Questionnaires, Instructions, Cover Letter & Coding Manual

CFS-1000-L1
(10-2006)

DC

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Economics and Statistics Administration

U.S. Census Bureau
Washington, DC 20233-0001
OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR

FROM THE U.S. CENSUS BUREAU
AND THE RESEARCH AND INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGY ADMINISTRATION,
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Dear Company Official:
Your establishment has been selected to participate in the 2007 Commodity Flow Survey. This
survey is conducted every 5 years as a part of the Census Bureau’s Economic Census.
Transportation is one of the most important issues in the United States today. Policymakers and
analysts need reliable information to guide improvements to our highways, railroads, and other transportation systems. The Commodity Flow Survey is critical to expanding our understanding of the
economic, energy, safety, and security impacts of transportation.
Your response to the enclosed survey form is mandatory (required by Title 13, United States
code, sections 131,193, and 224). This same law also ensures that the information you provide is
kept confidential and is seen only by individuals sworn to protect the confidentiality of your information. Additionally, your information is only used to develop summary statistics that do not reveal the
name or individual activities of your company.
You will receive one questionnaire during each calendar quarter of 2007. You will be asked to
complete basic information on a sample of your outbound shipments during a designated one-week
period for each quarter.
Instructions to complete the survey and a commodity code booklet are included in this packet.
Additional information is provided on the back of this letter and on the Census Bureau Internet site
at www.census.gov/cfs. If you have any questions, please call 1-800-772-7851 between 8:30 am
and 5:00 pm, Eastern Time to speak with a Census Bureau representative.
The Commodity Flow Survey is conducted through a partnership between the Census Bureau, U.S.
Department of Commerce, and the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, Research and Innovative
Technology Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation.
Thank you for your participation in this survey. We realize that your time is valuable and greatly
appreciate your time and effort.
Sincerely,

Charles L. Kinncannon
Director
U.S. Census Bureau
Enclosures

U.S. DEPARTMENT
OF TRANSPORTATION

John A. Bobo, Jr.
Acting Administrator
Research and Innovative Technology
Administration

Bureau of Transportation Statistics

400 Seventh Street, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20590

Research and
Innovative Technology
Administration

USCENSUSBUREAU
Helping You Make Informed Decisions

www.census.gov

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the purpose of this survey?
The Commodity Flow Survey (CFS) provides crucial statistics not available elsewhere, including
commodities shipped, their weight and value, all modes of transportation used, origin and destination
of shipments, and average miles per shipment.
Who uses this information?
The information is used by the U.S. Department of Transportation, other Federal and state government agencies, and transportation policy planners to make informed decisions about our transportation system and our highway infrastructure. This information is also used to allocate the billions of
dollars needed to maintain and improve highways, railroads, and other transportation systems.
Do my shipments really matter?
Yes. All shipments, regardless of size or type, have an impact on our transportation system. Thus, in
order to get an accurate measure of shipment practices, we need information about all shipments.
Will my data be kept confidential?
Yes. Title 13, USC, also guarantees that your data are kept confidential and cannot be used for any
legal process, including taxation, regulation, or investigation. No other governmental agency has
access to your data. In addition, the data you provide are used solely for statistical purposes and will
be published only in summary form that does not reveal the identity or operations of your company.
Is the survey mandatory?
Yes. Responding to CFS is mandatory under the authority of Title 13, United States Code (USC)
and there are penalties for your failure to report.
Where can I find out more about this survey?
Additional information about the Commodity Flow Survey is found at http://www.census.gov/cfs. You
can also contact the Census Bureau with further questions. Phone: 1-800-772-7851 between 8:30
a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time.

CFS-1000-L1 (10-2006)