10-3-2880 US Purchaser questionnaire

OMB No. 3117-0016/USITC No. 10-3-2880; Expiration Date: 6/30/2011
(No response is required if currently valid OMB control number is not displayed)

U.S. PURCHASERS’ QUESTIONNAIRE
CERTAIN SEAMLESS CARBON AND ALLOY STEEL STANDARD, LINE, AND PRESSURE
PIPE FROM CHINA

This questionnaire must be received by the Commission by no later than July 21, 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 investigation concerning certain seamless carbon and alloy steel
standard, line, and pressure pipe (“seamless SLP pipe”) from China (inv. No. 701 TA-469 and 731-TA-1168 (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 Clark Workman (202-205-3248, [email protected]).

Name of firm
Address
State

City

Zip Code

World Wide Web address
Has your firm purchased seamless SLP pipe (as defined in the instruction booklet) from any source 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 - Seamless SLP Pipe (Final)

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Seamless SLP Pipe (Final)

Page 3

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

Does your firm have any related firms, either domestic or foreign, which are engaged in
importing seamless SLP pipe from China into the United States or which are engaged in
exporting seamless SLP pipe from China to the United States?
No
Firm name

I-5.

Yes--List the following information
Address

Affiliation

Does your firm have any related firms, either domestic or foreign, which are engaged in the
production of seamless SLP pipe?
No
Firm name

Yes--List the following information
Address

Affiliation

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Seamless SLP Pipe (Final)

Page 4

PART II.--PURCHASES
II-1.

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

II-2.

E-mail address

Report, as indicated below, your firm’s purchases (either directly or through a sales agent or
broker) of seamless SLP pipe. Report based on delivery date, not order date.
(Quantity in short tons, value in $1,000)

Item

2007

2008

2009

Small diameter
Purchases of product produced in the United States:
Quantity
Value
Purchases of product produced in China:
Quantity
Value
Purchases of product produced in all other countries:1
Quantity
Value

Large diameter
Purchases of product produced in the United States:
Quantity
Value
Purchases of product produced in China:
Quantity
Value
Purchases of product produced in all other countries:2
Quantity
Value
1
Please identify these countries:
2

Please identify these countries:

JanJune
2010

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Seamless SLP Pipe (Final)

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PART II.--PURCHASES--Continued
II-3.

If the relative shares of your firm’s total purchases of seamless SLP pipe from different sources
(both domestic and foreign) have changed since 2007, please list the country, state whether the
relative share from that country has increased or decreased, the size of the product and state the
reason.
Country

Increase/
decrease

Size

Reason

small diameter
large diameter
small diameter
large diameter
small diameter
large diameter
small diameter
large diameter
small diameter
large diameter
II-4.

If your firm has purchased seamless SLP pipe from only one country, please explain the reasons
for doing so.

II-5.

Please discuss changes in the levels of your firm’s purchases of seamless SLP pipe. Please
indicate the reasons for any substantive change, the impact of shifting demand in the seamless
SLP pipe market, whether and to what extent your firm anticipated such shifts, your firm’s
reaction to shifting demand, and your firm’s reaction to changes in the relative availability or
price level of seamless SLP pipe from different domestic and import sources of supply.

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Seamless SLP Pipe (Final)

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PART II.--PURCHASES--Continued
II-6.

Report your firm’s inventories of seamless SLP pipe purchased by your firm during the specified
periods.
Quantity (in short tons)

Item

2007

2008

2009

Jan.June
2010

Small diameter
End-of-period inventories of seamless SLP pipe
from the United States
End-of-period inventories of SLP pipe from China
End-of-period inventories of SLP pipe from
other countries

Large diameter
End-of-period inventories of seamless SLP pipe
from the United States
End-of-period inventories of SLP pipe from China
End-of-period inventories of SLP pipe from
other countries

II-7.

Please discuss changes in the levels of your firm’s inventories of seamless SLP pipe. Please
indicate the reasons for any substantive change, the impact of shifting demand in the seamless
SLP pipe market, whether and to what extent your firm anticipated such shifts, your firm’s
reaction to shifting demand, and your firm’s reaction to changes in the relative availability or
price level of seamless SLP pipe from different domestic and import sources of supply.

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Seamless SLP Pipe (Final)

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PART II.--PURCHASES--Continued
II-8.

No.

