20-3-4195 U.S. purchasers' questionnaire

OMB No. 3117-0016/USITC No. 20-3-4195; Expiration Date: 6/30/2020
(No response is required if currently valid OMB control number is not displayed)

U.S. PURCHASERS’ QUESTIONNAIRE
GLASS CONTAINERS FROM CHINA
This questionnaire must be received by the Commission by March 24, 2020
See last page for filing instructions.
The information called for in this questionnaire is for use by the United States International Trade Commission in
connection with its antidumping and countervailing duty investigations concerning glass containers from China (Inv. Nos.
701-TA-630 and 731-TA-1462 (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)). Further
information on this questionnaire can be obtained from Pamela Davis (202-205-2218, pamela.davis@usitc.gov).
Name of firm
Address
City

State

Zip Code

Website
Has your firm purchased, or imported for its own use or retail sale, glass containers (as defined on next page)
from any source (domestic or foreign) at any time since January 1, 2017?

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

Title of Authorized Official

Date

Signature

Phone

Email address

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire – Glass Containers (Final)

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PART I.—GENERAL INFORMATION
Background.-- This proceeding was instituted in response to petitions filed on September 25, 2019, by
the American Glass Packaging Coalition, Tampa, Florida and Chicago, Illinois. Countervailing and/or
antidumping duties may be assessed on the subject imports as a result of these proceedings if the
Commission makes affirmative determinations of injury, threat, or material retardation, and if the U.S.
Department of Commerce (“Commerce”) makes affirmative determinations of subsidization and/or
dumping. Questionnaires and other information pertinent to this proceeding are available at
https://www.usitc.gov/investigations/701731/2019/glass_containers_china/final.htm.
Glass containers covered by these investigations is certain glass containers with a nominal capacity of
0.059 liters (2.0 fluid ounces) up to and including 4.0 liters (135.256 fluid ounces) and an opening or
mouth with a nominal outer diameter of 14 millimeters up to and including 120 millimeters. The scope
includes glass jars, bottles, flasks and similar containers; with or without their closures; whether clear or
colored; and with or without design or functional enhancements (including, but not limited to, handles,
embossing, labeling, or etching).
Excluded from the scope of the investigations are: (1) Glass containers made of borosilicate glass,
meeting United States Pharmacopeia requirements for Type 1 pharmaceutical containers; (2) glass
containers without “mold seams,” “joint marks,” or “parting lines;” and (3) glass containers without a
“finish” (i.e., the section of a container at the opening including the lip and ring or collar, threaded or
otherwise compatible with a type of closure to seal the container’s contents, including but not limited to
a lid, cap, or cork).
Glass containers subject to these investigations are specified within the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of
the United States (HTSUS) under subheadings 7010.90.5005, 7010.90.5009, 7010.90.5015,
7010.90.5019, 7010.90.5025, 7010.90.5029, 7010.90.5035, 7010.90.5039, 7010.90.5045, 7010.90.5049,
and 7010.90.5055. The HTSUS subheadings are provided for convenience and customs purposes only.
The written description of the scope of the 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.
Gross.-- 1 gross = 144 discrete glass containers
Purchaser.--Any firm engaged, either directly or through a parent company or subsidiary, in purchasing
glass containers from another firm that produces, imports, or otherwise distributes glass containers.
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

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire – Glass Containers (Final)

Page 3

numerical business proprietary information (such as discussion of trends) will be treated as confidential
business information only at the request of the submitter for good cause shown.
Verification.--The information submitted in this questionnaire is subject to audit and verification by the
Commission. To facilitate possible verification of data, please keep all files, worksheets, and supporting
documents used in the preparation of the questionnaire response. Please also retain a copy of the final
document that you submit.
Release of information.--The information provided by your firm in response to this questionnaire, as
well as any other business proprietary information submitted by your firm to the Commission in
connection with this proceeding, may become subject to, and released under, the administrative
protective order provisions of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. § 1677f) and section 207.7 of the
Commission’s Rules of Practice and Procedure (19 CFR § 207.7). This means that certain lawyers and
other authorized individuals may temporarily be given access to the information for use in connection
with this proceeding or other import-injury proceedings conducted by the Commission on the same or
similar merchandise; those individuals would be subject to severe penalties if the information were
divulged to unauthorized individuals.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire – Glass Containers (Final)
I-1a.

Page 4

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

I-1b.

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

I-1c.

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

I-2.

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

I-3.

Yes--List the following information, relating to the ultimate parent/owner.
Country

Extent of ownership
(percent)

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

Yes--List the following information.
Country

Affiliation

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire – Glass Containers (Final)
I-4.

