Form 16-1-3444 U.S. Producer Questionnaire

Information collections for import injury investigations (producers, importers, purchasers, and foreign producer questionnaires and institution notices for 5-year reviews)

US Producer questionnaire-tissue

Tissue Paper from China, Inv. No. 731-TA-1070B (2nd Review)

OMB: 3117-0016

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OMB No. 3117-0016/USITC No. 16-1-3444; Expiration Date: 6/30/2017
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U.S. PRODUCERS’ QUESTIONNAIRE
CERTAIN TISSUE PAPER PRODUCTS FROM CHINA
This questionnaire must be received by the Commission by March 8, 2016
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 antidumping duty order concerning certain tissue paper products (“tissue paper”) from
China (Inv. No. 731-TA-1070B (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 tissue paper (as defined on the next page) at any time since January 1, 2010?

(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: TISSUE)
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, the undersigned, acknowledge that information submitted in response to this request for information and throughout this
investigation or other proceeding may be disclosed to and used:
(i) by the Commission, its employees and Offices, and contract personnel (a) for developing or maintaining the records of this or a
related proceeding, or (b) in internal investigations, audits, reviews, and evaluations relating to the programs, personnel, and
operations of the Commission including under 5 U.S.C. Appendix 3; or
(ii) by U.S. government employees and contract personnel, solely for cybersecurity purposes. I understand that all contract
personnel will sign appropriate nondisclosure agreements.
Name of Authorized Official

Title of Authorized Official

Date

Phone:
Signature

Fax:

Email address

Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - Tissue Paper

Page 2

PART I.—GENERAL INFORMATION
Background. On March 30, 2005, the Department of Commerce issued an antidumping duty order on
imports of tissue paper from China. On June 1, 2015, the Commission instituted a review 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 order 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 an
affirmative determination, the order will remain in place. If either the Commission or Commerce makes
a negative determination, the Department of Commerce will revoke the order. Questionnaires and
other information pertinent to this proceeding are available at
http://wwwadmin.usitc.gov/investigations/701731/2015/certain_tissue_paper_products_china/second
_review_full.htm
Tissue paper products covered by the Order are cut-to-length sheets of tissue paper having a basis
weight not exceeding 29 grams per square meter. Tissue paper products subject to this order may or
may not be bleached, dye-colored, surface-colored, glazed, surface decorated or printed, sequined,
crinkled, embossed, and/or die cut. The tissue paper subject to this order is in the form of cut-to-length
sheets of tissue paper with a width equal to or greater than one-half (0.5) inch. Subject tissue paper may
be flat or folded, and may be packaged by banding or wrapping with paper or film, by placing in plastic
or film bags, and/or by placing in boxes for distribution and use by the ultimate consumer. Packages of
tissue paper subject to this order may consist solely of tissue paper of one color and/or style, or may
contain multiple colors and/or styles.
The merchandise subject to this order does not have specific classification numbers assigned to them
under the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS). Subject merchandise may be under
one or more of several different subheadings, including: 4802.30, 4802.54, 4802.61, 4802.62, 4802.69,
4804.31.1000, 4804.31.2000, 4804.31.4020, 4804.31.4040, 4804.31.6000, 4804.39, 4805.91.1090,
4805.91.5000, 4805.91.7000, 4806.40, 4808.30, 4808.90, 4811.90, 4823.90, 4802.50.00, 4802.90.00,
4805.91.90, 9505.90.40. The tariff classifications are provided for convenience and customs purposes;
however, the written description of the scope of this order is dispositive.1
Excluded from the scope of this order are the following tissue paper products: (1) tissue paper products
that are coated in wax, paraffin, or polymers, of a kind used in floral and food service applications; (2)
tissue paper products that have been perforated, embossed, or die-cut to the shape of a toilet seat, i.e.,
disposable sanitary covers for toilet seats; and (3) toilet or facial tissue stock towel or napkin stock,
paper of a kind used for household or sanitary purposes, cellulose wadding, and webs of cellulose fibers
(HTSUS 4803.00.20.00 and 4803.00.40.00).
Subject tissue paper includes both bulk and consumer tissue paper products defined as follow:
Bulk tissue paper is not resold, but is used to wrap or package the purchaser's customers' purchases, as
dunnage, filler, interleaving, etc., and is incidental to the purchase of another item. Bulk tissue is
generally sold by ream (480-500 sheets) but may also be sold in half-ream or multiple-ream quantities or
by weight. It is generally sold flat or quire-folded packaged in sealed polybags and/or corrugated boxes.
Bulk tissue paper is generally plain white or solid color but may be printed with various designs.

On January 30, 2007, at the direction of CBP, the Department added the following HTSUS classifications to the
AD/CVD module for tissue paper: 4802.54.3100, 4802.54.6100, and 4823.90.6700. However, we note that the six
digit classifications for these numbers were already listed in the scope.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - Tissue Paper

Page 3

Consumer tissue paper is sold to purchasers in packaged form and ready for resale to their customers,
the final end users. Consumer tissue is usually sold folded (tissue folds) in various formats and sheet
counts (5-400 sheets). Consumer tissue paper is generally plain white or solid color but may be printed
with various designs and may also include specialty tissue paper such as handmade, die-cut, hotstamped, or spot-glitter tissue paper. Club packs are consumer tissue that are sold either flat or folded
usually in quantities of 100-400 sheets.
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
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 - Tissue Paper
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.
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.
I-2.

