10-1-2817 US producer questionnaire

Information collections for import injury investigations (producers, importers, purchasers, and foreign producer questionnaires and institution notices for 5-year reviews)

US Producer Questionnaire

Polyethylene Retail Carrier Bags from Indonesia, Taiwan, and Vietnam (Final)

OMB: 3117-0016

⚠️ Notice: This form may be outdated. More recent filings and information on OMB 3117-0016 can be found here:

Document [pdf]

Download: pdf | pdf

OMB No. 3117-0016/USITC No. 10-1-2817; Expiration Date: 6/30/2011
(No response is required if currently valid OMB control number is not displayed)

U.S. PRODUCERS’ QUESTIONNAIRE
POLYETHYLENE RETAIL CARRIER BAGS FROM INDONESIA, TAIWAN, AND VIETNAM

This questionnaire must be received by the Commission by no later than January 14, 2010
See page 4 of the Instruction Booklet 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 investigations concerning polyethylene retail carrier bags
(“PRCBs”) from Indonesia, Taiwan, and Vietnam (Inv. Nos. 701-TA-462 and 731-TA-1156-1158 (Final)). The
information requested in the questionnaire is requested under the authority of the Tariff Act of 1930, title VII. This report
is mandatory and failure to reply as directed can result in a subpoena or other order to compel the submission of records or
information in your possession (19 U.S.C. § 1333(a)).

Name of firm
Address
State

City

Zip Code

World Wide Web address
Has your firm produced PRCBs (as defined in the instruction booklet) at any time since January 1, 2006?

(Sign the certification below and promptly return only this page of the questionnaire to the Commission)

YES

(Read the instruction booklet carefully, complete all parts of the questionnaire, and return the entire
questionnaire to the Commission so as to be received by the date indicated above)

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 these investigations in any other import-injury investigations conducted
by the Commission on the same or similar merchandise.
I acknowledge that information submitted in this questionnaire response and throughout these investigations 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 these investigations 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.

Name of Authorized Official

Title of Authorized Official
Phone: (

Date

)

Signature

E-mail address
Fax (

)

Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - PRCBs from Indonesia, Taiwan, and Vietnam

Page 2

PART I.--GENERAL INFORMATION
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 50 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 the Office of Investigations, U.S. International Trade Commission, 500 E Street, SW,
Washington, DC 20436.
I-1a.

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

dollars

I-1b.

OMB feedback.--We are interested in any comments you may have for improving this
questionnaire in general or the clarity of specific questions. Please attach such comments to your
response or send them to the above address.

I-2.

Establishments covered.--Provide the name and address of establishment(s) covered by this
questionnaire (see page 3 of the instruction booklet for reporting guidelines). If your firm is
publicly traded, please specify the stock exchange and trading symbol.

I-3a.

Petition support.--Do you support or oppose the petition concerning PRCBs from Indonesia?
Support

I-3b.

Take no position

Petition support.--Do you support or oppose the petition concerning PRCBs from Taiwan?
Support

I-3c.

Oppose

Take no position

Petition support.--Do you support or oppose the petition concerning PRCBs from Vietnam?
Support

Oppose

Take no position

Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - PRCBs from Indonesia, Taiwan, and Vietnam

Page 3

PART I.--GENERAL INFORMATION--Continued
I-4.

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

Firm name

I-5.

Address

Extent of
ownership

Related importers/exporters.--Does your firm have any related firms, either domestic or
foreign, which are engaged in importing PRCBs from Indonesia, Taiwan, and/or Vietnam into the
United States or which are engaged in exporting PRCBs from Indonesia, Taiwan, and/or Vietnam
to the United States?
No
Firm name

I-6.

Yes--List the following information

Yes--List the following information
Address

Affiliation

Related producers.--Does your firm have any related firms, either domestic or foreign, which
are engaged in the production of PRCBs?
No
Firm name

Yes--List the following information
Address

Affiliation

Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - PRCBs from Indonesia, Taiwan, and Vietnam

Page 4

PART II.--TRADE AND RELATED INFORMATION
Further information on this part of the questionnaire can be obtained from Joshua Kaplan (202-205-3184,
[email protected]). Supply all data requested on a calendar-year basis.
II-1.

Contact information (trade).--Who should be contacted regarding the requested trade and
related information?
Company contact:
Name and title
(
)
Phone number

II-2.

E-mail address

Changes in operations.--Please indicate whether your firm has experienced any of the following
changes in relation to the production of PRCBs since January 1, 2006?
(check as many as appropriate)
plant openings ..........................

plant closings............................

relocations ................................

expansions ................................

acquisitions...............................

consolidations...........................

prolonged shutdowns or
production curtailments .................
revised labor agreements ..........

other (e.g., technology) ............

(please describe)

Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - PRCBs from Indonesia, Taiwan, and Vietnam

Page 5

PART II.--TRADE AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
II-3.

Same equipment, machinery, and workers.--Has your firm since January 1, 2006 produced, or
does your firm anticipate producing in the future, other products on the same equipment and
machinery used in the production of PRCBs and/or using the same production and related
workers employed to produce PRCBs?
No

Yes--List the following information and report your firm’s combined
production capacity and production of these products and PRCBs in
the periods indicated.

Product

Basis for allocation of capacity and
employment data (indicate if different)

Period

(Quantity in 1,000 bags)
Calendar years
Item

2006

2007

January-September
2008

2008

2009

Overall Production Capacity
Production of:
Subject merchandise
Other product 1
Other product 2

______
______

II-4.

