10-2-2875 US importer questionnaire

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

MCB Importer Questionnaire final for MAIL

Magnesia Carbon Bricks from China and Mexico (Final)

OMB: 3117-0016

Document [pdf]
Download: pdf | pdf
OMB No. 3117-0016/USITC No. 10-2-2875; Expiration Date: 6/30/2011
(No response is required if currently valid OMB control number is not displayed)

U.S. IMPORTERS’ QUESTIONNAIRE
CERTAIN MAGNESIA CARBON BRICKS FROM CHINA AND MEXICO

This questionnaire must be received by the Commission by no later than June 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 investigation concerning certain magnesia carbon bricks from China and
antidumping investigations concerning certain magnesia carbon bricks from China and Mexico (inv. Nos. 701-TA-468
731-TA-1166-1167 (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 imported certain magnesia carbon bricks (as defined in the instruction booklet) from any country 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 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. Importers’ Questionnaire – Certain Magnesia Carbon Bricks

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.
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

Firm name

Yes--List the following information

Address

Extent of
ownership

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Certain Magnesia Carbon Bricks

Page 3

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

Related importers/exporter.--Does your firm have any related firms, either domestic or foreign,
which are engaged in importing certain magnesia carbon bricks from China or Mexico into the
United States or which are engaged in exporting certain magnesia carbon bricks from China or
Mexico to the United States?
No

Yes--List the following information

Firm name

I-5.

I-7.

Affiliation

Related producers.--Does your firm have any related firms, either domestic or foreign, which
are engaged in the production of certain magnesia carbon bricks?
Firm name

I-6.

Address

Address

Affiliation

Importing operations.--Please indicate the nature of your firm’s importing operations on certain
magnesia carbon bricks. 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.

Consignee.--If your firm is an importer of record of certain magnesia carbon bricks but is not the
consignee, please list the consignees below (firm name, address, telephone number, and
individual to contact).

Firm name

Address

Contact person and phone
number

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Certain Magnesia Carbon Bricks

Page 4

PART I.--GENERAL INFORMATION--Continued
I-8.

I-9.

FTZ or bonded warehouses.--Please indicate whether your firm enters certain magnesia carbon
bricks into, or withdraws such merchandise from, foreign trade zones or bonded warehouses.
Foreign trade zones

No

Yes

Bonded warehouses

No

Yes

Temporary importation under bond.--Please indicate whether your firm imports certain
magnesia carbon bricks under the TIB (temporary importation under bond) program.
No

I-10.

Yes

Third-country trade activities.--To your knowledge, have the products 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 – Certain Magnesia Carbon Bricks

Page 5

PART II.--TRADE AND RELATED INFORMATION
Further information on this part of the questionnaire can be obtained from Elizabeth Haines (202-2053200, [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 importation of certain magnesia carbon bricks since January 1, 2007?
(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 – Certain Magnesia Carbon Bricks

Page 6

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

Arranged imports.--Has your firm imported or arranged for the importation of certain magnesia
carbon bricks from China or Mexico for delivery after March 31, 2010?
No

Yes–Indicate when such orders are to be delivered and the quantities
involved.

China
Mexico

II-4.

Reasons for importing.--If your firm also produces certain magnesia carbon bricks 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 – Certain Magnesia Carbon Bricks

Page 7

PART II.--TRADE AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
II-5a.

IMPORTS FROM SUBJECT SOURCES.–Report your firm’s imports and your firm’s
shipments and inventories of certain magnesia carbon bricks imported from China by your firm
during the specified periods. (See definitions in the instruction booklet.)

CHINA
Quantity (in short tons), value (in $1,000)
Calendar years
Item

2007

2008

January-March
2009

2009

2010

Beginning-of-period inventories (quantity)
Imports:1
Quantity of imports
Value of imports
U.S. shipments:
Commercial shipments:
Quantity of commercial shipments
Value of commercial shipments
Internal consumption/company transfers:
Quantity of internal consumption/transfers
Value2 of internal consumption/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)
1

Please identify the foreign producers, if known:

2
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:

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 imports, less total shipments, equals end-of-period inventories. Do the data reported reconcile?
4

Yes

No--Please explain:

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Certain Magnesia Carbon Bricks

Page 8

PART II.--TRADE AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
II-5b.

