17-3-3715 U.S. Purchasers' Questionnaire

OMB No. 3117-0016/USITC No. 17-3-3715; Expiration Date: 6/30/2020
(No response is required if currently valid OMB control number is not displayed)

U.S. PURCHASERS’ QUESTIONNAIRE
HARDWOOD PLYWOOD FROM CHINA
This questionnaire must be received by the Commission by August 10, 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 antidumping and countervailing duty investigations concerning hardwood plywood from China (Inv.
Nos. 701-TA-565 and 731-TA-1341 (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 possession (19 U.S.C. § 1333(a)).
Further information on this questionnaire can be obtained from Lauren Gamache (202-205-3489,
lauren.gamache@usitc.gov).

Name of firm
Address
City

State

Zip Code

Website
Has your firm purchased hardwood plywood (as defined on next page) from any source (domestic or foreign) at
any time since January 1, 2014?

NO

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

YES

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

Return questionnaire via the U.S. International Trade Commission Drop Box by clicking on the
following link: https://dropbox.usitc.gov/oinv/. (PIN: HWPW)
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
submitting 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
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.-- This proceeding was instituted in response to petitions filed on November 18, 2016, on
behalf of the Coalition for Fair Trade in Hardwood Plywood, which is comprised of Columbia Forest
Products (Greensboro, North Carolina); Commonwealth Plywood Inc. (Whitehall, New York); Roseburg
Forest Products Co. (Roseburg, Oregon); States Industries Inc. (Eugene, Oregon); and Timber Products
Com. (Springfield, Oregon). Antidumping and/or countervailing 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
affirmative determinations of subsidization and/or dumping. Questionnaires and other information
pertinent to this proceeding are available at
https://www.usitc.gov/investigations/701731/2017/hardwood_plywood_china/final.htm
Hardwood plywood covered by these investigations is as follows:
The merchandise subject to these investigations is hardwood and decorative plywood, and certain
veneered panels as described below. For purposes of this proceeding, hardwood and decorative
plywood is defined as a generally flat, multilayered plywood or other veneered panel, consisting of two
or more layers or plies of wood veneers and a core, with the face and/or back veneer made of nonconiferous wood (hardwood) or bamboo. The veneers, along with the core may be glued or otherwise
bonded together. Hardwood and decorative plywood may include products that meet the American
National Standard for Hardwood and Decorative Plywood, ANSI/HPVA HP-1-2016 (including any
revisions to that standard).
For purposes of these investigations, a “veneer” is a slice of wood regardless of thickness which is cut,
sliced or sawed from a log, bolt, or flitch. The face and back veneers are the outermost veneer of wood
on either side of the core irrespective of additional surface coatings or covers as described below.
The core of hardwood and decorative plywood consists of the layer or layers of one or more material(s)
that are situated between the face and back veneers. The core may be composed of a range of
materials, including but not limited to hardwood, softwood, particleboard, or medium-density
fiberboard (MDF).
All hardwood plywood is included within the scope of these investigations regardless of whether or not
the face and/or back veneers are surface coated or covered and whether or not such surface coating(s)
or covers obscures the grain, textures, or markings of the wood. Examples of surface coatings and covers
include, but are not limited to: ultra-violet light cured polyurethanes; oil or oil-modified or water based
polyurethanes; wax; epoxy-ester finishes; moisture-cured urethanes; paints; stains; paper; aluminum;
high pressure laminate; MDF; medium density overlay (MDO); and phenolic film. Additionally, the face
veneer of hardwood plywood may be sanded; smoothed or given a “distressed” appearance through
such methods as hand-scraping or wire brushing. All hardwood plywood is included within the scope
even if it is trimmed; cut-to-size; notched; punched; drilled; or has underwent other forms of minor
processing.
All hardwood and decorative plywood is included within the scope of these investigations, without
regard to dimension (overall thickness, thickness of face veneer, thickness of back veneer, thickness of
core, thickness of inner veneers, width, or length). However, the most common panel sizes of hardwood

