18-3-3922 US purchasers' questionnaire

OMB No. 3117-0016/USITC No. 18-3-3922; Expiration Date: 6/30/2020
(No response is required if currently valid OMB control number is not displayed)

U.S. PURCHASERS’ QUESTIONNAIRE
COMMON ALLOY ALUMINUM SHEET FROM CHINA
This questionnaire must be received by the Commission by August 31, 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 duty investigations concerning common alloy aluminum sheet
from China (Inv. Nos. 701-TA-591 and 731-TA-1399 (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 Emily Burke (202-205-3191,
emily.burke@usitc.gov).

Name of firm
Address
City

State

Zip Code

Website
Has your firm purchased common alloy aluminum sheet (“CAAS”) or aluminum can stock (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: CAAS)
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

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Common Alloy Aluminum Sheet (Final)

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PART I.—GENERAL INFORMATION
Background.--This proceeding was instituted in response to a notification of investigations self-initiated by
the U.S. Department of Commerce (“Commerce”). That notification was deemed by the Commission as
having been filed on December 1, 2017. Countervailing and antidumping duties may be assessed on the
subject imports as a result of these proceedings if the Commission makes an affirmative determination of
injury, threat, or material retardation, and if Commerce makes an affirmative determination of
subsidization and dumping. Questionnaires and other information pertinent to this proceeding are
available at:
https://www.usitc.gov/investigations/701731/2018/common_alloy_aluminum_sheet_china/final.htm.
Common alloy aluminum sheet (“CAAS”).--The merchandise covered by these investigations is common
alloy aluminum sheet (“CAAS”), which is a flat-rolled aluminum product having a thickness of 6.3 mm or
less, but greater than 0.2 mm, in coils or cut-to-length, regardless of width. CAAS within the scope of this
proceeding includes both not clad aluminum sheet, as well as multi-alloy, clad aluminum sheet. With
respect to not clad aluminum sheet, CAAS is manufactured from a 1XXX-, 3XXX-, or 5XXX-series alloy as
designated by the Aluminum Association. With respect to multi-alloy, clad aluminum sheet, CAAS is
produced from a 3XXX-series core, to which cladding layers are applied to either one or both sides of the
core.
CAAS may be made to ASTM specification B209-14, but can also be made to other specifications.
Regardless of specification, however, all CAAS meeting the scope description is included in the scope.
Subject merchandise includes CAAS that has been further processed in a third country, including but not
limited to annealing, tempering, painting, varnishing, trimming, cutting, punching, and/or slitting, or any
other processing that would not otherwise remove the merchandise from the scope of the investigations if
performed in the country of manufacture of the CAAS.
Excluded from the scope of these investigations is aluminum can stock (as defined below).
Where the nominal and actual measurements vary, a product is within the scope if application of either the
nominal or actual measurement would place it within the scope based on the definitions set for the above.
CAAS is currently classifiable under Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (“HTSUS”) statistical
reporting numbers 7606.11.3060, 7606.11.6000, 7606.12.3090, 7606.12,6000, 7606.91.3090,
7606.91.6080, 7606.92.3090, and 7606.92.6080. Further, merchandise that falls within the scope of these
investigations may also be entered into the United States under HTSUS statistical reporting numbers
7606.11.3030, 7606.12.3030, 7606.91.3060, 7606.91.6040, 7606.92.3060, 7606.92.6040, 7607.11.9090.
Although the HTSUS statistical reporting numbers are provided for convenience and customs purposes, the
written description of the scope of these investigations is dispositive.
Aluminum can stock.--Aluminum can stock is aluminum sheet or foil suitable for use in the manufacture of
aluminum beverage cans bodies (“body stock”), lids of such cans, or tabs (“lid stock”) used to open such
cans. Aluminum can stock, for the purposes of data gathered in this questionnaire, is limited to gauges that
range from 0.200 mm to 0.292 mm (i.e., thicknesses otherwise matching the in-scope thicknesses for
CAAS). Most aluminum can stock is produced with an H-19, H-41, H-48, or H-391 temper. In addition,
aluminum can stock may have a lubricant applied to its flat surfaces to facilitate its movement through
machines used in the manufacture of beverage cans. Aluminum can stock is properly classified under
HTSUS statistical reporting numbers 7606.12.3045 (body stock) and 7606.12.3055 (lid stock).

