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pdfOMB No. 3117‐0016/USITC No. 18‐2‐3901; Expiration Date: 6/30/2020
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U.S. IMPORTERS’ QUESTIONNAIRE
STEEL PROPANE CYLINDERS FROM CHINA, TAIWAN, AND THAILAND
This questionnaire must be received by the Commission by June 5, 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 and antidumping duty investigations concerning steel propane cylinders from China,
Taiwan, and Thailand (Inv. Nos. 701‐TA‐607 and 731‐TA‐1417‐1419 (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 steel propane cylinders (as defined on next page) from any country 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: PROP)
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
Email address
Contains Business Proprietary Information
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Steel Propane Cylinders (Prelim.)
Page 2
PART I.—GENERAL INFORMATION
Background.‐‐This proceeding was instituted in response to a petition filed on May 22, 2018, by
Worthington Industries, (Columbus, Ohio) and Manchester Tank & Equipment Company, (Franklin,
Tennessee). Antidumping and countervailing duties may be assessed on the subject imports as a result
of these proceedings if the Commission makes an affirmative determination of injury, threat, or material
retardation, and if the U.S. Department of Commerce (“Commerce”) makes an affirmative
determinations of dumping and/or subsidization. Questionnaires and other information pertinent to this
proceeding are available at
https://www.usitc.gov/investigations/701731/2018/steel_propane_cylinders_china_taiwan_and_thaila
nd/preliminary.htm.
Steel propane cylinders for purposes of these investigations are steel cylinders for compressed or
liquefied propane gas meeting the requirements of, or produced to meet the requirements of, U.S.
Department of Transportation (“USDOT”) Specifications 4B, 4BA, or 4BW, or Transport Canada
Specification 4BM, 4BAM, or 4BWM, or a UN pressure receptacle meeting standard ISO 4706, and range
from 2.5 pound nominal gas capacity (approximate 4‐6 pound tare weight) to 42 pound nominal gas
capacity (approximate 28‐32 pound tare weight), with up to 100 pound water capacity (“Steel Propane
Cylinders”). Steel Propane Cylinders may be certified to USDOT Specification 4B, 4BA, or 4BW either
before or after importation. Steel Propane Cylinders have two or fewer ports and may be imported
assembled or unassembled (i.e., welded or brazed before or after importation), with or without out all
components (including collars, valves, gauges, tanks, foot rings, and overfill prevention devices), and
coated or uncoated. Also included within the scope are parts of steel propane cylinders, unfinished
propane cylinders, collars, and foot rings for steel propane cylinders.
These petitions also cover steel propane cylinders that meet, are produced to meet, or are certified as
meeting, other U.S. or Canadian government, international, or industry standards (including, for
example, American Society of Mechanical Engineers (“ASME”), or American National Standard Institute
(“ANSI”)), if they also meet, are produced to meet, or are certified as meeting USDOT Specification 4B,
4BA, or 4BW, or Transport Canada Specification 4BM, 4BAM, or 4BWM, or a UN pressure receptacle
meeting standard ISO 4706.
Subject merchandise also includes steel propane cylinders that have been further processed in a third
country, including but not limited to attachment of collars, foot rings, or handles by welding or brazing,
heat treatment, painting, testing, certification, or any other processing that would not otherwise
remove the merchandise from the scope of the petitions if performed in the country of manufacture of
the in‐scope Steel Propane Cylinders.
Specifically excluded are seamless steel propane cylinders and propane cylinders made from stainless
steel (i.e., steel containing at least 10.5 percent chromium by weight and less than 1.2 percent carbon by
weight), aluminum, or composite fiber material.
The merchandise subject to these investigations is properly classified under statistical reporting
numbers 7311.00.0060 and 7311.00.0090 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States
(HTSUS). Although the HTSUS statistical reporting numbers are provided for convenience and customs
purposes, the written description of the merchandise is dispositive.
Contains Business Proprietary Information
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Steel Propane Cylinders (Preliminary)
Page 3
Importer.‐‐Any person or firm engaged, either directly or through a parent company or subsidiary, in
importing steel propane cylinders (as defined above) into the United States from a foreign manufacturer
or through its selling agent.
Reporting of information.‐‐If information is not readily available from your records, provide carefully
prepared estimates. If your firm is completing more than one questionnaire (i.e., a producer, importer,
and/or purchaser questionnaire), you need not respond to duplicated questions.
Confidentiality.‐‐The commercial and financial data furnished in response to this questionnaire that
reveal the individual operations of your firm will be treated as confidential by the Commission to the
extent that such data are not otherwise available to the public and will not be disclosed except as may
be required by law (see 19 U.S.C. § 1677f). Such confidential information will not be published in a
manner that will reveal the individual operations of your firm; however, general characterizations of
numerical business proprietary information (such as discussion of trends) will be treated as confidential
business information only at the request of the submitter for good cause shown.
Verification.‐‐The information submitted in this questionnaire is subject to audit and verification by the
Commission. To facilitate possible verification of data, please keep all files, worksheets, and supporting
documents used in the preparation of the questionnaire response. Please also retain a copy of the final
document that you submit.
Release of information.‐‐The information provided by your firm in response to this questionnaire, as
well as any other business proprietary information submitted by your firm to the Commission in
connection with this proceeding, may become subject to, and released under, the administrative
protective order provisions of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. § 1677f) and section 207.7 of the
Commission’s Rules of Practice and Procedure (19 CFR § 207.7). This means that certain lawyers and
other authorized individuals may temporarily be given access to the information for use in connection
with this proceeding or other import‐injury proceedings conducted by the Commission on the same or
similar merchandise; those individuals would be subject to severe penalties if the information were
divulged to unauthorized individuals.
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
Lawrence Jones (202‐205‐3358, lawrence.jones@usitc.gov).
D‐GRIDS tool.‐‐The Commission has a tool that firms can use to move data from their own MS Excel
compilation files into self‐contained data tables within this MS Word questionnaire, thereby reducing
the amount of cell‐by‐cell data entry that would be required to complete this form. This tool is a macro‐
enabled MS Excel file available for download from the Commission's generic questionnaires webpage
(https://www.usitc.gov/trade_remedy/question.htm) called the "D‐GRIDs tool." Use of this tool to help
your firm complete this questionnaire is optional. Firms opting to use the D‐GRIDs tool to populate their
data into this questionnaire will need the D‐GRIDs specification sheet PDF file specific to this proceeding
(available on the case page which is linked under the "Background" above) which includes the necessary
references relating to this questionnaire, as well as the macro‐enable MS Excel D‐GRIDs tool itself from
the generic questionnaires page. More detailed instructions on how to use the D‐GRIDs tool are
available within the D‐GRIDs tool itself.
