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pdfOMB No. 3117‐0016/USITC No. 17‐2‐3718; Expiration Date: 6/30/2020
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U.S. IMPORTERS’ QUESTIONNAIRE
LOW MELT POLYESTER STAPLE FIBER FROM KOREA AND TAIWAN
This questionnaire must be received by the Commission by July 11, 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 review of the antidumping duty investigations concerning low melt polyester staple fiber (PSF) from
Korea and Taiwan (Inv. Nos. 731‐TA‐1378 and 1379 (Preliminary)). The information requested in the questionnaire is
requested under the authority of the Tariff Act of 1930, title VII. This report is mandatory and failure to reply as directed
can result in a subpoena or other order to compel the submission of records or information in your firm’s possession (19
U.S.C. § 1333(a)).
Name of firm
Address
City
State
Zip Code
Website
Has your firm imported low melt PSF (as defined on next page) from any country 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: LMPSF)
CERTIFICATION
I certify that the information herein supplied in response to this questionnaire is complete and correct to the best of my
knowledge and belief and understand that the information submitted is subject to audit and verification by the Commission. By
means of this certification I also grant consent for the Commission, and its employees and contract personnel, to use the
information provided in this questionnaire and throughout this proceeding in any other import‐injury proceedings conducted by
the Commission on the same or similar merchandise.
I, the undersigned, acknowledge that information submitted in response to this request for information and throughout this
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
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Low melt PSF
Page 2
PART I.—GENERAL INFORMATION
Background.‐‐This proceeding was instituted in response to a petition filed on June 27, 2017, by Nan Ya
Plastics Corporation, America, Livingston, New Jersey. Antidumping duties may be assessed on the
subject imports as a result of these proceedings if the Commission makes an affirmative determination
of injury, threat, or material retardation, and if the U.S. Department of Commerce (“Commerce”) makes
an affirmative determination of dumping. Questionnaires and other information pertinent to this
proceeding are available at
https://www.usitc.gov/investigations/701731/2017/low_melt_polyester_staple_fiber_korea_and_taiwa
n/preliminary.htm
Low melt polyester staple fiber covered by these investigations is synthetic staple fibers, not carded or
combed, specifically bi‐component polyester fibers having a polyester fiber component that melts at a
lower temperature than the other polyester fiber component, used for bonding fibers together (“low
melt PSF”). The scope includes bi‐component polyester staple fibers of any denier or cut length. The
subject merchandise may be coated, usually with a finish or dye, or not coated.
The following merchandise is excluded from the scope: (1) polyester staple fiber equal to or greater than
3.3 decitex (greater than 3 denier, inclusive) that are not bi‐component fiber, currently classifiable in the
Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States at statistical reporting numbers 5503.20.0045 and
5503.20.0065; (2) polyester staple fiber of less than 3.3 decitex (less than 3 denier) that are not bi‐
component fiber, currently classifiable in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States at
subheadings 5503.20.0025.
Low melt polyester staple fiber is classifiable under statistical reporting number 5503.20.0015 of the
Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS). Although the HTSUS subheadings are provided
for convenience and customs purposes, the written description of the merchandise under the order is
dispositive.
Importer.‐‐Any person or firm engaged, either directly or through a parent company or subsidiary, in
importing low melt PSF (as defined above) into the United States from a foreign manufacturer or
through its selling agent.
Reporting of information.‐‐If information is not readily available from your records, provide carefully
prepared estimates. If your firm is completing more than one questionnaire (i.e., a producer, importer,
and/or purchaser questionnaire), you need not respond to duplicated questions.
Confidentiality.‐‐The commercial and financial data furnished in response to this questionnaire that
reveal the individual operations of your firm will be treated as confidential by the Commission to the
extent that such data are not otherwise available to the public and will not be disclosed except as may
be required by law (see 19 U.S.C. § 1677f). Such confidential information will not be published in a
manner that will reveal the individual operations of your firm; however, general characterizations of
numerical business proprietary information (such as discussion of trends) will be treated as confidential
business information only at the request of the submitter for good cause shown.
Verification.‐‐ The information submitted in this questionnaire is subject to audit and verification by the
Commission. To facilitate possible verification of data, please keep all files, worksheets, and supporting
documents used in the preparation of the questionnaire response. Please also retain a copy of the final
document that you submit.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Low melt PSF
Page 3
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 Porscha
Stiger (202‐205‐3241, porscha.stiger@usitc.gov).
I‐1.
OMB statistics.‐‐Please report below the actual number of hours required and the cost to your
firm of completing this questionnaire.
Hours
Dollars
The questions in this questionnaire have been reviewed with market participants to ensure that
issues of concern are adequately addressed and that data requests are sufficient, meaningful,
and as limited as possible. Public reporting burden for this questionnaire is estimated to average
40 hours per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, gathering data, and
completing and reviewing the questionnaire.
We welcome comments regarding the accuracy of this burden estimate, suggestions for
reducing the burden, and any suggestions for improving this questionnaire. Please attach such
comments to your response or send to the Office of Investigations, USITC, 500 E St. SW,
Washington, DC 20436.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Low melt PSF
I‐2.
Page 4
Establishments covered.‐‐Provide the name and address of establishment(s) covered by this
questionnaire. If your firm is publicly traded, please specify the stock exchange and trading
symbol.
