.e., a producer, importer, and/or purchaser questionnaire), you
need not respond to duplicated questions in the questionnaires.
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
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire ‐ PRCBs
Page 3
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 of your files, worksheets, and
supporting documents used in the preparation of the questionnaire response. Please also retain a copy
of the final document that you submit.
Release of information.‐‐The information provided by your firm in response to this questionnaire, as
well as any other business proprietary information submitted by your firm to the Commission in
connection with this proceeding, may become subject to, and released under, the administrative
protective order provisions of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. § 1677f) and section 207.7 of the
Commission’s Rules of Practice and Procedure (19 CFR § 207.7). This means that certain lawyers and
other authorized individuals may temporarily be given access to the information for use in connection
with this proceeding or other import‐injury proceedings conducted by the Commission on the same or
similar merchandise; those individuals would be subject to severe penalties if the information were
divulged to unauthorized individuals.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire ‐ PRCBs
I‐1.
Page 4
OMB statistics.‐‐Please report below the actual number of hours required and the cost to your
firm of completing this questionnaire.
I‐2.
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
50 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.
Establishments covered.‐‐Provide the city, state, zip code, and brief description of each
establishment covered by this questionnaire. If your firm is publicly traded, please specify the
stock exchange and trading symbol in the footnote to the table. 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 production of PRCBs, including auxiliary
facilities operated in conjunction with (whether or not physically separate from) such facilities.
Establishments
Covered1
City, State
Zip (5 digit)
Description
1
2
3
4
5
6
1
Additional discussion on establishments consolidated in this questionnaire:
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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire ‐ PRCBs
I‐3.
Page 5
Position regarding continuation of order.‐‐Does your firm support or oppose continuation of
the countervailing duty and antidumping duty orders currently in place for PRCBs from the
following countries?
Country
I‐4.
Support
Oppose
Take no position
China
Indonesia
Malaysia
Taiwan
Thailand
Vietnam
Ownership.‐‐Is your firm owned, in whole or in part, by any other firm?
No
Yes‐‐List the following information.
Firm name
Extent of
ownership
(percent)
Address
I‐5.
Related SUBJECT importers/exporters.‐‐Does your firm have any related firms, either domestic
or foreign, that are engaged in importing PRCBs from China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Taiwan,
Thailand, and/or Vietnam into the United States or that are engaged in exporting PRCBs from
China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Taiwan, Thailand, and/or Vietnam to the United States?
No
Yes‐‐List the following information.
Affiliation / Extent of
Firm name
Address
ownership (percent)
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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire ‐ PRCBs
I‐6.
I‐7.
I‐8.
Page 6
Related NONSUBJECT importers/exporters.‐‐Does your firm have any related firms, either
domestic or foreign, that are engaged in importing PRCBs from countries other than China,
Indonesia, Malaysia, Taiwan, Thailand, or Vietnam into the United States or that are engaged in
exporting PRCBs from countries other than China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Taiwan, Thailand, or
Vietnam to the United States?
No
Yes‐‐List the following information.
Affiliation / Extent of
Firm name and country
Address
ownership (percent)
Related producers.‐‐Does your firm have any related firms, either domestic or foreign, that are
engaged in the production of PRCBs?
No
Yes‐‐List the following information.
Affiliation / Extent of
Firm name
Address
ownership (percent)
Business plan.‐‐In Parts II and IV of this questionnaire we request a copy of your company’s
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 PRCBs?
No
Yes
If yes, please provide the requested documents. If you are not providing the
requested documents, please explain why not.
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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire ‐ PRCBs
Page 7
PART II.‐‐TRADE AND RELATED INFORMATION
Further information on this part of the questionnaire can be obtained from Keysha Martinez (202‐205‐
2136, Keysha.Martinez@usitc.gov). Supply all data requested on a calendar‐year basis.
II‐1. Contact information.‐‐ Please identify the responsible individual and the manner by which
Commission staff may contact that individual regarding the confidential information submitted
in part II.
Name
Title
Email
Telephone
Fax
II‐2. Changes in operations.‐‐Please indicate whether your firm has experienced any of the following
changes in relation to the production of PRCBs since January 1, 2009.
Check as many as appropriate.
Please describe.
Plant openings
Plant closings
Relocations
Expansions
Acquisitions
Consolidations
Prolonged shutdowns or
production curtailments
Revised labor agreements
Other (e.g., technology)
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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire ‐ PRCBs
II‐3.
Page 8
Anticipated changes in operations.‐‐Does your firm anticipate any changes in the character of
your firm’s operations or organization (as noted above) relating to the production of PRCBs in
the future?
No
Yes‐‐Supply details as to the time, nature, and significance of such changes
and provide underlying assumptions, along with relevant portions of
business plans or other supporting documentation that address this
issue. Include in your response a specific projection of your firm’s
capacity to produce PRCBs (in 1,000 bags and 1,000 pounds) for 2015
and 2016.
For question II‐4, if your firm’s response differs for particular orders, please indicate and explain the
particular effect of revocation of specific orders.
II‐4. Anticipated changes in operations in the event the order is revoked.‐‐Would your firm
anticipate any changes in the character of your firm’s operations or organization (as noted
above) relating to the production of PRCBs in the future if the countervailing duty and
antidumping duty orders on PRCBs from China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Taiwan, Thailand, and
Vietnam were to be revoked?
No
Yes‐‐Supply details as to the time, nature, and significance of such changes
and provide underlying assumptions, along with relevant portions of
business plans or other supporting documentation that address this
issue. Include in your response a specific projection of your firm’s
capacity to produce PRCBs (in 1,000 bags and 1,000 pounds) for 2015
and 2016.
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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire ‐ PRCBs
Page 9
II‐5a. Production using same machinery.‐‐ Please report your firm’s production of products made on
the same equipment and machinery used to produce PRCBs, and the combined production
capacity on this shared equipment and machinery in the periods indicated.
