18-3-3870 US purchasers' questionnaire

OMB No. 3117-0016/USITC No. 18-3-3870; Expiration Date: 6/30/2020
(No response is required if currently valid OMB control number is not displayed)

U.S. PURCHASERS’ QUESTIONNAIRE
UNCOATED GROUNDWOOD PAPER FROM CANADA
This questionnaire must be received by the Commission by May 2, 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 uncoated groundwood paper (“UGW
paper”) from Canada (Inv. Nos. 701-TA-584 and 731-TA-1382 (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 Amelia Preece (202-2053250, amelia.preece@usitc.gov).

Name of firm
Address
City

State

Zip Code

Website
Has your firm purchased UGW paper (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: UGWP)
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 - UGW Paper (Final)
PART I.—GENERAL INFORMATION

Page 2

Background.-- This proceeding was instituted in response to a petition filed on August 9, 2017, by North
Pacific Paper Company (“NORPAC”), Longview, Washington. Countervailing and/or 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/uncoated_groundwood_paper_canada/final.htm.
UGW paper covered by these investigations include certain paper that has not been coated on either
side and with 50 percent or more of the cellulose fiber content consisting of groundwood pulp, including
groundwood pulp made from recycled paper, weighing not more than 90 grams per square meter.
Groundwood pulp includes all forms of pulp produced from a mechanical pulping process, such as
thermo-mechanical process (TMP), chemi-thermo mechanical process (CTMP), bleached chemi-thermo
mechanical process (BCTMP), or any other mechanical pulping process. The scope includes paper
shipped in any form, including but not limited to both rolls and sheets.
Certain uncoated groundwood paper includes but is not limited to standard newsprint, high bright
newsprint, book publishing, and printing and writing papers. The scope includes paper that is white, offwhite, cream, or colored.
Specifically excluded from the scope are imports of certain uncoated groundwood paper printed with
final content of printed text or graphic. Also excluded are papers that otherwise meet this definition, but
which have undergone a supercalendering process. Additionally, excluded are papers that otherwise
meet this definition, but which have undergone a creping process over the entire surface area of the
paper.
Also excluded are uncoated groundwood construction paper and uncoated groundwood manila drawing
paper in sheet or roll format. Excluded uncoated groundwood construction paper and uncoated
groundwood manila drawing paper: (a) Have a weight greater than 61 grams per square meter; (b) have
a thickness greater than 6.1 caliper, i.e., greater than .0061” or 155 microns; (c) are produced using at
least 50 percent thermomechanical pulp; and (d) have a shade, as measured by CIELAB, as follows: L*
less than or 75.0 or b* greater than or equal to 25.0.
Also excluded is uncoated groundwood directory paper that: (a) Has a basis weight of 34 grams per
square meter or less; and (b) has a thickness of 2.6 caliper mils or 66 microns or less.
Certain uncoated groundwood paper is classifiable in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United
States (HTSUS) in several subheadings, including 4801.00.0120, 4801.00.0140, 4802.61.1000,
4802.61.2000, 4802.61.3110, 4802.61.3191, 4802.61.6040, 4802.62.1000, 4802.62.2000, 4802.62.3000,
4802.62.6140, 4802.69.1000, 4802.69.2000, and 4802.69.3000. Subject merchandise may also be
imported under several additional subheadings including 4805.91.5000, 4805.91.7000, and
4805.91.9000.
High Bright Paper.--Any paper that meets the definition of certain uncoated groundwood paper
(defined above) with ISO brightness of 65 or greater.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - UGW paper (final)

Page 3

Regular UGW paper.--Any paper that meets the definition of certain uncoated groundwood paper
(defined above) with ISO brightness that is below 65.
Purchaser.--Any firm engaged, either directly or through a parent company or subsidiary, in purchasing
UGW paper from another firm that produces, imports, or otherwise distributes UGW paper.
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 - UGW paper (final)
I-1.

Page 4

OMB statistics.--Please report the actual number of hours required and the cost to your firm of
completing this questionnaire.
Hours

Dollars

The questions in this questionnaire have been reviewed with market participants to ensure that
issues of concern are adequately addressed and that data requests are sufficient, meaningful,
and as limited as possible. Public reporting burden for this questionnaire is estimated to average
25 hours per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, gathering data, and
completing and reviewing the questionnaire.
We welcome comments regarding the accuracy of this burden estimate, suggestions for
reducing the burden, and any suggestions for improving this questionnaire. Please attach such
comments to your response or send to the Office of Investigations, USITC, 500 E St. SW,
Washington, DC 20436.
I-2.