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Aluminum foil.--Aluminum foil is defined as aluminum with a thickness of 0.2 mm or less.
Aluminum plate.--Aluminum plate is defined as aluminum with a thickness of greater than 6.3 mm.
Brazing aluminum tube stock (“brazing stock”).--Aluminum brazing tube stock (“brazing stock”) is defined
as a composite material consisting of multiple sheets of aluminum alloy metallurgically bonded to one
another, with the center or “core” alloy generally being much thicker than the outer “clad” (or “filler”)
layers. It consists of a high-end, often proprietary, core alloy and one or more layers of braze clad. The
material is typically 0.05mm to 1.0mm in thickness, of which the cladding generally represents 10% ± 2%.
Aluminum brazing tube stock is used in such applications as automotive heat exchangers (HEX) and heating,
ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment.
This definition of brazing stock covers both “in-scope brazing stock” and “out-of-scope brazing stock”. Inscope brazing stock is defined as brazing stock meeting the scope thickness range (i.e. having a thickness of
6.3mm or less, but greater than 0.2mm), and data relating to in-scope brazing stock should be reported
generally as a subset of data reported in parts II, III, and IV of this questionnaire, and on a stand-alone basis
in part V of this questionnaire. Out-of-scope brazing stock is defined as brazing stock having a thickness of
0.2mm of less, and data relating to out-of-scope brazing stock should NOT be reported in most of this
questionnaire, with the notable exception of question II-17 dedicated to this merchandise
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.

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Common Alloy Aluminum Sheet (Final)
I-1.

Page 4

Establishments covered.--Provide the name and address of your U.S. establishment(s) covered by
this questionnaire, if different from that listed on the cover page. Firms operating more than one
establishment should combine the data for all establishments into a single response.
“Establishment”--Each facility of a firm involved in the purchase of CAAS, including auxiliary
facilities operated in conjunction with (whether or not physically separate from) such facilities.

I-2.

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

I-3.

Address

Extent of ownership
(percent)

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

I-4.

Yes--List the following information.

Yes--List the following information.
Country

Affiliation

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

Yes--List the following information.
Country

Affiliation

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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

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Common Alloy Aluminum Sheet (Final)
II-1.

Page 6

Purchases.—
(a) Report your firm’s total U.S. purchases of CAAS and brazing aluminum tube stock by product type
and source. Do not include purchases for which your firm served as the importer of record in part
"a", those should be reported separately in part "b".
“Purchase” – Purchase from a U.S. entity such as a U.S. producer, a U.S. importer, or other U.S.
firm.
“Import” – Purchase directly from a foreign supplier and your firm is the importer of record.
2015
Item

2016

2017

Quantity (in short tons)

Purchases of CAAS produced in—
United States:
In-scope brazing stock
Other, non-clad in-scope CAAS
Other, clad in-scope CAAS
Subtotal: United States

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

China:
In-scope brazing stock
Other, non-clad in-scope CAAS
Other, clad in-scope CAAS
Subtotal: China
Canada:
In-scope brazing stock
Other, non-clad in-scope CAAS
Other, clad in-scope CAAS
Subtotal: China
All other countries:
In-scope brazing stock
1

Other, non-clad in-scope CAAS
Other, clad in-scope CAAS
Subtotal: All other countries
Unknown sources:
In-scope brazing stock
Other, non-clad in-scope CAAS
Other, clad in-scope CAAS
Subtotal: Unknown sources
Total purchases
1

Please identify these countries:

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Common Alloy Aluminum Sheet (Final)
II-1.

