17-2-3654 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 Importers--SSSS review

Stainless Steel Sheet and Strip from Japan, Korea, and Taiwan, Inv. No(s). 701-TA-382 and 731-TA-800, 801, and 803 (Third Review)

OMB: 3117-0016

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OMB No. 3117-0016/USITC No. 17-2-3654; Expiration Date: 6/30/2017
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U.S. IMPORTERS’ QUESTIONNAIRE
STAINLESS STEEL SHEET AND STRIP FROM JAPAN, KOREA, AND TAIWAN
This questionnaire must be received by the Commission by May 12, 2017
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 reviews of the countervailing duty order concerning stainless steel sheet and strip from Korea and
the antidumping duty orders concerning stainless steel sheet and strip from Japan, Korea, and Taiwan (Inv. Nos. 701-TA382 and 731-TA-800, 801, and 803 (Third Review)). The information requested in the questionnaire is requested under
the authority of the Tariff Act of 1930, title VII. This report is mandatory and failure to reply as directed can result in a
subpoena or other order to compel the submission of records or information in your firm’s possession (19 U.S.C. §
1333(a)).
Name of firm
Address
City

State

Zip Code

Website
Has your firm imported stainless steel sheet and strip (as defined on the next page) from any country
at any time since January 1, 2011?

(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: STS3)
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 investigations 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
proceeding or other proceedings 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.-- On July 27, 1999, the Department of Commerce (“Commerce”) issued the antidumping
duty orders on imports of stainless steel sheet and strip from Japan, Korea, and Taiwan (64 FR 40565
and 64 FR 40555) and on August 6, 1999, Commerce issued the countervailing duty order on imports of
stainless steel sheet and strip Korea (64 FR 42923). Following five-year reviews by Commerce and the
Commission, effective August 4, 2005, Commerce issued a continuation of the countervailing duty order
on imports of stainless steel sheet and strip Korea and the antidumping duty orders on imports of
stainless steel sheet and strip from Japan, Korea, and Taiwan (70 FR 44886). Following second five-year
reviews by Commerce and the Commission, effective August 11, 2011, Commerce issued a second
continuation of the countervailing duty order on imports of stainless steel sheet and strip Korea and the
antidumping duty orders on imports of stainless steel sheet and strip from Japan, Korea, and Taiwan and
(76 FR 49726). On July 1, 2016, 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. Each order for which the Commission and Commerce make affirmative
determinations will remain in place. If the Commission makes a negative determination on a particular
order, the Department of Commerce will revoke that order. Questionnaires and other information
pertinent to this proceeding are available at
https://www.usitc.gov/investigations/701731/2016/stainless_steel_sheet_and_strip_japan_korea_and/
third_review_full.htm.
Stainless steel sheet and strip (“SSSS”).-- The merchandise covered by these AD and CVD orders is
stainless steel sheet and strip in coils. 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 flat-rolled product in coils that is greater than 9.5 mm in width and less than 4.75
mm in thickness, 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., cold-rolled, polished, aluminized,
coated, etc.) provided that it maintains the specific dimensions of sheet and strip following such
processing.
The merchandise subject to these orders is classified in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United
States (HTSUS) at subheadings: 7219.13.00.31, 7219.13.00.51, 7219.13.00.71, 7219.13.00.81,
7219.14.00.30, 7219.14.00.65, 7219.14.00.90, 7219.32.00.05, 7219.32.00.20, 7219.32.00.25,
7219.32.00.35, 7219.32.00.36, 7219.32.00.38, 7219.32.00.42, 7219.32.00.44, 7219.33.00.05,
7219.33.00.20, 7219.33.00.25, 7219.33.00.35, 7219.33.00.36, 7219.33.00.38, 7219.33.00.42,
7219.33.00.44, 7219.34.00.05, 7219.34.00.20, 7219.34.00.25, 7219.34.00.30, 7219.34.00.35,
7219.35.00.05, 7219.35.00.15, 7219.35.00.30, 7219.35.00.35, 7219.90.00.10, 7219.90.00.20,
7219.90.00.25, 7219.90.00.60, 7219.90.00.80, 7220.12.10.00, 7220.12.50.00, 7220.20.10.10,
7220.20.10.15, 7220.20.10.60, 7220.20.10.80, 7220.20.60.05, 7220.20.60.10, 7220.20.60.15,
7220.20.60.60, 7220.20.60.80, 7220.20.70.05, 7220.20.70.10, 7220.20.70.15, 7220.20.70.60,
7220.20.70.80, 7220.20.80.00, 7220.20.90.30, 7220.20.90.60, 7220.90.00.10, 7220.90.00.15,
7220.90.00.60, and 7220.90.00.80. Although the HTSUS subheadings are provided for convenience and
customs purposes, the Department's written description of the merchandise subject to these orders is
dispositive.
Excluded from the scope of these orders are the following: (1) Sheet and strip that is not annealed or
otherwise heat treated and pickled or otherwise descaled, (2) sheet and strip that is cut to length, (3)
plate (i.e.,flat-rolled stainless steel products of a thickness of 4.75 mm or more), (4) flat wire (i.e., coldrolled sections, with a prepared edge, rectangular in shape, of a width of not more than 9.5 mm), and (5)

