Form 332-480-B Fabric producer for travel goods questionnaire

OMB No. 3117-0016/USITC No. xx-x-xxx; Expiration Date: xx/xx/07

(No response is required if currently valid OMB control number is not displayed)

QUESTIONNAIRE FOR U.S. PRODUCERS OF TEXTILE MATERIALS FOR USE IN TRAVEL GOODS WITH AN OUTER SURFACE OF TEXTILE MATERIALS

Return completed questionnaire to:

UNITED STATES INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION

Office of Industries, Room 513

500 E Street, SW, Washington, DC 20436

Fax: 202-205-2150

So as to be received by the Commission by no later than MAY 22, 2007

The information called for in this questionnaire is for use by the United States International Trade Commission in connection with its investigation No. 332-480, Certain Textile Articles: Travel Goods of Textile Materials, under section 332(g) of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. § 1332(g)). This report is mandatory and failure to reply as directed can result in a subpoena or other order to compel the submission of records or information in your possession (19 U.S.C. § 1333(a)).

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 described in the certification paragraph below, and as may be required by law. See further discussion on Commission treatment of confidential business information below.

Name of firm

Address

City State Zip code

World Wide Web address

Has your firm produced or finished TEXTILE MATERIALS FOR USE IN TRAVEL GOODS WITH AN OUTER SURFACE OF TEXTILE MATERIALS (as defined in the instructions) in the United States at any time since January 1, 2005?

YES Read the directions carefully, complete all parts of the questionnaire, sign the certification, and return the entire questionnaire to the Commission by MAY 22, 2007.

NO Sign the certification below and promptly return only this page of the questionnaire to the Commission by MAY 22, 2007.

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.

I acknowledge that information submitted in this questionnaire response and throughout this investigation may be used by the Commission, its employees, and contract personnel who are acting in the capacity of Commission employees, for developing or maintaining the records of this investigation or related proceedings for which this information is submitted, or in internal audits and investigations relating to the programs and operations of the Commission pursuant to 5 U.S.C. Appendix 3. I understand that all contract personnel will sign non-disclosure agreements.

I understand that the Commission will not publish confidential business information submitted in response to this questionnaire in the public version of its report in a manner that would reveal the individual operations of the firm supplying the information.

Name and Title of Authorized Official Date

( ) ( )

Signature of Authorized Official Phone Fax

GENERAL INFORMATION, INSTRUCTIONS, AND DEFINITIONS

BACKGROUND.–The information requested in this questionnaire is for use by the Commission in its investigation on Certain Textile Articles: Travel Goods of Textile Materials, requested by the U.S. Congress, House of Representatives, Committee on Ways and Means, on October 25, 2006. As requested by the Committee, the Commission will provide, to the extent possible, data for 2005 and 2006 on the level of U.S. production and shipments of travel goods and the textile materials used to make such goods.

NONDISCLOSURE OF CONFIDENTIAL BUSINESS INFORMATION.–The commercial and financial data furnished in response to this questionnaire that reveal the individual operations of your firm will be treated as confidential business information by the Commission to the extent that such data are not otherwise available to the public and will not be published in a manner that will reveal the individual operations of your firm and will not be disclosed except as may be required by law. Section 332(g) of the Tariff Act of 1930 provides that the Commission may not release information that qualifies as confidential business information (under Commission Rule 201.6 (19 CFR § 201.6)) unless the party submitting the confidential business information had notice, at the time of submission, that such information would be released by the Commission, or such party subsequently consents to the release of the information.

Information submitted in this questionnaire response and throughout this investigation may be used by the Commission, its employees, and contract personnel who are acting in the capacity of Commission employees, for developing or maintaining the records of this investigation or related proceedings for which this information is submitted, or in internal audits and investigations relating to the programs and operations of the Commission pursuant to 5 U.S.C. Appendix 3. All contract personnel will sign non-disclosure agreements.

