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DRAFT U.S. IMPORTERS’ QUESTIONNAIRE
SORBITOL FROM FRANCE
This questionnaire must be received by the Commission by no later than MARCH 8, 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 review of the antidumping duty order concerning sorbitol from France (Inv. No. 731-TA-44 (Third
Review)). 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 imported sorbitol (as defined in the instruction booklet) from any country at any time since January
1, 1982?
NO
YES
(Sign the certification below and promptly return only this page of the questionnaire to the Commission)
(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 this review in any other import-injury investigations or reviews
conducted by the Commission on the same or similar merchandise.
I acknowledge that information submitted in this questionnaire response and throughout this review 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 review 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. Importers’ Questionnaire - Sorbitol
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 40 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.
NOTE: REPORT YOUR ANSWERS FOR CRYSTALLINE SORBITOL ONLY.
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-3.
Ownership.--Is your firm owned, in whole or in part, by any other firm?
No
Yes--List the following information.
Firm name
Address
Extent of
ownership
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Sorbitol
Page 3
PART I.--GENERAL INFORMATION--Continued
I-4.
Related SUBJECT importers/exporters.--Does your firm have any related firms, either
domestic or foreign, which are engaged in importing sorbitol from France into the United States
or which are engaged in exporting sorbitol from France to the United States?
No
Yes--List the following information.
Firm name
I-5.
Yes--List the following information.
Firm name and country
Address
Affiliation
Related producers.--Does your firm have any related firms, either domestic or foreign, which
are engaged in the production of sorbitol?
No
Yes--List the following information.
Firm name
I-7.
Affiliation
Related NONSUBJECT importers/exporters.--Does your firm have any related firms, either
domestic or foreign, which are engaged in importing sorbitol from countries other than France
into the United States or which are engaged in exporting sorbitol from countries other than France
to the United States?
No
I-6.
Address
Address
Affiliation
Nature of import operations.--Please indicate the nature of your firm’s importing operations on
sorbitol. More than one answer may be applicable.
Importer of record
Takes title to the imported product(s)
Consignee of the imported products(s)
Customs broker or freight forwarder
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Sorbitol
Page 4
PART I.--GENERAL INFORMATION--Continued
I-8.
Consignees.--If your firm is an importer of record of sorbitol but is not the consignee, please list
the consignees below (firm name, address, telephone number, and individual to contact).
Firm name
I-9.
I-10.
Foreign trade zones
No
Yes
Bonded warehouses
No
Yes
TIB.--Please indicate whether your firm imports sorbitol under the TIB (temporary importation
under bond) program.
Yes
Business plan.--In Parts II and III of this questionnaire we request a copy of your company’s
business plan. Does your company or any related firm have a business plan or any internal
documents that describe, discuss, or analyze expected market conditions for sorbitol?
No
I-12.
Contact person and
phone number
FTZs or bonded warehouse.--Please indicate whether your firm enters sorbitol into, or
withdraws such merchandise from, foreign trade zones or bonded warehouses.
No
I-11.
Address
Yes–Please provide the requested documents. If you are not providing the
requested documents, please explain why not.
Other investigations.--To your knowledge, has the product subject to this proceeding been the
subject of any other import relief investigations in the United States or in any other countries?
No
Yes–Please specify.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Sorbitol
Page 5
PART II.--TRADE AND RELATED INFORMATION
Further information on this part of the questionnaire can be obtained from Dana Lofgren, Investigator
(202-708-4721, [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
E-mail address
NOTE: REPORT YOUR ANSWERS FOR CRYSTALLINE SORBITOL ONLY.
II-2.
Changes in operations.--Please indicate whether your firm has experienced any of the following
changes in relation to the importation of sorbitol since January 1, 1982?
(check as many as appropriate)
office/warehouse openings .......
office/warehouse closings.........
relocations.................................
expansions................................
acquisitions ...............................
consolidations ...........................
prolonged shutdowns or
importation curtailments.................
revised labor agreements .........
other ..........................................
(please describe)
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Sorbitol
Page 6
PART II.--TRADE AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
II-3.