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razor blade steel, (6) flapper valve steel, (7) suspension foil, (8) certain stainless steel foil for automotive
catalytic converters, (9) permanent magnet iron-chromium-cobalt alloy stainless strip, (10) certain
electrical resistance ally steel, (11) certain martensitic precipitation-hardenable stainless steel, and (12)
three specialty stainless steels typically used in certain industrial blades and surgical and medication
instruments. Items 5 through 12 are further described below.
Razor blade steel is a flat-rolled product of stainless steel, not further worked than cold-rolled (coldreduced), in coils, of a width of not more than 23 mm and a thickness of 0.266 mm or less, containing,
by weight, 12.5 to 14.5 percent chromium, and certified at the time of entry to be used in the
manufacture of razor blades. See Chapter 72 of the HTSUS, “Additional U.S. Note” 1(d).
Flapper valve steel is also excluded from the scope. This product is defined as stainless steel strip in coils
containing, by weight, between 0.37 and 0.43 percent carbon, between 1.15 and 1.35 percent
molybdenum, and between 0.20 and 0.80 percent manganese. This steel also contains, by weight,
phosphorus of 0.025 percent or less, silicon of between 0.20 and 0.50 percent, and sulfur of 0.020
percent or less. The product is manufactured by means of vacuum arc remelting, with inclusion controls
for sulphide of no more than 0.04 percent and for oxide of no more than 0.05 percent. Flapper valve
steel has a tensile strength of between 210 and 300 ksi, yield strength of between 170 and 270 ksi, plus
or minus 8 ksi, and a hardness (Hv) of between 460 and 590. Flapper valve steel is most commonly used
to produce specialty flapper valves in compressors.
Suspension foil excluded from the scope is a specialty steel product used in the manufacture of
suspension assemblies for computer disk drives. Suspension foil is described as 302/304 grade or 202
grade stainless steel of a thickness between 14 and 127 microns, with a thickness tolerance of plus-orminus 2.01 microns, and surface glossiness of 200 to 700 percent Gs. Suspension foil must be supplied in
coilwidths of not more than 407 mm, and with a mass of 225 kg or less. Roll marks may only be visible
on one side, with no scratches of measurable depth. The material must exhibit residual stresses of 2 mm
maximum deflection, and flatness of 1.6 mm over 685 mm length.
Certain stainless steel foil for automotive catalytic converters is also excluded from the scope. This
stainless steel strip in coils is a specialty foil with a thickness of between 20 and 110 microns used to
produce a metallic substrate with a honeycomb structure for use in automotive catalytic converters. The
steel contains, by weight, carbon of no more than 0.030 percent, silicon of no more than 1.0 percent,
manganese of no more than 1.0 percent, chromium of between 19 and 22 percent, aluminum of no less
than 5.0 percent, phosphorus of no more than 0.045 percent, sulfur of no more than 0.03 percent,
lanthanum of less than 0.002 or greater than 0.05 percent, and total rare earth elements of more than
0.06 percent, with the balance iron.
Permanent magnet iron-chromium-cobalt alloy stainless strip is also excluded from the scope. This
ductile stainless steel strip contains, by weight, 26 to 30 percent chromium, and 7 to 10 percent cobalt,
with the remainder of iron, in widths 228.6 mm or less, and a thickness between 0.127 and 1.270 mm. It
exhibits magnetic remanence between 9,000 and 12,000 gauss, and a coercivity of between 50 and 300
oersteds. This product is most commonly used in electronic sensors and is currently available under
proprietary trade names such as “Arnokrome III.”1
Certain electrical resistance alloy steel is also excluded from the scope. This product is defined as a nonmagnetic stainless steel manufactured to American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM)
specification B344 and containing, by weight, 36 percent nickel, 18 percent chromium, and 46 percent
1

“Arnokrome III” is a trademark of the Arnold Engineering Company.