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 tissue paper, 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

I-3.

Additional discussion on establishments consolidated in this questionnaire:

Position regarding continuation of order.--Does your firm support or oppose continuation of
the antidumping duty order currently in place for tissue paper from the following country?
Country
China

Support

Oppose

Take no position

Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - Tissue Paper
I-4.

Ownership.--Is your firm owned, in whole or in part, by any other firm?
No

Yes--List the following information.

Firm name

I-5.

Address

Extent of
ownership
(percent)

Related SUBJECT importers/exporters.--Does your firm have any related firms, either domestic
or foreign, that are engaged in importing tissue paper from China into the United States or that
are engaged in exporting tissue paper from China to the United States?
No

Yes--List the following information.

Firm name

I-6.

Page 5

Address

Affiliation

Related NONSUBJECT importers/exporters.--Does your firm have any related firms, either
domestic or foreign, that are engaged in importing tissue paper from countries other than China
into the United States or that are engaged in exporting tissue paper from countries other than
China to the United States?
No

Yes--List the following information.

Firm name and country

Address

Affiliation

Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - Tissue Paper
I-7.

Related producers.--Does your firm have any related firms, either domestic or foreign, that are
engaged in the production of tissue paper?
No

Yes--List the following information.

Firm name

I-8.

Page 6

Address

Affiliation

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 tissue paper?

Yes

If yes, please provide the requested documents. If you are not providing the
requested documents, please explain why not.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - Tissue Paper

Page 7

PART II.--TRADE AND RELATED INFORMATION
Further information on this part of the questionnaire can be obtained from Justin Enck (202-205-3363,
Justin.enck@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 bulk and/or consumer tissue paper (specify as
appropriate) since January 1, 2010.
Check as many as appropriate.
Plant openings
Plant closings
Relocations
Expansions
Acquisitions
Consolidations
Prolonged shutdowns or
production curtailments
Revised labor agreements
Other (e.g., technology)

Please describe.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - Tissue Paper
II-3.

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 tissue
paper in the future?
No

II-4.

Page 8

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 bulk and/or consumer tissue paper (specify as
appropriate) (in 1,000 square meters) for 2016 and 2017.

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 tissue paper in the future if the antidumping duty order on
tissue paper from China were to be revoked?
No

Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - Tissue Paper

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 tissue paper, 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 square meters)
Calendar year
Item

2013

2014

2015

Overall production capacity
Production of:
Bulk tissue paper1
Consumer tissue paper
Other products

Total
1

Data entered for production of bulk tissue paper will populate here once reported in question II-6.
Data entered for production of consumer tissue paper will populate here once reported in question II-8.
3
Please identify these products:
.
2

II-5b.

Operating parameters.--The production capacity reported in II-5a is based on operating
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.

II-5e.

Product shifting.--Is your firm able to switch production (capacity) between tissue paper and other
products using the same equipment and/or labor?
No

hours

Yes-- (i.e., have produced other products or are able to produce other
products). Please identify other actual or potential products:
.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - Tissue Paper
II-5f.

Page 10

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.

Production, shipment and inventory data.--Report your firm’s production capacity, production,
shipments, and inventories related to the production of tissue paper 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 - Tissue Paper
II-6.

Page 11

Bulk tissue paper production, shipment and inventory data.

Bulk tissue paper is not resold, but is used to wrap or package the purchaser's customers' purchases, as
dunnage, filler, interleaving, etc., and is incidental to the purchase of another item. Bulk tissue is
generally sold by ream (480-500 sheets) but may also be sold in half-ream or multiple-ream quantities or
by weight. It is generally sold flat or quire-folded packaged in sealed polybags and/or corrugated boxes.
Bulk tissue paper is generally plain white or solid color but may be printed with various designs.
Quantity (in 1,000 square meters), value (in 1,000 dollars)
Calendar year
Item

2013

2014

2015

Average production capacity (quantity) (A)
Beginning-of-period inventories (quantity)
(B)
Production (quantity) (C)
U.S. shipments:
Commercial shipments:
quantity (D)
value (E)
Internal consumption:2
quantity (F)
value (G)
Transfers to related firms:2
quantity (H)
value (I)
Export shipments:3
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.
.
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:
.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - Tissue Paper
II-6.

Page 12

Bulk tissue paper 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

2013

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

II-7.