“Establishment”‐‐Each facility of a firm involved in the importation of low melt PSF, including
auxiliary facilities operated in conjunction with (whether or not physically separate from) such
facilities.
I‐3.
I‐4.
Ownership.‐‐Is your firm owned, in whole or in part, by any other firm?
No
Yes‐‐List the following information
Firm name
Address
Extent of
ownership
(percent)
Related importers/exporters.‐‐Does your firm have any related firms, either domestic or
foreign, that are engaged in importing low melt PSF from Korea and/or Taiwan into the United
States or that are engaged in exporting low melt PSF from Korea and/or Taiwan to the United
States?
No
Yes‐‐List the following information.
Firm name
Country
Affiliation
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Low melt PSF
I‐5.
Page 5
Related producers.‐‐Does your firm have any related firms, either domestic or foreign, that are
engaged in the production of low melt PSF?
No
Yes‐‐List the following information.
Firm name
Country
Affiliation
I‐6.
Importing operations.‐‐Please indicate the nature of your firm’s importing operations on low
melt PSF. More than one answer may be applicable.
Takes title to the
imported product(s)
Importer of record
Consignee of the
imported products(s)
Customs broker or
freight forwarder
I‐7.
Consignee.‐‐If your firm is an importer of record of low melt PSF but is not the consignee, please
list the consignees below (firm name, address, telephone number, and individual to contact).
Firm name
Address
Contact person
and phone
number
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Low melt PSF
I‐8.
Page 6
FTZ, TIB, or bonded warehouses.‐‐Please indicate whether your firm enters low melt PSF into,
or withdraws such merchandise from, foreign trade zones or bonded warehouses. Also indicate
whether your firm imports low melt PSF under the TIB (temporary importation under bond)
program.
“Foreign trade zone” is a designated location in the United States where firms utilize special
procedures that allow delayed or reduced customs duty payments on foreign merchandise, as
well as other savings. A foreign trade zone must be designed as such pursuant to the rules and
procedures set forth in the Foreign‐Trade Zones Act.
“Bonded warehouse” is a secured facility supervised by U.S. customs, where dutiable landed
imports are stored pending their re‐export, or release after payment of import duties, taxes, and
other charges. A bonded warehouse must be designed as such pursuant to the rules and
procedures set forth in 19 U.S.C. § 1555.
“Temporary Importation under Bond (“TIB”) program” is a procedure whereby imported
merchandise may be entered under certain conditions for a limited time into the United States
free of duty. Under the program, an importer posts a bond for twice the amount of duty, taxes,
etc. that would otherwise be owed on the importation and agrees to export or destroy the
merchandise within a specified time or pay liquidated damages. This program is restricted to
certain categories of merchandise listed in subheadings 9813.00.05 through 9813.00.75 of the
Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTS).
No
Yes
Foreign trade zones
Bonded warehouses
Temporary importation under bond
I‐9.
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.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Low melt PSF
Page 7
PART II.‐‐TRADE AND RELATED INFORMATION
Further information on this part of the questionnaire can be obtained from Porscha Stiger (202‐205‐
3241, porscha.stiger@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 low melt PSF since January 1, 2014.
(check as many as appropriate)
(If checked, please describe; leave blank if not applicable)
Office/warehouse openings
Office/warehouse closings
Relocations
Expansions
Acquisitions
Consolidations
Prolonged shutdowns or
importation curtailments
Revised labor agreements
Other (e.g., technology)
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Low melt PSF
Page 8
II‐3a. Arranged imports.‐‐Has your firm imported or arranged for the importation of low melt PSF 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 (in 1,000 pounds)
Period/Source
Apr‐Jun 2017
Jul‐Sept 2017
Oct‐Dec 2017
Jan‐Mar 2018
Korea
Taiwan
Other sources
II‐3b. Imports in the 12 month period preceding the petition.‐‐Has your firm imported low melt PSF
from any source between June 1, 2016 and May 30, 2017? (i.e., the last seven months in 2016
and first five months in 2017 combined)
No
Yes‐Report the quantity of such import below by source.
Source
June 2016 through May 2017
Korea
Taiwan
Other sources
II‐4. Reasons for importing if producer.‐‐If your firm also produces low melt PSF in the United States,
please indicate the reasons for importing this product. If your firm’s reasons differ by source,
please elaborate.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Low melt PSF
Page 9
Definitions
“Imports” –Those products identified for Customs purposes as imports for consumption for
which your firm was the importer of record (i.e., was responsible for paying any import duty) or
consignee (i.e., to which the merchandise was first delivered).
“Import quantities” –Quantities reported should be net of returns.
“Import values”—Values reported should be landed, duty‐paid values at the U.S. port of entry,
including ocean freight and insurance costs, brokerage charges, and import duties (i.e., all
charges except inland freight in the United States).
“U.S. commercial shipments”— Shipments made within the United States as a result of an arm’s
length commercial transaction in the ordinary course of business. Report net values (i.e., gross
sales values less all discounts, allowances, rebates, prepaid freight, and the value of returned
goods) in U.S. dollars, f.o.b. your point of shipment.