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iron, and is most notable for its resistance to high temperature corrosion. It has a melting point of 1390
degrees Celsius and displays a creep rupture limit of 4 kilograms per square millimeter at 1000 degrees
Celsius. This steel is most commonly used in the production of heating ribbons for circuit breakers and
industrial furnaces, and in rheostats for railway locomotives. The product is currently available under
proprietary trade names such as “Gilphy 36.”2
Certain martensitic precipitation-hardenable stainless steel is also excluded from the scope. This highstrength, ductile stainless steel product is designated under the Unified Numbering System (UNS) as
S45500-grade steel, and contains, by weight, 11 to 13 percent chromium, and 7 to 10 percent nickel.
Carbon, manganese, silicon and molybdenum each comprise, by weight, 0.05 percent or less, with
phosphorus and sulfur each comprising, by weight, 0.03 percent or less. This steel has copper, niobium,
and titanium added to achieve aging, and will exhibit yield strengths as high as 1700 Mpa and ultimate
tensile strengths as high as 1750 Mpa after aging, with elongation percentages of 3 percent or less in 50
mm. It is generally provided in thicknesses between 0.635 and 0.787 mm, and in widths of 25.4 mm. This
product is most commonly used in the manufacture of television tubes and is currently available under
proprietary trade names such as “Durphynox 17.”3
Three specialty stainless steels typically used in certain industrial blades and surgical and medical
instruments are also excluded from the scope. These include stainless steel strip in coils used in the
production of textile cutting tools (e.g., carpet knives).4 This steel is similar to AISI grade 420 but
containing, by weight, 0.5 to 0.7 percent of molybdenum. The steel also contains, by weight, carbon of
between 1.0 and 1.1 percent, sulfur of 0.020 percent or less, and includes between 0.20 and 0.30
percent copper and between 0.20 and 0.50 percent cobalt. This steel is sold under proprietary names
such as “GIN4 Mo.” The second excluded stainless steel strip in coils is similar to AISI 420-J2 and
contains, by weight, carbon of between 0.62 and 0.70 percent, silicon of between 0.20 and 0.50 percent,
manganese of between 0.45 and 0.80 percent, phosphorus of no more than 0.025 percent and sulfur of
no more than 0.020 percent. This steel has a carbide density on average of 100 carbide particles per 100
square microns. An example of this product is “GIN5” steel. The third specialty steel has a chemical
composition similar to AISI 420 F, with carbon of between 0.37 and 0.43 percent, molybdenum of
between 1.15 and 1.35 percent, but lower manganese of between 0.20 and 0.80 percent, phosphorus of
no more than 0.025 percent, silicon of between 0.20 and 0.50 percent, and sulfur of no more than 0.020
percent. This product is supplied with a hardness of more than Hv 500 guaranteed after customer
processing, and is supplied as, for example, “GIN6”.5
In addition, as a result of changed circumstances reviews, the Department has revoked, in part, the
Japanese AD order with respect to imports of the following products:6
•
•

Stainless steel welding electrode strips that are manufactured in accordance with
American Welding Society (AWS) specifications ANSI/AWS A5.9-93
Certain stainless steel used for razor blades, medical surgical blades, and industrial
blades that are sold under proprietary names such as DSRIK7, DSRIKA, and DSRIK9;

“Gilphy 36” is a trademark of Imphy, S.A.
“Durphynox 17” is a trademark of Imphy, S.A.
4
This list of uses is illustrative and provided for descriptive purposes only.
5
“GIN4 Mo,” “GIN5” and “GIN6” are the proprietary grades of Hitachi Metals America, Ltd.
6
See the following Federal Register notices entitled Stainless Steel Sheet and Strip in Coils From Japan: Final Results
of Changed Circumstance Antidumping Duty Review, and Determination To Revoke Order in Part: 65 FR 17856,
April 5, 2000; 65 FR 54841, September 11, 2000; 65 FR 64423, October 27, 2000; and 65 FR 77578, December 12,
2000.
3

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

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Certain stainless steel lithographic sheet that is made of 304-grade stainless steel; and
Certain nickel clad stainless steel sheet.

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,
purchaser and/or foreign producer 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.
Valid number error messages.--If you are completing this form in a country that uses periods (“.”) to
delineate multiples of 1000 (e.g., one million would appear as $1.000.000 rather than $1,000,000), you
may be unable to enter in numbers greater than 999 in numeric form fields. The solution to this data
entry issue is to temporarily change your operating system’s number formatting to be consistent with
the U.S. number formatting system while you complete this form. Detailed instructions on how to
resolve this issue is provided at the end of this questionnaire and is available upon request from Michael
Szustakowski (202-205-3169, mgs@usitc.gov).

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Stainless Steel Sheet and Strip
I-1.

Page 6

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 stainless steel sheet and
strip, 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 stainless steel sheet and strip into the United States or
that are engaged in exporting stainless steel sheet and strip to the United States?
No

Yes--List the following information.

Firm name

I-5.

Country

Affiliation

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

Yes--List the following information.