Contains Business Proprietary Information
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Steel Propane Cylinders (Preliminary)
I‐1.
Page 4
OMB statistics.‐‐Please report below the actual number of hours required and the cost to your
firm of completing this questionnaire.
Hours
Dollars
I‐2.
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.
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 steel propane cylinders,
including auxiliary facilities operated in conjunction with (whether or not physically separate
from) such facilities.
Contains Business Proprietary Information
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Steel Propane Cylinders (Preliminary)
I‐3.
I‐4.
Page 5
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 steel propane cylinders from China, Taiwan, and/or
Thailand into the United States or that are engaged in exporting steel propane cylinders from
China, Taiwan, and/or Thailand to the United States?
No
Yes‐‐List the following information.
Firm name
Country
Affiliation
Contains Business Proprietary Information
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Steel Propane Cylinders (Preliminary)
I‐5.
I‐6.
Page 6
Related producers.‐‐Does your firm have any related firms, either domestic or foreign, that are
engaged in the production of steel propane cylinders?
No
Yes‐‐List the following information.
Firm name
Country
Affiliation
Importing operations.‐‐Please indicate the nature of your firm’s importing operations on steel
propane cylinders. More than one answer may be applicable.
Importer of record
I‐7.
Takes title to the
imported product(s)
Consignee of the
imported products(s)
Customs broker or
freight forwarder
Consignee.‐‐If your firm is an importer of record of steel propane cylinders 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
Contains Business Proprietary Information
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Steel Propane Cylinders (Preliminary)
I‐8.
Page 7
FTZ, TIB, or bonded warehouses.‐‐Please indicate whether your firm enters steel propane
cylinders into, or withdraws such merchandise from, foreign trade zones or bonded warehouses.
Also indicate whether your firm imports steel propane cylinders 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).
Item
I‐9.
No
Yes
Foreign trade zones
Bonded warehouses
Temporary importation under bond
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
If yes, please specify.
Contains Business Proprietary Information
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Steel Propane Cylinders (Preliminary)
Page 8
PART II.‐‐TRADE AND RELATED INFORMATION
Further information on this part of the questionnaire can be obtained from Lawrence Jones (202‐205‐
3358, lawrence.jones@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
II‐2. Changes in operations.‐‐Please indicate whether your firm has experienced any of the following
changes in relation to the importation of steel propane cylinders since January 1, 2015.
(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)
Contains Business Proprietary Information
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Steel Propane Cylinders (Preliminary)
Page 9
II‐3a. Arranged imports.‐‐Has your firm imported or arranged for the importation of steel propane
cylinders for delivery after March 31, 2018?
“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
If yes, fill out the table below.
Period
Source
Apr‐Jun 2018
Jul‐Sept 2018
Oct‐Dec 2018
Jan‐Mar 2019
Quantity (in pounds, tare weight)
China
Taiwan
Thailand
Other sources
II‐3b. Imports in the 12 month period preceding the petition.‐‐Has your firm imported steel propane
cylinders from any source between May 1, 2017 and April 30, 2018? (i.e., the last eight months
in 2017 and first four months in 2018 combined).
No
Yes
If yes, report the quantity of such import below by source.
Quantity (in pounds, tare weight)
Source
China
Taiwan
Thailand
Other sources
II‐4.
May 2017 through April 2018
Reasons for importing if producer.‐‐If your firm also produces steel propane cylinders in the
United States, please indicate the reasons for importing this product. If your firm’s reasons differ
by source, please elaborate.
Contains Business Proprietary Information
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Steel Propane Cylinders (Preliminary)
Page 10
“Imports”‐‐Those products identified for Customs purposes as imports for consumption and/or which
were admitted into a foreign trade zone (FTZ) in the United States for which your firm was the importer
of record (i.e., was responsible for paying any import duty or clearing the goods through customs or re‐
exporting if an FTZ operator). Imports / admissions can include complete steel propane cylinders as well
as partially completed steel propane cylinders and parts for such products. See definition page 2.
“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).
“Shipments”‐‐Shipments can include complete steel propane cylinders as well as partially completed
steel propane cylinders and parts for such products. See definition on page 2.
“Retail level commercial shipments”‐‐Shipments made within the United States, to be limited to sales
of unfilled steel propane cylinders, as a result of an arm’s length commercial transaction in the
ordinary course of business at or through retail establishments to individual consumers, individuals or
businesses. 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.
“Non‐retail level commercial shipments”‐‐Shipments made within the United States, to be limited to
sales of unfilled steel propane cylinders, as a result of an arm’s length commercial transaction in the
ordinary course of business sold to other businesses, and not through retail establishments. 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. This includes, any instance in which your firm fills the steel propane cylinder with
propane prior to usage or sale (i.e., in a gas exchange), or incorporates the steel propane cylinder within
a larger piece of equipment (i.e., the manufacture of a recreational vehicle). Internal consumption
should be reported at the fair market value of the unfilled steel propane cylinders at the time of filling
and/or incorporation into a downstream product.
“Transfers to related firms”‐‐Shipments made to related firms in the United States. Transfers to related
firms should be valued at fair market value at the time of physical delivery or at the time of the transfer
of title if different.
“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.
Contains Business Proprietary Information
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Steel Propane Cylinders (Preliminary)
Page 11
II‐5a. U.S. imports from China.‐‐Report your firm’s imports and your firm’s shipments and inventories
of steel propane cylinders imported from China by your firm during the specified periods.
China
Quantity (in pounds, tare weight), value (in dollars)
Calendar years
Item
2015
Beginning‐of‐period inventories
(quantity) (A)
2016
January‐March
2017
2017
2018
Imports:
Quantity (B)
Value (C)
1
U.S. shipments:
Retail level commercial shipments:
Quantity (D)
Value (E)
Non retail level commercial
shipments:
Quantity (F)
Value (G)
2
Internal consumption:
Quantity (H)
Value2 (I)
Transfers to related firms:2
Quantity (J)
2
Value (K)
3
Export shipments:
Quantity (L)
Value (M)
End‐of‐period inventories (quantity) (N)
1 Please identify the foreign producers, if known:
.
2 Internal consumption and transfers to related firms must be valued at fair market value. If your firm uses a different basis for valuing these
transactions in your records, please specify that basis (e.g., cost, cost plus, etc.): . However, the data provided above in this table should be
based on fair market value.
