16-3-3533 U.S. Purchasers' Questionnaire

OMB No. 3117-0016/USITC No. 16-3-3533; Expiration Date: 6/30/2017
(No response is required if currently valid OMB control number is not displayed)

U.S. PURCHASERS’ QUESTIONNAIRE
IRON CONSTRUCTION CASTINGS FROM BRAZIL, CANADA, AND CHINA
This questionnaire must be received by the Commission by August 19, 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 countervailing and antidumping duty orders concerning iron construction castings from
Brazil, Canada, and China (Inv. Nos. 701-TA-249 and 731-TA-262, 263, and 265 (Fourth 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 possession (19 U.S.C. § 1333(a)). Further information on this questionnaire can be obtained from
Andrew Knipe (202-205-2390, andrew.knipe@usitc.gov).

Name of firm
Address
City

State

Zip Code

Website
Has your firm purchased iron construction castings (as defined on the next page) from any source (domestic or
foreign) at any time since January 1, 2010?

NO

(Sign the certification below and promptly return only this page of the questionnaire to the Commission)

YES

(Complete all parts of the questionnaire, and return the entire questionnaire to the Commission)

Return questionnaire via the Commission Drop Box by clicking on the following
link: https://dropbox.usitc.gov/oinv/. (PIN: IRON)
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. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Iron Construction Castings

Page 2

PART I.—GENERAL INFORMATION
Background.--The Department of Commerce issued antidumping duty orders on imports of “heavy” and
“light” iron construction castings from Canada on March 5, 1986 and from Brazil and China on May 9,
1986. On May 15, 1986, Commerce issued a countervailing duty order on imports of “heavy” iron
construction castings from Brazil. On September 23, 1998, Commerce issued the final results of a
changed circumstance review concerning iron construction castings from Canada, in which the
antidumping duty order with respect to ‘‘light’’ castings was revoked. On October 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 orders would be likely to lead to continuation or
recurrence of material injury to the domestic industry within a reasonably foreseeable time. If both the
Commission and Commerce make affirmative determinations, the orders will remain in place. If either
the Commission or Commerce makes negative determinations, the Department of Commerce will
revoke the orders. Questionnaires and other information pertinent to this proceeding are available
at https://www.usitc.gov/investigations/701731/2015/iron_construction_castings_brazil_canada_and_c
hina/fourth_review_full.htm
Iron construction castings covered by these reviews consist of heavy castings and light castings.
Heavy castings -- manhole covers, rings, and frames, catch basin grates and frames, cleanout covers and
frames used for drainage or access purposes for public utility, water and sanitary systems, collectively
imported under Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) statistical reporting number 7325.10.0010 until 1999.
Starting in 2000, heavy castings were imported under the following statistical reporting numbers:
7325.10.0010, 7325.10.0020, and 7325.10.0025. Heavy castings may also be imported under HTS
statistical reporting number 7325.10.0080 as “other.” Heavy castings from Brazil are subject to both
antidumping and countervailing duty orders. Heavy castings from Canada and China are subject to
antidumping duty orders.
Light castings -- valve, service, and meter boxes which are placed below ground to encase water, gas, or
other valves, or water and gas meters. These types of light castings were imported under HTS statistical
reporting number 7325.10.0050 until 1999. Starting in 2000, these light castings were imported under
the following two reporting numbers: 7325.10.0030 and 7325.10.0035. Light castings may also be
imported under HTS statistical reporting number 7325.10.0080 as “other.” Light castings from Brazil and
China are subject to antidumping duty orders.
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.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Iron Construction Castings

Page 3

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.
I-1.

OMB statistics.--Please report the actual number of hours required and the cost to your firm of
completing this questionnaire.
Hours

Dollars

The questions in this questionnaire have been reviewed with market participants to ensure that
issues of concern are adequately addressed and that data requests are sufficient, meaningful,
and as limited as possible. Public reporting burden for this questionnaire is estimated to average
40 hours per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, gathering data, and
completing and reviewing the questionnaire.
We welcome comments regarding the accuracy of this burden estimate, suggestions for
reducing the burden, and any suggestions for improving this questionnaire. Please attach such
comments to your response or send to the Office of Investigations, USITC, 500 E St. SW,
Washington, DC 20436.
I-2.

