20-2-4214 U.S. importers' questionnaire

OMB No. 3117-0016/USITC No. 20-2-4214; Expiration Date: 6/30/2020
(No response is required if currently valid OMB control number is not displayed)

U.S. IMPORTERS’ QUESTIONNAIRE
SMALL VERTICAL SHAFT ENGINES FROM CHINA
This questionnaire must be received by the Commission by April 1, 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 countervailing duty and antidumping duty investigations concerning small vertical shaft engines from
China (inv. Nos. 701-TA-643 and 731-TA-1493 (Preliminary)). The information requested in the questionnaire is
requested under the authority of the Tariff Act of 1930, title VII. This report is mandatory and failure to reply as directed
can result in a subpoena or other order to compel the submission of records or information in your firm’s possession (19
U.S.C. § 1333(a)).

Name of firm
Address
City

State

Zip Code

Website
Has your firm imported small vertical shaft engines (as defined on next page) from any country 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: SMENG)
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

Signature

Title of Authorized Official

Phone

Date

Email address

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PART I.—GENERAL INFORMATION
Background.—These proceedings were instituted in response to petitions filed on March 18, 2020, by
Briggs & Stratton Corporation, Wauwatosa, Wisconsin. 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://www.usitc.gov/investigations/701731/2020/small_vertical_shaft_engines_china/preliminary.htm.
Small vertical shaft engines covered by these investigations consist of spark-ignited, non-road, vertical
shaft engines, whether finished or unfinished, whether assembled or unassembled, whether mounted
or unmounted, primarily for walk-behind lawn mowers. Engines meeting this physical description may
also be for other non-hand-held outdoor power equipment, including but not limited to, pressure
washers. The subject engines are spark ignition, single-cylinder, air cooled, internal combustion engines
with vertical power take off shafts with a minimum displacement of 99 cubic centimeters (“cc”) and a
maximum displacement of 225cc. Typically, engines with displacements of this size generate gross
power of between 1.95 kilowatts (“kw”) to 4.75 kw.
Engines covered by this scope normally must comply with and be certified under Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) air pollution controls title 40, chapter I, subchapter U, part 1054 of the Code of
Federal Regulations standards for small non-road spark-ignition engines and equipment. Engines that
otherwise meet the physical description of the scope but are not certified under 40 CFR part 1054 and
are not certified under other parts of subchapter U of the EPA air pollution controls are not excluded
from the scope of these proceedings. Engines that may be certified under both 40 CFR part 1054 as well
as other parts of subchapter U remain subject to the scope of these proceedings.
Certain small vertical shaft engines, whether or not mounted on non-hand-held outdoor power
equipment, including but not limited to walk-behind lawn mowers and pressure washers, are included in
the scope. However, if a subject engine is imported mounted on such equipment, only the engine is
covered by the scope. Subject merchandise includes certain small vertical shaft engines produced in the
subject country whether mounted on outdoor power equipment in the subject country or in a third
country. Subject engines are covered whether or not they are accompanied by other parts.
For purposes of these investigations, an unfinished engine covers at a minimum a sub-assembly
comprised of, but not limited to, the following components: crankcase, crankshaft, camshaft, pistons(s),
and connecting rod(s). Importation of these components together, whether assembled or unassembled,
and whether or not accompanied by additional components such as an oil pan, manifold, cylinder
head(s), valve train, or valve cover(s), constitutes an unfinished engine for purposes of these
investigations. The inclusion of other products such as spark plugs fitted into the cylinder head or
electrical devices (e.g., ignition modules, ignition coils) for synchronizing with the motor to supply
tension current does not remove the product from the scope. The inclusion of any other components
not identified as comprising the unfinished engine subassembly in a third-country does not remove the
engine from the scope.
The engines subject to these investigations are predominantly classified in the Harmonized Tariff
Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) at subheading 8407.90.1010. The engine subassemblies that are
subject to these investigations enter under HTSUS 8409.91.9990. The mounted engines that are subject
to these investigations enter under HTSUS 8433.11.0050, 8433.11.0060, and 8424.30.9000. Engines

