18-1-3924 US producers' questionnaire

OMB No. 3117-0016/USITC No. 18-1-3924; Expiration Date: 6/30/2020
(No response is required if currently valid OMB control number is not displayed)

U.S. PRODUCERS’ QUESTIONNAIRE
PLASTIC DECORATIVE RIBBON FROM CHINA
This questionnaire must be received by the Commission by October 1, 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 plastic decorative ribbon from China
(Inv. Nos. 701-TA-592 and 731-TA-1400 (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 produced plastic decorative ribbon (as defined on next page) 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: DECO)
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

Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire –Plastic Decorative Ribbon (Final)

Page 2

PART I.—GENERAL INFORMATION
Background.--This proceeding was instituted in response to petitions filed on December 27, 2017, by
Berwick Offray, LLC, Berwick, Pennsylvania. 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/plastic_decorative_ribbon_china/final.htm.
Plastic decorative ribbon covered in these investigations are certain plastic decorative ribbon having a
width (measured at the narrowest span of the ribbon) of less than or equal to four (4) inches in actual
measurement, including but not limited to ribbon wound onto itself; a spool, a core or a tube (with or
without flanges); attached to a card or strip; wound into a keg- or egg-shaped configuration; made into
bows, bow-like items, or other shapes or configurations; and whether or not packaged or labeled for
retail sale. The subject merchandise is typically made of substrates of polypropylene, but may be made
in whole or in part of any type of plastic, including without limitation, plastic derived from petroleum
products and plastic derived from cellulose products. Unless the context otherwise clearly indicates, the
word “ribbon” used in the singular includes the plural and the plural “ribbons” includes the singular.
The subject merchandise includes ribbons comprised of one or more layers of substrates made, in whole
or in part, of plastics adhered to each other, regardless of the method used to adhere the layers
together, including without limitation, ribbons comprised of layers of substrates adhered to each other
through a lamination process. Subject merchandise also includes ribbons comprised of (a) one or more
layers of substrates made, in whole or in part, of plastics adhered to (b) one or more layers of substrates
made, in whole or in part, of non-plastic materials, including, without limitation, substrates made, in
whole or in part, of fabric.
The ribbons subject to these investigations may be of any color or combination of colors (including
without limitation, ribbons that are transparent, translucent or opaque) and may or may not bear words
or images, including without limitation, those of a holiday motif. The subject merchandise includes
ribbons with embellishments and/or treatments, including, without limitation, ribbons that are printed,
hot-stamped, coated, laminated, flocked, crimped, die-cut, embossed (or that otherwise have impressed
designs, images, words or patterns), and ribbons with holographic, metallic, glitter or iridescent finishes.
Subject merchandise includes “pull-bows” an assemblage of ribbons connected to one another, folded
flat, and equipped with a means to form such ribbons into the shape of a bow by pulling on a length of
material affixed to such assemblage, and “pre-notched” bows, an assemblage of notched ribbon loops
arranged one inside the other with the notches in alignment and affixed to each other where notched,
and which the end user forms into a bow by separating and spreading the loops circularly around the
notches, which form the center of the bow. Subject merchandise includes ribbons that are packaged
with non-subject merchandise, including ensembles that include ribbons and other products, such as gift
wrap, gift bags, gift tags and/or other gift packaging products. The ribbons are covered by the scope of
these investigations; the “other products” (i.e., the other, non-subject merchandise included in the
ensemble) are not covered by the scope of these investigations.
Excluded from the scope of these investigations are the following: (1) ribbons formed exclusively by
weaving plastic threads together; (2) ribbons that have metal wire in, on, or along the entirety of each of
the longitudinal edges of the ribbon; (3) ribbons with an adhesive coating covering the entire span
between the longitudinal edges of the ribbon for the entire length of the ribbon; (4) ribbon formed into
a bow without a tab or other means for attaching the bow to an object using adhesives, where the bow

Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Plastic Decorative Ribbon (Final)

Page 3

has: (a) an outer layer that is either flocked or made of fabric, and (b) a flexible metal wire at the base
which permits attachment to an object by twist-tying; (5) elastic ribbons, meaning ribbons that elongate
when stretched and return to their original dimension when the stretching load is removed; (6) ribbons
affixed as a decorative detail to non-subject merchandise, such as a gift bag, gift box, gift tin, greeting
card or plush toy, or affixed (including by tying) as a decorative detail to packaging containing nonsubject merchandise; (7) ribbons that are (a) affixed to non-subject merchandise as a working
component of such non-subject merchandise, such as where the ribbon comprises a book marker, bag
cinch, or part of an identity card holder, or (b) affixed (including by tying) to non-subject merchandise as
a working component that holds or packages such non-subject merchandise or attaches packaging or
labeling to such non-subject merchandise, such as a “belly band” around a pair of pajamas, a pair of
socks or a blanket; (8) imitation raffia made of plastics having a thickness not more than one (1) mil
when measured in an unfolded/untwisted state; and (9) ribbons in the form of bows having a diameter
of less than seven-eighths (7/8) of an inch, or having a diameter of more than 16 inches, based on actual
measurement. For purposes of this exclusion, the diameter of a bow is equal to the diameter of the
smallest circular ring through which the bow will pass without compressing the bow.
The scope of these investigations is not intended to include shredded plastic film or shredded plastic
strip, in each case where the shred does not exceed 5 mm in width and does not exceed 18 inches in
length, imported in bags, typically labeled as artificial Easter grass or as decorative packaging shred.
Further, excluded from the scope of the antidumping duty investigation are any products covered by the
existing antidumping duty order on polyethylene terephthalate film, sheet, and strip (PET Film) from the
People's Republic of China (China). See Polyethylene Terephthalate Film, Sheet, and Strip from Brazil, the
People's Republic of China and the United Arab Emirates: Antidumping Duty Orders and Amended Final
Determination of Sales at Less Than Fair Value for the United Arab Emirates, 73 FR 66595 (November 10,
2008).
Merchandise covered by these investigations are currently classified in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule
of the United States (HTSUS) under subheadings 3920.20.0015 and 3926.40.0010. Merchandise covered
by these investigations also may enter under subheadings 3920.10.0000; 3920.20.0055; 3920.30.0000;
3920.43.5000; 3920.49.0000; 3920.62.0050; 3920.62.0090; 3920.69.0000; 3921.90.1100; 3921.90.1500;
3921.90.1910; 3921.90.1950; 3921.90.4010; 3921.90.4090; 3926.90.9996; 5404.90.0000; 9505.90.4000;
4601.99.9000; 4602.90.0000; 5609.00.3000; 5609.00.4000; and 6307.90.9889. These HTSUS
subheadings are provided for convenience and customs pu205-3034rposes; the written description of
the scope of these investigations is dispositive.
Reporting of information.--If information is not readily available from your records, provide carefully
prepared estimates. If your firm is completing more than one questionnaire (i.e., a producer, importer,
and/or purchaser questionnaire), you need not respond to duplicated questions.
Confidentiality.--The commercial and financial data furnished in response to this questionnaire that
reveal the individual operations of your firm will be treated as confidential by the Commission to the
extent that such data are not otherwise available to the public and will not be disclosed except as may
be required by law (see 19 U.S.C. § 1677f). Such confidential information will not be published in a
manner that will reveal the individual operations of your firm; however, general characterizations of
numerical business proprietary information (such as discussion of trends) will be treated as confidential
business information only at the request of the submitter for good cause shown.
Verification.--The information submitted in this questionnaire is subject to audit and verification by the
Commission. To facilitate possible verification of data, please keep all files, worksheets, and supporting
documents used in the preparation of the questionnaire response. Please also retain a copy of the final
document that you submit.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Plastic Decorative Ribbon (Final)