3 Identify your firm’s principal export markets: .
Contains Business Proprietary Information
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Steel Propane Cylinders (Preliminary)
Page 12
II‐5a. U.S. imports from China.–Continued
RECONCILIATION OF SHIPMENTS, IMPORTS, AND INVENTORIES.‐‐Generally, the data reported for the
end‐of‐period inventories (i.e., line N) 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, H, and J). 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
2015
A + B – D – F – H – J – L ‐ N = should
equal zero ("0") or provide an
explanation.1
2016
0
January‐March
2017
0
2017
0
2018
0
0
1
Explanation if the calculated fields above are returning values other than zero (i.e., “0”) but are
nonetheless accurate: .
II‐5b. Channels of distribution: China.‐‐Report your firm’s non‐retail level commercial U.S. shipments
of imports from China by channel of distribution in the specified periods.
China
Calendar years
Item
2015
2016
January‐March
2017
2017
2018
Quantity (in pounds, tare weight)
Channels of distribution
Non‐retail level commercial U.S.
shipments:
To retailers (O)1
2
To end users (Q)
To distributors (P)
3
1
Retailers (big box and/or other) can use the product in a gas exchange function or in off‐the‐shelf re‐sales.
Firms that re‐sell steel propane cylinders and do not have and maintain retail locations.
3
Firms that incorporate propane cylinders (filled or unfilled) into larger equipment or machinery, such as recreational
vehicle manufacturers.
2
RECONCILIATION OF CHANNELS.‐‐Please ensure that the quantities reported for channels of distribution (i.e., lines
O through Q) in each time period equal the quantity reported for non‐retail commercial U.S. shipments (i.e., line F)
in each time period. If the calculated fields below return values other than zero (i.e., “0”), the data reported must
be revised prior to submission to the Commission.
Calendar years
Reconciliation item
O + P + Q – F = zero ("0"), if not revise.
2015
0
2016
0
January‐March
2017
0
2017
0
2018
0
Contains Business Proprietary Information
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Steel Propane Cylinders (Preliminary)
II‐5c.
Page 13
U.S. shipments of steel propane cylinders, by type: China.‐‐Report your firm’s U.S. shipments
(i.e., inclusive of non‐retail level commercial U.S. shipments, retail level commercial shipments,
internal consumption, and transfers to related firms) of steel propane cylinders imported from
China in 2017. If your firm imports parts and assembles finished steel propane cylinders in the
United States prior to sale or use, report the U.S. shipments of the finished good by the relevant
cylinder size here and respond to questions II‐9 through II‐13 below.
China
Item
Calendar year 2017
U.S. shipments.—
Capacity 4.25 pound cylinders.
Quantity in units (R)
Quantity in pounds, tare weight (S)
Value in dollars (T)
Capacity 10 and 11 pound cylinders.
Quantity in units (U)
Quantity in pounds, tare weight (V)
Value in dollars (W)
Capacity 20 pound cylinders.
Quantity in units (X)
Quantity in pounds, tare weight (Y)
Value in dollars (Z)
Capacity 30 pound cylinders.
Quantity in units (AA)
Quantity in pounds, tare weight (AB)
Value in dollars (AC)
All other (non‐standard) cylinder sizes.
Quantity in units (AD)
Quantity in pounds, tare weight (AE)
Value in dollars (AF)
1 2
Parts sold separately.
Quantity in units (AG)
Quantity in pounds, tare weight (AH)
Value in dollars (AI)
1
Describe the parts sold separately in order of volume:
List the top five U.S. customers (firm name, contact name, and contract e‐mails) for parts sold separately:
.
2
RECONCILIATION OF SHIPMENTS BY FORM.‐‐Please ensure that the quantities and values reported for US
shipments by type (i.e., lines R through AI) in each time period equal the quantity and value reported for
U.S. shipments (i.e., lines D through K) 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.
Reconciliation
Calendar year 2017
Quantity: S + V + Y + AB + AE + AH – D – F – H – J = zero ("0"), if not revise
0
Value: : T + W + Z + AD + AG + AJ – E –G – I – K = zero ("0"), if not revise
0
Contains Business Proprietary Information
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Steel Propane Cylinders (Preliminary)
Page 14
II‐6a. U.S. imports from Taiwan.–Report your firm’s imports and your firm’s shipments and
inventories of steel propane cylinders imported from Taiwan by your firm during the specified
periods.
Taiwan
Quantity (in pounds, tare weight), value (in dollars)
Calendar years
Item
2015
Beginning‐of‐period inventories
(quantity) (A)
2016
January‐March
2017
2017
2018
Imports:
Quantity (B)
Value (C)
1
U.S. shipments:
Retail level commercial
shipments:
Quantity (D)
Value (E)
Non retail level commercial
shipments:
Quantity (F)
Value (G)
2
Internal consumption:
Quantity (H)
2
Value (I)
Transfers to related firms:2
Quantity (J)
Value2 (K)
3
Export shipments:
Quantity (L)
Value (M)
End‐of‐period inventories
(quantity) (N)
1 Please identify the foreign producers, if known:
.
2 Internal consumption and transfers to related firms must be valued at fair market value. If your firm uses a different basis
for valuing these transactions in your records, please specify that basis (e.g., cost, cost plus, etc.): . However, the data
provided above in this table should be based on fair market value.
3 Identify your firm’s principal export markets: .
Contains Business Proprietary Information
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Steel Propane Cylinders (Preliminary)
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 N) 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, H, and J). 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
A + B – D – F – H – J – L ‐ N = should
equal zero ("0") or provide an
explanation.1
2015
2016
0
January‐March
2017
0
2017
0
2018
0
0
1
Explanation if the calculated fields above are returning values other than zero (i.e., “0”) but are
nonetheless accurate: .
II‐6b. Channels of distribution: Taiwan.‐‐Report your firm’s non‐retail level commercial U.S.
shipments of imports from Taiwan by channel of distribution in the specified periods.
Taiwan
Calendar years
Item
2015
2016
January‐March
2017
2017
2018
Quantity (in pounds, tare weight)
Channels of distribution
Non‐retail level commercial U.S.
shipments:
To retailers (O)1
2
To end users (Q)
To distributors (P)
3
1
Retailers (big box and/or other) can use the product in a gas exchange function or in off‐the‐shelf re‐sales.
Firms that re‐sell steel propane cylinders and do not have and maintain retail locations.
3
Firms that incorporate propane cylinders (filled or unfilled) into larger equipment or machinery, such as
recreational vehicle manufacturers.
2
RECONCILIATION OF CHANNELS.‐‐Please ensure that the quantities reported for channels of distribution (i.e., lines
O through Q) in each time period equal the quantity reported for non‐retail commercial U.S. shipments (i.e., line F)
in each time period. If the calculated fields below return values other than zero (i.e., “0”), the data reported must
be revised prior to submission to the Commission.