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subject to these investigations may also enter under HTSUS 8407.90.1020, 8407.90.9040, and
8407.90.9060. The HTSUS subheadings are provided for convenience and customs purposes only, and
the written description of the merchandise under investigation is dispositive.
Importer.--Any person or firm engaged, either directly or through a parent company or subsidiary, in
importing small vertical shaft engines (as defined above) into the United States from a foreign
manufacturer or through its selling agent.
Reporting of information.--If information is not readily available from your records, provide carefully
prepared estimates. If your firm is completing more than one questionnaire (i.e., a producer, importer,
and/or purchaser questionnaire), you need not respond to duplicated questions.
Confidentiality.--The commercial and financial data furnished in response to this questionnaire that
reveal the individual operations of your firm will be treated as confidential by the Commission to the
extent that such data are not otherwise available to the public and will not be disclosed except as may
be required by law (see 19 U.S.C. § 1677f). Such confidential information will not be published in a
manner that will reveal the individual operations of your firm; however, general characterizations of
numerical business proprietary information (such as discussion of trends) will be treated as confidential
business information only at the request of the submitter for good cause shown.
Verification.--The information submitted in this questionnaire is subject to audit and verification by the
Commission. To facilitate possible verification of data, please keep all files, worksheets, and supporting
documents used in the preparation of the questionnaire response. Please also retain a copy of the final
document that you submit.
Release of information.--The information provided by your firm in response to this questionnaire, as
well as any other business proprietary information submitted by your firm to the Commission in
connection with this proceeding, may become subject to, and released under, the administrative
protective order provisions of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. § 1677f) and section 207.7 of the
Commission’s Rules of Practice and Procedure (19 CFR § 207.7). This means that certain lawyers and
other authorized individuals may temporarily be given access to the information for use in connection
with this proceeding or other import-injury proceedings conducted by the Commission on the same or
similar merchandise; those individuals would be subject to severe penalties if the information were
divulged to unauthorized individuals.
Valid number error messages.--If you are completing this form in a country that uses periods (“.”) to
delineate multiples of 1000 (e.g., one million would appear as $1.000.000 rather than $1,000,000), you
may be unable to enter in numbers greater than 999 in numeric form fields. The solution to this data
entry issue is to temporarily change your operating system’s number formatting to be consistent with
the U.S. number formatting system while you complete this form. Detailed instructions on how to
resolve this issue is provided at the end of this questionnaire and is available upon request from Charles
Cummings (202-708-1666, Charles.Cummings@usitc.gov).
D-GRIDS tool.--The Commission has a tool that firms can use to move data from their own MS Excel
compilation files into self-contained data tables within this MS Word questionnaire, thereby reducing
the amount of cell-by-cell data entry that would be required to complete this form. This tool is a macroenabled MS Excel file available for download from the Commission's generic questionnaires webpage
(https://www.usitc.gov/trade_remedy/question.htm) called the "D-GRIDs tool." Use of this tool to help
your firm complete this questionnaire is optional. Firms opting to use the D-GRIDs tool to populate their
data into this questionnaire will need the D-GRIDs specification sheet PDF file specific to this proceeding

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(available on the case page which is linked under the "Background" above) which includes the necessary
references relating to this questionnaire, as well as the macro-enable MS Excel D-GRIDs tool itself from
the generic questionnaires page. More detailed instructions on how to use the D-GRIDs tool are
available within the D-GRIDs tool itself.
I-1.

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

Dollars

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

Establishments covered.--Provide the name and address of establishment(s) covered by this
questionnaire.
“Establishment”--Each facility of a firm involved in the importation of small vertical shaft
engines, including auxiliary facilities operated in conjunction with (whether or not physically
separate from) such facilities.

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I-2b.

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

I-2c.

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-3.

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

Firm name

I-4.

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, that are engaged in importing small vertical shaft engines from China into the United
States or that are engaged in exporting small vertical shaft engines from China to the United
States?
No
Firm name

Yes--List the following information.
Country

Affiliation

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Small Vertical Shaft Engines from China (Preliminary)
I-5.

Related producers.--Does your firm have any related firms, either domestic or foreign, that are
engaged in the production of small vertical shaft engines?
No

Yes--List the following information.

Firm name

I-6.

Country

Affiliation

Importing operations.--Please indicate the nature of your firm’s importing operations on small
vertical shaft engines. More than one answer may be applicable.
Importer of record

I-7.

Page 6

Takes title to the
imported product(s)

Consignee of the
imported products(s)

Customs broker or
freight forwarder

Consignee.--If your firm is an importer of record of small vertical shaft engines but is not the
consignee, please list the consignees below (firm name, address, telephone number, and
individual to contact).

Firm name

Address

Contact person
and phone
number

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Small Vertical Shaft Engines from China (Preliminary)
I-8.

Page 7

FTZ, TIB, or bonded warehouses.--Please indicate whether your firm enters small vertical shaft
engines into, or withdraws such merchandise from, foreign trade zones or bonded warehouses.
Also indicate whether your firm imports small vertical shaft engines under the TIB (temporary
importation under bond) program.
“Foreign trade zone” is a designated location in the United States where firms utilize special
procedures that allow delayed or reduced customs duty payments on foreign merchandise, as
well as other savings. A foreign trade zone must be designated as such pursuant to the rules
and procedures set forth in the Foreign-Trade Zones Act.
“Bonded warehouse” is a secured facility supervised by U.S. customs, where dutiable landed
imports are stored pending their re-export, or release after payment of import duties, taxes, and
other charges. A bonded warehouse must be designed as such pursuant to the rules and
procedures set forth in 19 U.S.C. § 1555.
“Temporary Importation under Bond (“TIB”) program” is a procedure whereby imported
merchandise may be entered under certain conditions for a limited time into the United States
free of duty. Under the program, an importer posts a bond for twice the amount of duty, taxes,
etc. that would otherwise be owed on the importation and agrees to export or destroy the
merchandise within a specified time or pay liquidated damages. This program is restricted to
certain categories of merchandise listed in subheadings 9813.00.05 through 9813.00.75 of the
Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTS).
Item

No

Yes

Foreign trade zones
Bonded warehouses
Temporary importation under bond
I-9.

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

Yes

If yes, Yes–Please specify.