Page 5

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

Yes--List the following information.
Country

Affiliation

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire – Glass Containers (Final)

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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
Purchases and imports.--Report separately your firm’s domestic purchases and imports of glass
containers.

II-1.

“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.
2017

2018

Item

2019

Quantity (in gross)

Purchases of glass containers produced
in—
United States
China
Mexico
All other countries1
Sources unknown2
Total purchases

0

0

0

0

0

0

Imports of glass containers from—
China
Mexico
All other countries1
Total imports3

Please identify these countries:
.
Please indicate the firm(s) from which you purchased this merchandise:
.
3
If your firm imported glass containers at any time since January 1, 2017, please also complete
and return a U.S. importers' questionnaire in this proceeding.
1
2

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire – Glass Containers (Final)
II-2.

Page 7

Changes in purchasing patterns.--Please indicate how the shares of your firm’s purchases of
glass containers from different sources have changed since January 1, 2017.

Source of
purchases

Did not
purchase Decreased Increased Constant Fluctuated

Explanation for trend

United States
China
Mexico
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 glass containers market.
United
States

II-4.

China

Mexico

Other
countries

Other countries (specify)

Supplier identification.--Please list your firm’s FIVE largest suppliers for glass containers since
January 1, 2017. This may include another entity in your organization. Also, provide the share of
the quantity of your firm’s total purchases of glass containers that each of these suppliers
accounted for in 2019.

No.

Supplier’s name

City and state

Share of quantity of
2019 purchases

1

%

2

%

3

%

4

%

5

%

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire – Glass Containers (Final)

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

Firm type.--Which of the following best describes your firm as a purchaser of glass containers
(check all that apply)?
Beer
bottler

1

Wine
bottler

Describe other:

Other
Food
beverage
Distributor
manufacturer
bottler

Spirits
bottler

Retailer

Other1

.

If your firm is a distributor of glass containers, 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 glass containers?
No

III-3.

Yes

If yes, please describe.

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

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire – Glass Containers (Final)

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If your firm is an end user of glass containers, please answer questions III-4 and III-5. (e.g., firms that
fill the containers with a product, not the consumer of that product)
III-4.

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

III-5.

Glass containers

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 glass containers changed
since January 1, 2017?
Increased
Beer
Wine
Spirits
Other beverage(s):
Food product 1:
Food product 2:
Food product 3:
Other product 1:
Other product 2:
Other product 3:
Explanations:

No change

Decreased

Fluctuated

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire – Glass Containers (Final)
III-5.

Demand for end-use products.--continued
(b)

Has this had any effect on your firm’s demand for glass containers? Please specify the
type(s) of glass container(s) affected.
No

III-6.

Page 10

Yes

Explain

Substitutes.--Can other products be substituted for glass containers? (Reply “Not a substitute”
in the End Use(s) column if aluminum cans or plastic bottles are not substitutes.)
No

Substitute

Yes--Please fill out the table.

End use(s) in which this
substitute is used1

Have changes in the price of this substitute
affected the price for glass containers?
No Yes

Explanation

1. Aluminum cans
2. Plastic bottles
3.
4.
5.
1

Which of the above-listed substitutes are used by your firm?

.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire – Glass Containers (Final)
III-7.

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Demand trends.-- Indicate how demand within the United States and outside of the United
States (if known) for the indicated glass container products has changed since January 1, 2017.
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:
Beer bottles
Wine bottles
Spirits bottles
Other beverage bottles
Food bottles/jars
Other glass containers
Overall demand
Outside the United States:
III-8.

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

III-9.

Yes

If yes, identify the countries and explain.

Importance of purchasing domestic product.--Please fill out the table below, estimating the
percentage of your firm’s total 2019 purchases of glass containers that required glass containers
produced in the United States.
Estimated percentage of
your firm’s total 2019
purchases of glass
containers

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%)

%
%
%
%
0.0 %

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire – Glass Containers (Final)

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

Is the glass containers market subject to business cycles (other than general economywide conditions) and/or other conditions of competition distinctive to glass containers?

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
glass containers since January 1, 2017?
No

Yes

If yes, describe.

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 glass containers based on its producer
or country of origin?
Item

Always

Usually

Sometimes

Never

If at least sometimes, explain.

Decision based on producer
Your firm
Your
customers
Decision based on country of origin
Your firm
Your
customers

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire – Glass Containers (Final)

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III-12. Availability of supply.--Has the availability of glass containers in the U.S. market changed since
January 1, 2017?
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
glass containers since January 1, 2017 (examples include placing customers on allocation or
“controlled order entry,” declining to accept new customers or renew existing customers,
delivering less than the quantity promised, being unable to meet timely shipment commitments,
etc.)?
No

Yes

If yes, please describe.