2014

2015

Bulk tissue paper channels of distribution.-- Report your firm’s commercial U.S. shipments by
channel of distribution.
Quantity (in 1,000 square meters)
Calendar year
Item

2013

2014

2015

Channels of distribution:
U.S. commercial shipments to:
distributors/marketers (quantity) (M)
end users/industrial user (quantity) (N)
club stores and other retailers (quantity) (O)1
internet/catalog only retailers (quantity) (P)2
other, specify 3 (quantity) (Q)
1

For example, BJ’s, Costco, or Sam’s Club.
Retailers that do not have “brick and mortar” sales locations (e.g., Amazon, Nashville Wraps, Uline).
3
Specify:
_________________
2

RECONCILIATION OF CHANNELS.--Please ensure that the quantities reported for channels of distribution
(i.e., lines M, N,O, P and Q) 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
Item
M + N + O + P + Q – D = zero ("0"), if not
revise.

2013

2014
0

2015
0

Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - Tissue Paper
II-8.

Page 13

Consumer tissue paper production, shipment and inventory data.

Consumer tissue paper is sold to purchasers for resale to a final end user and is generally sold in
packaged form ready for resale to the final customer. Consumer tissue is usually sold folded (tissue
folds) in various formats and sheet counts (5-400 sheets). Consumer tissue paper is generally plain
white or solid color but may be printed with various designs and may also include specialty tissue paper
such as handmade, die-cut, hot-stamped, or spot-glitter tissue paper. Club packs are consumer tissue
that are sold either flat or folded usually in quantities of 100-400 sheets.
Quantity (in 1,000 square meters), value (in 1,000 dollars)
Calendar year
Item

2013

2014

2015

Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - Tissue Paper
II-8.

Page 14

Consumer tissue paper production, shipment and inventory data.--Continued

2013

B + C – D – F – H – J – L = should equal zero
("0") or provide an explanation.1
II-9.

2014
0

2015
0

Consumer tissue paper channels of distribution.-- Report your firm’s commercial U.S.
shipments by channel of distribution.
Quantity (in 1,000 square meters)
Calendar year
Item

2013

2014

2015

For example, BJ’s, Costco, or Sam’s Club.
Retailers that do not have “brick and mortar” sales locations (e.g., Amazon, Nashville Wraps, Uline).
3
Specify:
_________________
2

RECONCILIATION OF CHANNELS.--Please ensure that the quantities reported for channels of distribution
(i.e., lines M, N,O, P and Q) 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
Item
M + N + O + P + Q – D = zero ("0"), if not
revise.

2013

2014
0

2015
0

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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - Tissue Paper

Page 15

II-10.

Transfers to related firms.--If your firm reported transfers to related firms in questions II-6 or II8, 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.

II-11.

Historical tissue paper shipments data (2010-12).-- Report the quantity and value of your firm’s
U.S. shipments (include commercial shipments, internal consumption, and transfers, but do not
include exports) of tissue paper produced in your U.S. establishment(s) during the specified
periods.
Quantity (in 1,000 square meters), value (in 1,000 dollars)
Item

2010

2011

2012

Bulk tissue paper
Quantity
Value
Quantity (in 1,000 square meters), value (in 1,000 dollars)
Item
Consumer tissue paper
Quantity
Value

2010

2011

2012

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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - Tissue Paper

Page 16

II-12.

Physical characteristics of U.S. shipments of bulk and consumer tissue paper produced in the
United States.—Report quantities of your firm’s 2015 U.S. shipments of tissue paper that fit the
physical characteristics listed in the table below.

(a)

U.S. shipments by format.-Bulk
Consumer
Quantity (in 1,000 square meters)
U.S. shipments by format.-Folded (R)
Flat (S)
Reconciliation: R+S – D+F+H
= 0, or revise 1
1

If the calculated reconciliation field is returning a value other than zero, please correct the data
prior to submission to the Commission.

(b)

U.S. shipments by sheet count.-Bulk
Consumer
Quantity (in 1,000 square meters)
U.S. shipments by sheet
count.-100 sheets or less (T)
101-200 (U)
201-300 (V)
301-400 (W)
401-500 (X)
500 sheets or more (Y)
Reconciliation: T+U+V
+W+X+Y – D+F+H = 0, or
revise1
1

If the calculated reconciliation field is returning a value other than zero, please correct the data
prior to submission to the Commission.

(c)

U.S. shipments by color or finish.-Bulk
Consumer
Quantity (in 1,000 square meters)
U.S. shipments by color or
finish.-White (Z)
Color (AA)
Specialty(BB)1
Reconciliation: Z+AA+BB–
D+F+H = 0, or revise2
1

Prints, patterns, logos, other specialty
2
If the calculated reconciliation field is returning a value other than zero, please correct the data
prior to submission to the Commission.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - Tissue Paper
II-13.

Page 17

Employment data.--Report your firm’s employment data related to the production of tissue
paper 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.
“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

2013

2014

2015

Employment data (bulk tissue paper):
Average number of PRWs (number)
Hours worked by PRWs (1,000 hours)
Wages paid to PRWs ($1,000)
Calendar year
Item
Employment data (consumer tissue paper):
Average number of PRWs (number)
Hours worked by PRWs (1,000 hours)
Wages paid to PRWs ($1,000)
Explanation of trends:

2013

2014

2015

Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - Tissue Paper
II-14.