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PART II.--TRADE AND RELATED INFORMATION
Further information on this part of the questionnaire can be obtained from Charles Cummings (202-7081666, Charles.Cummings@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 importation of small vertical shaft engines since January 1, 2017.
(check as many as appropriate)
Office/warehouse openings
Office/warehouse closings
Relocations
Expansions
Acquisitions
Consolidations
Prolonged shutdowns or
importation curtailments
Revised labor agreements
Other (e.g., technology)

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

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Arranged imports.--Has your firm imported or arranged for the importation of small vertical
shaft engines for delivery after December 31, 2019?
“Arranged imports” are imports for which your firm has placed an order with a foreign supplier
for subject merchandise, but delivery of those imports is not scheduled to occur until after the
date listed above.
No

Yes

If yes, fill out the table below.

Period
Source

Jan-Mar 2020

Apr-Jun 2020

Jul-Sept 2020

Oct-Dec 2020

Quantity (in units)
China
All other sources
II-3b.

Imports in the 12 month period preceding the petition.--Has your firm imported small vertical
shaft engines from any source between March 1, 2019 and February 29, 2020? (i.e., the last ten
months in 2019 and first two months in 2020 combined)
No

Yes

If yes, report the quantity of such import below by source.

March 2019 through February 2020
All small
vertical shaft
engines
Source

Unfinished,
unmounted
engines

Mounted and Mounted and
Finished,
reported
reported
unmounted under primary other HTS
engines
HTS numbers1 numbers2
Quantity (units)

China

0

All other sources

0

Imports of engines mounted on lawn mowers or other machinery and reported for Customs purposes under
statistical reporting numbers 8433.11.0050, 8433.11.0060, and 8424.30.9000.
2 Imports of engines mounted on lawn mowers or other machinery and reported for Customs purposes under
statistical reporting numbers other than those listed in the previous footnote. Please describe the machinery that
include mounted engines and list the statistical reporting numbers used for these imports:
1

II-4.

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

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Definitions
“Imports” –Those products identified for Customs purposes as imports for consumption for
which your firm was the importer of record (i.e., was responsible for paying any import duty).
“Import quantities” –Quantities reported should be net of returns.
“Import values”—Values reported should be landed, duty-paid values at the U.S. port of entry,
including ocean freight and insurance costs, brokerage charges, and import duties (i.e., all
charges except inland freight in the United States).
“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.
“Internal consumption” –Product consumed internally by your firm. Such transactions are
valued at fair market value.
“Transfers to related firms” –Shipments made to related firms. Such transactions are valued at
fair market value.
“Related firm” –A firm that your firm solely or jointly owned, managed, or otherwise controlled;
a firm that solely or jointly owned, managed, or otherwise controlled your firm; and/or a firm
that was solely or jointly owned, managed, or otherwise controlled by a firm that also solely or
jointly owned, managed, or otherwise controlled your firm.
“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.

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II-5a.

Page 11

U.S. imports of unmounted engines from China.–Report your firm’s imports and your firm’s
shipments and inventories of unmounted small vertical shaft engines imported from China by
your firm during the specified periods.

China – unmounted
Quantity (in units), value (in $1,000)
Calendar years
Item

2017

2018

2019

Beginning-of-period inventories (quantity) (A)
U.S. imports:1
Unfinished engines:
Quantity (B)
Value (C)
Finished, unmounted engines:
Quantity (D)
Value (E)
U.S. shipments:
Commercial shipments:
Quantity (F)
Value (G)
Internal consumption / including for retail sale:2
Quantity (H)
Value2 (I)
Transfers to related firms:2
Quantity (J)
Value3 (K)
Export shipments:3
Quantity (L)
Value (M)
End-of-period inventories (quantity) (N)
Please identify the foreign producers, if known:
.
Internal consumption including use for retail sale 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
provided above in this table should be based on fair market value.
3 Identify your firm’s principal export markets:
.
1
2

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U.S. imports from China - unmounted.–Continued

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

2017

2018

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

2019

0

0

0

Explanation if the calculated fields above are returning values other than zero (i.e., “0”) but are nonetheless
accurate:
.
1

II-5b.

Channels of distribution: China - unmounted.--Report your firm’s U.S. shipments (i.e. inclusive
of commercial U.S. shipments, internal consumption, and transfers to related firms) of imports
of unmounted small vertical shaft engines from China by channel of distribution during the
specified periods.

China – unmounted
Quantity (in units)
Calendar years
Item

2017

2018

2019

U.S. shipments:
To distributors or dealers (O)
To OEMs (P)
RECONCILIATION OF CHANNELS.--Please ensure that the quantities reported for channels of distribution
(i.e., lines O and P) in each time period equal the quantity reported for U.S. shipments (i.e., line F, H, J) 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 item
O + P – F – H – J = zero ("0"), if not
revise.

2017

2018
0

2019
0

0

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U.S. imports of mounted engines from China.–Report your firm’s imports and your firm’s
shipments and inventories of mounted small vertical shaft engines imported from China by your
firm during the specified periods.