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and decorative plywood are 1219 x 1829 mm (48 x 72 inches), 1219 x 2438 mm (48 x 96 inches), and
1219 x 3048 mm (48 x 120 inches).
Subject merchandise also includes hardwood and decorative plywood that has been further processed
in a third country, including but not limited to trimming, cutting, notching, punching, drilling, or any
other processing that would not otherwise remove the merchandise from the scope of the
investigations if performed in the country of manufacture of the in-scope product.
The scope of the investigations excludes the following items: (1) structural plywood (also known as
“industrial plywood” or “industrial panels”) that is manufactured to meet U.S. Products Standard PS 109, PS 2-09, or PS 2-10 for Structural Plywood (including any revisions to that standard or any
substantially equivalent international standard intended for structural plywood), and which has both a
face and a back veneer of coniferous wood; (2) products which have a face and back veneer of cork; (3)
multilayered wood flooring, as described in the antidumping duty and countervailing duty orders on
Multilayered Wood Flooring from the People’s Republic of China, Import Administration, International
Trade Administration. See Multilayered Wood Flooring from the People’s Republic of China, 76 FR
76,690 (Dec. 8, 2011) (amended final determination of sales at less than fair value and antidumping duty
order), and Multilayered Wood Flooring from the People’s Republic of China, 76 FR 76.693 (Dec. 8,
2011) (countervailing duty order), as amended by Multilayered Wood Flooring from the People’s
Republic of China: Amended Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Orders, 77 FR 5,484 (Feb.3, 2012); (4)
multilayered wood flooring with a face veneer of bamboo or composed entirely of bamboo; (5) plywood
which has a shape or design other than a flat panel, with the exception of any minor processing
described above; (6) products made entirely from bamboo and adhesives (also known as “solid
bamboo”); and (7) Phenolic Film Faced Plyform (PFF), also known as Phenolic Surface Film Plywood
(PSF), defined as a panel with an “Exterior” or “Exposure 1” bond classification as is defined by The
Engineered Wood Association, having an opaque phenolic film layer with a weight equal to or greater
than 90g/m3 permanently bonded on both the face and back veneers and an opaque, moisture resistant
coating applied to the edges.
Excluded from the scope of these investigations are wooden furniture goods that, at the time of
importation, are fully assembled and are ready for their intended uses. Also excluded from the scope of
these investigations is "ready to assemble" ("RTA") furniture. RTA furniture is defined as (A) furniture
packaged for sale for ultimate purchase by an end-user that, at the time of importation, includes 1) all
wooden components (in finished form) required to assemble a finished unit of furniture, 2) all accessory
parts (e.g., screws, washers, dowels, nails, handles, knobs, adhesive glues) required to assemble a
finished unit of furniture, and 3) instructions providing guidance on the assembly of a finished unit of
furniture; (B) unassembled bathroom vanity cabinets, having a space for one or more sinks, that are
imported with all unassembled hardwood and hardwood plywood components that have been cut-tofinal dimensional component shape/size, painted or stained prior to importation, and stacked within a
singled shipping package, except for furniture feet which may be packed and shipped separately; or (C)
unassembled bathroom vanity linen closets that are imported with all unassembled hardwood and
hardwood plywood components that have been cut-to-final dimensional shape/size, painted or stained
prior to importation, and stacked within a single shipping package, except for furniture feet which may
be packed and shipped separately.
Excluded from the scope are kitchen cabinets that, at the time of importation, are fully assembled and
are ready for their intended uses. Also excluded from the scope of the investigations are RTA kitchen
cabinets. RTA kitchen cabinets are defined as kitchen cabinets packaged for sale for ultimate purchase

