17-2-3789 US importers' questionnaire

Information collections for import injury investigations (producers, importers, purchasers, and foreign producer questionnaires and institution notices for 5-year reviews)

US importer--Staples (F)

Carton-closing staples from China (Inv. No. 731-TA-1359 (Final)

OMB: 3117-0016

⚠️ Notice: This form may be outdated. More recent filings and information on OMB 3117-0016 can be found here:

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OMB No. 3117-0016/USITC No. 17-2-3789; Expiration Date: 6/30/2020
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U.S. IMPORTERS’ QUESTIONNAIRE
CARTON-CLOSING STAPLES FROM CHINA
This questionnaire must be received by the Commission by December 20, 2017
See last page for filing instructions.
The information called for in this questionnaire is for use by the United States International Trade Commission in
connection with its antidumping investigation concerning carton-closing staples from China (Inv. No. 731-TA-1359
(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 firm’s possession (19 U.S.C. § 1333(a)).

Name of firm
Address
City

State

Zip Code

Website
Has your firm imported carton-closing staples (as defined on next page) from any country at any time since
January 1, 2014?

(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: CART)
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
Fax:

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Carton-Closing Staples from China (Final)

Page 2

PART I.—GENERAL INFORMATION
Background.--This proceeding was instituted in response to a petition filed on March 31, 2017, by North
American Steel & Wire, Inc./ISM Enterprises, Butler, PA. Antidumping duties may be assessed on the
subject imports as a result of these proceedings if the Commission makes an affirmative determination
of injury, threat, or material retardation, and if the U.S. Department of Commerce (“Commerce”) makes
an affirmative determination of dumping. Questionnaires and other information pertinent to this
proceeding are available at
https://www.usitc.gov/investigations/title_7/2017/carton_closing_staples_china/final.htm.
Carton-closing staples may be manufactured from carbon, alloy, or stainless steel wire, and are included
in the scope of the investigation regardless of whether they are uncoated or coated, regardless of the
type of coating.
Carton-closing staples are generally made to American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM)
specification ASTM D1974/D1974M–16, but can also be made to other specifications. Regardless of
specification, however, all carton-closing staples meeting the scope description are included in the
scope. Carton-closing staples include stick staple products, often referred to as staple strips, and roll
staple products, often referred to as coils. Stick staples are lightly cemented or lacquered together to
facilitate handling and loading into stapling machines. Roll staples are taped together along their
crowns. Carton-closing staples are covered regardless of whether they are imported in stick form or roll
form.
Carton-closing staples vary by the size of the wire, the width of the crown, and the length of the leg. The
nominal leg length ranges from 0.4095 inch to 1.375 inches and the nominal crown width ranges from
1.125 inches to 1.375 inches. The size of the wire used in the production of carton-closing staples varies
from 0.029 to 0.064 inch (nominal thickness) by 0.064 to 0.100 inch (nominal width).
Carton-closing staples subject to this investigation are currently classifiable under subheadings
8305.20.00.00 and 7317.00.65.60 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (‘‘HTSUS’’).
While the HTSUS subheadings and ASTM specification are provided for convenience and for customs
purposes, the written description of the subject merchandise is dispositive.
Importer.--Any person or firm engaged, either directly or through a parent company or subsidiary,
in importing carton-closing staples (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.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Carton-Closing Staples from China (Final)

Page 3

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
Amanda Lawrence (202-205-3185, amanda.lawrence@usitc.gov).

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Carton-Closing Staples from China (Final)

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

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.
I-2.

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

I-3.

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

Firm name

Yes--List the following information

Address

Extent of
ownership
(percent)

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Carton-Closing Staples from China (Final)

I-4.

Related importers/exporters.--Does your firm have any related firms, either domestic or
foreign, that are engaged in importing carton-closing staples from China into the United States
or that are engaged in exporting carton-closing staples from China to the United States?
No
Firm name

I-5.

Page 5

Yes--List the following information.
Country

Affiliation

Related producers.--Does your firm have any related firms, either domestic or foreign, that are
engaged in the production of carton-closing staples?
No
Firm name

Yes--List the following information.
Country

Affiliation

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Carton-Closing Staples from China (Final)

I-6.