Establishments covered.--Provide the name and address of establishment(s) covered by this
questionnaire, if different from that listed on the cover page. Firms operating more than one
establishment should combine the data for all establishments into a single report.
“Establishment”--Each facility of a firm involved in the purchase of iron construction castings,
including auxiliary facilities operated in conjunction with (whether or not physically separate
from) such facilities.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Iron Construction Castings
I-3.

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

Yes--List the following information.

Firm name

I-4.

Address

Yes--List the following information.

Firm name

Address

Affiliation

Related NONSUBJECT importers/exporters.--Does your firm have any related firms, either
domestic or foreign, that import iron construction castings from countries other than Brazil,
Canada, and/or China into the United States or that export iron construction castings from
countries other than Brazil, Canada, and/or China to the United States?
No

Yes--List the following information.

Firm name and country

I-6.

Extent of ownership
(percent)

Related SUBJECT importers/exporters.--Does your firm have any related firms, either domestic
or foreign, that import iron construction castings from Brazil, Canada, and/or China into the
United States or that export iron construction castings from Brazil, Canada, and/or China to the
United States?
No

I-5.

Page 4

Address

Affiliation

Related producers.--Does your firm have any related firms, either domestic or foreign, that
produce iron construction castings?
No

Yes--List the following information.

Firm name and country

Address

Affiliation

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Iron Construction Castings
I-7.

Page 5

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 iron construction
castings?

No

Yes

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

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Iron Construction Castings

Page 6

PART II.--PURCHASES
Contact information.--Please identify the responsible individual and the manner by which Commission
staff may contact that individual regarding the confidential information submitted in this questionnaire.
Name
Title
Email
Telephone
Fax
II-1.

Purchases (HEAVY CASTINGS).-(a)

Please estimate your firm’s total U.S. purchases of heavy iron construction castings in
2015. (Do not include imports for which your firm was the importer of record; such
imports should be reported in your U.S. importer’s questionnaire.)
Quantity (in 1,000 pounds)

(b)

Estimate the percentage of the quantity of your firm’s purchases of heavy iron
construction castings in 2015 that were produced in each of the specified countries.
Heavy iron construction castings
produced in:

Share of quantity of 2015 purchases

United States

%

Brazil

%

Canada

%

China

%

All other countries:1

%

Total (should sum to 100.0%)
1

Please identify these countries:

0.0

%

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Iron Construction Castings
II-2.

Page 7

Purchases (LIGHT CASTINGS).-(a)

Please estimate your firm’s total U.S. purchases of light iron construction castings in
2015. (Do not include imports for which your firm was the importer of record; such
imports should be reported in your U.S. importer’s questionnaire.)
Quantity (in 1,000 pounds)

(b)

Estimate the percentage of the quantity of your firm’s purchases of light iron
construction castings in 2015 that were produced in each of the specified countries.
Light iron construction castings
produced in:

Share of quantity of 2015 purchases

United States

%

Brazil

%

China

%

All other countries:1

%

Total (should sum to 100.0%)
1

II-3.

0.0

%

Please identify these countries:

Changes in purchasing patterns.—
(a)

Source of
purchases
United States
Brazil
Canada
China
All other
countries
Sources
unknown

Please indicate how the shares of your firm’s purchases of heavy iron construction
castings from different sources have changed since January 1, 2010.
Did not
purchase Decreased Increased

Constant

Fluctuated

Explanation for trend

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Iron Construction Castings
(b)

Source of
purchases

Page 8

Please indicate how the shares of your firm’s purchases of light iron construction
castings from different sources have changed since January 1, 2010.
Did not
purchase Decreased Increased

Constant

Fluctuated

Explanation for trend

United States
Brazil
China
All other
countries
Sources
unknown
II-4.

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

II-5.

Supplier identification.--Please list your firm’s FIVE largest suppliers for iron construction
castings since January 1, 2013. Also, provide the share of the quantity of your firm’s total
purchases of iron construction castings that each of these suppliers accounted for in 2015.

No.