Anticipated changes in operations.--Does your firm anticipate any changes in the character of
your operations or organization (as noted above) relating to the importation of sorbitol in the
future?
No
II-4.
Anticipated changes in operations in the event the order is revoked.--Would your firm
anticipate any changes in the character of your operations or organization (as noted above)
relating to the importation of sorbitol in the future if the antidumping duty order on sorbitol from
France were to be revoked?
No
II-5.
Yes–Supply details as to the time, nature, and significance of such changes
and provide underlying assumptions, along with relevant portions of
business plans or other supporting documentation that address this
issue.
Arranged imports.--Has your firm imported or arranged for the importation of sorbitol from
France for delivery after January 1, 2010?
No
II-6.
Yes–Supply details as to the time, nature, and significance of such changes
and provide underlying assumptions, along with relevant portions of
business plans or other supporting documentation that address this
issue.
Yes--Indicate when such orders are to be delivered and the quantities
involved.
Reasons for importing if producer.--If your firm also produces sorbitol in the United States,
please indicate your reasons for importing this product. If your reasons differ by source, please
elaborate.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Sorbitol
Page 7
PART II.--TRADE AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
II-7a.
Imports from France.--Does your firm import sorbitol from France?
No.
Yes-- Report your firm’s imports and your firm’s shipments and inventories
of sorbitol imported from France by your firm during the specified
periods. (See definitions in the instruction booklet.)
FRANCE
Quantity (in 1,000 pounds), value (in $1,000)
Calendar year
Item
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
Beginning-of-period inventories
(quantity) (A)
Imports:
Quantity (B)
Value (C)
U.S. shipments:
Commercial shipments:
Quantity (D)
Value (E)
Internal consumption/company transfers:
Quantity (F)
Value1 (G)
Export shipments:2
Quantity (H)
Value (I)
End-of-period inventories (quantity)
(J)
Channels of distribution:
U.S. shipments to distributors
(quantity) (K)
U.S. shipments to end users
(quantity) (L)
1
Sales to related firms (including internal consumption) must be valued at fair market value. In the event that you use a different basis
for valuing these sales within your company, please specify that basis (e.g., cost, cost plus, etc.) and provide value data using that basis
for each period identified above:
2
Identify your principal export markets:
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Sorbitol
Page 8
PART II.--TRADE AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
II-7b.
Imports from ALL OTHER SOURCES.--Does your firm import sorbitol from countries other
than France?
No.
Yes-- Report your firm’s imports and your firm’s shipments and inventories
of sorbitol imported from countries other than France by your firm
during the specified periods. (See definitions in the instruction
booklet.)
ALL OTHER SOURCES COMBINED
Quantity (in 1,000 pounds), value (in $1,000)
Calendar year
Item
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
Beginning-of-period inventories
(quantity) (A)
Imports:
Quantity (B)
Value (C)
U.S. shipments:
Commercial shipments:
Quantity (D)
Value (E)
Internal consumption/company transfers:
Quantity (F)
Value1 (G)
Export shipments:2
Quantity (H)
Value (I)
End-of-period inventories
(quantity) (J)
Channels of distribution:
U.S. shipments to distributors
(quantity) (K)
U.S. shipments to end users
(quantity) (L)
1
Sales to related firms (including internal consumption) must be valued at fair market value. In the event that you use a different basis
for valuing these sales within your company, please specify that basis (e.g., cost, cost plus, etc.) and provide value data using that basis
for each of the periods noted above:
2
Identify your principal export markets:
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Sorbitol
Page 9
PART II.--TRADE AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
II-8.
Reconciliation of import data.-(a)
Please note that the quantities reported in question II-7 should reconcile as follows in
each period (i.e., in each column):
Reconciliation
A+B–D–F–H=J
D+F=K+L
(b)
Yes
No--(Please
)
Yes
No--( Please
Please note that the quantities reported for end-of-period inventories should equal the
beginning-of-period inventories reported in the subsequent calendar year (i.e., line J of
year 2007 should equal line B of year 2008). Do these data reconcile for each adjacent
calendar year?
Yes.
II-9.
