18-3-3942 US purchasers' questionnaire

OMB No. 3117-0016/USITC No. 18-3-3942; 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 FROM CHINA
This questionnaire must be received by the Commission by October 18, 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 investigations concerning cast iron soil pipe from China (Inv.
Nos. 701-TA-597 and 731-TA-1407 (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 (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: CISP)
CERTIFICATION
I certify that the information herein supplied in response to this questionnaire is complete and correct to the best of my
knowledge and belief and understand that the information submitted is subject to audit and verification by the Commission. By
submitting this certification I also grant consent for the Commission, and its employees and contract personnel, to use the
information provided in this questionnaire and throughout this proceeding in any other import-injury proceedings conducted by
the Commission on the same or similar merchandise.
I, the undersigned, acknowledge that information submitted in response to this request for information and throughout this
proceeding or other proceedings may be disclosed to and used: (i) by the Commission, its employees and Offices, and contract
personnel (a) for developing or maintaining the records of this or a related proceeding, or (b) in internal investigations, audits,
reviews, and evaluations relating to the programs, personnel, and operations of the Commission including under 5 U.S.C.
Appendix 3; or (ii) by U.S. government employees and contract personnel, solely for cybersecurity purposes. I understand that all
contract personnel will sign appropriate nondisclosure agreements.
Name of Authorized Official

Title of Authorized Official

Date

Phone:
Signature

Email address

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

Page 2

PART I.—GENERAL INFORMATION
Background.--This proceeding was instituted in response to a petition filed on January 26, 2018, 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://usitc.gov/investigations/701731/2018/cast_iron_soil_pipe_china/final.htm.
Cast iron soil pipe covered by these investigations is cast iron soil pipe, whether finished or unfinished,
regardless of industry or proprietary specifications, and regardless of wall thickness, length, diameter,
surface finish, end finish, or stenciling. Both hubless and hub and spigot cast iron soil pipe are included
in the scope of this investigation. Cast iron soil pipe is nonmalleable iron pipe of various designs and
sizes. Cast iron soil pipe is generally distinguished from other types of nonmalleable cast iron pipe by the
manner in which it is connected to cast iron soil pipe fittings.
Cast iron soil pipe is classified into two major types – hubless and hub and spigot. Hubless cast iron soil
pipe is 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 has one or more hubs into which the spigot (plain end) of a fitting is inserted. All pipe
meeting the physical description set forth above is covered by the scope of this investigation, whether
or not produced according to a particular standard.
The subject imports are currently classified in statistical reporting number 7303.00.0030 of the
Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS): Cast iron soil pipe. The HTSUS subheading and
specifications are provided for convenience and customs purposes only; the written description of the
scope of these investigations is dispositive.
Purchaser.--Any firm engaged, either directly or through a parent company or subsidiary, in purchasing
cast iron soil pipe from another firm that produces, imports, or otherwise distributes cast iron soil pipe.
Reporting of information.--If information is not readily available from your records, provide carefully
prepared estimates. If your firm is completing more than one questionnaire (i.e., a producer, importer,
and/or purchaser questionnaire), you need not respond to duplicated questions.
Confidentiality.--The commercial and financial data furnished in response to this questionnaire that
reveal the individual operations of your firm will be treated as confidential by the Commission to the
extent that such data are not otherwise available to the public and will not be disclosed except as may
be required by law (see 19 U.S.C. 1677f). Such confidential information will not be published in a manner
that will reveal the individual operations of your firm; however, general characterizations of numerical
business proprietary information (such as discussion of trends) will be treated as confidential business
information only at the request of the submitter for good cause shown.
Verification.-- The information submitted in this questionnaire is subject to audit and verification by the
Commission. To facilitate possible verification of data, please keep all files, worksheets, and supporting
documents used in the preparation of the questionnaire response. Please also retain a copy of the final
document that you submit.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire – Cast Iron Soil Pipe (Final)

Page 3

Release of information.--The information provided by your firm in response to this questionnaire, as
well as any other business proprietary information submitted by your firm to the Commission in
connection with this proceeding, may become subject to, and released under, the administrative
protective order provisions of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. § 1677f) and section 207.7 of the
Commission’s Rules of Practice and Procedure (19 CFR § 207.7). This means that certain lawyers and
other authorized individuals may temporarily be given access to the information for use in connection
with this proceeding or other import-injury proceedings conducted by the Commission on the same or
similar merchandise; those individuals would be subject to severe penalties if the information were
divulged to unauthorized individuals.
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.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire – Cast Iron Soil Pipe (Final)
I-1.

Page 4

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, including
auxiliary facilities operated in conjunction with (whether or not physically separate from) such
facilities.

