11-2-2919 US Importer questionnaire

OMB No. 3117-0016/USITC No. 11-2-2919; Expiration Date: 6/30/2011
(No response is required if currently valid OMB control number is not displayed)

U.S. IMPORTERS’ QUESTIONNAIRE
HOT-ROLLED CARBON-QUALITY STEEL FLAT PRODUCTS
FROM BRAZIL, JAPAN, AND RUSSIA

This questionnaire must be received by the Commission by no later than January 10, 2011
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 five-year reviews concerning hot-rolled steel from Brazil, Japan, and Russia (inv. Nos. 701-TA-384
and 731-TA-806-808 (Second Review)). The information requested in the questionnaire is requested under the authority
of the Tariff Act of 1930, title VII. This report is mandatory and failure to reply as directed can result in a subpoena or
other order to compel the submission of records or information in your possession (19 U.S.C. § 1333(a)).

Name of firm
Address
State

City

Zip Code

World Wide Web address
Has your firm imported hot-rolled steel (as defined in the instruction booklet) from any country at any time since
January 1, 2005?

NO
YES

(Sign the certification below and promptly return only this page of the questionnaire to the Commission)
(Read the instruction booklet carefully, complete all parts of the questionnaire, and return the entire
questionnaire to the Commission so as to be received by the date indicated above)

CERTIFICATION
I certify that the information herein supplied in response to this questionnaire is complete and correct to the best of my knowledge
and belief and understand that the information submitted is subject to audit and verification by the Commission.
By means of this certification I also grant consent for the Commission, and its employees and contract personnel, to use the
information provided in this questionnaire and throughout these reviews in any other import-injury investigations or reviews
conducted by the Commission on the same or similar merchandise.
I acknowledge that information submitted in this questionnaire response and throughout these reviews 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 reviews 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 – Hot-Rolled Steel

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

Yes--List the following information.

Firm name

Address

Extent of
ownership

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Hot-Rolled Steel

Page 3

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

Related SUBJECT importers/exporters.--Does your firm have any related firms, either
domestic or foreign, which are engaged in importing hot-rolled steel from Brazil, Japan, and/or
Russia into the United States or which are engaged in exporting hot-rolled steel from Brazil,
Japan, and/or Russia to the United States?
No

Yes--List the following information.

Firm name and country

I-5.

Affiliation

Related NONSUBJECT importers/exporters.--Does your firm have any related firms, either
domestic or foreign, which are engaged in importing hot-rolled steel from countries other than
Brazil, Japan, and/or Russia into the United States or which are engaged in exporting hot-rolled
steel from countries other than Brazil, Japan, and/or Russia to the United States?
No

Yes--List the following information.

Firm name and country

I-6.

Address

Address

Affiliation

Related distributors/processors.--Does your firm have any related firms in the United States
that receive, inventory, hold, ship, or process hot-rolled steel?
No

Yes--List the following information.

Firm name

Address

Affiliation

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Hot-Rolled Steel

Page 4

PART I.--GENERAL INFORMATION--Continued
I-7.

I-8.

I-9.

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

Yes--List the following information.

Firm name

Address

Nature of import operations.--Please indicate the nature of your firm’s importing operations on
hot-rolled steel. 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

Consignees.--If your firm is an importer of record of hot-rolled steel but is not the consignee,
please list the consignees below (firm name, address, telephone number, and individual to
contact).

Firm name

I-10.

I-11.

Affiliation

Contact person and phone
number

Address

FTZs or bonded warehouse.--Please indicate whether your firm enters hot-rolled steel into, or
withdraws such merchandise from, foreign trade zones or bonded warehouses.
Foreign trade zones

No

Yes

Bonded warehouses

No

Yes

TIB.--Please indicate whether your firm imports hot-rolled steel under the TIB (temporary
importation under bond) program.
No

Yes

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Hot-Rolled Steel

Page 5

PART I.--GENERAL INFORMATION--Continued

I-12.

Business plan.--In Parts II and III of this questionnaire we request a copy of your company’s
business plan. Does your company or any related firm have a business plan or any internal
documents that describe, discuss, or analyze expected market conditions for hot-rolled steel?
No

I-13.

