18-3-3854 US purchasers' questionnaire

OMB No. 3117-0016/USITC No. 18-3-3854; Expiration Date: 6/30/2020
(No response is required if currently valid OMB control number is not displayed)

U.S. PURCHASERS’ QUESTIONNAIRE
CAST IRON SOIL PIPE FITTINGS FROM CHINA
This questionnaire must be received by the Commission by April 30, 2018
See last page for filing instructions.
The information called for in this questionnaire is for use by the United States International Trade Commission in
connection with its countervailing duty and antidumping duty investigations concerning cast iron soil pipe fittings from
China (Inv. Nos. 701-TA-583 and 731-TA-1381 (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 Andrew Knipe (202-205-2390,
andrew.knipe@usitc.gov).

Name of firm
Address
City

State

Zip Code

Website
Has your firm purchased cast iron soil pipe fittings (as defined on next page) from any source (domestic or
foreign) at any time since January 1, 2015?

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: CISPF)
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

Signature

Phone

Email address

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - cast iron soil pipe fittings

Page 2

PART I.—GENERAL INFORMATION
Background.--This proceeding was instituted in response to a petition filed on July 13, 2017, by Cast Iron
Soil Pipe Institute (“CISPI”), Mundelein, IL. Countervailing and antidumping duties may be assessed on
the subject imports as a result of these proceedings if the Commission makes an affirmative
determination of injury, threat, or material retardation, and if the U.S. Department of Commerce
(“Commerce”) makes an affirmative determination of subsidization and/or dumping. Questionnaires
and other information pertinent to this proceeding are available at
https://www.usitc.gov/investigations/701731/2018/cast_iron_soil_pipe_fittings_china/final.htm.
Cast iron soil pipe fittings covered by this investigation is cast iron soil pipe fittings, finished and
unfinished, regardless of industry or proprietary specifications, and regardless of size. Cast iron soil pipe
fittings are nonmalleable iron castings of various designs and sizes, including, but not limited to, bends,
tees, wyes, traps, drains, and other common or special fittings, with or without side inlets.
Cast iron soil pipe fittings are classified into two major types—hubless and hub and spigot. Hubless cast
iron soil pipe fittings are manufactured without a hub, generally in compliance with Cast Iron Soil Pipe
Institute (CISPI) specification 301 and/or American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM)
specification A888. Hub and spigot pipe fittings have hubs into which the spigot (plain end) of the pipe
or fitting is inserted. Cast iron soil pipe fittings are generally distinguished from other types of
nonmalleable cast iron fittings by the manner in which they are connected to cast iron soil pipe and
other fittings.
The subject imports are normally classified in subheading 7307.11.0045 of the Harmonized Tariff
Schedule of the United States (HTSUS): Cast fittings of nonmalleable cast iron for cast iron soil pipe. The
HTSUS subheading and specifications are provided for convenience and customs purposes only; the
written description of the scope of this investigation is dispositive.
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

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Cast Iron Soil Pipe Fittings

Page 3

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.
PLEASE NOTE: IF YOU NEED ROOM TO EXPLAIN OR CLARIFY A RESPONSE TO A QUESTION WHERE
THERE IS NOT AN ANSWER BOX PROVIDED, PART V OF THIS QUESTIONNAIRE ALLOWS FOR SUCH
RESPONSES, OR FOR OTHER INFORMATION PERTINENT TO THE INVESTIGATIONS.
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.
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 response.
“Establishment”--Each facility of a firm involved in the purchase of cast iron soil pipe fittings,
including auxiliary facilities operated in conjunction with (whether or not physically separate
from) such facilities.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Cast Iron Soil Pipe Fittings
I-3.

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

Firm name

I-4.

Yes--List the following information.

Address

Extent of ownership
(percent)

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

I-5.

Page 4

Yes--List the following information.
Country

Affiliation

Related producers.--Does your firm have any related firms, either domestic or foreign, which
produce cast iron soil pipe fittings?
No
Firm name

Yes--List the following information.
Country

Affiliation

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Cast Iron Soil Pipe Fittings

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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
II-1.

