10-3-2858 US purchaser questionnaire

OMB No. 3117-0016/USITC No. 10-3-2858; Expiration Date: 6/30/2011
(No response is required if currently valid OMB control number is not displayed)

U.S. PURCHASERS’ QUESTIONNAIRE
CERTAIN POTASSIUM PHOSPHATE SALTS FROM CHINA

This questionnaire must be received by the Commission by no later than April 16, 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 certain potassium phosphate salts from
China (inv. Nos. 701-TA-473 and 731-TA-1173 (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)).
Further information on this questionnaire can be obtained from Aimee Larsen (202- 205-3179, [email protected]).

Name of firm
Address
State

City

Zip Code

World Wide Web address
Has your firm purchased certain potassium phosphate salts (as defined in the instruction booklet) from any source
(domestic or foreign) at any time since January 1, 2007?

NO

(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 submitting 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. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Certain Potassium Phosphate Salts

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 25 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 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?

I-4.

No

Yes--List the following information.

Firm name

Address

Extent of
ownership

Related SUBJECT importers/exporters.--Does your firm have any related firms, either
domestic or foreign, which are engaged in importing certain potassium phosphate salts from
China into the United States or which are engaged in exporting certain potassium phosphate salts
from China to the United States?
No

Yes--List the following information.

Firm name

Address

Affiliation

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Certain Potassium Phosphate Salts

Page 3

PART I.--GENERAL INFORMATION--Continued
I-5.

Related NONSUBJECT importers/exporters.--Does your firm have any related firms, either
domestic or foreign, which are engaged in importing certain potassium phosphate salts from
countries other than China into the United States or which are engaged in exporting certain
potassium phosphate salts from countries other than China to the United States?
No

Yes--List the following information.

Firm name and country

I-6.

Address

Affiliation

Related producers.--Does your firm have any related firms, either domestic or foreign, which
are engaged in the production of certain potassium phosphate salts?
No

Yes--List the following information.

Firm name

Address

Affiliation

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Certain Potassium Phosphate Salts

Page 4

PART II.--PURCHASES
For the remaining questions, please answer separately for DKP, MKP, and TKPP, unless the
answer for all three certain potassium phosphate salts are the same. Additionally, if your answers
vary between anhydrous and solution form for DKP, MKP, and TKPP, please also answer
separately. Some questions have already been prepared for separate answers. Please answer with
respect to all products with which you are familiar.
Contact information (Purchases).--Who should be contacted regarding the information requested in
parts II to IV?
Company contact:
Name and title
(
)
Phone number
II-1.

E-mail address

Purchases.--Report, as indicated below, your firm’s purchases (either directly or through a sales
agent or broker) of each of the certain potassium phosphate salts. Report based on delivery date,
not order date.
(Quantity in 1,000 pounds dry weigh, value in $1,000 dollars)

Item
Purchases of DKP produced in-The United States:
Quantity
Value
China:
Quantity
Value
All other countries:1
Quantity
Value
1

Please identify these countries:

2007

2008

2009

Jan.-June Jul.-Dec.
2009
2009

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Certain Potassium Phosphate Salts

Page 5

PART II.--PURCHASES--Continued
II-1.

Purchases.—Continued
(Quantity in 1,000 pounds dry weigh, value in $1,000 dollars)

Item
Purchases of MKP produced in-The United States:
Quantity

2007

2008

2009

Jan.-June Jul.-Dec.
2009
2009

Value
China:
Quantity
Value
All other countries:1
Quantity
Value
1

Please identify these countries:

(Quantity in 1,000 pounds dry weigh, value in $1,000 dollars)

Item
Purchases of TKPP produced in-The United States:
Quantity
Value
China:
Quantity
Value
All other countries:1
Quantity
Value
1

Please identify these countries:

2007

2008

2009

Jan.-June Jul.-Dec.
2009
2009

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Certain Potassium Phosphate Salts

Page 6

PART II.--PURCHASES--Continued
II-2.