1

2

3

4

5

Supplier identification.--Please identify below the names and addresses of your firm’s FIVE
largest suppliers for seamless SLP pipe 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 purchases of
seamless SLP pipe that each of these suppliers accounted for 2009.

Supplier’s
name

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

Contact
person

Area code
and
telephone
number

Share of
2009 purchases
(%)

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Seamless SLP Pipe (Final)

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PART II.--PURCHASES--Continued
II-9.

COMPARABILITY OF SMALL DIAMETER AND LARGE DIAMETER SEAMLESS
SLP PIPE.–Since January 1, 2007, has your firm purchased small or large diameter seamless
SLP pipe?
No
Yes--Please describe the differences and similarities between small and large diameter
seamless SLP pipe with respect to the following factors: (a) characteristics and uses--describe
the differences and similarities in the physical characteristics and end uses; (b)
interchangeability--discuss the interchangeability in end use of the two products; (c)
manufacturing processes--describe the two processes; (d) channels of distribution--describe
the specific end use/customer requirements and channels of distribution/market situation in which
the products are sold; (e) customer and producer perceptions--describe any perceived
differences in the two products (e.g., sales/marketing practices); and (f) price--provide a
discussion and specific examples of prices for the two products. Use additional pages as
necessary.
(a) Characteristics and uses:

(b) Interchangeability:

(c) Manufacturing processes:

(d) Channels of distribution:

(e) Customer and producer perceptions:

(f) Price:

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Seamless SLP Pipe (Final)

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PART II.--PURCHASES--Continued
II-10.

COMPARABILITY OF ASTM A-335 AND OTHER SPECIFICATIONS OF SEAMLESS
SLP PIPE.–Since January 1, 2007, has your firm purchased ASTM A-335 or other specifications
of seamless SLP pipe? Further, please indicate if your responses differ based on diameter.
No
Yes--Please describe the differences and similarities between ASTM A-335 and other
specifications of seamless SLP pipe with respect to the following factors: (a) characteristics
and uses--describe the differences and similarities in the physical characteristics and end uses;
(b) interchangeability--discuss the interchangeability in end use of the two products; (c)
manufacturing processes--describe the two processes; (d) channels of distribution--describe
the specific end use/customer requirements and channels of distribution/market situation in which
the products are sold; (e) customer and producer perceptions--describe any perceived
differences in the two products (e.g., sales/marketing practices); and (f) price--provide a
discussion and specific examples of prices for the two products. Use additional pages as
necessary.
(a) Characteristics and uses:

(b) Interchangeability:

(c) Manufacturing processes:

(d) Channels of distribution:

(e) Customer and producer perceptions:

(f) Price:

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Seamless SLP Pipe (Final)

Page 10

PART III.--MARKET CHARACTERISTICS AND PURCHASING PRACTICES
Note: If your responses in this section differ by pipe diameters or by grades, please indicate
and elaborate upon the differences.
III-1.

Who should be contacted regarding the requested information on market characteristics and
purchasing practices?
Company contact:
Name and title
(
)
Phone number

III-2.

III-3.

E-mail address

Which of the following best describes your firm as a purchaser of seamless SLP pipe (check all
that apply, noting the specific end uses if known)?
END USER Small diameter (

)

DISTRIBUTOR Small diameter (

)

OTHER Small diameter (

)

END USER Large diameter (

)

DISTRIBUTOR Large diameter (

)

OTHER Large diameter (

)

(a) If your firm is a distributor or reseller of seamless SLP pipe, what are the major types of
consumers to which you sell seamless SLP pipe?

(b) Do you compete for sales to your customers with the manufacturers or importers from which
you purchase seamless SLP pipe?

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Seamless SLP Pipe (Final)

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

III-5.

If your firm is an end user of seamless SLP pipe, list in order of quantity of seamless SLP pipe
consumed, the top 3 products for which your firm purchases seamless SLP pipe as a component
part or input. Please indicate what percentage of the total cost is accounted for by seamless SLP
pipe.
Small diameter
Product you
Percent of cost
produce
accounted for by

Large diameter
Product you
Percent of cost
produce
accounted for by

seamless SLP pipe

seamless SLP pipe

(a) If your firm is an end user of seamless SLP pipe, has the demand for your firm’s final
products incorporating seamless SLP pipe changed since January 1, 2007?
Increased

No change

Decreased

(b) Has this had any effect on your firm’s demand for seamless SLP pipe?