Page 4

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. In addition, if your firm is a U.S. producer, the information you
provide on your production and imports of plastic decorative ribbon and your responses to the
questions in Part I of the producer questionnaire will be provided to the U.S. Department of Commerce,
upon its request, for use in connection with (and only in connection with) its requirement pursuant to
section 702(c)(4)/732(c)(4) of the Act (19 U.S.C. § 1671a(c)(4)/1673a(c)(4)) to make a determination
concerning the extent of industry support for the petition requesting this proceeding. Any information
provided to Commerce will be transmitted under the confidentiality and release guidelines set forth
above. Your response to these questions constitutes your consent that such information be provided to
Commerce under the conditions described above.
I-1a.

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
50 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-1b.

TAA information release.--In the event that the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC)
makes an affirmative final determination in this proceeding, do you consent to the USITC's
release of your contact information (company name, address, contact person, telephone
number, email address) appearing on the front page of this questionnaire to the Departments of
Commerce, Labor, and Agriculture, as applicable, so that your firm and its workers can be made
eligible for benefits under the Trade Adjustment Assistance program?
Yes

No

Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Plastic Decorative Ribbon (Final)
I-2.

Page 5

Establishments covered.--Provide the city, state, zip code, and brief description of each
establishment covered by this questionnaire. If your firm is publicly traded, please specify the
stock exchange and trading symbol in the footnote to the table. Firms operating more than one
establishment should combine the data for all establishments into a single report.
“Establishment”--Each facility of a firm involved in the production of plastic decorative ribbon,
including auxiliary facilities operated in conjunction with (whether or not physically separate
from) such facilities.
Establishments
covered1

City, State

Zip (5 digit)

Description

1
2
3
4
5
6
1

I-3.

Additional discussion on establishments consolidated in this questionnaire:

.

Petition support.--Does your firm support or oppose the petition?
Country

Support

Oppose

Take no position

China (AD)
China (CVD)
I-4.

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. Producers’ Questionnaire – Plastic Decorative Ribbon (Final)
I-5.

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

I-6.

Page 6

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 plastic decorative ribbon?
No
Firm name

Yes--List the following information.
Country

Affiliation

Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Plastic Decorative Ribbon (Final)

Page 7

“Facilitation”--Any activity designed to, or having the effect of, helping to bring about either the
import of plastic decorative ribbon from China into the United States or the export of plastic
decorative ribbon from China to the United States. Such activities include, but are not limited to,
promoting, advertising, negotiating contracts, arranging sales, brokering transactions, invoicing,
financing, guaranteeing, collaborating, providing quality control or performing other types of
logistical or administrative support or assistance. (This definition also applies to derivations of
the term “facilitation” e.g., facilitate, facilitator, et cetera).
I-7.

Facilitator.--Is your firm or any related or unrelated business partner, either domestic or foreign,
engaged in importing or in facilitating the importation of plastic decorative ribbon from China
into the United States?
No

Yes--Please provide the name, address, and affiliation of establishment(s)
involved in importing or facilitating imports.

I-8.

Role of Facilitator.--Please provide details regarding your firm’s role in importing or facilitating
imports of plastic decorative ribbon from China since January 1, 2015. Please note any changes
that have occurred in this role since January 1, 2015.

I-9.

Facilitation of imports.--Please provide the quantity and value of the imports your firm
facilitated regardless of source (see definition of facilitation above) during the specified periods.
Please note: These should NOT include imports for which your firm is the importer of record, as
such imports are to be reported in your firm's U.S. importers’ questionnaire response.
Quantity (in pounds), value (in $1,000)
Calendar year
Country

2015

2016

January-June
2017

2017

2018

China:
Quantity
1

Value
All other sources:2 3
Quantity
Value
Please list the name(s) of the firm(s) that serve as the importer of record for these transactions
. And separately, please list the name(s) of the firm(s) for which these imports were facilitated
(i.e. the purchasers)
.
2
Please list the name(s) of the firm(s) that serve as the importer of record for these transactions
. And separately, please list the name(s) of the firm(s) for which these imports were facilitated
(i.e. the purchasers)
.
3
Please identify those sources:
.
1

Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Plastic Decorative Ribbon (Final)

Page 8

PART II.--TRADE AND RELATED INFORMATION
Further information on this part of the questionnaire can be obtained from Calvin Chang (202-205-3062,
hangyul.chang@usitc.gov). Supply all data requested on a calendar-year basis.
II-1.

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

II-2.

Changes in operations.--Please indicate whether your firm has experienced any of the following
changes in relation to the production of plastic decorative ribbon since January 1, 2015.
(check as many as appropriate)
plant openings
plant closings
relocations
expansions
acquisitions
consolidations
prolonged shutdowns or
production curtailments
revised labor agreements
other (e.g., technology)

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

Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Plastic Decorative Ribbon (Final)
II-3a.