Yes–Please provide the requested documents. If you are not providing the
requested documents, please explain why not.

Other investigations.--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 - Hot-Rolled Steel

Page 6

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

Please identify the individual to be contacted regarding the confidential information requested in
part II.
Name and title:
Please indicate the manner by which Commission staff may contact the individual responsible for
part II with questions regarding the submitted confidential information.
E-mail:
Fax: (

II-2.

Telephone: (

)

)

Changes in operations.--Please indicate whether your firm has experienced any of the following
changes in relation to the importation of hot-rolled steel since January 1, 2005.
(check as many as appropriate)
(please describe)
office/warehouse openings .......

office/warehouse closings ........

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

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

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

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

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

other..........................................

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Hot-Rolled Steel

Page 7

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

Anticipated changes in operations.--Does your firm anticipate any changes in the character of
your operations or organization (as noted above) relating to the importation of hot-rolled steel in
the future?
No

Yes–Supply details as to the time, nature, and significance of such changes
and provide underlying assumptions, along with relevant portions of
business plans or other supporting documentation that address this
issue.

For question II-4, if your response differs for particular subject countries, please indicate and
explain the particular effect of revocation with respect to imports from the individual countries.
II-4.

Anticipated changes in operations in the event the orders are revoked.--Would your firm
anticipate any changes in the character of your operations or organization (as noted above)
relating to the importation of hot-rolled steel in the future if the countervailing duty order
(Brazil), antidumping duty orders (Brazil and Japan), were revoked and/or suspension agreement
(Russia) on hot-rolled steel were terminated?
No

II-5.

Yes–Supply details as to the time, nature, and significance of such changes
and provide underlying assumptions, along with relevant portions of
business plans or other supporting documentation that address this
issue.

Arranged imports.--Has your firm imported or arranged for the importation of hot-rolled steel
from Brazil, Japan, and/or Russia for delivery after December 31, 2010?
No

Period/Source
Brazil
Japan
Russia
Other sources

Yes--Indicate when such orders are to be delivered and the quantities (in short
tons) involved.
Jan. - Mar. 2011

Apr. - June 2011

July - Sept. 2011

After Sept. 2011

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Hot-Rolled Steel

Page 8

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

Reasons for importing if producer.--If your firm also produces hot-rolled steel in the United
States, please indicate your reasons for importing this product. If your reasons differ by source,
please elaborate.

II-7a.

Imports from Brazil.--Does your firm import hot-rolled steel from Brazil?
No.

Yes-- Report your firm’s imports and your firm’s shipments and inventories
of hot-rolled steel imported from Brazil by your firm during the
specified periods. (See definitions in the instruction booklet.)

BRAZIL
Quantity (in short tons), value (in $1,000)
Calendar year
Item

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

Beginning-of-period
inventories (quantity) (A)
Imports:
Quantity (B)
Value (C)
U.S. shipments:
Commercial shipments:
Quantity (D)
Value (E)
Internal consumption/company transfers:
Quantity (F)
Value1 (G)
Export shipments:
Quantity (H)

2

Value (I)
End-of-period inventories
(quantity) (J)
U.S. shipments to:
Distributors, processors,
and service centers
(quantity) (K)
Manufacturers of tubular
products (quantity) (L)
Other end users (M)
1

Sales to related firms (including internal consumption) must be valued at fair market value. In the event that you use a
different basis for valuing these sales within your company, please specify that basis (e.g., cost, cost plus, etc.) and provide
value data using that basis for each period identified above:
2

Identify your principal export markets:

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Hot-Rolled Steel

Page 9

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

Imports from Japan.--Does your firm import hot-rolled steel from Japan?
No.

Yes-- Report your firm’s imports and your firm’s shipments and inventories
of hot-rolled steel imported from Japan by your firm during the
specified periods. (See definitions in the instruction booklet.)