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Purchases.--Continued
(b) Imports.--Report your firm’s total U.S. imports (i.e., purchases for which your firm served as the
importer of record for Customs purposes) of CAAS by product type and source. If your firm was an
importer of record, please also download and complete the U.S. Importers' Questionnaire.
2015
Item

2016

2017

Quantity (in short tons)

Imports of CAAS produced in—
China:
In-scope brazing stock
Other, non-clad in-scope CAAS
Other, clad in-scope CAAS
Subtotal: China

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Canada:
In-scope brazing stock
Other, non-clad in-scope CAAS
Other, clad in-scope CAAS
Subtotal: All other countries
All other countries:
In-scope brazing stock
1

Other, non-clad in-scope CAAS
Other, clad in-scope CAAS
Subtotal: All other countries
Total imports
1

Please identify these countries:

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Common Alloy Aluminum Sheet (Final)
II-2.

Page 8

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

Explanation for trend

United
States
China
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 CAAS market.
United
States

II-4.

China

Canada

Other
countries

Other countries (specify)

Supplier identification.--Please list your firm’s FIVE largest suppliers for CAAS since January 1,
2015. Also, provide the share of the quantity of your firm’s total purchases of CAAS that each of
these suppliers accounted for in 2017.

No.

Supplier’s name

City and state

Share of quantity of
2017 purchases

1

%

2

%

3

%

4

%

5

%

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PART III.--MARKET CHARACTERISTICS AND PURCHASING PRACTICES
PLEASE NOTE: In Parts III and IV of the questionnaire, if any of your answers differ between in-scope
brazing stock that meets the definition of CAAS and all CAAS other than brazing stock, please note
that difference in that response. If no open-ended response box is available, note those
distinctions in Question VI-1 near the end of the questionnaire.
III-1.

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

End user
(construction)

End user
(can mfg.)

End user
(other)

Distributor

Other

Describe other:
If your firm is a distributor of CAAS, 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 CAAS?
No

III-3.

Yes

If yes, please describe.

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

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

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

III-5.

CAAS

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 CAAS changed since January 1,
2015?
Increased

(b)

No change

Decreased

Fluctuated

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

Yes

Explain

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Common Alloy Aluminum Sheet (Final)
III-6.

Page 11

Substitutes.--Can other products be substituted for CAAS?
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 CAAS?
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 CAAS 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 CAAS from one country in
particular over other possible sources of supply?
No

Yes

If yes, identify the countries and explain.

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Common Alloy Aluminum Sheet (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 CAAS that required CAAS 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 CAAS
%
%
%
%
0.0 %

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

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

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 CAAS
since January 1, 2015?
No

Yes

If yes, describe.

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Common Alloy Aluminum Sheet (Final)

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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 CAAS 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 CAAS 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
Subject imports
Nonsubject imports
III-13. Supply constraints.--Has any firm refused, declined, or been unable to supply your firm with CAAS
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.)?
Product
Clad, in-scope CAAS
Brazing stock
Other CAAS (standard
width)
Other CAAS (wide
width:
inches)

No

Yes

If yes, please describe.

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

Yes

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

III-15. Purchasing frequency.-(a)

How frequently does your firm make purchases of CAAS (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-16. Number of suppliers contacted.--How many suppliers does your firm generally contact before
making a purchase? Between
and
firms
III-17. Supplier negotiations.--Do your firm’s purchases of CAAS 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-18. 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.

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III-19. New suppliers.--Are you aware of any new suppliers, either foreign or domestic, that have entered
the market since January 1, 2015?
No

Yes

If yes, please identify the firms.

III-20. Supplier qualification.--Do you require your suppliers to be or to become certified or qualified to
sell CAAS to your firm?
If yes, provide the following information.
• The number of days to qualify a new supplier.
• A general description of the certification or qualification process. Also, a brief description
of the factors that you consider when qualifying a new supplier (e.g., quality of product,
reliability of supplier, etc.).

No

Yes

Number
of days Process and factors

III-21. Failure to certify.--Since January 1, 2015, have any domestic or foreign producers failed in their
attempts to certify or qualify their CAAS with your firm or have any producers lost their approved
status?

No

Yes

If yes, please identify these firms, the countries where they are located,
and the reasons why they failed the certification/qualification.

