19-3-4103 U.S. purchasers' questionnaire

OMB No. 3117-0016/USITC No. 19-3-4103; Expiration Date: 6/30/2020
(No response is required if currently valid OMB control number is not displayed)

U.S. PURCHASERS’ QUESTIONNAIRE
CARBON AND ALLOY STEEL THREADED ROD
This questionnaire must be received by the Commission by September 11, 2019
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 threaded rod from China, India,
Taiwan, and Thailand (Inv. No. (Inv. Nos. 701-TA-618-619 and 731-TA-1441-1444 (Final)). The information requested in
the questionnaire is requested under the authority of the Tariff Act of 1930, title VII. This report is mandatory and failure
to reply as directed can result in a subpoena or other order to compel the submission of records or information in your
possession (19 U.S.C. § 1333(a)). Further information on this questionnaire can be obtained from Lauren Gamache (202205-3489, Lauren.Gamache@usitc.gov).

Name of firm
Address
City

State

Zip Code

Website
Has your firm purchased threaded rod (as defined on next page) from any source (domestic or foreign) at any
time since January 1, 2016?

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: TROD)
CERTIFICATION
I certify that the information herein supplied in response to this questionnaire is complete and correct to the best of my
knowledge and belief and understand that the information submitted is subject to audit and verification by the Commission. By
submitting this certification I also grant consent for the Commission, and its employees and contract personnel, to use the
information provided in this questionnaire and throughout this proceeding in any other import-injury proceedings conducted by
the Commission on the same or similar merchandise.
I, the undersigned, acknowledge that information submitted in response to this request for information and throughout this
proceeding or other proceedings may be disclosed to and used: (i) by the Commission, its employees and Offices, and contract
personnel (a) for developing or maintaining the records of this or a related proceeding, or (b) in internal investigations, audits,
reviews, and evaluations relating to the programs, personnel, and operations of the Commission including under 5 U.S.C.
Appendix 3; or (ii) by U.S. government employees and contract personnel, solely for cybersecurity purposes. I understand that all
contract personnel will sign appropriate nondisclosure agreements.

Name of Authorized Official

Title of Authorized Official

Date

Signature

Phone

Email address

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Threaded Rod (Final)

Page 2

PART I.—GENERAL INFORMATION
Background.--This proceeding was instituted in response to petitions filed on February 21, 2019, by
Vulcan Threaded Products Inc., Pelham, Alabama. Countervailing and antidumping duties may be
assessed on the subject imports as a result of these proceedings if the Commission makes an affirmative
determination of injury, threat, or material retardation, and if the U.S. Department of Commerce
(“Commerce”) makes an affirmative determination of subsidization and/or dumping. Questionnaires
and other information pertinent to this proceeding are available at
https://www.usitc.gov/investigations/701731/2019/carbon_and_alloy_steel_threaded_rod_china_india
/final.htm
Threaded rod covered by these investigations is carbon and alloy steel threaded rod. Steel threaded rod
is certain threaded rod, bar, or studs, of carbon or alloy steel, having a solid, circular cross section of any
diameter, in any straight length. Steel threaded rod is normally drawn, cold-rolled, threaded, and
straightened, or it may be hot-rolled. In addition, the steel threaded rod, bar, or studs subject to these
investigations are non-headed and threaded along greater than 25 percent of their total actual length. A
variety of finishes or coatings, such as plain oil finish as a temporary rust protectant, zinc coating (i.e.,
galvanized, whether by electroplating or hot-dipping), paint, and other similar finishes and coatings, may
be applied to the merchandise.
Steel threaded rod is normally produced to American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM)
specifications ASTM A36, ASTM A193 B7/B7m, ASTM A193 B16, ASTM A307, ASTM A320 L7/L7M, ASTM
A320 L43, ASTM A354 BC and BD, ASTM A449, ASTM F1554-36, ASTM F1554-55, ASTM F1554 Grade
105, American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) specification ASME B18.31.3, and American
Petroleum Institute (API) specification API 20E. All steel threaded rod meeting the physical description
set forth above is covered by the scope of these investigations, whether or not produced according to a
particular standard.
Subject merchandise includes material matching the above description that has been finished,
assembled, or packaged in a third country, including by cutting, chamfering, coating, or painting the
threaded rod, by attaching the threaded rod to, or packaging it with, another product, or any other
finishing, assembly, or packaging operation that would not otherwise remove the merchandise from the
scope of the investigations if performed in the country of manufacture of the threaded rod.
Carbon and alloy steel threaded rod are also included in the scope of these investigations whether or
not imported attached to, or in conjunction with, other parts and accessories such as nuts and washers.
If carbon and alloy steel threaded rod are imported attached to, or in conjunction with, such non-subject
merchandise, only the threaded rod is included in the scope.
Excluded from the scope of these investigations are: (1) Threaded rod, bar, or studs which are threaded
only on one or both ends and the threading covers 25 percent or less of the total actual length; and (2)
stainless steel threaded rod, defined as steel threaded rod containing, by weight, 1.2 percent or less of
carbon and 10.5 percent or more of chromium, with our without other elements.
Excluded from the scope of the antidumping investigation on steel threaded rod from the People's
Republic of China is any merchandise covered by the existing antidumping order on Certain Steel
Threaded Rod from the People's Republic of China. See Certain Steel Threaded Rod from the People's
Republic of China: Notice of Antidumping Duty Order, 74 FR 17154 (April 14, 2009).

