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pdfOMB No. 3117‐0016/USITC No. 16‐2‐3528; Expiration Date: 6/30/2017
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U.S. IMPORTERS’ QUESTIONNAIRE
FINISHED CARBON STEEL FLANGES
This questionnaire must be received by the Commission by July 14, 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 countervailing and antidumping duty investigations concerning finished carbon steel flanges
(“flanges”) from India, Italy, and Spain (Inv. Nos. 701‐TA‐563 and 731‐TA‐1331‐1333 (Preliminary)). The information
requested in the questionnaire is requested under the authority of the Tariff Act of 1930, title VII. This report is
mandatory and failure to reply as directed can result in a subpoena or other order to compel the submission of records
or information in your firm’s possession (19 U.S.C. § 1333(a)).
Name of firm
Address
City
State
Zip Code
Website
Has your firm imported flanges (as defined on next page) from any country at any time since January 1, 2013?
NO
(Sign the certification below and promptly return only this page of the questionnaire to the Commission)
YES
(Complete all parts of the questionnaire, and return the entire questionnaire to the Commission)
Return questionnaire via the U.S. International Trade Commission Drop Box by clicking on the
following link: https://dropbox.usitc.gov/oinv/. (PIN: FCSF)
CERTIFICATION
I certify that the information herein supplied in response to this questionnaire is complete and correct to the best of my
knowledge and belief and understand that the information submitted is subject to audit and verification by the Commission. By
means of this certification I also grant consent for the Commission, and its employees and contract personnel, to use the
information provided in this questionnaire and throughout this proceeding in any other import‐injury proceedings conducted by
the Commission on the same or similar merchandise.
I, 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. Importers’ Questionnaire ‐ Flanges
Page 2
PART I.—GENERAL INFORMATION
Background.‐‐ This proceeding was instituted in response to a petition filed on June 30, 2016, by Weldbend
Corporation (“Weldbend”), Argo, Illinois and Boltex Mfg. Co., L.P. (“Boltex”), Houston, Texas. Countervailing
and/or antidumping duties may be assessed on the subject imports as a result of these proceedings if the
Commission makes an affirmative determination of injury, threat, or material retardation, and if the U.S.
Department of Commerce makes an affirmative determination of subsidization and/or dumping.
Questionnaires and other information pertinent to this proceeding are available at:
https://www.usitc.gov/investigations/title_7/2016/finished_carbon_steel_flanges_india_italy_and/preliminary.htm.
Carbon steel flanges.‐‐The scope of these investigations covers finished carbon steel flanges. Finished
carbon steel flanges differ from unfinished carbon steel flanges (also known as carbon steel flange
forgings) in that they have undergone further processing after forging, which can include beveling, bore
threading, center or step boring, face machining, recoining or resizing, taper boring, machining ends or
surfaces other than a gasket face, drilling bolt holes, and/or burring or shot blasting. Any one of these
post‐forging processes suffices to render the forging into a finished carbon steel flange for purposes of
these petitions. However, mere heat treatment of a carbon steel flange forging (without any other
further processing after forging) does not render the forging into a finished carbon steel flange for
purposes of these petitions.
While these finished carbon steel flanges are generally manufactured to specification ASME B16.5 or
ASME B16.47 series A or series B, the scope is not limited to flanges produced under those
specifications. All types of finished carbon steel flanges are included in the scope, regardless of pipe size
(usually expressed in inches of nominal pipe size), pressure class (usually expressed in pounds of
pressure, e.g., 150, 300, 400, 600, 900, 1500, 2500, etc.), type of face (e.g., flat face, full face, raised
face, etc.), configuration (e.g., weld neck, slip on, socket weld, lap joint, threaded, etc.), wall thickness
(usually expressed in inches), and normalization or heat treatment (which may not always be used). The
carbon steel used to produce finished carbon steel flanges includes, but is not limited to, carbon steel
produced to ASTM A105 and ASTM A694 standards.
Finished carbon steel flanges are currently imported under statistical reporting numbers 7307.91.5010
and 7307.91.5050 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS). They may also be
imported under HTSUS statistical reporting numbers 7307.91.5030 and 7307.91.5070. The HTSUS
subheadings are provided for convenience and customs purposes; the written description of the scope is
dispositive.
Importer.‐‐Any person or firm engaged, either directly or through a parent company or subsidiary, in
importing flanges (as defined above) into the United States from a foreign manufacturer or
through its selling agent.
Reporting of information.‐‐ If information is not readily available from your records, provide carefully
prepared estimates. If your firm is completing more than one questionnaire (i.e., a producer, importer,
and/or purchaser questionnaire), you need not respond to duplicated questions.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire ‐ Flanges
Page 3
Confidentiality.‐‐The commercial and financial data furnished in response to this questionnaire that
reveal the individual operations of your firm will be treated as confidential by the Commission to the
extent that such data are not otherwise available to the public and will not be disclosed except as may
be required by law (see 19 U.S.C. § 1677f). Such confidential information will not be published in a
manner that will reveal the individual operations of your firm; however, general characterizations of
numerical business proprietary information (such as discussion of trends) will be treated as confidential
business information only at the request of the submitter for good cause shown.
Verification.‐‐ The information submitted in this questionnaire is subject to audit and verification by the
Commission. To facilitate possible verification of data, please keep all files, worksheets, and supporting
documents used in the preparation of the questionnaire response. Please also retain a copy of the final
document that you submit.