Supplier’s name

City and state

Share of quantity of
2015 purchases

1

%

2

%

3

%

4

%

5

%

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Iron Construction Castings

Page 9

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

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

End user
(light
castings)

Distributor

Other

Describe other

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

Competition for sales.--Do you compete for sales to your customers with the manufacturers or
importers from which you purchase iron construction castings?
No

III-3.

Yes

If yes, please describe.

Types of customers.--What are the major types of consumers to which you sell iron construction
castings?

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

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Iron Construction Castings
III-4.

Page 10

End uses.-(a)

Select among the following list the products you make using iron construction castings,
and estimate the percent of your total production cost that is accounted for by iron
construction castings and by other inputs (such as labor, energy, and other raw
materials).
Share of total cost in each of the product(s)
your firm produces accounted for by

Product(s) that your firm
makes

No

Yes

Iron construction
castings

Total
(should
sum to
100.0%
across)

Other inputs

Manhole covers, rings and
frames (heavy)

% +

%

=

0.0 %

Catch basins, grates and
frames (heavy)

% +

%

=

0.0 %

Cleanout covers and frames
(heavy)

% +

%

=

0.0 %

Valve and service boxes
(light)

% +

%

=

0.0 %

% +

%

=

0.0 %

% +

%

=

0.0 %

Meter boxes (light)
Other
(please describe:
(b)

)

Have there been any changes in the end uses of heavy and/or light iron construction
castings since January 1, 2010? Do you anticipate any future changes?

Changes in end uses No
Changes since
January 1, 2010
Anticipated changes

Yes

Explain

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Iron Construction Castings
III-5.

Page 11

Demand for end use products.-(a)

Has the demand for your firm’s final products incorporating heavy and/or light iron
construction castings changed since January 1, 2010?
Type

Increased

No change

Decreased

Fluctuated

Not applicable

Heavy
Light
(b)

Has this had any effect on your firm’s demand for iron construction castings?
No

III-6.

Can other products be substituted for heavy iron construction castings?
No

Substitute

2.
3.

Explain

Substitutes.-(a)

1.

Yes

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 heavy iron construction
castings?
No Yes

Explanation

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Iron Construction Castings
(b)

Page 12

Can other products be substituted for light iron construction castings?
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 light iron construction
castings?
No Yes

Explanation

1.
2.
3.
(c)

Have there been any changes in the number or types of products that can be
substituted for heavy and/or light iron construction castings since January 1, 2010? Do
you anticipate any future changes?

Changes in substitutes
Changes since January
1, 2010
Anticipated changes

No

Yes

Explain

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Iron Construction Castings
III-7.

Page 13

Demand trends.-(a)

Indicate how demand within the United States and outside of the United States (if
known) for heavy iron construction castings 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 U.S.
Outside
the U.S.
Anticipated future demand
Within
the U.S.
Outside
the U.S.
(b)

Indicate how demand within the United States and outside of the United States (if
known) for light iron construction castings 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 U.S.
Outside
the U.S.
Anticipated future demand
Within
the U.S.
Outside
the U.S.

Explanation and factors

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Iron Construction Castings

Page 14

III-8.

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 iron construction castings
supply (including production capacity and capacity utilization) and demand in (1) the United
States, (2) each of the other major producing/consuming countries, including Brazil, Canada,
and/or China, and (3) the world as a whole. Of particular interest is such data from 2010 to the
present and forecasts for the future.

III-9.

Importance of purchasing domestic product.--Please fill out the table below, estimating the
percentage of your firm’s total 2015 purchases of iron construction castings that required iron
construction castings produced in the United States.

Purchases that did not require domestic product
Purchases that were required by law or regulation to be domestic
product (e.g., government purchases under “Buy American” provisions)
Purchases that were not required by law or regulation, but were
required by your customers to be domestic product
Purchases that were required to be domestic product for other reasons
(explain:
)
Total (should sum to 100.0%)

Estimated percentage of
your firm’s total 2015
purchases of iron
construction castings
%
%
%
%
0.0 %

III-10. Conditions of competition.-(a)

Is the iron construction castings market subject to business cycles (other than general
economy-wide conditions) and/or other conditions of competition distinctive to iron
construction castings?