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Threaded Rod

Page 3

Specifically excluded from the scope of these investigations is threaded rod that is imported as part of a
package of hardware in conjunction with a ready-to-assemble piece of furniture.
Steel threaded rod is currently imported under statistical reporting numbers 7318.15.5051,
7318.15.5056, and 7318.15.5090 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (“HTSUS”).
Subject merchandise may also be imported under statistical reporting numbers 7318.15.2095 and
7318.19.0000 of the HTSUS. The HTSUS subheadings are provided for convenience and U.S. Customs
purposes only. The written description of the scope is dispositive.
Purchaser.--Any firm engaged, either directly or through a parent company or subsidiary, in purchasing
threaded rod from another firm that produces, imports, or otherwise distributes threaded rod.
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.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Threaded Rod
I-1a.

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

I-1b.

Stock symbol information.-- If your firm or parent firm is publicly traded, please specify the
stock exchange and trading symbol:
.

I-1c.

External counsel.-- If your firm or parent firm is represented by external counsel in relation to
this proceeding, please specify the name of the law firm and the lead attorney(s).
Law firm:

.
Lead attorney(s):

.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Threaded Rod
I-2.

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

Firm name

I-3.

Yes--List the following information.

Address

Extent of ownership
(percent)

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

I-4.

Page 5

Yes--List the following information.
Country

Affiliation

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

Yes--List the following information.
Country

Affiliation

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Threaded Rod

Page 6

PART II.--PURCHASES
Contact information.-- Please identify the responsible individual and the manner by which Commission
staff may contact that individual regarding the confidential information submitted in this questionnaire.
Name
Title
Email
Telephone
II-1.

Purchases and imports.— Report separately your firm’s domestic purchases and imports of
threaded rod.
“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.
2016

2017

Item

2018

Jan-Jun 2018

Quantity (in pounds)

Purchases of threaded rod
produced in-United States
China
India
Taiwan
Thailand
All other countries1
Sources unknown2
Total purchases

0

0

0

0

0

0

Imports of threaded rod from-China
India
Taiwan
Thailand
All other countries1
Total imports3
1

Please identify these countries:
Please indicate the firm(s) from which you purchased this merchandise:
3
If your firm imported threaded rod at any time since January 1, 2016, please also complete and
return a U.S. importers' questionnaire in this proceeding.
2

0

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Threaded Rod
II-2.

Page 7

Changes in purchasing patterns.--Please indicate how the shares of your firm’s purchases of
threaded rod from different sources have changed since January 1, 2016.

Source of
purchases

Did not
purchase Decreased Increased Constant Fluctuated

Explanation for trend

United States
China
India
Taiwan
Thailand
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 threaded rod market.
United
States

II-4.

China

India

Taiwan

Thailand

Other
countries

Other countries
(specify)

Supplier identification.--Please list your firm’s FIVE largest suppliers for threaded rod since
January 1, 2016. Also, provide the share of the quantity of your firm’s total purchases of
threaded rod that each of these suppliers accounted for in 2018.

No.