I-2.

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

I-3.

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 into the United States or which export cast iron soil pipe
to the United States?
No
Firm name

I-4.

Yes--List the following information.

Yes--List the following information.
Country

Affiliation

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

Yes--List the following information.
Country

Affiliation

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire – Cast Iron Soil Pipe (Final)

Page 5

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
Purchases and imports.--Report separately your firm’s domestic purchases and imports of cast
iron soil pipe.

II-1.

“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. An importer questionnaire can be retrieved
from https://usitc.gov/investigations/701731/2018/cast_iron_soil_pipe_china/final.htm)

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

Item

2016

2017

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

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

0

0

0

0

0

0

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

Please identify these countries:
Purchases:
Imports:
2
Values should reflect the final net amount paid by your firm (i.e., should be net of all deductions for
discounts, direct and indirect rebates, truckload rebates, promotional assistance, etc.).
1

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire – Cast Iron Soil Pipe (Final)
II-2.

Page 6

Changes in purchasing patterns.--Please indicate how the shares of your firm’s purchases of
cast iron soil pipe 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 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?

(c)

Approximately how long have you been purchasing cast iron soil pipe 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?

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire – Cast Iron Soil Pipe (Final)
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
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:

(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?

Year
… in 2018?
… in 2019?

Extremely
likely

Very likely

Somewhat
likely

Slightly likely Not at all likely

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire – Cast Iron Soil Pipe (Final)
II-5.

Page 8

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

%

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire – Cast Iron Soil Pipe (Final)

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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
(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, please answer questions III-2, III-3, and III-4.
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?
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?

III-4.

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

Yes

Explain

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire – Cast Iron Soil Pipe (Final)

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If your firm is an end user of cast iron soil pipe, please answer questions III-5 and III-6.
III-5.

End uses.--List the top 3 products your firm makes using cast iron soil pipe and estimate the
percent of your total production cost that is accounted for by cast iron soil pipe and by other
inputs (such as labor, energy, and other raw materials).
Share of total cost in each of the
product(s) your firm produces accounted
for by
Product(s) your firm produces
Building wastewater plumbing system

%

+

%

=

0.0 %

Building/structure (estimated low end
of cost share of cast iron soil pipe)

%

+

%

=

0.0 %

Building/structure (estimated high
end of cost share of cast iron soil
pipe)

III-6.

Other
inputs

Cast iron soil pipe

Total
(should
sum to
100.0%
across)

=
%

+

%

0.0 %

%

+

%

=

0.0 %

%

+

%

=

0.0 %

Demand for end use products.-(a)

Has the demand for your firm’s final products incorporating cast iron soil pipe 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?
No

Yes

Explain

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire – Cast Iron Soil Pipe (Final)
III-7.

Page 11

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

Explanation

1.
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 has changed since January 1, 2015. Explain any trends
and describe the principal factors that have affected these changes in demand.

Overall
increase

Market

No
change

Overall
decrease

Fluctuate
with no
clear trend

Explanation and factors

Within the United States
Outside the United States
III-9.

Country preferences.--Do you or your customers ever specifically order cast iron soil pipe from
one country in particular over other possible sources of supply?
No

Yes

If yes, identify the countries and explain.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire – Cast Iron Soil Pipe (Final)

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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 that required cast iron soil
pipe 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
%
%
%

%

%

%
0.0 %

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire – Cast Iron Soil Pipe (Final)

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III-11. Conditions of competition.-(a)

Is the cast iron soil pipe market subject to business cycles (other than general economywide conditions) and/or other conditions of competition distinctive to cast iron soil
pipe?

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 since January 1, 2015?
No

Yes

If yes, describe.

III-12. 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 based on its producer
or country of origin?
Always

Usually

Sometimes

Never

If at least sometimes, explain.

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

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire – Cast Iron Soil Pipe (Final)

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III-13. Availability of supply.--Has the availability of cast iron soil pipe in the U.S. market changed since
January 1, 2015?
Availability in the U.S.
Please explain, noting the countries and reasons for the
market
No Yes changes.
U.S.-produced product
Imports from China
Imports from other
countries
III-14. Supply constraints.--Has any firm refused, declined, or been unable to supply your firm with
cast iron soil pipe 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-15. Availability of specific product types.--Are certain grades/types/sizes of cast iron soil pipe only
available from certain country sources (e.g., epoxy-coated cast iron soil pipe)?
No

Yes

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

III-16. Purchasing frequency.-(a)

How frequently does your firm make purchases of cast iron soil pipe (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

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire – Cast Iron Soil Pipe (Final)