“Overall production capacity” or “capacity” – The level of production that your
establishment(s) could reasonably have expected to attain during the specified periods. Assume
normal operating conditions (i.e., using equipment and machinery in place and ready to
operate; normal operating levels (hours per week/weeks per year) and time for downtime,
maintenance, repair, and cleanup).
“Production” – All production in your U.S. establishment(s), including production consumed
internally within your firm and production for another firm under a toll agreement.
Quantity (in 1,000 bags and 1,000 pounds)
Calendar year
Item
2009
2010
2011
2012
January‐September
2013
2014
2014
2015
Overall production capacity
1,000 bags
1,000 pounds
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Production of: (1,000 bags)
PRCBs1
2
Other products
Total
Production of: (1,000 pounds)
PRCBs1
2
Other products
Total
1
2
Data entered for production of PRCBs will populate here once reported in question II‐6.
Please identify these products: .
II‐5b. Operating parameters.‐‐The production capacity reported in II‐5a is based on operating hours
per week, weeks per year.
II‐5c. Capacity calculation.‐‐Please describe the methodology used to calculate overall production
capacity reported in II‐5a, and explain any changes in reported capacity.
II‐5d. Production constraints.‐‐Please describe the constraint(s) that set the limit(s) on your firm’s
production capacity.
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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire ‐ PRCBs
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II‐5e. Product shifting.‐‐Is your firm able to switch production (capacity) between PRCBs and other
products using the same equipment and/or labor?
No
Yes‐‐ (i.e., have produced other products or are able to produce other
products). Please identify other actual or potential products: .
II‐5f. Product shifting factors.‐‐Please describe the factors that affect your firm’s ability to shift
production capacity between products (e.g., time, cost, relative price change, etc.), and the degree
to which these factors enhance or constrain such shifts.
II‐6.
Production, shipment and inventory data.‐‐Report your firm’s production capacity, production,
shipments, and inventories related to the production of PRCBs in its U.S. establishment(s) during
the specified periods.
“Average production capacity” or “capacity” – The level of production that your
establishment(s) could reasonably have expected to attain during the specified periods. Assume
normal operating conditions (i.e., using equipment and machinery in place and ready to
operate; normal operating levels (hours per week/weeks per year) and time for downtime,
maintenance, repair, and cleanup; and a typical or representative product mix).
“Production” – All production in your U.S. establishment(s), including production consumed
internally within your firm and production for another firm under a toll agreement.
“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.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire ‐ PRCBs
II‐6.
Page 11
Production, shipment and inventory data.—Continued
Quantity (in 1,000 bags unless otherwise specified) and value (in $1,000)
Calendar year
Item
2009
2010
2011
2012
January‐September
2013
2014
2014
2015
1
Average production capacity (quantity)
1,000 bags (A)
1,000 pounds
1,000 bags (C)
1,000 pounds
U.S. shipments:
Commercial
shipments:
quantity (D)
value (E)
Internal
consumption:2
quantity (F)
Beginning‐of‐period
inventories (quantity)
(B)
Production (quantity)
value (G)
Transfers to related
firms:2
quantity (H)
value (I)
3
Export shipments:
quantity (J)
value (K)
End‐of‐period
inventories (quantity)
(L)
1
The production capacity reported is based on operating hours per week, weeks per year. Please describe the methodology
used to calculate production capacity, and explain any changes in reported capacity (use additional pages as necessary). .
2
Internal consumption and transfers to related firms should be valued at fair market value. In the event that your firm uses a different basis
for valuing these transactions, 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: .
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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire ‐ PRCBs
Page 12
II‐6. Production, shipment and inventory data.‐‐Continued
RECONCILIATION OF SHIPMENTS, PRODUCTION, AND INVENTORY.‐‐Generally, the data reported for the
end‐of‐period inventories (i.e., line L) should be equal to the beginning‐of‐period inventories (i.e., line B),
plus production (i.e., line C), less total shipments (i.e., lines D, F, H, and J). 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 year
Item
B + C – D – F – H – J – L
= should equal zero
("0") or provide an
explanation.1
2009
0
2010
0
2011
0
2012
0
January‐September
2013
0
2014
0
2014
2015
0
0
1
Explanation if the calculated fields above are returning values other than zero (i.e., “0”) but are
nonetheless accurate: .
II‐7. Channels of distribution.‐‐ Report your firm’s commercial U.S. shipments by channel of
distribution.
Quantity (in 1,000 bags)
Calendar year
Item
Channels of
distribution:
U.S. commercial
shipments to
distributors
(quantity) (M)
U.S. commercial
shipments to end
users (quantity) (N)
2009
2010
2011
2012
January‐September
2013
2014
2014
2015
RECONCILIATION OF CHANNELS.‐‐Please ensure that the quantities reported for channels of distribution
(i.e., lines M and N) 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 year
Reconciliation item
M + N – D = zero ("0"),
if not revise.
2009
0
2010
0
2011
0
2012
0
January‐September
2013
0
2014
0
2014
0
2015
0
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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire ‐ PRCBs
II‐8.
Page 13
Employment data.‐‐Report your firm’s employment‐related data related to the production of
PRCBs and provide any explanation for any trends in these data.
“Production Related Workers” (PRWs) includes working supervisors and all nonsupervisory
workers (including group leaders and trainees) engaged in fabricating, processing, assembling,
inspecting, receiving, storage, handling, packing, warehousing, shipping, trucking, hauling,
maintenance, repair, janitorial and guard services, product development, auxiliary production
for plant’s own use (e.g., power plant), recordkeeping, and other services closely associated with
the above production operations.
Average number employed may be computed by adding the number of employees, both full
time and part time, for the 12 pay periods ending closest to the 15th of the month and divide
that total by 12. For the January to September periods, calculate similarly and divide by 9.