Purchases and imports.--Report separately your firm’s purchases of domestic and/or imported
Chinese cast iron soil pipe fittings and your firm’s imports of cast iron soil pipe fittings (i.e.
purchases for which your firm was the importer of record).
(Note: If your firm was the importer of record for any cast iron soil pipe fittings imported during
2015-17, please also download and complete a U.S. importers’ questionnaire.)
“Purchase” – Purchase from a U.S. entity such as a U.S. producer, a U.S. importer, or other U.S.
firm.
“Import” – Purchase directly from a foreign supplier and your firm is the importer of record.
(Note: Import quantities and values reported below should match those reported in the
importers’ questionnaire completed by your firm.)

VALUE SHOULD BE THE FINAL AMOUNT PAID NET OF ALL REBATES AND INCENTIVES.
2015

Item

2016

2017

2015

2016

2017

Value - net of all rebates,
promotional incentives, etc.2
(in dollars)

Quantity
(in short tons)

Purchases of cast iron soil
pipe fittings produced in—
United States
China
All other countries1
Sources unknown
Total purchases

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Imports of cast iron soil
pipe fittings from—
China
All other countries1
Total imports
1

Please identify these countries:
Include and pro-rate rebates and incentives if they were earned from purchasing cast iron soil pipe
fittings and other products jointly. Pro-rate based on the share of value attributable to cast iron soil
pipe fittings.
2

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Cast Iron Soil Pipe Fittings
II-2.

Page 6

Changes in purchasing patterns.--Please indicate how the shares of your firm’s purchases of
cast iron soil pipe fittings from different sources have changed since January 1, 2015.

Did not
Source of purchases purchase Decreased Increased Constant Fluctuated Explanation for trend
United States
China
All other countries
Sources unknown
II-3.

Country knowledge.--Please indicate the countries of origin with which your firm has
experience or information in the cast iron soil pipe fittings market.
United
States

II-4.

China

Other
countries

Other countries (specify)

Suppliers.-(a)

How many suppliers does your firm generally contact before making a purchase?
Between
and
firms.

(b)

From how many suppliers do you currently purchase cast iron soil pipe fittings?

(c)

Approximately how long have you been purchasing cast iron soil pipe fittings from this
supplier/these suppliers?
years

(d)

Which firm(s) do you consider to be the main competitor(s) with your current supplier(s)
of cast iron soil pipe fittings?

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Cast Iron Soil Pipe Fittings
II-4.

Page 7

Suppliers (continued).-(e)

Since January 1, 2015, did you purchase cast iron soil pipe fittings from a supplier other
than the supplier(s) you had purchased from prior to 2015?

No
(skip to part (g))

(f)

Yes

If yes, Please list the suppliers and the reason(s) for the
change.

Did your firm incur any costs or lose any benefits from purchasing cast iron soil pipe
fittings from a different supplier?
No

Yes

If yes…
Approximately how much were these costs or lost benefits? $
Describe the costs or lost benefits you incurred:

Go to part (h).
(g)

Would you have incurred any costs or lost any benefits if you had changed suppliers
since January 1, 2015?
No

Yes

If yes...
Approximately how much would these costs or lost benefits have been?
$
Describe the costs or lost benefits you would have incurred:

(h)

How likely are to you change suppliers of cast iron soil pipe fittings?
Extremely likely

… in 2018?
… in 2019?

Very likely

Somewhat likely Slightly likely Not at all likely

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Cast Iron Soil Pipe Fittings
II-5.

Page 8

Supplier identification.--Please list your firm’s FIVE largest suppliers for cast iron soil pipe
fittings since January 1, 2015. Also, provide the share of the quantity of your firm’s total
purchases of cast iron soil pipe fittings that each of these suppliers accounted for in 2017.

No.

Supplier’s name

City and state

Share of quantity of
2017 purchases

1

%

2

%

3

%

4

%

5

%

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Cast Iron Soil Pipe Fittings

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

Firm type.--Which of the following best describes your firm as a purchaser of cast iron soil pipe
fittings (check all that apply)?

Distributor

Plumber/
contractor

Other end
user

Describe “other end user” if checked

If your firm is a distributor of cast iron soil pipe fittings, 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 cast iron soil pipe fittings?
No

Yes

If yes, please describe.

III-3.

Types of customers.--What are the major types of consumers to which your firm sells cast iron
soil pipe fittings?

III-4.

Types of customers.--Do different types of consumers to which your firm sells cast iron soil pipe
fittings have differing requirements for the cast iron soil pipe fittings they purchase?
No

Yes

Explain

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Cast Iron Soil Pipe Fittings

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If your firm is an end user of cast iron soil pipe fittings, please answer questions III-4 and III-5.
III-5.