III-22. Major purchasing factors.--Please list, in order of their importance, the main factors your firm
considers in deciding from whom to purchase CAAS (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:

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

Factor

Very
important

Somewhat
important

Not
important

Availability
Availability of wide-width CAAS
Delivery terms
Delivery time
Discounts offered
Extension of credit
Minimum quantity requirements
Packaging
Price
Product consistency
Product range
Quality meets industry standards
Quality exceeds industry standards
Reliability of supply
Technical support/service
U.S. transportation costs
III-24. Quality characteristics.--What characteristics does your firm consider when determining the
quality of CAAS? If these characteristics are only available from certain suppliers, please name
those suppliers.

III-25. Choice of product not based on price.--If you purchased CAAS from one country source although a
comparable product was available from another country source at a lower price, please explain
your reasons for doing so (please specify by country).

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III-26. Minimum quality.--How often does CAAS from the following countries meet minimum quality
specifications for your uses or your customers’ uses?
Source

Always

Usually

Sometimes

Rarely or
never

Don’t
know

United States
China
Canada
Other:
III-27. Frequency of decisions based on price.--How often does your firm purchase the CAAS that is
offered at the lowest price?
Always

Usually

Sometimes

Never

III-28. Price leaders.--A price leader is defined as (1) one or more firms that initiate a price change, either
upward or downward, that is followed by other firms, or (2) one or more firms that have a
significant impact on prices. A price leader is not necessarily the lowest-priced supplier.
Please list the names of any firms you considered price leaders in the CAAS market since January 1,
2015.
Firm(s)

Describe how the firm(s) exhibited price leadership

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

Since January 2015, did your firm purchase imports of CAAS from China instead of U.S.produced CAAS?

Source
China:
In-scope brazing stock
Other, non-clad in-scope
CAAS
Other, clad in-scope
CAAS
(b)

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

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

Yes

China:
In-scope brazing stock
Other, non-clad in-scope
CAAS
Other, clad in-scope
CAAS
(c)

No
(If “No,” skip to next question)

No

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

Source
China:
In-scope brazing stock
Other, non-clad in-scope
CAAS
Other, clad in-scope
CAAS

Yes

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

No

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

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

Since January 1, 2015, in connection with a sale or offer to sell CAAS to your firm, did U.S.
producers reduce their prices of domestically produced CAAS in order to compete with
lower-priced imports of CAAS from China?

Source
China:
In-scope brazing stock
Other, non-clad in-scope
CAAS
Other, clad in-scope
CAAS
(b)

Yes (also respond to
question part (b))

No (If “No,” skip to
next question)

Don’t know

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
China:
In-scope brazing stock

Estimated reduction
in U.S. prices
(percent)
%

Other, non-clad in-scope
CAAS

%

Other, clad in-scope
CAAS

%

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

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III-31. Raw material costs.—
(a)

How have CAAS raw material prices changed since January 1, 2015?

Fluctuate
Overall
No
Overall
with no
increase change decrease clear trend

(b)

No

(c)

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

Do changes in raw material costs affect your firm’s price negotiations with your CAAS
suppliers?
Yes

If yes, please explain.

Are your firm’s purchases of CAAS indexed to raw material costs or indices, including, but
not limited to, indices such as the London Metals Exchange or the Midwest Premium?

No

Yes

If yes, please specify the indices, how they are indexed (e.g., to the last
month’s average value), and how those indices may have changed since
January 1, 2015.

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PART IV.—PRODUCT COMPARISONS
IV-1.

Interchangeability.--Is CAAS 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

Canada

Other countries

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

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Common Alloy Aluminum Sheet (Final)
IV-2.

Page 22

Factors other than price.--Are differences other than price (e.g., quality, availability, transportation
network, product range, technical support, etc.) between CAAS produced in the United States and
in other countries a significant factor in your firm’s purchases of the products?
Please indicate A, F, S, N, or 0 in the table below:
A = such differences are always significant
F = such differences are frequently significant
S = such differences are sometimes significant
N = such differences are never significant
0 = no familiarity with products from a specified country-pair
Country-pair

China

Canada

Other countries

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

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Common Alloy Aluminum Sheet (Final)
IV-3.