Calendar years
Reconciliation item
O + P + Q – F = zero ("0"), if not revise.
2015
0
2016
0
January‐March
2017
0
2017
0
2018
0
Contains Business Proprietary Information
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Steel Propane Cylinders (Preliminary)
II‐6c.
Page 16
U.S. shipments of steel propane cylinders, by type: Taiwan.‐‐Report your firm’s U.S. shipments
(i.e., inclusive of non‐retail level commercial U.S. shipments, retail level commercial shipments,
internal consumption, and transfers to related firms) of steel propane cylinders imported from
Taiwan in 2017. If your firm imports parts and assembles finished steel propane cylinders in the
United States prior to sale or use, report the U.S. shipments of the finished good by the relevant
cylinder size here and respond to questions II‐9 through II‐13 below.
Taiwan
Item
Calendar year 2017
U.S. shipments.—
Capacity 4.25 pound cylinders.
Quantity in units (R)
Quantity in pounds, tare weight (S)
Value in dollars (T)
Capacity 10 and 11 pound cylinders.
Quantity in units (U)
Quantity in pounds, tare weight (V)
Value in dollars (W)
Capacity 20 pound cylinders.
Quantity in units (X)
Quantity in pounds, tare weight (Y)
Value in dollars (Z)
Capacity 30 pound cylinders.
Quantity in units (AA)
Quantity in pounds, tare weight (AB)
Value in dollars (AC)
All other (non‐standard) cylinder sizes.
Quantity in units (AD)
Quantity in pounds, tare weight (AE)
Value in dollars (AF)
Parts sold separately.1 2
Quantity in units (AG)
Quantity in pounds, tare weight (AH)
Value in dollars (AI)
1
Describe the parts sold separately in order of volume:
List the top five U.S. customers (firm name, contact name, and contract e‐mails) for parts sold separately:
.
2
RECONCILIATION OF SHIPMENTS BY FORM.‐‐Please ensure that the quantities and values reported for US
shipments by type (i.e., lines R through AI) in each time period equal the quantity and value reported for
U.S. shipments (i.e., lines D through K) 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.
Reconciliation
Calendar year 2017
Quantity: S + V + Y + AB + AE + AH – D – F – H – J = zero ("0"), if not revise
0
Value: : T + W + Z + AD + AG + AJ – E –G – I – K = zero ("0"), if not revise
0
Contains Business Proprietary Information
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Steel Propane Cylinders (Preliminary)
Page 17
II‐7a. U.S. imports from Thailand.–Report your firm’s imports and your firm’s shipments and
inventories of steel propane cylinders imported from Thailand by your firm during the specified
periods.
Thailand
Quantity (in pounds, tare weight), value (in dollars)
Calendar years
Item
2015
Beginning‐of‐period inventories
(quantity) (A)
2016
January‐March
2017
2017
2018
Imports:
Quantity (B)
Value (C)
1
U.S. shipments:
Retail level commercial
shipments:
Quantity (D)
Value (E)
Non retail level commercial
shipments:
Quantity (F)
Value (G)
2
Internal consumption:
Quantity (H)
2
Value (I)
Transfers to related firms:
Quantity (J)
2
Value (K)
2
3
Export shipments:
Quantity (L)
Value (M)
End‐of‐period inventories
(quantity) (N)
1 Please identify the foreign producers, if known:
.
2 Internal consumption and transfers to related firms must be valued at fair market value. If your firm uses a different basis
for valuing these transactions in your records, please specify that basis (e.g., cost, cost plus, etc.): . However, the data
provided above in this table should be based on fair market value.
3 Identify your firm’s principal export markets: .
Contains Business Proprietary Information
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Steel Propane Cylinders (Preliminary)
Page 18
II‐7a. U.S. imports from Thailand.–Continued
RECONCILIATION OF SHIPMENTS, IMPORTS, AND INVENTORIES.‐‐Generally, the data reported for the
end‐of‐period inventories (i.e., line N) 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, H, and J). 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
A + B – D – F – H – J – L ‐ N = should
equal zero ("0") or provide an
explanation.1
2015
2016
0
January‐March
2017
0
2017
0
2018
0
0
1
Explanation if the calculated fields above are returning values other than zero (i.e., “0”) but are
nonetheless accurate: .
II‐7b. Channels of distribution: Thailand.‐‐Report your firm’s non‐retail level commercial U.S.
shipments of imports from Thailand by channel of distribution in the specified periods.
Thailand
Calendar years
2015
Item
2016
January‐March
2017
2017
2018
Quantity (in pounds, tare weight)
Channels of distribution
Non‐retail level commercial U.S.
shipments:
To retailers (O)1
2
To distributors (P)
To end users (Q)3
1
Retailers (big box and/or other) can use the product in a gas exchange function or in off‐the‐shelf re‐sales.
Firms that re‐sell steel propane cylinders and do not have and maintain retail locations.
3
Firms that incorporate propane cylinders (filled or unfilled) into larger equipment or machinery, such as
recreational vehicle manufacturers.
2
RECONCILIATION OF CHANNELS.‐‐Please ensure that the quantities reported for channels of distribution (i.e., lines
O through Q) in each time period equal the quantity reported for non‐retail commercial U.S. shipments (i.e., line F)
in each time period. If the calculated fields below return values other than zero (i.e., “0”), the data reported must
be revised prior to submission to the Commission.
Calendar years
Reconciliation item
O + P + Q – F = zero ("0"), if not revise.
2015
0
2016
0
January‐March
2017
0
2017
0
2018
0
Contains Business Proprietary Information
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Steel Propane Cylinders (Preliminary)
II‐7c.
Page 19
U.S. shipments of steel propane cylinders, by type: Thailand.‐‐Report your firm’s U.S.
shipments (i.e., inclusive of non‐retail level commercial U.S. shipments, retail level commercial
shipments, internal consumption, and transfers to related firms) of steel propane cylinders
imported from Thailand in 2017. If your firm imports parts and assembles finished steel
propane cylinders in the United States prior to sale or use, report the U.S. shipments of the
finished good by the relevant cylinder size here and respond to questions II‐9 through II‐13
below.
Thailand
Item
Calendar year 2017
U.S. shipments.—
Capacity 4.25 pound cylinders.
Quantity in units (R)
Quantity in pounds, tare weight (S)
Value in dollars (T)
Capacity 10 and 11 pound cylinders.
Quantity in units (U)
Quantity in pounds, tare weight (V)
Value in dollars (W)
Capacity 20 pound cylinders.
Quantity in units (X)
Quantity in pounds, tare weight (Y)
Value in dollars (Z)
Capacity 30 pound cylinders.