Release of information.‐‐The information provided by your firm in response to this questionnaire, as
well as any other business proprietary information submitted by your firm to the Commission in
connection with this proceeding, may become subject to, and released under, the administrative
protective order provisions of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. § 1677f) and section 207.7 of the
Commission’s Rules of Practice and Procedure (19 CFR § 207.7). This means that certain lawyers and
other authorized individuals may temporarily be given access to the information for use in connection
with this proceeding or other import‐injury proceedings conducted by the Commission on the same or
similar merchandise; those individuals would be subject to severe penalties if the information were
divulged to unauthorized individuals.
I‐1.
OMB statistics.‐‐Please report below the actual number of hours required and the cost to your
firm of completing this questionnaire.
Hours
Dollars
The questions in this questionnaire have been reviewed with market participants to ensure that
issues of concern are adequately addressed and that data requests are sufficient, meaningful,
and as limited as possible. Public reporting burden for this questionnaire is estimated to average
40 hours per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, gathering data, and
completing and reviewing the questionnaire.
We welcome comments regarding the accuracy of this burden estimate, suggestions for
reducing the burden, and any suggestions for improving this questionnaire. Please attach such
comments to your response or send to the Office of Investigations, USITC, 500 E St. SW,
Washington, DC 20436.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire ‐ Flanges
I‐2.
Page 4
Establishments covered.‐‐Provide the name and address of establishment(s) covered by this
questionnaire. If your firm is publicly traded, please specify the stock exchange and trading
symbol.
“Establishment”‐‐Each facility of a firm involved in the importation of flanges, including auxiliary
facilities operated in conjunction with (whether or not physically separate from) such facilities.
I‐3.
I‐4.
Ownership.‐‐Is your firm owned, in whole or in part, by any other firm?
No
Yes‐‐List the following information
Firm name
Address
Extent of
ownership
(percent)
Related importers/exporters.‐‐Does your firm have any related firms, either domestic or
foreign, that are engaged in importing flanges from India, Italy, and/or Spain into the United
States or that are engaged in exporting flanges from India, Italy, and/or Spain to the United
States?
No
Yes‐‐List the following information.
Firm name
Address
Affiliation
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire ‐ Flanges
I‐5.
Page 5
Related producers.‐‐Does your firm have any related firms, either domestic or foreign, that are
engaged in the production of flanges?
No
Yes‐‐List the following information.
Firm name
Address
Affiliation
I‐6.
Importing operations.‐‐Please indicate the nature of your firm’s importing operations on
flanges. More than one answer may be applicable.
Importer of record
I‐7.
Takes title to the
imported product(s)
Consignee of the
imported products(s)
Customs broker or
freight forwarder
Consignee.‐‐If your firm is an importer of record of flanges but is not the consignee, please list
the consignees below (firm name, address, telephone number, and individual to contact).
Firm name
Address
Contact person
and phone
number
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire ‐ Flanges
I‐8.
Page 6
FTZ, TIB, or bonded warehouses.‐‐Please indicate whether your firm enters flanges into, or
withdraws such merchandise from, foreign trade zones or bonded warehouses. Also indicate
whether your firm imports flanges under the TIB (temporary importation under bond) program.
“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, as
well as other savings. A foreign trade zone must be designed as such pursuant to the rules and
procedures set forth in the Foreign‐Trade Zones Act.
“Bonded warehouse” is a secured facility supervised by U.S. customs, where dutiable landed
imports are stored pending their re‐export, or release after payment of import duties, taxes, and
other charges. A bonded warehouse must be designed as such pursuant to the rules and
procedures set forth in 19 U.S.C. § 1555.
“Temporary Importation under Bond (“TIB”) program” is a procedure whereby imported
merchandise may be entered under certain conditions for a limited time into the United States
free of duty. Under the program, an importer posts a bond for twice the amount of duty, taxes,
etc. that would otherwise be owed on the importation and agrees to export or destroy the
merchandise within a specified time or pay liquidated damages. This program is restricted to
certain categories of merchandise listed in subheadings 9813.00.05 through 9813.00.75 of the
Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States(HTS).
No
Yes
Foreign trade zones
Bonded warehouses
Temporary importation under bond
I‐9.
Third‐country trade activities.‐‐To your knowledge, have the products subject to this
proceeding been the subject of any other import relief proceedings in the United States or in
any other countries?
No
Yes–Please specify.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire ‐ Flanges
Page 7
PART II.‐‐TRADE AND RELATED INFORMATION
Further information on this part of the questionnaire can be obtained from Amy Sherman (202‐205‐
3289, amy.sherman@usitc.gov). Supply all data requested on a calendar‐year basis.
II‐1. Contact information.‐‐ Please identify the responsible individual and the manner by which
Commission staff may contact that individual regarding the confidential information submitted
in part II.
Name
Title
Email
Telephone
Fax
II‐2. Changes in operations.‐‐Please indicate whether your firm has experienced any of the following
changes in relation to the importation of flanges since January 1, 2013.
(check as many as appropriate)
(If checked, please describe; leave blank if not applicable)
Office/warehouse openings
Office/warehouse closings
Relocations
Expansions
Acquisitions
Consolidations
Prolonged shutdowns or
importation curtailments
Revised labor agreements
Other (e.g., technology)
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire ‐ Flanges
II‐3.