Production constraints and product shifting.--Please describe the constraint(s) that set the limit(s)
on your production capacity and your ability to shift production capacity between products.

II-5.

Production methods.--Which of the production methods below do you use? Please mark all that
apply.
The rotogravure process:
The flexographic process:
Another type of process:
Solvent-based inks:
Water-based inks:
Other types of inks:

No
No
Please describe:
No
No
Please describe:

Yes
Yes
.
Yes
Yes
.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - PRCBs from Indonesia, Taiwan, and Vietnam

Page 6

PART II.--TRADE AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
II-6.

Tolling.--Since January 1, 2006, has your firm been involved in a toll agreement (see definition
in the instruction booklet) regarding the production of PRCBs?
No

II-7.

Foreign trade zone.--Does your firm produce PRCBs in a foreign trade zone (FTZ)?
No

II-8.

Yes--Name firm(s):

Yes--Identify FTZ(s):

Importer.--Since January 1, 2006, has your firm imported PRCBs?
No

Yes--COMPLETE AND RETURN A U.S. IMPORTERS’ QUESTIONNAIRE

Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - PRCBs from Indonesia, Taiwan, and Vietnam

Page 7

PART II.--TRADE AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
II-9.

DATA ON ALL PRCBs.--Report your firm’s production capacity, production, shipments,
inventories, and employment related to the production of all PRCBs in your U.S.
establishment(s) during the specified periods. (See definitions in the instruction booklet.)
Quantity (in 1,000 bags) and value (in $1,000)
Calendar years
Item

2006

2007

January-September
2008

2008

2009

Average production capacity (quantity)
Beginning-of-period inventories (quantity)
Production (quantity)
U.S. shipments:
Commercial shipments:
Quantity of commercial shipments
Value of commercial shipments
Internal consumption:
Quantity of internal consumption
Value2 of internal consumption
Transfers to related firms:
Quantity of transfers
Value2 of transfers
Export shipments:3
Quantity of export shipments
Value of export shipments
End-of-period inventories4 (quantity)
Channels of distribution:
U.S. shipments to distributors (quantity)
U.S. shipments to end users (quantity)
Employment data:
Average number of PRWs (number)
Hours worked by PRWs (1,000 hours)
Wages paid to PRWs (value)
1

The production capacity (see definitions in instruction booklet) reported is based on operating
hours per week,
weeks per year. Please describe the methodology used to calculate production capacity, and explain any changes in
reported capacity (use additional pages as necessary).
2

Internal consumption and transfers to related firms must be valued at fair market value. In the event that you use a
different basis for valuing these transactions, please specify that basis (e.g., cost, cost plus, etc.) and provide value data
using that basis for each of the periods noted above:
3

Identify your principal export markets:
.
Reconciliation of data.--Please note that the quantities reported above should reconcile as follows: beginning-of-period
inventories, plus production, less total shipments, equals end-of-period inventories. Do the data reported reconcile?
4

Yes

No--Please explain:

Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - PRCBs from Indonesia, Taiwan, and Vietnam

Page 8

PART II.--TRADE AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
II-10.

DATA ON HIGH-END PRCBs.--Report your firm’s production capacity, production,
shipments, inventories, and employment related to the production of high-end PRCBs in your
U.S. establishment(s) during the specified periods. (See definitions in the instruction booklet.)
Quantity (in 1,000 bags) and value (in $1,000)
Calendar years
Item

2006

2007

January-September
2008

2008

2009

Yes

No--Please explain:

Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - PRCBs from Indonesia, Taiwan, and Vietnam

Page 9

PART II.--TRADE AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
II-11.

Related firms.--If you reported transfers to related firms in questions II-9 and II-10, please
indicate the nature of the relationship between your firm and the related firms (e.g., joint venture,
wholly owned subsidiary), whether the transfers were priced at market value or by a non-market
formula, whether your firm retained marketing rights to all transfers, and whether the related
firms also processed inputs from sources other than your firm.

II-12.

Purchases.--Other than direct imports, has your firm otherwise purchased PRCBs since January
1, 2006? (See definitions in the instruction booklet.)
Yes--Report such purchases below for the specified periods.1

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

2006

2007

January-September
2008

2008

2009

PURCHASES FROM U.S. IMPORTERS2
OF PRCBS FROM-Indonesia:
Quantity
Value
Taiwan:
Quantity
Value
Vietnam:
Quantity
Value
All other countries:
Quantity
Value
PURCHASES FROM DOMESTIC
PRODUCERS:2
Quantity
Value
PURCHASES FROM OTHER SOURCES:2
Quantity
Value
1

Please indicate your reasons for purchasing this product. If your reasons differ by source, please elaborate.

Please list the name of the firm(s) from which you purchased this product. If your suppliers differ by source,
please identify the source for each listed supplier.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - PRCBs from Indonesia, Taiwan, and Vietnam

Page 10

PART II.--TRADE AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
II-13.

Do you think high-end PRCBs are produced in the United States?
No--Please skip to question III-1.