JAPAN
Quantity (in short tons), value (in $1,000)
Calendar year
Item

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

Beginning-of-period
inventories (quantity) (A)
Imports:
Quantity (B)
Value (C)
U.S. shipments:
Commercial shipments:
Quantity (D)
Value (E)
Internal consumption/company transfers:
Quantity (F)
Value1 (G)
Export shipments:2
Quantity (H)
Value (I)
End-of-period inventories
(quantity) (J)
U.S. shipments to:
Distributors, processors,
and service centers
(quantity) (K)
Manufacturers of tubular
products (quantity) (L)
Other end users (quantity)
(M)
1
Sales to related firms (including internal consumption) must be valued at fair market value. In the event that you use a
different basis for valuing these sales within your company, please specify that basis (e.g., cost, cost plus, etc.) and provide
value data using that basis for each period identified above:
2

Identify your principal export markets:

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Hot-Rolled Steel

Page 10

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

Imports from Russia.--Does your firm import hot-rolled steel from Russia?
No.

Yes-- Report your firm’s imports and your firm’s shipments and inventories
of hot-rolled steel imported from Russia by your firm during the
specified periods. (See definitions in the instruction booklet.)

RUSSIA
Quantity (in short tons), value (in $1,000)
Calendar year
Item

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

Beginning-of-period
inventories (quantity) (A)
Imports:
Quantity (B)
Value (C)
U.S. shipments:
Commercial shipments:
Quantity (D)
Value (E)
Internal consumption/company transfers:
Quantity (F)
Value1 (G)
Export shipments:2
Quantity (H)
Value (I)
End-of-period inventories
(quantity) (J)
U.S. shipments to:
Distributors, processors,
and service centers
(quantity) (K)
Manufacturers of tubular
products (quantity) (L)
Other end users (quantity)
(M)
1
Sales to related firms (including internal consumption) must be valued at fair market value. In the event that you use a
different basis for valuing these sales within your company, please specify that basis (e.g., cost, cost plus, etc.) and provide
value data using that basis for each period identified above:
2

Identify your principal export markets:

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Hot-Rolled Steel

Page 11

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

Imports from ALL OTHER SOURCES.--Does your firm import hot-rolled steel from
countries other than Brazil, Japan, and Russia?
No.

Yes-- Report your firm’s imports and your firm’s shipments and inventories
of hot-rolled steel imported from countries other than Brazil, Japan,
and Russia 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 year
Item

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

Beginning-of-period
inventories (quantity) (A)
Imports:
Quantity (B)
Value (C)
U.S. shipments:
Commercial shipments:
Quantity (D)
Value (E)
Internal consumption/company transfers:
Quantity (F)
Value1 (G)
Export shipments:2
Quantity (H)
Value (I)
End-of-period inventories
(quantity) (J)
U.S. shipments to:
Distributors, processors,
and service centers
(quantity) (K)
Manufacturers of tubular
products (quantity) (L)
Other end users (quantity)
(M)
1

Sales to related firms (including internal consumption) must be valued at fair market value. In the event that you use a
different basis for valuing these sales within your company, please specify that basis (e.g., cost, cost plus, etc.) and provide
value data using that basis for each period identified above:
2

Identify your principal export markets:

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Hot-Rolled Steel

Page 12

PART II.--TRADE AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
II-8.

Reconciliation of import data.-(a)

Please note that the quantities reported in question II-7 should reconcile as follows in
each period (i.e., in each column):
Reconciliation
A+B–D–F–H=J
K+L+M=D

(b)

Do these data reconcile?
explain:
Do these data reconcile?
explain:

Yes

No--(Please
)

Yes

No--( Please

Please note that the quantities reported for end-of-period inventories should equal the
beginning-of-period inventories reported in the subsequent calendar year (i.e., line J of
year 2005 should equal line A of year 2006). Do these data reconcile for each adjacent
calendar year?
Yes.

No--Please explain.

)