“Internal consumption” –Product consumed internally by your firm. 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.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Low melt PSF
Page 10
II‐5a. U.S. imports from Korea.–Report your firm’s imports and your firm’s shipments and inventories
of low melt PSF imported from Korea by your firm during the specified periods.
Korea
Quantity (in 1,000 pounds), value (in $1,000)
Calendar years
Item
Beginning‐of‐period inventories
(quantity) (A)
2014
2015
January‐March
2016
2016
2017
Imports:
Quantity (B)
Value (C)
End‐of‐period inventories
(quantity) (J)
Channels of distribution:
Commercial U.S. shipments:
To distributors (quantity) (K)
1
U.S. shipments:
Commercial shipments: 2
Quantity (D)
Value (E)
Internal consumption/
company transfers:3
Quantity (F)
3
Value (G)
4
Export shipments:
Quantity (H)
Value (I)
To end users (quantity) (L)
1
Please identify the foreign producers, if known:
.
What percentage of 2016 commercial U.S. shipments were sold with a coating. percent. Please describe in order
of the volume of sales the coating types of your firm’s low melt PSF: .
3
Sales to related firms (including internal consumption) must be valued at fair market value. In the event that your firm
uses a different basis for valuing these sales within your company, please specify that basis (e.g., cost, cost plus, etc.) and
provide value data using that basis for each of the periods noted above: .
4
Identify your firm’s principal export markets: .
2
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Low melt PSF
Page 11
II‐5a. U.S. imports from Korea.–Continued
RECONCILIATION OF SHIPMENTS, IMPORTS, AND INVENTORIES.‐‐Generally, the data reported for the
end‐of‐period inventories (i.e., line J) should be equal to the beginning‐of‐period inventories (i.e., line A),
plus imports (i.e., line B), less total shipments (i.e., lines D, F, and H). Please ensure that any differences
are not due to data entry errors in completing this form, but rather actually reflect your firm’s records;
and also provide any likely explanations for any differences (e.g., theft, loss, damage, record systems
issues, etc.) if they exist.
Calendar years
Reconciliation
2014
A + B – D – F – H – J = should equal zero
("0") or provide an explanation.1
2015
0
January‐ March
2016
0
0
2016
2017
0
0
1
Explanation if the calculated fields above are returning values other than zero (i.e., “0”) but are nonetheless
accurate: .
RECONCILIATION OF CHANNELS.‐‐Please ensure that the quantities reported for channels of distribution
(i.e., lines K and L) in each time period equal the quantity reported for commercial U.S. shipments (i.e.,
line D) in each time period. If the calculated fields below return values other than zero (i.e., “0”), the
data reported must be revised prior to submission to the Commission.
Calendar years
January‐ March
Reconciliation item
K + L – D = zero ("0"), if not revise.
2014
2015
0
2016
0
2016
0
0
2017
0
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Low melt PSF
Page 12
II‐5b. U.S. shipments by denier size and melt point: Korea.‐‐Report your firm’s U.S. shipments (i.e.,
inclusive of commercial U.S. shipments, internal consumption, and transfers to related firms) of
imports from Korea by denier size and melt point.
Korea
Quantity (1,000 pounds); Value (in $1,000)
Calendar year 2016
Melting point at
120° C or lower
Item
U.S. shipments.—
Denier size of less than 3
Quantity (M)
Value (N)
Denier size of 3 to 8
Quantity (O)
Value (P)
Denier size greater than 8
Quantity (Q)
Value (R)
Melting point
between 120° C
and 170° C
Melting point at
170° C or greater
RECONCILIATION OF US SHIPMENTS.‐‐Please ensure that the quantities and values reported for
US shipments by denier size and melt point (i.e., lines M through R) here match the data for US
shipments reported in part "a" of this question (i.e., lines D through G) in 2016. 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.
Reconciliation
Calendar year 2016
Quantity: M + O + Q – D –F = zero ("0"), if not revise
0
Value: N + P + R – E –G = zero ("0"), if not revise
0
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Low melt PSF
II‐5c.
Page 13
U.S. shipments by recycled PET content: Korea.‐‐Report your firm’s U.S. shipments (i.e.,
inclusive of commercial U.S. shipments, internal consumption, and transfers to related firms) of
imports from Korea by recycled PET content.
Korea
Quantity (1,000 pounds); Value (in $1,000)
Item
Calendar year 2016
U.S. shipments.—
100 percent virgin
Quantity (S)
Value (T)
1 2
With any amount of recycled PETcontent
Quantity (U)
Value (V)
1
On average recycled PET content of this merchandise:
percent.
Are there any end use applications in which non‐virgin low melt PSF cannot be used interchangeably
with virgin low melt PSF due to chemical imperfections or other technical limitations: No Yes. If
yes, please describe .
2
RECONCILIATION OF US SHIPMENTS.‐‐Please ensure that the quantities and values reported for
US shipments by recycled PET content (i.e., lines S through V) here match the data for US
shipments reported in part "a" of this question (i.e., lines D through G) in 2016. 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.
Reconciliation
Calendar year 2016
Quantity: S + U ‐ D –F = zero ("0"), if not revise
0
Value: T + V – E –G = zero ("0"), if not revise
0
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Low melt PSF
Page 14
II‐6a. U.S. imports from Taiwan.–Report your firm’s imports and your firm’s shipments and
inventories of low melt PSF imported from Taiwan by your firm during the specified periods.