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by an end-user that, at the time of importation, includes 1) all wooden components (in finished form)
required to assemble a finished unit of cabinetry, 2) all accessory parts (e.g., screws, washers, dowels,
nails, handles, knobs, hooks, adhesive glues) required to assemble a finished unit of cabinetry, and 3)
instructions providing guidance on the assembly of a finished unit of cabinetry.
Excluded from the scope of these investigations are finished table tops, which are table tops imported in
finished form with pre-cut or drilled openings to attach the underframe or legs. The table tops are ready
for use at the time of import and require no further finishing or processing.
Excluded from the scope of these investigations are finished countertops that are imported in finished
form and require no further finishing or manufacturing.
Excluded from the scope of these investigations are laminated veneer lumber door and window
components with (1) a maximum width of 44 millimeters, a thickness from 30 millimeters to 72
millimeters, and a length of less than 2413 millimeters (2) water boiling point exterior adhesive, (3) a
modulus of elasticity of 1,500,000 pounds per square inch or higher, (4) finger-jointed or lap-jointed
core veneer with all layers oriented so that the grain is running parallel or with no more than 3 dispersed
layers of veneer oriented with the grain running perpendicular to the other layers; and (5) top layer
machined with a curved edge and one or more profile channels throughout.
Imports of hardwood plywood are primarily entered under the following Harmonized Tariff Schedule of
the United States (HTSUS) subheadings: 4412.10.0500; 4412.31.0520; 4412.31.0540; 4412.31.0560;
4412.31.0620; 4412.31.0640; 4412.31.0660; 4412.31.2510; 4412.31.2520; 4412.31.2610; 4412.31.2620;
4412.31.4040; 4412.31.4050; 4412.31.4060; 4412.31.4075; 4412.31.4080; 4412.31.4140; 4412.31.4150;
4412.31.4160; 4412.31.4180; 4412.31.5125; 4412.31.5135; 4412.31.5155; 4412.31.5165; 4412.31.5175;
4412.31.5235; 4412.31.5255; 4412.31.5265; 4412.31.5275; 4412.31.6000; 4412.31.6100; 4412.31.9100;
4412.31.9200; 4412.32.0520; 4412.32.0540; 4412.32.0565; 4412.32.0570; 4412.32.0620; 4412.32.0640;
4412.32.0670; 4412.32.2510; 4412.32.2525; 4412.32.2530; 4412.32.2610; 4412.32.2630; 4412.32.3125;
4412.32.3135; 4412.32.3155; 4412.32.3165; 4412.32.3175; 4412.32.3185; 4412.32.3235; 4412.32.3255;
4412.32.3265; 4412.32.3275; 4412.32.3285; 4412.32.5600; 4412.32.3235; 4412.32.3255; 4412.32.3265;
4412.32.3275; 4412.32.3285; 4412.32.5700; 4412.94.1030; 4412.94.1050; 4412.94.3105; 4412.94.3111;
4412.94.3121; 4412.94.3141; 4412.94.3161; 4412.94.3175; 4412.94.4100; 4412.99.0600; 4412.99.1020;
4412.99.1030; 4412.99.1040; 4412.99.3110; 4412.99.3120; 4412.99.3130; 4412.99.3140; 4412.99.3150;
4412.99.3160; 4412.99.3170; 4412.99.4100; 4412.99.5115; and 4412.99.5710.
Imports of hardwood plywood may also enter under HTSUS subheadings 4412.39.4011; 4412.39.4012;
4412.39.4019; 4412.39.4031; 4412.39.4032; 4412.39.4039; 4412.39.4051; 4412.39.4052; 4412.39.4059;
4412.39.4061; 4412.39.4062; 4412.39.4069; 4412.39.5010; 4412.39.5030; 4412.39.5050; 4412.99.6000;
4412.99.7000; 4412.99.8000; 4412.99.9000; 4412.10.9000; 4412.94.5100; 4412.94.9500; and
4412.99.9500. While the HTSUS subheadings are provided for convenience and customs purposes, the
written description of the scope of these investigations is dispositive.
Purchaser.--Any firm engaged, either directly or through a parent company or subsidiary, in purchasing
hardwood plywood from another firm that produces, imports, or otherwise distributes hardwood
plywood.

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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. In addition, if your firm is a U.S. producer, the information you
provide on your production and imports of hardwood plywood and your responses to the questions in
part I of the producer questionnaire will be provided to the U.S. Department of Commerce, upon its
request, for use in connection with (and only in connection with) its requirement pursuant to section
702(c)(4)/732(c)(4) of the Act (19 U.S.C. § 1671a(c)(4)/1673a(c)(4)) to make a determination concerning
the extent of industry support for the petition requesting this proceeding. Any information provided to
Commerce will be transmitted under the confidentiality and release guidelines set forth above. Your
response to these questions constitutes your consent that such information be provided to Commerce
under the conditions described above.
I-1.

