16-2-3584 U.S. Importers' Questionnaire

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

US Importer questionnaire

Stainless Steel Sheet and Strip from China, Inv. No. 701-TA-557 and 731-TA-1312 Final

OMB: 3117-0016

⚠️ Notice: This form may be outdated. More recent filings and information on OMB 3117-0016 can be found here:

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OMB No. 3117-0016/USITC No. 16-2-3584; Expiration Date: 6/30/2017
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U.S. IMPORTERS’ QUESTIONNAIRE
STAINLESS STEEL SHEET AND STRIP FROM CHINA
This questionnaire must be received by the Commission by December 6, 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 duty and antidumping investigations concerning stainless steel sheet and strip
(“SSSS”) from China (Inv. Nos. 701-TA-557 and 731-TA-1312 (Final)). The information requested in the questionnaire is
requested under the authority of the Tariff Act of 1930, title VII. This report is mandatory and failure to reply as directed
can result in a subpoena or other order to compel the submission of records or information in your firm’s possession (19
U.S.C. § 1333(a)).

Name of firm
Address
City

State

Zip Code

Website
Has your firm imported SSSS (as defined on next page) from any country at any time since January 1, 2013?

(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: SSSS)
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

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PART I.—GENERAL INFORMATION
Background.-- This proceeding was instituted in response to a petition filed on February 12, 2016, by AK
Steel Corp., West Chester, Ohio; Allegheny Ludlum, LLC, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; North American
Stainless, Inc., Ghent, Kentucky; and Outokumpu Stainless USA, LLC, Bannockburn, Illinois.
Countervailing and 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 (“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/stainless_steel_sheet_and_strip_china/final.htm.
Stainless Steel Sheet and Strip (“SSSS”) covered by these investigations is stainless steel sheet and strip,
whether in coils or straight lengths. Stainless steel is an alloy steel containing, by weight, 1.2 percent or
less of carbon and 10.5 percent or more of chromium, with or without other elements. The subject
sheet and strip is a flatrolled product with a width that is greater than 9.5 mm and with a thickness of
0.3048 mm and greater but less than 4.75 mm, and that is annealed or otherwise heat treated, and
pickled or otherwise descaled. The subject sheet and strip may also be further processed (e.g., coldrolled, annealed, tempered, polished, aluminized, coated, painted, varnished, trimmed, cut, punched, or
slit, etc.) provided that it maintains the specific dimensions of sheet and strip set forth above following
such processing. The products described include products regardless of shape, and include products of
either rectangular or non-rectangular crosssection where such cross-section is achieved subsequent to
the rolling process, i.e., products which have been ‘‘worked after rolling’’ (e.g., products which have
been beveled or rounded at the edges). For purposes of the width and thickness requirements
referenced above: (1) Where the nominal and actual measurements vary, a product is within the scope
if application of either the nominal or actual measurement would place it within the scope based on the
definitions set forth above; and (2) where the width and thickness vary for a specific product (e.g., the
thickness of certain products with non-rectangular cross-section, the width of certain products with
nonrectangular shape, etc.), the measurement at its greatest width or thickness applies.
All products that meet the written physical description, and in which the chemistry quantities do not
exceed any one of the noted element levels listed above, are within the scope of these investigations
unless specifically excluded.
Subject merchandise includes stainless steel sheet and strip that has been further processed in a third
country, including but not limited to cold-rolling, annealing, tempering, polishing, aluminizing, coating,
painting, varnishing, trimming, cutting, punching, and/or slitting, or any other processing that would not
otherwise remove the merchandise from the scope of the investigation if performed in the country of
manufacture of the stainless steel sheet and strip.
Excluded from the scope of these investigations are the following: (1) Sheet and strip that is not
annealed or otherwise heat treated and not pickled or otherwise descaled; (2) plate (i.e., flat-rolled
stainless steel products of a thickness of 4.75 mm or more); and (3) flat wire (i.e., cold-rolled sections,
with a mill edge, rectangular in shape, of a width of not more than 9.5 mm). The products under
investigation are currently classifiable under Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS)
subheadings 7219.13.0031, 7219.13.0051, 7219.13.0071, 7219.13.0081, 7219.14.0030, 7219.14.0065,
7219.14.0090, 7219.23.0030, 7219.23.0060, 7219.24.0030, 7219.24.0060, 7219.32.0005, 7219.32.0020,
7219.32.0025, 7219.32.0035, 7219.32.0036, 7219.32.0038, 7219.32.0042, 7219.32.0044, 7219.32.0045,