End uses.--List the top 3 ways your firm uses cast iron soil pipe fittings and estimate the percent
of your total cost that is accounted for by cast iron soil pipe fittings compared with other inputs
(such as labor, energy, and other raw materials) for that use.
Share of total cost in each of the product(s) your
firm produces accounted for by
Product(s) your firm
produces

Cast iron soil pipe
fittings

Building wastewater
plumbing system

III-6.

Total
(should
sum to
100.0%
across)

Other inputs
% +

%

=

0.0 %

% +

%

=

0.0 %

% +

%

=

0.0 %

Demand for end use products.-(a)

Has the demand for your firm’s final products/systems incorporating cast iron soil pipe
fittings changed since January 1, 2015?
Increased

(b)

No change

Decreased

Fluctuated

Has this had any effect on your firm’s demand for cast iron soil pipe fittings?
No

Yes

Explain

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Cast Iron Soil Pipe Fittings
III-7.

Page 11

Substitutes.--Can other products be substituted for cast iron soil pipe fittings?
No

Yes--Please fill out the table.

End use in which this
substitute is used

Substitute

Have changes in the price of this substitute
affected the price for cast iron soil pipe fittings?
No Yes

Explanation

1. Plastic pipe/fittings
2.
3.
III-8.

Demand trends.-- Indicate how demand within the United States and outside of the United
States (if known) for cast iron soil pipe fittings has changed since January 1, 2015. 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 U.S.
Outside the U.S.
III-9.

Decisions based on producer and country-of-origin.--How often does your firm, and if known,
do your customers, make purchasing decisions involving cast iron soil pipe fittings based on its
producer or country of origin?

Item

Always

Usually

Sometimes

Never

If at least sometimes, explain.
Include the producer/country and
reason(s) for the decision.

Decision based on producer
Your firm
Your customers
Decision based on country of origin
Your firm
Your customers

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Cast Iron Soil Pipe Fittings

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III-10. Importance of purchasing domestic product.--Please fill out the table below, estimating the
percentage of your firm’s total 2017 purchases of cast iron soil pipe fittings that required cast
iron soil pipe fittings produced in the United States.

Purchases that did not require domestic product
Purchases that were required by federal law or regulation to be domestic
product (e.g., government purchases under “Buy American” provisions)
Purchases that were required by state/local law or regulation to be domestic
(e.g., to meet local plumbing codes)
Purchases that were not required by law or regulation, but were required by
your customers to be domestic product by another organization (e.g., local
plumbers’ union rules/preferences)
Purchases that were not required by law or regulation, but were required by
your customers to be domestic product for some other reason (e.g., customer
preference)
Purchases that were required to be domestic product for other reasons (e.g.,
CISPI certified, other)
(explain:
)
Total (should sum to 100.0%)

Estimated percentage of
your firm’s total 2017
purchases of cast iron soil
pipe fittings
%
%
%

%

%

%
0.0 %

III-11. Conditions of competition.-(a) Is the cast iron soil pipe fittings market subject to business cycles (other than general
economy-wide conditions) and/or other conditions of competition distinctive to cast
iron soil pipe fittings?
Check all that apply.

Please describe.

No

Skip to question III-12.

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 cast
iron soil pipe fittings since January 1, 2015?
No

Yes

If yes, describe.

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Cast Iron Soil Pipe Fittings

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III-12. Availability of supply.--Has the availability of cast iron soil pipe fittings in the U.S. market
changed since January 1, 2015?
Availability in the U.S.
market

No

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

U.S.-produced product
Imports from China
Imports from other countries
III-13. Supply constraints.--Has any firm refused, declined, or been unable to supply your firm with
cast iron soil pipe fittings since January 1, 2015 (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-14. Availability of specific product types.--Are certain grades/types/sizes of cast iron soil pipe
fittings only available from certain country sources (e.g., epoxy-coated cast iron soil pipe
fittings)?
No

Yes

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

III-15. Purchasing frequency.-(a)

How frequently does your firm make purchases of cast iron soil pipe fittings (check
one)?
Daily

(b)

Weekly

Monthly

Quarterly

Annually

Other

Has this purchasing frequency changed since January 1, 2015?
No

Yes

If yes, please describe.