Importing operations.--Please indicate the nature of your firm’s importing operations on cartonclosing staples. More than one answer may be applicable.

Importer of record

I-7.

Page 6

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 carton-closing staples 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

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Carton-Closing Staples from China (Final)

I-8.

Page 7

FTZ, TIB, or bonded warehouses.--Please indicate whether your firm enters carton-closing
staples into, or withdraws such merchandise from, foreign trade zones or bonded warehouses.
Also indicate whether your firm imports carton-closing staples 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

Yes

Foreign trade zones
Bonded warehouses
Temporary importation under bond

I-9.

Other trade actions.--To your knowledge, have the products subject to this proceeding been the
subject of any other import relief proceedings in the United States or in any other countries?
No

Yes–Please specify.

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Carton-Closing Staples from China (Final)

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PART II.--TRADE AND RELATED INFORMATION
Further information on this part of the questionnaire can be obtained from Amanda Lawrence (202-2053185, amanda.lawrence@usitc.gov). Supply all data requested on a calendar-year basis.
II-1.

Contact information.--Please identify the responsible individual and the manner by which
Commission staff may contact that individual regarding the confidential information submitted
in part II.
Name
Title
Email
Telephone
Fax

II-2.

Changes in operations.--Please indicate whether your firm has experienced any of the following
changes in relation to the importation of carton-closing staples since January 1, 2014.
(check as many as appropriate)
Office/warehouse openings

Office/warehouse closings

Relocations

Expansions

Acquisitions
Consolidations

Prolonged shutdowns or
importation curtailments
Revised labor agreements

Other (e.g., technology)

(If checked, please describe; leave blank if not applicable)

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Carton-Closing Staples from China (Final)
II-3.

Page 9

Arranged imports.--Has your firm imported or arranged for the importation of carton-closing
staples for delivery after September 30, 2017?
“Arranged imports” are imports for which your firm has placed an order with a foreign supplier
for subject merchandise, but delivery of those imports is not scheduled to occur until after the
date listed above.
No

Yes–Fill out the table below.
Quantity (in 1,000s staples)

Period/Source

Oct-Dec 2017

Jan-Mar 2018

Apr-Jun 2018

Jul-Sept 2018

China
Other sources
II-4.

Reasons for importing if producer.--If your firm also produces carton-closing staples in the
United States, please indicate the reasons for importing this product. If your firm’s reasons differ
by source, please elaborate.

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Carton-Closing Staples from China (Final)

Page 10

Definitions
“Imports” — Those products identified for Customs purposes as imports for consumption for
which your firm was the importer of record (i.e., was responsible for paying any import duty) or
consignee (i.e., to which the merchandise was first delivered).
“Import quantities” — Quantities reported should be net of returns.
“Import values” — Values reported should be landed, duty-paid values at the U.S. port of entry,
including ocean freight and insurance costs, brokerage charges, and import duties (i.e., all
charges except inland freight in the United States).
“U.S. commercial shipments” — Shipments made within the United States as a result of an
arm’s length commercial transaction in the ordinary course of business. Report net values (i.e.,
gross sales values less all discounts, allowances, rebates, prepaid freight, and the value of
returned goods) in U.S. dollars, f.o.b. your point of shipment.
“Internal consumption” — Product consumed internally by your firm. Such transactions are
valued at fair market value.
“Transfers to related firms” — Shipments made to related domestic firms. Such transactions are
valued at fair market value.
“Related firm” — A firm that your firm solely or jointly owns, manages, or otherwise controls.
“Export shipments” — Shipments to destinations outside the United States, including shipments
to related firms.
“Inventories” — Finished goods inventory, not raw materials or work in progress.

Note: As requested in Part I of this questionnaire, please keep all supporting documents/records
used in the preparation of the trade data, as Commission staff may contact your firm regarding
questions on the trade data. The Commission may also request that your company submit copies
of the supporting documents/records (such as production and sales schedules, inventory records,
etc.) used to compile these data.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Carton-Closing Staples from China (Final)
II-5a.

Page 11

U.S. imports from China.–Report your firm’s imports and your firm’s shipments and inventories
of carton-closing staples imported from China by your firm during the specified periods.