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III-17. Purchase bundles.-(a)

Do your firm’s purchases of cast iron soil pipe also usually involve purchases of products
other than cast iron soil pipe such as cast iron soil pipe fittings, couplings, gaskets,
plastic pipe and fittings, etc.?
No (skip to III18)

(b)

Yes

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

Are cast iron soil pipe purchases invoiced separately or as part of the purchase bundle
with products other than cast iron soil pipe?
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 compared with
products other than cast iron soil pipe such as cast iron soil pipe fittings, 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-18. Supplier negotiations.--Do your firm’s purchases of cast iron soil pipe 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-19. 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.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire – Cast Iron Soil Pipe (Final)

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III-20. Supplier qualification.--Do you require your suppliers to be or to become certified or qualified
to sell cast iron soil pipe 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-21. 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 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-22. 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 (examples include availability,
extension of credit, contracts, price, quality, range of supplier’s product line, traditional supplier,
etc.).
1.
2.
3.
Please list any other factors that are very important in your purchase decisions:

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire – Cast Iron Soil Pipe (Final)

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III-23. Purchasing factors.--Please rate the importance of the following factors in your firm’s
purchasing decisions for cast iron soil pipe.

Factor
Availability
Availability of epoxy-coated product
Bundled products – with cast iron
pipe fittings
Bundled products – with 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

Very
important

Somewhat
important

Not
important

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire – Cast Iron Soil Pipe (Final)

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III-24. Quality characteristics.--What characteristics does your firm consider when determining the
quality of cast iron soil pipe?

III-25. Minimum quality.--How often does cast iron soil pipe 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-26. Frequency of decisions based on price.--How often does your firm purchase the cast iron soil
pipe that is offered at the lowest price?
Always

Usually

Sometimes

Never

III-27. 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 market
since January 1, 2015.
Firm(s)

Describe how the firm(s) exhibited price leadership

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire – Cast Iron Soil Pipe (Final)

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III-28. Purchasing subject imports rather than domestic products.—
(a)

Since January 2015, did your firm purchase imports of cast iron soil pipe from China
instead of U.S.-produced cast iron soil pipe?
Source

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

No
(If “No”, skip to next question)

China
(b)

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

Yes

No

China
(c)

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

Source

China

Yes

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

No

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

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire – Cast Iron Soil Pipe (Final)

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III-29. Anti-competitive allegations.--Have the following issues affected your firm and the market for
cast iron soil pipe 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/news-events/pressreleases/2013/04/charlotte-pipe-and-foundry-settles-charges-its-2010-purchase-star)
No

Yes

If yes, describe the effect(s)

Effect on your firm
Effect on the market
Effect on prices
(b)

The Federal Trade Commission’s 2012 inquiry and 2014 finding regarding McWane, Star
Pipe, and Sigma Corporation’s price setting for ductile iron pipe fittings
(see https://www.ftc.gov/enforcement/cases-proceedings/101-0080b/mcwane-inc-starpipe-products-ltd-matter)
No

Yes

If yes, describe the effect(s)

Effect on your firm
Effect on the market
Effect on prices
(c)

The U.S. District Court litigation against Charlotte Pipe and McWane regarding alleged
anti-competitive behavior, filed in 2014 and settled in 2017
(see https://www.cohenmilstein.com/case-study/cast-iron-soil-pipe-and-fittingsantitrust-litigation)
No

Yes

If yes, describe the effect(s)

Effect on your firm
Effect on the market
Effect on prices
(i)

Is/was your firm a party to the District Court settlement?
No

Yes

If yes, describe your role and the damages sought

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire – Cast Iron Soil Pipe (Final)

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III-30. U.S. producers and import competition.—
(a)

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

Yes (also respond to
question part (b))

No (If “No” skip to next
question)

Don’t know

China
(b)

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

Source

Estimated
reduction in U.S.
prices
(percent)

China

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

%

III-31. Pricing factors.—Rate (on a scale of 1 to 5) and describe the effect of the following factors on
the prices your firm pays for cast iron soil pipe.
Rating of the factor
No/Minimal effect
Factor
Rebates
Domestic requirements
and/or preferences
Availability of substitute
products, e.g., plastic pipe
Competition among U.S.
producers
Availability of subject
imports
Other:

1

2

Substantial effect
3

4

5

Describe the factor's impact

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire – Cast Iron Soil Pipe (Final)

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III-32. Frequency of building variances.--How frequently do the building projects for which you are
supplying cast iron soil pipe a variance in the building plans that changes the manufacturer or
source of the cast iron soil pipe to be used in that project?
Always

Frequently

Sometimes

Never

III-33. Regional requirements.--In which regions/cities/areas are cast iron soil pipe required/used?