Page 23

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

Inferior

Comparable

Product from
China
compared to
product from
Canada

Superior

Inferior

Comparable

Product from
United States
compared to
product from
Canada

Superior

Inferior

Comparable

Factor

Superior

Product from
United States
compared to
product from
China

Availability
Availability of wide-width CAAS
Delivery terms
Delivery time
Discounts offered
Extension of credit
Minimum quantity requirements
Packaging
Price1
Product consistency
Product range
Quality meets industry standards
Quality exceeds industry standards
Reliability of supply
Technical support/service
U.S. transportation costs1
A rating of superior on price and U.S. transportation costs indicates that the first country generally has lower
prices/U.S. transportation costs than the second country.
1

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Common Alloy Aluminum Sheet (Final)
IV-3.

Page 24

Continued.

If you are unfamiliar with the product from a particular country, please leave the boxes for those country
comparisons blank.

Inferior

Comparable

Superior

Inferior

Comparable

Superior

Inferior

Comparable

Factor

Superior

Product from
Product from
Product from
United States
China
Canada
compared to
compared to
compared to
product from
product from
product from
All other countries All other countries All other countries

Availability
Availability of wide-width CAAS
Delivery terms
Delivery time
Discounts offered
Extension of credit
Minimum quantity requirements
Packaging
Price1
Product consistency
Product range
Quality meets industry standards
Quality exceeds industry standards
Reliability of supply
Technical support/service
U.S. transportation costs1
A rating of superior on price and U.S. transportation costs indicates that the first country generally has lower
prices/U.S. transportation costs than the second country.
1

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PART V.--ALTERNATIVE PRODUCT INFORMATION
Further information on this part of the questionnaire can be obtained from Nathanael Comly (202-2053174, nathanael.comly@usitc.gov) and/or Emily Kim (202-205-1800, emily.kim@usitc.gov).
V-1.

Comparability of certain in-scope and out of scope aluminum products.-- For each of the following
indicate whether listed aluminum products are: fully comparable or the same, i.e., have no
differentiation between them; mostly comparable or similar; somewhat comparable or similar;
never or not-at-all comparable or similar; or no familiarity with products.
F: fully comparable or the same, i.e., have no differentiation between them;
M: mostly comparable or similar;
S: somewhat comparable or similar;
N: never or not-at-all comparable or similar; or
0: no familiarity with products.
(a) Physical Characteristics and End Uses.--The differences and similarities in the physical
characteristics and end uses.

Product-pair

Comparison

Please provide a narrative discussion for the
comparability ratings you provided in terms of their
physical characteristics and uses:

In-scope brazing stock vs all other
in-scope CAAS
Out-of-scope aluminum can stock
vs all forms of in-scope CAAS

(b) Interchangeability.--The ability to substitute the products in the same application.

Product-pair
In-scope brazing stock vs all other inscope CAAS
Out-of-scope aluminum can stock vs
all forms of in-scope CAAS

Comparison

Please provide a narrative discussion for the
comparability ratings you provided in terms of their
interchangeability:

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Common Alloy Aluminum Sheet (Final)
V-1.

Page 26

Comparability of certain in-scope and out of scope aluminum products.--Continued
F: fully comparable or the same, i.e., have no differentiation between them;
M: mostly comparable or similar;
S: somewhat comparable or similar;
N: never or not-at-all comparable or similar; or
0: no familiarity with products.
(c) Manufacturing facilities, production processes, and production employees.--Whether
manufactured in the same facilities, from the same inputs, on the same machinery and
equipment, and using the same employees.

Product-pair

Comparison

Please provide a narrative discussion for the
comparability ratings you provided in terms of their
manufacturing facilities, production processes, and
production employees:

In-scope brazing stock vs all other inscope CAAS
Out-of-scope aluminum can stock vs
all forms of in-scope CAAS

(d) Channels of distribution.--Channels of distribution/market situation through which the
products are sold (i.e., sold direct to end users, through wholesaler/distributors, etc.).

Product-pair
In-scope brazing stock vs all other inscope CAAS
Out-of-scope aluminum can stock vs
all forms of in-scope CAAS

Comparison

Please provide a narrative discussion for the
comparability ratings you provided in terms of their
channels of distribution:

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Common Alloy Aluminum Sheet (Final)
V-1.