Firm name

I-6.

Page 7

Country

Affiliation

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

Takes title to the
imported product(s)

Consignee of the
imported products(s)

Customs broker or
freight forwarder

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Stainless Steel Sheet and Strip
I-7.

Consignees.--If your firm is an importer of record of stainless steel sheet and strip but is not the
consignee, please list the consignees below (firm name, address, telephone number, and
individual to contact).
Firm name

I-8.

Page 8

Contact person and
phone number

Address

FTZ, TIB, or bonded warehouses.--Please indicate whether your firm enters stainless steel sheet
and strip into, or withdraws such merchandise from, foreign trade zones or bonded warehouses.
Also indicate whether your firm imports stainless steel sheet and strip 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 (HTS).
No
Foreign trade zones
Bonded warehouses
Temporary importation under bond

Yes

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I-9.
Business plan.--In Parts II and III of this questionnaire we request a copy of your company’s
business plan. Does your company or any related firm have a business plan or any internal documents
that describe, discuss, or analyze expected market conditions for stainless steel sheet and strip?
No

I-10.

Yes–Please provide the requested documents. If you are not providing the
requested documents, please explain why not.

Other trade actions.--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 stainless steel sheet and strip since January 1, 2011.
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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Anticipated changes in operations.--Does your firm anticipate any changes in the character of
your operations or organization (as noted above) relating to the importation of stainless steel
sheet and strip in the future?

Yes

If yes, supply details as to the time, nature, and significance of such changes
and provide underlying assumptions, along with relevant portions of
business plans or other supporting documentation that address this issue.

For question II-4, if your firm’s response differs for particular orders, please indicate and explain the
particular effect of revocation of specific orders.
II-4.

Anticipated changes in operations in the event the order is revoked.--Would your firm
anticipate any changes in the character of its operations or organization (as noted above)
relating to the importation of stainless steel sheet and strip in the future if the countervailing
duty order on stainless steel sheet and strip from Korea and/or the antidumping duty orders on
stainless steel sheet and strip from Japan, Korea, and Taiwan were to be revoked?

II-5.

Yes

Arranged imports.--Has your firm imported or arranged for the importation of stainless steel
sheet and strip for delivery after March 31, 2017?
“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 (short tons)

Period/Source

Apr-Jun 2017

Japan
Korea
Taiwan
Other sources1
1

Identify your other sources:

Jul-Sept 2017

Oct-Dec 2017

Jan-Mar 2018

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

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. Such transactions are
valued at fair market value.
“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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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Stainless Steel Sheet and Strip
II-7.

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Imports from Japan.--Report your firm’s imports and your firm’s shipments and inventories of
stainless steel sheet and strip imported from Japan during the specified periods.

JAPAN
Quantity (in short tons), value (in $1,000)
Calendar year
Item

2014

2015

January-March
2016

2016

2017

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 (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 period identified above:
.
3
Identify your firm’s principal export markets:
.
2

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Page 14

IMPORTS FROM JAPAN.–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 year
Reconciliation

2014

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

2015

January-March
2016

2016

2017

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

2014

2015
0

January-March
2016

2016
0

2017
0

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

Page 15

Commercial U.S. shipments by product grade.--Report your firm’s commercial U.S. shipments
of stainless steel sheet and strip imported from Japan, by grade of stainless steel.

JAPAN
2016
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)
All others1 (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 2016 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.

Quantity (short tons)

Value (in $1,000)

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Stainless Steel Sheet and Strip
II-9.

Page 16

Subject imports from Korea.--Report your firm’s imports and your firm’s shipments and
inventories of stainless steel sheet and strip imported from Korea that are subject to either the
antidumping or countervailing duty orders (e.g., imports from all firms in Korea except from
POSCO) during the specified periods.

KOREA (SUBJECT)
•

Imports from Korea excluding imports from POSCO.
Quantity (in short tons), value (in $1,000)
Calendar year

Item

2014

2015

January-March
2016

2016

2017

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Stainless Steel Sheet and Strip
II-9.

Page 17

SUBJECT IMPORTS FROM KOREA.–Continued

2014

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

2015

January-March
2016

2016

2017

Explanation if the calculated fields above are returning values other than zero (i.e., “0”) but are nonetheless accurate:
.

2014

2015
0

January-March
2016

2016
0

2017
0

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Stainless Steel Sheet and Strip
II-10.

Page 18

Commercial U.S. shipments by product grade.--Report your firm’s commercial U.S. shipments
of stainless steel sheet and strip imported from subject sources in Korea (e.g., imports from all
firms in Korea except from POSCO), by grade of stainless steel.