Page 18

Purchases.--Other than direct imports, has your firm purchased tissue paper since January 1,
2013?
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 square meters)
Calendar year
Items

2013

2014

2015

Bulk tissue paper
1

Purchases from U.S. importers .—
China
All other sources
Purchases from domestic producers2
Purchases from other sources2
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
Please list the name of the producer(s) or U.S. distributor(s) from which your firm purchased this product:

Quantity (in 1,000 square meters)
Calendar year
Items

2013

2014

2015

Consumer tissue paper
1

Purchases from U.S. importers .—
China
All other sources
Purchases from domestic producers2
Purchases from other sources2
1

Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - Tissue Paper
II-15.

Page 19

Toll production.--Since January 1, 2010, has your firm been involved in a toll agreement
regarding the production of tissue paper?
“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

II-16.

Yes-- Please describe the toll arrangement(s) and name the firm(s) involved.

Foreign trade zones.-(a)

Firm's FTZ operations.--Does your firm produce tissue paper in and/or admit tissue
paper 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

(b)

Yes--Describe the nature of your firms operations in FTZs and
identify the specific FTZ site(s).

Other firms' FTZ operations.--To your knowledge, do any firms in the United States
import tissue paper into a foreign trade zone (FTZ) for use in distribution of tissue paper
and/or the production of downstream articles?
No/Don’t know

Yes--Identify the firms and the FTZs.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - Tissue Paper
II-17.

Page 20

Direct imports.--Since January 1, 2010, has your firm imported tissue paper?
“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

II-18.

Effect of order.--Describe the significance of the existing antidumping duty order covering
imports of tissue paper from China 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 on bulk and/or consumer tissue paper (specify as
appropriate) before and after the imposition of the order.

II-19.

Likely effect of revocation of order.--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 bulk and/or consumer tissue paper (specify as appropriate) in the
future if the antidumping duty order on tissue paper from China were to be revoked?
No

II-20.

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.

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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - Tissue Paper

Page 21

PART III.--FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Address questions on this part of the questionnaire to Charles Yost (202-205-3432,
Charles.yost@usitc.gov).
III-1.

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 tissue paper:

2.
3.

Does your firm prepare profit/loss statements for tissue paper:
Yes
No
How often did your firm (or parent company) prepare financial statements (including
annual reports, 10Ks)? Please check relevant items below.
Audited,
unaudited,
annual reports,
10Ks,
10 Qs,
Monthly,
quarterly,
semi-annually,
annually
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 tissue paper, 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.).

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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - Tissue Paper

Page 22

III-4.

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
tissue paper, and provide the share of net sales accounted for by these products in your firm’s
most recent fiscal year.
Products

Share of sales

Bulk tissue paper

Consumer tissue paper

%
%
%
%

III-6a. Does your firm primarily convert rolls purchased from outside suppliers to tissue paper?
Yes--Continue to questions III-9/III-10.

No--Continue to question III-6b.

III-6b. Does your firm purchase inputs (raw materials, labor, energy, or any services) used in the
production of tissue paper 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-9 and III-10.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - Tissue Paper
III-7.

Page 23

Inputs from related suppliers.--Please identify the inputs used in the production of tissue paper
(whether bulk or consumer) that your firm purchases from related suppliers and that are
reflected in tables III-9/III-10. 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 tissue paper) 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.

NOTE: Please provide your financial data separately for bulk tissue paper and consumer tissue
paper as indicated in the following questions.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - Tissue Paper
III-9.

Page 24

Operations on bulk tissue paper.--Report the revenue and related cost information requested
below on the bulk tissue paper 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 three most recently completed fiscal years. If your firm was involved in tolling operations
(either as the toller or as the tollee), please contact to Charles Yost (202-205-3432,
Charles.yost@usitc.gov). before completing this section of the questionnaire.
Quantity (in 1,000 square meters) and value (in $1,000)
Fiscal years ended-Item

2013

2014

2015

Net sales quantities:
Commercial sales (“CS”)
Internal consumption (“IC”)
Transfers to related firms (“Transfers”)

Total COGS

Gross profit or (loss)

Total net sales quantities
2

Net sales values:
Commercial sales
Internal consumption
Transfers to related firms
Total net sales values
Cost of goods sold (COGS):
Raw materials

Direct labor
Other factory costs

Selling, general, and administrative (SG&A)
expenses:
Selling expenses
General and administrative expenses
Total SG&A expenses
Operating income (loss)
Other expenses and income:
Interest expense
All other expense items
All other income items
Net income or (loss) before income taxes
Depreciation/amortization included above

Note -- The table above contains calculations that will appear when you have entered data in the MS
Word form fields.

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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - Tissue Paper

Page 25

III-10. Operations on consumer tissue paper.--Report the revenue and related cost information
requested below on the consumer tissue paper 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 three most recently completed fiscal years. If your firm was involved in
tolling operations (either as the toller or as the tollee), please contact to Charles Yost (202-2053432, Charles.yost@usitc.gov). before completing this section of the questionnaire.
Quantity (in 1,000 square meters) and value (in $1,000)
Fiscal years ended-Item

2013

2014

2015

Net sales quantities:
Commercial sales (“CS”)
Internal consumption (“IC”)
Transfers to related firms (“Transfers”)

Total COGS

Gross profit or (loss)

Total net sales quantities
2

Net sales values:
Commercial sales
Internal consumption
Transfers to related firms
Total net sales values
Cost of goods sold (COGS):
Raw materials

Direct labor
Other factory costs

Note -- The table above contains calculations that will appear when you have entered data in the MS
Word form fields.