Changes in purchasing patterns.—Please indicate how the relative levels of your firm’s
purchases of each of the certain potassium phosphate salts from different sources (both domestic
and foreign) have changed in the last three years.

DKP
Source of purchases
The United States

Trend
Decreased

Explanation for trend

Increased
Constant
Fluctuated
China

Decreased
Increased
Constant
Fluctuated

All other countries

Decreased
Increased
Constant
Fluctuated

MKP
Source of purchases
The United States

Trend
Decreased
Increased
Constant
Fluctuated

China

Decreased
Increased
Constant
Fluctuated

All other countries

Decreased
Increased
Constant
Fluctuated

Explanation for trend

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Certain Potassium Phosphate Salts

Page 7

PART II.--PURCHASES--Continued
II-2.

Changes in purchasing patterns.—Continued

TKPP
Source of purchases
The United States

Trend
Decreased

Explanation for trend

Increased
Constant
Fluctuated
China

Decreased
Increased
Constant
Fluctuated

All other countries

Decreased
Increased
Constant
Fluctuated

II-3.

Purchases from one country only.--If your firm has purchased certain potassium phosphate salts
from only one country, please explain the reasons for doing so.

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Certain Potassium Phosphate Salts

Page 8

PART II.--PURCHASES--Continued
II-4.

Supplier identification.--Please identify below the names and addresses of your firm’s FIVE
largest suppliers for certain potassium phosphate salts since 2007. 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 certain potassium phosphate salts that each of these customers accounted for in
2009.

DKP:
Supplier’s
name

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

Contact
person

Share of
Telephone
Type of
2009
number or e-mail product
purchases
address
supplied
(%)

Supplier’s
name

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

Contact
person

Share of
Telephone
Type of
2009
number or e-mail product
purchases
address
supplied
(%)

No.
1

2

3

4

5

MKP:

No.
1

2

3

4

5

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Certain Potassium Phosphate Salts

Page 9

PART II.--PURCHASES--Continued
TKPP:
Supplier’s
name
No.
1

2

3

4

5

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

Contact
person

Share of
Telephone
Type of
2009
number or e-mail product
purchases
address
supplied
(%)

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Certain Potassium Phosphate Salts

Page 10

PART III.--MARKET CHARACTERISTICS AND PURCHASING PRACTICES
III-1.

Firm type.--Which of the following best describes your firm as a purchaser of certain potassium
phosphate salts (check all that apply)?
End user
Distributor
Other (Describe:

III-2.

)

Competition for sales.--If you are a distributor or reseller of certain potassium phosphate salts,
do you compete for sales to your customers with the manufacturers or importers from which you
purchase certain potassium phosphate salts?
No

Yes--Please describe

III-3.

Types of customers.--If your firm is a distributor or reseller of certain potassium phosphate salts,
what are the major types of consumers to which you sell certain potassium phosphate salts?

III-4.

End uses.--If your firm is an end user of certain potassium phosphate salts, list in order of
quantity of each of the certain potassium phosphate salts consumed, the top 3 products for which
your firm purchases certain potassium phosphate salts as a component part or input. Please
indicate what percentage of the total cost is accounted for by certain potassium phosphate salts
(and NOTE: this percentage should not add to 100 percent).
DKP:
End use

Share of total cost of end
product (percent)

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Certain Potassium Phosphate Salts

Page 11

PART III.--MARKET CHARACTERISTICS AND PURCHASING PRACTICES--Continued
III-4.

End uses.--Continued
MKP:
Share of total cost of end
product (percent)

End use

TKPP:
Share of total cost of end
product (percent)

End use

III-5.

Demand for end use products.-(a)

(b)

If your firm is an end user of certain potassium phosphate salts, has the demand for your
firm’s final products incorporating certain potassium phosphate salts changed since
2007?
DKP:

Increased

No Change

Decreased

Fluctuated

MKP:

Increased

No Change

Decreased

Fluctuated

TKPP:

Increased

No Change

Decreased

Fluctuated

Has this had any effect on your firm’s demand for certain potassium phosphate salts?
No

Yes--Please describe.