Do these data reconcile?
explain:
Do these data reconcile?
explain:
No--Please explain.
Effect of order.--Describe the significance of the existing antidumping duty order covering
imports of sorbitol from France in terms of its effect on your firm’s imports, U.S. shipments of
imports, and inventories. You may wish to compare your firm’s operations before and after the
imposition of the order.
)
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Sorbitol
Page 10
PART II.--TRADE AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
II-10.
Likely effect of revocation of order.--Would your firm anticipate any changes in its imports,
U.S. shipments of imports, or inventories of sorbitol in the future if the antidumping duty order
on sorbitol from France were to be revoked?
No
Yes–Supply details as to the time, nature, and significance of such changes
and provide underlying assumptions, along with relevant portions of
business plans or other supporting documentation for any trends or
projections you may provide.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Sorbitol
Page 11
PART III.--PRICING AND MARKET FACTORS
Further information on this part of the questionnaire can be obtained from Clark Workman (202-2053248, [email protected])
III-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 price and quantity data, f.o.b. your U.S. point of shipment, for your
commercial shipments to unrelated U.S. customers during 2007 – 2009 of the following products you
imported from France:
Product 1.--Crystalline sorbitol coarse powder: 1800 lb. or 1 metric ton (2205 lbs) super sack for
food or pharmaceutical use.
Product 2.--Crystalline sorbitol coarse powder: 300 lb. drum for food or pharmaceutical use.
Product 3.--Crystalline sorbitol coarse powder: 50 lb. bag or box for food or pharmaceutical use.
Product 4.--Crystalline sorbitol granular: 200 lb. drum for food or pharmaceutical use.
Please report sales on a delivered basis to your final customer, including U.S.-inland
transportation costs to your customer’s facility. Please note that total dollar values should reflect
the FINAL NET amount (i.e., should be net of all deductions for discounts or rebates). See
instruction booklet for details.
NOTE: REPORT YOUR ANSWERS FOR CRYSTALLINE SORBITOL ONLY.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Sorbitol
Page 12
PART III.--PRICING AND MARKET FACTORS--Continued
III-2.
Price data (FRANCE).--Report below the quarterly price data1 for pricing products2 imported
from FRANCE and sold by your firm.
FRANCE
Period of shipment
(Quantity in pounds, value in dollars)
Product 1
Quantity
Value
Product 2
Quantity
Value
2004:
January-March
April-June
July-September
October-December
2005:
January-March
April-June
July-September
October-December
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
October-December
1
Net values (i.e., gross sales values less all discounts, allowances, rebates, prepaid freight, and the value of
returned goods), delivered to your customers’ U.S. facility (include U.S-inland transportation costs).
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. Importers’ Questionnaire - Sorbitol
Page 13
PART III.--PRICING AND MARKET FACTORS--Continued
III-2.
Price data (FRANCE) .--Continued
FRANCE
Period of shipment
(Quantity in pounds, value in dollars)
Product 3
Quantity
Value
Product 4
Quantity
Value
2004:
January-March
April-June
July-September
October-December
2005:
January-March
April-June
July-September
October-December
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
October-December
1
Net values (i.e., gross sales values less all discounts, allowances, rebates, prepaid freight, and the value of
returned goods), delivered to your customers’ U.S. facility (include U.S-inland transportation costs).
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. Importers’ Questionnaire - Sorbitol
Page 14
PART III.--PRICING AND MARKET FACTORS--Continued
III-3.
Price setting.-- How does your firm determine the prices that it charges for sales of sorbitol
(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
Other--Please describe:
III-4.
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:
III-5.
Pricing terms for sorbitol.-(a)
What are your firm’s typical sales terms for its imported sorbitol (e.g., 2/10 net 30 days)?
.
(b)
On what basis are your prices of imported sorbitol usually quoted? (check one)
F.o.b.--Please specify point:
III-6.
Delivered
Contract versus spot.--Approximately what share of your firm’s sales of its imported sorbitol in
2009 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
Long-term contracts
Short-term contracts
Spot sales
Share of sales (percent)
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Sorbitol
Page 15
PART III.--PRICING AND MARKET FACTORS--Continued
III-7.