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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - Tissue Paper

Page 26

III-11. Financial data reconciliation.--The calculable line items from questions III-9 and III-10 (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-12. 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-9 or III-10,
please specify all material (significant) nonrecurring items (charges and gains) in the schedule
below, the specific table III-9 or III-10 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-9 or III-10; i.e., if an aggregate nonrecurring item has been allocated to table
III-9 or III-10, only the allocated value amount included in table III-9 or III-10 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-9 or III-10.
Fiscal years ended-2013
Nonrecurring item: In this column please provide a
brief description of each nonrecurring item and
indicate the specific line item in table III-9 or III-10
where the nonrecurring item is classified.
III-9, bulk tissue paper:
1.

, classified as

III-10, consumer tissue paper
4.

, classified as

2014

2015

Nonrecurring item: In these columns please report the amount of the
relevant nonrecurring item reported in table III-9 or III-10.
Value ($1,000)

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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - Tissue Paper

Page 27

III-13. Classification of identified nonrecurring items (charges and gains) in the accounting books and
records of the company.--If non-recurring items were reported in table III-12 above, please
identify where your company recorded these items in your accounting books and records in the
normal course of business; i.e., just as responses to question III-12 identify where these items
are reported in table III-9 or III-10.

III-14. Asset values of bulk tissue paper and consumer tissue paper.--Report the total assets (i.e., both
current and long-term assets) associated with the production, warehousing, and sale of bulk and
consumer tissue paper separately below. If your firm does not maintain some or all of the
specific asset information necessary to calculate total assets for tissue paper in the normal
course of business, please estimate this information based upon a method (such as production,
sales, or costs) that is consistent with relevant cost allocations in table III-9a. Provide data as of
the end of your firm’s three 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

2013

2014

2015

Bulk tissue paper
Total assets (net)
1

Please provide a brief explanation of the reason for any substantial changes in asset values:

Value (in $1,000)
Fiscal years ended-Item

2013

2014

2015

Consumer tissue paper
Total assets (net)
1

Please provide a brief explanation of the reason for any substantial changes in asset values:

Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - Tissue Paper

Page 28

III-15. Capital expenditures and research and development expenses.--Report your firm’s capital
expenditures and research and development expenses for bulk and consumer tissue paper
separately below. Provide data for your firm’s three most recently completed fiscal years, and
for the specified interim periods.
Value (in $1,000)
Fiscal years ended-Item

2013

2014

2015

Bulk tissue paper
Capital expenditures
Research and development
expenses
1

Please describe the nature, focus, and significance of your firm’s capital expenditures on bulk tissue paper.

Please describe the nature, focus, and significance of your firm’s R&D expenses related to bulk tissue paper.

Value (in $1,000)
Fiscal years ended-Item

2013

2014

2015

Consumer tissue paper
Capital expenditures
Research and development
expenses
1

Please describe the nature, focus, and significance of your firm’s capital expenditures on consumer tissue
paper.
2
Please describe the nature, focus, and significance of your firm’s R&D expenses related to consumer tissue
paper.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - Tissue Paper

Page 29

III-16. Data consistency and reconciliation.--Please indicate whether your firm’s financial data for
questions III-9, III-10, III-14, and III-15 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-9 and III-10 should reconcile with
the data reported in questions II-6 and II-8 (including export shipments) as long as they are
reported on the same calendar year basis.
Do these data in question III-9 and III-10 reconcile with data in questions II-6 and II-8?
Yes

If no, please explain.

III-17. 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 - Tissue Paper

Page 30

PART IV.--PRICING AND MARKET FACTORS
Further information on this part of the questionnaire can be obtained from Tana Farrington (202-2052389, Tana.Farrington@usitc.gov).
IV-1.

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.-- Tissue paper, folds, 40 sheets (20” x 20”), white, in poly bag or paper overwrap.
Product 2.-- Tissue paper, folds, 6 sheets (20” x 26”), solid color sheets other than specialty
tissue paper products (see definition on page 2), in poly bag or paper overwrap.
Product 3.-- Tissue paper, folds, 8 sheets (16 ½ ” x 24”), solid color sheets other than specialty
tissue paper products (see definition on page 2), in poly bag or paper overwrap.
Product 4.-- Tissue paper, 480-500 sheets per ream, 20” x 30” white, in single or multiple reams.

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 2013-December 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 table as appropriate.
No.--Skip to question IV-3.