Taiwan
Quantity (in 1,000 pounds), value (in $1,000)
Calendar years
Item
Beginning‐of‐period inventories
(quantity) (A)
2014
2015
January‐March
2016
2016
2017
Imports:
Quantity (B)
Value (C)
End‐of‐period inventories
(quantity) (J)
Channels of distribution:
Commercial U.S. shipments:
To distributors (quantity) (K)
1
U.S. shipments:
Commercial shipments: 2
Quantity (D)
Value (E)
Internal consumption/
company transfers:3
Quantity (F)
3
Value (G)
4
Export shipments:
Quantity (H)
Value (I)
To end users (quantity) (L)
1
Please identify the foreign producers, if known:
.
What percentage of 2016 commercial U.S. shipments were sold with a coating. percent. Please describe in order
of the volume of sales the coating types of your firm’s low melt PSF: .
3
Sales to related firms (including internal consumption) must be valued at fair market value. In the event that your firm
uses a different basis for valuing these sales within your company, please specify that basis (e.g., cost, cost plus, etc.) and
provide value data using that basis for each of the periods noted above: .
4
Identify your firm’s principal export markets: .
2
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Low melt PSF
Page 15
II‐6a. U.S. imports from Taiwan.–Continued
RECONCILIATION OF SHIPMENTS, IMPORTS, AND INVENTORIES.‐‐Generally, the data reported for the
end‐of‐period inventories (i.e., line J) should be equal to the beginning‐of‐period inventories (i.e., line A),
plus imports (i.e., line B), less total shipments (i.e., lines D, F, and H). Please ensure that any differences
are not due to data entry errors in completing this form, but rather actually reflect your firm’s records;
and also provide any likely explanations for any differences (e.g., theft, loss, damage, record systems
issues, etc.) if they exist.
Calendar years
Reconciliation
2014
A + B – D – F – H – J = should equal zero
("0") or provide an explanation.1
2015
0
January‐March
2016
0
0
2016
2017
0
0
1
Explanation if the calculated fields above are returning values other than zero (i.e., “0”) but are nonetheless
accurate: .
RECONCILIATION OF CHANNELS.‐‐Please ensure that the quantities reported for channels of distribution
(i.e., lines K and L) in each time period equal the quantity reported for commercial U.S. shipments (i.e.,
line D) in each time period. If the calculated fields below return values other than zero (i.e., “0”), the
data reported must be revised prior to submission to the Commission.
Calendar years
January‐ March
Reconciliation item
K + L – D = zero ("0"), if not revise.
2014
2015
0
2016
0
2016
0
0
2017
0
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Low melt PSF
Page 16
II‐6b. U.S. shipments by denier size and melt point: Taiwan.‐‐Report your firm’s U.S. shipments (i.e.,
inclusive of commercial U.S. shipments, internal consumption, and transfers to related firms) of
imports from Taiwan by denier size and melt point.
Taiwan
Quantity (1,000 pounds); Value (in $1,000)
Calendar year 2016
Melting point at
120° C or lower
Item
U.S. shipments.—
Denier size of less than 3
Quantity (M)
Value (N)
Denier size of 3 to 8
Quantity (O)
Value (P)
Denier size greater than 8
Quantity (Q)
Value (R)
Melting point
between 120° C
and 170° C
Melting point at
170° C or greater
RECONCILIATION OF US SHIPMENTS.‐‐Please ensure that the quantities and values reported for
US shipments by denier size and melt point (i.e., lines M through R) here match the data for US
shipments reported in part "a" of this question (i.e., lines D through G) in 2016. 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.
Reconciliation
Calendar year 2016
Quantity: M + O + Q – D –F = zero ("0"), if not revise
0
Value: N + P + R – E –G = zero ("0"), if not revise
0
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Low melt PSF
II‐6c.
Page 17
U.S. shipments by recycled PET content: Taiwan.‐‐Report your firm’s U.S. shipments (i.e.,
inclusive of commercial U.S. shipments, internal consumption, and transfers to related firms) of
imports from Taiwan by recycled PET content.
Taiwan
Quantity (1,000 pounds); Value (in $1,000)
Item
Calendar year 2016
U.S. shipments.—
100 percent virgin
Quantity (S)
Value (T)
1 2
With any amount of recycled PETcontent
Quantity (U)
Value (V)
1
On average recycled PET content of this merchandise:
percent.
Are there any end use applications in which non‐virgin low melt PSF cannot be used interchangeably
with virgin low melt PSF due to chemical imperfections or other technical limitations: No Yes. If
yes, please describe .
2
RECONCILIATION OF US SHIPMENTS.‐‐Please ensure that the quantities and values reported for
US shipments by recycled PET content (i.e., lines S through V) here match the data for US
shipments reported in part "a" of this question (i.e., lines D through G) in 2016. 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.
Reconciliation
Calendar year 2016
Quantity: S + U ‐ D –F = zero ("0"), if not revise
0
Value: T + V – E –G = zero ("0"), if not revise
0
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Low melt PSF
Page 18
II‐7a. U.S. imports from all other sources.–Report your firm’s imports and your firm’s shipments and
inventories of low melt PSF imported from all other sources combined by your firm during the
specified periods.