III-6.

(a)

How has the demand within the United States for seamless SLP pipe changed since
January 1, 2007?
Increased

(b)

Decreased

Fluctuated

No change

If you have indicated that demand for seamless SLP pipe changed, please provide the
factors that were responsible for such change, and specify the time period involved.

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PART III.--MARKET CHARACTERISTICS AND PURCHASING PRACTICES--Continued
III-6.

(c)

How has the demand outside the United States (if known) for seamless SLP pipe changed
since January 1, 2007?
Increased

III-7.

Decreased

Fluctuated

No change

(d)

If you have indicated that demand for seamless SLP pipe outside the United States
changed, please provide the factors that were responsible for such change, and specify the
time period involved.

(a)

Can mechanical tubing or boiler tubing be substituted for small diameter seamless SLP
pipe?
No—please explain why not.

(b)

Yes

Can other products be substituted for small diameter seamless SLP pipe?
No
Yes-- Please list these substitute products in order of importance give
examples of applications and end uses for which they are substitutes.

Substitute

Application

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PART III.--MARKET CHARACTERISTICS AND PURCHASING PRACTICES--Continued
(c)

Can mechanical tubing or boiler tubing be substituted for large diameter seamless SLP
pipe?
No—please explain why not.

(d)

Yes

Can other products be substituted for large diameter seamless SLP pipe?
No
Yes--Please list these substitute products in order of importance give
examples of applications and end uses for which they are substitutes.

Substitute

(e)

Application

Have changes in the prices of these products affected the price for seamless SLP pipe?
No

III-8.

Yes--To what degree do changes in their prices affect the price for
seamless SLP pipe? Does this effect have a time lag? If so, how long is
the time lag for each substitute product? Does this vary by type of
seamless SLP pipe or final end use?

Are you aware whether the seamless SLP pipe you are purchasing is U.S.-produced or imported?
Always

Usually

Sometimes

Never

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Seamless SLP Pipe (Final)

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

Do you know the manufacturer of the seamless SLP pipe that you purchase?
Always

Usually

Sometimes

Never

III-10. To your knowledge, are your buyers aware of and/or interested in the country of origin of the
goods you supply them?
Always

Usually

Sometimes

Never

III-11. Is buying a product that is produced in the United States an important factor in your firm’s
purchases of seamless SLP pipe (please check ALL that apply)?
No
Yes--Purchases of domestic product are required by law or regulation (for example,
percent of
government purchases under “Buy American” provisions). This involves
all purchases of seamless SLP pipe.
Yes--Purchases of domestic product are not required by law or regulation, but are by your
customers. This involves
percent of all purchases of seamless SLP pipe.
Yes--Purchases of domestic product are required for other reasons (please specify these
reasons below). This involves
percent of all purchases of seamless SLP pipe.

III-12. Conditions of competition.-(a)

Is the seamless SLP pipe market subject to business cycles or conditions of competition
distinctive to seamless SLP pipe?
No

(b)

Yes--Please explain and provide estimates of the duration of any such
cycle.

Has the emergence of new markets for seamless SLP pipe since 2007 affected the
business cycles or conditions of competition distinctive to seamless SLP pipe?
No

Yes--Please explain any such changes.

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Seamless SLP Pipe (Final)

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

III-13. Have you made significant changes in your frequency of purchases since 2007?
No

Yes-- Please describe.

III-14. How many suppliers do you generally contact before making a purchase?

III-15. Have you changed suppliers since 2007?
No

Yes--Please list the suppliers, indicate whether each firm was added or
dropped as a supplier, and give the reasons for the change.

III-16. Are you aware of any new suppliers, either foreign or domestic, that have entered the market
since 2007?
No

Yes--Please identify the firms.

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Seamless SLP Pipe (Final)

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PART III.--MARKET CHARACTERISTICS AND PURCHASING PRACTICES--Continued
III-17. Do you require that your suppliers sell ASTM certified seamless SLP pipe to your firm?
No

Yes--

percent of purchases in 2009

Yes--All purchases

III-18. Do you require your suppliers to become certified or prequalified (in addition to ASTM
certification) with respect to the quality, chemistry, strength, or other performance characteristic
of the seamless SLP pipe they sell to your firm?
No

Yes--

percent of purchases in 2009

Yes--All purchases

Please provide a general description of the certification or qualification you require beyond the
ASTM process.