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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - Tissue Paper

Page 31

IV-2(b). Price data.--Report below the quarterly price data1 for pricing products2 produced and sold by
your firm.
Report data in actual packs (products 1-3) or per ream (product 4) and actual dollars (not 1,000s).
Product 1
Quantity
Value
(packs)

(Quantity in packs, value in dollars)
Product 2
Product 3
Quantity
Value
Quantity
Value
(packs)
(packs)

Product 4
Quantity
Value
(reams)

Period of shipment
2013:
January-March
April-June
July-September
OctoberDecember
2014:
January-March
April-June
July-September
OctoberDecember
2015:
January-March
April-June
July-September
OctoberDecember
1
Net values (i.e., gross sales values less all discounts, allowances, rebates, prepaid freight, and the value of returned goods), f.o.b. your firm’s
U.S. point of shipment.
2
Pricing product definitions are provided on the first page of Part 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:
Product 4:

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.

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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - Tissue Paper

Page 32

PLEASE NOTE THAT THE QUESTIONS IN PART IV (PAGES 33-44) OF THIS QUESTIONNAIRE REFER TO
BOTH BULK AND CONSUMER TISSUE PAPER. IF THE ANSWERS TO THE QUESTIONS IN THESE SECTIONS
DIFFER BY END USE (I.E., BULK TISSUE PAPER OR CONSUMER TISSUE PAPER, DEFINED ON PAGE 2),
THEN INDICATE AT QUESTION IV-26 AND EXPLAIN THE DIFFERENCE. PLEASE IDENTIFY THE PRODUCT
YOUR FIRM PRODUCES THE MOST OF IN RELATION TO YOUR TOTAL PRODUCTION OF TISSUE PAPER.
Mostly produce bulk
tissue paper

IV-3.

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

IV-4.

Contracts

Set
price
lists

Other

If other, describe

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

Quantity
discounts

IV-5.

Mostly produce
consumer tissue paper

Produce
approximately equal
amounts of bulk and
consumer tissue paper

Annual
total
volume
discounts

No
discount
policy

Other

Describe

Pricing terms.-(a)

What are your firm’s typical sales terms for its U.S.-produced tissue paper?
Net 30
days

(b)

Net 60
days

2/10 net
30 days

Other

Other (specify)

On what basis are your firm’s prices of domestic tissue paper usually quoted (check
one)?
Delivered

F.o.b.

If f.o.b., specify point

Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - Tissue Paper
IV-6.

Contract versus spot.-- Approximately what share of your firm’s sales of its U.S.-produced tissue
paper in 2015 was on a (1) long-term contract basis, (2) annual contract basis, (3) short-term
contract basis, and (4) spot sales basis?

Share of 2015
sales
IV-7.

Page 33

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

Contract provisions.— Please fill out the table regarding your firm’s typical sales contracts for
U.S.-produced tissue paper (or check “not applicable” if your firm does not sell on a long-term,
short-term and/or annual contract basis).

Typical sales
contract provisions

Item

Average contract
duration

No. of
days

Price renegotiation
(during contract
period)

Yes

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

Annual contracts
(multiple
deliveries for 12
months)

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

365

No
Quantity

Fixed quantity
and/or price

Price
Both
Yes

Meet or release
provision

Not applicable
IV-8.

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 tissue paper?

Source

Share of 2015 Lead time (average
sales
number of days)

From inventory

Produced to order

Total (should sum to 100.0%)

0.0 %

Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - Tissue Paper
IV-9.

Page 34

Shipping information.-(a)

What is the approximate percentage of the total delivered cost of U.S.-produced tissue
paper 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 tissue paper that are
delivered the following distances from your firm’s production facility.
Distance from production facility

Within 100 miles

101 to 1,000 miles

Over 1,000 miles

Total (should sum to 100.0%)

0.0

IV-10. Geographical shipments.-- In which U.S. geographic market area(s) has your firm sold its U.S.produced tissue paper since January 1, 2010 (check all that apply)?
Geographic area
Northeast.–CT, ME, MA, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, and VT.
Midwest.–IL, IN, IA, KS, MI, MN, MO, NE, ND, OH, SD, and WI.
Southeast.–AL, DE, DC, FL, GA, KY, MD, MS, NC, SC, TN, VA, and WV.
Central Southwest.–AR, LA, OK, and TX.
Mountains.–AZ, CO, ID, MT, NV, NM, UT, and WY.
Pacific Coast.–CA, OR, and WA.
Other.–All other markets in the United States not previously listed,
including AK, HI, PR, and VI.

√ if applicable

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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - Tissue Paper

Page 35

IV-11. End uses.-(a)

Describe the end uses of the tissue paper that your firm manufactures and sells to the
U.S. market.

(b)

Have there been any changes in the end uses of tissue paper since January 1, 2010? Do
you anticipate any future changes?

Changes in end
uses
Changes since
January 1, 2010
Anticipated
changes

Yes

Explain

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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - Tissue Paper

Page 36

IV-12. Substitutes.-(a)

Can other products be substituted for tissue paper?
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 tissue paper?
No Yes

Explanation

1.
2.
3.