KOREA (SUBJECT)
2016
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)
All others1 (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 2016 reported in question II-9. 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-9, should =
zero ("0"), if not revise prior to
submission.

Quantity (short tons)

Value (in $1,000)

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Stainless Steel Sheet and Strip
II-11.

Page 19

Subject imports from Taiwan.--Report your firm’s imports and your firm’s shipments and
inventories of stainless steel sheet and strip imported from Taiwan that are subject to the
antidumping duty order (e.g., imports from all firms in Taiwan except from Chang Mien and
Tung Mung) during the specified periods.

TAIWAN (SUBJECT)
•

Imports from Taiwan excluding imports from Chang Mien and Tung Mung.
Quantity (in short tons), value (in $1,000)
Calendar year
Item

2014

2015

January-March
2016

2016

2017

Please identify the foreign producers, if known:
.
2
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 period identified above:
.
3
Identify your firm’s principal export markets:
.

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Stainless Steel Sheet and Strip
II-11.

Page 20

SUBJECT IMPORTS FROM TAIWAN.–Continued

2014

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

2015

January-March
2016

2016

2017

Explanation if the calculated fields above are returning values other than zero (i.e., “0”) but are nonetheless accurate:
.

2014

2015
0

January-March
2016

2016
0

2017
0

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Stainless Steel Sheet and Strip
II-12.

Page 21

Commercial U.S. shipments by product grade.--Report your firm’s commercial U.S. shipments
of stainless steel sheet and strip imported from subject sources in Taiwan (e.g., imports from all
firms in Taiwan except from Chang Mien and Tung Mung), by grade of stainless steel.

TAIWAN (SUBJECT)
2016
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)
All others1 (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 2016 reported in question II-11. 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-11, should
= zero ("0"), if not revise prior to
submission.

Quantity (short tons)

Value (in $1,000)

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Stainless Steel Sheet and Strip
II-13.

Page 22

Imports from nonsubject sources.--Report your firm’s imports and your firm’s shipments and
inventories of stainless steel sheet and strip imported from all nonsubject sources during the
specified periods. Nonsubject sources include (a) imports from POSCO in Korea, (b) imports
from Chang Mien and Tung Mung in Taiwan, and (c) imports from all other sources not
previously reported.

•
•
•

NONSUBJECT SOURCES

Nonsubject Korea = Imports from POSCO in Korea.
Nonsubject Taiwan = Imports from Chang Mien and Tung Mung in Taiwan.
All other sources = Imports from sources other than Japan, Korea, or Taiwan

(list sources:

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

Item

2014

2015

January-March
2016

2016

2017

Beginning-of-period inventories
(quantity) (A)
Imports from nonsubject sources in
Korea:
Quantity (B)
Value (C)
Imports from nonsubject sources in
Taiwan:
Quantity (D)
Value (E)
Imports from all other nonsubject
sources:1
Quantity (F)
Value (G)
Imports:
Quantity (H)

Value (I)
0
Table continued on next page. Footnotes on next page.

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Stainless Steel Sheet and Strip
II-13.

Page 23

Imports from all other sources.--Continued
Quantity (in short tons), value (in $1,000)
Calendar year
Item

2014

2015

January-March
2016

2016

2017

U.S. shipments:
Commercial shipments:
Quantity (J)
Value (K)
Internal consumption/
company transfers:
Quantity (L)
Value2 (M)
Export shipments:3
Quantity (N)
Value (O)
End-of-period inventories (quantity) (P)
Channels of distribution:
Commercial U.S. shipments
to distributors (quantity) (Q)
to end users (quantity) (R)
1

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Stainless Steel Sheet and Strip
II-13.

Page 24

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 P) should be equal to the beginning-of-period inventories (i.e., line
A), plus imports (i.e., lines B, D, and F), less total shipments (i.e., lines J, L, and N). Please ensure that
any differences are not due to data entry errors in completing this form, but rather actually reflect your
firm’s records; and also provide any likely explanations for any differences (e.g., theft, loss, damage,
record systems issues, etc.) if they exist.
Calendar year
Reconciliation

2014

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

2015

January-March
2016

2016

2017

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 Q and R) in each time period equal the quantity reported for commercial U.S. commercial
shipments (i.e., line J) in each time period. If the calculated fields below return values other than zero
(i.e., “0”), the data reported must be revised prior to submission to the Commission.
Calendar year
Reconciliation
Q + R – J = zero ("0"), if not
revise.

2014

2015
0

January-March
2016

2016
0

2017
0

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Stainless Steel Sheet and Strip
II-14.

Page 25

Commercial U.S. shipments by product grade.--Report your firm’s commercial U.S. shipments
of stainless steel sheet and strip imported from all other sources, by grade of stainless steel.