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Certain Potassium Phosphate Salts

Page 12

PART III.--MARKET CHARACTERISTICS AND PURCHASING PRACTICES--Continued
III-6 Market share.—Please estimate the share of your firm’s purchases of DKP, MKP, and TKPP for
the following specified end uses?

Phosphate salt

DKP

MKP

TKPP

End Use
Antifreeze
Baked goods
Buffering agent in compounding formulas
Dairy (coffee creamers, processed cheese,
evaporate milk)
Meat processing
Metal treatment
Other ________________________
Total
Buffering agent in compounding formulas
Cement
Chemical processing
Dog food
Fertilizer
Food & beverage (yeast, food nutrient)
Fungicide
Refractories
Other ________________________
Total
Boiler descaling, dyeing, non-food
preservative
Buffering agent in compounding formulas
Detergents, industrial cleaners, surfactant
(cleaning products)
Fertilizer,
Food
Household and industrial type products
Metal finishing
Paints
Pulp and paper
Water treatment
Other ________________________
Total

Share of phosphate salt end
use (shares of quantity)

100.0

100.0

100.0

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Certain Potassium Phosphate Salts

Page 13

PART III.--MARKET CHARACTERISTICS AND PURCHASING PRACTICES--Continued
III-7.

Substitutes.-(a)

Can other products be substituted for certain potassium phosphate salts?
DKP:

No

Yes

MKP:

No

Yes

TKPP:

No

Yes

For each “Yes” response above, please list these substitute products in order of
importance and give examples of applications and end uses for which they are substitutes.
DKP:

MKP:

TKPP:

(b)

Have changes in the prices of these substitute products affected the price for certain
potassium phosphate salts?
DKP:

No

Yes

MKP:

No

Yes

TKPP:

No

Yes

For each “Yes” response above, please describe to what degree the changes in the prices
of substitutes affect the price for each of the certain potassium phosphate salts? Does this
effect have a time lag? If so, how long is the time lag for each substitute product?
DKP:

MKP:

TKPP:

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Certain Potassium Phosphate Salts

Page 14

PART III.--MARKET CHARACTERISTICS AND PURCHASING PRACTICES--Continued
III-8

Substitutability of anhydrous and solution form.—
(a)

How frequently is anhydrous DKP, MKP, or TKPP substitutable for DKP, MKP, or
TKPP in solution for your firm?
DKP:

Always

Frequently

Sometimes

Rarely

Never

MKP:

Always

Frequently

Sometimes

Rarely

Never

TKPP:

Always

Frequently

Sometimes

Rarely

Never

(b)

Have there been any significant changes in the amount of DKP, MKP, or TKPP bought in
anhydrous form to DKP, MKP, or TKPP sold in solution?

(c)

If anhydrous DKP, MKP or TKP can be substituted for DKP, MKP or TKPP in solution,
have changes in the prices of DKP, MKP or TKPP in solution affected the prices for the
anhydrous forms of these chemicals?

(d)

If anhydrous DKP, MKP or TKPP is rarely or never substituted for DKP, MKP or TKPP
in solution, what factors limit substitution?

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Certain Potassium Phosphate Salts

Page 15

PART III.--MARKET CHARACTERISTICS AND PURCHASING PRACTICES--Continued
III-9.

Demand trends.-(a)

(b)

How has the demand within the United States for each of the certain potassium phosphate
salts changed since 2007? What principal factors affect changes in demand?
DKP:

Increased

No Change

Decreased

Fluctuated

MKP:

Increased

No Change

Decreased

Fluctuated

TKPP:

Increased

No Change

Decreased

Fluctuated

How has the demand outside the United States (if known) for each of the certain
potassium phosphate salts changed since 2007? What principal factors affect changes in
demand?
DKP:

Increased

No Change

Decreased

Fluctuated

MKP:

Increased

No Change

Decreased

Fluctuated

TKPP:

Increased

No Change

Decreased

Fluctuated

III-10. Importance of purchasing domestic product.--Is buying a product that is produced in the
United States an important factor in your firm’s purchases of certain potassium phosphate salts
(check ALL that apply)?
No
Yes--Purchases of domestic product are required by law or regulation (for example,
government purchases under “Buy American” provisions). This involves
percent of
all purchases of certain potassium phosphate salts.
Yes--Purchases of domestic product are not required by law or regulation, but are by your
customers. This involves
percent of all purchases of certain potassium phosphate
salts.
Yes--Purchases of domestic product are required for other reasons (please specify these
percent of all purchases of certain potassium
reasons below). This involves
phosphate salts.

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Certain Potassium Phosphate Salts

Page 16

PART III.--MARKET CHARACTERISTICS AND PURCHASING PRACTICES--Continued
III-11. Conditions of competition.-(a)

Is the certain potassium phosphate salts market subject to business cycles or conditions of
competition distinctive to certain potassium phosphate salts?
DKP:

No

Yes

MKP:

No

Yes

TKPP:

No

Yes

For each “Yes” answer above, please describe and identify the time period.

(b)

Has the emergence of new markets for certain potassium phosphate salts since 2007
affected the business cycles or conditions of competition distinctive to certain potassium
phosphate salts?
DKP:

No

Yes

MKP:

No

Yes

TKPP:

No

Yes

For each “Yes” answer above, please explain any such changes.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Certain Potassium Phosphate Salts

Page 17

PART III.--MARKET CHARACTERISTICS AND PURCHASING PRACTICES--Continued
III-12. Decisions based on producer.--Does your firm, and to the extent that you know, do your
customers make purchasing decisions involving certain potassium phosphate salts based on the
producer of the certain potassium phosphate salts you purchase?
Your firm:

Always

Usually

Sometimes

Never

Your customers:

Always

Usually

Sometimes

Never

If at least sometimes, please discuss how your firm or your customers determine the producer and
why this information is important.
Your firm:

Your customers:

III-13. Decisions based on country-of-origin.--Does your firm, and to the extent that you know, do
your customers make purchasing decisions involving certain potassium phosphate salts based on
the country of origin of the certain potassium phosphate salts you purchase?
Your firm:

Always

Usually

Sometimes

Never

Your customers:

Always

Usually

Sometimes

Never

If at least sometimes, please discuss how your firm or your customers determine the source and
why this information is important.
Your firm:

Your customers:

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Certain Potassium Phosphate Salts

Page 18

PART III.--MARKET CHARACTERISTICS AND PURCHASING PRACTICES--Continued
III-14. Purchasing frequency.-(a)

How frequently do you make purchases?
DKP:

Daily

Weekly

Other (specify)
MKP:

Daily

TKPP:

Daily

(b)

Annually

Monthly

Quarterly

Annually

Monthly

Quarterly

Annually

)

Weekly

Other (specify)

Quarterly

)

Weekly

Other (specify)

Monthly

)

Have you made significant changes in your purchasing patterns (e.g., frequency) since
2007?
DKP:
No
Yes
MKP:

No

Yes

TKPP:

No

Yes

For each “Yes” answer above, please describe.

III-15. Number of suppliers contacted.--How many suppliers do you generally contact before making a
purchase?
firms

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Certain Potassium Phosphate Salts

Page 19

PART III.--MARKET CHARACTERISTICS AND PURCHASING PRACTICES--Continued
III-16. Supplier negotiations.-(a)

Do purchases of certain potassium phosphate salts usually involve negotiations between
supplier and purchaser?
No

(b)

Yes--Please describe these negotiations. In your response, please
comment on whether purchasers generally quote competing
prices as part of the negotiation process.

Does your firm tend to vary its purchases from a given supplier within a specified time
period based on the price offered for that period?
No

Yes--Specify the time period.