If other, specify

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Cast Iron Soil Pipe Fittings

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III-16. Purchase bundles.-(a)

Do your firm’s purchases of cast iron soil pipe fittings also usually involve purchases of
products other than cast iron soil pipe fittings such as cast iron soil pipe, couplings,
gaskets, plastic pipe and fittings, etc.?
No (skip to III17)

(b)

Yes

If yes, list the types of products involved in these
purchases.

Are cast iron soil pipe fittings purchases invoiced separately or as part of the purchase
bundle with products other than cast iron soil pipe fittings?
No

(c)

Yes

If yes, list the types of products also listed on these invoices.

Does your firm pay different price list multipliers for cast iron soil pipe fittings compared
with products other than cast iron soil pipe fittings such as cast iron soil pipe, couplings,
gaskets, plastic pipe and fittings, etc.?

No

Yes

If yes, list examples of recent purchases that have different multipliers
including the approximate dates of those purchases.

III-17. Supplier negotiations.--Do your firm’s purchases of cast iron soil pipe fittings 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-18. New suppliers.--Are you aware of any new suppliers, either foreign or domestic, that have
entered the market since January 1, 2015?
No

Yes

If yes, please identify the firms.

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Cast Iron Soil Pipe Fittings

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

No

Yes

Number
of days Process and factors

III-20. Failure to certify.--Since January 1, 2015, have any domestic or foreign producers failed in their
attempts to certify or qualify their cast iron soil pipe fittings 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-21. Major purchasing factors.--Please list, in order of their importance, the main factors your firm
considers in deciding from whom to purchase cast iron soil pipe fittings (examples may include
factors such as availability, extension of credit, contracts, price, quality, range of supplier’s
product line, rebates, traditional supplier, etc.).
1.
2.
3.
Please list any other factors that are very important in your purchase decisions:

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Cast Iron Soil Pipe Fittings

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III-22. Purchasing factors.--Please rate the importance of the following factors in your firm’s
purchasing decisions for cast iron soil pipe fittings.

Factor

Very
important

Somewhat
important

Not
important

Availability
Availability of epoxy-coated product
Bundled products – iron pipe
Bundled products – plastic pipe & fittings
CISPI certified
Delivery terms
Delivery time
Discounts offered
Extension of credit
Minimum quantity requirements
Packaging
Price
Product consistency
Product range
Promotional incentives (non-rebate)
Quality meets industry standards
Quality exceeds industry standards
Rebates – to your firm
Rebates – to your customers
Reliability of supply
Technical support/service
Traditional supplier
U.S. transportation costs
III-23. Quality characteristics.--What characteristics does your firm consider when determining the
quality of cast iron soil pipe fittings?

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Cast Iron Soil Pipe Fittings

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III-24. Minimum quality.--How often does cast iron soil pipe fittings 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-25. Frequency of decisions based on price.--How often does your firm purchase the cast iron soil
pipe fittings that is offered at the lowest price?
Always

Usually

Sometimes

Never

III-26. 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 you considered price leaders in the cast iron soil pipe fittings
market since January 1, 2015.
Firm(s)

Describe how the firm(s) exhibited price leadership

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III-27. Anti-competitive allegations.--Have the following issues affected your firm and the market for
cast iron soil pipe fittings in general since January 1, 2015?
(a)

The Federal Trade Commission’s inquiry and 2013 consent order regarding Charlotte
Pipe’s 2010 acquisition of Star Pipe (see https://www.ftc.gov/enforcement/casesproceedings/101-0080b/mcwane-inc-star-pipe-products-ltd-matter).
No

Yes

If yes, describe the effect(s)

Has
affected
your firm
Has
affected
the market
(b)

Litigation regarding alleged anti-competitive behavior filed in 2013 and settled in 2016
(see http://www.cispantitrustsettlement.com/courtdocuments.html).
No

Yes

If yes, describe the effect(s)

Has
affected
your firm
Has
affected
the market
III-28. Purchasing subject imports rather than domestic products.-(a)

Since January 2015, did your firm purchase imports of cast iron soil pipe fittings from
China instead of U.S.-produced cast iron soil pipe fittings?
Yes
(also respond to parts (b) and (c))

(b)

No
(If “No,” skip to III-29)

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

No

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Cast Iron Soil Pipe Fittings

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III-28. Purchasing subject imports rather than domestic products (continued).-(c)

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

Yes

If Yes, estimate the value of
imports purchased instead of
domestic product since January
2015 (in dollars)

No

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

III-29. U.S. producers and import competition.-(a)

Since January 1, 2015, in connection with a sale or offer to sell cast iron soil pipe fittings
to your firm, did U.S. producers reduce their prices of domestically produced cast iron
soil pipe fittings in order to compete with lower-priced imports of cast iron soil pipe
fittings from China?