Yes

II-14. COMPARABILITY OF PRODUCTS.--In making its determination on what is the “domestic
like product” in these and other antidumping investigations, the Commission generally considers a
number of factors, including (1) physical characteristics and uses; (2) interchangeability; (3) channels of
distribution; (4) customer and producer perceptions of the products; (5) common manufacturing facilities,
production processes, and production employees; and, where appropriate, (6) price. If you have
firsthand knowledge concerning the similarities and/or differences between (1) high-end PRCBs
and (2) all other PRCBs in terms of the six factors listed above, please give us your views
concerning such similarities and/or differences. Only compare those products that are produced in the
United States.
(a) Characteristics:
Fully

Mostly

Somewhat

Rarely

Never

No familiarity

Rarely

Never

No familiarity

Rarely

Never

No familiarity

(b) Uses and interchangeability:
Fully

Mostly

Somewhat

Mostly

Somewhat

Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - PRCBs from Indonesia, Taiwan, and Vietnam

Page 11

PART II.--TRADE AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
II-14.--Continued
(d) Channels of distribution:
Fully

Mostly

Somewhat

Rarely

Never

No familiarity

(e) Customer and producer perceptions:
Fully

Mostly

Somewhat

Rarely

Never

No familiarity

Mostly

Somewhat

Rarely

Never

No familiarity

(f) Price:
Fully

Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - PRCBs from Indonesia, Taiwan, and Vietnam

Page 12

PART III. -- FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Address questions on this part of the questionnaire to Charles Yost (202-205-3432,
[email protected]).
III-1.

Who should be contacted regarding the requested financial information?
Company contact:
Name and title
(
)
Phone number

III-2.

E-mail address

Briefly describe your financial accounting system.
A.

When does your fiscal year end (month and day)?
If your fiscal year changed during the period examined, explain below:

B.1.

Describe the lowest level of operations (e.g., plant, division, company-wide) for
which financial statements are prepared that include subject merchandise:

2.
3.

Does your firm prepare profit/loss statements for the subject merchandise:
Yes
No
How often did your firm (or parent company) prepare financial statements
(including annual reports, 10Ks)? Please check relevant items below.
Audited,
unaudited,
annual reports,
10Ks,
10 Qs,
Monthly,
quarterly,
semi-annually,
annually
Accounting basis:
GAAP,
cash,
tax, or
other comprehensive
(specify)

Note: The Commission may request that your company submit copies of its financial statements,
including internal profit-and-loss statements for the division or product group that includes
PRCBs, as well as those statements and worksheets used to compile data for your firm’s
questionnaire response.

III-3.

Briefly describe your cost accounting system (e.g., standard cost, job order cost, etc.).

Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - PRCBs from Indonesia, Taiwan, and Vietnam

Page 13

PART III. --FINANCIAL INFORMATION--Continued
III-4.

Briefly describe your allocation basis, if any, for COGS, SG&A, and interest expense and other
income and expenses.

III-5.

Other products.--Please list any other products you produced in the facilities in which you
produced PRCBs, and provide the share of net sales accounted for by these other products in your
most recent fiscal year:
Products

III-6.

Share of sales

Does your firm receive inputs (raw materials such as ethylene, labor, energy, or any other
services) used in the production of PRCBs from any related firm?
Yes—Continue to question III-7 below.

III-7.

No--Continue to question III-10 below.

In the space provided below, identify the inputs related to the production of PRCBs that your firm
receives from related parties whose financial statements are consolidated with the financial
statements of your firm.
Input

Related party

Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - PRCBs from Indonesia, Taiwan, and Vietnam

Page 14

PART III. --FINANCIAL INFORMATION--Continued
III-8.

With respect to the related companies identified in response to question III-7 above, are their
financial statements consolidated with your firm’s financial statements? (In other words, are
profits or losses arising from intercompany transactions eliminated?
Yes--Continue to question III-9 below.

III-9.

No--Continue to question III-10
below.

All intercompany profit on inputs purchased from related parties that is eliminated pursuant to
formal financial statement consolidation should also be eliminated from the costs reported to the
Commission in question III-11 (i.e., costs reported in question III-11, to the extent that they
reflect inputs purchased from related parties, should only reflect the related party’s cost and not
include an associated profit component). Reasonable methods for determining and eliminating
the associated profit on inputs purchased from related parties are acceptable.
Has your firm complied with the Commission’s instructions regarding costs associated with
inputs purchased from related parties?
Yes

No--Please contact Charles Yost (202-205-3432, [email protected]).

III-10. Nonrecurring charges.--For each annual and interim period for which financial results are
reported in question III-11a, please indicate in the schedule below the specific nonrecurring
charges, the particular expense/cost line items from question III-11 where the associated charges
are included, a brief description of the charges, and the associated values (in $1,000).
Nonrecurring charges would include, but are not limited to, items such as asset write-offs and
accelerated depreciation due to restructuring of the company’s total PRCB operations.
Fiscal years ended-Item
Non-recurring charges: (In this column please
provide a brief description of each nonrecurring
charge and indicate the particular expense/cost line
items where the associated charges are classified in
question III-11a.)
1.

, classified in

January-September
2008

2009

Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - PRCBs from Indonesia, Taiwan, and Vietnam

Page 15

PART III. --FINANCIAL INFORMATION--Continued
III-11a. Operations on ALL PRCBs.--Report the revenue and related cost information requested below
on the total PRCB operations of your U.S. establishment(s).1 Do not report resales of purchased
products. Note that internal consumption and transfers to related firms must be valued at fair
market value and purchases from related firms must be at cost.2 Provide data for your three most
recently completed fiscal years in chronological order from left to right, and for the specified
interim periods. If your firm was involved in tolling operations (either as the toller or as the
tollee) please contact Charles Yost before completing this section of the questionnaire. Please
provide breakouts for your firm’s operations on high-end and PRCBs other than high-end in
tables III-11b and III-11c, respectively. The sum of the breakouts should reconcile to the total.
Quantity (in 1,000 bags) and value (in $1,000)
Fiscal years ended-Item