China – mounted

Quantity (in units), value (in $1,000)
Calendar years
Item

2017

2018

2019

Beginning-of-period inventories (quantity) (A)
U.S. imports:1 2
Mounted and reported under primary HTS
numbers:3
Quantity (B)
Value (C)
Mounted and reported other HTS numbers:4
Quantity (D)
Value (E)
U.S. shipments:
Commercial shipments:
Quantity (F)
Value (G)
Internal consumption / including for retail sale:5
Quantity (H)
Value5 (I)
Transfers to related firms:5
Quantity (J)
Value5 (K)
Export shipments:6
Quantity (L)
Value (M)
End-of-period inventories (quantity) (N)
Please identify the foreign producers, if known:
.
For the value of any imports of engines mounted on lawn mowers or other machinery, report only the value of engine itself. Please confirm
(check=yes), and describe how your firm reported the value of the engine alone (e.g.,
that you only reported the value of the engine alone:
based on "specific invoice records", or based on firm "estimates of the engine's share of total value", et cetera):
.
3 Imports of engines mounted on lawn mowers or other machinery and reported for Customs purposes under statistical reporting numbers
8433.11.0050, 8433.11.0060, and 8424.30.9000.
4 Imports of engines mounted on lawn mowers or other machinery and reported for Customs purposes under statistical reporting numbers
other than those listed in the previous footnote. Please describe the machinery that include mounted engines and list the statistical reporting
numbers used for these imports:
.
5 Internal consumption including use for retail sale 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
provided above in this table should be based on fair market value.
6 Identify your firm’s principal export markets:
.
1
2

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U.S. imports from China - mounted.–Continued

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

2017

2018

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

2019

0

0

0

Explanation if the calculated fields above are returning values other than zero (i.e., “0”) but are nonetheless
accurate:
.
1

II-6b.

Channels of distribution: China - mounted.--Report your firm’s U.S. shipments (i.e. inclusive of
commercial U.S. shipments, internal consumption, and transfers to related firms) of imports of
mounted small vertical shaft engines from China by channel of distribution during the specified
periods.

China – mounted
Quantity (in units)
Calendar years
Item

2017

2018

2019

U.S. shipments:
To distributors or dealers (O)
To OEMs (P)
RECONCILIATION OF CHANNELS.--Please ensure that the quantities reported for channels of distribution
(i.e., lines O and P) in each time period equal the quantity reported for U.S. shipments (i.e., line F, H, J) 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 item
O + P – F – H – J = zero ("0"), if not
revise.

2017

2018
0

2019
0

0

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Page 15

Imports from all other sources.–Report your firm’s imports and your firm’s shipments and
inventories of small vertical shaft engines imported from all other sources by your firm during
the specified periods.

(List sources:

All other sources – unmounted
)
Quantity (in units), value (in $1,000)
Calendar years

Item

2017

2018

2019

Beginning-of-period inventories (quantity) (A)
U.S. imports:1
Unfinished engines:
Quantity (B)
Value (C)
Finished, unmounted engines:
Quantity (D)
Value (E)
U.S. shipments:
Commercial shipments:
Quantity (F)
Value (G)
Internal consumption / including for retail sale:2
Quantity (H)
Value2 (I)
Transfers to related firms:2
Quantity (J)
Value2 (K)
Export shipments:3
Quantity (L)
Value (M)
End-of-period inventories (quantity) (N)
Please identify the foreign producers, if known:
.
Internal consumption including use for retail sale 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
provided above in this table should be based on fair market value.
3 Identify your firm’s principal export markets:
.
1
2

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Imports from all other sources- unmounted.–Continued

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

2017

2018

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

2019

0

0

0

Explanation if the calculated fields above are returning values other than zero (i.e., “0”) but are nonetheless
accurate:
.
1

II-7b.

Channels of distribution: All other sources - unmounted.-- Report your firm’s U.S. shipments
(i.e. inclusive of commercial U.S. shipments, internal consumption, and transfers to related
firms) of imports of unmounted small vertical shaft engines from all other sources by channel of
distribution during the specified periods.

All other sources - unmounted
Quantity (in units)

Calendar years
Item

2017

2018

2019

U.S. shipments:
To distributors or dealers (O)
To OEMs (P)
RECONCILIATION OF CHANNELS.--Please ensure that the quantities reported for channels of distribution
(i.e., lines O and P) in each time period equal the quantity reported for U.S. shipments (i.e., line F, H, J) 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 item
O + P – F – H – J = zero ("0"), if not
revise.

2017

2018
0

2019
0

0

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II-8a.

Page 17

Imports from all other sources - mounted.–Report your firm’s imports and your firm’s
shipments and inventories of mounted small vertical shaft engines imported from all other
sources by your firm during the specified periods.