Page 9

Production using same machinery.--Please report your firm’s production of products made on
the same equipment and machinery used to produce plastic decorative ribbon, and the
combined production capacity on this shared equipment and machinery in the periods
indicated.
“Overall production capacity” or “capacity” – The level of production that your
establishment(s) could reasonably have expected to attain during the specified periods. Assume
normal operating conditions (i.e., using equipment and machinery in place and ready to
operate; normal operating levels (hours per week/weeks per year) and time for downtime,
maintenance, repair, and cleanup).
Note.--If your firm does not produce any out-of-scope merchandise on the same machinery and
equipment as scope merchandise then the "overall production capacity" numbers reported in
this question should be exactly equal to the "average production capacity" numbers reported in
question II-7. If, however, your firm does produce out-of-scope merchandise using the same
machinery and equipment as scope mercandhise, then the "average production capacity"
reported in question II-7 should exclude the portion of "overall production capacity" that was
used to produce this out-of-scope merchandise.
“Production” – All production in your U.S. establishment(s), including production consumed
internally within your firm and production for another firm under a toll agreement.
Quantity (in pounds)
Calendar years
Item

2015

2016

January-June
2017

2017

2018

Overall production capacity
Production of:
Plastic decorative ribbon1

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Excluded ribbon
Other products2
Subtotal, out-of-scope
Total, same machinery
1
2

Data entered for production of plastic decorative ribbon will populate here once reported in question II-7.
Please identify these products:
.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Plastic Decorative Ribbon (Final)
II-3b.

Page 10

Operating parameters.--The production capacity reported in II-3a is based on the following
operating paramaters:
Hours per week

Weeks per year

II-3c.

Capacity calculation.--Please describe the methodology used to calculate overall production
capacity reported in II-3a, and explain any changes in reported capacity.

II-3d.

Production constraints.--Please describe the constraint(s) that set the limit(s) on your firm’s
production capacity.

II-3e.

Product shifting.—
(i)

Is your firm able to switch production (capacity) between plastic decorative ribbon and
other products using the same equipment and/or labor?

No

(ii)

Yes

If yes (i.e., have produced other products or are able to produce other
products) -- please identify other actual or potential products:

Please describe the factors that affect your firm’s ability to shift production capacity
between products (e.g., time, cost, relative price change, etc.), and the degree to which
these factors enhance or constrain such shifts.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Plastic Decorative Ribbon (Final)
II-4.

Page 11

Tolling.--Since January 1, 2015, has your firm been involved in a toll agreement regarding the
production of plastic decorative ribbon?
“Toll agreement”--Agreement between two firms whereby the first firm furnishes the raw
materials and the second firm uses the raw materials to produce a product that it then returns
to the first firm with a charge for processing costs, overhead, etc.

No

II-5.

Yes

If yes-- Please describe the toll arrangement(s) and name the firm(s)
involved.

Foreign trade zones.-Firm's FTZ operations.--Does your firm produce plastic decorative ribbon in and/or
admit plastic decorative ribbon into a foreign trade zone (FTZ)?

(a)

“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. A foreign trade zone must be designed as such pursuant to the rules and
procedures set forth in the Foreign-Trade Zones Act.

No

If yes-- Describe the nature of your firms operations in FTZs and identify
the specific FTZ site(s).

Other firms' FTZ operations.--To your knowledge, do any firms in the United States
import plastic decorative ribbon into a foreign trade zone (FTZ) for use in distribution of
plastic decorative ribbon and/or the production of downstream articles?

(b)

No

II-6.

Yes

Yes

If yes--Identify the firms and the FTZs.

Importer.--Since January 1, 2015, has your firm imported plastic decorative ribbon?
“Importer” – The person or firm primarily liable for the payment of any duties on the
merchandise, or an authorized agent acting on his behalf. The importer may be the consignee,
or the importer of record.
No

Yes
If yes-- COMPLETE AND RETURN A U.S. IMPORTERS’ QUESTIONNAIRE

Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Plastic Decorative Ribbon (Final)
II-7.

Page 12

Production, shipment, and inventory data.--Report your firm’s production capacity, production,
shipments, and inventories related to the production of plastic decorative ribbon in its U.S.
establishment(s) during the specified periods.
“Average production capacity” or “capacity” – The level of production that your
establishment(s) could reasonably have expected to attain during the specified periods. Assume
normal operating conditions (i.e., using equipment and machinery in place and ready to
operate; normal operating levels (hours per week/weeks per year) and time for downtime,
maintenance, repair, and cleanup; and a typical or representative product mix).
“Production” – All production in your U.S. establishment(s), including production consumed
internally within your firm and production for another firm under a toll agreement.
“Non-retail level commercial U.S. 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. For the purposes of this
questionnaire, non-retail commercial U.S. shipments should include sales to distributors, sales
to retailers, and sales to other end users, but should not include sales made at the retail level of
trade to individual customers (including to other businesses).
“Retail level commercial U.S. 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. For the purposes of this
questionnaire, retail commercial U.S. shipments should only include sales at the retail level of
trade to individual customers (including to other businesses), whether made online or at a
bricks-and-mortar retail location.
“Internal consumption -- Product consumed internally by your firm. Such transactions should be
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. Producers’ Questionnaire – Plastic Decorative Ribbon (Final)
II-7.

Page 13

Production, shipment, and inventory data.--Continued
Quantity (in pounds) and value (in $1,000)
Calendar years
Item

Average production capacity
Quantity (A)

2015

2016

January-June
2017

2017

2018

1

Beginning-of-period inventories
Quantity (B)
Value (C)
Production
Quantity (D)
Value (E)
U.S. shipments:
Non-retail level commercial
shipments:
Quantity (F)
Value (G)
Retail level commercial
shipments:
Quantity (H)
Value (I)
Internal consumption:2
Quantity (J)
Value2 (K)
Transfers to related firms:2
Quantity (L)
Value2 (M)
Export shipments:3
Quantity (N)
Value (O)
End-of-period inventories
Quantity (P)
Value (Q)
The production capacity reported is based on operating
hours per week,
weeks per year. Please describe
the methodology used to calculate production capacity, and explain any changes in reported capacity
.
2
Internal consumption and transfers to related firms must be valued at fair market value. If your firm uses a different basis
for valuing these transactions in your records, please specify that basis (e.g., cost, cost plus, etc.):
. However, the data
provide above in this table should be based on fair market value.
3
Identify your firm’s principal export markets:
.
1

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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Plastic Decorative Ribbon (Final)

Page 14

Production, shipment, and inventory data.--Continued

II-7.