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7219.32.0060, 7219.33.0005, 7219.33.0020, 7219.33.0025, 7219.33.0035, 7219.33.0036, 7219.33.0038,
7219.33.0042, 7219.33.0044, 7219.33.0045, 7219.33.0070, 7219.33.0080, 7219.34.0005, 7219.34.0020,
7219.34.0025, 7219.34.0030, 7219.34.0035, 7219.34.0050, 7219.35.0005, 7219.35.0015, 7219.35.0030,
7219.35.0035, 7219.35.0050, 7219.90.0010, 7219.90.0020, 7219.90.0025, 7219.90.0060, 7219.90.0080,
7220.12.1000, 7220.12.5000, 7220.20.1010, 7220.20.1015, 7220.20.1060, 7220.20.1080, 7220.20.6005,
7220.20.6010, 7220.20.6015, 7220.20.6060, 7220.20.6080, 7220.20.7005, 7220.20.7010, 7220.20.7015,
7220.20.7060, 7220.20.7080, 7220.90.0010, 7220.90.0015, 7220.90.0060, and 7220.90.0080. Although
the HTSUS subheadings are provided for convenience and customs purposes, the written description of
the scope of this proceeding is dispositive.
Importer.--Any person or firm engaged, either directly or through a parent company or subsidiary,
in importing SSSS (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.
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.

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I-1.

Page 4

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

Dollars

The questions in this questionnaire have been reviewed with market participants to ensure that
issues of concern are adequately addressed and that data requests are sufficient, meaningful,
and as limited as possible. Public reporting burden for this questionnaire is estimated to average
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 your firm is publicly traded, please specify the stock exchange and trading
symbol.
“Establishment”--Each facility of a firm involved in the importation of SSSS, including auxiliary
facilities operated in conjunction with (whether or not physically separate from) such facilities.

I-3.

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

Firm name

Yes--List the following information

Address

Extent of
ownership
(percent)

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Stainless Steel Sheet and Strip
I-4.

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

Yes--List the following information.

Firm name

I-5.

Address

Yes--List the following information.

Firm name

Address

Affiliation

Importing operations.--Please indicate the nature of your firm’s importing operations on SSSS.
More than one answer may be applicable.
Importer of record

I-7.

Affiliation

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

I-6.

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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 SSSS 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

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Stainless Steel Sheet and Strip
I-8.

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FTZ, TIB, or bonded warehouses.--Please indicate whether your firm enters SSSS into, or
withdraws such merchandise from, foreign trade zones or bonded warehouses. Also indicate
whether your firm imports SSSS 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).
Items

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.

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PART II.--TRADE AND RELATED INFORMATION
Further information on this part of the questionnaire can be obtained from Michael Szustakowski (202205-3169, mgs@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 SSSS since January 1, 2013.
(check as many as appropriate)
Office/warehouse openings
Office/warehouse closings
Relocations
Expansions
Acquisitions
Consolidations
Prolonged shutdowns or
importation curtailments
Revised labor agreements
Other (e.g., technology)

(If checked, please describe; leave blank if not applicable)

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II-3.

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Arranged imports.--Has your firm imported or arranged for the importation of SSSS for delivery
after September 30, 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 short tons)

Period/Source

Oct-Dec 2016

Jan-Mar 2017

Apr-Jun 2017

Jul-Sept 2017

China
Other sources1
1

II-4.