IMPORTS FROM SUBJECT SOURCES.–Report your firm’s imports and your firm’s
shipments and inventories of certain magnesia carbon bricks imported from China by your firm
during the specified periods. (See definitions in the instruction booklet.)

CHINA
Quantity (in short tons), value (in $1,000)
Item

January-June

July-December

2009

2009

Beginning-of-period inventories (quantity)
Imports:1
Quantity of imports
Value of imports
U.S. shipments:
Commercial shipments:
Quantity of commercial shipments
Value of commercial shipments
Internal consumption/company transfers:
Quantity of internal consumption/transfers
Value2 of internal consumption/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)
1

Please identify the foreign producers, if known:

2
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:

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 imports, less total shipments, equals end-of-period inventories. Do the data reported reconcile?
4

Yes

No--Please explain:

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Certain Magnesia Carbon Bricks

Page 9

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

IMPORTS FROM SUBJECT SOURCES.–Report your firm’s imports and your firm’s
shipments and inventories of certain magnesia carbon bricks imported from Mexico by your firm
during the specified periods. (See definitions in the instruction booklet.)

MEXICO
Quantity (in short tons), value (in $1,000)
Calendar years
Item

2007

2008

January-March
2009

2009

2010

Beginning-of-period inventories (quantity)
Imports:1
Quantity of imports
Value of imports
U.S. shipments:
Commercial shipments:
Quantity of commercial shipments
Value of commercial shipments
Internal consumption/company transfers:
Quantity of internal consumption/transfers
Value2 of internal consumption/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)
1

Please identify the foreign producers, if known:

2

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:
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 imports, less total shipments, equals end-of-period inventories. Do the data reported reconcile?
4

Yes

No--Please explain:

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Certain Magnesia Carbon Bricks

Page 10

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

IMPORTS FROM SUBJECT SOURCES.–Report your firm’s imports and your firm’s
shipments and inventories of certain magnesia carbon bricks imported from Mexico by your firm
during the specified periods. (See definitions in the instruction booklet.)

MEXICO
Quantity (in short tons), value (in $1,000)
Item

January-June

July-December

2009

2009

Beginning-of-period inventories (quantity)
Imports:1
Quantity of imports
Value of imports
U.S. shipments:
Commercial shipments:
Quantity of commercial shipments
Value of commercial shipments
Internal consumption/company transfers:
Quantity of internal consumption/transfers
Value2 of internal consumption/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)
1

Please identify the foreign producers, if known:

2

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:
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 imports, less total shipments, equals end-of-period inventories. Do the data reported reconcile?
4

Yes

No--Please explain:

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Certain Magnesia Carbon Bricks

Page 11

PART II.--TRADE AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
II-7a.

IMPORTS FROM NONSUBJECT SOURCES.–Report your firm’s imports and your firm’s
shipments and inventories of certain magnesia carbon bricks imported from all other sources
combined by your firm during the specified periods. (See definitions in the instruction booklet.)

ALL OTHER SOURCES COMBINED
Quantity (in short tons), value (in $1,000)
Calendar years
Item

2007

2008

January-March
2009

2009

2010

Beginning-of-period inventories (quantity)
Imports:1
Quantity of imports
Value of imports
U.S. shipments:
Commercial shipments:
Quantity of commercial shipments
Value of commercial shipments
Internal consumption/company transfers:
Quantity of internal consumption/transfers
Value2 of internal consumption/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)
1

Please identify the sources and foreign producers, if known:

2
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:

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 imports, less total shipments, equals end-of-period inventories. Do the data reported reconcile?
4

Yes

No--Please explain:

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Certain Magnesia Carbon Bricks

Page 12

PART II.--TRADE AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
II-7b.

IMPORTS FROM NONSUBJECT SOURCES.–Report your firm’s imports and your firm’s
shipments and inventories of certain magnesia carbon bricks imported from all other sources
combined by your firm during the specified periods. (See definitions in the instruction booklet.)