RECONCILIATION OF SHIPMENTS, PRODUCTION, AND INVENTORY.--Generally, the quantity data reported for the
end-of-period inventories (i.e., line P) should be equal to the beginning-of-period inventories (i.e., line B), plus
production (i.e., line D), less total shipments (i.e., lines F, H, J, L, and N). Please ensure that any differences are not
due to data entry errors in completing this form, but rather reflect your firm’s actual records; and, also provide
explanations for any differences (e.g., theft, loss, damage, record systems issues, etc.) if they exist.
Calendar years

Reconciliation

2015

Quantity: B + D – F – H – J – L – N – P =
should equal zero ("0") or provide an
explanation.1
1

2016

0

January-June
2017

0

2017

0

2018

0

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

II-8.

0
.

Change in average unit value.--Do the average unit values of your firm’s U.S. shipments
reported in question II-7 change noticeably (more than 10 percent up or down) over the period
of investigation?

No

Yes

If yes--Please explain, with some specificity, why the average unit values
have changed noticeability over the period (e.g., if product mixed
changed, please explain the changes and their impact on prices).

Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Plastic Decorative Ribbon (Final)
II-9.

Page 15

Channels of distribution.--Report your firm’s non-retail commercial U.S. shipments of plastic
decorative ribbon by channel of distribution.
Quantity (in pounds); Value (in $1,000)
Calendar years
Item

2015

2016

January-June
2017

2017

2018

Channels of distribution:
Non-retailed commercial U.S.
shipments:
to Retailers:
Quantity (R)
Value (S)
to Distributors:
Quantity (T)
Value (U)
to End users:
Quantity (V)
Value (W)
RECONCILIATION OF CHANNELS.--Please ensure that the quantities and values reported for channels of distribution
(i.e., lines R through W) in each time period equal the quantity and value reported for non-retail commercial U.S.
shipments (i.e., lines F and G) 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

2015

2016

January-June
2017

2017

2018

Quantity: R + T + V – F = zero
("0"), if not revise.

0

0

0

0

0

Value: S + U + W – G = zero
("0"), if not revise.

0

0

0

0

0

Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Plastic Decorative Ribbon (Final)
II-10.

Page 16

U.S. shipments of ribbon in bow form/not in bow form.--Report your firm’s U.S. shipments (i.e.,
inclusive of non-retail commercial U.S. shipments, retail commercial shipments, internal
consumption, and transfers to related firms) of plastic decorative ribbon in bow form and not in
bow form.
Quantity (pounds); Value (in $1,000)
Calendar years
Item

2015

January-June

2016

2017

2017

2018

U.S. shipments.—
In bow form1
Quantity (X)
Value (Y)
In spool form2
Quantity (Z)
Value (AA)
In all other forms3
Quantity (AB)
Value (AC)
Please describe the two largest volume products sold in bow form by your firm:
.
Please describe the two largest volume products sold in spool form by your firm:
.
3
Please describe the two largest volume products sold in all other forms by your firm:
1
2

.

RECONCILIATION OF SHIPMENTS BY FORM.--Please ensure that the quantities and values
reported for channels of distribution (i.e., lines X through AC) in each time period equal the
quantity and value reported for U.S. shipments (i.e., lines F through M) 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

2015

2016

January-June
2017

2017

2018

Quantity: X + Z + AB– F – H – J
– L = zero ("0"), if not revise

0

0

0

0

0

Value: Y + AA + AC– G – I – K –
M = zero ("0"), if not revise

0

0

0

0

0

Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Plastic Decorative Ribbon (Final)
II-11.

Page 17

Seasonality in U.S. shipments.--Report your firm’s U.S. shipments (i.e., inclusive of non-retail
commercial U.S. shipments, retail commercial shipments, internal consumption, and transfers to
related firms) of plastic decorative ribbon by month.
2017
Month

2018

2017

Quantity (in pounds)

2018

Value (in $1,000)

January (AD)
February (AE)
March (AF)
April (AG)
May (AH)
June (AI)
July (AJ)
August (AK)
September (AL)
October (AM)
November (AN)
December (AO)

Calendar year
Item

January-June

2017

2017

2018

Subtotal
Quantity (AP)

0

0

0

Value (AQ)

0

0

0

RECONCILIATION OF MONTHLY SHIPMENTS.--Please ensure that the quantity and value reported for
monthly U.S. shipments (i.e., lines AD through AO, summed in line AP for quantity and in line AQ for
value) in each time period equal the quantity value reported for U.S. shipments (i.e., lines F through M). 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 year
Reconciliation

January-June

2017

2017

2018

Quantity: AP – F – H – J – L = zero ("0"), if not
revise.

0

0

0

Value: AQ – G – I – K – M = zero ("0"), if not
revise.

0

0

0

Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Plastic Decorative Ribbon (Final)
II-12.

Page 18

Employment data.--Report your firm’s employment-related data related to the production of
plastic decorative ribbon and provide an explanation for any trends in these data.
“Production and Related Workers” (PRWs) includes working supervisors and all nonsupervisory
workers (including group leaders and trainees) engaged in fabricating, processing, assembling,
inspecting, receiving, storage, handling, packing, warehousing, shipping, trucking, hauling,
maintenance, repair, janitorial and guard services, product development, auxiliary production
for plant’s own use (e.g., power plant), recordkeeping, and other services closely associated with
the above production operations.
Average number employed may be computed by adding the number of employees, both full
time and part time, for the 12 pay periods ending closest to the 15th of the month and divide
that total by 12. For the January to June periods, calculate similarly and divide by 6.
If your firm had the same number of PRWs in all calendar years and had not experienced
any changes in PRWs in the most recent interim period, you would have the same
number of PRWs for the interim periods, regardless of whether the interim periods are
Jan-Mar (Q1), Jan-June (Q1+Q2), or Jan-Sept (Q1+Q2+Q3).”
“Hours worked” includes time paid for sick leave, holidays, and vacation time. Include overtime
hours actually worked; do not convert overtime pay to its equivalent in straight time hours.
“Wages paid” –Total wages paid before deductions of any kind (e.g., withholding taxes, old-age
and unemployment insurance, group insurance, union dues, bonds, etc.). Include wages paid
directly by your firm for overtime, holidays, vacations, and sick leave.
Calendar years
Item

2015

2016

January-June
2017

2017

2018

Average number of PRWs (number)
Hours worked by PRWs (1,000 hours)
Wages paid to PRWs ($1,000)
Explanation of trends:

II-13.