NONSUBJECT SOURCES
2016
Item

Quantity (short tons)

Value (in $1,000)

Commercial U.S. shipments:
Grade 201 (S)
Grade 304 (T)
Grade 316 (U)
Grade 409 (V)
Grade 430 (W)
All others1 (X)

Total (Y)
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., lines Y) is equal the quantity and value reported
for commercial U.S. shipments (i.e., lines D and E) in 2016 reported in question II-13. 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-13, should
= zero ("0"), if not revise prior to
submission.

Quantity (short tons)

Value (in $1,000)

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

Page 26

For questions II-15 and II-16, if your firm’s response differs for particular orders, please indicate and
explain the particular effect of imposition and/or revocation of specific orders.
II-15.

Effect of order(s).-- Describe the significance of the existing countervailing duty order
concerning stainless steel sheet and strip from Korea and the antidumping duty orders
concerning stainless steel sheet and strip from Japan, Korea, and Taiwan in terms of its effect on
your firm’s imports, U.S. shipments of imports, and inventories. You may wish to compare your
firm’s operations before and after the imposition of the order.

II-16.

Likely effect of revocation of order(s).--Would your firm anticipate any changes in its imports,
U.S. shipments of imports, or inventories of stainless steel sheet and strip in the future if the
countervailing duty order concerning stainless steel sheet and strip from Korea and the
antidumping duty orders concerning stainless steel sheet and strip from Japan, Korea, and
Taiwan on stainless steel sheet and strip from Japan, Korea, and Taiwan were to be revoked?

II-17.

Yes

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

Page 27

PART III.--PRICING AND MARKET FACTORS
Further information on this part of the questionnaire can be obtained from Cindy Cohen (202-205-3230,
cindy.cohen@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 of the following products your firm imported from Japan, Korea,
and/or 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, 0.036 inch nominal thickness (0.032-0.040 inch actual), width 4860 inches, in coils, 2B finish.
Product 4.—AISI Grade 316L, 0.060 inch nominal thickness (0.054-0.066 inch actual), width 4860 inches, 2B finish.
Product 5.—AISI Grade 409, 0.048 inch nominal thickness (0.0450-0.0510 inch actual), width
48-60 inches, in coils, 2B finish.
Product 6.—AISI Grade 430, 0.036 inch nominal thickness (0.032-0.040 inch actual), width 3648 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).
(a) During January 2014-March 2017, did your firm import from Japan, Korea, and/or Taiwan
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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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Stainless Steel Sheet and Strip

Page 28

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

Japan

Report data in short tons and actual dollars (not 1,000s).
(Quantity in short tons, value in dollars)
Product 1
Product 2
Quantity
Value
Quantity
Value

Product 3
Period of shipment
Quantity
Value
2014:
January-March
April-June
July-September
October-December
2015:
January-March
April-June
July-September
October-December
2016:
January-March
April-June
July-September
October-December
2017:
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 the product. Also, please explain any anomalies in your firm’s reported pricing data.
Product 1:
Product 2:
Product 3:

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

Page 29

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

Japan

Report data in short tons and actual dollars (not 1,000s).
(Quantity in short tons, value in dollars)
Product 4
Product 5
Quantity
Value
Quantity
Value

Product 6
Period of shipment
Quantity
Value
2014:
January-March
April-June
July-September
October-December
2015:
January-March
April-June
July-September
October-December
2016:
January-March
April-June
July-September
October-December
2017:
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 the product. Also, please explain any anomalies in your firm’s reported pricing data.
Product 4:
Product 5:
Product 6:

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

Page 30

III-2(c). Price data (Korea).--Report below the quarterly price data1 for pricing products2 imported from
Korea and sold by your firm. Please do not include data for imports from Korea producer
POSCO as they are excluded from the order.

Korea (Subject)
Report data in short tons and actual dollars (not 1,000s).
(Quantity in short tons, value in dollars)
Product 1
Product 2
Quantity
Value
Quantity
Value

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

Page 31

Korea (Subject)
Report data in short tons and actual dollars (not 1,000s).
(Quantity in short tons, value in dollars)
Product 4
Product 5
Quantity
Value
Quantity
Value

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

Page 32

III-2(d). Price data (Taiwan).--Report below the quarterly price data1 for pricing products2 imported
from Taiwan and sold by your firm. Please do not include data for imports from Taiwan
producers Chang Mien and Tung Mung as they are excluded from the order.

Taiwan (Subject)
Report data in short tons and actual dollars (not 1,000s).
(Quantity in short tons, value in dollars)
Product 1
Product 2
Quantity
Value
Quantity
Value

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

Page 33

Taiwan (Subject)
Report data in short tons and actual dollars (not 1,000s).
(Quantity in short tons, value in dollars)
Product 4
Product 5
Quantity
Value
Quantity
Value

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Page 34

III-2(e). 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 stainless
steel sheet and strip (check all that apply)? If your firm issues price lists, please submit sample
pages of a recent list.
Transaction
by
transaction

III-4.