III-17. Change in suppliers.--Have you changed suppliers since 2007?
No

Yes--Please list the supplier or suppliers and indicate whether the firm was
added or dropped as a supplier. Also give the reasons for the change
and how frequently you change suppliers.

III-18. New suppliers.--Are you aware of any new suppliers, either foreign or domestic, that have
entered the market since 2007?
No

Yes --Please identify the firms and indicate how you became aware of them.

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Certain Potassium Phosphate Salts

Page 20

PART III.--MARKET CHARACTERISTICS AND PURCHASING PRACTICES--Continued
III-19. Have you switched suppliers due to the unavailability of certain potassium phosphate salts since
January 1, 2007?
DKP:
No
Yes
MKP:

No

Yes

TKPP:

No

Yes

For each “Yes” answer above, please describe.

III-20. Has your supplier refused, declined, or been unable to supply DKP, MKP, or TKPP since January
1, 2007? (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, unable to meet timely shipment commitments, etc.).
No

DKP:

MKP:

TKPP:

Yes-- Please note and document the time period(s) (i.e., month and year), the
supplier involved, the amount and type of product involved; and the reason
for the allocation.

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Certain Potassium Phosphate Salts

Page 21

PART III.--MARKET CHARACTERISTICS AND PURCHASING PRACTICES--Continued
III-21. Supplier qualification
(a) Do you require your suppliers to be or to become certified or qualified to sell certain
potassium phosphate salts to your firm?
No

Yes--

percent of purchases in 2009

Yes--all purchases

(b) Please provide a general description of the certification or qualification process. Briefly
describe the factors that you consider when qualifying a new supplier (e.g., quality of product,
reliability of supplier, etc.)

(e) How long does it take to qualify a new supplier?

days.

(f) If you purchase MKP, do you require the product to be Kosher certified?
No

Yes--

percent of purchases in 2009

Yes--all purchases

III-22. Failure to certify.--Since 2007, have any domestic or foreign producers failed in their attempts to
certify or qualify their certain potassium phosphate salts with your firm or have any producers
lost their approved status?
No

Yes--Please identify these firms, the countries where they are located, and the
reasons why they failed the certification/qualification process.

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Certain Potassium Phosphate Salts

Page 22

PART III.--MARKET CHARACTERISTICS AND PURCHASING PRACTICES--Continued
III-23. Purchasing factors.--For the factors listed below, please rate each in terms of its importance in
your purchase decision for each of the certain potassium phosphate salts.

DKP
Very
important
Availability .......................................
Delivery terms .................................
Delivery time ...................................
Discounts offered ............................
Extension of credit...........................
Price ................................................
Minimum qty requirements..............
Packaging .......................................
Product consistency ........................
Quality meets industry standards....
Quality exceeds industry standards
Product range..................................
Reliability of supply .........................
Technical support/service ...............
U.S. transportation costs.................
Other (specify):
........
........
........

Somewhat
important

Not
important

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Certain Potassium Phosphate Salts

Page 23

PART III.--MARKET CHARACTERISTICS AND PURCHASING PRACTICES--Continued
III-23. Purchasing factors.--Continued

MKP
Very
important
Availability .......................................
Delivery terms .................................
Delivery time ...................................
Discounts offered ............................
Extension of credit...........................
Price ................................................
Minimum qty requirements..............
Packaging .......................................
Product consistency ........................
Quality meets industry standards....
Quality exceeds industry standards
Product range..................................
Reliability of supply .........................
Technical support/service ...............
U.S. transportation costs.................
Other (specify):
........
........
........

Somewhat
important

Not
important

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Certain Potassium Phosphate Salts

Page 24

PART III.--MARKET CHARACTERISTICS AND PURCHASING PRACTICES--Continued
III-23. Purchasing factors.--Continued

TKPP
Very
important
Availability .......................................
Delivery terms .................................
Delivery time ...................................
Discounts offered ............................
Extension of credit...........................
Price ................................................
Minimum qty requirements..............
Packaging .......................................
Product consistency ........................
Quality meets industry standards....
Quality exceeds industry standards
Product range..................................
Reliability of supply .........................
Technical support/service ...............
U.S. transportation costs.................
Other (specify):
........
........
........