Related firms.--If your firm reported transfers to related firms in question II-7, please indicate
the nature of the relationship between your firm and the related firms (e.g., joint venture,
wholly owned subsidiary), whether the transfers were priced at market value or by a nonmarket formula, whether your firm retained marketing rights to all transfers, and whether the
related firms also processed inputs from sources other than your firm.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Plastic Decorative Ribbon (Final)
II-14.

Page 19

Purchases.--Other than imports, has your firm otherwise purchased plastic decorative ribbon
(either domestic or imported) since January 1, 2015?
“Purchase” – A transaction to buy product from a U.S. corporate entity such as another U.S.
producer, a U.S. distributor, or a U.S. firm that has directly imported the product.
“Import” –A transaction to buy from a foreign supplier where your firm is the importer of
record.

No

Yes

If yes-- Report such purchases below and explain the reasons for your
firms' purchases:

Quantity (in pounds); Value (in $1,000)
Calendar years
Item

2015

2016

January-June
2017

2017

2018

Purchases from U.S.
importers1 of plastic
decorative ribbon from—
China
Quantity
Value
All other sources:
Quantity
Value
Purchases from domestic
producers2
Quantity
Value
Purchases from other
sources2
Quantity
Value
Please list the name of the importer(s) from which your firm purchased this product. If your firm’s import
suppliers differ by source, please identify the source for each listed supplier:
.
2
Please list the name of the producer(s) or U.S. distributor(s) from which your firm purchased this product:
.
1

Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Plastic Decorative Ribbon (Final)
II-15.

Page 20

Other explanations.--If your firm would like to further explain a response to a question in Part II
that did not provide a narrative 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. Producers’ Questionnaire – Plastic Decorative Ribbon (Final)

Page 21

PART III.--FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Address questions on this part of the questionnaire to Jennifer Brinckhaus (202-205-3188,
jennifer.brinckhaus@usitc.gov).
III-1.

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

III-2.

Accounting system.--Briefly describe your firm’s financial accounting system.
A.

When does your firm’s fiscal year end (month and day)?
If your firm’s fiscal year changed during the data-collection period, explain
below:

B.1.

Describe the lowest level of operations (e.g., plant, division, company-wide) for
which financial statements are prepared that include plastic decorative ribbon:

2.

Does your firm prepare profit/loss statements for plastic decorative ribbon:
Yes
No
How often did your firm (or parent company) prepare financial statements
(including annual reports, 10Ks)? Please check relevant items below.
Audited,
unaudited,
annual reports,
10Ks,
10 Qs,
Monthly,
quarterly,
semi-annually,
annually
Accounting basis:
GAAP,
cash,
tax, or
other comprehensive
basis of accounting (specify)

3.

4.

Note: As requested in Part I of this questionnaire, please keep all supporting documents/records
used in the preparation of the financial data, as Commission staff may contact your firm
regarding questions on the financial data. The Commission may also request that your company
submit copies of the supporting documents/records (financial statements, including internal
profit-and-loss statements for the division or product group that includes plastic decorative
ribbon, as well as specific statements and worksheets) used to compile these data.

III-3.

Cost accounting system.--Briefly describe your firm’s cost accounting system (e.g., standard
cost, job order cost, etc.).

Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Plastic Decorative Ribbon (Final)

Page 22

III-4.

Allocation basis.--Briefly describe your firm’s allocation basis, if any, for COGS, SG&A, and
interest expense and other income and expenses.

III-5.

Product listing.--Please list the products your firm produced in the facilities in which your firm
produced plastic decorative ribbon, and provide the share of net sales accounted for by these
products in your firm’s most recent fiscal year.
Products

Share of sales

Plastic decorative ribbon

%
%
%
%
%

III-6.

Inputs from related suppliers.-- Does your firm purchase inputs (raw materials, labor, energy, or
any services) used in the production of plastic decorative ribbon from any related suppliers (e.g.,
inclusive of transactions between related firms, divisions and/or other components within the
same company)?
Yes--Continue to question III-7

No--Continue to question III-9a.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Plastic Decorative Ribbon (Final)
III-7.

Page 23

Inputs from related suppliers detailed.--Please identify the inputs used in the production of
plastic decorative ribbon that your firm purchases from related suppliers and that are reflected
in question III-9a. For “Share of total COGS” please report this information by relevant input on
the basis of your most recently completed fiscal year. For “Input valuation” please describe the
basis, as recorded in your company’s own accounting system, of the purchase cost from the
related supplier; e.g., the related supplier’s actual cost, cost plus, negotiated transfer price to
approximate fair market value.
Input

Related supplier

Share of total COGS

Input valuation as recorded in the firm’s accounting books and records (e.g., related
supplier’s actual cost, cost plus, FMV, etc.).
III-8.

Inputs purchased from related suppliers.--Please confirm that the inputs purchased from
related suppliers, as identified in III-7, were reported in III-9a (financial results on plastic
decorative ribbon) in a manner consistent with your firm’s accounting books and records.

Yes

No

If no-- In the space below, please report the valuation basis of inputs
purchased from related suppliers as reported in question III-9a:

Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Plastic Decorative Ribbon (Final)

Page 24

III-9a. Operations on plastic decorative ribbon.--Report the revenue and related cost information
requested below on the plastic decorative ribbon operations of your firm’s U.S.
establishment(s).1 Do not report resales of products. Note that internal consumption and
transfers to related firms must be valued at fair market value. Input purchases from related
suppliers should be consistent with and based on information in the firm’s accounting books and
records. Provide data for your firm’s three most recently completed fiscal years, and for the
specified interim periods.
Quantity (in pounds) and value (in $1,000)
Fiscal years ended-Item

2015

2016

January-June
2017

2017

2018

Net sales quantities:2
Commercial sales (“CS”)
Internal consumption (“IC”)
Transfers to related firms (“Transfers”)
Total net sales quantities

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Total COGS

0

0

0

0

0

Gross profit or (loss)

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Net sales values:2
Commercial sales
Internal consumption
Transfers to related firms
Total net sales values
Cost of goods sold (COGS):3
Raw materials
Direct labor
Other factory costs