Establishments covered.--Provide the name and address of your U.S. establishment(s) covered
by this questionnaire, if different from that listed on the cover page. Firms operating more than
one establishment should combine the data for all establishments into a single response.
“Establishment”--Each facility of a firm involved in the purchase of UGW paper, 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. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - UGW paper (final)
I-4.

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

Yes--List the following information.
Country

Affiliation

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - UGW paper (final)

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
Purchases and imports.--Report your firm’s total domestic purchases and direct imports of
UGW paper. Please report separately your domestic purchases and your direct imports (where
your firm was the importer of record).

II-1.

“Domestic Purchase” – Purchase from a U.S. entity such as a U.S. producer, a U.S. distributor, or
a U.S. firm.
“Direct Import” – Purchase directly from a foreign supplier and your firm is the importer of
record.
2015
Item

2016

2017

Quantity (in kilograms)

Purchases of UGW paper produced in—
United States
Canada-- White Birch
Canada--Resolute
Canada—All other firms
All other countries:1
Sources unknown
Total purchases

0

0

0

0

0

0

Imports of UGW paper from.-Canada -- White Birch
Canada--Resolute
Canada—All other firms
All other countries:1
Total imports
1

Please identify these countries:

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - UGW paper (final)
II-2.

Page 7

Changes in purchasing patterns.--Please indicate how the shares of your firm’s purchases of
UGW paper from different sources have changed since January 1, 2015.
Source of Did not
purchases purchase Decreased Increased Constant Fluctuated

Explanation for trend

United
States
Canada
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 UGW paper market.
United
States

II-4.

Canada

Other
countries

Other countries (specify)

Supplier identification.--Please list your firm’s FIVE largest suppliers for UGW paper since
January 1, 2015. Also, provide the share of the quantity of your firm’s total purchases of UGW
paper that each of these suppliers accounted for in 2017 and check the type or types of paper
each firm supplied.

%

2

%

3

%

4

%

5

%

Other

1

Directory
paper

Share of quantity of
2017 purchases

High bright

City and state

Newsprint

No. Supplier’s name

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - UGW paper (final)
II-5.

Page 8

Multiple suppliers.—If you buy the same or very similar product from multiple producers,
please explain the reasons for relying on multiple suppliers (including if this is because you print
in different locations).

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - UGW paper (final)

Page 9

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

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

End user
(publisher
other than
newspaper)

Distributor

Other

Describe other

If your firm is a distributor of UGW paper, 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 UGW paper?
No

III-3.

Yes

If yes, please describe.

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

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - UGW paper (final)

Page 10

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

End uses.--List the top 3 products your firm makes using UGW paper and estimate the percent of
your total production cost that is accounted for by UGW paper and by other inputs (such as
labor (salaries and benefits for printers, writers, editors, etc.), energy, other raw materials, and
overhead (depreciation, marketing, and finance)).
Share of total cost in each of the product(s) your
firm produces accounted for by
Product(s) your firm
produces

UGW paper

Newspaper publication

III-5.

Total
(should
sum to
100.0%
across)

Other inputs
% +

%

=

0.0 %

% +

%

=

0.0 %

% +

%

=

0.0 %

Demand for end use products.-(a)

Has the demand for your firm’s final products incorporating UGW paper changed since
January 1, 2015?
Increased

(b)

No change

Decreased

Fluctuated

Has this had any effect on your firm’s demand for UGW paper?
No

Yes

Explain

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - UGW paper (final)
III-6.

Page 11

Substitutes.--Can other products be substituted for UGW paper?
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 UGW paper?
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 UGW paper 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

Fluctuate
Overall
with no
decrease clear trend

Explanation and factors

Within the United States
Outside the United States
III-8.

Country preferences.--Do you or your customers ever specifically order UGW paper 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 - UGW paper (final)
III-9.

Page 12

Importance of purchasing domestic product.--Please fill out the table below, estimating the
percentage of your firm’s total 2017 purchases of UGW paper that required UGW paper
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 2017
purchases of UGW paper
%
%
%
%
0.0 %

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

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

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
UGW paper since January 1, 2015?
No

Yes

If yes, describe.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - UGW paper (final)

Page 13

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 UGW paper 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
III-12. Availability of supply.--Has the availability of UGW paper 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
Canadian imports
Nonsubject imports
III-13. Supply constraints.--Has any firm refused, declined, or been unable to supply your firm with
UGW paper since January 1, 2015 (examples include placing customers on allocation or
“controlled order entry,” declining to accept new customers or renew existing customers,
delivering less than the quantity promised, being unable to meet timely shipment commitments,
etc.)?
No

Yes

If yes, please describe.