(b)

Have there been any changes in the number or types of products that can be
substituted for tissue paper since January 1, 2010? Do you anticipate any future
changes?
Changes in
substitutes

Changes since
January 1, 2010
Anticipated
changes

No Yes

Explain

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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - Tissue Paper

Page 37

IV-13. Availability of supply.—
(a) Has the availability of bulk tissue paper in the U.S. market changed since January 1, 2010?
Do you anticipate any future changes?
Availability in the
No
Please explain, noting the countries and
U.S. market
Increase Change Decrease reasons for the changes.
Changes since January 1, 2010:
U.S.-produced
product
Subject imports
Nonsubject
imports
Anticipated changes:
U.S.-produced
product
Subject imports
Nonsubject
imports
(b) Has the availability of consumer tissue paper in the U.S. market changed since January 1,
2010? Do you anticipate any future changes?
Availability in the
No
Please explain, noting the countries and
U.S. market
Increase Change Decrease reasons for the changes.
Changes since January 1, 2010:
U.S.-produced
product
Subject imports
Nonsubject
imports
Anticipated changes:
U.S.-produced
product
Subject imports
Nonsubject
imports

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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - Tissue Paper

Page 38

IV-14. Demand trends.—
(a) Indicate how demand within the United States and outside of the United States (if known)
for bulk tissue paper has changed since January 1, 2010, and how you anticipate demand
will change in the future. Explain any trends and describe the principal factors that have
affected, and that you anticipate will affect, these changes in demand.

Market

Overall
increase

No
change

Overall
decrease

Fluctuate
with no
clear trend

Demand since January 1, 2010
Within
the United
States
Outside
the United
States
Anticipated future demand
Within
the United
States
Outside
the United
States

Explanation and factors

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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - Tissue Paper

Page 39

IV-14. Demand trends (continued).—
(b) Indicate how demand within the United States and outside of the United States (if known)
for consumer tissue paper has changed since January 1, 2010, and how you anticipate
demand will change in the future. Explain any trends and describe the principal factors that
have affected, and that you anticipate will affect, these changes in demand.

Market

Overall
increase

No
change

Overall
decrease

Fluctuate
with no
clear trend

Explanation and factors

Demand since January 1, 2010
Within
the United
States
Outside
the United
States
Anticipated future demand
Within
the United
States
Outside
the United
States
IV-15. Product changes.-- Have there been any significant changes in the product range, product mix,
or marketing of tissue paper since January 1, 2010? Do you anticipate any future changes?
Changes in
product range,
product mix, or
marketing
No Yes
Changes since
January 1, 2010
Anticipated
changes

Explain

Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - Tissue Paper
IV-16.

Page 40

Conditions of competition.-(a) Is the tissue paper market subject to business cycles (other than general economy-wide
conditions) and/or other conditions of competition distinctive to tissue paper?
Check all that apply.

Please describe.

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
tissue paper since January 1, 2010?
No

Yes

If yes, describe.

IV-17. Supply constraints.--Has your firm refused, declined, or been unable to supply tissue paper
since January 1, 2010 (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.

IV-18. Raw materials.-- Indicate how tissue paper raw materials prices have changed since January 1,
2010, and how you expect they will change in the future.

Raw
materials
prices
Changes since
January 1,
2010
Anticipated
changes

Fluctuate
with no
clear
Overall
No
Overall
increase change decrease trend

Explain, noting how raw material
price changes have affected your
firm’s selling prices for tissue paper.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - Tissue Paper

Page 41

IV-19. Price comparisons.--Please compare market prices of tissue paper 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 tissue paper supply (including
production capacity and capacity utilization) and demand in (1) the United States, (2) each of
the other major producing/consuming countries, including China, and (3) the world as a whole.
Of particular interest is such data from 2010 to the present and forecasts for the future.
IV-21. Export constraints.--Describe how easily your firm can shift its sales of tissue paper 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 tissue paper between the U.S. and alternative country markets within a 12-month
period.

IV-22. Barriers to trade.--Are your firm’s exports of tissue paper subject to any tariff or non-tariff
barriers to trade in other countries?

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,
2010, or that are expected to occur in the future.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - Tissue Paper

Page 42

IV-23. Interchangeability.--Is tissue paper produced in the United States and in other countries
interchangeable (i.e., can they physically be used in the same applications)?
Please indicate A, F, S, N, or 0 in the table below:
A = the products from a specified country-pair are always interchangeable
F = the products are frequently interchangeable
S = the products are sometimes interchangeable
N = the products are never interchangeable
0 = no familiarity with products from a specified country-pair
Country-pair

China

Other countries

United States
China
For any country-pair producing tissue paper 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 - Tissue Paper

Page 43

IV-24. Factors other than price.--Are differences other than price (e.g., quality, availability,
transportation network, product range, technical support, etc.) between tissue paper produced
in the United States and in other countries a significant factor in your firm’s sales of the
products?
Please indicate A, F, S, N, or 0 in the table below:
A = such differences are always significant
F = such differences are frequently significant
S = such differences are sometimes significant
N = such differences are never significant
0 = no familiarity with products from a specified country-pair
Country-pair

China

Other countries

United States
China
For any country-pair for which factors other than price always or frequently are a significant
factor in your firm’s sales of tissue paper, identify the country-pair and report the advantages
or disadvantages imparted by such factors:

Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - Tissue Paper

Page 44

IV-25. Customer identification.--List the names and contact information for your firm’s 10 largest U.S.
customers for tissue paper since January 1, 2010. Indicate the share of the quantity of your
firm’s total shipments of tissue paper that each of these customers accounted for in 2015.