III-14. Availability of specific product types.--Are certain grades/types/sizes/traits/packaging of glass
containers only available from certain country sources?

No

Yes

If yes, please identify the countries and the grade/type/size/trait/packaging
and your annual purchase requirements for those products.

III-15. Purchasing frequency.-(a)

How frequently does your firm make purchases of glass containers (check one)?
Daily

(b)

Weekly

Monthly

Quarterly

Annually

Other

Has this purchasing frequency changed since January 1, 2017?
No

Yes

If yes, please describe.

If other, specify

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire – Glass Containers (Final)

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III-16. Purchasing forecasts.-(a)

Do you provide your suppliers of glass containers with forecasts of your purchase
requirements?
Yes, all
suppliers

Yes, some
suppliers

No – skip
to III-17

Explain

(b)

If “yes” to part (a), how far in advance do you typically provide these requirements?
months.

(c)

If your actual purchases exceeded your forecasted purchases at these suppliers, by what
percent did your purchases exceed your forecasts?
2017:

percent

2018:

percent

2019:

percent

III-17. Purchase quantities.-(a)

What were smallest minimum order sizes (in gross) for standard and customized (those
specific to your firm) glass containers offered by the following sources since January 1,
2017?
Supplier

Country

Anchor

United States

Ardagh

United States

Gallo

United States

Owens

United States

Other U.S.:

United States

Other U.S.:

United States
China
China
China
China
China
Mexico
Mexico
Other:
Other:

Standard

Customized

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire – Glass Containers (Final)

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III-17. Purchase quantities-(b)

In 2019, approximately what proportion of your glass container purchases were of the
following sizes? Consider each glass container type (e.g., SKU) separately. Responses
should sum to 100.0% across the row.
201-500
gross

< 200 gross
%

501-1,000
gross

%

1,001-5,000
gross

5,001-10,000
gross

%

%

%

> 10,000
gross

Total
%

0.0

III-18. Minimum order size.--Since January 1, 2017, has your firm had any orders refused, declined, or
turned down due to order size?

No

Yes

If yes, please list all suppliers from which you had orders refused,
declined, or turned down, as well as the time(s) that occurred.

III-19. Packaging type.--For each type of end use for which you purchased glass containers, what
percentage of your firm’s purchases of glass containers are in bulk, case, and other packaging?
Each column should sum to 100.0%.
Packaging
type

Beer

Wine

Other
beverages

Spirits

Food

Bulk

%

%

%

%

%

Case

%

%

%

%

%

Other

%

%

%

%

%

%

0.0 %

Total

0.0

%

0.0

0.0

%

0.0

Is there a price difference between bulk-packed, case-packed, and glass containers packed in
another way?
No

Yes

If yes, what is the average premium for case and other packaging (in percent)?
Case pack premium:

%

Other pack premium:

%

%

%

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire – Glass Containers (Final)

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III-20. Importance of packaging type.--How frequently is packaging type important for your glass
container purchasing decisions?
Always

Usually

Sometimes

Rarely

Never

If at least “sometimes”, explain the factors your firm generally considers important when
choosing packaging type.

III-21. Number of suppliers contacted.--How many suppliers does your firm generally contact before
making a purchase? Between
and
firms
III-22. Supplier negotiations.--Do your firm’s purchases of glass containers 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 or target prices during negotiations.

III-23. Raw material prices.—
(a)

Is your firm familiar with the prices for raw materials used in the production of glass
containers?
No

(b)

Yes – please answer (b)

Has information on raw material prices affected your firm’s negotiations or contracts to
purchase glass containers since 2017?
No

Yes Explain

III-24. Change in suppliers.--Has your firm changed suppliers since January 1, 2017?

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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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire – Glass Containers (Final)

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III-25. New suppliers.--Are you aware of any new suppliers, either foreign or domestic, that have
entered the market since January 1, 2017?
No

Yes

If yes, please identify the firms.

III-26. Supplier qualification.--Do you require your suppliers to be or to become certified or qualified
to sell glass containers 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-27. Failure to certify.--Since January 1, 2017, have any domestic or foreign producers failed in their
attempts to certify or qualify their glass containers 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-28. Major purchasing factors.--Please list, in order of their importance, the main factors your firm
considers in deciding from whom to purchase glass containers (examples include availability,
contracts, extension of credit, minimum order quantity, price, product characteristics, 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-29. Purchasing factors.--Please rate the importance of the following factors in your firm’s
purchasing decisions for glass containers.