III-14. Availability of specific product types.--Are certain grades/types/sizes of UGW paper 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 - UGW paper (final)

Page 14

III-15. Decision to cease or curtail production.—Have any of your suppliers announced plans, to
eliminate or significantly reduce production of a particular weight of newsprint?
No

Yes

If yes, please describe product weights and timing.

III-16. Purchasing frequency.-(a)

How frequently does your firm make purchases of UGW paper (check one)?
Daily

(b)

Weekly

Monthly

Quarterly

Annually

Other

If other, specify

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

Yes

If yes, please describe.

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 UGW paper 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. Change in suppliers.--Has your firm changed suppliers since January 1, 2015?

No

Yes

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

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - UGW paper (final)

Page 15

III-20. 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.

III-21. Supplier qualification.--Do you require your suppliers to be or to become certified or qualified
to sell UGW paper 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, 2015, have any domestic or foreign producers failed in their
attempts to certify or qualify their UGW paper 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-23. Major purchasing factors.--Please list, in order of their importance, the main factors your firm
considers in deciding from whom to purchase UGW paper (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 - UGW paper (final)

Page 16

III-24. Purchasing factors.--Please rate the importance of the following factors in your firm’s
purchasing decisions for UGW paper.

Factor
Appearance and/or feel of paper
Availability
Availability of 36 gsm or lower weight
directory paper
Availability of 40 gsm weight newsprint
Delivery terms
Delivery time
Discounts offered
Extension of credit
Familiarity with product/supplier
Fiber type (e.g. southern yellow pine,
spruce/pine/fir, etc.)
Long term supplier
Minimum quantity requirements
Packaging
Price
Producer located near your location of use
Product consistency
Product range
Quality meets industry standards
Quality exceeds industry standards
Recycled content
Reliability of supply
Technical support/service
U.S. transportation costs

Very
important

Somewhat
important

Not
Important

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - UGW paper (final)

Page 17

III-25. Factors differ by product purchased.—If you purchase multiple types of UGW paper does the
importance of any of the factors listed above differ based on the type of UGW paper?
Purchase multiple products
Purchase
Does the importance of any factor differ by type of UGW paper?
only one
type
No Yes
If yes, please report the factors that differ and explain why they differ.

III-26. Quality characteristics.--What characteristics does your firm consider when determining the
quality of UGW paper?

III-27. Minimum quality.--How often does UGW paper 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
Canada
Other:
III-28. Frequency of decisions based on price.--How often does your firm purchase the UGW paper
that is offered at the lowest price?
Always

Usually

Sometimes

Never

III-29. 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 UGW paper market since
January 1, 2015.
Firm(s)

Describe how the firm(s) exhibited price leadership

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - UGW paper (final)

Page 18

III-30. Purchasing subject imports rather than domestic products.—
(a)

Since January 2015, did your firm purchase imports of UGW paper from Canada instead
of U.S.-produced UGW paper?
Yes
(also respond to parts
(b) and (c))

Source

No
(If “No” for both cases, skip to
next question)

Canada-- White Birch
Canada--Resolute
Canada—All other firms
(b)

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

Yes

No

Canada-- White Birch
Canada--Resolute
Canada—All other firms
(c)

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

Source
Canada-- White
Birch
Canada-Resolute
Canada—All
other firms

Yes

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

No

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

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - UGW paper (final)

Page 19

III-31. U.S. producers and import competition.—
(a)

Since January 1, 2015, in connection with a sale or offer to sell UGW paper to your firm,
did U.S. producers reduce their prices of domestically produced UGW paper in order to
compete with lower-priced imports of UGW paper from Canada?
Yes (also respond to
question part (b))

Source

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

Don’t
know

Canada-- White Birch
Canada--Resolute
Canada—All other firms
(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)

Canada-- White
Birch

%

Canada-Resolute

%

Canada—All
other firms

%

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 - UGW paper (final)

Page 20

III-32. Pricing factors.—
(a) Rate and describe the effect of the following factors on the price you pay for UGW paper.
Rating of the factor
No/minimal effect
Factor

1

2

Substantial effect
3

4

5

Not
applicable

The decline in print media
Other factors causing demand
for paper products to decline
Decreased in supply of UGW
paper
Availability of substitute
products
Competition among U.S.
producers
Availability of subject product
from Canada
Shift to lighter-weight
newsprint
Please describe:
(b) Are there any internal benchmarks you use to determine the price of UGW paper that your
firm will pay, e.g., pricing UGW paper at a certain percentage of another paper’s price?
Please explain.
No