Other

If other, describe

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

Quantity
discounts

III-5.

Contracts

Set
price
lists

Annual
total
volume
discounts

No
discount
policy

Other

Describe

Pricing terms.-(a)

What are your firm’s typical sales terms for stainless steel sheet and strip imported from
Japan, Korea, and Taiwan?
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 stainless steel sheet and strip from
Japan, Korea, and Taiwan usually quoted? (check one)
Delivered

F.o.b.

If f.o.b., specify point

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

Contract versus spot.-- Approximately what share of your firm’s sales of stainless steel sheet
and strip imported from Japan, Korea, and Taiwan in 2016 was on a (1) long-term contract basis,
(2) annual contract basis, (3) short-term contract basis, and (4) spot sales basis?

Share of your
2016 sales
III-7.

Page 35

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

Type of sale
Annual
contracts
(multiple
deliveries for 12
months)

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

Spot sales
(for a single
delivery)
%

Total
(should
sum to
100.0%)
0.0

Contract provisions.--Please fill out the table regarding your firm’s typical sales contracts for
stainless steel sheet and strip from Japan, Korea, and Taiwan (or check “not applicable” if your
firm does not sell on a long-term, short-term, and/or 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)

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

Lead times.--What is your firm’s share of sales of stainless steel sheet and strip imported from
Japan, Korea, and Taiwan 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 stainless steel
sheet and strip?

Source

Share of 2016 sales

From inventory

From foreign manufacturers’ inventory

Produced to order

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

Page 36

Lead time (average
number of days)

0.0 %

Shipping information.-(a)

What is the approximate percentage of the total delivered cost of stainless steel sheet
and strip imported from Japan, Korea, and Taiwan that is accounted for by U.S. inland
transportation costs?
%

(b)

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

(c)

When your firm sells stainless steel sheet and strip imported from Japan, Korea, and
Taiwan, from where is it shipped?
Point of importation
Storage facility (check one)

(d)

Indicate the approximate percentage of your sales of stainless steel sheet and strip
imported from Japan, Korea, and Taiwan 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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Page 37

III-10. Geographical shipments.-- In which U.S. geographic market area(s) has your firm sold stainless
steel sheet and strip imported from subject countries since January 1, 2011 (check all that
apply)?
Geographic area

Japan

Korea

Taiwan

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.-(a)

List the end uses of the stainless steel sheet and strip that your firm imports from Japan,
Korea, and Taiwan. For each end-use product, what percentage of the total cost is
accounted for by stainless steel sheet and strip and other inputs?
Share of total cost of end-use product
accounted for by
Stainless steel sheet
and strip

End use product

(b)

Total
(should sum to
100.0% across)

Other inputs

0.0 %

Have there been any changes in the end uses of stainless steel sheet and strip since
January 1, 2011? Do you anticipate any future changes?

Changes in end
uses
Changes since
January 1, 2011
Anticipated
changes

Yes

Explain

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Page 38

III-12. Substitutes.-(a)

Can other products be substituted for stainless steel sheet and strip?
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 stainless steel sheet and
strip?
No Yes

Explanation

1.
2.
3.
(b)

Have there been any changes in the number or types of products that can be
substituted for stainless steel sheet and strip since January 1, 2011? Do you anticipate
any future changes?
Changes in
substitutes

Changes since
January 1, 2011
Anticipated
changes

No Yes

Explain

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Page 39

III-13. Availability of supply.--Has the availability of stainless steel sheet and strip in the U.S. market
changed since January 1, 2011? Do you anticipate any future changes?
Availability in the U.S.
market

Please explain, noting the countries and reasons for the
No Yes changes.

Changes since January 1, 2011:
U.S.-produced product
Imports from Japan,
Korea, and Taiwan
Imports from all other
countries
Anticipated changes:
U.S.-produced product
Imports from Japan,
Korea, and Taiwan
Imports from all other
countries

III-14. Demand trends.-- Indicate how demand within the United States and outside of the United
States (if known) for stainless steel sheet and strip has changed since January 1, 2011, 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, 2011
Within the United States
Outside the United States
Anticipated future demand
Within the United States
Outside the United States

Explanation and factors

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

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III-15. Product changes.--Have there been any significant changes in the product range, product mix,
or marketing of stainless steel sheet and strip since January 1, 2011? Do you anticipate any
future changes?
Changes in
product range,
product mix, or
marketing
No Yes

Explain

Changes since
January 1, 2011
Anticipated
changes
III-16. Conditions of competition.-(a) Is the stainless steel sheet and strip market subject to business cycles (other than general
economy-wide conditions) and/or other conditions of competition distinctive to stainless
steel sheet and strip?
Check all that apply.