(List sources:

All other sources – mounted
)
Quantity (in units), value (in $1,000)
Calendar years

Item

2017

2018

2019

Beginning-of-period inventories (quantity) (A)
U.S. imports:1 2
Mounted and reported under primary HTS
numbers:3
Quantity (B)
Value (C)
Mounted and reported other HTS numbers:4
Quantity (D)
Value (E)
U.S. shipments:
Commercial shipments:
Quantity (F)
Value (G)
Internal consumption / including for retail sale:5
Quantity (H)
Value5 (I)
Transfers to related firms:5
Quantity (J)
Value5 (K)
Export shipments:6
Quantity (L)
Value (M)
End-of-period inventories (quantity) (N)
Please identify the foreign producers, if known:
.
For the value of any imports of engines mounted on lawn mowers or other machinery, report only the value of engine itself. Please confirm
(check=yes), and describe how your firm reported the value of the engine alone (e.g.,
that you only reported the value of the engine alone:
based on "specific invoice records", or based on firm "estimates of the engine's share of total value", et cetera):
.
3 Imports of engines mounted on lawn mowers or other machinery and reported for Customs purposes under statistical reporting numbers
8433.11.0050, 8433.11.0060, and 8424.30.9000.
4 Imports of engines mounted on lawn mowers or other machinery and reported for Customs purposes under statistical reporting numbers
other than those listed in the previous footnote. Please describe the machinery that include mounted engines and list the statistical reporting
numbers used for these imports:
.
5 Internal consumption including use for retail sale 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
provided above in this table should be based on fair market value.
6 Identify your firm’s principal export markets:
.
1
2

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II-8a.

Page 18

Imports from all other sources- mounted.–Continued

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

2017

2018

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

2019

0

0

0

Explanation if the calculated fields above are returning values other than zero (i.e., “0”) but are nonetheless
accurate:
.
1

II-8b.

Channels of distribution: All other sources - unmounted.-- Report your firm’s U.S. shipments
(i.e. inclusive of commercial U.S. shipments, internal consumption, and transfers to related
firms) of imports mounted small vertical shaft engines from all other sources by channel of
distribution during the specified periods.

All other sources - mounted
Quantity (in units)

Calendar years
Item

2017

2018

2019

U.S. shipments:
To distributors or dealers (O)
To OEMs (P)
RECONCILIATION OF CHANNELS.--Please ensure that the quantities reported for channels of distribution
(i.e., lines O and P) in each time period equal the quantity reported for U.S. shipments (i.e., line F, H, J) 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 item
O + P – F – H – J = zero ("0"), if not
revise.

2017

2018
0

2019
0

0

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II-9.

Transfers to related firms.--If your firm reported transfers to related firms in any of the data
tables in part II, please identify the firm(s) and indicate the nature of the relationship between
your firm and the related firms (e.g., joint venture, wholly owned subsidiary) and whether the
transfers were priced at market value or by a non-market formula.

II-10.

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

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PART III.--PRICING AND MARKET FACTORS
Further information on this part of the questionnaire can be obtained from Cindy Cohen (202-205-3230,
cindy.cohen@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

PRICE DATA
III-2.

This question requests quarterly quantity and value data for your firm’s commercial shipments
to unrelated U.S. OEM customers since January 1, 2017 of the following products your firm
imported from China:
Product 1: Vertical Shaft Engine, Air-Cooled, Single Cylinder, Carbureted, 125-140cc
Displacement, Unmounted
Product 2: Vertical Shaft Engine, Air-Cooled, Single Cylinder, Carbureted, 141-155cc
Displacement, Unmounted
Product 3: Vertical Shaft Engine, Air-Cooled, Single Cylinder, Carbureted, 156-170cc
Displacement, Unmounted

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).
During 2017-2019, did your firm import from China and sell to unrelated U.S. OEM 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. Report sales
only to OEMs. Do not report sales of replacement engines.
No.--Skip to question III-3.

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

China

Report data in units and actual dollars (not 1,000s).

Period of shipment
2017:
January-March
April-June
July-September
October-December
2018:
January-March
April-June
July-September
October-December
2019:
January-March
April-June
July-September
October-December

(Quantity in units, value in dollars)
Product 1
Product 2
Quantity
Value
Quantity
Value

Product 3
Quantity
Value

1 Net values (i.e., gross sales values less all discounts, allowances, rebates, prepaid freight, and the value of returned
goods), f.o.b. your firm’s U.S. point of shipment.
2 Pricing product definitions are provided on the first page of Part III.

Note.--If your firm’s product does not exactly meet the product specifications but is competitive with the specified product,
provide a description of your firm’s product. Also, please explain any anomalies in your firm’s reported pricing data.
Product 1:
Product 2:
Product 3:

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

√ if Yes

In actual dollars (not $1,000) and units?
F.o.b. U.S. point of shipment (i.e., does not include U.S. transport costs)?
Net of all discounts and rebates, including any discounts/rebates to your
customers’ customers (e.g. lawn mower retailers)?
Have returns credited to the quarter in which the sale occurred?
Less than reported commercial shipments in part II in each year?
Include only sales to OEMs (i.e., excluding aftermarket and retail sales)?
Exclude sales of engines mounted on lawn mowers or other machinery?
III-2c.

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.

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PURCHASE COST DATA
III-3.

Imports by OEMs for internal use.—This question requests quarterly quantity and landed-duty
paid value data for your firm’s imports of the products defined above (on the first page of part
III) for internal consumption from China since January 1, 2017. These are imports that your firm
does not resell as small vertical shaft engines.
During 2017-2019, did your firm import any of the products listed on the first page of part III
from China for internal consumption?
Yes.--Please complete the following table(s) as appropriate. Do NOT include any
imports of engines already mounted on lawn mowers or other machinery at the time
of importation.
No.--Skip to question III-4.