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

Dollars

The questions in this questionnaire have been reviewed with market participants to ensure that
issues of concern are adequately addressed and that data requests are sufficient, meaningful,
and as limited as possible. Public reporting burden for this questionnaire is estimated to average
25 hours per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, gathering data, and
completing and reviewing the questionnaire.

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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 your U.S. establishment(s) covered
by this questionnaire, if different from that listed on the cover page. Firms operating more than
one establishment should combine the data for all establishments into a single report.
“Establishment”--Each facility of a firm involved in the purchase of hardwood plywood,
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

I-4.

Address

Extent of ownership
(percent)

Related importers/exporters.--Does your firm have any related firms, either domestic or
foreign, which import hardwood plywood into the United States or which export hardwood
plywood to the United States?
No
Firm name

I-5.

Yes--List the following information.

Yes--List the following information.
Country

Affiliation

Related producers.--Does your firm have any related firms, either domestic or foreign, which
produce hardwood plywood?
No
Firm name

Yes--List the following information.
Country

Affiliation

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Hardwood plywood

I-6.

Page 7

Related party production using Chinese hardwood plywood.--Does your firm, subsidiary, joint
venture, or other type of related party with production facilities in China that have used Chinese
hardwood plywood, such as cabinets?
No

Yes--List the following information.
Is product imported into the
United States?

Firm name

Type of product produced

Yes

No

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

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Purchases.—

II-1.

(a) Report your firm’s total U.S. purchases of hardwood plywood. Please report separately for your
purchases from U.S. producers and importers, and your imports for which your firm was the
importer of record.
“Purchase” – A transaction to buy product from a U.S. corporate entity such as a U.S. producer,
a U.S. distributor, or a U.S. firm that has imported the product.
“Import” – A transaction to buy from a foreign supplier in which your firm is the importer of
record.
2014
Item

2015

2016

Quantity (in 1,000s of square feet)

Purchases of hardwood plywood produced
in-United States
China
All other countries1
Sources unknown
Total purchases

0

0

0

0

0

0

Imports of hardwood plywood from-China
All other countries1
Sources unknown
Total Imports
1

Please identify these countries:
(b) Please indicate your firm’s purchases in 2016 of each species identified below, by country
source.
United
States

Species of hardwood plywood

China

Other
sources1

Maple
Red oak
Birch
Cherry
Walnut
Other:
Total (should sum to 100%)
1

0.0%

Please identify these countries:

0.0%

0.0%

Comments

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Changes in purchasing patterns.--Please indicate how the shares of your firm’s purchases of
hardwood plywood from different sources have changed since January 1, 2014.

II-2.

Did not
Source of purchases purchase Decreased

Increased

Constant

Fluctuated Explanation for trend

United States
China
All other countries1
Sources unknown
1

Please identify these countries:

II-3.

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

II-4.

Supplier identification.--Please list your firm’s FIVE largest suppliers for hardwood plywood
since January 1, 2014. Also, provide the share of the quantity of your firm’s total purchases of
hardwood plywood that each of these suppliers accounted for in 2016.

No.

Supplier’s name

City and state

Share of quantity of
2016 purchases

1

%

2

%

3

%

4

%

5

%

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

Firm type.--Which of the following best describes your firm as a purchaser of hardwood
plywood (check one)?

Distributor

Big box
retailer /
Home center

Other
retailer

Builder

Other
end user

Describe other

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If your firm is a distributor of hardwood plywood, please answer questions III-2 and III-3.
III-2.

Competition for sales.--Does your firm compete for sales to customers with the manufacturers
or importers from which your firm purchases hardwood plywood?
No

III-3.

Yes

If yes, please describe.

Types of customers.--What are the major types of consumers to which your firm sells hardwood
plywood?

If your firm is an end user of hardwood plywood, please answer questions III-4 through III-6.
III-4.