Quantity in units (AA)
Quantity in pounds, tare weight (AB)
Value in dollars (AC)
All other (non‐standard) cylinder sizes.
Quantity in units (AD)
Quantity in pounds, tare weight (AE)
Value in dollars (AF)
Parts sold separately.1 2
Quantity in units (AG)
Quantity in pounds, tare weight (AH)
Value in dollars (AI)
1
Describe the parts sold separately in order of volume:
List the top five U.S. customers (firm name, contact name, and contract e‐mails) for parts sold separately:
.
2
RECONCILIATION OF SHIPMENTS BY FORM.‐‐Please ensure that the quantities and values reported for US
shipments by type (i.e., lines R through AI) in each time period equal the quantity and value reported for
U.S. shipments (i.e., lines D through K) 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.
Reconciliation
Calendar year 2017
Quantity: S + V + Y + AB + AE + AH – D – F – H – J = zero ("0"), if not revise
0
Value: : T + W + Z + AD + AG + AJ – E –G – I – K = zero ("0"), if not revise
0
Contains Business Proprietary Information
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Steel Propane Cylinders (Preliminary)
Page 20
II‐8a. U.S. imports from all other sources.–Report your firm’s imports and your firm’s shipments and
inventories of steel propane cylinders imported from all other sources (i.e., sources other than
China, Taiwan or Thailand) by your firm during the specified periods.
All other sources
(list sources:
)
Quantity (in pounds, tare weight), value (in dollars)
Calendar years
Item
2015
Beginning‐of‐period inventories
(quantity) (A)
2016
January‐March
2017
2017
2018
Imports:
Quantity (B)
Value (C)
1
U.S. shipments:
Retail level commercial
shipments:
Quantity (D)
Value (E)
Non retail level commercial
shipments:
Quantity (F)
Value (G)
2
Internal consumption:
Quantity (H)
2
Value (I)
Transfers to related firms:
Quantity (J)
2
Value (K)
Export shipments:3
Quantity (L)
Value (M)
End‐of‐period inventories
(quantity) (N)
2
1 Please identify the foreign producers, if known:
.
2 Internal consumption and transfers to related firms must be valued at fair market value. If your firm uses a different basis
for valuing these transactions in your records, please specify that basis (e.g., cost, cost plus, etc.): . However, the data
provided above in this table should be based on fair market value.
3 Identify your firm’s principal export markets: .
Contains Business Proprietary Information
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Steel Propane Cylinders (Preliminary)
Page 21
II‐8a. 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 N) 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, H, and J). 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
2015
A + B – D – F – H – J – L ‐ N = should
equal zero ("0") or provide an
explanation.1
2016
0
January‐March
2017
0
2017
0
2018
0
0
1
Explanation if the calculated fields above are returning values other than zero (i.e., “0”) but are
nonetheless accurate: .
II‐8b. Channels of distribution: All other sources.‐‐Report your firm’s non‐retail level commercial U.S.
shipments of imports from all other sources by channel of distribution in the specified periods.
All other sources
Calendar years
Item
2015
2016
January‐March
2017
2017
2018
Quantity (in pounds, tare weight)
Channels of distribution
Non‐retail level commercial U.S.
shipments:
To retailers (O)1
2
To end users (Q)
To distributors (P)
3
1
Retailers (big box and/or other) can use the product in a gas exchange function or in off‐the‐shelf re‐sales.
Firms that re‐sell steel propane cylinders and do not have and maintain retail locations.
3
Firms that incorporate propane cylinders (filled or unfilled) into larger equipment or machinery, such as
recreational vehicle manufacturers.
2
RECONCILIATION OF CHANNELS.‐‐Please ensure that the quantities reported for channels of distribution (i.e., lines
O through Q) in each time period equal the quantity reported for non‐retail commercial U.S. shipments (i.e., line F)
in each time period. If the calculated fields below return values other than zero (i.e., “0”), the data reported must
be revised prior to submission to the Commission.
Calendar years
Reconciliation item
O + P + Q – F = zero ("0"), if not revise.
2015
0
2016
0
January‐March
2017
0
2017
0
2018
0
Contains Business Proprietary Information
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Steel Propane Cylinders (Preliminary)
II‐8c.
Page 22
U.S. shipments of steel propane cylinders, by type: All other sources.‐‐Report your firm’s U.S.
shipments (i.e., inclusive of non‐retail level commercial U.S. shipments, retail level commercial
shipments, internal consumption, and transfers to related firms) of steel propane cylinders
imported from all other sources in 2017. If your firm imports parts and assembles finished steel
propane cylinders in the United States prior to sale or use, report the U.S. shipments of the
finished good by the relevant cylinder size here and respond to questions II‐9 through II‐13
below.
All other sources
Item
Calendar year 2017
U.S. shipments.—
Capacity 4.25 pound cylinders.
Quantity in units (R)
Quantity in pounds, tare weight (S)
Value in dollars (T)
Capacity 10 and 11 pound cylinders.
Quantity in units (U)
Quantity in pounds, tare weight (V)
Value in dollars (W)
Capacity 20 pound cylinders.
Quantity in units (X)
Quantity in pounds, tare weight (Y)
Value in dollars (Z)
Capacity 30 pound cylinders.
Quantity in units (AA)
Quantity in pounds, tare weight (AB)
Value in dollars (AC)
All other (non‐standard) cylinder sizes.
Quantity in units (AD)
Quantity in pounds, tare weight (AE)
Value in dollars (AF)
Parts sold separately.1 2
Quantity in units (AG)
Quantity in pounds, tare weight (AH)
Value in dollars (AI)
1
Describe the parts sold separately in order of volume:
List the top five U.S. customers (firm name, contact name, and contract e‐mails) for parts sold separately:
.
2
RECONCILIATION OF SHIPMENTS BY FORM.‐‐Please ensure that the quantities and values reported for US
shipments by type (i.e., lines R through AI) in each time period equal the quantity and value reported for
U.S. shipments (i.e., lines D through K) 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.
Reconciliation
Calendar year 2017
Quantity: S + V + Y + AB + AE + AH – D – F – H – J = zero ("0"), if not revise
0
Value: : T + W + Z + AD + AG + AJ – E –G – I – K = zero ("0"), if not revise
0
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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Steel Propane Cylinders (Preliminary)
II‐9.
Page 23
Analysis of in‐scope parts.‐‐As described the petition’s scope, “Also included within the scope
are parts of steel propane cylinders”
a.
Does your firm import these parts?
If yes, report the quantity and value
imported in 2017
No
Yes
Quantity
(pounds tare weight)
Unfinished cylinders / tanks
Collars
Foot rings
Item
Value (dollars)
b.