Supplier’s name

City and state

Share of quantity of
2018 purchases

1

%

2

%

3

%

4

%

5

%

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Threaded Rod

Page 8

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

Firm type.--Which of the following best describes your firm as a purchaser of threaded rod
(check all that apply)?
End user

Distributor

Other

Describe other

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

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

III-3.

Yes

If yes, please describe.

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

If your firm is an end user of threaded rod, please answer questions III-4 and III-5.
III-4.

End uses.--List the top 3 products your firm makes using threaded rod and estimate the percent
of your total production cost that is accounted for by threaded rod 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

Threaded rod

Total
(should
sum to
100.0%
across)

Other inputs
% +

%

=

0.0 %

% +

%

=

0.0 %

% +

%

=

0.0 %

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Threaded Rod
III-5.

Demand for end-use products.-(a)

Has the demand for your firm’s final products incorporating threaded rod changed since
January 1, 2016?
Increased

(b)

No change

Decreased

Fluctuated

Has this had any effect on your firm’s demand for threaded rod?
No

III-6.

Page 9

Yes

Explain

Substitutes.--Can other products be substituted for threaded rod?
No

Substitute

Yes--Please fill out the table.

End use in which this
substitute is used

Have changes in the price of this substitute
affected the price for threaded rod?
No Yes

Explanation

1.
2.
3.
III-7.

Demand trends.-- Indicate how demand within the United States and outside of the United
States (if known) for threaded rod has changed since January 1, 2016. Explain any trends and
describe the principal factors that have affected these changes in demand.

Market
Within the United States
Outside the United States

Overall
increase

No
change

Fluctuate
Overall
with no
decrease clear trend

Explanation and factors

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Threaded Rod
III-8.

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

III-9.

Page 10

Yes

If yes, identify the countries and explain.

Importance of purchasing domestic product.--Please fill out the table below, estimating the
percentage of your firm’s total 2018 purchases of threaded rod that required threaded rod
produced in the United States.

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

Estimated percentage of
your firm’s total 2018
purchases of threaded rod
%
%
%
%
0.0 %

III-10. Conditions of competition.-(a)

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

Check all that apply.

Please describe.

No

Skip to question III-11.

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

Have there been any changes in the business cycles or conditions of competition for
threaded rod since January 1, 2016?
No

Yes

If yes, describe.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Threaded Rod

Page 11

III-11. Decisions based on producer and country-of-origin.--How often does your firm, and if known,
do your customers, make purchasing decisions involving threaded rod based on its producer or
country of origin?
Item

Always

Usually

Sometimes

Never

If at least sometimes, explain.

Decision based on producer
Your firm
Your
customers
Decision based on country of origin
Your firm
Your
customers
III-12. Availability of supply.--Has the availability of threaded rod in the U.S. market changed since
January 1, 2016?
Availability in the U.S.
Please explain, noting the countries and reasons for the
market
No Yes changes.
U.S.-produced product
Subject imports
Nonsubject imports
III-13. Supply constraints.--Has any firm refused, declined, or been unable to supply your firm with
threaded rod since January 1, 2016 (examples include placing customers on allocation or
“controlled order entry,” declining to accept new customers or renew existing customers,
delivering less than the quantity promised, being unable to meet timely shipment commitments,
etc.)?
No

Yes

If yes, please describe.

III-14. Availability of specific product types.--Are certain grades/types/sizes of threaded rod only
available from certain country sources?
No

Yes

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

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Threaded Rod

Page 12

III-15. Purchasing frequency.-(a)

How frequently does your firm make purchases of threaded rod (check one)?
Daily

(b)

Weekly

Monthly

Quarterly

Annually

Other

If other, specify

Has this purchasing frequency changed since January 1, 2016?
No

Yes

If yes, please describe.

III-16. Raw material prices.—
(a)

Is your firm familiar with the prices for raw materials (e.g. wire rod) used in the
production of threaded rod?
No

(b)

Yes – please answer (b)

Has information on raw material prices affected your firm’s negotiations or contracts to
purchase threaded rod since 2016?
No

Yes Explain

III-17. Number of suppliers contacted.--How many suppliers does your firm generally contact before
making a purchase? Between
and
firms
III-18. Supplier negotiations.--Do your firm’s purchases of threaded rod 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.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Threaded Rod

Page 13

III-19. Change in suppliers.--Has your firm changed suppliers since January 1, 2016?