End uses.--

(a) List the top 3 products your firm makes using hardwood plywood and estimate the percent of
your total production cost that is accounted for by hardwood plywood and by other inputs (such
as labor, energy, and other raw materials).
Share of total cost in each of the product(s) your
firm produces accounted for by
Product(s) your firm
produces

Hardwood plywood

Total
(should
sum to
100.0%
across)

Other inputs
% +

%

=

0.0 %

% +

%

=

0.0 %

% +

%

=

0.0 %

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End uses.--Continued.

III-4.

(b) Please estimate your firm’s share of purchases in 2016 by source and intended end use.
Share of purchases in 2016
(percent)
Item

United States

All other sources1

China

Purchases used for / sold to :
Cabinetry
Furniture
Fixtures (store/retail)
RV/mobile home
Underlayment
Architectural work
Miscellaneous and unknown end
uses
Total (should each sum to 100%)
1

0

0

0

Please identify these countries:
RECONCILIATION.--Please ensure that the quantities reported for U.S. purchases (whether or not your
firm was the importer or record) in this question reconcile with the data provide in question II-1. The
calculated fields below sum the data in this question and subtract the data from question II-1, and
therefore if they reconcile the calculations below should be returning zeroes ("0"). 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.
Purchases in 2016 from
Reconciliation

Data from III-1b minus data from
II-1 = should equal zero ("0"), if
not revise.

United States

All other sources1

China

0

0

0

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Hardwood plywood
III-4.

Page 12

End uses.--Continued.

(c) If your firm is a cabinet manufacturer, please estimate your firm’s share of purchases of
hardwood plywood for cabinets from each source, for each cabinetry application, in 2016.
Share of purchases in 2016
(percent)
Cabinet application

United States

All other sources1

China

Exposed exterior:
To be sanded/stained
To be painted
To be laminated
Interior surfaces:
To be sanded/stained
To be painted
To be laminated
Top:
Bottom:
Back:
Shelving:
Other (

):

Total (should each sum to 100%)
1

0

0

0

Please identify these countries:

III-5.

Lamination.--

(a) What share of your firm’s 2016 purchases, by country source, were laminated?
United States
%
1

China
%

Other sources1

Comments

%

Please identify these countries:

(b) Does your firm laminate hardwood plywood that it has purchased? If yes,
No

Yes-- Please estimate the share of your firm’s 2016 purchases that were
laminated by your firm.

United States
%
1

China
%

Please identify these countries:

Other sources1
%

Comments

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Hardwood plywood
III-6.

Demand for end use products.-(a)

Has the demand for your firm’s final products incorporating hardwood plywood
changed since January 1, 2014?
Increased

(b)

No change

Decreased

Fluctuated

Has this had any effect on your firm’s demand for hardwood plywood?
No

III-7.

Page 13

Yes

Explain

Substitutes.--

(a) Can other products be substituted for hardwood plywood?
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 hardwood plywood?
No Yes

Explanation

1.
2.
3.
(b) If your firm reported that other products can be substituted for hardwood plywood, please
indicate how the demand for these products has changed since January 1, 2014?
Substitute
1.
2.
3.

Increased No change Decreased Fluctuated

Explanation

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Hardwood plywood grades.--

III-8.

(a)

Is there a standardized grading system for hardwood plywood?

Source

No

Yes

Explain

United States
China
All other
sources1
1

Please identify these countries:
(b)

Does this grading system include the following specifications?
United States

Specification

No

China

Yes

No

Yes

Composition of core materials
Thickness of the veneer
Other: (

)
(c)

Source

Are higher grades typically more expensive than lower grades for the same veneer
thickness?
No

Yes

United States
China
All other
sources1
1

Please identify these countries:

Explain

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Demand trends.--

III-9.

(a) Indicate how demand within the United States and outside of the United States (if known)
for hardwood plywood has changed since January 1, 2014. Explain any trends and describe
the principal factors that have affected these changes in demand.

Market

Overall
increase

No
change

Fluctuate
Overall
with no
decrease clear trend

Explanation and factors

Within the United States
Outside the United States
(b) Indicate how demand within the United States, by application, for hardwood plywood has
changed since January 1, 2014. Explain any trends and describe the principal factors that
have affected these changes in demand.