“Hours worked” includes time paid for sick leave, holidays, and vacation time. Include overtime
hours actually worked; do not convert overtime pay to its equivalent in straight time hours.
“Wages paid” –Total wages paid before deductions of any kind (e.g., withholding taxes, old‐age
and unemployment insurance, group insurance, union dues, bonds, etc.). Include wages paid
directly by your firm for overtime, holidays, vacations, and sick leave.
Calendar year
Item
2009
2010
2011
2012
January‐September
2013
2014
2014
2015
Employment data:
Average number of
PRWs (number) (O)
Hours worked by
PRWs (1,000 hours)
(P)
Wages paid to
PRWs ($1,000) (Q)
Explanation of trends:
II‐9.
Transfers to related firms.‐‐If your firm reported transfers to related firms in question II‐6,
please indicate the nature of the relationship between your firm and the related firms (e.g., joint
venture, wholly owned subsidiary), whether the transfers were priced at market value or by a
non‐market formula, whether your firm retained marketing rights to all transfers, and whether
the related firms also processed inputs from sources other than your firm.
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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire ‐ PRCBs
Page 14
II‐10. Purchases.‐‐Other than direct imports, has your firm otherwise purchased PRCBs since January
1, 2009?
No
Yes‐‐ Please indicate the reasons for your firm’s purchases (if your firms’
reasons differ by source, please elaborate) and report the quantity
and value of such purchases below for the specified periods.
“Purchase” – A transaction to buy product from a U.S. corporate entity such as another U.S.
producer, a U.S. distributor, or a U.S. firm that has directly imported the product.
“Direct import” –A transaction to buy from a foreign producer where your firm is the importer
of record or consignee.
Reason for purchases:
Quantity (in 1,000 bags)
Calendar years
Item
2009
Purchases from U.S.
importers1 of PRCBs
from—
China (subject)2
2010
2011
Malaysia (subject)
Taiwan
2
2014
2
2013
Indonesia
2012
January‐September
2014
2015
Thailand (subject)
Vietnam
All other sources
Purchases from
domestic producers3
Nonsubject Purchases
from.—3
China
Malaysia
Thailand
All other sources
Total nonsubject
purchases
Quantity (P)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
Please list the name of the importer(s) from which your firm purchased this product. If your firm’s import suppliers differ by
source, please identify the source for each listed supplier: .
2
Purchases of U.S. imports subject to the antidumping duty orders, which excludes purchases of imports from Hang Lung
Manufactory and Nantong Huasheng Plastic Products (China); Bee Lian Plastic Industries (Malaysia); and Thai Plastic Bags
Industries Co., Ltd., Winners Pack Co., Ltd., and APEC Film Ltd. (Thailand).
3
Please list the name of the producer(s) or U.S. distributor(s) from which your firm purchased this product: .
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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire ‐ PRCBs
Page 15
II‐11. Toll production.‐‐Since January 1, 2009, has your firm been involved in a toll agreement
regarding the production of PRCBs?
“Toll agreement”‐‐Agreement between two firms whereby the first firm furnishes the raw
materials and the second firm uses the raw materials to produce a product that it then returns
to the first firm with a charge for processing costs, overhead, etc.
No
Yes‐‐ Please describe the toll arrangement(s) and name the firm(s) involved.
II‐12. Foreign trade zones.‐‐
(a)
Firm's FTZ operations.‐‐Does your firm produce PRCBs in and/or admit PRCBs into a
foreign trade zone (FTZ)?
“Foreign trade zone” is a designated location in the United States where firms utilize
special procedures that allow delayed or reduced customs duty payments on foreign
merchandise. A foreign trade zone must be designed as such pursuant to the rules and
procedures set forth in the Foreign‐Trade Zones Act.
No
Yes‐‐Describe the nature of your firms operations in FTZs and
identify the specific FTZ site(s).
(b)
Other firms' FTZ operations.‐‐To your knowledge, do any firms in the United States
import PRCBs into a foreign trade zone (FTZ) for use in distribution of PRCBs and/or the
production of downstream articles?
No/Don’t know
Yes‐‐Identify the firms and the FTZs.
II‐13. Direct imports.‐‐Since January 1, 2009, has your firm imported PRCBs?
“Importer” – The person or firm primarily liable for the payment of any duties on the
merchandise, or an authorized agent acting on his behalf. The importer may be the consignee,
or the importer of record.
No
Yes‐‐COMPLETE AND RETURN A U.S. IMPORTERS’ QUESTIONNAIRE
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For questions II‐14 and II‐15, if your response differs for particular orders, please indicate and explain
the particular effect of imposition and/or revocation of specific orders.
II‐14. Effect of orders.‐‐Describe the significance of the existing countervailing duty and antidumping
duty orders covering imports of PRCBs from China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Taiwan, Thailand,
and/or Vietnam in terms of its effect on your firm’s production capacity, production, U.S.
shipments, inventories, purchases, employment, revenues, costs, profits, cash flow, capital
expenditures, research and development expenditures, and asset values. You may wish to
compare your firm’s operations before and after the imposition of the order.
II‐15. Likely effect of revocation of orders.‐‐Would your firm anticipate any changes in its production
capacity, production, U.S. shipments, inventories, purchases, employment, revenues, costs,
profits, cash flow, capital expenditures, research and development expenditures, or asset values
relating to the production of PRCBs in the future if the countervailing duty and antidumping
duty orders on PRCBs from China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Taiwan, Thailand, and/or Vietnam were
to be revoked?
No
Yes‐‐Supply details as to the time, nature, and significance of such changes
and provide underlying assumptions, along with relevant portions of
business plans or other supporting documentation for any trends or
projections you may provide.
II‐16. Other explanations:‐‐If your firm would like to further explain a response to a question in Part II
that did not provide a narrative 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. Producers’ Questionnaire ‐ PRCBs
Page 17
PART III.‐‐FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Address questions on this part of the questionnaire to Charles Yost (202‐205‐3432,
Charles.Yost@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
III‐2. Accounting system.‐‐Briefly describe your firm’s financial accounting system.