The Committee on Ways and Means has indicated that it intends to make the Commission’s report available to the public in its entirety, and has asked that the Commission not include any confidential business information in the report it sends to the Committee. Any confidential business information received by the Commission in this investigation and used in preparing this report will not be published in a manner that would reveal the operations of the firm supplying the information.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION.– Contact Heidi Colby-Oizumi (202-205-3391; [email protected]), Kimberlie Freund (202-708-5402; [email protected]), or Nancy Bryan (202-205-2088; [email protected]) of the Commission’s Office of Industries. Written inquiries may be mailed to the address on the front page of this questionnaire. For additional copies of this form, you may contact Kimberlie Freund or Heidi Colby-Oizumi, use photocopies of this form, or download a copy from the Commission’s Web site at http://www.usitc.gov/ind_econ_ana/research_ana/outerwear.htm. Hearing-impaired persons can obtain information on this matter by contacting the Commission’s TDD terminal on 202-205-1810.

GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS

1. Please prepare one questionnaire for all of your manufacturing establishments located in the United States, including those operated by your firm or wholly owned subsidiaries of your firm, that produce textile materials for use in travel goods of textile materials (as defined below).

2. Answer all questions. If the answer to any question is “zero,” so state; if it is not available, indicate “N/A.” If the information requested is not readily available from your records, please furnish carefully prepared estimates–designated as such by the letter “E.”

DEFINITIONS

1. Firm.–An individual proprietorship, partnership, joint venture, association, corporation (including all divisions, any subsidiary corporations, and parent corporations), business trust, cooperative, trustees in bankruptcy, or receivers under decree of any court, owning or controlling one or more establishments, as defined below.

2. Establishment.–Each facility of a firm in the United States involved in the production of textile materials intended for use in the production of travel goods, including auxiliary facilities operated in conjunction with (whether or not physically separate from) such facilities (e.g., shipping facilities and warehouses).

3. Travel goods with an outer surface of textile materials.–Includes items with an outer surface of textile materials as defined below. Excludes all handbags and articles usually contained in a handbag or wallet, insulated food and beverage bags, musical instrument cases, and other items not listed below.

a.) Trunks, suitcases, vanity cases, and similar containers with an outer surface of textile materials.–Articles listed above as reported as part of one of the following subheadings of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTS):¹ 4202.12.40, 4202.12.60, and 4202.12.80 (statistical reporting numbers 4202.12.80.50, 4202.12.80.60, 4202.12.80.70, and 4202.12.80.80).

This category includes products typically described as hard-sided and soft-sided luggage, including matching shoulder bags and vanity cases, as well as rolling duffel bags that contain some internal structure or framing. This category also includes all pieces sold in a luggage set, when the largest piece is a suitcase.

b.) Attaché cases, briefcases, computer cases, and similar containers with an outer surface of textile materials.–Articles listed above as reported as part of HTS subheading: 4202.12.80 (statistical reporting numbers 4202.12.80.10, 4202.12.80.20, 4202.12.80.30, and 4202.12.80.40).

This category includes products typically described as brief cases and computer cases, including backpacks and sleeves specifically designed to carry computers. This category also includes messenger bags that either have only carry handles or are slung only over one shoulder. This category does not include occupationally specific bags (e.g., camera bags, bike-messenger bags, etc.)

c.) Travel, sports, and similar bags with an outer surface of textile materials.–Articles listed above as reported as part of one of the following subheadings of the HTS: 4202.92.15, 4202.92.20, and 4202.92.30 (except for manmade-fiber backpacks reported in the HTS under statistical reporting number 4202.92.30.20).

This category includes products typically described as tote bags primarily intended for travel (not otherwise included as part of luggage sets), garment bags, duffel bags (without any internal framing or structure), gym bags, and backpacks of non-synthetic fibers (such as cotton).. This category does not include tote bags intended to be used as handbags, golf bags, food and beverage bags, tennis racket carrying bags, ski bags, fishing bags, or similar sports-specific bags. This category also does not include camera bags.

d.) Wheeled Backpacks of Manmade Fiber Textile Materials.–Wheeled backpacks of man-made fibers, as reported in the HTS under statistical reporting number 4202.92.30.20 and not otherwise described in any of the other definitions.

e.) Non-wheeled Backpacks of Manmade Fiber Textile Materials.–Non-wheeled Backpacks of man-made fibers, as reported in the HTS under statistical reporting number 4202.92.30.20 and not otherwise described in any of the other definitions.