Please describe.

Skip to question III-17.

Yes-Business cycles (e.g.
seasonal business)
Yes-Other distinctive
conditions of competition
(b) If yes, have there been any changes in the business cycles or conditions of competition for
stainless steel sheet and strip since January 1, 2011?
No

Yes

If yes, describe.

III-17. Supply constraints.--Has your firm refused, declined, or been unable to supply stainless steel
sheet and strip since January 1, 2011 (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.

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

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III-18. Raw materials.-(a)

Indicate how stainless steel sheet and strip raw material prices have changed since
January 1, 2011, and how you expect they will change in the future.

Raw
materials
prices

Fluctuate
Explain, noting how raw material
with no
price changes have affected your
clear
firm’s selling prices for stainless steel
Overall
No
Overall
increase change decrease trend
sheet and strip.

Changes since
January 1,
2011
Anticipated
changes
(b)

Are your firm’s selling price for stainless steel sheet and strip 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

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III-19. Surcharges.-(a)

Does your firm employ a surcharge for any of the following inputs (check all that apply)?

Input

Yes

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

)

(b)

If yes, please specify the surcharge formula(s) used and specify the yield rate.

(c)

Has your firm’s surcharge formula(s) changed since 2011?
No

(d)

Yes

If yes, please describe the change.

How frequently does your firm change or adjust its surcharges for stainless steel sheet
and strip?
Daily

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-20. Base price.—
(a)

How does your firm determine its base price for stainless steel sheet and strip

(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
stainless steel sheet and strip

How frequently does your firm change or adjust its base price for stainless steel sheet
and strip?
Daily

Weekly

Monthly

Quarterly

Annually

Other

If other, specify

III-21. Price comparisons.--Please compare market prices of stainless steel sheet and strip in U.S. and
non-U.S. markets if known. Provide information as to time periods and regions for any price
comparisons.

III-22. 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 stainless steel sheet and strip
supply (including production capacity and capacity utilization) and demand in (1) the United
States, (2) each of the other major producing/consuming countries, including Japan, Korea, and
Taiwan, and (3) the world as a whole. Of particular interest is such data from 2011 to the
present and forecasts for the future.

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

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III-23. Interchangeability.--Is stainless steel sheet and strip 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

Japan

Korea

Taiwan

Other countries

United States
Japan
Korea
Taiwan
For any country-pair producing stainless steel sheet and strip that is sometimes or never
interchangeable, 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

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III-24. Factors other than price.--Are differences other than price (e.g., quality, availability,
transportation network, product range, technical support, etc.) between stainless steel sheet
and strip 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

Japan

Korea

Taiwan

Other countries

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

III-25. 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

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Correcting Valid number error messages.--If you are completing a Commission

questionnaire in a country that uses periods (“.”) to delineate multiples of 1000 (e.g., one million would
appear as $1.000.000 instead of as $1,000,000), you may be unable to enter in numbers greater than
999 in numeric form fields. This issues stem from your computer number formatting setting (e.g., not
the MS Word document itself, but the computer from which you are opening up the document). In the
United States commas (,) delineate multiples of 1000 and periods (.) delineate fractions less than one.
Many EU countries use the reverse where multiples of 1000 are delineated with periods (.) and
fractions less than one are delineated with commas (,). The US International Trade Commission’s
questionnaires are set-up in the United States with the U.S. number formatting. When this formatting
interacts with a computer set to EU number formatting, we believe this may cause this issue.
The solution to this data entry issue is to temporarily change your operating system’s number
formatting to be consistent with the U.S. number formatting system while you complete the
questionnaire.
To temporarily change your computer’s number settings to U.S. settings, please do the following (for
Microsoft Windows Operating system):
•
•
•
•
•

START
Control Panel
Region and Language (under Clock, Language, and Region category)
Format tab
Change the Format from your existing one (e.g. “Italian (Italy)”) to “English (United States)” (see
screen shots below)

When you do this the number “twelve million dollars and thirty five cents” would change from
$12.000.000,35 (Italy format) to $12,000,000.35 (U.S. format), and then there will be no conflict with
the USITC foreign producer questionnaire form. When you finish reporting the data then you can close
the questionnaire and switch back to Italy settings.

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

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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/701731/2016/stainless_steel_sheet_and_strip_ja
pan_korea_and/third_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: STS3

• 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 does 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	USITCQUESTIONNAIRE
Author	Duncan, Russell
File Modified	2017-04-07
File Created	2017-04-07