Identify your other sources:

Reasons for importing if producer.--If your firm also produces SSSS in the United States, please
indicate the reasons for importing this product. If your firm’s reasons differ by source, please
elaborate.

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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.
“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.

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II-5.

Page 10

Imports from China.–Report your firm’s imports and your firm’s shipments and inventories of
SSSS imported from China by your firm during the specified periods.

China
Quantity (in short tons), value (in $1,000)
Calendar years
Item

2013

2014

January-September
2015

2015

2016

Beginning-of-period inventories
(quantity) (A)
Imports:1
Quantity (B)
Value (C)
U.S. shipments:
Commercial shipments:
Quantity (D)
Value (E)
Internal consumption/
company transfers:
Quantity (F)
Value2 (G)
Export shipments:3
Quantity (H)
Value (I)
End-of-period inventories
(quantity) (J)
Channels of distribution:
Commercial U.S. shipments:
To distributors, processors,
and service centers
(quantity) (K)
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

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II-5.

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Imports from China.–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

2014

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

January-September
2015

2015
0

2016
0

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. 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
Reconciliation item
K + L – D = zero ("0"), if not revise.

2013

2014
0

January-September
2015

2015
0

2016
0

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II-6.

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Commercial U.S. shipments of Chinese SSSS by product grade.-- Report your firm’s commercial
U.S. shipments of SSSS imported from China, by grade of stainless steel.
2015
Item

Quantity (short tons)

Value (in $1,000)

Commercial U.S. shipments:
Grade 201 (M)
Grade 304 (N)
Grade 316 (O)
Grade 409 (P)
Grade 430 (Q)
1

All others (R)

Total (S)
1

Please identify these products:

RECONCILIATION OF SHIPMENTS BY GRADE--Please ensure that the quantities and values reported for
U.S. producers commercial U.S. shipments by grade (i.e., line S) is equal the quantity and value reported
for commercial U.S. shipments (i.e., lines D and E) in 2015 reported in question II-5. 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.
Item
Reconciliation with question II-7, should =
zero ("0"), if not revise prior to submission.

Quantity (short tons)

Value (in $1,000)

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II-7.

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Imports from all other sources (AOS).–Report your firm’s imports and your firm’s shipments
and inventories of SSSS imported from all other sources (i.e., all sources except China) combined
by your firm during the specified periods.

AOS

(list sources:

)
Quantity (in short tons), value (in $1,000)
Calendar years

Item

2013

2014

January-September
2015

2015

2016

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II-7.

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Imports from all other sources (AOS).–Continued

2013

2014

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

January-September
2015

2015
0

2016
0

2012

2013
0

January-September
2014

2014
0

2015
0

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II-8.

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Commercial U.S. shipments of SSSS by product grade from AOS.-- Report your firm’s
commercial U.S. shipments of SSSS imported from AOS, by grade of stainless steel.
2015
Item

Quantity (short tons)

Value (in $1,000)

Commercial U.S. shipments:
Grade 201 (M)
Grade 304 (N)
Grade 316 (O)
Grade 409 (P)
Grade 430 (Q)
1

All others (R)

Total (S)
1

Please identify these products:

RECONCILIATION OF SHIPMENTS BY GRADE--Please ensure that the quantities and values reported for
U.S. producers commercial U.S. shipments by grade (i.e., line S) is equal the quantity and value reported
for commercial U.S. shipments (i.e., lines D and E) in 2015 reported in question II-7. 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.
Item
Reconciliation with question II-7, should =
zero ("0"), if not revise prior to submission.

II-9.

Quantity (short tons)

Value (in $1,000)

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.

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PART III.--PRICING AND MARKET FACTORS
Further information on this part of the questionnaire can be obtained from Aimee Larsen (202-2053179, Aimee.Larsen@usitc.gov).
III-1.