4. U.S. textile materials.–Any U.S.-produced fabric used in any of the following applications: the outer surface of travel goods; the straps that are part of travel goods; and the interior lining of travel goods.

5. Production.–All production of textile materials intended for use in travel goods with an outer surface of textile materials in your U.S. establishment(s), including production consumed internally within your firm, production for another firm, and production for export. Includes production of greige (unfinished) textile materials as well as the finishing of purchased fabrics, if the finishing makes the textile materials suitable for use in travel goods with an outer surface of textile materials.

6. U.S. commercial shipments.–Shipments of products produced in your U.S. establishment(s) and your shipments of products produced by other firms on a contract basis. Commercial shipments exclude shipments to U.S. military, transfers to related firms, and internal consumption. Shipment quantities.--Quantities reported should be net of returns. Shipment values.--Values reported should be net values (i.e., gross sales values less all discounts, allowances, rebates, prepaid freight, and the value of returned goods), f.o.b. your U.S. producing establishment(s).

7. Exports.–Shipments to destinations outside the United States, regardless of the location of the customer, including shipments to related firms.

PART I.--GENERAL QUESTIONS

Public reporting burden for this questionnaire, based on field testing, is estimated to average 8 hours per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering the data needed, and completing and reviewing the questionnaire. Send comments regarding the accuracy of this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing the burden, to: Louise Gillen, Office of Operations, U.S. International Trade Commission, 500 E Street, SW, Washington, DC 20436.

I-1. Please report below the actual number of hours required and the estimated cost to your firm of preparing the reply to this questionnaire and completing the form.

hours dollars

I-2. Please provide a point of contact for inquiries following submission of this questionnaire.

Name and title: ____________________________________________________________

Phone number: _______________ Fax: ______________ E-mail:___________________

I-3. Provide the name and address of establishment(s) covered by this questionnaire (see instructions for reporting guidelines).

I-4. Is your firm owned, in whole or in part, by any other firm?

No Yes--List the following information.

Extent of

Firm name Address ownership

I-5. Does your firm have any related domestic firms, which are engaged in the production of fabrics for use in the production of travel goods with an outer surface of textile materials?

No Yes--List the following information.

Firm name Address Affiliation

PART II.–PRODUCTION, SHIPMENTS, AND RELATED INFORMATION

II-1a. In the following table, please report your firm’s production of domestically produced FABRICS INTENDED FOR USE IN TRAVEL GOODS WITH AN OUTER SURFACE OF TEXTILE MATERIALS during the specified periods (see definitions above). If the information requested is not readily available from your records, provide carefully prepared estimates (designated by the letter “E”). For each type of fabric reported, please insert the fabric name only (a detailed description of each fabric is requested in question II-1d.). Please DUPLICATE pages if you have more than ten types of fabrics to report.

PRODUCTION IN YOUR U.S. ESTABLISHMENT OF ALL TYPES OF DOMESTICALLY PRODUCED FABRICS INTENDED FOR USE IN TRAVEL GOODS WITH AN OUTER SURFACE OF TEXTILE MATERIALS
(Quantity in linear yards)
ITEM	CALENDAR YEARS
	2005	2006
TOTAL PRODUCTION:
PRODUCTION BY TYPE OF FABRIC:
TYPE A (insert name_________________________________ )
TYPE B (insert name_________________________________)
TYPE C (insert name_________________________________)
TYPE D (insert name_________________________________)
TYPE E (insert name_________________________________)
TYPE F (insert name_________________________________)
TYPE G (insert name_________________________________)
TYPE H (insert name_________________________________)
TYPE I (insert name_________________________________)
TYPE J (insert name_________________________________)

II-1b. Please estimate the share of your firm’s total domestic production that was accounted for by production of fabrics (all types) intended for use in travel goods with an outer surface of textile materials:

In 2005 ________% In 2006 ________%

II-1c. In the following table, please report your firm’s shipments of domestically produced FABRICS INTENDED FOR USE IN TRAVEL GOODS WITH AN OUTER SURFACE OF TEXTILE MATERIALS during the specified periods (see definitions above). If the information requested is not readily available from your records, provide carefully prepared estimates (designated by the letter “E”).