A.
When does your firm’s fiscal year end (month and day)?
If your firm’s fiscal year changed during the data‐collection period, explain below:
B.1. Describe the lowest level of operations (e.g., plant, division, company‐wide) for which
financial statements are prepared that include PRCBs:
2. Does your firm prepare profit/loss statements for PRCBs:
Yes
No
3a. What types of financial statements does your firm (or parent company) prepare?
Audited, unaudited, annual reports, 10Ks, 10 Qs,
3b. How often did your firm (or parent company) prepare financial statements?
Monthly, quarterly, semi‐annually, annually
4. Accounting basis: GAAP, cash, tax, or other comprehensive basis of
accounting (specify)
Note: As requested in Part I of this questionnaire, please keep all supporting documents/records
used in the preparation of the financial data, as Commission staff may contact your firm
regarding questions on the financial data. The Commission may also request that your company
submit copies of the supporting documents/records (financial statements, including internal
profit‐and‐loss statements for the division or product group that includes PRCBs, as well as
specific statements and worksheets) used to compile these data.
III‐3.
Cost accounting system.‐‐Briefly describe your firm’s cost accounting system (e.g., standard
cost, job order cost, etc.).
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire ‐ PRCBs
III‐4.
Page 18
Allocation basis.‐‐Briefly describe your firm’s allocation basis, if any, for COGS, SG&A, and
interest expense and other income and expenses.
III‐5.
Other products.‐‐Please list the products your firm produces in the facilities in which it produces
PRCBs, and provide the share of net sales accounted for by these other products in your firm’s
most recent fiscal year.
Products
Share of sales
PRCBs
%
%
%
%
%
III‐6a. Does your firm produce the polyethylene used in the manufacture of PRCBs?
No‐‐Continue to question III‐6b.
Yes—Provide the data requested for 2014.
Quantity (1,000 pounds)
Value ($1,000)
Other than reflecting your firm’s production of PRCBs, did its
production of polyethylene change significantly since January 1,
2009?
III‐6b. Does your firm purchase the polyethylene used in the manufacture of PRCBs from independent
suppliers?
No‐‐Continue to question III‐6c.
Yes—Provide the data requested for 2014.
Quantity (1,000 pounds)
Value ($1,000)
Other than reflecting your firm’s production of PRCBs, did its
purchases of polyethylene change significantly since January 1,
2009?
III‐6c. Does your firm purchase inputs (polyethylene and other raw materials, labor, energy, or any
services) used in the production of PRCBs from any related suppliers (e.g., inclusive of
transactions between related firms, divisions and/or other components within the same
company)?
Yes‐‐Continue to question III‐7.
No‐‐Continue to question III‐9a.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire ‐ PRCBs
III‐7.
Page 19
Inputs from related suppliers.‐‐Please identify the inputs used in the production of PRCBs that
your firm purchases from related suppliers and that are reflected in table III‐9a. For “Share of
total COGS” please report this information by relevant input on the basis of your most recently
completed fiscal year. For “Input valuation” please describe the basis, as recorded in the
company’s own accounting system, of the purchase cost from the related supplier; e.g., the
related supplier’s actual cost, cost plus, negotiated transfer price to approximate fair market
value.
Input
Related supplier
Share of total COGS
Input valuation as recorded in the firm’s accounting books and records
III‐8.
Inputs from related suppliers at cost.‐‐Please confirm that the inputs purchased from related
suppliers, as identified in III‐7, were reported in III‐9a (financial results on PRCBs) in a manner
consistent with the firm’s accounting books and records.
Yes
No‐‐In the space below, please report the valuation basis of inputs purchased from related
suppliers as reported in table III‐9a.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire ‐ PRCBs
Page 20
III‐9a. Operations on PRCBs.‐‐Report the revenue and related cost information requested below on
the PRCBs operations of your firm’s U.S. establishment(s).1 Do not report resales of products.
Note that internal consumption and transfers to related firms must be valued at fair market
value. Input purchases from related suppliers should be consistent with and based on
information in the firm’s accounting books and records. Provide data for your firm’s six most
recently completed fiscal years, and for the specified interim periods. If your firm was involved
in tolling operations (either as the toller or as the tollee), please contact Charles Yost (202‐205‐
3432, Charles.Yost@usitc.gov) before completing this section of the questionnaire.
Quantity (in 1,000 bags) and value (in $1,000)
Fiscal years ended‐‐
Item
2009
Net sales quantities:2
Commercial sales (“CS”)
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
Internal consumption (“IC”)
Transfers to related firms
(“Transfers”)
0
0
0
0
0
0
Internal consumption
Transfers to related firms
0
0
0
0
0
0
Total net sales quantities
Net sales values:2
Commercial sales
Total net sales values
3
Cost of goods sold (COGS):
Raw materials
Direct labor
Other factory costs
Total COGS
0
0
0
0
0
0
Gross profit or (loss)
0
0
0
0
0
0
Selling, general, and administrative
(SG&A) expenses:
Selling expenses
General and administrative
expenses
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
All other expense items
All other income items
0
0
0
0
0
0
Total SG&A expenses
Operating income (loss)
Other expenses and income:
Interest expense
Net income or (loss) before income
taxes
Depreciation/amortization
included above
1
Include only sales (whether domestic or export) and costs related to your U.S. manufacturing operations.
2
Less discounts, returns, allowances, and prepaid freight. The quantities and values should approximate the corresponding shipment quantities
and values reported in Part II of this questionnaire.
3
COGS (whether for domestic or export sales) should include costs associated with CS, IC, and Transfers.