No

Yes

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

III-20. New suppliers.--Are you aware of any new suppliers, either foreign or domestic, that have
entered the market since January 1, 2016?
No

Yes

If yes, please identify the firms.

III-21. Supplier qualification.--Do you require your suppliers to be or to become certified or qualified
to sell threaded rod 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-22. Failure to certify.--Since January 1, 2016, have any domestic or foreign producers failed in their
attempts to certify or qualify their threaded rod 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.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Threaded Rod

Page 14

III-23. Major purchasing factors.--Please list, in order of their importance, the main factors your firm
considers in deciding from whom to purchase threaded rod (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:
III-24. Purchasing factors.--Please rate the importance of the following factors in your firm’s
purchasing decisions for threaded rod.

Factor
Availability
Delivery terms
Delivery time
Discounts offered
Minimum quantity requirements
Packaging
Payment terms
Price
Product consistency
Product range
Quality meets industry standards
Quality exceeds industry standards
Reliability of supply
Steel type (alloy vs non-alloy)
Technical support/service
U.S. transportation costs

Very
important

Somewhat
important

Not
important

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Threaded Rod

Page 15

III-25. Quality characteristics.--What characteristics does your firm consider when determining quality
of threaded rod?

III-26. Minimum quality.--How often does threaded rod 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
India
Taiwan
Thailand
Other:
III-27. Frequency of decisions based on price.--How often does your firm purchase the threaded rod
that is offered at the lowest price?
Always

Usually

Sometimes

Never

III-28. 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 threaded rod market since
January 1, 2016.
Firm(s)

Describe how the firm(s) exhibited price leadership

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Threaded Rod

Page 16

III-29. Purchasing subject imports rather than domestic products.—
(a)

Since January 2016, did your firm import and/or purchase imports of threaded rod from
China, India, Taiwan, and Thailand instead of purchasing U.S.-produced threaded rod?
Respond for each subject country.

Source

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

No
(If “No” for all countries, skip to next
question)

China
India
Taiwan
Thailand
(b)

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

Yes

No

China
India
Taiwan
Thailand
(c)

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

Source

China
India
Taiwan
Thailand

Yes

If Yes, estimate the quantity
of imports purchased and/or
imported instead of domestic
product since January 2016
(in pounds)

No

If No, please indicate the
reason your firm imported
and/or purchased imports
instead of domestic product

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Threaded Rod

Page 17

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

Since January 1, 2016, in connection with a sale or offer to sell threaded rod to your
firm, did U.S. producers reduce their prices of domestically produced threaded rod in
order to compete with lower-priced imports of threaded rod from the subject
countries? Respond for each subject country.

Source

Yes (also respond to
question part (b))

No (If “No” for all countries,
skip to next question)

Don’t know

China
India
Taiwan
Thailand
(b)

If your firm responded “yes” to any of the above countries, 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

%

India

%

Taiwan

%

Thailand

%

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

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Threaded Rod

Page 18

III-31. Impact of the section 232 investigation.-- Did the announcement of the 232 investigation in
April 2017 or the subsequent imposition of tariffs on imported steel products beginning in
March 2018 have an impact on the threaded rod market?
Yes— Please indicate the impact in
the table below.

Item
Overall demand for
threaded rod in the
U.S. market
Supply of threaded
rod in the U.S. market
Prices for threaded
rod in the U.S. market
Raw material costs for
threaded rod in the
U.S. market

No

Fluctuate
with no
No
clear
Increase change Decrease
trend

Don’t know

Explanation and factors

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Threaded Rod

Page 19

III-32. Impact of section 301 duties.--This question concerns the section 301 investigation and
subsequent announcement of additional tariffs that include threaded rod proposed and
implemented by the United States in response to Chinese trade practices.
(a) Did the announcement of the 301 investigation in June 2018 or the subsequent imposition
of tariffs on Chinese-origin products have an impact on the threaded rod market?
Yes— Please indicate the impact in
the table below.

No

Don’t know

(b) Please indicate the impact of the announcements and subsequent imposition of duties
under the section 301 investigation.
Item
Overall demand/anticipated
demand for threaded rod in
the U.S. market
Supply/anticipated supply of
threaded rod in the U.S.
market
Prices/anticipated prices for
threaded rod in the U.S.
market
Raw material
costs/anticipated raw material
costs for threaded rod in the
U.S. market

Overall
increase

No
Overall
change decrease

Fluctuate with
no clear trend

Explanation and
factors

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Threaded Rod

Page 20

PART IV.—PRODUCT COMPARISONS
IV-1.