Page 8
Arranged imports.‐‐Has your firm imported or arranged for the importation of flanges for
delivery after March 31, 2016?
“Arranged imports” are imports for which your firm has placed an order with a foreign supplier
for subject merchandise, but delivery of those imports is not scheduled to occur until after the
date listed above.
No
Yes–Fill out the table below.
Quantity (in 1,000 pounds)
Period/Source
Apr‐Jun 2016
Jul‐Sept 2016
Oct‐Dec 2016
Jan‐Mar 2017
India
Italy
Spain
1
Other sources
1
Identify your other sources: .
II‐4.
Reasons for importing if producer.‐‐If your firm also produces flanges in the United States,
please indicate the reasons for importing this product. If your firm’s reasons differ by source,
please elaborate.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire ‐ Flanges
Page 9
Definitions
“Imports” –Those products identified for Customs purposes as imports for consumption for
which your firm was the importer of record (i.e., was responsible for paying any import duty) or
consignee (i.e., to which the merchandise was first delivered).
“Import quantities” –Quantities reported should be net of returns.
“Import values”—Values reported should be landed, duty‐paid values at the U.S. port of entry,
including ocean freight and insurance costs, brokerage charges, and import duties (i.e., all
charges except inland freight in the United States).
“U.S. commercial shipments”— Shipments made within the United States as a result of an arm’s
length commercial transaction in the ordinary course of business. Report net values (i.e., gross
sales values less all discounts, allowances, rebates, prepaid freight, and the value of returned
goods) in U.S. dollars, f.o.b. your point of shipment.
“Internal consumption” –Product consumed internally by your firm.
“Transfers to related firms” –Shipments made to related domestic firms. Such transactions are
valued at fair market value.
“Related firm” –A firm that your firm solely or jointly owns, manages, or otherwise controls.
Such transactions are valued at fair market value.
“Export shipments”— Shipments to destinations outside the United States, including shipments
to related firms.
“Inventories” ‐‐Finished goods inventory, not raw materials or work in progress.
Note: As requested in Part I of this questionnaire, please keep all supporting documents/records
used in the preparation of the trade data, as Commission staff may contact your firm regarding
questions on the trade data. The Commission may also request that your company submit copies
of the supporting documents/records (such as production and sales schedules, inventory records,
etc.) used to compile these data.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire ‐ Flanges
II‐5.
Page 10
IMPORTS FROM INDIA.–Report your firm’s imports and your firm’s shipments and inventories
of flanges imported from India by your firm during the specified periods.
India
Quantity (in 1,000 pounds), value (in $1,000)
Calendar years
Item
Beginning‐of‐period inventories
(quantity) (A)
2013
2014
January‐March
2015
2015
2016
Imports:
Quantity (B)
Value (C)
End‐of‐period inventories
(quantity) (J)
Channels of distribution:
Commercial U.S. shipments:
To distributors (quantity) (K)
1
U.S. shipments:
Commercial shipments:
Quantity (D)
Value (E)
Internal consumption/
company transfers:
Quantity (F)
2
Value (G)
3
Export shipments:
Quantity (H)
Value (I)
To end users (quantity) (L)
1
Please identify the foreign producers, if known:
.
Sales to related firms (including internal consumption) must be valued at fair market value. In the event that your firm
uses a different basis for valuing these sales within your company, please specify that basis (e.g., cost, cost plus, etc.) and
provide value data using that basis for each of the periods noted above: .
3
Identify your firm’s principal export markets: .
2
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire ‐ Flanges
Page 11
II‐5. IMPORTS FROM INDIA.–Continued
RECONCILIATION OF SHIPMENTS, IMPORTS, AND INVENTORIES.‐‐Generally, the data reported for the
end‐of‐period inventories (i.e., line J) should be equal to the beginning‐of‐period inventories (i.e., line A),
plus imports (i.e., line B), less total shipments (i.e., lines D, F, and H). Please ensure that any differences
are not due to data entry errors in completing this form, but rather actually reflect your firm’s records;
and also provide any likely explanations for any differences (e.g., theft, loss, damage, record systems
issues, etc.) if they exist.
Calendar years
Reconciliation
2013
A + B – D – F – H – J = should equal zero
("0") or provide an explanation.1
2014
0
January‐March
2015
0
0
2015
2016
0
0
1
Explanation if the calculated fields above are returning values other than zero (i.e., “0”) but are nonetheless
accurate: .
RECONCILIATION OF CHANNELS.‐‐Please ensure that the quantities reported for channels of distribution
(i.e., lines K and L) in each time period equal the quantity reported for commercial U.S. commercial
shipments (i.e., line D) in each time period. If the calculated fields below return values other than zero
(i.e., “0”), the data reported must be revised prior to submission to the Commission.
Calendar years
January‐March
Reconciliation item
K + L – D = zero ("0"), if not revise.
2013
2014
0
2015
0
2015
0
0
2016
0
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire ‐ Flanges
II‐6.
Page 12
IMPORTS FROM ITALY.–Report your firm’s imports and your firm’s shipments and inventories of
flanges imported from India by your firm during the specified periods.
Italy
Quantity (in 1,000 pounds), value (in $1,000)
Calendar years
Item
Beginning‐of‐period inventories
(quantity) (A)
2013
2014
January‐March
2015
2015
2016
Imports:
Quantity (B)
Value (C)
End‐of‐period inventories
(quantity) (J)
Channels of distribution:
Commercial U.S. shipments:
To distributors (quantity) (K)
1
U.S. shipments:
Commercial shipments:
Quantity (D)
Value (E)
Internal consumption/
company transfers:
Quantity (F)
2
Value (G)
3
Export shipments:
Quantity (H)
Value (I)
To end users (quantity) (L)
1
Please identify the foreign producers, if known:
.