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 China, Mexico, and Taiwan:
Product 1.—AISI Grade 304, 0.075 inch nominal thickness (0.068-0.082 inch actual), width 4860 inches, in coils, 2B finish.
Product 2.—AISI Grade 304, 0.029 inch nominal thickness (0.0260-0.032 inch actual), width 4860 inches, in coils, 2B finish.
Product 3.—AISI Grade 304, 0.029 inch nominal thickness (0.0260-0.032 inch actual), width 4860 inches, in coils, polished.
Product 4.—AISI Grade 304, 0.036 inch nominal thickness (0.032-0.040 inch actual), width 4860 inches, in coils, 2B finish.
Product 5.—AISI Grade 304, 0.036 inch nominal thickness (0.032-0.040 inch actual), width 4860 inches, in coils, polished.
Product 6.—AISI Grade 304, 0.024 inch nominal thickness (0.0231-0.0260 inch actual), width
48-60 inches, in coils, polished.
Product 7.--AISI Grade 409, 0.048 inch nominal thickness (0.0450-0.0510 inch actual), width
48-60 inches, in coils, 2B finish.
Product 8.--AISI Grade 430, 0.036 inch nominal thickness (0.032-0.040 inch actual), width
36-48 inches, in coils, polished.

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).

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During January 2013-September 2016, did your firm import from China 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.

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III-2a. Price data.--Report below the quarterly price data1 for pricing products2 imported from China
and sold by your firm.

China

Report data in actual short tons and actual dollars (not 1,000s).
Product 1
Quantity
Value

(Quantity in short tons, value in dollars)
Product 2
Product 3
Quantity
Value
Quantity
Value

Product 4
Period of shipment
Quantity
Value
2013:
January-March
April-June
July-September
OctoberDecember
2014:
January-March
April-June
July-September
OctoberDecember
2015:
January-March
April-June
July-September
OctoberDecember
2016:
January-March
April-June
July-September
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:
Product 4:

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III-2a. Price data.—Continued.

Page 19

China

Report data in actual short tons and actual dollars (not 1,000s).
Product 5
Quantity
Value

(Quantity in short tons, value in dollars)
Product 6
Product 7
Quantity
Value
Quantity
Value

Product 8
Quantity
Value

Period of shipment
2013:
January-March
April-June
July-September
OctoberDecember
2014:
January-March
April-June
July-September
OctoberDecember
2015:
January-March
April-June
July-September
OctoberDecember
2016:
January-March
April-June
July-September
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 5:
Product 6:
Product 7:
Product 8:

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III-2b. Price data.--Report below the quarterly price data1 for pricing products2 imported from Mexico
and sold by your firm.

Mexico

Report data in actual short tons and actual dollars (not 1,000s).
Product 1
Quantity
Value

(Quantity in short tons, value in dollars)
Product 2
Product 3
Quantity
Value
Quantity
Value

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Stainless Steel Sheet and Strip
III-2b. Price data.—Continued.

Page 21

Mexico

Report data in actual short tons and actual dollars (not 1,000s).
Product 5
Quantity
Value

(Quantity in short tons, value in dollars)
Product 6
Product 7
Quantity
Value
Quantity
Value

Product 8
Quantity
Value

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Stainless Steel Sheet and Strip
III-2c.

Page 22

Price data.--Report below the quarterly price data1 for pricing products2 imported from Taiwan
and sold by your firm.

Taiwan

Report data in actual short tons and actual dollars (not 1,000s).
Product 1
Quantity
Value

(Quantity in short tons, value in dollars)
Product 2
Product 3
Quantity
Value
Quantity
Value

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Stainless Steel Sheet and Strip
III-2c.

Price data.—Continued.

Page 23

Taiwan

Report data in actual short tons and actual dollars (not 1,000s).
Product 5
Quantity
Value

(Quantity in short tons, value in dollars)
Product 6
Product 7
Quantity
Value
Quantity
Value

Product 8
Quantity
Value

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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.
III-3.

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

III-4.

Contracts

Other

If other, describe

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

Quantity
discounts

III-5.