Yes

Explain.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - UGW paper (final)

Page 21

III-33. Factors affecting UGW paper demand.--For each factor, rate how it has affected the overall
demand for UGW paper since January 1, 2015 and discuss the effect of each factor.
Impact on demand in the U.S. market for UGW paper products
Decreased demand in U.S. for
UGW paper

Factor

Substantial Moderate

Minimal

No
impact

Do not
Increased demand in U.S. for UGW
know/
paper
no
Minimal Moderate Substantial opinion

Demand shift
between UGW
paper and other
paper
Decline in demand
for print media/
periodical
Use of digital media
Shift to lighterweight newsprint
Narrative discussion of each factor
Demand shift between
UGW paper and other
paper (please report
the type of other
paper)
Decline in demand for
print media/periodicals
Use of digital media
Shift to lighter-weight
newsprint

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - UGW paper (final)

Page 22

III-34. Shifted purchases to lighter weight paper.—
(a) Has your firm shifted its purchase to lighter weight newsprint since 2015? What share has
shifted since 2015? Has this caused you to change your purchase source?
If yes, please
report the share Did this cause
of your
you to shift
If yes, how did your purchase sources change
purchases
your purchase
shifted to
country sources
U.S. purchases
Canadian purchases
lighter weight
No
Yes
No Yes
paper
Increased Decreased Increased Decreased
%
(b) If your purchases have shifted, please explain why.

III-35. Distance of supplier preference.—Does your firm prefer to purchase UGW paper from firms
that produce within a certain distance from your printing facility(ies)? If so, report distance and
explain this preference.
If yes please respond:
No Yes

Maximum
distance
Miles

Explain.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - UGW paper (final)

Page 23

III-36. Substitutability by product type.--Please compare the substitutability of various UGW papers
with each other (i.e., can they be substituted for each other)?
Please indicate A, F, S, N, or 0 in the table below:
A = the products being compared are always substitutable with each other in the same
end uses
F = the products are frequently substitutable
S = the products are sometimes substitutable
N = the products are never substitutable
0 = no familiarity with products from a specified product-pair
Product-pair

Directory paper

High and super high
bright

Other

Newsprint
Directory paper
High and super high bright
For any product comparison that is sometimes or never substitutable, identify the factors that limit or
preclude substitutability between those products.

III-37. Purchases of nonsubject UGW paper.--Since January 1, 2015, has your firm purchased imported
UGW paper from nonsubject countries?

No

Yes

If yes, report 1) the country(ies) source, 2) the type of product(s) you
purchased, and 3) why you purchased from this source(s).

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - UGW paper (final)

Page 24

PART IV.—PRODUCT COMPARISONS
IV-1.

Interchangeability.--Is UGW paper 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

Canada

Other countries

United States
Canada
For any country-pair producing UGW paper which is sometimes or never interchangeable,
please identify the country-pair and explain the factors that limit or preclude interchangeable
use:

If this differs between the types of UGW paper you purchase please report the products and
the interchangeability of each different product by country.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - UGW paper (final)
IV-2.

Page 25

Factors other than price.--Are differences other than price (e.g., quality, availability,
transportation network, product range, technical support, etc.) between UGW paper 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

Canada

Other countries

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

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - UGW paper (final)
IV-3.

Page 26

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

1

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

Inferior

Comparable

Product from
Canada
compared to
product from
Nonsubject
countries

Superior

Inferior

Comparable

Product from
United States
compared to
product from
Nonsubject
countries

Superior

Inferior

Comparable

Factor
Appearance and/or feel of paper
Availability
Availability of 36 gsm or lower weight
directory paper
Availability of 40 gsm weight newsprint
Delivery terms
Delivery time
Discounts offered
Extension of credit
Familiarity with product/supplier
Fiber type (e.g. southern yellow pine,
spruce/pine/fir, etc.)
Long term supplier
Minimum quantity requirements
Packaging
Price1
Producer located near your location of use
Product consistency
Product range
Quality meets industry standards
Quality exceeds industry standards
Recycled content
Reliability of supply
Technical support/service
U.S. transportation costs1

Superior

Product from
United States
compared to product
from
Canada

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - UGW paper (final)

Page 27

PART V.—ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
V-1.

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

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - UGW paper (final)

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://usitc.gov/investigations/701731/2018/uncoated_groundwood_paper_canada/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: UGWP

• E-mail.—E-mail the MS Word questionnaire to amelia.preece@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.