ALL OTHER SOURCES
(list sources:
)
Quantity (in 1,000 pounds), value (in $1,000)
Calendar years
Item
Beginning‐of‐period inventories
(quantity) (A)
2014
2015
January‐March
2016
2016
2017
Imports:
Quantity (B)
Value (C)
End‐of‐period inventories
(quantity) (J)
Channels of distribution:
Commercial U.S. shipments:
To distributors (quantity) (K)
1
U.S. shipments:
Commercial shipments: 2
Quantity (D)
Value (E)
Internal consumption/
company transfers:3
Quantity (F)
3
Value (G)
4
Export shipments:
Quantity (H)
Value (I)
To end users (quantity) (L)
1
Please identify the foreign producers, if known:
.
What percentage of 2016 commercial U.S. shipments were sold with a coating. percent. Please describe in order
of the volume of sales the coating types of your firm’s low melt PSF: .
3
Sales to related firms (including internal consumption) must be valued at fair market value. In the event that your firm
uses a different basis for valuing these sales within your company, please specify that basis (e.g., cost, cost plus, etc.) and
provide value data using that basis for each of the periods noted above: .
4
Identify your firm’s principal export markets: .
2
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Low melt PSF
Page 19
II‐7a. U.S. imports from all other sources.–Continued
RECONCILIATION OF SHIPMENTS, IMPORTS, AND INVENTORIES.‐‐Generally, the data reported for the
end‐of‐period inventories (i.e., line J) should be equal to the beginning‐of‐period inventories (i.e., line A),
plus imports (i.e., line B), less total shipments (i.e., lines D, F, and H). Please ensure that any differences
are not due to data entry errors in completing this form, but rather actually reflect your firm’s records;
and also provide any likely explanations for any differences (e.g., theft, loss, damage, record systems
issues, etc.) if they exist.
Calendar years
Reconciliation
2014
A + B – D – F – H – J = should equal zero
("0") or provide an explanation.1
2015
0
January‐March
2016
0
0
2016
2017
0
0
1
Explanation if the calculated fields above are returning values other than zero (i.e., “0”) but are nonetheless
accurate: .
RECONCILIATION OF CHANNELS.‐‐Please ensure that the quantities reported for channels of distribution
(i.e., lines K and L) in each time period equal the quantity reported for commercial U.S. shipments (i.e.,
line D) in each time period. If the calculated fields below return values other than zero (i.e., “0”), the
data reported must be revised prior to submission to the Commission.
Calendar years
January‐March
Reconciliation item
K + L – D = zero ("0"), if not revise.
2014
2015
0
2016
0
2016
0
0
2017
0
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Low melt PSF
Page 20
II‐7b. U.S. shipments by denier size and melt point: All other sources.‐‐Report your firm’s U.S.
shipments (i.e., inclusive of commercial U.S. shipments, internal consumption, and transfers to
related firms) of imports from all other sources by denier size and melt point.
All Other Sources
Quantity (1,000 pounds); Value (in $1,000)
Calendar year 2016
Melting point at
120° C or lower
Item
U.S. shipments.—
Denier size of less than 3
Quantity (M)
Value (N)
Denier size of 3 to 8
Quantity (O)
Value (P)
Denier size greater than 8
Quantity (Q)
Value (R)
Melting point
between 120° C
and 170° C
Melting point at
170° C or greater
RECONCILIATION OF US SHIPMENTS.‐‐Please ensure that the quantities and values reported for
US shipments by denier size and melt point (i.e., lines M through R) here match the data for US
shipments reported in part "a" of this question (i.e., lines D through G) in 2016. 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.
Reconciliation
Calendar year 2016
Quantity: M + O + Q – D –F = zero ("0"), if not revise
0
Value: N + P + R – E –G = zero ("0"), if not revise
0
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Low melt PSF
II‐7c.
Page 21
U.S. shipments by recycled PET content: All other sources.‐‐Report your firm’s U.S. shipments
(i.e., inclusive of commercial U.S. shipments, internal consumption, and transfers to related
firms) of imports from all other sources by recycled PET content.
All Other Sources
Quantity (1,000 pounds); Value (in $1,000)
Item
Calendar year 2016
U.S. shipments.—
100 percent virgin
Quantity (S)
Value (T)
1 2
With any amount of recycled PETcontent
Quantity (U)
Value (V)
1
On average recycled PET content of this merchandise:
percent.
Are there any end use applications in which non‐virgin low melt PSF cannot be used interchangeably
with virgin low melt PSF due to chemical imperfections or other technical limitations: No Yes. If
yes, please describe .
1
RECONCILIATION OF US SHIPMENTS.‐‐Please ensure that the quantities and values reported for
US shipments by recycled PET content (i.e., lines S through V) here match the data for US
shipments reported in part "a" of this question (i.e., lines D through G) in 2016. 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.
Reconciliation
II‐8.