Selling, general, and administrative (SG&A)
expenses:
Selling expenses
General and administrative expenses
Total SG&A expenses
Operating income (loss)
Other expenses and income:
Interest expense
All other expense items
All other income items
Net income or (loss) before income taxes
Depreciation/amortization included above
Include only sales (whether domestic or export) and costs related to your U.S. manufacturing operations.
Less discounts, returns, allowances, and prepaid freight. The quantities and values should approximate the corresponding
shipment quantities and values reported in Part II of this questionnaire.
3 COGS (whether for domestic or export sales) should include costs associated with CS, IC, and Transfers.
1

2

Note -- The table above contains calculations that will appear when you have entered data in the MS
Word form fields.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Plastic Decorative Ribbon (Final)

Page 25

III-9b. Raw materials for plastic decorative ribbon.--Please indicate the share of total raw material
costs reported in III-9a in 2017 for the following raw material inputs:

Products
Polypropylene or other plastics costs
Color and pigments
Other input costs1
Total (should sum to 100 percent)

Share of 2017 total
raw material costs
(percent)
%
%
%
0.0 %

Please indicate any notable "other" raw materials not expressly identified above and
provide the share of the 2017 total raw material costs that they account for:
1

III-9c.

Financial data reconciliation.--The calculable line items from question III-9a (i.e., total net sales
quantities and values, total COGS, gross profit (or loss), total SG&A, and net income (or loss))
have been calculated from the data submitted in the other line items. Do the calculated fields
return the correct data according to your firm's financial records ignoring non-material
differences that may arise due to rounding?
Yes

No--If the calculated fields do not show the correct data, please double check the
feeder data for data entry errors and revise.
Also, check signs accorded to the post operating income line items; the two
expense line items should report positive numbers (i.e., expenses are
positive and incomes or reversals are negative--instances of the latter
should be rare in those lines) while the income line item also in most
instances should have its value be a positive number (i.e., income is positive,
expenses or reversals are negative).
If after reviewing and potentially revising the feeder data your firm has
provided, the differences between your records and the calculated fields
persist please identify and discuss the differences in the space below.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Plastic Decorative Ribbon (Final)

Page 26

III-10. Nonrecurring items (charges and gains) included in the subject product financial results.--For
each annual and interim period for which financial results are reported in question III-9a, please
specify all material (significant) nonrecurring items (charges and gains) in the schedule below,
the specific question III-9a line item where the nonrecurring items are included, a brief
description of the relevant nonrecurring items, and the associated values (in $1,000), as
reflected in question III-9a; i.e., if an aggregate nonrecurring item has been allocated to question
III-9a, only the allocated value amount included in question III-9a should be reported in the
schedule below. Note: The Commission’s objective here is to gather information only on
material (significant) nonrecurring items which impacted the reported financial results of the
subject product in question III-9a.
Fiscal years ended-2015
Item

2016

January-June
2017

2017

2018

Value ($1,000)

Nonrecurring item 1
Nonrecurring item 2
Nonrecurring item 3
Nonrecurring item 4
Nonrecurring item 5
Nonrecurring item 6
Nonrecurring item 7

Nonrecurring item: In this table please provide a brief description of each nonrecurring item reported above and
indicate the specific line item in table III-9a where the nonrecurring item is classified.
Description of the
nonrecurring item

Income statement classification of the nonrecurring item

Nonrecurring item 1
Nonrecurring item 2
Nonrecurring item 3
Nonrecurring item 4
Nonrecurring item 5
Nonrecurring item 6
Nonrecurring item 7

III-11. Classification of identified nonrecurring items (charges and gains) in the accounting books and
records of the company.--If non-recurring items were reported in question III-10 above, please
identify where your company recorded these items in your accounting books and records in the
normal course of business; i.e., just as responses to question III-10 identify where these items
are reported in question III-9a.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Plastic Decorative Ribbon (Final)

Page 27

III-12. Asset values.--Report the total assets (i.e., both current and long-term assets) associated with
the production, warehousing, and sale of plastic decorative ribbon. If your firm does not
maintain some or all of the specific asset information necessary to calculate total assets for
plastic decorative ribbon in the normal course of business, please estimate this information
based upon a method (such as production, sales, or costs) that is consistent with relevant cost
allocations in question III-9a. Provide data as of the end of your firm’s three most recently
completed fiscal years.
Note: Total assets should reflect net assets after any accumulated depreciation and allowances
deducted.
Total assets should be allocated to the subject products if these assets are also related to other
products. Please provide a brief explanation if there are any substantial changes in total asset
value during the period; e.g., due to asset write-offs, revaluation, and major purchases.
Value (in $1,000)
Fiscal years ended-Item
Total assets (net)
1

III-13.

2015

2016

2017

1

Describe

Capital expenditures and research and development expenses.--Report your firm’s capital
expenditures and research and development expenses for plastic decorative ribbon. Provide
data for your firm’s three most recently completed fiscal years, and for the specified interim
periods.
Value (in $1,000)
Fiscal years ended-Item
Capital expenditures

2015

2016

January-June
2017

2017

2018

1

Research and development expenses2
1

Please describe the nature, focus, and significance of your firm’s capital expenditures on the subject product.

2

Please describe the nature, focus, and significance of your firm’s R&D expenses related to subject product.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Plastic Decorative Ribbon (Final)

Page 28

III-14. Data consistency and reconciliation.--Please indicate whether your firm’s financial data for
questions III-9a, 12, and 13 are based on a calendar year or on your firm’s fiscal year:
Calendar year

Fiscal year

Specify fiscal year

Please note the quantities and values reported in question III-9a should reconcile with the data
reported in question II-7 (including export shipments) as long as they are reported on the same
calendar year basis.
RECONCILIATION OF TRADE VS FINANCIAL DATA.--Please ensure that the quantities and values reported
for total shipments in part II equal the quantities and values reported for total net sales in part III of this
questionnaire in each time period unless the financial data from part III are reported on a fiscal year
basis, in which case only the interim periods must reconcile. If the calculated fields below return values
other than zero (i.e., “0”) and both are being reported on a calendar basis, please explain the discrepancy
below.
Full year data
Reconciliation

2015

2016

January-June
2017

2017

2018

Quantity: Trade data from question
II-7 (lines F, H, J, L and N) less
financial total net sales quantity data
from question III-9a, = zero ("0").