Please estimate the time required this certification or qualification process.

days.

III-19. Briefly describe the factors that you consider when qualifying a new supplier (e.g., quality of
product, reliability of supplier, etc.).

Please estimate the time it takes to certify or qualify a new supplier.

days

III-20. Since 2007, have any domestic or foreign producers failed in their attempts to certify or qualify
their seamless SLP pipe with your firm or have any producers lost their approved status?
No

Firm name

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

Country

Why firm failed certification/qualification

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Seamless SLP Pipe (Final)

Page 17

PART III.--MARKET CHARACTERISTICS AND PURCHASING PRACTICES--Continued
III-21. Please describe the lag time between order placement and delivery of seamless SLP pipe from
different sources, and indicate whether and to what extent lag times have changed since 2007,
particularly during periods of rising or falling demand.
(a) Domestically-produced seamless SLP pipe

(b) Seamless SLP pipe imported from China

(c) Seamless SLP pipe imported from countries other than China

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Seamless SLP Pipe (Final)

Page 18

PART III.--MARKET CHARACTERISTICS AND PURCHASING PRACTICES--Continued
III-22. (a)

For the factors listed below, please rate each in terms of its importance in your purchase
decision for seamless SLP pipe.
Very
important

Availability .......................................
Delivery terms .................................
Delivery time ...................................
Discounts offered ............................
Extension of credit...........................
Price ................................................
Minimum qty requirements..............
Packaging .......................................
Product consistency ........................
Quality meets standard pipe standard
Quality meets line pipe standard.....
Quality meets pressure pipe standard
Quality triple stenciled.....................
Quality meets ASTM A-335 standard
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 - Seamless SLP Pipe (Final)

Page 19

PART III.--MARKET CHARACTERISTICS AND PURCHASING PRACTICES--Continued
III-22. (b)

Assuming that seamless SLP meets industry standards, please list in order of their
importance, the three major factors generally considered by your firm in deciding from
whom to purchase seamless SLP pipe 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.).
Small Diameter

Large Diameter

(i)

(i)

(ii)

(ii)

(iii)

(iii)

Other factors or comments:

III-23. Does your firm ever require seamless SLP pipe in excess of common industry specifications such
as ASTM A-53, API 5L, or ASTM-A-106? If so, please describe?

III-24. Frequency of decisions based on price.--How often does your firm purchase the seamless SLP
pipe that is offered at the lowest price?
Always

Usually

Sometimes

Never

III-25. Choice of product not based on price.--If you purchased seamless SLP pipe 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 - Seamless SLP Pipe (Final)

Page 20

PART III.--MARKET CHARACTERISTICS AND PURCHASING PRACTICES--Continued
III-26. Please list the names of any firms you considered price leaders in the seamless SLP pipe 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.

III-27. Please describe how the above firm(s) exhibited price leadership.

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Seamless SLP Pipe (Final)

Page 21

PART IV.—PRODUCT COMPARISONS
IV-1.

Who should be contacted regarding the requested information on product comparisons?
Company contact:
Name and title
(
)
Phone number
E-mail address
Note: If your responses in this section differ by pipe diameters, please indicate and
elaborate upon the differences.

IV-2.

Please indicate the countries of origin for seamless SLP pipe for which your firm has actual
marketing/pricing knowledge.
Small diameter
United States
China
Other countries (Please specify:

)

Large diameter
United States
China
Other countries (Please specify:

)

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Seamless SLP Pipe (Final)

Page 22

PART IV.—PRODUCT COMPARISONS--Continued
IV-3.

Is seamless SLP pipe 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 2
Country-pair

China

Other countries

FOR SMALL DIAMETER-United States
China
FOR LARGE DIAMETER-United States
China
1

For any country-pair producing small diameter seamless SLP pipe which is sometimes or never
interchangeable, please explain the factors that limit or preclude interchangeable use:

2
For any country-pair producing large diameter seamless SLP pipe which is sometimes or never
interchangeable, please explain the factors that limit or preclude interchangeable use:

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Seamless SLP Pipe (Final)

Page 23

PART IV.—PRODUCT COMPARISONS--Continued
IV-4.