Customer’s name

Contact person

Telephone

City

State

Share
of 2015
sales
(%)

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

IV-26. Further explanation of bulk vs. consumer tissue paper.-- If any of your answers above differed
between bulk and consumer tissue paper, please provide any further explanations below.

IV-27. 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 - Tissue Paper

Page 45

PART V.—COMPARABILITY OF BULK AND CONSUMER TISSUE PAPER
The Commission is requesting information on the comparability of bulk and consumer tissue paper. All
producers need to respond to question V-1a-f, even if they do not produce both bulk and consumer
tissue paper.
Further information on this part of the questionnaire can be obtained from Justin Enck (202-205-3363,
Justin.enck@usitc.gov). Supply all data requested on a calendar-year basis.
V-1.

Comparability of bulk vs consumer tissue paper.--For each of the following indicate whether
bulk tissue paper and consumer tissue paper are: fully comparable or the same, i.e., have no
differentiation between them; mostly comparable or similar; somewhat comparable or similar;
never or not-at-all comparable or similar; or no familiarity with products.
(a)

Characteristics and Uses.-- The differences and similarities in the physical
characteristics and end uses between bulk tissue paper and consumer tissue paper.

Fully comparable

Mostly
comparable

Somewhat
comparable

Not at all
comparable

NA/no familiarity

Please provide a narrative discussion for the comparability ratings you provided in terms of their
characteristics and uses:

(b)

Interchangeability.--The ability to substitute refined bulk tissue paper and consumer
tissue paper in the same application.

Fully
interchangeable

Mostly
interchangeable

Somewhat
interchangeable

Not at all
interchangeable

NA/no
familiarity

Please provide a narrative discussion for the comparability ratings you provided in terms of
their interchangeability:

Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - Tissue Paper
V-1.

Page 46

Comparability of bulk tissue paper and consumer tissue paper.--Continued
(c)

Manufacturing facilities, production processes, and production employees.-- Whether
bulk tissue paper and consumer tissue paper are manufactured in the same facilities,
from the same inputs, on the same machinery and equipment, and using the same
employees.

Fully the same

Mostly the same

Somewhat the
same

Not at all the
same

NA/no familiarity

Please provide a narrative discussion for the comparability ratings you provided in terms of their
manufacturing processes:

(d)

Channels of distribution.-- Channels of distribution/market situation through which
bulk tissue paper and consumer tissue paper are sold (i.e., sold direct to end users,
through distributors, etc.).

Fully comparable

Mostly
comparable

Somewhat
comparable

Not at all
comparable

NA/no familiarity

Please provide a narrative discussion for the comparability ratings you provided in terms of their
channels of distribution:

Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - Tissue Paper
V-1.

Page 47

Comparability of bulk tissue paper and consumer tissue paper.--Continued
(e)

Customer and producer perceptions.--Perceptions as to the differences and/or
similarities in bulk tissue paper and consumer tissue paper in the market (e.g.,
sales/marketing practices).

Fully comparable

Mostly
comparable

Somewhat
comparable

Not at all
comparable

NA/no familiarity

Please provide a narrative discussion for the comparability ratings you provided in terms of their
customer and producer perceptions:

(f)

Price.--Whether prices are comparable or differ between bulk tissue paper and
consumer tissue paper.

Fully comparable

Mostly
comparable

Somewhat
comparable

Not at all
comparable

NA/no familiarity

Please provide a narrative discussion for the comparability ratings you provided in terms of their
prices:

Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - Tissue Paper

Page 48

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://wwwadmin.usitc.gov/investigations/701731/2015/certain_tissue_paper_product
s_china/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: TISSUE

• E-mail.—E-mail the MS Word questionnaire to Justin.enck@usitc.gov; include a scanned copy of the
signed certification page (page 1). Submitters are strongly encouraged to encrypt nonpublic documents
that are electronically transmitted to the Commission to protect your sensitive information from
unauthorized disclosure. The USITC secure drop-box system and the Electronic Document Information
System (EDIS) use Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS) 140-2 cryptographic algorithms to
encrypt data in transit. Submitting your nonpublic documents by a means that does not use these
encryption algorithms (such as by email) may subject your firm’s nonpublic information to unauthorized
disclosure during transmission. If you choose a non-encrypted method of electronic transmission, the
Commission warns you that the risk of such possible unauthorized disclosure is assumed by you 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 (202205-1803). A certificate of service must accompany the completed questionnaire you submit (see 19 CFR
§ 207.7). Service of the questionnaire must be made in paper form.

File Type	application/pdf
File Title	USITCQUESTIONNAIRE
Author	Farrington, Tana
File Modified	2016-02-09
File Created	2016-02-09