January-September
2008

2009

Net sales quantities (1,000 bags):3
Commercial sales
Internal consumption
Transfers to related firms
Total net sales quantities
Net sales values:3
Commercial sales
Internal consumption
Transfers to related firms
Total net sales values
Cost of goods sold (COGS):4
Raw materials
Direct labor
Other factory costs
Total COGS
Gross profit or (loss)
Selling, general, and administrative
(SG&A) expenses:
Selling expenses
General and administrative expenses
Total SG&A expenses
Operating income (loss)
Other income and expenses:
Interest expense
All other expense items
All other income items
All other income or expenses, net
Net income or (loss) before income taxes
Depreciation/amortization included above
1

Include only sales (whether domestic or export) and costs related to your U.S. manufacturing operations.
Please list the expense categories and amounts of any profits on internal inputs or inputs from related firms that are reflected on
your books but which are eliminated from the costs reported below.
3
Less discounts, returns, allowances, and prepaid freight. The quantities and values should approximate the corresponding
shipment quantities and values reported in Part II of this questionnaire.
4
COGS should include costs associated with internal consumption and transfers to related firms.
2

Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - PRCBs from Indonesia, Taiwan, and Vietnam

Page 16

PART III. --FINANCIAL INFORMATION--Continued
III-11b. Operations on HIGH-END PRCBs.--Report the revenue and related cost information requested
below on the high-end PRCB operations of your U.S. establishment(s).1 Do not report resales of
purchased products. Note that internal consumption and transfers to related firms must be valued
at fair market value and purchases from related firms must be at cost.2 Provide data for your
three most recently completed fiscal years in chronological order from left to right, and for the
specified interim periods. If your firm was involved in tolling operations (either as the toller or as
the tollee) please contact Charles Yost at before completing this section of the questionnaire.
Quantity (in 1,000 bags) and value (in $1,000)
Fiscal years ended-Item

January-September
2008

2009

Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - PRCBs from Indonesia, Taiwan, and Vietnam

Page 17

PART III. --FINANCIAL INFORMATION--Continued
III-11c. Operations on PRCBs OTHER THAN HIGH END.--Report the revenue and related cost
information requested below on operations of PRCBs other than high-end PRCBs of your U.S.
establishment(s).1 Do not report resales of purchased products. Note that internal consumption
and transfers to related firms must be valued at fair market value and purchases from related firms
must be at cost.2 Provide data for your three most recently completed fiscal years in
chronological order from left to right, and for the specified interim periods. If your firm was
involved in tolling operations (either as the toller or as the tollee) please contact Charles Yost
before completing this section of the questionnaire.
Quantity (in 1,000 bags) and value (in $1,000)
Fiscal years ended-Item

January-September
2008

2009

Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - PRCBs from Indonesia, Taiwan, and Vietnam

Page 18

PART III. --FINANCIAL INFORMATION--Continued
III-12. Variable and fixed costs.--For each category of costs reported in III-b and III-c, please provide a
breakdown between variable and fixed costs for 2008 in PERCENT as follows:
Item

In percent (%)

Cost category

Variable costs

Fixed costs

Total

High-end PRCBs:
Raw materials

100.0%

Direct labor

100.0%

Other factory costs

100.0%

SG&A expenses

100.0%

All-other PRCBs:
Raw materials

100.0%

Direct labor

100.0%

Other factory costs

100.0%

SG&A expenses

100.0%

III-13. Asset values.--Report the total assets associated with the production, warehousing, and sale of
ALL PRCBs (table III-11a). If your firm does not maintain some or all of the specific asset data
in the normal course of business, please estimate it based upon some rational method (such as
production, sales, or costs) that is consistent with your cost allocations in the previous question.
Your finished goods inventory value should reconcile with the inventory quantity data reported in
Part II. Provide data as of the end of your three most recently completed fiscal years in
chronological order from left to right.
Fiscal years ended-Item
Assets associated with the production,
warehousing, and sale of product:
1. Current assets:
A. Cash and equivalents
B. Accounts receivable, net
C. Inventories (finished goods)
D. Inventories (raw materials and work in
process)
E. All other (describe:

)

F. Total current assets (lines 1.A. through
1.E.)
2. Property, plant, and equipment
A. Original cost of property, plant, and
equipment
B. Less: Accumulated depreciation
C. Equals: Book value of property, plant,
and equipment
3. All other (describe:

)

4. Total assets (lines 1.F., 2.C., and 3)

Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - PRCBs from Indonesia, Taiwan, and Vietnam

Page 19

PART III. --FINANCIAL INFORMATION--Continued
III-14. Capital expenditures and research and development expenses.--Report your firm’s capital
expenditures and research and development expenses on PRCBs. Provide data for your three
most recently completed fiscal years in chronological order from left to right, and for the
specified interim periods for all PRCBs, and breakouts for high-end PRCBs, and PRCBs other
than high-end.
Value (in $1,000)
Fiscal years ended-Item

January-September
2008

All PRCBs:
Capital expenditures
Research and development expenses
High-end PRCBs:
Capital expenditures
Research and development expenses
PRCBs other than high end:
Capital expenditures
Research and development expenses

Please provide a description of the nature or focus of your firm’s capital expenditures

Please provide a description of the nature or focus of your firm’s R&D expenses:

2009

Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - PRCBs from Indonesia, Taiwan, and Vietnam

Page 20

PART III. --FINANCIAL INFORMATION--Continued
III-15. Since January 1, 2006, has your firm experienced any actual negative effects on its return on
investment or its growth, investment, ability to raise capital, existing development and production
efforts (including efforts to develop a derivative or more advanced version of the product), or the
scale of capital investments as a result of imports of PRCBs from INDONESIA, TAIWAN, and
VIETNAM? Does your response differ by high end versus other than high end or by country?
No

Yes--My firm has experienced actual negative effects as follows:
Cancellation, postponement, or rejection of expansion projects
Denial or rejection of investment proposal
Reduction in the size of capital investments
Rejection of bank loans
Lowering of credit rating
Problem related to the issue of stocks or bonds
Other (specify)

III-16a. Does your firm anticipate any negative impact of imports of HIGH-END PRCBs from
INDONESIA, TAIWAN, and VIETNAM? Does your response differ by country?