Note ‐‐ The table above contains calculations that will appear when you have entered data in the MS
Word form fields.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire ‐ PRCBs
Page 21
III‐9a. Operations on PRCBs.‐‐Continued
Quantity (in 1,000 bags) and value (in $1,000)
Item
January‐September 2014
January‐September 2015
3
Net sales quantities:
Commercial sales (“CS”)
Internal consumption (“IC”)
Transfers to related firms (“Transfers”)
0
0
Internal consumption
Transfers to related firms
0
0
Total net sales quantities
Net sales values:3
Commercial sales
Total net sales values
4
Cost of goods sold (COGS):
Raw materials
Direct labor
Other factory costs
Total COGS
0
0
Gross profit or (loss)
0
0
Selling, general, and administrative (SG&A)
expenses:
Selling expenses
General and administrative expenses
0
0
0
0
All other expense items
All other income items
Total SG&A expenses
Operating income (loss)
Other expenses and income:
Interest expense
Net income or (loss) before income taxes
Depreciation/amortization included above
0
0
1
Include only sales (whether domestic or export) and costs related to your U.S. manufacturing operations.
2
Less discounts, returns, allowances, and prepaid freight. The quantities and values should approximate the corresponding shipment quantities
and values reported in Part II of this questionnaire.
3
COGS (whether for domestic or export sales) should include costs associated with CS, IC, and Transfers.
Note ‐‐ The table above contains calculations that will appear when you have entered data in the MS
Word form fields.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire ‐ PRCBs
Page 22
III‐9b. Financial data reconciliation.‐‐The calculable line items from question III‐9a (i.e., total net sales
quantities and values, total COGS, gross profit (or loss), total SG&A, and net income (or loss))
have been calculated from the data submitted in the other line items. Do the calculated fields
return the correct data according to your firm's financial records ignoring non‐material
differences that may arise due to rounding?
Yes No‐‐If the calculated fields do not show the correct data, please double check the
feeder data for data entry errors and revise.
Also, check signs accorded to the post operating income line items; the two
expense line items should report positive numbers (i.e., expenses are
positive and incomes or reversals are negative‐‐instances of the latter
should be rare in those lines) while the income line item also in most
instances should have its value be a positive number (i.e., income is positive,
expenses or reversals are negative).
If after reviewing and potentially revising the feeder data your firm has
provided, the differences between your records and the calculated fields
persist please identify and discuss the differences in the space below.
III‐10. Nonrecurring items (charges and gains) included in the subject product financial results.‐‐For
each annual and interim period for which financial results are reported in question III‐9a, please
specify all material (significant) nonrecurring items (charges and gains) in the schedule below,
the specific table III‐9a line item where the nonrecurring items are included, a brief description
of the relevant nonrecurring items, and the associated values (in $1,000), as reflected in table
III‐9a; i.e., if an aggregate nonrecurring item has been allocated to table III‐9a, only the allocated
value amount included in table III‐9a should be reported in the schedule below. Note: The
Commission’s objective here is to gather information only on material (significant) nonrecurring
items which impacted the reported financial results of the subject product in table III‐9a.
Fiscal years ended‐‐
2009
2010
2011
2012
January‐September
2013
2014
2014
2015
Nonrecurring item: In this column please provide a
Nonrecurring item: In these columns please report the amount of the relevant nonrecurring
brief description of each nonrecurring item and
item reported in table III‐9a.
indicate the specific line item in table III‐9a where the
nonrecurring item is classified.
Value ($1,000)
1. , classified as
2. , classified as
3. , classified as
4. , classified as
5. , classified as
6. , classified as
7. , classified as
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire ‐ PRCBs
Page 23
III‐11. Please provide a brief description of the cost drivers of the following categories:
Raw materials (e.g., polyethylene):
Other factory costs:
SG&A expenses:
III‐12. Asset values.‐‐Report the total assets (i.e., both current and long‐term assets) associated with
the production, warehousing, and sale of PRCBs. If your firm does not maintain some or all of
the specific asset information necessary to calculate total assets for PRCBs in the normal course
of business, please estimate this information based upon a method (such as production, sales,
or costs) that is consistent with your firm’s cost allocations in the previous question. Provide
data as of the end of your firm’s six most recently completed fiscal years.
Note: Total assets should reflect net assets after any accumulated depreciation and allowances
deducted.
Total assets should be allocated to the subject products if these assets are also related to other
products. Please provide a brief explanation if there are any substantial changes in total asset
value during the period; e.g., due to asset write‐offs, revaluation, and major purchases.
Value (in $1,000)
Fiscal years ended‐‐
Item
2009
1
Total assets (net)
1
Describe
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire ‐ PRCBs
Page 24
III‐13. Capital expenditures and research and development expenses.‐‐Report your firm’s capital
expenditures and research and development expenses for PRCBs. Provide data for your firm’s
six most recently completed fiscal years, and for the specified interim periods.
Value (in $1,000)
Fiscal years ended‐‐
Item
2009
Capital
expenditures1
2010
2011
2012
January‐September
2013
2014
2014
2015
Research and
development
expenses2
1
Please indicate the nature, focus, and significance of your firm’s capital expenditures on PRCBs.
.
2
Please indicate the nature, focus, and significance of your firm’s research and development expenses on
PRCBs.
III‐14. Data consistency and reconciliation.‐‐Please indicate whether your firm’s financial data for
questions III‐9a, 12, and 13 are based on a calendar year or your firm’s fiscal year:
Calendar year
Fiscal year Specify fiscal year
Please note the quantities and values reported in question III‐9a should reconcile with the data
reported in question II‐6 (including export shipments) as long as they are reported on the same
calendar year basis.
Do these data in question III‐9a reconcile with data in question II‐6?
Yes
No
If no, please explain.
III‐15. Other explanations.‐‐If your firm would like to further explain a response to a question in Part III
that did not provide a narrative 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. Producers’ Questionnaire ‐ PRCBs
Page 25
PART IV.‐‐PRICING AND MARKET FACTORS
Further information on this part of the questionnaire can be obtained Craig Thomsen (202‐205‐3226,
Craig.Thomsen@usitc.gov).