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Page 24

III-3a. Imports by OEMs for internal use.—Report below the import data1 for pricing products2
imported from China and used by your own firm. These are imports that your firm does not resell
as small vertical shaft engines. Do NOT include any imports of engines already mounted on lawn
mowers or other machinery at the time of importation.
Please note that values should be landed, duty-paid (LDP) and should not include U.S.-inland
transportation costs. Values should reflect the final net amount paid by your firm (i.e., should be net
of all returns, discounts, allowances, and rebates).

China
Report data in units and actual dollars (not 1,000s).

Period of importation
2017:
January-March
April-June
July-September
October-December
2018:
January-March
April-June
July-September
October-December
2019:
January-March
April-June
July-September
October-December

(Quantity in units, value in dollars)
Product 1
Product 2
Quantity

LDP Value

Quantity

LDP Value

Product 3
Quantity

LDP Value

1 LDP value (i.e., landed duty-paid values): Values reported should be landed, duty-paid values at the U.S. port of entry,
including ocean freight and insurance costs, brokerage charges, and import duties (i.e., all charges except inland freight in the
United States). See “Import values” definition in Part II (Trade and Related Information – Definitions).
2 Pricing product definitions are provided on the first page of Part III.

Note.--If your firm’s product does not exactly meet the product specifications but is competitive with the specified product,
provide a description of your firm’s product. Also, please explain any anomalies in your firm’s reported data.
Product 1:
Product 2:
Product 3:

Note: As requested in Part I of this questionnaire, please keep all supporting documents/records used in
the preparation of these data, as Commission staff may contact your firm regarding questions. 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.

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Page 25

The following questions ask about the costs/benefits (not included in the LDP values reported above)
that factor into your firm’s decision to import small vertical shaft engines rather than purchase from a
U.S. producer or importer of small vertical shaft engines.
Complete these questions only if your firm reported data on the previous page, otherwise skip to
question III-4.
III-3b. Additional costs for your firm’s imports of small vertical shaft engines for your firm’s internal
use.—
i.

Did your firm incur any additional costs by importing small vertical shaft engines rather
than purchasing from a U.S. producer or importer (e.g., logistical or supply chain
management costs, warehousing/inventory carrying costs, insurance or other risk
management fees, demurrage fees, indirect and overseas costs)?
No

Yes—Please answer parts ii, iii, and iv.

ii.

Please provide an estimate of the total additional cost incurred (as a percentage
compared to LDP value) when importing small vertical shaft engines rather than
purchasing from a U.S. producer or importer. (Report only the portion that is related to
your firm’s importing activities, either directly or indirectly, and not already included in
the LDP value. Do NOT include any costs that also would be incurred if your firm
purchased the product from a U.S. producer or importer.)
percent compared to
LDP value.

iii.

Please identify and explain the specific additional costs incurred by your firm and
estimate each cost (in percent) compared to the cost of importing. (Only report costs
and the portion of each cost that was related to your firm’s importing activities for small
vertical shaft engines, either directly or indirectly, and that are not already included in
the LDP value. Do NOT report costs that your firm would incur when purchasing small
vertical shaft engines from a U.S. producer or importer.)

Costs

iv.

Estimated
percentage
compared to LDP
value (percent)
%
%
%
%

Explanation

Briefly describe how your firm’s additional costs (beyond the purchase price) by
importing small vertical shaft engines directly compare with the additional costs your
firm incurs when purchasing from a U.S. producer or U.S. importer.

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Small Vertical Shaft Engines from China (Preliminary)
III-3c.

Page 26

Decision basis.—To which source(s) does your firm compare costs in determining whether or
not to import small vertical shaft engines? Check all that apply.
U.S. importers

U.S. producers

Neither U.S. importers nor U.S. producers

III-3d. Benefits of importing small vertical shaft engines.
i.

Briefly identify the benefits of importing small vertical shaft engines instead of
purchasing small vertical shaft engines from a U.S. importer or from a U.S. producer.

ii.

Is it your firm’s experience that the small vertical shaft engines your firm imported from
China are priced lower than they would be if your firm purchased from a U.S. importer
or U.S. producer?
Imports are priced lower when

No

Yes (If yes to either, please
answer parts iii and iv)

Not including the additional costs above
Including the additional costs above
iii.

Please estimate your firm’s savings by importing small vertical shaft engines instead of
purchasing from a U.S. producer or U.S. importer since January 1, 2016 (as a percent of
the purchase price from the U.S. importer or U.S. producer). For your estimate,
compare the price of purchasing from a U.S. importer or U.S. producer to the cost of
direct imports (including the additional costs described above in III-3.b).

Factors

iv.

Estimated savings
(percent of purchase price from
U.S. importer/producer)

U.S. producer

%

U.S. importer

%

What methods or experience did you base the estimates in III-3d.iii (i.e. based on
previous transactions with U.S. producers and/or U.S. importers, market research, etc.)
Check all that apply.
Reported estimates in III-3d.iii based on
Previous company transactions
Market research
Other – Please explain

√ if Yes

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If your firm imports small vertical shaft engines for internal use only, please answer question III-4 and
III-8(b) with respect to your firm’s purchases of engines and then skip to question III-12.
III-4.