Application
Overall U.S. market
Cabinetry
Fixtures (store/retail)
Underlayment
Furniture
RV/Mobile homes
Architectural uses
Other:

Overall
increase

No
change

Fluctuate
with no
clear
Overall
decrease
trend

Explanation and factors

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Hardwood plywood
III-9.

Page 16

Demand trends.-- continued.
(c) Indicate how demand within the United States, by species and/or faces, for hardwood
plywood has changed since January 1, 2014. Explain any trends and describe the principal
factors that have affected these changes in demand.

Species
Maple
Red oak
Birch
Cherry
Walnut
Other:

Overall
increase

No
change

Fluctuate
with no
clear
Overall
decrease
trend

Explanation and factors

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Hardwood plywood
III-9.

Page 17

Demand trends.-- continued.
(d) If your firm is a cabinet manufacturer, please indicate how demand within the United States,
by appearance, for hardwood plywood has changed since January 1, 2014. Explain any
trends and describe the principal factors that have affected these changes in demand.

Overall
increase

Appearance

Fluctuate
No
Overall
with no
change decrease clear trend

Explanation and factors

U.S.-produced hardwood plywood
Painted/opaque
Natural wood-grain
stained
HPL/TFL Europeanstyle laminate
Chinese hardwood plywood
Painted/opaque
Natural wood-grain
stained
HPL/TFL Europeanstyle laminate
Hardwood plywood from all other countries
Painted/opaque
Natural wood-grain
stained
HPL/TFL Europeanstyle laminate
III-10. Country preferences.-(a) Do you or your customers ever specifically order hardwood plywood from one country in
particular over other possible sources of supply?
No

Yes

If yes, identify the countries and explain.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Hardwood plywood

Page 18

III-11. Importance of purchasing domestic product.--Please fill out the table below, estimating the
percentage of your firm’s total 2016 purchases of hardwood plywood that required hardwood
plywood produced in the United States.

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

Estimated percentage of
your firm’s total 2016
purchases of hardwood
plywood
%
%
%
%
0.0 %

III-12. Conditions of competition.-(a)

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

Check all that apply.

Please describe.

No

Skip to question III-11.

Yes-Business cycles (e.g.
seasonal business)
Yes-Other distinctive
conditions of competition
(b)

Have there been any changes in the business cycles or conditions of competition for
hardwood plywood since January 1, 2014?
No

Yes

If yes, describe.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Hardwood plywood

Page 19

III-13. Decisions based on producer and country-of-origin.--How often does your firm, and if known,
do your customers, make purchasing decisions involving hardwood plywood based on its
producer or country of origin?
Always

Usually

Sometimes

Never

If at least sometimes, explain.

Decision based on producer
Your firm
Your
customers
Decision based on country of origin
Your firm
Your
customers
III-14. Availability of supply.--Has the availability of hardwood plywood in the U.S. market changed
since January 1, 2014?
Availability in the U.S.
Please explain, noting the countries and reasons for the
market
No Yes changes.
U.S.-produced product
Subject imports
Nonsubject imports
III-15. Supply constraints.--Has any firm refused, declined, or been unable to supply your firm with
hardwood plywood since January 1, 2014 (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-16. Availability of specific product types.--Are certain grades/veneers/sizes of hardwood plywood
only available from certain country sources?
No

Yes

If yes, please identify the countries and the grade/type/size.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Hardwood plywood

Page 20

III-17. Purchasing frequency.-(a)
Daily

How frequently does your firm make purchases of hardwood plywood (check one)?

Weekly

(b)

Monthly

Quarterly

Annually

Other

If other, specify

Has this purchasing frequency changed since January 1, 2014?
No

Yes

If yes, please describe.

III-18. Number of suppliers contacted.--How many suppliers does your firm generally contact before
making a purchase? Between
and
firms
III-19. Supplier negotiations.--Does your firm’s purchases of hardwood plywood usually involve
negotiations between supplier and purchaser?

No

Yes

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

III-20. Change in suppliers.--Has your firm changed suppliers since January 1, 2014?