IV‐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 IV.
Name
Title
Email
Telephone
Fax
PRICE DATA
IV‐2. This question requests quarterly quantity and value data for your firm’s commercial shipments
to unrelated U.S. customers of the following products produced by your firm.
Product 1.‐‐“T‐shirt sack”‐style bag with (a) dimensions 8‐9" width x 4‐6" side x 15‐17" length,
(b) 11‐13 microns film thickness, (c) side gussets, and (d) printed with one or two
colors on at least one side (5‐30 percent ink coverage for entire bag). Typically,
these PRCBs weigh between 4.7 and 7.9 pounds per 1,000 bags.
Product 2.‐‐“T‐shirt sack”‐style bag with (a) dimensions 10‐11" width x 6.5‐7" side x 17‐20"
length, (b) 12‐15 microns film thickness, (c) side gussets, and (d) printed with one or
two colors on at least one side (5‐30 percent ink coverage for entire bag). Typically,
these PRCBs weigh between 8.1 and 13.2 pounds per 1,000 bags.
Product 3.‐‐“T‐shirt sack”‐style bag with (a) dimensions 11.5‐12" width x 6.5‐7" side x 20‐22"
length, (b) 12‐15 microns film thickness, (c) side gussets, and (d) printed with one or
two colors on at least one side (5‐30 percent ink coverage for entire bag). Typically,
these PRCBs weigh between 10.2 and 15.3 pounds per 1,000 bags.
Product 4.‐‐“T‐shirt sack”‐style bag with (a) dimensions 15‐16" width x 7‐9" side x 27‐30" length,
(b) 15‐18 microns film thickness, (c) side gussets, and (d) printed with one or two
colors on at least one side (5‐30 percent ink coverage for entire bag). Typically,
these PRCBs weigh between 21.8 and 33.4 pounds per 1,000 bags.
Product 5.‐‐Die‐cut‐handle‐style merchandise bags with (a) dimensions 15‐17" width x 3‐5" side
x 20‐25" length, (b) 20‐24 microns film thickness, (c) side gussets, and (d) printed
with at least two colors on at least one side (5‐50 percent ink coverage for entire
bag).
Product 6.‐‐Die‐cut‐handle‐style merchandise bags with (a) dimensions 15‐18" width x 17‐19"
length, (b) 31‐39 microns film thickness, (c) no side gussets, and (d) with or without
a bottom gusset of up to 6" (3" plus 3"), and (e) printed with at least two colors on
at least one side (5‐50 percent ink coverage for entire bag).
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire ‐ PRCBs
Page 26
IV‐2. ‐‐Continued
Product 7.‐‐Merchandise or carry‐out bag with (a) rope drawstring attached, (b) dimensions 15‐
18" width x 16‐20" length (with or without bottom gusset), (c) 30‐60 microns film
thickness, and (d) print with 1‐6 colors (5‐100 percent ink coverage for entire bag).
Product 8.‐‐Heat‐sealed, square‐bottomed merchandise or carry‐out bag with or without a
bottom cardboard insert, having (a) dimensions 11‐18" width x 4‐8" side x 12‐20"
length (with or without side gusset, (b) 50‐150 microns film thickness, (d) separately
applied flat flexible plastic handle, and (e) print with 1‐6 colors on up to 5 sides (5‐
100 percent ink coverage for entire bag).
For your sales of product 8, data that your firm is reporting represent PRCBs that:
Have cardboard inserts:
Do not have cardboard inserts:
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).
(a) During January 2009‐September 2015, did your firm produce 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 IV‐3.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire ‐ PRCBs
Page 27
IV‐2(b). Price data.‐‐Report below the quarterly price data1 for pricing products2 produced and sold by
your firm. Please report quantity data in pounds and value data in actual dollars (not 1,000s).
Period of
shipment
2009:
Jan‐March
April‐June
July‐Sept
Oct‐Dec
2010:
Jan‐March
April‐June
July‐Sept
Oct‐Dec
2011:
Jan‐March
April‐June
July‐Sept
Oct‐Dec
2012:
Jan‐March
April‐June
July‐Sept
Oct‐Dec
2013:
Jan‐March
April‐June
July‐Sept
Oct‐Dec
2014:
Jan‐March
April‐June
July‐Sept
Oct‐Dec
2015:
Jan‐March
April‐June
July‐Sept
1
Product 1
Quantity
Value
(pounds)
(dollars)
Product 2
Quantity
Value
(pounds)
(dollars)
Product 3
Quantity
Value
(pounds)
(dollars)
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 IV.
Note.‐‐If your firm’s product does not exactly meet the product specifications but is competitive with the specified product, provide a
description of the product. Also, please explain any anomalies in your firm’s reported pricing data.
Product 1:
Product 2:
Product 3:
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire ‐ PRCBs
Page 28
IV‐2(b). ‐‐Continued
Please report quantity data in pounds and value data in actual dollars (not 1,000s).
Period of
shipment
2009:
Jan‐March
April‐June
July‐Sept
Oct‐Dec
2010:
Jan‐March
April‐June
July‐Sept
Oct‐Dec
2011:
Jan‐March
April‐June
July‐Sept
Oct‐Dec
2012:
Jan‐March
April‐June
July‐Sept
Oct‐Dec
2013:
Jan‐March
April‐June
July‐Sept
Oct‐Dec
2014:
Jan‐March
April‐June
July‐Sept
Oct‐Dec
2015:
Jan‐March
April‐June
July‐Sept
1
Product 4
Quantity
Value
(pounds)
(dollars)
Product 5
Quantity
Value
(pounds)
(dollars)
Product 6
Quantity
Value
(pounds)
(dollars)
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 IV.
Note.‐‐If your firm’s product does not exactly meet the product specifications but is competitive with the specified product, provide a
description of the product. Also, please explain any anomalies in your firm’s reported pricing data.