Set
price
lists

Annual
total
volume
discounts

No
discount
policy

Other

Describe

Pricing terms.-(a)

What are your firm’s typical sales terms for SSSS imported from China?
Net 30
days

(b)

Net 60
days

2/10 net 30
days

Other

Other (specify)

On what basis are your firm’s prices of imported SSSS from China usually quoted (check
one)?
Delivered

F.o.b.

If f.o.b., specify point

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Stainless Steel Sheet and Strip
III-6.

Contract versus spot.--Approximately what share of your firm’s sales of SSSS imported from
China in 2015 was on a (1) long-term contract basis, (2) annual contract basis, (3) short-term
contract basis, and (4) spot sales basis?

Share of 2015
sales
III-7.

Page 25

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

Type of sale
Short-term
Annual
contracts
contracts
(multiple
(multiple
deliveries for
deliveries for 12
less than 12
months)
months)
%

Total
(should
sum to
100.0%)

Spot sales
(for a single
delivery)
%

0.0

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

Typical sales
contract provisions

Item

Average contract
duration

No. of
days

Price renegotiation
(during contract
period)

Yes

Fixed quantity
and/or price
Meet or release
provision
Not applicable

No
Quantity
Price
Both
Yes
No

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

Annual contracts
(multiple deliveries
for 12 months)
365

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

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Stainless Steel Sheet and Strip
III-8.

Lead times.--What is your firm’s share of sales of SSSS imported from China 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 SSSS?

Source

Share of
2015 sales

From your firm’s U.S. inventory

From foreign manufacturers’ inventory

Produced to order

Total (should sum to 100.0%)
III-9.

Page 26

Lead time (average
number of days)

0.0 %

Shipping information.—
(a)

What is the approximate percentage of the total delivered cost of SSSS imported from
China that is accounted for by U.S. inland transportation costs?
percent.

(b)

Who generally arranges the transportation to your firm’s customers’ locations?
Your firm
Purchaser (check one)

(c)

When your firm sells SSSS imported from China, from where is it shipped?
Point of importation
Storage facility (check one)

(d)

Indicate the approximate percentage of your firm’s sales of SSSS imported from China
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

Within 100 miles

101 to 1,000 miles

Over 1,000 miles

Total (should sum to 100.0%)

0.0

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III-10. Geographical shipments.--In which U.S. geographic market area(s) has your firm sold SSSS
imported from subject countries since January 1, 2013 (check all that apply)?
Geographic area

China

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.
III-11. End uses.--List the end uses of the SSSS that your firm imports from China. For each end-use
product, what percentage of the total cost is accounted for by SSSS and other inputs?
Share of total cost of end-use product
accounted for by
End use product

SSSS

Other inputs

Total
(should sum to
100.0% across)

0.0 %

III-12. Substitutes.-- Can other products be substituted for SSSS?
No

Substitute
1.
2.
3.

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 SSSS?
No Yes

Explanation

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III-13. Demand trends.-- Indicate how demand within the United States and outside of the United
States (if known) for SSSS has changed since January 1, 2013. Explain any trends and describe
the principal factors that have affected these changes in demand.
Overall
increase

Market

No
Overall Fluctuate with
change decrease no clear trend

Explanation and factors

Within the
United States
Outside the
United States
III-14. Product changes.--Have there been any significant changes in the product range, product mix or
marketing of SSSS since January 1, 2013?
No

Yes

If yes, please describe.

III-15. Conditions of competition.—
(a) Is the SSSS market subject to business cycles (other than general economy-wide conditions)
and/or other conditions of competition distinctive to SSSS?
Check all that apply.

Please describe.

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
SSSS since January 1, 2013?
No

Yes

If yes, describe.

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Stainless Steel Sheet and Strip

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III-16. Supply constraints.--Has your firm refused, declined, or been unable to supply SSSS 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.

III-17. Raw materials.-(a)

How have SSSS raw material prices changed since January 1, 2013?

Fluctuate
Overall
No
Overall
with no
increase change decrease clear trend

(b)

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

Are your firm’s selling price for SSSS indexed to raw material costs?
Type of sale
By contract
Spot market

Yes

Please explain.