Page 27

Comparability of certain in-scope and out of scope aluminum products.--Continued
F: fully comparable or the same, i.e., have no differentiation between them;
M: mostly comparable or similar;
S: somewhat comparable or similar;
N: never or not-at-all comparable or similar; or
0: no familiarity with products.
(e) Customer and producer perceptions.--Perceptions as to the differences and/or
similarities in the market (e.g., sales/marketing practices).

Product-pair

Comparison

Please provide a narrative discussion for the
comparability ratings you provided in terms of their
customer and product perceptions:

In-scope brazing stock vs all other inscope CAAS
Out-of-scope aluminum can stock vs
all forms of in-scope CAAS
(f) Price.--Whether prices are comparable or differ between the products.

Product-pair
In-scope brazing stock vs all other
in-scope CAAS
Out-of-scope aluminum can stock vs
all forms of in-scope CAAS

Comparison

Please provide a narrative discussion for the
comparability ratings you provided in terms of their
price:

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Common Alloy Aluminum Sheet (Final)

Page 28

Purchases of aluminum can stock.--

V-2.

(a) Report your firm’s total U.S. purchases of aluminum can stock by product type and source. Do
not include purchases for which your firm served as the importer of record in part "a", those
should be reported separately in part "b".
2015
Item

2016

2017

Quantity (in short tons)

Purchases of aluminum can stock produced in:
United States
China
Canada
All other countries1
Unknown sources
Total purchases
1

0

0

0

Please identify these countries:
(b) Imports.--Report your firm’s total U.S. imports (i.e., purchases for which your firm served as
the importer of record for Customs purposes) of aluminum can stock by product type and
source. If your firm was an importer of record, please also download and complete the U.S.
Importers' Questionnaire.
2015
Item

2016

2017

Quantity (in short tons)

Imports of aluminum can stock produced in:
China
Canada
All other countries1
Unknown sources
Total purchases
1

0

0

0

Please identify these countries:

V-3.

Purchase switching.--Since January 1, 2015, has your firm switched from purchasing in-scope CAAS
to purchases of aluminum can stock?

No

Yes

If yes, please explain when and why you switched, along with the
quantities involved

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Common Alloy Aluminum Sheet (Final)

Page 29

PART VI.—ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
VI-1. Effect of 232 investigation of aluminum on conditions of competition.-(a)

Are you familiar with the 232 investigation conducted by the United States under section
232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 as amended (19 U.S.C. § 1862) on imports of
certain aluminum products and the related proclamations issued by the President or the
subsequent imposition of tariffs on imported aluminum products?
No--Skip to VI-2

(b)

Yes--Please fill out the table.

Did the announcement of the section 232 investigation in April 2017 or the President’s
subsequent issuance of proclamations and imposition of tariffs on certain imported
aluminum products beginning in March 2018 impact the conditions of competition for
CAAS?
No

Yes If yes, describe.

Announcement of the section 232
investigation in April 2017
Issuance of proclamations on certain
imported aluminum products
beginning in March 2018
VI-2.

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.

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Common Alloy Aluminum Sheet (Final)
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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.

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Common Alloy Aluminum Sheet (Final)

Page 31

HOW TO FILE YOUR QUESTIONNAIRE RESPONSE
This questionnaire is available as a “fillable” form in MS Word format on the Commission’s
website at:
https://www.usitc.gov/investigations/701731/2018/common_alloy_aluminum_sheet_china/final.htm
Please do not attempt to modify the format or permissions of the questionnaire
document. Please submit the completed questionnaire using one of the methods noted
below. If your firm is unable to complete the MS Word questionnaire or cannot use one of
the electronic methods of submission, please contact the Commission for further
instructions.
• Upload via Secure Drop Box.—Upload the MS Word questionnaire along with a scanned copy of the
signed certification page (page 1) through the Commission’s secure upload facility:
Web address: https://dropbox.usitc.gov/oinv/

Pin: CAAS

• E-mail.—E-mail the MS Word questionnaire to Emily Burke, emily.burke@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 or aluminum can stock, 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 (202-2051803). 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.