No

Yes

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

III-21. New suppliers.--Are you aware of any new suppliers, either foreign or domestic, that have
entered the market since January 1, 2014?
No

Yes

If yes, please identify the firms.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Hardwood plywood

Page 21

III-22. Supplier qualification.--Do you require your suppliers to be or to become certified or qualified
to sell hardwood plywood to your firm?
If yes, provide the following information.
• The number of days to qualify a new supplier.
• A general description of the certification or qualification process. Also, a brief
description of the factors that you consider when qualifying a new supplier (e.g., quality
of product, reliability of supplier, etc.).

No

Yes

Number
of days Process and factors

III-23. Failure to certify.--Since January 1, 2014, have any domestic or foreign producers failed in their
attempts to certify or qualify their hardwood plywood with your firm or have any producers lost
their approved status?

No

Yes

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

III-24. Major purchasing factors.--Please list, in order of their importance, the main factors your firm
considers in deciding from whom to purchase hardwood plywood (examples include availability,
extension of credit, contracts, price, quality, range of supplier’s product line, traditional supplier,
etc.).
1.
2.
3.
Please list any other factors that are very important in your purchase decisions:

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Hardwood plywood

Page 22

III-25. Purchasing factors.--Please rate the importance of the following factors in your firm’s
purchasing decisions for hardwood plywood.

Factor

Very
important

Somewhat
important

Not
important

Availability
Core species
Delivery terms
Delivery time
Discounts offered
Extension of credit
Face veneer, thickness
Face veneer, grade
Face veneer, wood species
Minimum quantity requirements
Overall plywood thickness
Packaging
Price
Product consistency
Product range
Quality meets industry standards
Quality exceeds industry standards
Reliability of supply
Technical support/service
U.S. transportation costs
III-26. Quality characteristics.--What characteristics does your firm consider when determining the
quality of hardwood plywood?

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Hardwood plywood

Page 23

III-27. Minimum quality.--How often does hardwood plywood from the following countries meet
minimum quality specifications for your uses or your customers’ uses?

Source

Always

Usually

Sometimes

Rarely or
never

Don’t
know

United States
China
Other:
III-28. Frequency of decisions based on price.--How often does your firm purchase the hardwood
plywood that is offered at the lowest price?
Always

Usually

Sometimes

Never

III-29. Choice of product not based on price.--If you purchased hardwood plywood from one country
source although a comparable product was available from another country source at a lower
price, please explain your reasons for doing so (please specify by country).

III-30. Price leaders.— A price leader is defined as (1) one or more firms that initiate a price change,
either upward or downward, that is followed by other firms, or (2) one or more firms that have a
significant impact on prices. A price leader is not necessarily the lowest-priced supplier.
Please list the names of any firms or countries you considered price leaders in the hardwood
plywood market since January 1, 2014.
Firm(s)

Describe how the firm(s) exhibited price leadership

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Hardwood plywood

Page 24

III-31. Purchasing subject imports rather than domestic products.—
(a)

Since January 2014, did your firm purchase imports of hardwood plywood from China
instead of U.S.-produced hardwood plywood?
Source

Yes
(also respond to parts (b) and (c))

No
(If “No”, skip to next question)

China
(b)

If you responded “Yes” to part (a), was the imported product priced lower than the
domestic product?
Source

Yes

No

China
(c)

If you responded “Yes” to part (a), was price a primary reason for purchasing subject
imports rather than domestic product?

Source

Yes

If Yes, estimate the quantity
of imports purchased instead
of domestic product since
January 2014
(in 1,000 square feet)

No

If No, please indicate the
reason your firm purchased
imports instead of domestic
product

China
III-32. U.S. producers and import competition.-(a)

Since January 1, 2014, in connection with a sale or offer to sell hardwood plywood to
your firm, did U.S. producers reduce their prices of domestically produced hardwood
plywood in order to compete with lower-priced imports of hardwood plywood from the
subject countries?
Source
China

Yes (also respond to
question part (b))

No (If “No”, skip to next
question)

Don’t know

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Hardwood plywood

Page 25

III-33. U.S. producers and import competition.--Continued.
(b)

If your firm responded “yes”, please provide an estimate of the reduction in U.S.
producers’ prices, and any additional explanations, such as timing (e.g., months/years),
frequency of price reductions, or other market/competitive factors.