III-8.
Long-term contact 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
No
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
No
Price
Yes
Both
No
III-9. Long-term contact bids.--Please identify the three largest long term contracts (more than 12
months) on which your firm submitted bids for delivery of sorbitol during 2007-09 and complete
the information requested in the table below.
Customer
Name
Length of
contract
(months)
Quantity
(pounds)
Your
firm’s
price
quote
(dollars
per
pound)
Date of
your firm’s
quote
Winning
price
quote
(dollars
per
pound)
Name of winning
bidder
Delivery
date
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Sorbitol
Page 16
PART III.--PRICING AND MARKET FACTORS--Continued
III-10. Short-term contact bids.-- Please identify the three largest short term contracts (12 months or
less) on which your firm submitted bids for delivery of sorbitol during 2007-09 and complete the
information requested in the table below.
Length of
contract
(months)
Customer
Name
Quantity
(pounds)
Your firm’s
price quote
(dollars
per pound)
Date of
your firm’s
quote
Winning
price quote
(dollars
per pound)
Name of winning
bidder
III-11. Lead times.--What is the average lead time between a customer’s order and the date of delivery
for your firm’s sales of sorbitol?
Source
Share of sales,
2009
Lead time
From your firm’s inventory
From foreign manufacturers’
inventory
Produced to order
Total
100 %
III-12. Shipping information.-(a)
What is the approximate percentage of the total delivered cost of sorbitol 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 purchaser
(c)
What proportion of your sales are delivered within 100 miles of your point of importation
( ) or storage facility ( ) (check one, then provide the percentages)?
percent.
Within 101 to 1,000 miles?
percent. Over 1,000 miles?
percent. Be sure to
check one of the two options for measurement.
Delivery
date
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Sorbitol
Page 17
PART III.--PRICING AND MARKET FACTORS--Continued
III-13. Geographical shipments.-- What is the geographic market area in the United States served by
your firm’s imported sorbitol? (check all that apply)
Product from
France
Geographic area
Product from
other import
sources
√ 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.
III-14. End uses.--Describe the end uses of the sorbitol that you import from France. For each end-use
product, what percentage of the total cost is accounted for by sorbitol?
End use
Share of total cost of end
product (percent)
III-15. Changes in end uses.--Have there been any changes in the end uses of granular sorbitol since the
imposition of the finding in 1982?
No
Yes—Please describe any changes in the end user of sorbitol.
III-16. Anticipated changes in end uses.--Do you anticipate any changes in terms of the end uses of
sorbitol in the future?
No
Yes--Please describe and identify the time period.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Sorbitol
Page 18
PART III.--PRICING AND MARKET FACTORS--Continued
III-17. Substitutes.--Please list in order of importance any products that may be substituted for sorbitol.
For each possible substitute product, please give examples of applications and end uses for which
they are substitutes and indicate whether changes in the price of the substitute affect the price for
sorbitol, and to what degree, and the length of any time lag of such an effect.
Substitute
Application(s) and degree
Have changes in the prices of this
of substitutability
substitute affected the price for sorbitol?
1.
No
Yes--Please explain.
2.
No
Yes--Please explain.
3.
No
Yes--Please explain.
4.
No
Yes--Please explain.
5.
No
Yes--Please explain.
III-18. Changes in substitutes.--Have there been any changes in the number or types of products that
can be substituted for sorbitol since the imposition of the finding in 1982?
No
Yes--Please explain.
III-19. Anticipated changes in substitute.--Do you anticipate any changes in terms of the
substitutability of other products for sorbitol in the future?
No
Yes--Please describe.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Sorbitol
Page 19
PART III.--PRICING AND MARKET FACTORS--Continued
III-20. Raw materials.--To what extent have changes in the prices of raw materials affected your firm’s
selling prices for sorbitol since the imposition of the finding in 1982? Also discuss any
anticipated changes in your raw material costs in the future.