III-34. Building requirements.--In what types of building projects are cast iron soil pipe required?

III-35. CISPI Trademark.—
(a)

What share of the cast iron soil pipe 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 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 that does 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 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? $

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire – Cast Iron Soil Pipe (Final)

Page 23

III-36. Distributors’ purchase prices.--If your firm is a distributor with multiple locations, how are the
prices each location pays for cast iron soil pipe determined?

Nationally

By region

By state

By individual
location

Other:

III-37. Importance of promotional activities.--Please indicate whether the specified rebate program or
other incentive was associated with your purchases of cast iron soil pipe below for each
specified source from whom your firm purchased cast iron soil pipe, 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
Rebates associated directly with the purchase/sale of cast iron soil pipe.
Rebates associated with the purchase/sale of pipe system “bundles” which include cast iron soil
pipe.
1
2

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

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire – Cast Iron Soil Pipe (Final)

Page 24

III-38. Rebates.--Describe the rebate programs you participated in with your supplier(s) of U.S.
produced cast iron soil pipe in 2017.
(a)

For U.S.-produced cast iron pipe:
Total 2017 rebate(s) received:

Rebate description:
Name, rebate percent, frequency of
payment, and requirement(s) to
receive the rebate

Type of rebate1
Direct

Indirect

Value of
rebate
(dollars)

Relevant cast
iron soil pipe
purchases2
(dollars)

Relevant
other
purchases
(dollars)

Name:
Percent:
Frequency:
Requirement(s):
Name:
Percent:
Frequency:
Requirement(s):
Name:
Percent:
Frequency:
Requirement(s):
Name:
Percent:
Frequency:
Requirement(s):
Name:
Percent:
Frequency:
Requirement(s):
Name:
Percent:
Frequency:
Requirement(s):
A direct rebate is based solely on the purchases of cast iron soil pipe. An indirect rebate is based on the joint
purchase of cast iron soil pipe 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 and other products as well. If a direct rebate, the relevant other purchases should
be 0.
1

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

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire – Cast Iron Soil Pipe (Final)

Page 25

III-38. Rebates (continued).--Describe the rebate programs you participated in with your supplier(s) of
imported cast iron soil pipe in 2017.
(c) For imported cast iron pipe:
Total 2017 rebate(s) received:
Rebate description:
Name, rebate percent, frequency of
payment, and requirement(s) to
receive the rebate

Type of rebate1
Direct

Indirect

Value of
rebate
(dollars)

Relevant cast
iron soil pipe
purchases2
(dollars)

Relevant
other
purchases
(dollars)

Name:
Percent:
Frequency:
Requirement(s):
Name:
Percent:
Frequency:
Requirement(s):
Name:
Percent:
Frequency:
Requirement(s):
Name:
Percent:
Frequency:
Requirement(s):
Name:
Percent:
Frequency:
Requirement(s):
Name:
Percent:
Frequency:
Requirement(s):
A direct rebate is based solely on the purchases of cast iron soil pipe. An indirect rebate is based on the joint
purchase of cast iron soil pipe 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 and other products as well. If a direct rebate, the relevant other purchases should
be 0.
1

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

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire – Cast Iron Soil Pipe (Final)

Page 26

PART IV.—PRODUCT COMPARISONS
IV-1.

Interchangeability.--Is cast iron soil pipe 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 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 (Final)
IV-2.

Page 27

Factors other than price.--Are differences other than price (e.g., quality, availability,
transportation network, product range, technical support, etc.) between cast iron soil pipe
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, identify the country-pair and report the
advantages or disadvantages imparted by such factors:

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire – Cast Iron Soil Pipe (Final)

Factor country comparisons.--For the factors listed below, please rate how cast iron soil pipe
produced in each country you identified in your response to the first question in Part IV
compares with cast iron soil pipe 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 – with cast iron pipe fittings
Bundled products – with plastic pipe & fittings
CISPI certified
Delivery terms
Delivery time
Discounts offered
Extension of credit
Minimum quantity requirements
Packaging
Price1
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 costs1
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.
1

Inferior

Comparable

Product from
China
compared to
product from
other countries

Superior

Inferior

Product from
United States
compared to
product from
other countries
Comparable

Inferior

Comparable

Factor

Superior

Product from
United States
compared to
product from
China

Superior

IV-3.

Page 28

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire – Cast Iron Soil Pipe (Final)

Page 29

PART V.—ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
V-1.

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

V-2.

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.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire – Cast Iron Soil Pipe (Final)

Page 30

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

• 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.