Somewhat
important

Not
important

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Certain Potassium Phosphate Salts

Page 25

PART III.--MARKET CHARACTERISTICS AND PURCHASING PRACTICES--Continued
III-24. Major purchasing factors.--Please list, in order of their importance, the three major factors
generally considered by your firm in deciding from whom to purchase certain potassium
phosphate salts for any one order (examples include current availability, extension of credit,
prearranged contracts, price, quality exceeding specifications or industry standards, range of
supplier’s product line, traditional supplier, etc.).
1.
2.
3.
Other factors or comments:

III-25. Quality characteristics.--What characteristics does your firm consider when determining the
quality of certain potassium phosphate salts?

III-26. Frequency of decisions based on price.--How often does your firm purchase the certain
potassium phosphate salts that is offered at the lowest price?
DKP:

Always

Frequently

Sometimes

Rarely

Never

MKP:

Always

Frequently

Sometimes

Rarely

Never

TKPP:

Always

Frequently

Sometimes

Rarely

Never

III-27. Price leaders.--Please list the names of any firms you considered price leaders in the certain
potassium phosphate salts market since 2007. A price leader is defined as (1) one or more firms
that initiate a price change, either upward or downward, that is followed by other firms, or (2) one
or more firms that have a significant impact on prices. A price leader does not necessarily have
to be the lowest priced supplier. For those firms identified as a price leader, please specify the
time period in which a price change was communicated, whether the price change was upward or
downward, and whether it covered a specific geographic region or a specific product type. Please
describe how the firm(s) exhibited price leadership.

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Certain Potassium Phosphate Salts

Page 26

PART IV.—certain potassium phosphate salts COMPARISONS

IV-1.

Country knowledge.--Please indicate the countries of origin for certain potassium phosphate
salts for which your firm has actual marketing/pricing knowledge.
United States
China
Other countries (Please specify

IV-2.

)

Interchangeability by country-pair.--Is certain potassium phosphate salts 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
DKP:

China

Other countries

China

Other countries

China

Other countries

United States
China
MKP:
United States
China
TKPP:
United States
China
1

For any country-pair for which certain potassium phosphate salts are sometimes or never
interchangeable, please explain the factors that limit or preclude interchangeable use:

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Certain Potassium Phosphate Salts

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PART IV.—certain potassium phosphate salts COMPARISONS--Continued
IV-3.

Country preferences.--Do you or your customers ever specifically order certain potassium
phosphate salts from one country in particular over other possible sources of supply?
DKP:

No

Yes

MKP:

No

Yes

TKPP:

No

Yes

For each “Yes” answer, please identify all relevant countries (including the United States and
both subject and nonsubject foreign countries) from which you or your customers prefer to order,
and indicate why certain potassium phosphate salts from these countries is preferred over product
from other countries (please note the specific product in your response).

IV-4.

Availability of merchandise.--Are certain grade/type/size of certain potassium phosphate salts
available from only a single source (domestic or foreign, including both subject and nonsubject
countries)?
DKP:
No
Yes
MKP:

No

Yes

TKPP:

No

Yes

For each “Yes” answer, please identify the source and the grade/type/size.

IV-5.

Choice of product not based on price.--If you purchased certain potassium phosphate salts from
one source although a comparable product was available from another source at a lower price,
please explain your reasons for doing so (please specify by country, including the United States
and both subject and nonsubject foreign countries). Possibilities might include transaction
characteristics such as length of time to fill orders, minimum order size, reliability of supply, etc.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Certain Potassium Phosphate Salts

Page 28

PART IV.—certain potassium phosphate salts COMPARISONS--Continued

IV-6. Factor country comparisons.--For the factors listed below, please rate how each of the certain
potassium phosphate salts produced in each country you identified in your response to the first question in
Part IV compares with certain potassium phosphate salts produced in each of the other countries you
identified (including the United States and both subject and nonsubject foreign countries).