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Hot-Rolled Steel

Page 13

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

(a) Report below your firm’s imports of hot-rolled steel products with the following chemistry
during the specified periods. Certain hot-rolled steel products as defined on pages 6-8 of the
instruction booklet, in which one or more of the elements listed below is present in the quantity,
by weight, respectively indicated:
1.65 - 1.80 percent of manganese, or 0.60 - 1.50 percent of silicon, or
0.40 - 1.00 percent of copper, or 0.30 - 0.50 percent of aluminum, or
0.30 - 1.25 percent of chromium, or 0.30 - 1.25 percent of nickel, or
0.0008 - 0.012 percent of boron, or 0.08 - 0.10 percent of molybdenum, or
0.06 - 0.10 percent of niobium, or 0.05 - 0.41 percent of titanium, or
0.10 - 0.15 percent of vanadium, or 0.05 - 015 percent of zirconium
You should include imports of vacuum degassed, fully stabilized (“interstitial free”) steel, high
strength low alloy steel, and the substrate for motor lamination steel with one or more elements
present in the ranges noted above.
You should not include alloy steel products in which at least one of the chemical elements
exceeds those listed above; SAE/AISI grades of series 2300 and higher; ball bearing steels; tool
steels; silicomanganese steels; silicon electrical steel with a silicon level exceeding 1.50%;
ASTM Specifications A710 & A736; or USS abrasion-resistant steels (USS AR400 & AR500).
(Quantity in short tons, value in $1,000)
Calendar Years
Item

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

Imports of product 1 from Brazil:
Quantity of imports
Value of imports
Imports of product 1 from Japan:
Quantity of imports
Value of imports
Imports of product 1 from Russia:
Quantity of imports
Value of imports
Imports of product 1 from all other countries:2
Quantity of imports
Value of imports
1

Please identify the products, their applications, and the elements present in the specified quantities:

2

Please identify the “other” countries from which your company imports the specified products:

2010

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Hot-Rolled Steel

Page 14

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

(b) In addition, please report below the quantity and value of your firm’s imports of “Group B”
excluded products that would otherwise be included within the scope of these reviews. “Group
B” exclusions are product-specific exclusions defined on pages 7-8 of the instruction booklet.
(Quantity in short tons, value in $1,000)
Calendar Years
Item

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

Imports from Brazil:
Quantity
Value
Imports from Japan:
Quantity
Value
Imports from Russia:
Quantity
Value
Imports from all other countries: 1
Quantity
Value
1

Please identify the “other” countries from which your company imports the specified products:

2010

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Hot-Rolled Steel

Page 15

PART II.--TRADE AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
For questions II-10 and II-11, if your response differs for particular subject countries, please
indicate and explain the particular effect of imposition and/or revocation of the order(s) or
suspension agreement from specific orders.
II-10.

Effect of orders.--Describe the significance of the existing countervailing duty order (Brazil),
antidumping duty orders (Brazil and Japan), and suspension agreement (Russia) covering imports
of hot-rolled steel in terms of its effect on your firm’s imports, U.S. shipments of imports, and
inventories. You may wish to compare your firm’s operations before and after the imposition of
the orders.

II-11.

Likely effect of revocation of orders.--Would your firm anticipate any changes in its imports,
U.S. shipments of imports, or inventories of hot-rolled steel in the future if the countervailing
duty order (Brazil), antidumping duty orders (Brazil and Japan), and/or suspension agreement
(Russia) on hot-rolled steel were to be revoked?
No

Yes–Supply details as to the time, nature, and significance of such changes
and provide underlying assumptions, along with relevant portions of
business plans or other supporting documentation for any trends or
projections you may provide.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Hot-Rolled Steel

Page 16

PART III.--PRICING AND MARKET FACTORS
Further information on this part of the questionnaire can be obtained from Craig Thomsen (202-2053226, [email protected]).
III-1.

Please identify the individual to be contacted regarding the confidential information requested in
part III?
Name and title:
Please indicate the manner by which Commission staff may contact the individual responsible for
parts II to IV with questions regarding the submitted confidential information.
E-mail:
Fax: (

Telephone: (

)

)
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 since 2005 of the following products you imported
from Brazil, Japan, and Russia:

Product 1.–Hot-rolled carbon steel plate in coils, as-rolled (unprocessed), not pickled or
temper-rolled, not high strength, produced to AISI-1006-1025 grade (including, but not
limited to, ASTM A36), 0.187" through 0.625" in nominal or actual thickness, 40" through
72" in width.
Product 2.–Hot-rolled carbon sheet in coils, commercial quality, SAE 1006-1015 or ASTM
A1011 equivalent, not high-strength, not pickled and oiled, not temper-rolled, 0.090"
through 0.171" in nominal or actual thickness, 40" to 72" in width.
Product 3.–Hot-rolled carbon steel sheet in coils, commercial quality SAE 1006-1015 or
ASTM A1011 equivalent, pickled and oiled, temper-rolled, not high strength, 0.090"
through 0.171" in nominal or actual thickness, 40" to 72" in width.
Product 4.–Hot-rolled carbon steel plate in coils, as-rolled (unprocessed), not pickled or
temper-rolled, in high strength low alloy qualities according to SAE J 1392, ASTM A572/656/1011, 0.187" through 0.625" in nominal or actual thickness 40" through 72" in
width.
Please note that total dollar values should be f.o.b., U.S. point of shipment and should not include
U.S.-inland transportation costs. Total dollar values should reflect the final net amount paid to you
(i.e., should be net of all deductions for discounts or rebates). See instruction booklet.

If fourth quarter 2010 pricing data are unavailable by January 10, 2011, they must be submitted no
later than February 7, 2011.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Hot-Rolled Steel

Page 17

PART III.--PRICING AND MARKET FACTORS--Continued
III-2.-(a).

Price data.--Report below the quarterly price data1 for pricing products2
imported from Brazil, Japan, and Russia and sold by your firm.

Brazil
Product 1
Quantity
Value
(short
(dollars)
tons)

Product 2
Quantity
Value
(short
(dollars)
tons)

Product 3
Quantity
Value
(short
(dollars)
tons)

Product 4
Quantity
Value
(short
(dollars)
tons)

Period of shipment
2005:
January-March
April-June
July-September
October-December
2006:
January-March
April-June
July-September
October-December
2007:
January-March
April-June
July-September
October-December
2008:
January-March
April-June
July-September
October-December
2009:
January-March
April-June
July-September
October-December
2010:
January-March
April-June
July-September
October-December
1
Net values (i.e., gross sales values less all discounts, allowances, rebates, prepaid freight, and the value of returned goods),
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:

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Hot-Rolled Steel

Page 18

PART III.--PRICING AND MARKET FACTORS--Continued
III-2.-(b).

Price data.--Continued

Japan
Product 1
Quantity
Value
(short
(dollars)
tons)

Product 2
Quantity
Value
(short
(dollars)
tons)

Product 3
Quantity
Value
(short
(dollars)
tons)

Product 4
Quantity
Value
(short
(dollars)
tons)

Period of shipment
2005:
January-March
April-June
July-September
October-December
2006:
January-March
April-June
July-September
October-December
2007:
January-March
April-June
July-September
October-December
2008:
January-March
April-June
July-September
October-December
2009:
January-March
April-June
July-September
October-December
2010:
January-March
April-June
July-September
October-December
1
Net values (i.e., gross sales values less all discounts, allowances, rebates, prepaid freight, and the value of returned goods),
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:

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Hot-Rolled Steel

Page 19

PART III.--PRICING AND MARKET FACTORS--Continued
III-2.-(c).

Price data.--Continued

Russia
Product 1
Quantity
Value
(short
(dollars)
tons)

Product 2
Quantity
Value
(short
(dollars)
tons)

Product 3
Quantity
Value
(short
(dollars)
tons)

Product 4
Quantity
Value
(short
(dollars)
tons)

Period of shipment
2005:
January-March
April-June
July-September
October-December
2006:
January-March
April-June
July-September
October-December
2007:
January-March
April-June
July-September
October-December
2008:
January-March
April-June
July-September
October-December
2009:
January-March
April-June
July-September
October-December
2010:
January-March
April-June
July-September
October-December
1
Net values (i.e., gross sales values less all discounts, allowances, rebates, prepaid freight, and the value of returned goods),
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:

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Hot-Rolled Steel

Page 20

PART III.--PRICING AND MARKET FACTORS--Continued
III-3.

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

Contracts

Set price lists

Other--Please describe:

III-4.

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

Annual total volume discounts

No discounts

Other--Please describe:

III-5.

Surcharges.-(a)

Since 2005, has your firm included surcharges on its invoices for:
Raw materials

III-6.

Fuel

Energy

Transportation

Other:

(b)

How did your firm determine the surcharge(s) (e.g., which indices were used)?

(c)

Please describe how the surcharges have changed since 2005?