Sales to related firms (including internal consumption) must be valued at fair market value. In the event that your firm
uses a different basis for valuing these sales within your company, please specify that basis (e.g., cost, cost plus, etc.) and
provide value data using that basis for each of the periods noted above: .
3
Identify your firm’s principal export markets: .
2
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire ‐ Flanges
Page 13
II‐6. IMPORTS FROM ITALY.–Continued
RECONCILIATION OF SHIPMENTS, IMPORTS, AND INVENTORIES.‐‐Generally, the data reported for the
end‐of‐period inventories (i.e., line J) should be equal to the beginning‐of‐period inventories (i.e., line A),
plus imports (i.e., line B), less total shipments (i.e., lines D, F, and H). Please ensure that any differences
are not due to data entry errors in completing this form, but rather actually reflect your firm’s records;
and also provide any likely explanations for any differences (e.g., theft, loss, damage, record systems
issues, etc.) if they exist.
Calendar years
Reconciliation
2013
A + B – D – F – H – J = should equal zero
("0") or provide an explanation.1
2014
0
January‐March
2015
0
0
2015
2016
0
0
1
Explanation if the calculated fields above are returning values other than zero (i.e., “0”) but are nonetheless
accurate: .
RECONCILIATION OF CHANNELS.‐‐Please ensure that the quantities reported for channels of distribution
(i.e., lines K and L) in each time period equal the quantity reported for commercial U.S. commercial
shipments (i.e., line D) in each time period. If the calculated fields below return values other than zero
(i.e., “0”), the data reported must be revised prior to submission to the Commission.
Calendar years
January‐March
Reconciliation item
K + L – D = zero ("0"), if not revise.
2013
2014
0
2015
0
2015
0
0
2016
0
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire ‐ Flanges
II‐7.
Page 14
IMPORTS FROM SPAIN.–Report your firm’s imports and your firm’s shipments and inventories
of flanges imported from India by your firm during the specified periods.
Spain
Quantity (in 1,000 pounds), value (in $1,000)
Calendar years
Item
Beginning‐of‐period inventories
(quantity) (A)
2013
2014
January‐March
2015
2015
2016
Imports:
Quantity (B)
Value (C)
End‐of‐period inventories
(quantity) (J)
Channels of distribution:
Commercial U.S. shipments:
To distributors (quantity) (K)
1
U.S. shipments:
Commercial shipments:
Quantity (D)
Value (E)
Internal consumption/
company transfers:
Quantity (F)
2
Value (G)
3
Export shipments:
Quantity (H)
Value (I)
To end users (quantity) (L)
1
Please identify the foreign producers, if known:
.
Sales to related firms (including internal consumption) must be valued at fair market value. In the event that your firm
uses a different basis for valuing these sales within your company, please specify that basis (e.g., cost, cost plus, etc.) and
provide value data using that basis for each of the periods noted above: .
3
Identify your firm’s principal export markets: .
2
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire ‐ Flanges
Page 15
II‐7. IMPORTS FROM SPAIN.–Continued
RECONCILIATION OF SHIPMENTS, IMPORTS, AND INVENTORIES.‐‐Generally, the data reported for the
end‐of‐period inventories (i.e., line J) should be equal to the beginning‐of‐period inventories (i.e., line A),
plus imports (i.e., line B), less total shipments (i.e., lines D, F, and H). Please ensure that any differences
are not due to data entry errors in completing this form, but rather actually reflect your firm’s records;
and also provide any likely explanations for any differences (e.g., theft, loss, damage, record systems
issues, etc.) if they exist.
Calendar years
Reconciliation
2013
A + B – D – F – H – J = should equal zero
("0") or provide an explanation.1
2014
0
January‐March
2015
0
0
2015
2016
0
0
1
Explanation if the calculated fields above are returning values other than zero (i.e., “0”) but are nonetheless
accurate: .
RECONCILIATION OF CHANNELS.‐‐Please ensure that the quantities reported for channels of distribution
(i.e., lines K and L) in each time period equal the quantity reported for commercial U.S. commercial
shipments (i.e., line D) in each time period. If the calculated fields below return values other than zero
(i.e., “0”), the data reported must be revised prior to submission to the Commission.
Calendar years
January‐March
Reconciliation item
K + L – D = zero ("0"), if not revise.
2013
2014
0
2015
0
2015
0
0
2016
0
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire ‐ Flanges
II‐8.
Page 16
IMPORTS FROM ALL OTHER SOURCES.–Report your firm’s imports and your firm’s shipments
and inventories of flanges imported from all other sources combined by your firm during the
specified periods.
ALL OTHER SOURCES COMBINED
(list sources:
)
Quantity (in 1,000 pounds), value (in $1,000)
Calendar years
Item
Beginning‐of‐period inventories
(quantity) (A)
2013
2014
January‐March
2015
2015
2016
Imports:
Quantity (B)
Value (C)
End‐of‐period inventories
(quantity) (J)
Channels of distribution:
Commercial U.S. shipments:
To distributors (quantity) (K)
1
U.S. shipments:
Commercial shipments:
Quantity (D)
Value (E)
Internal consumption/
company transfers:
Quantity (F)
2
Value (G)
3
Export shipments:
Quantity (H)
Value (I)
To end users (quantity) (L)
1
Please identify the foreign producers, if known:
.