CHINA
Quantity (in 1,000s staples), value (in $1,000)
Calendar years
Item

2014

2015

January-September
2016

2016

2017

Beginning-of-period inventories
(quantity) (A)
Imports:1 2
Quantity (B)
Value (C)
U.S. shipments:
Commercial shipments:
Quantity (D)
Value (E)
Internal consumption/
company transfers:
Quantity (F)
Value3 (G)
Export shipments:4
Quantity (H)
Value (I)
End-of-period inventories
(quantity) (J)
Channels of distribution:
Commercial U.S. shipments:
To distributors (quantity) (K)
To end users (quantity) (L)
1

Please report the quantity of imports (in pounds) of carton-closing staples reported above for the following periods:

Item
U.S. imports (Quantity in pounds)
from China
2

2014

Calendar years
2015

2016

January-September
2016
2017

Please identify the foreign producers, if known:
.
Sales to related firms and internal consumption must be valued at fair market value. In the event that your firm uses a
different basis for valuing these sales within your company, please specify that basis (e.g., cost, cost plus, etc.) and provide
value data using that basis for each of the periods noted above:
.
4
Identify your firm’s principal export markets:
.
3

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Carton-Closing Staples from China (Final)
II-5a.

Page 12

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 J) should be equal to the beginning-of-period inventories (i.e., line A),
plus imports (i.e., line B), less total shipments (i.e., lines D, F, and H). Please ensure that any differences
are not due to data entry errors in completing this form, but rather actually reflect your firm’s records;
and also provide any likely explanations for any differences (e.g., theft, loss, damage, record systems
issues, etc.) if they exist.
Calendar years
Reconciliation

2014

A+B–D–F–H–J
= should equal zero
("0") or provide an
explanation.1

January-September

2015

2016

2017

Explanation if the calculated fields above are returning values other than zero (i.e., “0”) but are
nonetheless accurate:
.
RECONCILIATION OF CHANNELS.--Please ensure that the quantities reported for channels of distribution
(i.e., lines K and L) in each time period equal the quantity reported for commercial U.S. shipments (i.e.,
line D) in each time period. If the calculated fields below return values other than zero (i.e., “0”), the
data reported must be revised prior to submission to the Commission.
Calendar years
Reconciliation
K + L – D = zero ("0"), if not
revise.

2014

2015
0

January-September
2016

2016
0

2017
0

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Carton-Closing Staples from China (Final)

II-5b.

Page 13

U.S. shipments by type: China.--Report your firm’s U.S. shipments (i.e., inclusive of commercial
U.S. shipments, internal consumption, and transfers to related firms) of imports from China by
type.

CHINA
Calendar years
2014
Item

January-September

2015

2016

2017

Quantity (in 1,000s staples) and value (in $1,000)

U.S. shipments.—
Roll staple
products.-Quantity (M)
Value (N)
Stick staple
products.-Quantity (O)
Value (P)
RECONCILIATION OF U.S. SHIPMENTS.--Please ensure that the quantities and values reported for U.S.
shipments in this question sum to equal the quantities and values of U.S. shipments reported in the
previous question. 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

2014

2015

January-September
2016

2016

2017

Quantity reconciliation: M +
O – D – F = should equal zero
("0") or provide an
explanation.

Value reconciliation: N + P –
E – G = zero ("0"), if not
revise.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Carton-Closing Staples from China (Final)

II-5c.

Page 14

Monthly U.S. imports: China.—Report the quantities your firm’s monthly U.S. imports from
China of carton-closing staples from January 2016 through September 2017.

CHINA
U.S. imports
(in 1,000s staples)

Year and month
2016.-January (Q)
February (R)
March (S)
April (T)
May (U)
June (V)
July (W)
August (X)
September (Y)
October (Z)
November (AA)
December (AB)
2017.-January (AC)
February (AD)
March (AE)
April (AF)
May (AG)
June (AH)
July (AI)
August (AJ)
September (AK)

RECONCILIATION OF MONTHLY U.S. IMPORTS.--The data reported for the monthly U.S. imports in 2016
and 2017 (i.e., lines Q through AK) should be equal U.S. imports reported in part "a" of this question (i.e.,
line B) for that same year. 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
Quantity reconciliation
should equal zero ("0"), if not
revise.