III-16b. Does your firm anticipate any negative impact of imports of PRCBs OTHER THAN HIGHEND from INDONESIA, TAIWAN, and VIETNAM? Does your response differs by country?

Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – PRCBs from Indonesia, Taiwan, and Vietnam

Page 21

PART IV.-- PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION
Further information on this part of the questionnaire can be obtained from Craig Thomsen (202-205-3226,
[email protected])
IV-1.

Contact information (Price).--Who should be contacted regarding the requested pricing and
related information?
Company contact:
Name and title
(
)
Phone number

E-mail address

PRICE DATA
This section requests quarterly quantity and value data, f.o.b. your U.S. point of shipment, for your
commercial shipments to unrelated U.S. customers during January 2006–September 2009 of the
following products produced by your firm:
Product 1.--“T-shirt sack”-style bag with (a) dimensions 8-9” width x 4-6” side x 15-17” length,
(b) 11-13 microns film thickness, (c) side gussets, and (d) printed with one or two
colors on at least one side (5-30 percent ink coverage for entire bag). Typically, these
PRCBs weigh between 4.7 and 7.9 pounds per 1,000 bags.
Product 2.-- “T-shirt sack”-style bag with (a) dimensions 10-11” width x 6.5-7” side x 17-20”
length, (b) 12-15 microns film thickness, (c) side gussets, and (d) printed with one or
two colors on at least one side (5-30 percent ink coverage for entire bag). Typically,
these PRCBs weigh between 8.1 and 13.2 pounds per 1,000 bags.
Product 3.--“T-shirt sack”-style bag with (a) dimensions 11.5-12” width x 6.5-7” side x 20-22”
length, (b) 12-15 microns film thickness, (c) side gussets, and (d) printed with one or
two colors on at least one side (5-30 percent ink coverage for entire bag). Typically,
these PRCBs weigh between 10.2 and 15.3 pounds per 1,000 bags.
Product 4.-- “T-shirt sack”-style bag with (a) dimensions 15-16” width x 7-9” side x 27-30”
length, (b) 20-24 microns film thickness, (c) side gussets, and (d) printed with one or
two colors on at least one side (5-30 percent ink coverage for entire bag). Typically,
these PRCBs weigh between 21.8 and 33.4 pounds per 1,000 bags.
Product 5.--Die-cut-handle-style merchandise bags with (a) dimensions 15-17” width x 3-5” side
x 20-25” length, (b) 20-24 microns film thickness, (c) side gussets, and (d) printed
with at least two colors on at least one side (5-50 percent ink coverage for entire
bag).

Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – PRCBs from Indonesia, Taiwan, and Vietnam

Page 22

PART IV.--PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
Product 6.-- Die-cut-handle-style merchandise bags with (a) dimensions 15-18” width x 17-19”
length, (b) 31-39 microns film thickness, (c) no side gussets, and (d) with or without
a bottom gusset of up to 6” (3” plus 3”), and (e) printed with at least two colors on at
least one side (5-50 percent ink coverage for entire bag).
Product 7.--Merchandise or carry-out bag with (a) rope drawstring attached, (b) dimensions
15-18” width x 16-20” length (with or without bottom gusset), (c) 30-60 microns
film thickness, and (d) print with 1-6 colors (5-100 percent ink coverage for entire
bag).
Product 8.--Heat-sealed, square-bottomed merchandise or carry-out bag with or without a
bottom cardboard insert, having (a) dimensions 11-18” width x 4-8” side x 12-20”
length (with or without side gusset, (b) 50-150 microns film thickness, (d) separately
applied flat flexible plastic handle, and (e) print with 1-6 colors on up to 5 sides (5100 percent ink coverage for entire bag).

For your sales of product 8, data included represent PRCBs that:
Have cardboard inserts:
Do not have cardboard inserts:
Please note that total dollar values should be f.o.b., U.S. point of shipment and should not include
U.S.-inland transportation costs. Total dollar values should reflect the final net amount paid to you
(i.e., should be net of all deductions for discounts or rebates). See instruction booklet.
*** If your product does not exactly meet the product specifications but is competitive with the
specified product, provide a description of your product in the space provided at the bottom of each
of the following tables.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – PRCBs from Indonesia, Taiwan, and Vietnam

Page 23

PART IV.--PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
IV-2.

Pricing data.--Report below the quarterly price data1 for pricing products2 produced and sold by
your firm.
(Quantity in 1,000 bags and pounds, value in dollars)

Period of shipment

Product 1
1,000 bags

Pounds

Product 2
Value

1,000 bags

Pounds

Value

2006:
January-March
April-June
July-September
October-December
2007:
January-March
April-June
July-September
October-December
2008:
January-March
April-June
July-September
October-December
2009:
January-March
April-June
July-September
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 U.S. point of shipment.
2
Pricing product definitions are provided on the first page of Part IV.
Note.--If your product does not exactly meet the product specifications but is competitive with the specified product,
provide a description of your product:
Product 1:

Product 2:

Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – PRCBs from Indonesia, Taiwan, and Vietnam

Page 24

PART IV.--PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
IV-2.