Calendar year 2016
Quantity: S + U ‐ D –F = zero ("0"), if not revise
0
Value: T + V – E –G = zero ("0"), if not revise
0
Other explanations.‐‐If your firm would like to further explain a response to a question in Part II
that did not provide a narrative response box, please note the question number and the
explanation in the space provided below. Please also use this space to highlight any issues your
firm had in providing the data in this section, including but not limited to technical issues with
the MS Word questionnaire.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Low melt PSF
Page 22
PART III.‐‐PRICING AND MARKET FACTORS
Further information on this part of the questionnaire can be obtained from Nabil Abbyad (202‐708‐
1446, nabil.abbyad@usitc.gov).
III‐1. Contact information.‐‐Please identify the responsible individual and the manner by which
Commission staff may contact that individual regarding the confidential information submitted
in part III.
Name
Title
Email
Telephone
Fax
PRICE DATA
III‐2. This question requests quarterly quantity and value data for your firm’s commercial shipments
to unrelated U.S. customers since January 1, 2014 of the following products your firm imported
from Korea and Taiwan:
Product 1.‐‐Low melt polyester staple fiber, 4 denier in diameter, 37‐76 mm in cut length,
sheath melt point of 110°C.
Product 2.‐‐Low melt polyester staple fiber, 4 denier in diameter, 37‐76 mm in cut length,
sheath melt point of 180°C.
Product 3.‐‐Low melt polyester staple fiber, 2 denier in diameter, 37‐76 mm in cut length, melt
point of 110°C.
Please note that values should be f.o.b., U.S. point of shipment and should not include U.S.‐inland
transportation costs. Values should reflect the final net amount paid to your firm (i.e., should be net
of all deductions for discounts or rebates).
During January 2014‐March 2017, did your firm import from Korea and 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 table(s) as appropriate.
No.‐‐Skip to question III‐3.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Low melt PSF
Page 23
III‐2(a). Price data.‐‐Report below the quarterly price data1 for pricing products2 imported from Korea
and sold by your firm.
Korea
Report data in actual pounds (not 1,000s) and actual dollars (not 1,000s).
(Quantity in pounds, value in dollars)
Product 1
Product 2
Quantity
Value
Quantity
Value
Product 3
Quantity
Value
Period of shipment
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 your firm’s product. Also, please explain any anomalies in your firm’s reported pricing data.
Product 1:
Product 2:
Product 3:
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Low melt PSF
Page 24
III‐2(b). Price data.‐‐Report below the quarterly price data1 for pricing products2 imported from Taiwan
and sold by your firm.
Taiwan
Report data in actual pounds (not 1,000s) and actual dollars (not 1,000s).
(Quantity in pounds, value in dollars)
Product 1
Product 2
Quantity
Value
Quantity
Value
Product 3
Quantity
Value
Period of shipment
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 your firm’s product. Also, please explain any anomalies in your firm’s reported pricing data.
Product 1:
Product 2:
Product 3:
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Low melt PSF
Page 25
III‐2 (c). Price data checklist.‐‐Please check that the pricing data in question III‐2(a) and III‐2(b) has been
correctly reported.
Is the price data reported above:
√ if Yes
In actual dollars (not $1,000) and actual pounds (not 1,000s)?
F.o.b. U.S. point of shipment (i.e., does not include U.S. transport costs)?
Net of all discounts and rebates?
Have returns credited to the quarter in which the sale occurred?
Less than reported commercial shipments in question II‐5 in each year?
III‐2(d). Pricing data methodology.‐‐Please describe the method and the kinds of documents/records
that were used to compile your price data.
Note: As requested in Part I of this questionnaire, please keep all supporting documents/records used in
the preparation of the price data, as Commission staff may contact your firm regarding questions on the
price data. The Commission may also request that your company submit copies of the supporting
documents/records (such as sales journal, invoices, etc.) used to compile these data.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Low melt PSF
III‐3.
Price setting.‐‐How does your firm determine the prices that it charges for sales of low melt PSF
(check all that apply)? If your firm issues price lists, please submit sample pages of a recent list.
Transaction
by
transaction
Other
If other, describe
Discount policy.‐‐Please indicate and describe your firm’s discount policies (check all that apply).
Quantity
discounts
Annual
total
volume
discounts
III‐5.
Set
price
lists
Contracts
III‐4.
Page 26
No
discount
policy
Other
Describe
Pricing terms.‐‐
(a)
What are your firm’s typical sales terms for low melt PSF imported from Korea and
Taiwan?
Net 30
days
Net 60
days
2/10 net 30
days
Other
Other (specify)
(b)
On what basis are your firm’s prices of imported low melt PSF from Korea and Taiwan
usually quoted (check one)?
Delivered
F.o.b.
If f.o.b., specify point
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Low melt PSF
III‐6.
Contract versus spot.‐‐Approximately what share of your firm’s sales of low melt PSF imported
from 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?
Long‐term
contracts
(multiple
deliveries for
more than 12
months)
Share of 2016
sales
III‐7.
Page 27
%
Type of sale
Short‐term
Annual
contracts
contracts
(multiple
(multiple
deliveries for
deliveries for 12
less than 12
months)
months)
%
%
Total
(should
sum to
100.0%)
Spot sales
(for a single
delivery)
%
0.0
%
Contract provisions.‐‐Please fill out the table regarding your firm’s typical sales contracts for low
melt PSF from Korea and Taiwan (or check “not applicable” if your firm does not sell on a long‐
term, short‐term and/or annual contract basis).