0

0

0

0

0

Value: Trade data from question II-7
(lines G, I, K, M, and O) less financial
total net sales value data from
question III-9a, = zero ("0").

0

0

0

0

0

Do these data in question III-9a reconcile with data in question II-7?
Yes

No

If no, please explain.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Plastic Decorative Ribbon (Final)

Page 29

III-15. Effects of imports on investment.--Since January 1, 2015, has your firm experienced any actual
negative effects on its return on investment or the scale of capital investments as a result of
imports of plastic decorative ribbon from China?
No

Yes--My firm has experienced actual negative effects as follows:
(check as many as appropriate)
Cancellation, postponement,
or rejection of expansion
projects
Denial or rejection of
investment proposal
Reduction in the size of
capital investments
Return on specific
investments negatively
impacted
Other

(please describe)

Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Plastic Decorative Ribbon (Final)

Page 30

III-16. Effects of imports on growth and development.--Since January 1, 2015, has your firm
experienced any actual negative effects on its growth, ability to raise capital, or existing
development and production efforts (including efforts to develop a derivative or more advanced
version of the product) as a result of imports of plastic decorative ribbon from China?
No

Yes--My firm has experienced actual negative effects as follows:
(check as many as appropriate)
Rejection of bank loans
Lowering of credit rating
Problem related to the issue
of stocks or bonds
Ability to service debt
Other

(please describe)

Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Plastic Decorative Ribbon (Final)

Page 31

III-17. Anticipated effects of imports.--Does your firm anticipate any negative effects due to imports of
plastic decorative ribbon from China?
No

Yes

If yes, my firm anticipates negative effects as follows:

III-18. Other explanations.--If your firm would like to further explain a response to a question in Part III
that did not provide a narrative 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. Producers’ Questionnaire – Plastic Decorative Ribbon (Final)

Page 32

PART IV.--PRICING AND MARKET FACTORS
Further information on this part of the questionnaire can be obtained from Jonathan Ruder (202-2053435, jonathan.ruder@usitc.gov).
IV-1.

Contact information.--Please identify the individual that Commission staff may contact
regarding the confidential information submitted in part IV.
Name
Title
Email
Telephone

PRICE DATA
IV-2.

This question requests quarterly quantity and value data for your firm’s commercial shipments
to unrelated U.S. customers since January 1, 2015 of the following products produced by your
firm.
Product 1.--Curl ribbon (non-laminated): Extruded plastic curl ribbon, not laminated, having a
width of not less than 11/64” and not more than 13/64”, having a length less than 350
yards, on a single spool intended for individual retail sale.
Product 2.--Extruded plastic ribbon in 15-count Bow Bags: 15-count bow bags, where: (i) a
majority of the bows in the bag have a diameter of not less than 2 ½” and not more than
5”; and (ii) a majority of the bows in the bag are made of ribbon having a width of not
less than 1/2” and not more than 3/4”.
Product 3.--Ribbon "Eggs" (or "Kegs") in multi-packs of 4-10 Eggs: Extruded plastic ribbon having
a width of not less than 11/64" and not more than 13/64", rolled onto itself, without a
spool or flange, into an "egg-shaped" (also known as a "keg-shaped") configuration,
intended for retail sale in "multi-packs" of four to ten ribbon eggs (or kegs) per package.

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).
IV-2 (a). During January 2015-June 2018, did your firm produce and sell to unrelated U.S. customers any
of the above listed products (or any products that were competitive with these products)?
Yes.--Please complete the following pricing data table as appropriate.
No.--Skip to question IV-4.

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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Plastic Decorative Ribbon (Final)

Page 33

IV-2 (b).Price data.--Report below the quarterly price data1 for pricing products2 produced and sold by
your firm. Do not report data for sales at the retail level of trade.
Report data in pounds or units as specified in the table and actual dollars (not 1,000s).
Product 1
Quantity:
Weight (pounds)
Value (dollars)

Product 2
Quantity:
Units (bags)
Value (dollars)

Product 3
Quantity:
Units (eggs)
Value (dollars)

Period of shipment
2015:
January-March
April-June
July-September
October-December
2016:
January-March
April-June
July-September
October-December
2017:
January-March
April-June
July-September
October-December
2018:
January-March
April-June
1 Net values (i.e., gross sales values less all discounts, allowances, rebates, prepaid freight, and the value of returned goods), f.o.b. your firm’s U.S.
point of shipment.
2 Pricing product definitions are provided on the first page of Part IV.
Note.--If your firm’s product does not exactly meet the product specifications but is competitive with the specified product, provide a description of
your firm’s product. Also, please explain any anomalies in your firm’s reported pricing data.
Product 1:
Product 2:
Product 3:

Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Plastic Decorative Ribbon (Final)

Page 34

IV-3 (a). Price data checklist.--Please check that the pricing data in question IV-2(b) has been correctly
reported.
Is the price data reported above:

√ if Yes

In actual dollars (not $1,000)?
F.o.b. U.S. point of shipment (i.e., does not include U.S. transport costs)?
Net of all discounts and rebates?
Have returns credited to the quarter in which the sale occurred?
Less than reported commercial shipments in question II-7 in each year?
IV-3 (b). 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.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Plastic Decorative Ribbon (Final)
IV-4.

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

IV-5.

Contracts

Set
price
lists

Other

If other, describe

Discount policy.--Please indicate and describe your firm’s discount policies (check all that apply).

Quantity
discounts

IV-6.

Page 35

Annual
total
volume
discounts

No
discount
policy

Other

Describe

Pricing terms.-(a)

What are your firm’s typical sales terms for its U.S.-produced plastic decorative ribbon?
Net 30
days

(b)

Net 60
days

2/10 net
30 days

Other

Other (specify)

On what basis are your firm’s prices of domestic plastic decorative ribbon usually quoted
(check one)?
Delivered

F.o.b.

If f.o.b., specify point

Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Plastic Decorative Ribbon (Final)
IV-7.

Contract versus spot.--Approximately what share of your firm’s sales of its U.S.-produced plastic
decorative ribbon in 2017 was on a (1) long-term contract basis, (2) annual contract basis, (3)
short-term contract basis, and (4) spot sales basis?

Item
Share of 2017
sales
IV-8.