Are differences other than price (i.e., quality, availability, transportation network, product range,
technical support, etc.) between seamless SLP pipe produced in the United States and in other
countries a significant factor in your firm’s purchases 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 2
Country-pair

China

Other countries

FOR SMALL DIAMETER-United States
China
FOR LARGE DIAMETER-United States
China
1

For any country-pair for which factors other than price always or frequently are a factor in your firm’s
purchases of small diameter seamless SLP pipe identify the country-pair and report the advantages or
disadvantages imparted by such factors:

2
For any country-pair for which factors other than price always or frequently are a factor in your firm’s
purchases of large diameter seamless SLP pipe identify the country-pair and report the advantages or
disadvantages imparted by such factors:

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Seamless SLP Pipe (Final)

Page 24

PART IV.—PRODUCT COMPARISONS--Continued
IV-5.

Do you or your customers ever specifically order seamless SLP pipe from one country in
particular over other possible sources of supply?
No

IV-6.

Yes--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 seamless SLP pipe from these
countries is preferred over product from other countries (please note the
specific product in your response).

Are certain grades/types/sizes of seamless SLP pipe available from only a single source (domestic
or foreign, including both subject and nonsubject countries)?
No

Yes--Please identify the source and the grade/type/size.

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Seamless SLP Pipe (Final)

Page 25

PART IV.—PRODUCT COMPARISONS--Continued
For the factors listed below, please rate how seamless SLP pipe produced in each country you
identified in your response to the first question in Part IV compares with seamless SLP pipe
produced in each of the other countries you identified (including the United States and both
subject and nonsubject foreign countries). Please type an “X” for each quality in each product
comparison indicating whether the product from the first source is superior, comparable, or
inferior compared with the product from the second source.

Availability .............................................
Delivery terms .......................................
Delivery time .........................................
Discounts offered ..................................
Extension of credit ................................
Price......................................................
Minimum qty requirements....................
Packaging .............................................
Product consistency..............................
Quality meets standard pipe standard
Quality meets line pipe standard...........
Quality meets pressure pipe standard
Quality triple stenciled ...........................
Quality meets ASTM A-335 standard
Quality exceeds industry standards ......
Product range .......................................
Reliability of supply ...............................
Technical support/service .....................
U.S. transportation costs.......................
Other (specify):
1

.................

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

Inferior

Comparable

product from
China
compared to
product from

Superior

Inferior

Comparable

product from
U.S.
compared to
product from

Inferior

Comparable

Quality

Superior

product from
U.S.
compared to
product from
China

Superior

IV-7.

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Seamless SLP Pipe (Final)

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PART IV.—PRODUCT COMPARISONS--Continued
Continued.

Availability .............................................
Delivery terms .......................................
Delivery time .........................................
Discounts offered ..................................
Extension of credit ................................
Price......................................................
Minimum qty requirements....................
Packaging .............................................
Product consistency..............................
Quality meets standard pipe standard
Quality meets line pipe standard...........
Quality meets pressure pipe standard
Quality triple stenciled ...........................
Quality meets ASTM A-335 standard
Quality exceeds industry standards ......
Product range .......................................
Reliability of supply ...............................
Technical support/service .....................
U.S. transportation costs.......................
Other (specify):
1

.................

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

Inferior

Comparable

Superior

compared to
product from

Inferior

compared to
product from
Comparable

compared to
product from

Superior

product from

Inferior

product from

Comparable

Quality

product from

Superior

IV-7.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Seamless SLP Pipe (Final)

Page 27

PART IV.—PRODUCT COMPARISONS--Continued
IV-8.

(a)

How often does domestically produced seamless SLP pipe meet minimum quality
specifications for your uses or your customers’ uses?
Small diameter
Always

Usually

Sometimes

Rarely or never

Usually

Sometimes

Rarely or never

Large diameter
Always
(b)

How often does imported subject seamless SLP pipe meet minimum quality
specifications for your uses or your customers’ uses?

Source

Always

Usually

Sometimes

Rarely or
never

China (small diameter)
China (large diameter)

(c)

How often does imported nonsubject seamless SLP pipe (i.e., seamless SLP pipe from
countries other than China) meet minimum quality specifications for your uses or your
customers’ uses?

Source

Large/small
Diameter

Always

Usually

Sometimes

Rarely or
never