Check all that apply.
No
Yes-Business cycles (e.g.
seasonal business)
Yes-Other distinctive
conditions of competition

Please describe.
(Identify between heavy and light iron construction
castings in your response)
Skip to question III-11.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Iron Construction Castings
(b)

No

Page 15

If yes, have there been any changes in the business cycles or conditions of competition
for iron construction castings since January 1, 2010?
If yes, describe.
(Identify between heavy and light iron construction castings in your response)

Yes

III-11. Decisions based on producer and country-of-origin.--How often does your firm, and if you
know, do your customers, make purchasing decisions involving iron construction castings based
on its producer or country of origin?
Always

Usually

Sometimes

Never

If at least sometimes, explain.

Decision based on producer
Your firm
Your
customers
Decision based on country of origin
Your firm
Your
customers
III-12. Availability of supply.--Has the availability of iron construction castings in the U.S. market
changed since January 1, 2010? Do you anticipate any future changes?
Availability in the U.S.
market

No

Changes since January 1, 2010:
U.S.-produced product
Subject imports
Nonsubject imports
Anticipated changes:
U.S.-produced product
Subject imports
Nonsubject imports

Please explain, noting the countries and reasons for
Yes the changes.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Iron Construction Castings

Page 16

III-13. Supply constraints.--Has any firm refused, declined, or been unable to supply your firm with
iron construction castings 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

If yes, please describe.
Yes (Identify between heavy and light iron construction castings in your response)

III-14. Purchasing frequency.-(a)

How frequently do you make purchases of iron construction castings (check one)?
Daily

(b)

Weekly

Monthly

Quarterly

Annually

Other

If other, specify

Do you expect this purchasing frequency to change in the next two years?
No

Yes

If yes, explain.

III-15. Number of suppliers contacted.--How many suppliers do you generally contact before making a
purchase? Between
and
firms.
III-16. Supplier negotiations.--Do your purchases of iron construction castings usually involve
negotiations between supplier and purchaser?

No

Yes

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

III-17. Change in suppliers.-- Has your firm changed suppliers since January 1, 2010?

No

Yes

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

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Iron Construction Castings

Page 17

III-18. New suppliers.-(a)

Are you aware of any new suppliers, either foreign or domestic, that have entered the
market since January 1, 2010?

No

(b)

No

If yes, please identify the firms.
Yes (Identify between heavy and light iron construction castings in your response)

Do you expect new iron construction castings suppliers to enter the U.S. market?
If yes, please explain.
Yes (Identify between heavy and light iron construction castings in your response)

III-19. Supplier qualification.--Do you require your suppliers to be or to become certified or qualified
to sell iron construction castings to your firm?
If yes, provide the following information.
• The number of days to qualify a new supplier.
• A general description of the certification or qualification process. Also, a brief
description of the factors that you consider when qualifying a new supplier (e.g., quality
of product, reliability of supplier, etc.).

No

Yes

Number
of days Process and factors

III-20. Failure to certify.--Since January 1, 2010, have any domestic or foreign producers failed in their
attempts to certify or qualify their iron construction castings with your firm or have any
producers lost their approved status?

No

Yes

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

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Iron Construction Castings

Page 18

III-21. Major purchasing factors.-- Please list, in order of their importance, the three major factors
your firm considers in deciding from whom to purchase iron construction castings (examples
include availability, extension of credit, contracts, price, quality, range of supplier’s product line,
traditional supplier, etc.).
1.
2.
3.
Please list any other factors that are very important in your purchase decisions:
III-22. Purchasing factors.--Please rate the importance of the following factors in your firm’s
purchasing decisions for iron construction castings.

Factor

Very
important

Somewhat
important

Not
important

Availability
Delivery terms
Delivery time
Discounts offered
Extension of credit
Minimum quantity requirements
Packaging
Price
Product consistency
Product range
Quality exceeds industry standards
Quality meets industry standards
Reliability of supply
Technical support/service
U.S. transportation costs
III-23. Quality characteristics.--What characteristics does your firm consider when determining the
quality of iron construction castings?