Interchangeability.--Is threaded rod 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

India

Taiwan

Thailand

Other
countries

United
States
China
India
Taiwan
Thailand
For any country-pair producing threaded rod 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 - Threaded Rod
IV-2.

Page 21

Factors other than price.--Are differences other than price (e.g., quality, availability,
transportation network, product range, technical support, etc.) between threaded rod 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
Country-pair

China

India

Taiwan

Thailand

Other
countries

United States
China
India
Taiwan
Thailand
For any country-pair producing threaded rod 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 - Threaded Rod
IV-3.

Page 22

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

Inferior

Comparable

Superior

Inferior

Comparable

Superior

Inferior

Comparable

Factor

Superior

If you are unfamiliar with the product from a particular country, please leave the boxes for those
country comparisons blank.
Product from
Product from
Product from
United States
United States
United States
compared to product
compared to
compared to
from
product from
product from
China
India
Taiwan

Availability
Delivery terms
Delivery time
Discounts offered
Minimum quantity
requirements
Packaging
Payment terms
Price1
Product consistency
Product range
Quality meets industry
standards
Quality exceeds industry
standards
Reliability of supply
Steel type (alloy vs nonalloy
Technical support/service
U.S. transportation costs1
1

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

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Threaded Rod
Continued.

Inferior

Comparable

Product from
China compared to
product from
India

Superior

Inferior

Product from
United States
compared to
product from
Nonsubject
countries

Comparable

Inferior

Comparable

Factor

Superior

Product from
United States
compared to product
from
Thailand

Superior

IV-3.

Page 23

Availability
Delivery terms
Delivery time
Discounts offered
Minimum quantity
requirements
Packaging
Payment terms
Price1
Product consistency
Product range
Quality meets industry
standards
Quality exceeds industry
standards
Reliability of supply
Technical support/service
U.S. transportation costs1
1

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

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Threaded Rod
Continued.

Inferior

Comparable

Product from
China compared to
product from
Nonsubject
countries

Superior

Inferior

Product from
China
compared to
product from
Thailand

Comparable

Inferior

Comparable

Factor

Superior

Product from
China
compared to product
from
Taiwan

Superior

IV-3.

Page 24

Availability
Delivery terms
Delivery time
Discounts offered
Minimum quantity
requirements
Packaging
Payment terms
Price1
Product consistency
Product range
Quality meets industry
standards
Quality exceeds industry
standards
Reliability of supply
Technical support/service
U.S. transportation costs1
1

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

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Threaded Rod
Continued.

Inferior

Comparable

Product from
India compared to
product from
Nonsubject
countries

Superior

Inferior

Product from
India
compared to
product from
Thailand

Comparable

Inferior

Comparable

Factor

Superior

Product from
India
compared to product
from
Taiwan

Superior

IV-3.

Page 25

Availability
Delivery terms
Delivery time
Discounts offered
Minimum quantity
requirements
Packaging
Payment terms
Price1
Product consistency
Product range
Quality meets industry
standards
Quality exceeds industry
standards
Reliability of supply
Technical support/service
U.S. transportation costs1
1

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

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Threaded Rod
Continued.

Inferior

Comparable

Product from
Thailand compared
to product from
Nonsubject
countries

Superior

Inferior

Product from
Taiwan
compared to
product from
Nonsubject
countries

Comparable

Inferior

Comparable

Factor

Superior

Product from
Taiwan
compared to product
from
Thailand

Superior

IV-3.

Page 26

Availability
Delivery terms
Delivery time
Discounts offered
Minimum quantity
requirements
Packaging
Payment terms
Price1
Product consistency
Product range
Quality meets industry
standards
Quality exceeds industry
standards
Reliability of supply
Technical support/service
U.S. transportation costs1
1

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

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Threaded Rod

Page 27

PART V.—ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
V-1.

Other explanations.--If your firm would like to further explain a response to any question that
for which a narrative response box was not provided, 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 - Threaded Rod

Page 28

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/701731/2019/carbon_and_alloy_steel_threaded_
rod_china_india/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: TROD

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