Source

Estimated
reduction in U.S.
prices
(percent)

China

Additional explanation, including such information as
timing (e.g., months/years), frequency of price
reductions, or other market/competitive factors

%

III-34. Underlayment.--At the time that your firm purchases its hardwood plywood, do you know
whether or not it will be used for underlayment? Please describe (species type, veneer
thickness, and overall thickness).
No

Yes

Describe (species type, veneer thickness, and overall thickness)

PART IV.—PRODUCT COMPARISONS
IV-1.

Country knowledge.--Please indicate the countries of origin for hardwood plywood for which
your firm has actual pricing knowledge.

United
States
1

China

Canada

Please identify these countries:

Ecuador

Indonesia

Malaysia

Russia

All other
countries1

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Hardwood plywood

Page 26

Interchangeability.--

IV-2.

Please indicate A, F, S, N, or 0 in the tables 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
(a) Is hardwood plywood produced in the United States and in other countries interchangeable
(i.e., can they physically be used in the same applications)?
Country-pair

All other countries1

China

United States
China
For any country-pair producing hardwood plywood that is sometimes or never interchangeable, identify
the country-pair and explain the factors that limit or preclude interchangeable use:
Identify specific countries included in the comparisons:
If the “All other countries” comparisons differ by country, please explain:
1

(b) Is hardwood plywood with the following physical characteristics interchangeable (i.e., can
they physically be used in the same applications) in the specified applications?

Physical characteristic

Front-facing
cabinetry

Side-facing
cabinetry

Non-cabinetry
applications

Bamboo core vs. other core
Face veneer thickness of <0.5
mm vs. face veneer of >=0.5 mm
For any characteristic and end use application pair that is sometimes or never interchangeable, identify
the country-pair and explain the factors that limit or preclude interchangeable use:

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Hardwood plywood
IV-2.

Page 27

Interchangeability.--Continued.

If your firm is a cabinet manufacturer, please answer questions (c) through (d).
(c)

If your firm uses both domestic and imported hardwood plywood in your cabinets, does
your firm’s application vary by country source?
No

(d)
.

IV-3.

Yes

If yes, please describe the difference in application.

Please describe other attributes (if not listed in question IV-2(b)) that determine the
application (i.e., front-facing or back-facing cabinetry, etc.) of hardwood plywood.

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

China

All other countries1

United States
China
For any country-pair for which factors other than price always or frequently are a significant factor in
your firm’s sales of hardwood plywood, identify the country-pair and report the advantages or
disadvantages imparted by such factors:
Identify specific countries included in the comparisons:
If the “All other countries” comparisons differ by country, please explain:
1

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Hardwood plywood

Factor country comparisons.--For the factors listed below, please rate how hardwood plywood
produced in each country you identified in your response to the first question in part IV
compares with hardwood plywood produced in each of the other countries you identified.

Inferior

Comparable

Product from
China compared to
product from all
other countries2

Superior

Inferior

Product from
United States
compared to
product from all
other countries2
Comparable

Inferior

Comparable

Factor

Superior

Product from
United States
compared to
product from
China

Superior

IV-4.

Page 28

Availability
Core species
Delivery terms
Delivery time
Discounts offered
Extension of credit
Face veneer, thickness
Face veneer, grade
Face veneer, wood species
Minimum quantity requirements
Overall plywood thickness
Packaging
Price1
Product consistency
Product range
Quality meets industry standards
Quality exceeds industry standards
Reliability of supply
Technical support/service
U.S. transportation costs1
1

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

Identify specific countries included in the comparisons:
If the “All other countries” comparisons differ by country, please explain:
2

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Hardwood plywood

Page 29

PART V.—ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
V-1.

Other explanations.--If your firm would like to further explain a response to any question that
did not provide a narrative response box, please note the question number and the explanation
in the space provided below.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Hardwood plywood

Page 30

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/701731/2017/hardwood_plywood_china/final.ht
m
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: HWPW

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