III-21. Changes in factors affecting supply.--Have any changes occurred in any other factors affecting
supply (e.g., changes in availability or prices of energy or labor; transportation conditions;
production capacity and/or methods of production; technology; export markets; or alternative
production opportunities) that affected the availability of U.S.-produced sorbitol in the U.S.
market since the imposition of the finding in 1982?
No
Yes--Please note the time period(s) of any such changes, the factors(s)
involved, and the impact such changes had on your shipment volumes
and prices.
III-22. Availability of “subject” import supply.-(a)
Do you anticipate any changes in terms of the availability of sorbitol imported from
France in the U.S. market in the future?
Increase
(b)
No change
Decrease
If you anticipate changes in supply, please identify the changes, including the time period
and the impact of such changes on shipment volumes and prices.
III-23. Availability of “nonsubject” import supply.--Has the availability of NONSUBJECT sorbitol
(i.e., sorbitol imported from countries other than France) changed since the imposition of the
finding in 1982?
No
Yes--Please explain.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Sorbitol
Page 20
PART III.--PRICING AND MARKET FACTORS--Continued
III-24. Shifting sales.--Describe how easily your firm can shift its sales of sorbitol between the U.S.
market and alternative country markets. In your discussion, please describe any contracts, other
sales arrangements, or other constraints that would prevent or retard your firm from shifting
sorbitol between the U.S. and alternative country markets within a 12-month period.
III-25. Product changes.--Have there been any significant changes in the product range, product mix, or
marketing (including sales over the internet) of sorbitol since the imposition of the finding in
1982?
No
Yes--Please describe and quantify if possible.
III-26. Anticipated product changes.--Do you anticipate any changes in terms of the product range,
product mix, or marketing (including sales over the internet) of sorbitol in the future?
No
Yes--Please identify, including the time period.
III-27. Demand trends.-(a)
How has the demand within the United States for sorbitol changed since the imposition of
the finding in 1982? What principal factors affect changes in demand?
Increased
No Change
Decreased
Fluctuated
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Sorbitol
Page 21
PART III.--PRICING AND MARKET FACTORS--Continued
III-27. (b)
How has the demand outside the United States (if known) for sorbitol changed since the
imposition of the finding in 1982? What principal factors affect changes in demand?
Increased
No Change
Decreased
Fluctuated
III-28. Anticipated demand trends.-(a)
How do you anticipate demand will change within the United States for sorbitol in the
future? What principal factors that will affect these changes in demand?
Increase
(b)
No Change
Decrease
Fluctuate
How do you anticipate demand will change outside the United States for sorbitol to in the
future? What principal factors that will affect these changes in demand?
Increase
No Change
Decrease
Fluctuate
III-29. Price comparisons.--Please compare market prices of sorbitol in U.S. and non-U.S. markets, if
known. Provide specific information as to time periods and regions for any price comparisons.
III-30. Market studies.--Please provide as a separate attachment to this request any studies, surveys, etc.
that you are aware of that quantify and/or otherwise discuss sorbitol supply (including production
capacity and capacity utilization) and demand in (1) the United States, (2) each of the other major
producing/consuming countries, including France, and (3) the world as a whole. Of particular
interest is historical data and forecasts for the future.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Sorbitol
Page 22
PART III.--PRICING AND MARKET FACTORS--Continued
III-31. Interchangeability by country-pair.--Is sorbitol 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
France
Other countries
United States
France
1
For any country-pair producing sorbitol which is sometimes or never interchangeable, please explain
the factors that limit or preclude interchangeable use:
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Sorbitol
Page 23
PART III.--PRICING AND MARKET FACTORS--Continued
III-32. Differences other than price by country-pair.--Are differences other than price (i.e., quality,
availability, transportation network, product range, technical support, etc.) between sorbitol
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
France
Other countries
United States
France
1
For any country-pair for which factors other than price always or frequently are a significant factor in
your firm’s sales of sorbitol, identify the country-pair and report the advantages or disadvantages
imparted by such factors:
| File Type | application/pdf |
| File Title | Microsoft Word - ImporterQ.doc |
| Author | fred.ruggles |
| File Modified | 2010-01-27 |
| File Created | 2010-01-27 |