Typical sales
contract provisions
Item
Short‐term
contracts
(multiple deliveries
for less than 12
months)
Average contract
duration
No. of
days
Price renegotiation
(during contract
period)
Yes
No
Quantity
Price
Both
Yes
No
Fixed quantity
and/or price
Meet or release
provision
Not applicable
Long‐term contracts
Annual contracts
(multiple deliveries (multiple deliveries for
for 12 months)
more than 12 months)
365
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Low melt PSF
III‐8.
Lead times.‐‐What is your firm’s share of sales of low melt PSF imported from 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 low melt PSF?
Share of 2016 Lead time (average
Source
sales
number of days)
From your firm’s U.S. inventory
%
From foreign manufacturers’ inventory
%
Produced to order
%
Total (should sum to 100.0%)
III‐9.
Page 28
0.0 %
Shipping information.—
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
What is the approximate percentage of the cost of low melt PSF imported from Korea
and Taiwan that is accounted for by U.S. inland transportation costs? percent.
Who generally arranges the transportation to your firm’s customers’ locations?
Your firm Purchaser (check one)
When your firm sells low melt PSF imported from Korea and Taiwan, from where is it
shipped? Point of importation Storage facility (check one)
Indicate the approximate percentage of your firm’s sales of low melt PSF imported from
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
Share
Within 100 miles
%
101 to 1,000 miles
%
Over 1,000 miles
%
Total (should sum to 100.0%)
0.0 %
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Low melt PSF
Page 29
III‐10. Geographical shipments.‐‐In which U.S. geographic market area(s) has your firm sold low melt
PSF imported from subject countries since January 1, 2014 (check all that apply)?
Geographic area
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.‐‐List the end uses of the low melt PSF that your firm imports. For each end‐use
product, what percentage of the total cost is accounted for by low melt PSF and other inputs?
Share of total cost of end‐use product
accounted for by
Total
(should sum to
100.0% across)
End use product
low melt PSF
Other inputs
%
%
0.0 %
%
%
0.0 %
%
%
0.0 %
III‐12. Substitutes.‐‐Can other products be substituted for low melt PSF?
No
Yes‐‐Please fill out the table.
Substitute
End use in which this
substitute is used
Have changes in the price of this substitute
affected the price for low melt PSF?
No Yes
Explanation
1.
2.
3.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Low melt PSF
Page 30
III‐13. Demand trends.‐‐Indicate how demand within the United States and outside of the United
States (if known) for low melt PSF has changed since January 1, 2014. Explain any trends and
describe the principal factors that have affected these changes in demand.
Overall
No
Overall Fluctuate with
increase change decrease no clear trend
Market
Explanation and factors
Within the United States
Outside the United States
III‐14. Product changes.‐‐Have there been any significant changes in the product range, product mix or
marketing of low melt PSF since January 1, 2014?
No
Yes
If yes, please describe.
III‐15. Conditions of competition.—
(a) Is the low melt PSF market subject to business cycles (other than general economy‐wide
conditions) and/or other conditions of competition distinctive to low melt PSF?
Check all that apply.
Please describe.
No
Skip to question III‐16.
Yes‐Business cycles (e.g.
seasonal business)
Yes‐Other distinctive
conditions of competition
(b) If yes, have there been any changes in the business cycles or conditions of competition for
low melt PSF since January 1, 2014?
No
Yes
If yes, describe.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Low melt PSF
Page 31
III‐16. Supply constraints.‐‐Has your firm refused, declined, or been unable to supply low melt PSF
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, being unable to meet timely shipment commitments, etc.)?
No
Yes
If yes, please describe.
III‐17. Raw materials.‐‐How have low melt PSF raw material prices changed since January 1, 2014?
Fluctuate
with no
Overall
No
Overall
increase change decrease clear trend
Explain, noting how raw material price changes
have affected your firm’s selling prices for low
melt PSF.
III‐18. Interchangeability.‐‐Is low melt PSF produced in the United States and in other countries
interchangeable (i.e., can they physically be used in the same applications)?
Please indicate A, F, S, N, or 0 in the table below:
A = the products from a specified country‐pair are always interchangeable
F = the products are frequently interchangeable
S = the products are sometimes interchangeable
N = the products are never interchangeable
0 = no familiarity with products from a specified country‐pair
Country‐pair
United States
Korea
Taiwan
Korea
Taiwan
Other countries
For any country‐pair producing low melt PSF that is sometimes or never interchangeable, identify the
country‐pair and explain the factors that limit or preclude interchangeable use:
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Low melt PSF
Page 32
III‐19. Factors other than price.‐‐Are differences other than price (e.g., quality, availability,
transportation network, product range, technical support, etc.) between low melt PSF produced
in the United States and in other countries a significant factor in your firm’s sales of the
products?
Please indicate A, F, S, N, or 0 in the table below:
A = such differences are always significant
F = such differences are frequently significant
S = such differences are sometimes significant
N = such differences are never significant
0 = no familiarity with products from a specified country‐pair
Country‐pair
United States
Korea
Taiwan
Korea
Taiwan
Other countries
For any country‐pair for which factors other than price always or frequently are a significant factor in
your firm’s sales of low melt PSF, identify the country‐pair and report the advantages or disadvantages
imparted by such factors:
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Low melt PSF
Page 33
III‐20. Customer identification.‐‐List the names and contact information for your firm’s 10 largest U.S.
customers for low melt PSF since January 1, 2014. Indicate the share of the quantity of your
firm’s total shipments of low melt PSF that each of these customers accounted for in 2016.