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Stainless Steel Sheet and Strip

Page 30

III-18. Surcharges.-(a)

Does your firm employ a surcharge for any of the following inputs (check all that apply)?
If yes, please describe the surcharge formula applied
for each input and whether the formula has changed
since 2013.
Input

Yes

Spot sales

Contract

Nickel
Chromium
Manganese
Molybdenum
Scrap (iron)
Energy (natural gas
and /or electricity)
Fuel (for transport)
Other (describe:
)
(b)
Daily

How frequently does your firm change or adjust its surcharges for SSSS?
Weekly

Monthly

Quarterly

Annually

Other

If other, specify

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Stainless Steel Sheet and Strip

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III-19. Base price.—
(a)

How does your firm determine its base price for SSSS?

(b)

Does your base price include any raw material costs that are not included in your
surcharges?

(c)

Yes

If yes, please identify the raw material(s) and explain how raw
material price changes have affected your firm’s base price for SSSS

How frequently does your firm change or adjust its base price for SSSS?
Daily

Weekly

Monthly

Quarterly

Annually

Other

If other, specify

III-20. Interchangeability.--Is SSSS produced in the United States and in other countries interchangeable
(i.e., can they physically be used in the same applications)?
Please indicate A, F, S, N, or 0 in the table below:
A = the products from a specified country-pair are always interchangeable
F = the products are frequently interchangeable
S = the products are sometimes interchangeable
N = the products are never interchangeable
0 = no familiarity with products from a specified country-pair
Country-pair

China

Mexico

Taiwan

Other countries

United States
China
Mexico
Taiwan
For any country-pair producing stainless steel sheet and strip which is sometimes or never
interchangeable, please identify the country-pair and explain the factors that limit or preclude
interchangeable use:

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Stainless Steel Sheet and Strip

Page 32

III-21. Factors other than price.--Are differences other than price (e.g., quality, availability,
transportation network, product range, technical support, etc.) between SSSS produced in the
United States and in other countries a significant factor in your firm’s sales of the products?
Please indicate A, F, S, N, or 0 in the table below:
A = such differences are always significant
F = such differences are frequently significant
S = such differences are sometimes significant
N = such differences are never significant
0 = no familiarity with products from a specified country-pair
Country-pair

China

Mexico

Taiwan

Other countries

United States
China
Mexico
Taiwan
For any country-pair for which factors other than price always or frequently are a significant factor in your
firm’s purchases of stainless steel sheet and strip, identify the country-pair and report the advantages or
disadvantages imparted by such factors:

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Stainless Steel Sheet and Strip

Page 33

III-22. Customer identification.--List the names and contact information for your firm’s 10 largest U.S.
customers for SSSS since January 1, 2013. Indicate the share of the quantity of your firm’s total
shipments of SSSS that each of these customers accounted for in 2015.
Customer’s name

City

State

Share of 2015 sales (%)

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

III-23. 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.

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Stainless Steel Sheet and Strip

Page 34

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/stainless_steel_sheet_and_strip_
china/final.htm.
Please do not attempt to modify the format or permissions of the questionnaire
document. Please submit the completed questionnaire using one of the methods noted
below. If your firm is unable to complete the MS Word questionnaire or cannot use one
of the electronic methods of submission, please contact the Commission for further
instructions.
• Upload via Secure Drop Box.—Upload the MS Word questionnaire along with a scanned copy of the
signed certification page (page 1) through the Commission’s secure upload facility:
Web address: https://dropbox.usitc.gov/oinv/

Pin: SSSS

• E-mail.—E-mail the MS Word questionnaire to mgs@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 (202205-1803). A certificate of service must accompany the completed questionnaire you submit (see 19 CFR
§ 207.7). Service of the questionnaire must be made in paper form.

File Type	application/pdf
File Title	US importer questionnaire
Subject	Title 7 investigations
Author	Larsen, Aimee
File Modified	2016-10-21
File Created	2016-10-21