Factor
Ability to exceed purchase forecasts
Availability
Container label customization
Container shape customization
Delivery terms
Delivery time
Discounts offered
Minimum order quantities
Packaging type (e.g., case or bulk)
Payment terms
Price
Product consistency
Product range
Quality meets industry standards
Quality exceeds industry standards
Reliability of supply
Specialized design availability
Technical support/service
U.S. transportation costs

Very
important

Somewhat
important

Not
important

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire – Glass Containers (Final)

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III-30. Quality characteristics.--What characteristics does your firm consider when determining the
quality of glass containers?

III-31. Minimum quality.--How often does glass containers from the following countries meet
minimum quality specifications for your uses or your customers’ uses?
Source

Always

Usually

Sometimes

Rarely

Never

Don’t know

United States
China
Mexico
Other:
III-32. Frequency of decisions based on price.--How often does your firm purchase the glass containers
which are offered at the lowest price?
Always

Usually

Sometimes

Rarely

Never

III-33. 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 glass container market
since January 1, 2017.
Firm(s)

Describe how the firm(s) exhibited price leadership

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire – Glass Containers (Final)

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III-34. Purchasing subject imports rather than domestic products.—
(a)

Since January 2017, did your firm import and/or purchase imports of glass containers
from China instead of purchasing U.S.-produced glass containers?
Source

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

No
(If “No”, skip to next question)

China
(b)

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

Yes

No

China
(c)

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

Source

China

Yes

If Yes, estimate the quantity
of imports purchased and/or
imported instead of domestic
product since January 2017
(in gross)

No

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

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire – Glass Containers (Final)

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III-35. U.S. producers and import competition.—
(a)

Since January 1, 2017, in connection with a sale or offer to sell glass containers to your
firm, did U.S. producers reduce their prices of domestically produced glass containers in
order to compete with lower-priced imports of glass containers from the subject
countries?
Source

Yes (also respond to
question part (b))

No (If “No”, skip to next
question)

Don’t know

China
(b)

If your firm responded “yes”, please provide an estimate of the reduction in U.S.
producers’ prices, and any additional explanations, such as timing (e.g., months/years),
frequency of price reductions, or other market/competitive factors.

Source
China

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

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

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire – Glass Containers (Final)

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PART IV.—PRODUCT COMPARISONS
IV-1.

Interchangeability.--Are glass containers produced in the United States and in other countries
interchangeable (i.e., can they be used in the same applications)?
Please indicate A, F, S, I, 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
I = the products are infrequently interchangeable
N = the products are never interchangeable
0 = no familiarity with products from a specified country-pair
Country-pair

China

Mexico

Other countries

United States
China
Mexico
For any country-pair producing glass containers which are sometimes to 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 – Glass Containers (Final)
IV-2.

Page 23

Factors other than price.--Are differences other than price (e.g., quality, availability, minimum
order quantities, transportation network, product range, technical support, etc.) between glass
containers 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, I, 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
I = such differences are infrequently significant
N = such differences are never significant
0 = no familiarity with products from a specified country-pair
Country-pair

China

Mexico

Other countries

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

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire – Glass Containers (Final)
IV-3.

Page 24

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

Superior

Inferior

Comparable

Product from
United States
compared to
product from
Mexico

Superior

Inferior

Comparable

Factor

Superior

Product from
United States
compared to
product from
China

Ability to exceed purchase forecasts
Availability
Container label customization
Container shape customization
Delivery terms
Delivery time
Discounts offered
Minimum order quantities
Packaging
Payment terms
Price1
Product consistency
Product range
Quality meets industry standards
Quality exceeds industry standards
Reliability of supply
Specialized design availability
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

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire – Glass Containers (Final)
IV-3.

Page 25

Continued.

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

Inferior

Comparable

Product from
Mexico
compared to
product from
All other
countries

Superior

Inferior

Comparable

Product from
China
compared to
product from
All other
countries

Superior

Inferior

Comparable

Factor

Superior

Product from
United States
compared to
product from
All other
countries

Ability to exceed purchase forecasts
Availability
Container label customization
Container shape customization
Delivery terms
Delivery time
Discounts offered
Minimum order quantities
Packaging
Payment terms
Price1
Product consistency
Product range
Quality meets industry standards
Quality exceeds industry standards
Reliability of supply
Specialized design availability
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

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire – Glass Containers (Final)

Page 26

PART V.—ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
V-1.

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

V-2.

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

Dollars

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

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire – Glass Containers (Final)

Page 27

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/701731/2020/glass_containers_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: GLASS

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