Calendar year
2016

January-September
2016
2017

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Carton-Closing Staples from China (Final)
II-6a.

Page 15

U.S. imports from Sweden.–Report your firm’s imports and your firm’s shipments and
inventories of carton-closing staples imported from Sweden by your firm during the specified
periods.

SWEDEN
Quantity (in 1,000s staples), value (in $1,000)
Calendar years
Item

2014

2015

January-September
2016

2016

2017

Please report the quantity of imports (in pounds) of carton-closing staples reported above for the following periods:

Item
U.S. imports (Quantity in pounds)
from Sweden
2

2014

Calendar years
2015

2016

January-September
2016
2017

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Carton-Closing Staples from China (Final)
II-6a.

Page 16

U.S. imports from Sweden.–Continued

2014

A+B–D–F–H–J
= should equal zero
("0") or provide an
explanation.1

January-September

2015

2016

2017

Explanation if the calculated fields above are returning values other than zero (i.e., “0”) but are
nonetheless accurate:
.

RECONCILIATION OF CHANNELS.--Please ensure that the quantities reported for channels of distribution
(i.e., lines K and L) in each time period equal the quantity reported for commercial U.S. shipments (i.e.,
line D) in each time period. If the calculated fields below return values other than zero (i.e., “0”), the
data reported must be revised prior to submission to the Commission.
Calendar years
Reconciliation
K + L – D = zero ("0"), if not
revise.

2014

2015
0

January-September
2016

2016
0

2017
0

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Carton-Closing Staples from China (Final)

II-6b.

Page 17

U.S. shipments by type: Sweden.--Report your firm’s U.S. shipments (i.e., inclusive of
commercial U.S. shipments, internal consumption, and transfers to related firms) of imports
from Sweden by type.

SWEDEN
Calendar years
2014
Item

January-September

2015

2016

2017

Quantity (in 1,000s staples) and value (in $1,000)

2014

2015

January-September
2016

2016

2017

Quantity reconciliation: M +
O – D – F = should equal zero
("0") or provide an
explanation.

Value reconciliation: N + P –
E – G = zero ("0"), if not
revise.

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Carton-Closing Staples from China (Final)

II-6c.

Page 18

Monthly U.S. imports: Sweden.—Report the quantities your firm’s monthly U.S. imports from
Sweden of carton-closing staples from January 2016 through September 2017.

SWEDEN
U.S. imports
(in 1,000s staples)

Reconciliation
Quantity reconciliation
should equal zero ("0"), if not
revise.

Calendar year
2016

January-September
2016
2017

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Carton-Closing Staples from China (Final)
II-7a.

Page 19

U.S. imports from all other sources.–Report your firm’s imports and your firm’s shipments and
inventories of carton-closing staples imported from all other sources (i.e., all import sources
except China or Sweden) by your firm during the specified periods.

ALL OTHER SOURCES
(list sources:

)
Quantity (in 1,000s staples), value (in $1,000)
Calendar years

Item

2014

2015

January-September
2016

2016

2017

Please report the quantity of imports (in pounds) of carton-closing staples reported above for the following periods:

Item
U.S. imports (Quantity in pounds)
from all other sources
2

2014

Calendar years
2015

2016

January-September
2016
2017

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Carton-Closing Staples from China (Final)
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Page 20

U.S. imports from all other sources.–Continued

2014

A+B–D–F–H–J
= should equal zero
("0") or provide an
explanation.1

January-September

2015

2016

2017

2014

2015
0

January-September
2016

2016
0

2017
0

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Carton-Closing Staples from China (Final)

II-7b.

Page 21

U.S. shipments by type: all other sources.--Report your firm’s U.S. shipments (i.e., inclusive of
commercial U.S. shipments, internal consumption, and transfers to related firms) of imports
from all other sources (i.e., all import sources except China or Sweden) by type.