Pricing data.—Continued
(Quantity in 1,000 bags and pounds, value in dollars)

Period of shipment

Product 3
1,000 bags

Pounds

Product 4
Value

1,000 bags

Pounds

Value

Product 4:

Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – PRCBs from Indonesia, Taiwan, and Vietnam

Page 25

PART IV.--PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
IV-2.

Pricing data.—Continued
(Quantity in 1,000 bags and pounds, value in dollars)

Period of shipment

Product 5
1,000 bags

Pounds

Product 6
Value

1,000 bags

Pounds

Value

Product 6:

Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – PRCBs from Indonesia, Taiwan, and Vietnam

Page 26

PART IV.--PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
IV-2.

Pricing data.—Continued
(Quantity in 1,000 bags and pounds, value in dollars)

Period of shipment

Product 7
1,000 bags

Pounds

Product 8
Value

1,000 bags

Pounds

Value

Product 8:

Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – PRCBs from Indonesia, Taiwan, and Vietnam

Page 27

PART IV.--PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
In the rest of this questionnaire, please report if your answers differ between PRCBs that you
believe to be high-end and all other PRCBs.
If you produce only high-end PRCBs and do not know about other PRCBs, check here

If you produce only PRCBs other than high-end and do not know about high-end PRCBs,
check here
.
IV-3.

(a) Price setting.-- How does your firm determine the prices that it charges for sales of PRCBs
(check all that apply)? If your firm issues price lists, please include a copy of a recent price list
with your submission. If your price list is large, please only submit some sample pages.
Transaction by transaction

Contracts

Set price lists

Internet sales

Other--Please describe:

(b) Price setting.-- Does the availability of PRCB pricing via the internet, including websites and
bid solicitations, affect the prices you offer in the U.S. market?
No

IV-4.

Yes --Please describe how they affect your pricing of PRCBs.

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

Annual total volume discounts

No discount policy

Other--Please describe:

IV-5.

Pricing terms for PRCBs.-(a)

What are your firm’s typical sales terms for its U.S.-produced PRCBs (e.g., 2/10 net 30
days)?
.

(b)

On what basis are your prices of domestic PRCBs usually quoted? (check one)
F.o.b.--Please specify point:
Delivered

Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – PRCBs from Indonesia, Taiwan, and Vietnam

Page 28

PART IV.--PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
IV-6.

Contract versus spot.--Approximately what shares of your firm’s sales of its U.S.-produced
PRCBs in 2008 were on a (1) long-term contract basis (multiple deliveries for more than
12 months), (2) short-term contract basis (multiple deliveries up to and including 12 months), and
(3) spot sales basis (for a single delivery)?
Type of sale

Share of sales (percent)

Long-term contracts
Short-term contracts
Spot sales
IV-7.

IV-8.

IV-9.

Long-term contract provisions.--If you sell on a long-term contract basis, please answer the
following questions with respect to provisions of a typical long-term contract.
(a)

What is the average duration of a contract?

(b)

Can prices be renegotiated during the contract period?

(c)

Does the contract fix quantity, price, or both?

(d)

Does the contract have a meet-or-release provision?

Yes

Quantity

Price
Yes

Both
No

Short-term contract provisions.--If you sell on a short-term contract basis, please answer the
following questions with respect to provisions of a typical short-term contract.
(a)

What is the average duration of a contract?

(b)

Can prices be renegotiated during the contract period?

(c)

Does the contract fix quantity, price, or both?

(d)

Does the contract have a meet-or-release provision?

Yes

Quantity

Price
Yes

Both
No

Lead times.--What is your share of sales both from inventory and produced to order and what is
the average lead time between a customer’s order and the date of delivery for your firm’s sales of
your U.S.-produced PRCBs?
Source

Share of sales in 2008

From inventory
Produced to order
Total

100 %

Lead time

Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – PRCBs from Indonesia, Taiwan, and Vietnam

Page 29

PART IV.--PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
IV-10. Shipping information.-(a)

What is the approximate percentage of the total delivered cost of PRCBs that is
accounted for by U.S. inland transportation costs?
percent.

(b)

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

(c)

What proportion of your sales is delivered within 100 miles of your production facility?
percent. Within 101 to 1,000 miles?
percent. Over 1,000 miles?
percent.

IV-11. Geographical shipments.-- What is the geographic market area in the United States served by
your firm’s PRCBs? (check all that apply)
Geographic area

√ if applicable

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, VI, among others.

IV-12. How does your competition for and sales to large customers differ from sales to smaller
customers (e.g., differences in price, payment terms, etc.)?

IV-13. Have your sales to large customers changed vis-a-vis smaller customers since January 1, 2006?
No

Yes--Please explain how they have changed.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – PRCBs from Indonesia, Taiwan, and Vietnam

Page 30

PART IV.--PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
IV-14. Please estimate the percentage of your firm’s sales of PRCBs in 2008 that were of the
following types.
(a)

High-end PRCBs
All other PRCBs
100%

(b)

T-shirt bags
Die cut handle bags
Patch handle bags
Drawstring style bags
Flat-bottom bags
String loop handle bags
Other PRCBs
100%

IV-15. Substitutes.--Please list in order of importance any products that may be substituted for PRCB.
For each possible substitute product, please describe the degree of substitutability and indicate
whether changes in the price of the substitute affect the price for PRCBs, and to what degree, the
length of any time lag of such an effect.