Sales to related firms (including internal consumption) must be valued at fair market value. In the event that your firm
uses a different basis for valuing these sales within your company, please specify that basis (e.g., cost, cost plus, etc.) and
provide value data using that basis for each of the periods noted above: .
3
Identify your firm’s principal export markets: .
2
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire ‐ Flanges
II‐8.
Page 17
IMPORTS FROM ALL OTHER SOURCES.–Continued
RECONCILIATION OF SHIPMENTS, IMPORTS, AND INVENTORIES.‐‐Generally, the data reported for the
end‐of‐period inventories (i.e., line J) should be equal to the beginning‐of‐period inventories (i.e., line A),
plus imports (i.e., line B), less total shipments (i.e., lines D, F, and H). Please ensure that any differences
are not due to data entry errors in completing this form, but rather actually reflect your firm’s records;
and also provide any likely explanations for any differences (e.g., theft, loss, damage, record systems
issues, etc.) if they exist.
Calendar years
Reconciliation
2013
A + B – D – F – H – J = should equal zero
("0") or provide an explanation.1
2014
0
January‐March
2015
0
0
2015
2016
0
0
1
Explanation if the calculated fields above are returning values other than zero (i.e., “0”) but are nonetheless
accurate: .
RECONCILIATION OF CHANNELS.‐‐Please ensure that the quantities reported for channels of distribution
(i.e., lines K and L) in each time period equal the quantity reported for commercial U.S. commercial
shipments (i.e., line D) in each time period. If the calculated fields below return values other than zero
(i.e., “0”), the data reported must be revised prior to submission to the Commission.
Calendar years
January‐March
Reconciliation item
2013
2014
2015
2015
2016
K + L – D = zero ("0"), if not revise.
0
0
0
0
0
II‐9. Other explanations.‐‐If your firm would like to further explain a response to a question in Part II
that did not provide a narrative response box, please note the question number and the
explanation in the space provided below. Please also use this space to highlight any issues your
firm had in providing the data in this section, including but not limited to technical issues with
the MS Word questionnaire.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire ‐ Flanges
Page 18
PART III.‐‐PRICING AND MARKET FACTORS
Further information on this part of the questionnaire can be obtained from Tana Farrington (202‐205‐
2389, Tana.Farrington@usitc.gov).
III‐1. Contact information.‐‐ Please identify the responsible individual and the manner by which
Commission staff may contact that individual regarding the confidential information submitted
in part III.
Name
Title
Email
Telephone
Fax
PRICE DATA
III‐2. This question requests quarterly quantity and value data for your firm’s commercial shipments
to unrelated U.S. customers since January 1, 2013 of the following products your firm imported
from India, Italy, and Spain (all subject sources), and from China (nonsubject source):
Product 1.‐‐3 inch, 150 class, Raised Face, Weld neck standard flange (3 150 RF WN STD)
Product 2.‐‐ 4 inch, 150 class, Raised Face, Weld neck standard flange (4 150 RF WN STD)
Product 3.‐‐ 6 inch, 150 class, Raised Face, Weld neck standard flange (6 150 RF WN STD)
Product 4.‐‐16 inch, 150 class, Raised Face, Weld neck standard flange (16 150 RF WN STD)
Product 5.‐‐6 inch, 150 class, Raised Face, Slip on standard flange (6 150 RF Slip on)
Product 6.‐‐2 inch, 150 class, Raised Face, Threaded standard flange (2 150 RF THD)
Please note that values should be f.o.b., U.S. point of shipment and should not include U.S.‐inland
transportation costs. Values should reflect the final net amount paid to your firm (i.e., should be net
of all deductions for discounts or rebates).
During January 2013‐March 2016, did your firm import from India, Italy, and Spain (all subject
sources), and from China (nonsubject source) and sell to unrelated U.S. customers any of the
above listed products (or any products that were competitive with these products)?
Yes.‐‐Please complete the following pricing data tables as appropriate.
No.‐‐Skip to question III‐3.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire ‐ Flanges
Page 19
III‐2(a). Price data.‐‐Report below the quarterly price data1 for pricing products2 imported from India
and sold by your firm.
INDIA
Report data in actual pieces (not 1,000s of pounds) and actual dollars (not 1,000s).
(Quantity in pieces, value in dollars)
Product 1
Product 2
Quantity
Value
Quantity
Value
Product 3
Period of shipment
Quantity
Value
2013:
January‐March
April‐June
July‐September
October‐December
2014:
January‐March
April‐June
July‐September
October‐December
2015:
January‐March
April‐June
July‐September
October‐December
2016:
January‐March
1
Net values (i.e., gross sales values less all discounts, allowances, rebates, prepaid freight, and the value of returned
goods), f.o.b. your firm’s U.S. point of shipment.
2
Pricing product definitions are provided on the first page of Part III.
Note.‐‐If your firm’s product does not exactly meet the product specifications but is competitive with the specified product,
provide a description of your firm’s product. Also, please explain any anomalies in your firm’s reported pricing data.
Product 1:
Product 2:
Product 3:
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire ‐ Flanges
Page 20
III‐2(a). Price data (continued).‐‐Report below the quarterly price data1 for pricing products2 imported
from India and sold by your firm.