Price setting.--How does your firm determine the prices that it charges for sales of small vertical
shaft engines? Briefly describe the price negotiation process and timeline, and when during the
process prices are finalized, and any differences in negotiations/price setting between OEMs
and other customers.

III-5.

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

Quantity
discounts

III-6.

Other

Describe

Pricing terms.--On what basis are your firm’s prices of imported small vertical shaft engines
from China usually quoted (check one)?
Delivered

III-7.

No
discount
policy

F.o.b.

If f.o.b., specify point

Contract versus spot.--Approximately what share of your firm’s sales of small vertical shaft
engines imported from China in 2019 was on a (1) short-term contract basis, (2) annual contract
basis, (3) long-term contract basis, and (4) spot sales basis?

Item
Share of 2019
sales

Type of sale
Long-term
Annual
contracts
contracts
(multiple
(multiple
deliveries for
deliveries for 12
more than 12
months)
months)

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

%

%

Total
(should
sum to
100.0%)

Spot sales
(for a single
delivery)
%

0.0

%

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Small Vertical Shaft Engines from China (Preliminary)
III-8.

Page 28

Contract provisions.—

(a) Please fill out the table regarding your firm’s typical sales contracts for small vertical shaft
engines imported from China (or check “not applicable” if your firm does not sell on a shortterm, annual and/or long-term contract basis).
Short-term contracts
(multiple deliveries
for less than 12
months)

Typical sales
contract provisions

Item

Average contract
duration

No. of
days

Price renegotiation
(during contract
period)

Yes

Fixed quantity
and/or price

Annual contracts
(multiple
deliveries for 12
months)

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

365

No
Quantity

Indexed to raw
material costs1

Price
Both
Yes
No

Not applicable
1

Please identify the indexes used:

.

(b) Briefly describe your firm’s contracts for small vertical shaft engines, including any differences
between contracts with OEMs and other customers.

III-9.

Lead times.--What is your firm’s share of sales of small vertical shaft engines imported from
China from inventory and produced to order and what is the typical lead time between a
customer’s order and the date of delivery for your firm’s sales of small vertical shaft engines?

Source

Lead time
(Average number
Share of 2019 sales
of days)

From your firm’s U.S. inventory

%

From foreign manufacturers’ inventory

%

Produced to order

%

Total (should sum to 100.0%)

0.0 %

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III-10. Shipping information.—
(a)

Who generally arranges the transportation to your firm’s customers’ locations?
Your firm
Purchaser (check one)

(b)

When your firm sells small vertical shaft engines imported from China, from where is it
shipped?
Point of importation
Storage facility (check one)

(c)

Indicate the approximate percentage of your firm’s sales of small vertical shaft engines
imported from China that are delivered the following distances from your firm’s U.S.
point of shipment.
Distance from your firm’s U.S. point of shipment

Share

Within 100 miles

%

101 to 1,000 miles

%

Over 1,000 miles

%

Total (should sum to 100.0%)

0.0

%

III-11. Geographical shipments.--In which U.S. geographic market area(s) has your firm sold small
vertical shaft engines imported from subject countries since January 1, 2017 (check all that
apply)?
Geographic area

China

Northeast.–CT, ME, MA, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, and VT.
Midwest.–IL, IN, IA, KS, MI, MN, MO, NE, ND, OH, SD, and WI.
Southeast.–AL, DE, DC, FL, GA, KY, MD, MS, NC, SC, TN, VA, and WV.
Central Southwest.–AR, LA, OK, and TX.
Mountains.–AZ, CO, ID, MT, NV, NM, UT, and WY.
Pacific Coast.–CA, OR, and WA.
Other.–All other markets in the United States not previously listed,
including AK, HI, PR, and VI.
III-12. Inland transportation costs.—What is the approximate percentage of the cost of small vertical
shaft engines imported from China that is accounted for by U.S. inland transportation
costs?
percent.

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III-13. End uses.--List the end uses of the small vertical shaft engines that your firm imports. For each
end-use product, what percentage of the total cost is accounted for by small vertical shaft
engines and other inputs?
Share of total cost of end-use product
accounted for by
Small vertical shaft
engines

End-use product

Total
(should sum to
100.0% across)

Other inputs

%

%

0.0 %

%

%

0.0 %

%

%

0.0 %

III-14. Substitutes.--Can other products be substituted for small vertical shaft engines?
No

Substitute

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 small vertical shaft
engines?
No Yes

Explanation

1.
2.
3.
III-15. Demand trends.--Indicate how demand within the United States and outside of the United
States (if known) for small vertical shaft engines has changed since January 1, 2017. Explain any
trends and describe the principal factors that have affected these changes in demand.

Market
Within the United States
Outside the United States

Overall
increase

No
Overall Fluctuate with
change decrease no clear trend

Explanation and factors

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III-16. Product changes.--Have there been any significant changes in the product range, product mix or
marketing of small vertical shaft engines since January 1, 2017?
No

Yes

If yes, please describe.

III-17. Conditions of competition.—
(a) Is the small vertical shaft engines market subject to business cycles (other than general
economy-wide conditions) and/or other conditions of competition distinctive to small
vertical shaft engines?
Check all that apply.