ALL OTHER SOURCES COMBINED
Quantity (in short tons), value (in $1,000)
Item

January-June

July-December

2009

2009

Beginning-of-period inventories (quantity)
Imports:1
Quantity of imports
Value of imports
U.S. shipments:
Commercial shipments:
Quantity of commercial shipments
Value of commercial shipments
Internal consumption/company transfers:
Quantity of internal consumption/transfers
Value2 of internal consumption/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)
1

Please identify the foreign producers, if known:

2
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:

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 imports, less total shipments, equals end-of-period inventories. Do the data reported reconcile?
4

Yes

No--Please explain:

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - PRODUCT

Page 13

PART III.--PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION
Further information on this part of the questionnaire can be obtained from Craig Thomsen (202-205-3226,
[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 January 2007–March 2010 of the following products
you imported from China and Mexico:
Product 1.—Resin-bonded, Magnesia Carbon Brick for electric arc furnaces with a carbon
content of 13 percent, fused grain and antioxidant additions that correspond to Resco’s
brand Nuline 10-99.
Product 2.— Resin-bonded, Magnesia Carbon Brick for electric arc furnaces with a carbon
content of 15 percent, fused grain and antioxidant additions that correspond to Resco’s
brand Nuline 15 DF.
Product 3.—Resin-bonded, Magnesia Carbon Brick for steel ladles with a carbon content of
8 percent, 50 percent sintered and 50 percent fused grain, and antioxidant additions that
correspond to RHI’s brand Ancarbon AC51 CE.
Product 4.—Resin-bonded, Magnesia Carbon Brick for steel ladles with a carbon content of
10 percent, fused grain and antioxidant additions that correspond to RHI’s brand
Ancarbon AC72 CE.
Product 5.— Resin Bonded, Magnesia Carbon Brick for steel ladles with a carbon content of
13 percent, fused grain and antioxidant additions that correspond to Resco’s brand Nuline
2-99.

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.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Certain Magnesia Carbon Bricks

Page 14

PART III.--PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
III-2a. Price data.--Report below the quarterly price data1 for pricing products2 imported from China
and sold by your firm.

China
(Quantity in tons, value in dollars)
Product 1
Product 2
Quantity
Value
Quantity
Value

Product 3
Quantity
Value

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
2010
January-March
Product 4
Quantity
Value

Product 5
Quantity
Value

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
2010
January-March
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 III.
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:
Product 3:
Product 4:
Product 5:

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Certain Magnesia Carbon Bricks

Page 15

PART III.--PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
III-2b. Price data.--continued.--Report below the quarterly price data1 for pricing products2 imported
from Mexico and sold by your firm.

Mexico
(Quantity in tons, value in dollars)
Product 1
Product 2
Quantity
Value
Quantity
Value

Product 3
Quantity
Value

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
2010
January-March
Product 4
Quantity
Value

Product 5
Quantity
Value

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
2010
January-March
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 III.
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:
Product 3:
Product 4:
Product 5:

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Certain Magnesia Carbon Bricks

Page 16

PART III.--PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
III-2c. Price data.--continued.--Report below the quarterly price data1 for pricing products2 imported
from Brazil and sold by your firm.

Brazil
(Quantity in tons, value in dollars)
Product 1
Product 2
Quantity
Value
Quantity
Value

Product 3
Quantity
Value

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
2010
January-March
Product 4
Quantity
Value

Product 5
Quantity
Value

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
2010
January-March
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 III.
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:
Product 3:
Product 4:
Product 5:

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Certain Magnesia Carbon Bricks

Page 17

PART III.--PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
III-3.

Price setting.-- How does your firm determine the prices that it charges for sales of certain
magnesia carbon bricks (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:

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 certain magnesia carbon bricks.-(a) What are your firm’s typical sales terms for certain magnesia carbon bricks imported from
China and Mexico (e.g., 2/10 net 30 days)?
.
(b) On what basis are your prices of certain magnesia carbon bricks imported from China and
F.o.b.--Please specify point:
Mexico usually quoted? (check one)
Delivered

III-6.

Contract versus spot.--Approximately what share of your firm’s sales of certain magnesia
carbon bricks imported from China and Mexico 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 – Certain Magnesia Carbon Bricks

Page 18

PART III.--PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued

III-7.

III-8.

III-9.

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

No

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

No

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
certain magnesia carbon bricks?