U.S. SHIPMENTS OF ALL TYPES OF DOMESTICALLY PRODUCED FABRICS INTENDED FOR USE IN TRAVEL GOODS WITH AN OUTER SURFACE OF TEXTILE MATERIALS
(Quantity in linear yards, value in actual dollars)
ITEM	CALENDAR YEARS
	2005	2006
TOTAL SHIPMENTS:
Quantity of total shipments
Value of total shipments
Total U.S. shipments:1
Quantity of total U.S. shipments
Value of total U.S. shipments
Commercial shipments:
Quantity of commercial shipments
Value of commercial shipments
Shipments to the U.S. Military and U.S. Government:
Quantity of shipments to the U.S. Military and U.S. Government
Value of shipments to the U.S. Military and U.S. Government
Export Shipments:2
Quantity of export shipments
Value of export shipments
1 Includes commercial shipments and shipments to the U.S. Military and U.S. Government. 2 Identify the countries to which you export:

II-1d. Please provide the following information for each type of fabric listed under “production” in Table II-1a. Please DUPLICATE and attach pages for each additional fabric.

FABRIC X: (i.e., A, B, C, as listed in Table II-1a) FABRIC NAME: _____________________________________________________________
Identify type of fabric.	Please provide a brief description of the type of fabric by fiber type (e.g., plain weave ballistic nylon, cotton canvas, polyester, nylon, etc.): Man-made: Cotton: Other (please describe):
Please indicate the type of fiber(s) used in the fabric. If the fabric is made from 2 different fabrics bonded together, please indicate the fiber type for each part of the fabric. If more than one fiber is used, indicate the fiber that predominates by weight.	Polyester (indicate part of fabric if composite): Nylon (indicate part of fabric if composite): Wool (indicate part of fabric if composite): Cotton (indicate part of fabric if composite): Other (specify type--indicate part of fabric if composite):
Please provide the weight and width of the fabric.	Weight: Width:
Is the fabric coated or has it undergone any special finishing processes to make it suitable for use in travel goods with an outer surface of textile materials?	Yes (please describe coating or finishing processes that apply): No
For which part of the travel goods is the fabric intended to be used (check all that apply)?	Outer surface Lining Strap or handle
Is the fabric sold to another firm for further processing before it is ready to be used in the production of travel goods with an outer surface of textile materials?	Yes (please explain): No
If the fabric is laminated, bonded, or coated, was the unfinished fabric purchased from another firm?	Yes (specify share that is imported:) No
Is the fabric sold to another firm for further processing before it is ready to be used in travel goods with an outer surface of textile materials?	Yes (please explain): No

PART II.–PRODUCTION, SHIPMENTS, AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued

II-2. a.) If your firm produced fabric for use in travel goods with an outer surface of textile materials in the United States, and sold it to a U.S. or foreign manufacturer since January 1, 2005, please list the name and contacts for the firms to which you sold the fabrics and provide the type of fabric.

FIRM NAME AND ADDRESS	CONTACT NAME	PHONE NUMBER	TYPE OF FABRIC (As listed in table II-1a)

II-2. b.) If your firm produced fabric for use in travel goods with an outer surface of textile materials in the United States, and sold it to a wholesaler or finisher since January 1, 2005, please provide the name and contacts for the firms to which you sold the fabrics and provide the type of fabric.

FIRM NAME AND ADDRESS	CONTACT NAME	PHONE NUMBER	TYPE OF FABRIC (As listed in table II-1a)

PART II.-–PRODUCTION, SHIPMENTS, AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued

III-3. Are there any additional comments on your firm’s operations or production that you would like to provide? (optional):

1The Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States may be viewed on the Commission’s website at http://www.usitc.gov/tata/hts/bychapter/index_old-01032007.htm. The HTS numbers are provided for convenience only; the written description of the products is dispositive.