Page 36

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

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

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
U.S.-produced plastic decorative ribbon (or check “not applicable” if your firm does not sell on a
long-term, short-term and/or annual contract basis).

Typical sales
contract provisions

Item

Average contract
duration

No. of
days

Price renegotiation
(during contract
period)

Yes

Fixed quantity
and/or price
Meet or release
provision
Not applicable

No
Quantity
Price
Both
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. Producers’ Questionnaire – Plastic Decorative Ribbon (Final)
IV-9.

Page 37

Lead times.--What is your firm’s share of sales 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 its U.S.-produced plastic decorative ribbon?
Share of 2017
sales

Source
From inventory

%

Produced to order

%

Total (should sum to 100.0%)

Lead time (Average
number of days)

0.0 %

IV-10. Shipping information.-(a)

What is the approximate percentage of the cost of U.S.-produced plastic decorative
ribbon 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)

Indicate the approximate percentage of your firm’s sales of plastic decorative ribbon
that are delivered the following distances from its production facility.
Distance from production facility

Share

Within 100 miles

%

101 to 1,000 miles

%

Over 1,000 miles

%

Total (should sum to 100.0%)

0.0

%

IV-11. Geographical shipments.--In which U.S. geographic market area(s) has your firm sold its U.S.produced plastic decorative ribbon since January 1, 2015 (check all that apply)?
Geographic area
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.

√ if applicable

Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Plastic Decorative Ribbon (Final)

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IV-12. Online retail sales.--Have online retail sales of plastic decorative ribbon increased in prevalence
since January 1, 2015?

No

Yes

If yes, please describe, including a discussion of the impact of this trend on
your firm’s operations.

IV-13. End uses.--List the end uses of the plastic decorative ribbon that your firm manufactures. For
each end-use product, what percentage of the total cost is accounted for by plastic decorative
ribbon and other inputs?
Share of total cost of end use product
accounted for by

End-use product

Plastic decorative
ribbon

Total
(should sum to
100.0% across)

Other inputs

%

%

0.0 %

%

%

0.0 %

%

%

0.0 %

IV-14. Substitutes.--Can other products be substituted for plastic decorative ribbon?
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 plastic decorative
ribbon?
No Yes

Explanation

Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Plastic Decorative Ribbon (Final)

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IV-15. Demand trends.--Indicate how demand within the United States and outside of the United
States (if known) for plastic decorative ribbon has changed since January 1, 2015. Explain any
trends and describe the principal factors that have affected these changes in demand.

Overall
increase

Market

Fluctuate
No
Overall
with no
change decrease clear trend

Explanation and factors

Within the United States
Outside the United States
IV-16. Product changes.--Have there been any significant changes in the product range, product mix,
or marketing of plastic decorative ribbon since January 1, 2015?
No

Yes

If yes, please describe and quantify if possible.

IV-17. Conditions of competition.-(a) Is the plastic decorative ribbon market subject to business cycles (other than general
economy-wide conditions) and/or other conditions of competition distinctive to plastic
decorative ribbon? If yes, describe.
Check all that apply.

Please describe.

No

Skip to question IV-18.

Yes-Business cycles (e.g.
seasonal business)
List the 3 months with the
largest sales
Report the percent of your
sales in these top 3 months

percent

Yes-Other distinctive
conditions of competition
(b) If yes, have there been any changes in the business cycles or conditions of competition for
plastic decorative ribbon since January 1, 2015?
No

Yes

If yes, describe.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Plastic Decorative Ribbon (Final)

Page 40

IV-18. Supply constraints.--Has your firm refused, declined, or been unable to supply plastic decorative
ribbon 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.

IV-19. Raw materials.--How have plastic decorative ribbon raw material prices changed since January
1, 2015?
Fluctuate
Overall
No
Overall with no clear
increase change decrease
trend

Raw Material

Explain, noting how raw material price
changes have affected your firm’s selling
prices for plastic decorative ribbon.

Polypropylene
All other raw materials
IV-20. Sales over internet.--Does your firm sell plastic decorative ribbon over the internet?

No

Yes

Share of 2017
sales
(percent)
If yes, please describe trends.

IV-21. Competition over internet.--Since January 1, 2015, has competition from internet sales
increased, decreased, or remained constant?

Item
Competition
over internet

Overall
increase

No
change

Fluctuate
Overall
with no
decrease clear trend

Explain impact on your firm's
operations

Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Plastic Decorative Ribbon (Final)

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IV-22. Interchangeability.--Is plastic decorative ribbon produced in the United States and in other
countries interchangeable (i.e., can they physically be used in the same applications)?
Please indicate A, F, S, N, or 0 in the table below:
A = the products from a specified country-pair are always interchangeable
F = the products are frequently interchangeable
S = the products are sometimes interchangeable
N = the products are never interchangeable
0 = no familiarity with products from a specified country-pair

Country-pair

China

Other countries

United States
China
For any country-pair producing plastic decorative ribbon that is sometimes or never
interchangeable, identify the country-pair and explain the factors that limit or preclude
interchangeable use:

Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Plastic Decorative Ribbon (Final)

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IV-23. Factors other than price.--Are differences other than price (e.g., quality, availability,
transportation network, product range, technical support, etc.) between plastic decorative
ribbon 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

Other countries

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

Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Plastic Decorative Ribbon (Final)

Page 43

IV-24. Customer identification.--List the names and contact information for your firm’s 10 largest U.S.
customers for plastic decorative ribbon since January 1, 2015. Indicate the share of the quantity
of your firm’s total shipments of plastic decorative ribbon that each of these customers
accounted for in 2017.

Customer’s name
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

City

State

Share of 2017
sales (%)

Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Plastic Decorative Ribbon (Final)

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IV-25. Competition from imports.-(a)

Lost revenue.--Since January 1, 2015: To avoid losing sales to competitors selling plastic
decorative ribbon from China, did your firm:
Item

No

Yes

Reduce prices
Roll back announced price increases
(b)

Lost sales.--Since January 1, 2015: Did your firm lose sales of plastic decorative ribbon
to imports of this product from China?
No

Yes

IV-26. Other explanations.--If your firm would like to further explain a response to a question in Part
IV 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. Producers’ Questionnaire – Plastic Decorative Ribbon (Final)

Page 45

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/plastic_decorative_ribbon_china/final.ht
m.
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: DECO

• E-mail.—E-mail the MS Word questionnaire to hangyul.chang@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 produce 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.