INDIA
Report data in actual pieces (not 1,000s of pounds) and actual dollars (not 1,000s).
(Quantity in pieces, value in dollars)
Product 4
Product 5
Quantity
Value
Quantity
Value
Product 6
Period of shipment
Quantity
Value
2013:
January‐March
April‐June
July‐September
October‐December
2014:
January‐March
April‐June
July‐September
October‐December
2015:
January‐March
April‐June
July‐September
October‐December
2016:
January‐March
1
Net values (i.e., gross sales values less all discounts, allowances, rebates, prepaid freight, and the value of returned
goods), f.o.b. your firm’s U.S. point of shipment.
2
Pricing product definitions are provided on the first page of Part III.
Note.‐‐If your firm’s product does not exactly meet the product specifications but is competitive with the specified product,
provide a description of your firm’s product. Also, please explain any anomalies in your firm’s reported pricing data.
Product 4:
Product 5:
Product 6:
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire ‐ Flanges
Page 21
III‐2(b). Price data.‐‐Report below the quarterly price data1 for pricing products2 imported from Italy and
sold by your firm.
ITALY
Report data in actual pieces (not 1,000s of pounds) and actual dollars (not 1,000s).
(Quantity in pieces, value in dollars)
Product 1
Product 2
Quantity
Value
Quantity
Value
Product 3
Period of shipment
Quantity
Value
2013:
January‐March
April‐June
July‐September
October‐December
2014:
January‐March
April‐June
July‐September
October‐December
2015:
January‐March
April‐June
July‐September
October‐December
2016:
January‐March
1
Net values (i.e., gross sales values less all discounts, allowances, rebates, prepaid freight, and the value of returned
goods), f.o.b. your firm’s U.S. point of shipment.
2
Pricing product definitions are provided on the first page of Part III.
Note.‐‐If your firm’s product does not exactly meet the product specifications but is competitive with the specified product,
provide a description of your firm’s product. Also, please explain any anomalies in your firm’s reported pricing data.
Product 1:
Product 2:
Product 3:
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire ‐ Flanges
Page 22
III‐2(b). Price data (continued).‐‐Report below the quarterly price data1 for pricing products2 imported
from Italy and sold by your firm.
ITALY
Report data in actual pieces (not 1,000s of pounds) and actual dollars (not 1,000s).
(Quantity in pieces, value in dollars)
Product 4
Product 5
Quantity
Value
Quantity
Value
Product 6
Period of shipment
Quantity
Value
2013:
January‐March
April‐June
July‐September
October‐December
2014:
January‐March
April‐June
July‐September
October‐December
2015:
January‐March
April‐June
July‐September
October‐December
2016:
January‐March
1
Net values (i.e., gross sales values less all discounts, allowances, rebates, prepaid freight, and the value of returned
goods), f.o.b. your firm’s U.S. point of shipment.
2
Pricing product definitions are provided on the first page of Part III.
Note.‐‐If your firm’s product does not exactly meet the product specifications but is competitive with the specified product,
provide a description of your firm’s product. Also, please explain any anomalies in your firm’s reported pricing data.
Product 4:
Product 5:
Product 6:
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire ‐ Flanges
Page 23
III‐2(c). Price data.‐‐Report below the quarterly price data1 for pricing products2 imported from Spain
and sold by your firm.
SPAIN
Report data in actual pieces (not 1,000s of pounds) and actual dollars (not 1,000s).
(Quantity in pieces, value in dollars)
Product 1
Product 2
Quantity
Value
Quantity
Value
Product 3
Period of shipment
Quantity
Value
2013:
January‐March
April‐June
July‐September
October‐December
2014:
January‐March
April‐June
July‐September
October‐December
2015:
January‐March
April‐June
July‐September
October‐December
2016:
January‐March
1
Net values (i.e., gross sales values less all discounts, allowances, rebates, prepaid freight, and the value of returned
goods), f.o.b. your firm’s U.S. point of shipment.
2
Pricing product definitions are provided on the first page of Part III.
Note.‐‐If your firm’s product does not exactly meet the product specifications but is competitive with the specified product,
provide a description of your firm’s product. Also, please explain any anomalies in your firm’s reported pricing data.
Product 1:
Product 2:
Product 3:
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire ‐ Flanges
Page 24
III‐2(c). Price data (continued).‐‐Report below the quarterly price data1 for pricing products2 imported
from Spain and sold by your firm.
SPAIN
Report data in actual pieces (not 1,000s of pounds) and actual dollars (not 1,000s).
(Quantity in pieces, value in dollars)
Product 4
Product 5
Quantity
Value
Quantity
Value
Product 6
Period of shipment
Quantity
Value
2013:
January‐March
April‐June
July‐September
October‐December
2014:
January‐March
April‐June
July‐September
October‐December
2015:
January‐March
April‐June
July‐September
October‐December
2016:
January‐March
1
Net values (i.e., gross sales values less all discounts, allowances, rebates, prepaid freight, and the value of returned
goods), f.o.b. your firm’s U.S. point of shipment.
2
Pricing product definitions are provided on the first page of Part III.
Note.‐‐If your firm’s product does not exactly meet the product specifications but is competitive with the specified product,
provide a description of your firm’s product. Also, please explain any anomalies in your firm’s reported pricing data.