ALL OTHER SOURCES
Calendar years
2014
Item

January-September

2015

2016

2017

Quantity (in 1,000s staples) and value (in $1,000)

U.S. shipments.—
Roll staple
products.-Quantity (M)
Value (N)
Staple strip
products.-Quantity (O)
Value (P)
RECONCILIATION OF U.S. SHIPMENTS.--Please ensure that the quantities and values reported for U.S.
shipments in this question sum to equal the quantities and values of U.S. shipments reported in the
previous question. 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

2014

2015

January-September
2016

2016

2017

Quantity reconciliation: M +
O – D – F = should equal zero
("0") or provide an
explanation.

Value reconciliation: N + P –
E – G = zero ("0"), if not
revise.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Carton-Closing Staples from China (Final)

II-7c.

Page 22

Monthly U.S. imports: all other sources.—Report the quantities your firm’s monthly U.S. of
imports from all other sources of carton-closing staples from January 2016 through September
2017.

ALL OTHER SOURCES
U.S. imports
(in 1,000s staples)

Reconciliation
Quantity reconciliation
should equal zero ("0"), if not
revise.

Calendar year
2016

January-September
2016
2017

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Carton-Closing Staples from China (Final)
II-8.

Page 23

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.

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Carton-Closing Staples from China (Final)

Page 24

PART III.--PRICING AND MARKET FACTORS
Further information on this part of the questionnaire can be obtained from Yasnanhia Cabral (202-2052230, yasnanhia.cabral@usitc.gov).
III-1.

PRICE DATA
III-2.

This question requests quarterly quantity and value data for your firm’s commercial shipments
to unrelated U.S. distributors since January 1, 2014 of the following products your firm imported
from China (subject) or Sweden (nonsubject):
Product 1.--Stick staple, size A 7/8” or equivalent.
Product 2.--Stick staple, size C 5/8” or equivalent.
Product 3.--Roll staple, size GR1 5/8” or equivalent.
Product 4.--Roll staple, size RR1 5/8” or equivalent.

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, including those after the sale has occurred). If discounts or
rebates occurred in a different quarter than the original sale, the deduction for these discounts or
rebates should be made to the quarter of the original sale.
During January 2014-September 2017, did your firm import from China (subject) or Sweden
(nonsubject) and sell to unrelated U.S. distributors 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.

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Carton-Closing Staples from China (Final)

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III-2(a). Price data.--Report below the quarterly price data1 for pricing products2 imported from China
and sold by your firm.

China
Report quantity in 1,000s staples and value in actual dollars (not $1,000s).

Product 1
Quantity
Value

(Quantity in 1,000s staples, value in dollars)
Product 2
Product 3
Quantity
Value
Quantity
Value

Product 4
Period of shipment
Quantity
Value
2014:
January-March
April-June
July-September
October-December
2015:
January-March
April-June
July-September
October-December
2016:
January-March
April-June
July-September
October-December
2017:
January-March
April-June
July-September
1
Net values (i.e., gross sales values less all discounts, allowances, rebates, prepaid freight, and the value of returned goods), f.o.b. your firm’s
U.S. point of shipment.
2
Pricing product definitions are provided on the first page of Part III.
Note.--If your firm’s product does not exactly meet the product specifications but is competitive with the specified product, provide a description of
your firm’s product. Also, please explain any anomalies in your firm’s reported pricing data.
Product 1:
Product 2:
Product 3:
Product 4:

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Carton-Closing Staples from China (Final)

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III-2(b). Price data.--Report below the quarterly price data1 for pricing products2 imported from Sweden
and sold by your firm.

Sweden
Report quantity in 1,000s staples and value in actual dollars (not $1,000s).

Product 1
Quantity
Value

(Quantity in 1,000s staples, value in dollars)
Product 2
Product 3
Quantity
Value
Quantity
Value

III-2(c). Price data checklist.--Please check that the pricing data in question III-2(a) has been correctly
reported.
Is the price data reported above:
In actual dollars (not $1,000s)?
F.o.b. U.S. point of shipment (i.e., does not include U.S. transport costs)?
Net of all discounts and rebates?
Have returns credited to the quarter in which the sale occurred?
Less than reported commercial shipments in question II-5 in each year?

√ if Yes

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Carton-Closing Staples from China (Final)

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III-2(d). Pricing data methodology.--Please describe the method and the kinds of documents/records
that were used to compile your price data.