Product 4:
Product 5:
Product 6:
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire ‐ PRCBs
Page 29
IV‐2(b). ‐‐Continued
Please report quantity data in pounds and value data in actual dollars (not 1,000s).
Period of
shipment
2009:
Jan‐March
April‐June
July‐Sept
Oct‐Dec
2010:
Jan‐March
April‐June
July‐Sept
Oct‐Dec
2011:
Jan‐March
April‐June
July‐Sept
Oct‐Dec
2012:
Jan‐March
April‐June
July‐Sept
Oct‐Dec
2013:
Jan‐March
April‐June
July‐Sept
Oct‐Dec
2014:
Jan‐March
April‐June
July‐Sept
Oct‐Dec
2015:
Jan‐March
April‐June
July‐Sept
1
Product 7
Quantity (pounds)
Value (dollars)
Product 8
Quantity (pounds)
Value (dollars)
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 IV.
Note.‐‐If your firm’s product does not exactly meet the product specifications but is competitive with the specified product,
provide a description of the product. Also, please explain any anomalies in your firm’s reported pricing data.
Product 7:
Product 8:
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire ‐ PRCBs
Page 30
IV‐2(c). 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.
IV‐3.
Price setting.‐‐How does your firm determine the prices that it charges for sales of PRCBs (check
all that apply)? If your firm issues price lists, please submit sample pages of a recent list.
Transaction
by
transaction
Contracts
IV‐4.
Set
price
lists
Auctions
Other
If other, describe
Discount policy.‐‐Please indicate and describe your firm’s discount policies (check all that apply).
Quantity
discounts
Annual
total
volume
discounts
No
discount
policy
Other
Describe
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire ‐ PRCBs
IV‐5.
Page 31
Internet sales.‐‐Please indicate the quantity of your sales that were made via the internet in
2014, and the manner in which those sales were made.
pounds
Total quantity of 2014 sales made via internet (in pounds):
Of these internet sales, what proportion were via:
Share of quantity
reported above
(percent)
Own website direct sales?
%
Other’s website indirect sales?
%
Bidding in online reverse auctions?
%
Other? (describe: )
%
Total: (should equal 100.0 percent)
0.0
%
How have your sales via
the internet changed
since January 1, 2009?
Changes since January 1,
2009
IV‐6.
(a)
Explain
What are your firm’s typical sales terms for its U.S.‐produced PRCBs?
Net 60
days
Yes
Pricing terms.‐‐
Net 30
days
No
(b)
2/10 net
30 days
Other
Other (specify)
On what basis are your firm’s prices of domestic PRCBs usually quoted (check one)?
Delivered
F.o.b.
If f.o.b., specify point
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire ‐ PRCBs
IV‐7.
Page 32
Contract versus spot.‐‐Approximately what share of your firm’s sales of its U.S.‐produced PRCBs
in 2014 (based on quantity) was on a (1) long‐term contract basis, (2) annual contract basis, (3)
short‐term contract basis, and (4) spot sales basis?
Long‐term
contracts
(multiple
deliveries for
more than 12
months)
Share of 2014
sales
IV‐8.
%
Type of sale
Short‐term
Annual
contracts
contracts
(multiple
(multiple
deliveries for
deliveries for 12
less than 12
months)
months)
%
Total
(should
sum to
100.0%)
Spot sales
(for a single
delivery)
%
%
0.0 %
Contract provisions.—Please fill out the table regarding your firm’s typical sales contracts for
U.S.‐produced PRCBs (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
Average contract
duration
Item
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)
# of days
365
Price renegotiation
(during contract
period)
Yes
No
Quantity
Price
Both
Yes
No
Fixed quantity
and/or price
Meet or release
provision
Not applicable
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire ‐ PRCBs
IV‐9.
Page 33
Lead times.‐‐What is the typical lead time between a customer’s order and the date of delivery
for your firm’s sales of its U.S.‐produced PRCBs?
Share of 2014 Lead time (average
Source
sales
number of days)
From inventory
%
Produced to order
%
Total (should sum to 100.0%)
0.0 %
IV‐10. Shipping information.‐‐
(a)
What is the approximate percentage of the total delivered cost of U.S.‐produced PRCBs
that is accounted for by U.S. inland transportation costs? %
(b)
Who generally arranges the transportation to your firm’s customers’ locations?
Your firm Purchaser (check one)
(c)
Indicate the approximate percentage of your firm’s sales of PRCBs that are delivered the
following distances from your firm’s production facility.
Distance from production facility
Share
Within 100 miles
%
101 to 1,000 miles
%
Over 1,000 miles
%
Total (should sum to 100.0%)
0.0 %
IV‐11. Geographical shipments.‐‐In which U.S. geographic market area(s) has your firm sold its U.S.‐
produced PRCBs since January 1, 2009 (check all that apply)?
Geographic area
√ if applicable
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.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire ‐ PRCBs
Page 34
IV‐12. Substitutes.‐‐
(a)
Can other products be substituted for PRCBs?
No
Yes‐‐Please fill out the table.
End use in which this
substitute is used
Substitute
No Yes
Explanation
1.
2.
3.
(b)
Have there been any changes in the number or types of products that can be
substituted for PRCBs since January 1, 2009? Do you anticipate any future changes?
Changes in
substitutes
Have changes in the price of this substitute
affected the price for PRCBs?
No Yes
Explain
Changes since
January 1, 2009
Anticipated
changes
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire ‐ PRCBs
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IV‐13. Availability of supply.‐‐Has the availability of PRCBs in the U.S. market changed since January 1,
2009? Do you anticipate any future changes?
Availability in the U.S.
Please explain, noting the countries and reasons for the
market
No Yes changes.