Are there independent uses for such parts, i.e., uses other than for the production of
steel propane cylinders?
Item
No
Yes
If yes, list other uses for these products.
Unfinished cylinders / tanks
Collars
Foot rings
c.
Are there separate commercial markets for the following parts?
Item
No
Yes
If yes, list and describe the markets.
Unfinished cylinders / tanks
Collars
Foot rings
Contains Business Proprietary Information
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Steel Propane Cylinders (Preliminary)
II‐9.
Page 24
Analysis of in‐scope parts.‐‐Continued
d.
Are the characteristics and functions for these parts the same or different from the
finished steel propane cylinders?
Item
Same Different
If different, describe these differences.
Unfinished cylinders / tanks
Collars
Foot rings
e.
What is the share of the total material weight (on average) for each of the parts out of
the finished steel propane cylinder? And what is the share of the total value (on
average) for each of the parts out of the finished steel propane cylinder?
Share of total material
weight of the finished
steel propone cylinders
Share of total value
of the finished steel
propone cylinders
Unfinished cylinders / tanks
Collars
Foot rings
Other material inputs / value added
Item
Total (should sum to 100.0 percent)
0.0
0.0
f.
Describe the processes required to transfer the listed part into a finished steel propane
cylinder?
Item
Describe the processes used to transform the listed
parts into finished steel propane cylinders.
Unfinished cylinders / tanks
Collars
Foot rings
Contains Business Proprietary Information
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Steel Propane Cylinders (Preliminary)
Page 25
II‐10. Shipments of steel cylinders incorporating imported parts.‐‐Report the quantity and value of
your firm’s commercial U.S. shipments (i.e., inclusive of retail level commercial shipments, non‐
retail level commercial shipments, internal consumption, and transfers to related firms, either in
the United States or exported) of finished steel propane cylinders processed (i.e., assembled and
welded) in your U.S. establishment(s) from purchased and/or imported in‐scope steel propane
cylinder parts.
Quantity (in pounds, tare weight) and value (in dollars)
Fiscal year ended‐‐
Item
Commercial shipments
Quantity
Value
2017
II‐13. 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.
Contains Business Proprietary Information
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Steel Propane Cylinders (Preliminary)
Page 26
PART III.‐‐PRICING AND MARKET FACTORS
Further information on this part of the questionnaire can be obtained from Cindy Cohen (202‐205‐3230,
cindy.cohen@usitc.gov).
III‐1. Contact information.‐‐Please identify the responsible individual and the manner by which
Commission staff may contact that individual regarding the confidential information submitted
in part III.
Name
Title
Email
Telephone
PRICE DATA
III‐2. This question requests quarterly quantity and value data for your firm’s non‐retail level
commercial shipments to unrelated U.S. customers since January 1, 2015 of the following
products your firm imported from China, Taiwan, and/or Thailand:
Product 1.‐‐20‐pound capacity steel cylinder for compressed or liquefied propane gas, without
gauge, meeting the requirements of U.S. Department of Transportation
specification 4BA.
Product 2.‐‐30‐pound capacity steel cylinder for compressed or liquefied propane gas, without
gauge, meeting the requirements of U.S. Department of Transportation
specification 4BA.
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).
III‐2(a). During January 2015‐March 2018, did your firm import from China, Taiwan, and/or Thailand and
sell to unrelated U.S. customers, other than through your firm’s own retail establishments, any
of the above listed products (or any products that were competitive with these products)?
Yes.‐‐Please complete the following pricing data tables as appropriate.
No.‐‐Skip to question III‐3.
Contains Business Proprietary Information
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Steel Propane Cylinders (Preliminary)
Page 27
III‐2(b). Price data.‐‐Report below the quarterly price data1 for pricing products2 imported from China
and sold by your firm (excluding retail level sales).
China
Report data in units (not pounds) and dollars.
(Quantity in units, value in dollars)
Product 1
Product 2
Period of shipment
Quantity
Value
Quantity
Value
2015:
January‐March
April‐June
July‐September
October‐December
2016:
January‐March
April‐June
July‐September
October‐December
2017:
January‐March
April‐June
July‐September
October‐December
2018:
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 IV.
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:
Contains Business Proprietary Information
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Steel Propane Cylinders (Preliminary)
Page 28
III‐2(c). Price data.‐‐Report below the quarterly price data1 for pricing products2 imported from Taiwan
and sold by your firm (excluding retail level sales).
Taiwan
Report data in units (not pounds) and dollars.
(Quantity in units, value in dollars)
Product 1
Product 2
Period of shipment
Quantity
Value
Quantity
Value
2015:
January‐March
April‐June
July‐September
October‐December
2016:
January‐March
April‐June
July‐September
October‐December
2017:
January‐March
April‐June
July‐September
October‐December
2018:
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 IV.
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:
Contains Business Proprietary Information
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Steel Propane Cylinders (Preliminary)
Page 29
III‐2(d). Price data.‐‐Report below the quarterly price data1 for pricing products2 imported from Thailand
and sold by your firm (excluding retail level sales).
Thailand
Report data in units (not pounds) and dollars.
(Quantity in units, value in dollars)
Product 1
Product 2
Period of shipment
Quantity
Value
Quantity
Value
2015:
January‐March
April‐June
July‐September
October‐December
2016:
January‐March
April‐June
July‐September
October‐December
2017:
January‐March
April‐June
July‐September
October‐December
2018:
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 IV.
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:
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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Steel Propane Cylinders (Preliminary)
Page 30
III‐2 (e). Price data checklist.‐‐Please check that the pricing data in question III‐2 has been correctly
reported.
Is the price data reported above:
√ if Yes
In actual dollars (not $1,000)?
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 non‐retail commercial shipments in part II in each year?
III‐2(f). 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.
Contains Business Proprietary Information
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Steel Propane Cylinders (Preliminary)
Page 31
III‐3a. Imports for internal use or retail sale.‐‐Did your firm import 20‐pound or 30‐pound steel
propane cylinders for internal consumption or use for sales in your firm’s retail locations since
January 1, 2015?
Yes.‐‐Please complete the following tables as appropriate.
No.‐‐Skip to question III‐4.
Contains Business Proprietary Information
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Steel Propane Cylinders (Preliminary)
Page 32
III‐3b. Imports for internal use or retail sale.‐‐Report below the import data1 for pricing products2
imported from China, and used by your own firm or sold at retail.
Please note that values should be landed, duty‐paid and should not include U.S.‐inland transportation
costs. Values should reflect the final net amount paid by your firm (i.e., should be net of all returns,
discounts, allowances, and rebates).