Note: As requested in Part I of this questionnaire, please keep all supporting documents/records used in
the preparation of the price data, as Commission staff may contact your firm regarding questions on the
price data. The Commission may also request that your company submit copies of the supporting
documents/records (such as sales journal, invoices, etc.) used to compile these data.
III-3.

Price setting.--How does your firm determine the prices that it charges for sales of cartonclosing staples (check all that apply)? If your firm issues price lists, please submit sample pages
of a recent list.
Transaction
by
transaction

III-4

Contracts

Set
price
lists

Other

If other, describe

Discount policy.—

(a)

Quantity
discounts

(b)

Please indicate and describe your firm’s discount policies regarding carton-closing
staples (check all that apply).

Annual
total
volume
discounts

No
discount
policy

Rebates

Other

Describe

Are carton-closing staples provided at a discount or with rebates to customers
that also purchase stapling machines from your company and/or a related
company?
No

Yes–-Please describe.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Carton-Closing Staples from China (Final)
III-4

Discount policy.— Continued
(c)

Does your company provide rebates to customers who were not the company
that issued the purchase order and to whom you issued the invoice?
Yes

(d)

In what form(s) are discounts and rebates provided to your customers?
Cash

Account/credit

Other

If other, describe

(e)

How are rebates and discounts calculated?

(f)

Which/what types of customers receive rebates and discount?

Distributors

III-5.

Page 28

End users

Other

If other, describe

Pricing terms.-(a)

What are your firm’s typical sales terms for carton-closing staples imported from China?
Net 30
days

(b)

Net 60
days

2/10 net 30
days

Other

Other (specify)

On what basis are your firm’s prices of imported carton-closing staples from China
usually quoted (check one)?
Delivered

F.o.b.

If f.o.b., specify point

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Carton-Closing Staples from China (Final)

III-6.

Contract versus spot.--Approximately what share of your firm’s sales of carton-closing staples
imported from China in 2016 were on a (1) long-term contract basis, (2) annual contract basis,
(3) short-term contract basis, and (4) spot sales basis?
Long-term
contracts
(multiple
deliveries for
more than 12
months)

Share of 2016
sales

III-7.

Page 29

Type of sale
Short-term
Annual
contracts
contracts
(multiple
(multiple
deliveries for
deliveries for 12
less than 12
months)
months)
%

Total
(should
sum to
100.0%)

Spot sales
(for a single
delivery)

0.0

Contract provisions.—Please fill out the table regarding your firm’s typical sales contracts for
carton-closing staples from China (or check “not applicable” if your firm does not sell on a longterm, short-term and/or annual contract basis).

Typical sales
contract provisions

Item

Average contract
duration

No. of
days

Price renegotiation
(during contract
period)

Yes
No
Quantity

Fixed quantity
and/or price

Price
Both

Meet or release
provision
Not applicable

Yes
No

Short-term
contracts
(multiple deliveries
for less than 12
months)

Annual contracts
(multiple deliveries
for 12 months)
365

Long-term contracts
(multiple deliveries for
more than 12 months)

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Carton-Closing Staples from China (Final)
III-8.

Lead times.--What is your firm’s share of sales of carton-closing staples imported from China
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 carton-closing staples?

Source

Share of 2016 sales

From your firm’s U.S. inventory

From foreign manufacturers’ inventory

Produced to order

Total (should sum to 100.0%)

III-9.

Page 30

Lead time (average
number of days)

0.0 %

Shipping information.—
(a)

What is the approximate percentage of the total delivered cost of carton-closing staples
imported from China 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 carton-closing staples imported from China, from where is it
shipped?
Point of importation
Storage facility (check one)

(d)

Indicate the approximate percentage of your firm’s sales of carton-closing staples
imported from China 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

Within 100 miles

101 to 1,000 miles

Over 1,000 miles

Total (should sum to 100.0%)

0.0

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Carton-Closing Staples from China (Final)

Page 31

III-10. Geographical shipments.--In which U.S. geographic market area(s) has your firm sold cartonclosing staples imported from China since January 1, 2014 (check all that apply)?
Geographic area

China

Northeast.–CT, ME, MA, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, and VT.
Midwest.–IL, IN, IA, KS, MI, MN, MO, NE, ND, OH, SD, and WI.
Southeast.–AL, DE, DC, FL, GA, KY, MD, MS, NC, SC, TN, VA, and WV.
Central Southwest.–AR, LA, OK, and TX.
Mountains.–AZ, CO, ID, MT, NV, NM, UT, and WY.
Pacific Coast.–CA, OR, and WA.
Other.–All other markets in the United States not previously listed,
including AK, HI, PR, and VI.