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Iron Construction Castings

Page 19

III-24. Frequency of decisions based on price.--How often does your firm purchase the iron
construction castings that is offered at the lowest price?
Always

Usually

Sometimes

Never

III-25. Price leaders.--A price leader is defined as (1) one or more firms that initiate a price change,
either upward or downward, that is followed by other firms, or (2) one or more firms that have a
significant impact on prices. A price leader is not necessarily the lowest-priced supplier.
(a)

Firm(s)

(b)

Firm(s)

Please list the names of any firms you considered price leaders in the heavy iron
construction castings market since January 1, 2010.
Describe how the firm(s) exhibited price leadership

Please list the names of any firms you considered price leaders in the light iron
construction castings market since January 1, 2010.
Describe how the firm(s) exhibited price leadership

III-26. Changes in U.S. industry.-(a)

Please identify and discuss any improvements/changes in the U.S. iron construction
castings industry since January 1, 2010 and explain the factors, including the order(s)
under review, that were responsible for each improvement/change.

(b)

Please discuss any improvements/changes that you anticipate in the future in the U.S.
iron construction castings industry. Identify the time period and causes for these
improvements/changes.

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Iron Construction Castings

Page 20

III-27. Effect of revocation.--What do you think will be the likely effects of any revocation of the
antidumping duty orders for imports of iron construction castings from Brazil, Canada, and
China and the countervailing duty order for imports of iron construction castings from Brazil? As
appropriate, please discuss any potential effects of revocation of these countervailing and
antidumping duty orders on (1) the future activities of your firm and (2) the U.S. market as a
whole. Please note the future time period to which you are referring.
Activities of your firm
Entire U.S. market

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Iron Construction Castings

Page 21

PART IV.-- PRODUCT COMPARISIONS
IV-1.

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

IV-2.

Brazil

Canada

China

Other
countries

(Specify)

Interchangeability.-(a)

Are heavy iron construction castings 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

Brazil

Canada

China

Other countries

United States
Brazil
Canada
China
HEAVY CASTINGS
For any country-pair producing heavy iron construction castings which is sometimes or never
interchangeable, please identify the country pair and explain the factors that limit or preclude
interchangeable use:

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Iron Construction Castings
(b)

Page 22

Are light iron construction castings 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

Brazil

China

Other countries

United States
Brazil
China
LIGHT CASTINGS
For any country-pair producing light iron construction castings which is sometimes or never
interchangeable, please identify the country pair and explain the factors that limit or preclude
interchangeable use:

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Iron Construction Castings
IV-3.

Page 23

Factors other than price.-(a)

Are differences other than price (e.g., quality, availability, transportation network,
product range, technical support, etc.) between heavy iron construction castings
produced in the United States and in other countries a significant factor in your firm’s
purchases of the products?

Please indicate A, F, S, N, or 0 in the table below:
A = such differences are always significant
F = such differences are frequently significant
S = such differences are sometimes significant
N = such differences are never significant
0 = no familiarity with products from a specified country-pair
Country-pair

Brazil

Canada

China

Other countries

United States
Brazil
Canada
China
HEAVY CASTINGS
For any country pair for which factors other than price always or frequently are a significant
factor in your firm’s purchases of heavy iron construction castings, identify the country pair
and report the advantages or disadvantages imparted by such factors:

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Iron Construction Castings
(b)

Page 24

Are differences other than price (e.g., quality, availability, transportation network,
product range, technical support, etc.) between light iron construction castings
produced in the United States and in other countries a significant factor in your firm’s
purchases of the products?

Country pair

Brazil

China

Other countries

United States
Brazil
China
LIGHT CASTINGS
For any country pair for which factors other than price always or frequently are a significant
factor in your firm’s purchases of light iron construction castings, identify the country pair and
report the advantages or disadvantages imparted by such factors:

IV-4.

Country preferences.--Do you or your customers ever specifically order heavy and/or light iron
construction castings from one country in particular over other possible sources of supply?

No

IV-5.

Availability of merchandise.--Are certain grades/types/sizes of heavy and/or light iron
construction castings only available from certain country sources?

No

IV-6.

If yes, identify the countries and explain.
Yes (Identify between heavy and light iron construction castings in your response)

If yes, please identify the countries and the grade/type/size.
Yes (Identify between heavy and light iron construction castings in your response)

Choice of product not based on price.--If you purchased iron construction castings from one
source although a comparable product was available from another country source at a lower
price, please explain your reasons for doing so (please specify by country).

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Iron Construction Castings
IV-7.