Substitute
1.

Application

Frequency of
substitution
(Circle one)
Always

Have changes in the prices
of this substitute affected
the price for PRCBs?

Yes—Explain.

Frequently
Sometimes
Rarely
2.

Always
Frequently
Sometimes
Rarely

Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – PRCBs from Indonesia, Taiwan, and Vietnam

Page 31

PART IV.--PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
IV-16. (a) Are paper bags substitutes for any of the following types of PRCBs?
T-shirt bags
Die cut handle bags
Patch handle bags
Drawstring style bags
Flat-bottom bags
String loop handle bags
Other PRCBs

Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes

No
No
No
No
No
No
No

(b) If yes, please indicate whether substitution of paper bags for PRCBs has increased, decreased,
or remained the same since January 1, 2006.
Increased

No change

Decreased

IV-17. (a) Has the increased use of reusable bags, including bags of cloth or other material, affected
demand for PRCBs since January 1, 2006?
No

Yes--Please estimate the size of demand reduction,

percent.

(b) Has there been a shift from use of PRCBs to use of paper bags since January 1, 2006?
No

Yes--Please estimate the size of demand reduction,

percent.

Yes--Please estimate the size of demand reduction,
percent. Please
report the characteristics of PRCBs covered by these regulations,

IV-18. (a) Do you expect passage of laws regulating the use and disposal of PRCBs?
No

Yes--Please estimate the impact these regulations will likely have on your
demand for PRCBs in the near future:
percent. Please report the
characteristics of PRCBs likely to be covered by these regulations.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – PRCBs from Indonesia, Taiwan, and Vietnam

Page 32

PART IV.--PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
IV-18. (b) Do you expect other changes in conditions of competition that will affect demand for PRCBs?
No

Yes--Please report the factors that you expect will change demand for PRCBs
and how large an impact each factor will have on PRCB demand.
Anticipated change
(in percent)

Factor expected to affect demand for PRCBs

IV-19. Demand trends.-(a)

How has the demand within the United States for PRCBs changed since January 1, 2006?
What principal factors affect changes in demand?
Increased

(b)

No Change

Decreased

Fluctuated

How has the demand outside the United States (if known) for PRCBs changed since
January 1, 2006? What principal factors affect changes in demand?
Increased

No Change

Decreased

Fluctuated

IV-20. Product changes.--Have there been any significant changes in the product range, product mix, or
marketing (including sales over the internet) of PRCBs since January 1, 2006?
No

Yes--Please describe and quantify if possible.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – PRCBs from Indonesia, Taiwan, and Vietnam

Page 33

PART IV.--PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
IV-21. Business cycles.-(a) Is the PRCB market subject to business cycles or conditions of competition (including
seasonal business) distinctive to PRCBs?
No (skip to question IV-16.)

Yes-- Please describe below and then answer part (b).

(b) If yes, have there been any changes in the business cycles or conditions of competition for
PRCBs since January 1, 2006?
No

Yes-- Please describe.

IV-22. Supply constraints.--Has your firm refused, declined, or been unable to supply PRCBs since
January 1, 2006 (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, been unable to produce the type(s) of PRCBs requested, been unable to meet timely
shipment commitments, etc.)?
No

Yes-- Please describe.

IV-23. Raw materials.--Please describe any trends in the prices of raw materials used to produce
PRCBs and whether your firm expects these trends to continue.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – PRCBs from Indonesia, Taiwan, and Vietnam

Page 34

PART IV.--PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
IV-24. Interchangeability.--Are PRCBs produced in the United States and in other countries
interchangeable (i.e., can they physically be used in the same applications)? Please indicate
below, using “A” to indicate that the products from a specified country-pair are always
interchangeable, “F” to indicate that the products are frequently interchangeable, “S” to indicate
that the products are sometimes interchangeable, “N” to indicate that the products are never
interchangeable, and “0” to indicate no familiarity with products from a specified country-pair.1
Country-pair

Indonesia

Taiwan

Vietnam

Other countries2

United States
Indonesia
Taiwan
Vietnam
1

For any country-pair producing PRCB which is sometimes or never interchangeable, please explain
the factors that limit or preclude interchangeable use:

List the countries.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – PRCBs from Indonesia, Taiwan, and Vietnam

Page 35

PART IV.--PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
IV-25. Factors other than price.--Are differences other than price (i.e., quality, availability,
transportation network, product range, technical support, etc.) between PRCBs produced in the
United States and in other countries a significant factor in your firm’s sales of the products?
Please indicate below, using “A” to indicate that such differences are always significant, “F” to
indicate that such differences are frequently significant, “S” to indicate that such differences are
sometimes significant, “N” to indicate that such differences are never significant, and “0” to
indicate no familiarity with products from a specified country-pair.1
Country-pair

Indonesia

Taiwan

Vietnam

Other countries2

United States
Indonesia
Taiwan
Vietnam
1

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

List the countries.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – PRCBs from Indonesia, Taiwan, and Vietnam

Page 36

PART IV.--PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
IV-26. Customer Identification--Please identify below the names and addresses of your firm’s 10
largest customers for PRCBs during 2006-2008. Please also provide the name and telephone
number of a contact person and the share of the quantity of your firm’s total shipments of PRCBs
that each of these customers accounted for in 2008.

No.