Changes since January 1, 2009:
U.S.‐produced product
Subject imports
Nonsubject China,
Malaysia, or Thailand
Other nonsubject imports
U.S.‐produced product
Subject imports
Nonsubject China,
Malaysia, or Thailand
Other nonsubject imports
Anticipated changes:
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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire ‐ PRCBs
Page 36
IV‐14. Demand trends.—
(a)
Has the passage of laws regulating the use and disposal of PRCBs affected demand for
PRCBs in the United States since January 1, 2009?
No
Yes‐‐If yes, please estimate the size of the change in demand:
Increased
Decreased by percent
Please report the characteristics of PRCBs covered by these regulations, the location(s),
and the relevant time frame:
(b)
Do you expect the passage of additional laws in the United States regulating the use and
disposal of PRCBs in the next 1‐2 years that would affect future demand for PRCBs?
No
Yes‐‐If yes, please estimate the size of the change in demand:
Increase
Decrease by percent
Please report the characteristics of PRCBs covered by these regulations, the location(s),
and the relevant time frame:
(c)
Please indicate how other changes in demand within the United States and outside of
the United States (if known) for PRCBs has changed since January 1, 2009, 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
Fluctuate
with no
Overall
No
Overall
increase change decrease clear trend
Explanation and factors
Demand since January 1, 2009
Within
the U.S.
Outside
the U.S.
Anticipated future demand
Within
the U.S.
Outside
the U.S.
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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire ‐ PRCBs
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IV‐15. Product changes.‐‐ Have there been any significant changes in the product range, product mix,
or marketing of PRCBs since January 1, 2009? Do you anticipate any future changes?
Changes in
product range,
product mix, or
marketing
No Yes
Changes since
January 1, 2009
Anticipated
changes
Explain
IV‐16. Conditions of competition.‐‐
(a) Is the PRCBs market subject to business cycles (other than general economy‐wide
conditions) and/or other conditions of competition distinctive to PRCBs?
Check all that apply.
Please describe.
No
Skip to question IV‐17.
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
PRCBs since January 1, 2009?
No
Yes
If yes, describe.
IV‐17. Supply constraints.‐‐Has your firm refused, declined, or been unable to supply PRCBs since
January 1, 2009 (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.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire ‐ PRCBs
Page 38
IV‐18. Raw materials.‐‐ Indicate how PRCBs raw materials prices have changed since January 1, 2009,
and how you expect they will change in the future.
Fluctuate
with no
clear
Overall
No
Overall
trend
increase change decrease
Raw
materials
prices
Explain, noting how raw material
price changes have affected your
firm’s selling prices for PRCBs.
Changes since
January 1,
2009
Anticipated
changes
IV‐19. Price comparisons.‐‐Please compare market prices of PRCBs in U.S. and non‐U.S. markets, if
known. Provide specific information as to time periods and regions for any price comparisons.
IV‐20. 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 PRCBs 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, Indonesia, Malaysia, Taiwan,
Thailand, and Vietnam, and (3) the world as a whole. Of particular interest is such data from
2009 to the present and forecasts for the future.
IV‐21. Export constraints.‐‐Describe how easily your firm can shift its sales of PRCBs between the U.S.
market and alternative country markets. In your discussion, please describe any contracts,
other sales arrangements, or other constraints that would prevent or retard your firm from
shifting PRCBs between the U.S. and alternative country markets within a 12‐month period.
IV‐22. Barriers to trade.‐‐Are your firm’s exports of PRCBs subject to any tariff or non‐tariff barriers to
trade in other countries?
No
Yes
If yes, please list the countries and describe any such barriers and any
significant changes in such barriers that have occurred since January 1,
2009, or that are expected to occur in the future.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire ‐ PRCBs
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IV‐23. Interchangeability.‐‐Are PRCBs 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
United States
China
(subject)
Indonesia
Malaysia
(subject)
Taiwan
Thailand
(subject)
Vietnam
Other sources, including
Nonsubject producers
from China, Malaysia,
and/or Thailand (please
specify: )
China (subject)
Indonesia
Malaysia
(subject)
Taiwan
Thailand
(subject)
Vietnam
For any country‐pair producing PRCBs that is sometimes or never interchangeable, identify the country‐pair and
explain the factors that limit or preclude interchangeable use:
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire ‐ PRCBs
Page 40
IV‐24. Factors other than price.‐‐Are differences other than price (e.g., quality, availability,
transportation network, product range, technical support, etc.) between PRCBs 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
United States
China
(subject)
Indonesia
Malaysia
(subject)
Taiwan
Thailand
(subject)
Vietnam
Other sources, including
Nonsubject producers
from China, Malaysia,
and/or Thailand (please
specify: )
China (subject)
Indonesia
Malaysia
(subject)
Taiwan
Thailand
(subject)
Vietnam
For any country‐pair for which factors other than price always or frequently are a significant factor in your
firm’s sales of PRCBs, identify the country‐pair and report the advantages or disadvantages imparted by such
factors:
IV‐25. Other explanations.‐‐If your firm would like to further explain a response to a question in Part
IV 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. Producers’ Questionnaire ‐ PRCBs
Page 41
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/polyethylene_retail_carrier_bags_ch
ina_indonesia/second_review_full.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: PRCB
• E‐mail.—E‐mail the MS Word questionnaire to Keysha.Martinez@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 produce this product, please fill out page 1, print, sign, and submit a scanned copy
to the Commission.
Parties to this proceeding.—If your firm is a party to this proceeding, it is required to serve a copy of the
completed questionnaire on parties to the proceeding that are subject to administrative protective
order (see 19 CFR § 207.7). A list of such parties may be obtained from the Commission’s Secretary (202‐
205‐1803). A certificate of service must accompany the completed questionnaire you submit (see 19 CFR
§ 207.7). Service of the questionnaire must be made in paper form.
| File Type | application/pdf |
| File Title | Microsoft Word - US Producer questionnaire_PRCBs |
| Author | keysha.martinez |
| File Modified | 2015-11-06 |
| File Created | 2015-11-06 |