Yes (also respond to
question part (b))

(b)

No (If “No,” skip to III-30)

Don’t know

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.

Estimated reduction
in U.S. prices
(percent)
%

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

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Cast Iron Soil Pipe Fittings

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III-30. Pricing factors.--Rate and describe the effect of the following factors on the prices your firm
pays for cast iron soil pipe fittings.
Rating of the factor
Minimal effect
Factor

1

Substantial effect
2

3

4

5

No role

Rebates
Domestic requirements and/or
preferences
Competition from substitute
products, e.g., plastic pipe
Competition among U.S.
producers
Competition from subject imports
Other:
Please describe any ways in which
prices are affected by the absence
of existence of the above factors:
III-31. Frequency of building variances.--How frequently do the building projects for which you are
supplying cast iron soil pipe fittings have a variance in the building plans that changes the
manufacturer or source of the cast iron soil pipe fittings to be used in that project?
Always

Frequently

Sometimes

Never

III-32. Regional requirements.--In which regions/cities/areas are cast iron soil pipe fittings
required/used?

III-33. Building requirements.--In what types of building projects are cast iron soil pipe fittings
required?

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Cast Iron Soil Pipe Fittings

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III-34. CISPI Trademark.—
(a)

What share of the cast iron soil pipe fittings that your firm purchases carry the CISPI
trademark?
0-1%

(b)

2-10%

11-50%

51-90%

91-98%

99-100%

What share of the cast iron soil pipe fittings that your firm purchases can be used if
building plans call for CISPI trademark materials?
0-1%

2-10%

11-50%

51-90%

91-98%

99-100%

(c)

Please list the steps required to substitute cast iron soil pipe fittings that do not have
the CISPI trademark if the building plans call for CISPI trademark product, if known.

(d)

Typically how long (number of days) would it take to authorize the use of cast iron soil
pipe fittings that are not under the CISPI trademark if the original building plans call for
CISPI trademark product?
days

(e)

How much would this cost a contractor that decides to make this change? $

III-35. Distributors’ purchase prices.--If your firm is a distributor with multiple locations, how are the
prices each location pays for cast iron soil pipe fittings determined?

Nationally

By region

By state

By individual
location

Other:

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Cast Iron Soil Pipe Fittings

Page 22

III-36. Importance of promotional activities.--Please indicate whether the specified rebate program or
other incentive was associated with your purchases of cast iron soil pipe fittings below for each
specified source from whom your firm purchased cast iron soil pipe fittings, noting how each
incentive impacted your purchasing decisions. In each box, report one of the following:
1 – Not offered
2 – Offered, minimal impact on purchasing decisions
3 – Offered, moderate impact on purchasing decisions
4 – Offered, substantial impact on purchasing decisions
Activity
Direct rebate

United States

China

Other countries

1

Indirect rebate2
Rebates to your customers
Promotional allowances
Bonus packs
Bonus couplings/gaskets
Other incentives
Cumulative impact of all
incentives
1

Rebates associated directly with the purchase/sale of cast iron soil pipe fittings.
Rebates associated with the purchase/sale of pipe system “bundles” which include cast iron soil
pipe fittings.
2

Please describe the most important promotional activities which affect your cast iron soil pipe
fittings decisions.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Cast Iron Soil Pipe Fittings

Page 23

III-37. Rebates.--Describe the rebate programs you participated in with your supplier(s) of cast iron soil
pipe fittings in 2017.
(a) For U.S.-produced cast iron pipe fittings:
Total 2017 rebate(s) received:
Rebate description:
Name, rebate percent, frequency of
payment, and requirement(s) to receive
the rebate

Type of
rebate
(direct/
indirect) 1

Name:
Percent:
Frequency:
Requirement(s):

D

I

Name:
Percent:
Frequency:
Requirement(s):

D

I

Name:
Percent:
Frequency:
Requirement(s):

D

I

Name:
Percent:
Frequency:
Requirement(s):

D

I

Name:
Percent:
Frequency:
Requirement(s):

D

I

Name:
Percent:
Frequency:
Requirement(s):

D

I

Value of
rebate
(dollars)

Relevant cast
iron soil pipe
fitting
purchases2
(dollars)

Relevant
other
purchases
(dollars)

1

A direct rebate is based solely on the purchases of cast iron soil pipe fittings. An indirect rebate is based
on the joint purchase of cast iron soil pipe fittings and other products.
2
The total value of the purchases that the rebate was based upon. If an indirect rebate, this should
include your purchases of cast iron soil pipe fittings and other products as well. If a direct rebate, the
relevant other purchases should be 0.