Product 4:
Product 5:
Product 6:
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire ‐ Flanges
Page 25
III‐2(d). Price data.‐‐Report below the quarterly price data1 for pricing products2 imported from China
and sold by your firm.
CHINA
Report data in actual pieces (not 1,000s of pounds) and actual dollars (not 1,000s).
(Quantity in pieces, value in dollars)
Product 1
Product 2
Quantity
Value
Quantity
Value
Product 3
Period of shipment
Quantity
Value
2013:
January‐March
April‐June
July‐September
October‐December
2014:
January‐March
April‐June
July‐September
October‐December
2015:
January‐March
April‐June
July‐September
October‐December
2016:
January‐March
1
Net values (i.e., gross sales values less all discounts, allowances, rebates, prepaid freight, and the value of returned
goods), f.o.b. your firm’s U.S. point of shipment.
2
Pricing product definitions are provided on the first page of Part III.
Note.‐‐If your firm’s product does not exactly meet the product specifications but is competitive with the specified product,
provide a description of your firm’s product. Also, please explain any anomalies in your firm’s reported pricing data.
Product 1:
Product 2:
Product 3:
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire ‐ Flanges
Page 26
III‐2(d). Price data (continued).‐‐Report below the quarterly price data1 for pricing products2 imported
from China and sold by your firm.
CHINA
Report data in actual pieces (not 1,000s of pounds) and actual dollars (not 1,000s).
(Quantity in pieces, value in dollars)
Product 4
Product 5
Quantity
Value
Quantity
Value
Product 6
Period of shipment
Quantity
Value
2013:
January‐March
April‐June
July‐September
October‐December
2014:
January‐March
April‐June
July‐September
October‐December
2015:
January‐March
April‐June
July‐September
October‐December
2016:
January‐March
1
Net values (i.e., gross sales values less all discounts, allowances, rebates, prepaid freight, and the value of returned
goods), f.o.b. your firm’s U.S. point of shipment.
2
Pricing product definitions are provided on the first page of Part III.
Note.‐‐If your firm’s product does not exactly meet the product specifications but is competitive with the specified product,
provide a description of your firm’s product. Also, please explain any anomalies in your firm’s reported pricing data.
Product 4:
Product 5:
Product 6:
Pricing data methodology.—Please describe the method and the kinds of documents/records
that were used to compile your price data.
Note: As requested in Part I of this questionnaire, please keep all supporting documents/records used
in the preparation of the price data, as Commission staff may contact your firm regarding questions on
the price data. The Commission may also request that your company submit copies of the supporting
documents/records (such as sales journal, invoices, etc.) used to compile these data.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire ‐ Flanges
III‐3.
Page 27
Price setting.‐‐ How does your firm determine the prices that it charges for sales of flanges
(check all that apply)? If your firm issues price lists, please submit sample pages of a recent list.
Transaction
by
transaction
Contracts
III‐4.
Set
price
lists
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
III‐5.
No
discount
policy
Other
Describe
Pricing terms.‐‐
(a)
What are your firm’s typical sales terms for flanges imported from India, Italy, and
Spain?
Net 30
days
Net 60
days
2/10 net 30
days
Other
Other (specify)
(b)
III‐6.
On what basis are your firm’s prices of imported flanges from India, Italy, and Spain
usually quoted (check one)?
Delivered
F.o.b.
If f.o.b., specify point
Contract versus spot.‐‐Approximately what share of your firm’s sales of flanges imported from
India, Italy, and Spain in 2015 was on a (1) long‐term contract basis, (2) annual contract basis, (3)
short‐term contract basis, and (4) spot sales basis?
Type of sale
Short‐term
Long‐term
Annual
Total
contracts
contracts
Spot sales
contracts
(should
(multiple
(multiple
(for a single
(multiple
sum to
deliveries for
deliveries for
Share of 2015
delivery)
deliveries for 12
100.0%)
less than 12
more than 12
sales by
months)
months)
months)
source
India
%
%
%
% 0.0 %
Italy
%
%
%
% 0.0 %
Spain
%
%
%
% 0.0 %
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire ‐ Flanges
III‐7.
Page 28
Contract provisions.— Please fill out the table regarding your firm’s typical sales contracts for
flanges from India, Italy, and Spain (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
Short‐term
contracts
(multiple deliveries
for less than 12
months)
Average contract
duration
No. of
days
Price renegotiation
(during contract
period)
Yes
No
Quantity
Price
Both
Yes
No
Fixed quantity
and/or price
Meet or release
provision
Not applicable
Long‐term contracts
Annual contracts
(multiple deliveries (multiple deliveries for
for 12 months)
more than 12 months)
365
III‐8.
Lead times.‐‐What is your firm’s share of sales of flanges imported from India, Italy, and Spain
from inventory and produced to order and what is the typical lead time between a customer’s
order and the date of delivery for your firm’s sales of flanges?
India
Italy
Spain
Source
Share of
2015
sales (%)
Lead time
(average
number
of days)
Share of
2015
sales (%)
Lead time
Lead time
(average Share of (average
number 2015 sales number of
days)
of days)
(%)
From your firm’s U.S. inventory
From foreign manufacturers’ inventory
Produced to order
Total (should sum to 100.0%)
0.0
0.0
0.0
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire ‐ Flanges
III‐9.
Page 29
Shipping information.—
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
What is the approximate percentage of the total delivered cost of flanges imported from
India, Italy, and Spain that is accounted for by U.S. inland transportation costs?
percent.