Customer’s name

Street address (not P.O.
box), city, state, and zip
code

Contact person

Area
code and
telephone
number

Share of
2008
sales
(%)

Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – PRCBs from Indonesia, Taiwan, and Vietnam

Page 37

PART IV.--PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
IV-27. COMPETITION FROM IMPORTS--LOST REVENUES.--PLEASE DO NOT RESUBMIT ALLEGATIONS PROVIDED IN THE PRELIMINARY PHASE OF THESE
INVESTIGATIONS.
Since January 1, 2006: To avoid losing sales to competitors selling PRCBs from Indonesia,
Taiwan, or Vietnam, did your firm:
Reduce prices

Yes

Roll back announced price increases

Yes

If yes, please furnish as much of the following information as possible for each affected
transaction. Document such allegations of lost revenues whenever possible (documentation could
include copies of invoices, sales reports, or letters from customers). Please note that the
Commission may contact the firms named to verify the allegations reported.
Customer name, contact person, phone and fax numbers
Specific product(s) involved
Date of your initial price quotation
Quantity involved
Your initial rejected price quotation (total delivered value)
Your accepted price quotation (total delivered value)
The country of origin of the competing imported product
The competing price quotation of the imported product (total delivered value)
Customer name,
contact person,
phone and fax
numbers

Product

Date of
quote

Quantity
(1,000 bags)

Initial
rejected U.S.
price (total
value-dollars)

Accepted
U.S. price
(total value-dollars)

Country of
origin

Competing
import price
(total
value—
dollars)

Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – PRCBs from Indonesia, Taiwan, and Vietnam

Page 38

PART IV.--PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
IV-28. COMPETITION FROM IMPORTS--LOST SALES.-- PLEASE DO NOT RE-SUBMIT
ALLEGATIONS PROVIDED IN THE PRELIMINARY PHASE OF THIS
INVESTIGATION.
Since January 1, 2006: Did your firm lose sales of PRCBs to imports of these products from
Indonesia, Taiwan, or Vietnam?
No

Yes

If yes, please furnish as much of the following information as possible for each affected
transaction. Document such allegations of lost sales whenever possible (documentation could
include copies of invoices, sales reports, or letters from customers). Please note that the
Commission may contact the firms named to verify the allegations reported.
Customer name, contact person, phone and fax numbers
Specific product(s) involved
Date of your price quotation
Quantity involved
Your rejected price quotation (total delivered value)
The country of origin of the competing imported product
The accepted price quotation of the imported product (total delivered value)
Customer name,
contact person,
phone and fax
numbers

Product

Date of
quote

Quantity
(1,000 bags)

Rejected
U.S. price
(total value-dollars)

Country of
origin

Competing
import price
(total
value—
dollars)

Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – PRCBs from Indonesia, Taiwan, and Vietnam

Page 39

PART V.-- DOMESTIC AND IMPORTED OR PURCHASED PRCBs
V-1.

Operations on DOMESTIC, IMPORTED, AND PURCHASED PRCBs FROM
INDONESIA, TAIWAN, AND VIETNAM COMBINED.– For the PRCB operations of your
U.S. establishment(s) plus your imports or purchases of subject PRCBs, report the information
requested below.
Quantity (in 1,000 bags) and value (in $1,000)
Calendar years
Item

2006

2007

January-September
2008

2008

2009

BEGINNING-OF-PERIOD INVENTORIES (1,000 bags)
PRODUCTION (1,000 bags)
Beginning-of-period inventories of imports and purchases of
subject PRCBs (1,000 bags)
Imports and purchases of subject PRCBs (1,000 bags)
Imports and purchases of subject PRCBs ($1,000)
U.S. SHIPMENTS of domestic production and subject imports
Commercial shipments:
Quantity of commercial shipments (1,000 bags)
Value of commercial shipments ($1,000)
Internal Consumption:
Quantity of internal consumption (1,000 bags)
1

Value of internal consumption ($1,000)
Transfers to related firms:
Quantity of transfers to related firms (1,000 bags)
1

Value of transfers to related firms ($1,000)
EXPORT SHIPMENTS of domestic production and subject imports:

Quantity of export shipments (1,000 bags)
Value of export shipments ($1,000)
3

END-OF-PERIOD INVENTORIES of domestic production
(quantity)
3

END-OF-PERIOD INVENTORIES of subject imports (quantity)
AVERAGE NUMBER OF PRWs
HOURS WORKED BY PRWs (1,000 hours)
WAGES PAID TO PRWs (value)
FINANCIAL INFORMATION on domestic and subject imports,
4
combined :
5

Net sales:

Quantity of net sales (1,000 bags)
Value of net sales
6

Cost of goods sold (value)

Gross profit or (loss) (value)
6

Selling, general, and administrative expenses (value)
Operating income or (loss) (value)
1
2

Sales to related firms (including internal consumption and transfers) must be valued at fair market value.
Identify your principal export markets:

Reconciliation of data.--Please note that the quantities reported above should reconcile as follows: beginning-of-period inventories, plus
production, less total shipments, equals end-of-period inventories. Do the data above reconcile?
Yes
No--Please explain:
4
5
6

Report financial information on a fiscal-year basis (year ending
Including internal consumption and transfer to related firms and net of discounts, returns, allowances, and prepaid freight.
Including cost of purchases and imports of subject PRCBs, as applicable.

File Type	application/pdf
File Title	Microsoft Word - US Producer Questionnaire-Revised2.doc
Author	fred.ruggles
File Modified	2009-12-09
File Created	2009-12-09