III-11. End uses.--List the end uses of the carton-closing staples that your firm imports from China. For
each end-use product, what percentage of the total cost is accounted for by carton-closing
staples and other inputs?
Share of total cost of end-use product
accounted for by
End use product

Carton-closing staples

Other inputs

Total
(should sum to
100.0% across)

0.0 %

III-12. Substitutes.-- Can other products be substituted for carton-closing staples?
No

Substitute
1.
2.
3.

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 carton-closing staples?
No Yes

Explanation

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Carton-Closing Staples from China (Final)

Page 32

III-13. Demand trends.--Indicate how demand within the United States and outside of the United
States (if known) for carton-closing staples has changed since January 1, 2014. Explain any
trends and describe the principal factors that have affected these changes in demand.
Overall
increase

Market

No
Overall Fluctuate with
change decrease no clear trend

Explanation and factors

Within the United States
Outside the United States
III-14. Product changes.--Have there been any significant changes in the product range, product mix or
marketing of carton-closing staples since January 1, 2014?
No

Yes

If yes, please describe.

III-15. Conditions of competition.—
(a) Is the carton-closing staples market subject to business cycles (other than general economywide conditions) and/or other conditions of competition distinctive to carton-closing
staples?
Check all that apply.

Please describe.

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
carton-closing staples since January 1, 2014?
No

Yes

If yes, describe.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Carton-Closing Staples from China (Final)

Page 33

III-16. Supply constraints.--Has your firm refused, declined, or been unable to supply carton-closing
staples since January 1, 2014 (examples include placing customers on allocation or “controlled
order entry,” declining to accept new customers or renew existing customers, delivering less
than the quantity promised, been unable to meet timely shipment commitments, etc.)?
No

Yes

If yes, please describe.

III-17. Raw materials.--How have carton-closing staples raw material prices changed since January 1,
2014?
Fluctuate
Explain, noting how raw material price changes
Overall
No
Overall
with no
have affected your firm’s selling prices for cartonincrease change decrease clear trend
closing staples.

III-18. Interchangeability.--Are carton-closing staples 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

Sweden

Other countries

United States
China
Sweden
For any country-pair producing carton-closing staples that is sometimes or never
interchangeable, identify the country-pair and explain the factors that limit or preclude
interchangeable use:

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Carton-Closing Staples from China (Final)

Page 34

III-19. Factors other than price.--Are differences other than price (e.g., quality, availability,
transportation network, product range, technical support, etc.) between carton-closing staples
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

Sweden

Other countries

United States
China
Sweden
For any country-pair for which factors other than price always or frequently are a significant
factor in your firm’s sales of carton-closing staples, identify the country-pair and report the
advantages or disadvantages imparted by such factors:

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Carton-Closing Staples from China (Final)

Page 35

III-20. Customer identification.--List the names and contact information for your firm’s 10 largest U.S.
customers for carton-closing staples since January 1, 2014. Indicate the share of the quantity of
your firm’s total shipments of carton-closing staples that each of these customers accounted for
in 2016.
Customer’s name

City

State

Share of 2016
sales (%)

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

III-21. Other explanations.--If your firm would like to further explain a response to a question in Part III
that did not provide a narrative response box, please note the question number and the
explanation in the space provided below. Please also use this space to highlight any issues your
firm had in providing the data in this section, including but not limited to technical issues with
the MS Word questionnaire.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Carton-Closing Staples from China (Final)

Page 36

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.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Carton-Closing Staples from China (Final)

Page 37

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/title_7/2017/carton_closing_staples_china/final.h
tm
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: CART

• E-mail.—E-mail the MS Word questionnaire to amanda.lawrence@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 (202205-1803). 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	USITCQUESTIONNAIRE
Subject	Title 7 investigations
Author	Jones, Lawrence
File Modified	2017-11-07
File Created	2017-11-07