China – Purchase Cost Data
Report data in units (not pounds) and dollars.
Quantity
(units)
Product 1
Landed, duty‐paid (LDP)
value1 (dollars)
Quantity
(units)
Product 2
Landed, duty‐paid (LDP)
value1 (dollars)
2015:
January‐March
April‐June
July‐September
October‐December
2016:
January‐March
April‐June
July‐September
October‐December
2017:
January‐March
April‐June
July‐September
October‐December
2018:
January‐March
1 LDP value (i.e., landed duty‐paid 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). See
“Import values” definition in Part II (Trade and Related Information – Definitions).
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:
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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Steel Propane Cylinders (Preliminary)
Page 33
III‐3c. Imports for internal use or retail sale.‐‐Report below the import data1 for pricing products2
imported from Taiwan, and used by your own firm or sold at retail.
Please note that values should be landed, duty‐paid and should not include U.S.‐inland transportation
costs. Values should reflect the final net amount paid by your firm (i.e., should be net of all returns,
discounts, allowances, and rebates).
Taiwan – Purchase Cost Data
Report data in units (not pounds) and dollars.
Quantity
(units)
Product 1
Landed, duty‐paid (LDP)
value1 (dollars)
Quantity
(units)
Product 2
Landed, duty‐paid (LDP)
value1 (dollars)
2015:
January‐March
April‐June
July‐September
October‐December
2016:
January‐March
April‐June
July‐September
October‐December
2017:
January‐March
April‐June
July‐September
October‐December
2018:
January‐March
1 LDP value (i.e., landed duty‐paid 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). See
“Import values” definition in Part II (Trade and Related Information – Definitions).
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:
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III‐3d. Imports for internal use or retail sale.‐‐Report below the import data1 for pricing products2
imported from Thailand, and used by your own firm or sold at retail.
Please note that values should be landed, duty‐paid and should not include U.S.‐inland transportation
costs. Values should reflect the final net amount paid by your firm (i.e., should be net of all returns,
discounts, allowances, and rebates).
Thailand – Purchase Cost Data
Report data in units (not pounds) and dollars.
Quantity
(units)
Product 1
Landed, duty‐paid (LDP)
value1 (dollars)
Quantity
(units)
Product 2
Landed, duty‐paid (LDP)
value1 (dollars)
2015:
January‐March
April‐June
July‐September
October‐December
2016:
January‐March
April‐June
July‐September
October‐December
2017:
January‐March
April‐June
July‐September
October‐December
2018:
January‐March
1 LDP value (i.e., landed duty‐paid 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). See
“Import values” definition in Part II (Trade and Related Information – Definitions).
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:
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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Steel Propane Cylinders (Preliminary)
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III‐3e. Inland transportation costs for your firm’s direct imports of steel propane cylinders for
internal use or retail sale.‐‐What is the approximate percentage of the total cost of steel
propane cylinders that you directly imported from China, Taiwan, and Thailand that is accounted
for by U.S. inland transportation costs from the port of importation to your distribution network
or retail stores?
Country
Percent
China
%
Taiwan
%
Thailand
%
III‐3f. Additional costs for your firm’s direct imports of steel propane cylinders for your firm’s
internal use or retail sale.
(i)
If your firm reported direct import purchase costs above (question III‐3a‐d), please
identify the factors (other than U.S. inland transportation costs or costs already
included in landed duty paid values) that add to your cost of importing directly since
January 1, 2015. Estimate the share of the cost of the landed duty‐paid value, and
explain the specific costs associated with each category.
Estimated share
of landed duty‐
paid value
(percent)
Explanation
Factors
Logistical or supply chain management
costs (not already included in LDP
value)
Warehousing/inventory carrying costs
(not already included in LDP value)
Insurance costs (not already included in
LDP value)
Other1, please identify ( )
Other2, please identify ( )
Other3, please identify ( )
(ii)
To which source(s) does your firm compare costs in determining your additional
transaction costs to directly import?
U.S. importers
U.S. producers
Both
Neither
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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Steel Propane Cylinders (Preliminary)
(iii)
Page 36
(a) Briefly identify the benefits of directly importing steel propane cylinders instead of
purchasing steel propane cylinders from a U.S. importer or from a U.S. producer.
(b) Please provide the estimated margin saved by having directly imported steel
propane cylinders instead of purchasing from a U.S. importer. percent of landed
duty‐paid value.
(c) Explain any variation in the margin saved since January 1, 2015.
If your firm imports steel propane cylinders for retail sales or your own use please check here
and skip to question III‐12.
III‐4.
Price setting.‐‐How does your firm determine the prices that it charges for sales of steel
propane cylinders (check all that apply)? If your firm issues price lists, please submit sample
pages of a recent list.
Transaction
by
transaction
Contracts
Set
price
lists
Other
If other, describe
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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Steel Propane Cylinders (Preliminary)
III‐5.
Discount policy.‐‐Please indicate and describe your firm’s discount policies (check all that apply).
Quantity
discounts
Annual
total
volume
discounts
III‐6.
Page 37
No
discount
policy
Other
Describe
Pricing terms.‐‐
(a)
What are your firm’s typical sales terms for steel propane cylinders imported from
China, Taiwan, and/or Thailand?
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 steel propane cylinders from China,
Taiwan, and/or Thailand usually quoted (check one)?
Delivered
F.o.b.
III‐7.
If f.o.b., specify point
Contract versus spot.‐‐Approximately what share of your firm’s sales of steel propane cylinders
imported from China, Taiwan, and/or Thailand in 2017 was on a (1) long‐term contract basis,
(2) annual contract basis, (3) short‐term contract basis, and (4) spot sales basis?
Item
Share of 2017
sales
Long‐term
contracts
(multiple
deliveries for
more than 12
months)
%
Type of sale
Short‐term
Annual
contracts
contracts
(multiple
(multiple
deliveries for
deliveries for 12
less than 12
months)
months)
%
%
Spot sales
(for a single
delivery)
%
Total
(should
sum to
100.0%)
0.0
%
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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Steel Propane Cylinders (Preliminary)
III‐8.
Page 38
Contract provisions.—Please fill out the table regarding your firm’s typical sales contracts for
steel propane cylinders from China, Taiwan, and/or Thailand (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
III‐9.
365
Lead times.‐‐What is your firm’s share of sales of steel propane cylinders imported from China,
Taiwan, and/or Thailand 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 steel propane
cylinders?