Please describe.

No

Skip to question III-18.

Yes-Business cycles (e.g.
seasonal business)
Yes-Other distinctive
conditions of competition
(b) If yes, have there been any changes in the business cycles or conditions of competition for
small vertical shaft engines since January 1, 2017?
No

Yes

If yes, describe.

III-18. Supply constraints.--Has your firm refused, declined, or been unable to supply small vertical
shaft engines 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.

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III-19. Raw materials.—
(a) How have small vertical shaft engines raw material prices changed since January 1, 2017?

Factor

Explain, noting how raw material
Fluctuate price changes have affected your
with no
firm’s selling prices for small
Overall
No
Overall
increase change decrease clear trend
vertical shaft engines.

Cost of raw materials
(b) How did the imposition of tariffs under section 232 on imported steel/aluminum products
impact raw material costs for small vertical shaft engines?

Factor

Overall increase

No change

Overall decrease

Fluctuate with
no clear trend

Cost of raw materials after
section 232 tariffs imposed
(c) How did the imposition of tariffs under section 232 on imported steel/aluminum products
impact your firm’s sales price for small vertical shaft engines?

Factor
Prices for small vertical
shaft engines

No change

Overall
Increase

Fluctuate
Overall
with no
Decrease clear trend

Explanation

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III-20. Interchangeability.--Is small vertical shaft engines 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 small vertical shaft engines that is sometimes or never
interchangeable, identify the country-pair and explain the factors that limit or preclude
interchangeable use:

III-21. Factors other than price.--Are differences other than price (e.g., quality, availability,
transportation network, product range, technical support, etc.) between small vertical shaft
engines 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 small vertical shaft engines, identify the country-pair and report the
advantages or disadvantages imparted by such factors:

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III-22. Impact of section 301 tariffs.-- Did the imposition of tariffs on Chinese-origin products under
section 301 have an impact on the small vertical shaft engines market in the United States?
Yes— Please indicate the
impact in the table below.

Factor
Supply of U.S.produced small
vertical shaft engines
Supply of small
vertical shaft engines
imported from China
Supply of small
vertical shaft engines
imported from other
countries
Prices for small
vertical shaft engines
Overall U.S. demand
for small vertical shaft
engines
Raw material costs for
small vertical shaft
engines

No

Overall
No
Overall
increase change decrease

Don’t know

Explain, noting how the imposition
Fluctuate of tariffs under section 301 affected
with no
each factor of the small vertical
clear
shaft engines market in the United
trend
States.

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Small Vertical Shaft Engines from China (Preliminary)

Page 35

III-23. Customer identification.--List the names and contact information for your firm’s 10 largest U.S.
customers for small vertical shaft engines since January 1, 2017. Indicate the share of the
quantity of your firm’s total shipments of small vertical shaft engines that each of these
customers accounted for in 2019.

Customer’s name

Contact person

Email

Telephone

City

State

Share of
2019 sales
(%)

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
III-24. Other explanations.--If your firm would like to further explain a response to a question in Part III
for which a narrative response box was not provided, please note the question number and the
explanation in the space provided below. Please also use this space to highlight any issues your
firm had in providing the data in this section, including but not limited to technical issues with
the MS Word questionnaire.

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Small Vertical Shaft Engines from China (Preliminary)

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Correcting Valid number error messages.--If you are completing a Commission questionnaire in a
country that uses periods (“.”) to delineate multiples of 1000 (e.g., one million would appear as
$1.000.000 instead of as $1,000,000), you may be unable to enter in numbers greater than 999 in
numeric form fields. This issues stem from your computer number formatting setting (e.g., not the MS
Word document itself, but the computer from which you are opening up the document). In the United
States commas (,) delineate multiples of 1000 and periods (.) delineate fractions less than one. Many EU
countries use the reverse where multiples of 1000 are delineated with periods (.) and fractions less than
one are delineated with commas (,). The U.S. International Trade Commission’s questionnaires are setup in the United States with the U.S. number formatting. When this formatting interacts with a
computer set to EU number formatting, we believe this may cause this issue.
The solution to this data entry issue is to temporarily change your operating system’s number
formatting to be consistent with the U.S. number formatting system while you complete the
questionnaire.
To temporarily change your computer’s number settings to U.S. settings, please do the following (for
Microsoft Windows Operating system):
•
•
•
•
•

START
Control Panel
Region and Language (under Clock, Language, and Region category)
Format tab
Change the Format from your existing one (e.g. “Italian (Italy)”) to “English (United States)” (see
screen shots below)

When you do this the number “twelve million dollars and thirty five cents” would change from
$12.000.000,35 (Italy format) to $12,000,000.35 (U.S. format), and then there will be no conflict with
the questionnaire. When you finish reporting the data then you can close the questionnaire and switch
back to Italy settings.

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Small Vertical Shaft Engines from China (Preliminary)

Page 37

HOW TO FILE YOUR QUESTIONNAIRE RESPONSE
This questionnaire is available as a “fillable” form in MS Word format on the
Commission’s website at:
https://www.usitc.gov/investigations/701731/2020/small_vertical_shaft_engines_china
/preliminary.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: SMENG

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