Customer’s name
Contact person
Email
Telephone
City
State
Share
of
2016
sales
(%)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
III‐21. Other explanations.‐‐If your firm would like to further explain a response to a question in Part III
that did not provide a narrative response box, please note the question number and the
explanation in the space provided below. Please also use this space to highlight any issues your
firm had in providing the data in this section, including but not limited to technical issues with
the MS Word questionnaire.
Busineess Proprietaary
orters’ Questio
onnaire – Low
w melt PSF
U.S. Impo
Paage 34
Correcting Valid n
number errror messages.‐‐If you are completing a Commission
questionn
naire in a country that uses periods (“.”) to delineatee multiples off 1000 (e.g., o
one million would
appear ass $1.000.000 iinstead of as $1,000,000), you may be unable to entter in numbers greater thaan
999 in numeric form fields. This issues stem from
m your compputer numberr formatting ssetting (e.g., n
not
the MS W
Word documen
nt itself, but tthe computerr from which you are open
ning up the do
ocument). In
n the
United Staates commass (,) delineate multiples of 1000 and perriods (.) delineate fraction
ns less than
one. Man
ny EU countries use the reverse where multiples of 11000 are delineated with p
periods (.) an
nd
fractions less than one
e are delineated with comm
mas (,). The U
US Internation
nal Trade Com
mmission’s
naires are set‐up in the United States w
with the U.S. nnumber formaatting. When this formattiing
questionn
interacts w
with a compu
uter set to EU
U number form
matting, we bbelieve this m
may cause thiss issue.
The solutiion to this data entry issue
e is to temporrarily change your operating system’s n
number
formatting to be consistent with the
e U.S. numbe
er formatting system whilee you complete the
naire.
questionn
To tempo
orarily change
e your computer’s numberr settings to U
U.S. settings, p
please do thee following (fo
or
Microsoftt Windows Op
perating syste
em):
STTART
Control Panel
nguage (unde
er Clock, Langguage, and Reegion categorry)
Region and Lan
Fo
ormat tab
Change the Format from yo
our existing one (e.g. “Itali an (Italy)”) to
o “English (Un
nited States)” (see
sccreen shots below)
When you
u do this the n
number “twe
elve million do
ollars and thirrty five cents” would chan
nge from
$12.000.0
000,35 (Italy fformat) to $12,000,000.35
5 (U.S. formatt), and then th
here will be n
no conflict witth
the questionnaire. Wh
hen you finish
h reporting th
he data then yyou can closee the question
nnaire and sw
witch
back to Itaaly settings.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Low melt PSF
Page 35
HOW TO FILE YOUR QUESTIONNAIRE RESPONSE
This questionnaire is available as a “fillable” form in MS Word format on the
Commission’s website at:
https://www.usitc.gov/investigations/701731/2017/low_melt_polyester_staple_fiber_k
orea_and_taiwan/preliminary.htm
Please do not attempt to modify the format or permissions of the questionnaire
document. Please submit the completed questionnaire using one of the methods noted
below. If your firm is unable to complete the MS Word questionnaire or cannot use one
of the electronic methods of submission, please contact the Commission for further
instructions.
• Upload via Secure Drop Box.—Upload the MS Word questionnaire along with a scanned copy of the
signed certification page (page 1) through the Commission’s secure upload facility:
Web address: https://dropbox.usitc.gov/oinv/
Pin: LMPSF
• E‐mail.—E‐mail the MS Word questionnaire to porscha.stiger@usitc.gov; include a scanned copy of
the signed certification page (page 1). Submitters are strongly encouraged to encrypt nonpublic
documents that are electronically transmitted to the Commission to protect your sensitive information
from unauthorized disclosure. The USITC secure drop‐box system and the Electronic Document
Information System (EDIS) use Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS) 140‐2 cryptographic
algorithms to encrypt data in transit. Submitting your nonpublic documents by a means that does not
use these encryption algorithms (such as by email) may subject your firm’s nonpublic information to
unauthorized disclosure during transmission. If you choose a non‐encrypted method of electronic
transmission, the Commission warns you that the risk of such possible unauthorized disclosure is
assumed by you and not by the Commission.
If your firm did not import this product, please fill out page 1, print, sign, and submit a scanned copy to
the Commission.
Parties to this proceeding.—If your firm is a party to this proceeding, it is required to serve a copy of the
completed questionnaire on parties to the proceeding that are subject to administrative protective
order (see 19 CFR § 207.7). A list of such parties may be obtained from the Commission’s Secretary (202‐
205‐1803). A certificate of service must accompany the completed questionnaire you submit (see 19 CFR
§ 207.7). Service of the questionnaire must be made in paper form.
| File Type | application/pdf |
| File Title | Microsoft Word - US importer--Low melt PSF (P) |
| Author | porscha.stiger |
| File Modified | 2017-06-28 |
| File Created | 2017-06-28 |