Who generally arranges the transportation to your firm’s customers’ locations?
Your firm Purchaser (check one)
When your firm sells flanges imported from India, Italy, and Spain, from where is it
shipped?
Point of importation Storage facility (check one)
Indicate the approximate percentage of your firm’s sales of flanges imported from India,
Italy, and Spain that are delivered the following distances from your firm’s U.S. point of
shipment.
Distance from your firm’s U.S. point of
shipment
Share (%):
India
Share (%):
Italy
Share (%):
Spain
Within 100 miles
101 to 1,000 miles
Over 1,000 miles
0.0
0.0
0.0
Total (should sum to 100.0%)
III‐10. Geographical shipments.‐‐In which U.S. geographic market area(s) has your firm sold flanges
imported from subject countries since January 1, 2013 (check all that apply)?
Geographic area
India
Italy
Spain
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. Importers’ Questionnaire ‐ Flanges
Page 30
III‐11. End uses.‐‐List the end uses of the flanges that your firm imports from India, Italy, and Spain. For
each end‐use product, what percentage of the total cost is accounted for by flanges and other
inputs?
Share of total cost of end‐use product
accounted for by
Total
(should sum to
100.0% across)
Flanges
Other inputs
End use product
%
%
0.0 %
%
%
0.0 %
%
%
0.0 %
III‐12. Substitutes.‐‐ Can other products be substituted for flanges?
No
Yes‐‐Please fill out the table.
End use in which this
substitute is used
Substitute
Have changes in the price of this substitute
affected the price for flanges?
No Yes
Explanation
1.
2.
3.
III‐13. Demand trends.‐‐ Indicate how demand within the United States and outside of the United
States (if known) for flanges has changed since January 1, 2013. Explain any trends and describe
the principal factors that have affected these changes in demand.
Market
Overall
No
Overall Fluctuate with
increase change decrease no clear trend
Explanation and factors
Within
the United
States
Outside
the United
States
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire ‐ Flanges
Page 31
III‐14. Product changes.‐‐Have there been any significant changes in the product range, product mix or
marketing of flanges since January 1, 2013?
No
Yes
If yes, please describe.
III‐15. Conditions of competition.—
(a) Is the flanges market subject to business cycles (other than general economy‐wide
conditions) and/or other conditions of competition distinctive to flanges?
Check all that apply.
Please describe.
No
Skip to question III‐16.
Yes‐Business cycles (e.g.
seasonal business)
Yes‐Other distinctive
conditions of competition
(b) If yes, have there been any changes in the business cycles or conditions of competition for
flanges since January 1, 2013?
No
Yes
If yes, describe.
III‐16. Supply constraints.‐‐Has your firm refused, declined, or been unable to supply flanges since
January 1, 2013 (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. Importers’ Questionnaire ‐ Flanges
Page 32
III‐17. Raw materials.‐‐ How have flanges raw material prices changed since January 1, 2013?
Fluctuate
with no
Explain, noting how raw material price changes
Overall
No
Overall
increase change decrease clear trend have affected your firm’s selling prices for flanges.
III‐18. Interchangeability.‐‐Are flanges 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
India
Italy
Spain
China
Other countries
India
Italy
Spain
China
For any country‐pair producing flanges that is sometimes or never interchangeable, identify
the country‐pair and explain the factors that limit or preclude interchangeable use:
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire ‐ Flanges
Page 33
III‐19. Factors other than price.‐‐Are differences other than price (e.g., quality, availability,
transportation network, product range, technical support, etc.) between flanges 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
India
Italy
Spain
China
Other countries
India
Italy
Spain
China
For any country‐pair for which factors other than price always or frequently are a significant
factor in your firm’s sales of flanges, identify the country‐pair and report the advantages or
disadvantages imparted by such factors:
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire ‐ Flanges
Page 34
III‐20. Customer identification.‐‐List the names and contact information for your firm’s 10 largest U.S.
customers for flanges since January 1, 2013. Indicate the share of the quantity of your firm’s
total shipments of flanges that each of these customers accounted for in 2015.
Customer’s name
Contact person
Email
Telephone
City
State
Share
of
2015
sales
(%)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
III‐21. Other explanations.‐‐If your firm would like to further explain a response to a question in Part III
that did not provide a narrative response box, please note the question number and the
explanation in the space provided below. Please also use this space to highlight any issues your
firm had in providing the data in this section, including but not limited to technical issues with
the MS Word questionnaire.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire ‐ Flanges
Page 35
HOW TO FILE YOUR QUESTIONNAIRE RESPONSE
This questionnaire is available as a “fillable” form in MS Word format on the
Commission’s website at:
https://www.usitc.gov/investigations/title_7/2016/finished_carbon_steel_flanges_india_italy_and/preliminary.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: FCSF
• E‐mail.—E‐mail the MS Word questionnaire to amy.sherman@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 did not import this product, please fill out page 1, print, sign, and submit a scanned copy to
the Commission.
Parties to this proceeding.—If your firm is a party to this proceeding, it is required to serve a copy of the
completed questionnaire on parties to the proceeding that are subject to administrative protective
order (see 19 CFR § 207.7). A list of such parties may be obtained from the Commission’s Secretary (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 - Flanges_IMP |
| Author | amy.sherman |
| File Modified | 2016-07-05 |
| File Created | 2016-07-05 |