DKP:

Availability ...............................................
Delivery terms .........................................
Delivery time ...........................................
Discounts offered ....................................
Extension of credit...................................
Price1 .......................................................
Minimum quantity requirements..............
Packaging ...............................................
Product consistency ................................
Quality meets industry standards............
Quality exceeds industry standards ........
Product range..........................................
Reliability of supply .................................
Technical support/service .......................
U.S. transportation costs1 .......................
Other (specify):

1

A rating of superior on price and U.S. transportation costs indicatees that the first country generally
has lower prices/U.S. transportation costs than the second country.

Inferior

Comparable

compared to
product from

Superior

compared to
product from

Inferior

product from

Comparable

product from

Superior

Inferior

Comparable

Quality

Superior

product from
U.S.
compared to
product from
China

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Certain Potassium Phosphate Salts

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PART IV.—certain potassium phosphate salts COMPARISONS--Continued
IV-6.

Factor country comparisons.—Continued

MKP

Availability ...............................................
Delivery terms .........................................
Delivery time ...........................................
Discounts offered ....................................
Extension of credit...................................
Price1 .......................................................
Minimum quantity requirements..............
Packaging ...............................................
Product consistency ................................
Quality meets industry standards............
Quality exceeds industry standards ........
Product range..........................................
Reliability of supply .................................
Technical support/service .......................
U.S. transportation costs1 .......................
Other (specify):

1

A rating of superior on price and U.S. transportation costs indicatees that the first country generally
has lower prices/U.S. transportation costs than the second country.

Inferior

Comparable

compared to
product from

Superior

compared to
product from

Inferior

product from

Comparable

product from

Superior

Inferior

Comparable

Quality

Superior

product from
U.S.
compared to
product from
China

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Certain Potassium Phosphate Salts

Page 30

PART IV.—certain potassium phosphate salts COMPARISONS--Continued
IV-6.

Factor country comparisons.—Continued

TKPP

Availability ...............................................
Delivery terms .........................................
Delivery time ...........................................
Discounts offered ....................................
Extension of credit...................................
Price1 .......................................................
Minimum quantity requirements..............
Packaging ...............................................
Product consistency ................................
Quality meets industry standards............
Quality exceeds industry standards ........
Product range..........................................
Reliability of supply .................................
Technical support/service .......................
U.S. transportation costs1 .......................
Other (specify):

1

A rating of superior on price and U.S. transportation costs indicatees that the first country generally
has lower prices/U.S. transportation costs than the second country.

Inferior

Comparable

compared to
product from

Superior

compared to
product from

Inferior

product from

Comparable

product from

Superior

Inferior

Comparable

Quality

Superior

product from
U.S.
compared to
product from
China

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Certain Potassium Phosphate Salts

Page 31

PART IV.—certain potassium phosphate salts COMPARISONS--Continued
IV-7.

Minimum quality.-(a)
How often does domestically produced certain potassium phosphate salts meet minimum
quality specifications for your uses or your customers’ uses?

(b)

(c)

DKP:

Always

Frequently

Sometimes

Rarely

Never

MKP:

Always

Frequently

Sometimes

Rarely

Never

TKPP:

Always

Frequently

Sometimes

Rarely

Never

How often does imported Chinese certain potassium phosphate salts meet minimum
quality specifications for your uses or your customers’ uses?
DKP:

Always

Frequently

Sometimes

Rarely

Never

MKP:

Always

Frequently

Sometimes

Rarely

Never

TKPP:

Always

Frequently

Sometimes

Rarely

Never

How often does imported nonsubject certain potassium phosphate salts (i.e., certain
potassium phosphate salts from countries other than China) meet minimum quality
specifications for your uses or your customers’ uses?
Source

Product (DKP,
MKP, TKPP)

Country:

____________

Country:

____________

Country:

____________

Country:

____________

Country:

____________

Always

Usually Sometimes Rarely Never