Page 25

Factor country comparisons.-(a)

For the factors listed below, please rate how heavy iron construction castings produced
in each country you identified in your response to the first question in Part IV compares
with heavy iron construction castings produced in each of the other countries you
identified.

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

Availability
Delivery terms
Delivery time
Discounts offered
Extension of credit
Minimum quantity requirements
Packaging
Price1
Product consistency
Product range
Quality exceeds industry standards
Quality meets industry standards
Reliability of supply
Technical support/service
U.S. transportation costs1
1

A rating of superior on price and U.S. transportation costs indicates that the first country generally has lower prices/U.S.
transportation costs than the second country.

Inferior

Inferior

Comparable

Inferior

Comparable

Product from the
United States
compared to
product from
China

Superior

Inferior

Comparable

Superior

Inferior

Comparable

Factor

Superior

Product from the Product from the
United States
United States
compared to
compared to
product from
product from
Brazil
Canada

Product from the
United States
compared to
product from
Nonsubject
countries

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Iron Construction Castings

Page 26

For the factors listed below, please rate how light iron construction castings produced in
each country you identified in your response to the first question in Part IV compares
with light iron construction castings produced in each of the other countries you
identified.

(b)

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

Availability
Delivery terms
Delivery time
Discounts offered
Extension of credit
Minimum quantity requirements
Packaging
Price1
Product consistency
Product range
Quality exceeds industry standards
Quality meets industry standards
Reliability of supply
Technical support/service
U.S. transportation costs1
1

A rating of superior on price and U.S. transportation costs indicates that the first country generally has lower prices/U.S.
transportation costs than the second country.

Inferior

Inferior

Product from the
United States
compared to product
from
Nonsubject countries
Comparable

Inferior

Comparable

Product from the
United States
compared to
product from
China

Superior

Inferior

Comparable

Factor

Superior

Product from the
United States
compared to product
from
Brazil

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Iron Construction Castings
IV-8.

Page 27

Minimum quality.--How often do heavy and/or light iron construction castings from the
following countries meet minimum quality specifications for your uses or your customers’ uses?

Source

Always

Usually

Sometimes

Rarely or
never

Don’t
know

Heavy iron construction castings
United States
Brazil
Canada
China
Nonsubject countries
(Please identify:
)
Light iron construction castings
United States
Brazil
China
Nonsubject countries
(Please identify:
)
IV-9.

Change in price.-(a)

Since January 1, 2010, has there been a change in the price of iron construction
castings? If so, has the price of U.S.-produced iron construction castings changed more
or less than the price of imported iron construction castings from Brazil, Canada, and/or
China?
No change in price.
Prices have changed by the same amount.
Price of U.S.-produced iron construction castings has changed relative to
the price of iron construction castings from Brazil.
Price of U.S.-produced iron construction castings has changed relative to
the price of iron construction castings from Canada.
Price of U.S.-produced iron construction castings has changed relative to
the price of iron construction castings from China.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Iron Construction Castings
(b)

Page 28

If the price of U.S.-produced iron construction castings has changed relative to the price
of iron construction castings from Brazil, Canada, and/or China, the price of U.S.produced iron construction castings is now relatively
Higher

Lower
than those from Brazil.
than those from Canada.
than those from China.

IV-10. Other explanations.--If your firm would like to further explain a response to a question that did
not provide a narrative response box, including any distinction between heavy and light
construction castings that was not otherwise identified in the question(s), please note the
question number and the explanation in the space provided below.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Iron Construction Castings

Page 29

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/701731/2015/iron_construction_castings_braz
il_canada_and_china/fourth_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: IRON

• E-mail.—E-mail the MS Word questionnaire to andrew.knipe@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 purchase this product, please fill out page 1, print, sign, and submit a scanned
copy to the Commission.
Parties to this proceeding.—If your firm is a party to this proceeding, it is required to serve a copy of the
completed questionnaire on parties to the proceeding that are subject to administrative protective
order (see 19 CFR § 207.7). A list of such parties may be obtained from the Commission’s Secretary (202205-1803). A certificate of service must accompany the completed questionnaire you submit (see 19 CFR
§ 207.7). Service of the questionnaire must be made in paper form.