Source

Share of sales,
2009

Lead time

From inventory
Produced to order
Total

100 %

III-10. Shipping information.—
(a)

What is the approximate percentage of the total delivered cost of certain magnesia carbon
bricks 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 occur within 100 miles of your storage or production
facility?
percent. Within 101 to 1,000 miles?
percent. Over 1,000 miles?
percent.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Certain Magnesia Carbon Bricks

Page 19

PART III.--PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
III-11. Geographical shipments--What is the geographic market area in the United States served by
your firm’s shipments of certain magnesia carbon bricks imported from China, Mexico and other
sources? (check all that apply)
Geographic area

China

Mexico

Other countries

National
If not national, which regions?
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-12. End uses.
(a)

Describe the end uses of the certain magnesia carbon bricks that you import from China
and Mexico (e.g., relining a steel furnace or refining vessel). For each end-use, what
percentage of the total cost is accounted for by magnesia carbon brick?

End use

(b)

Share of total cost accounted for by
certain magnesia carbon brick (percent)

Describe the highest-volume end use products which use the certain magnesia carbon
bricks as an input that you import from China and Mexico. For each end use product
(e.g., various steel products), what percentage of the total cost is accounted for by
magnesia carbon brick?
Share of total cost accounted for by
certain magnesia carbon brick (percent)
End use product

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Certain Magnesia Carbon Bricks

Page 20

PART III.--PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
III-13. Substitutes.--Please list in order of importance any products that may be substituted for certain
magnesia carbon bricks. 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
certain magnesia carbon bricks, and to what degree, the length of any time lag of such an effect.

Substitute

Application

Have changes in the prices of this
substitute affected the price for certain
magnesia carbon bricks?

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-14. Demand trends.-(a) How has the demand within the United States for certain magnesia carbon bricks
changed since January 1, 2007? What principal factors affect changes in demand?
Increased

No Change

Decreased

Fluctuated

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Certain Magnesia Carbon Bricks

Page 21

PART III.--PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
(b)

How has the demand outside the United States (if known) for certain magnesia carbon
bricks changed since January 1, 2007? What principal factors affect changes in demand?
Increased

No Change

Decreased

Fluctuated

III-15. Product changes.--Have there been any significant changes in the product range or marketing of
certain magnesia carbon bricks since January 1, 2007?
No

Yes-- Please describe.

III-16. Business cycles.-(a) Is certain magnesia carbon bricks market subject to business cycles or conditions of
competition (including seasonal business) distinctive to certain magnesia carbon bricks?
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
certain magnesia carbon bricks since January 1, 2007?
No

Yes-- Please describe.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Certain Magnesia Carbon Bricks

Page 22

PART III.--PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
III-17. Supply constraints.--Has your firm refused, declined, or been unable to supply certain magnesia
carbon bricks 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, been unable to meet timely shipment commitments,
etc.)?
No

Yes-- Please describe.

III-18. Raw materials.--Please describe any trends in the prices of raw materials used to produce certain
magnesia carbon bricks and whether your firm expects these trends to continue.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Certain Magnesia Carbon Bricks

Page 23

PART III.--PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
III-19. Interchangeability.--Are certain magnesia carbon bricks 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 countrypair.1
Country-pair

China

Mexico

Brazil

Other countries

United States
China
Mexico
Brazil
1

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

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Certain Magnesia Carbon Bricks

Page 24

PART III.--PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
III-20. Factors other than price.--Are differences other than price (i.e., quality, availability,
transportation network, product range, technical support, etc.) between certain magnesia carbon
bricks 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

China

Mexico

Brazil

Other countries

United States
China
Mexico
Brazil
1

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

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Certain Magnesia Carbon Bricks

Page 25

PART III.--PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
III-21. Customer Identification.--Please identify below the names and addresses of your firm’s 10
largest customers for certain magnesia carbon bricks during 2007-2009. 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 magnesia carbon bricks from China and Mexico that each of these customers
accounted for in 2009.

No.

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

Customer’s name

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

Contact person

Area code
and
telephone
number

Share of
2009
sales (%)


File Typeapplication/pdf
File TitleMicrosoft Word - MCB Importer Questionnaire final for MAIL.doc
Authorelizabeth.haines
File Modified2010-05-13
File Created2010-05-13

© 2024 OMB.report | Privacy Policy