Lead time
(Average number
of days)
Source
Share of 2017 sales
From your firm’s U.S. inventory
%
From foreign manufacturers’ inventory
%
Produced to order
%
Total (should sum to 100.0%)
Long‐term contracts
Annual contracts
(multiple deliveries (multiple deliveries for
more than 12 months)
for 12 months)
0.0 %
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III‐10. Shipping information.—
(a)
What is the approximate percentage of the cost of steel propane cylinders imported
from China, Taiwan, and/or Thailand that is accounted for by U.S. inland transportation
costs? percent.
(b)
Who generally arranges the transportation to your firm’s customers’ locations?
Your firm Purchaser (check one)
(c)
When your firm sells steel propane cylinders imported from China, Taiwan, and/or
Thailand, from where is it shipped?
Point of importation Storage facility (check one)
(d)
Indicate the approximate percentage of your firm’s sales of steel propane cylinders
imported from China, Taiwan, and/or Thailand 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 %
III‐11. Geographical shipments.‐‐In which U.S. geographic market area(s) has your firm sold steel
propane cylinders imported from subject countries since January 1, 2015 (check all that apply)?
Geographic area
China
Taiwan
Thailand
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.
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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Steel Propane Cylinders (Preliminary)
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III‐12. End uses.‐‐List the end uses of the steel propane cylinders that your firm imports. For each end‐
use product, what percentage of the total cost is accounted for by steel propane cylinders and
other inputs?
Share of total cost of end‐use product
accounted for by
Total
(should sum to
Steel propane
100.0% across)
End use product
cylinders
Other inputs
%
%
0.0 %
%
%
0.0 %
%
%
III‐13. Substitutes.‐‐Can other products be substituted for steel propane cylinders?
No
Yes‐‐Please fill out the table.
End use in which this
substitute is used
Substitute
0.0 %
Have changes in the price of this substitute
affected the price for steel propane cylinders?
No Yes
Explanation
1.
2.
3.
III‐14. Demand trends.‐‐Indicate how demand within the United States and outside of the United
States (if known) for steel propane cylinders has changed since January 1, 2015. 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
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III‐15. Product changes.‐‐Have there been any significant changes in the product range, product mix or
marketing of steel propane cylinders since January 1, 2015?
No
Yes
If yes, please describe.
III‐16. Conditions of competition.—
(a) Is the steel propane cylinders market subject to business cycles (other than general
economy‐wide conditions) and/or other conditions of competition distinctive to steel
propane cylinders?
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
steel propane cylinders since January 1, 2015?
No
Yes
If yes, describe.
III‐17. Supply constraints.‐‐Has your firm refused, declined, or been unable to supply steel propane
cylinders 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.
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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Steel Propane Cylinders (Preliminary)
Page 42
III‐18. Raw materials.‐‐How have steel propane cylinders raw material prices changed since January 1,
2015?
Fluctuate
Overall
No
Overall
with no
increase change decrease clear trend
Explain, noting how raw material price changes
have affected your firm’s selling prices for steel
propane cylinders.
III‐19. Interchangeability.‐‐Is steel propane cylinders 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
Taiwan
Thailand
Other countries
United States
China
Taiwan
Thailand
For any country‐pair producing steel propane cylinders that is sometimes or never
interchangeable, identify the country‐pair and explain the factors that limit or preclude
interchangeable use:
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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Steel Propane Cylinders (Preliminary)
Page 43
III‐20. Factors other than price.‐‐Are differences other than price (e.g., quality, availability,
transportation network, product range, technical support, etc.) between steel propane cylinders
produced in the United States and in other countries a significant factor in your firm’s sales of
the products?
Please indicate A, F, S, N, or 0 in the table below:
A = such differences are always significant
F = such differences are frequently significant
S = such differences are sometimes significant
N = such differences are never significant
0 = no familiarity with products from a specified country‐pair
Country‐pair
China
Taiwan
Thailand
Other countries
United States
China
Taiwan
Thailand
For any country‐pair for which factors other than price always or frequently are a significant
factor in your firm’s sales of steel propane cylinders, identify the country‐pair and report the
advantages or disadvantages imparted by such factors:
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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Steel Propane Cylinders (Preliminary)
Page 44
III‐21. Customer identification.‐‐List the names and contact information for your firm’s 10 largest U.S.
customers for steel propane cylinders since January 1, 2015. Indicate the share of the quantity
of your firm’s total shipments of steel propane cylinders that each of these customers
accounted for in 2017.
Customer’s name
Contact person
Email
Telephone
City
State
Share
of
2017
sales
(%)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
III‐22. Other explanations.‐‐If your firm would like to further explain a response to a question in Part III
that did not provide a narrative response box, please note the question number and the
explanation in the space provided below. Please also use this space to highlight any issues your
firm had in providing the data in this section, including but not limited to technical issues with
the MS Word questionnaire.
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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Steel Propane Cylinders (Preliminary)
Page 45
Correcting Valid number error messages.‐‐If you are completing a Commission
questionnaire in a country that uses periods (“.”) to delineate multiples of 1000 (e.g., one million would
appear as $1.000.000 instead of as $1,000,000), you may be unable to enter in numbers greater than
999 in numeric form fields. This issues stem from your computer number formatting setting (e.g., not
the MS Word document itself, but the computer from which you are opening up the document). In the
United States commas (,) delineate multiples of 1000 and periods (.) delineate fractions less than one.
Many EU countries use the reverse where multiples of 1000 are delineated with periods (.) and
fractions less than one are delineated with commas (,). The US International Trade Commission’s
questionnaires are set‐up in the United States with the U.S. number formatting. When this formatting
interacts with a computer set to EU number formatting, we believe this may cause this issue.
The solution to this data entry issue is to temporarily change your operating system’s number
formatting to be consistent with the U.S. number formatting system while you complete the
questionnaire.
To temporarily change your computer’s number settings to U.S. settings, please do the following (for
Microsoft Windows Operating system):
START
Control Panel
Region and Language (under Clock, Language, and Region category)
Format tab
Change the Format from your existing one (e.g. “Italian (Italy)”) to “English (United States)” (see
screen shots below)
When you do this the number “twelve million dollars and thirty five cents” would change from
$12.000.000,35 (Italy format) to $12,000,000.35 (U.S. format), and then there will be no conflict with
the questionnaire. When you finish reporting the data then you can close the questionnaire and switch
back to Italy settings.
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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Steel Propane Cylinders (Preliminary)
Page 46
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/steel_propane_cylinders_china_tai
wan_and_thailand/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: PROP
• E‐mail.—E‐mail the MS Word questionnaire to Lawrence.jones@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 importers--Steel propane cylinders (P)--For Use |
| Author | lawrence.jones |
| File Modified | 2018-05-24 |
| File Created | 2018-05-24 |