(b) Please report any other important information regarding rebates not contained above:

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Cast Iron Soil Pipe Fittings

Page 24

III-37. Rebates (continued).--Describe the rebate programs you participated in with your supplier(s) of
cast iron soil pipe fittings in 2017.
(c) For imported cast iron pipe fittings:
Total 2017 rebate(s) received:
Rebate description:
Name, rebate percent, frequency of
payment, and requirement(s) to receive
the rebate

Type of
rebate
(direct/
indirect) 1

Name:
Percent:
Frequency:
Requirement(s):

D

I

Name:
Percent:
Frequency:
Requirement(s):

D

I

Name:
Percent:
Frequency:
Requirement(s):

D

I

Name:
Percent:
Frequency:
Requirement(s):

D

I

Name:
Percent:
Frequency:
Requirement(s):

D

I

Name:
Percent:
Frequency:
Requirement(s):

D

I

Value of
rebate
(dollars)

Relevant cast
iron soil pipe
fitting
purchases2
(dollars)

Relevant
other
purchases
(dollars)

1

A direct rebate is based solely on the purchases of cast iron soil pipe fittings. An indirect rebate is based
on the joint purchase of cast iron soil pipe fittings and other products.
2
The total value of the purchases that the rebate was based upon. If an indirect rebate, this should
include your purchases of cast iron soil pipe fittings and other products as well. If a direct rebate, the
relevant other purchases should be 0.

(d) Please report any other important information regarding rebates not contained above:

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Cast Iron Soil Pipe Fittings

Page 25

PART IV.—PRODUCT COMPARISONS
IV-1.

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

China

Other countries

United States
China
For any country-pair producing cast iron soil pipe fittings which is sometimes or never
interchangeable, please identify the country-pair and explain the factors that limit or preclude
interchangeable use:

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Cast Iron Soil Pipe Fittings
IV-2.

Page 26

Factors other than price.--Are differences other than price (e.g., trademark, building code
requirements, coating, quality, availability, transportation network, product range, technical
support, etc.) between cast iron soil pipe fittings 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

Other countries

United States
China
For any country-pair for which factors other than price always or frequently are a significant
factor in your firm’s purchases of cast iron soil pipe fittings, identify the country-pair and
report the advantages or disadvantages imparted by such factors:

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Cast Iron Soil Pipe Fittings
IV-3.

Page 27

Factor country comparisons.--For the factors listed below, please rate how cast iron soil pipe
fittings produced in each country you identified in your response to the first question in Part IV
compares with cast iron soil pipe fittings produced in each of the other countries you identified.
If you are unfamiliar with the product from a particular country, please leave the boxes for those
country comparisons blank.

Availability
Availability of epoxy-coated product
Bundled products – iron pipe
Bundled products – plastic pipe & fittings
Delivery terms
Delivery time
Discounts offered
Extension of credit
Minimum quantity requirements
Packaging
Price
Product consistency
Product range
Promotional incentives (non-rebate)
Quality meets industry standards
Quality exceeds industry standards
Rebates – to your firm
Rebates – to your customers
Reliability of supply
Technical support/service
Traditional supplier
U.S. transportation costs
1

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

Inferior

Comparable

Superior

Inferior

Comparable

Superior

Inferior

Comparable

Factor

Superior

Product from
Product from
Product from
United States
United States
China
compared to
compared to product compared to product
product from China from other countries from other countries

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Cast Iron Soil Pipe Fittings

Page 28

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 - Cast Iron Soil Pipe Fittings

Page 29

HOW TO FILE YOUR QUESTIONNAIRE RESPONSE
This questionnaire is available as a “fillable” form in MS Word format on the
Commission’s website at:
https://www.usitc.gov/investigations/701731/2018/cast_iron_soil_pipe_fittings_china/f
inal.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: CISPF

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