Pricing terms for hot-rolled steel.-(a)

What are your firm’s typical sales terms for its imported hot-rolled steel (e.g., 2/10 net 30
days)?
.

(b)

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

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PART III.--PRICING AND MARKET FACTORS--Continued
For questions III-7 through III-10, please indicate if your answer differs among hot-rolled steel
which you imported from Brazil, Japan, or Russia
III-7.

Contract versus spot.--Approximately what share of your firm’s sales of its imported hot-rolled
steel in 2010 were on a (1) long-term contract basis (multiple deliveries for more than 12
months), (2) short-term contract basis (multiple deliveries up to and including 12 months), and (3)
spot sales basis (for a single delivery)?
Type of sale

Share of sales (percent)

Long-term contracts
Short-term contracts
Spot sales
II-8.

III-9.

Long-term contact provisions.---If you sell hot-rolled steel imported from Brazil, Japan, and
Russia on a long-term contract basis, please answer the following questions with respect to
provisions of a typical long-term contract.
(a)

What is the average duration of a contract?

(b)

Can prices be renegotiated during the contract period?

(c)

Does the contract fix quantity, price, or both?

(d)

Does the contract have a meet or release provision?

Yes

Quantity

No
Price

Yes

Both
No

Short-term contract provisions.---If you sell hot-rolled steel imported from Brazil, Japan, and
Russia on a short-term contract basis, please answer the following questions with respect to
provisions of a typical short-term contract.
(a)

What is the average duration of a contract?

(b)

Can prices be renegotiated during the contract period?

(c)

Does the contract fix quantity, price, or both?

(d)

Does the contract have a meet or release provision?

Yes

Quantity

No
Price

Yes

Both
No

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PART III.--PRICING AND MARKET FACTORS--Continued
III-10. Lead times.--What is the average lead time between a customer’s order and the date of delivery
for your firm’s sales of hot-rolled steel imported from Brazil, Japan, and Russia?
Source

Share of sales, 2010

Lead time

From your U.S. inventory

days

From foreign
manufacturers’ inventory

days

Produced to order

days

Total

100 %

III-11. Shipping information.-(a)

What is the approximate percentage of the total delivered cost of certain hot-rolled steel
imported from Brazil, Japan, and Russia 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)

When you sell hot-rolled steel imported from Brazil, Japan, and Russia, from where is it
shipped?
(check one) point of importation
or storage facility

(d)

What proportion of your sales of hot-rolled steel imported from Brazil, Japan, and Russia
are delivered within 100 miles of your point of shipment (provide the percentages)?
percent. Within 101 to 1,000 miles?
percent. Over 1,000 miles?
percent.

III-12. Geographical shipments.-- What is the geographic market area in the United States served by
your firm’s shipments of hot-rolled steel imported from each source? (check all that apply)

Geographic area
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.

√ if
applicable

√ if
applicable

√ if
applicable

√ if
applicable

Brazil

Japan

Russia

Other

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PART III.--PRICING AND MARKET FACTORS--Continued
III-13. End uses.--Describe the end uses of the hot-rolled steel that you import from Brazil, Japan, and
Russia. For each end-use product, what percentage of the total cost is accounted for by hot-rolled
steel?
Share of total cost of end
product (percent)

End use

III-14. Changes in end uses.--Have there been any changes in the end uses of hot-rolled steel
since 2005?
No

Yes--Please describe.

III-15. Anticipated changes in end uses.--Do you anticipate any changes in terms of the end uses of
hot-rolled steel?
No

Yes--Please describe.

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PART III.--PRICING AND MARKET FACTORS--Continued

III-16. Substitutes.— Are there any nonsubject products that may be substituted for hot-rolled steel?
No

Yes--Please fill in the following table.

Substitute product

Description of applications
Have changes in the prices of this
and end uses in which this substitute affected the price of hot-rolled
substitute can be used
steel since January 1, 2005

1.

No

Yes--Please explain.

2.

No

Yes--Please explain.

3.

No

Yes--Please explain.

4.

No

Yes--Please explain.

III-17. Changes in substitutes.--Have there been any changes in the number or types of products that
can be substituted for hot-rolled steel since 2005?
No

Yes--Please explain.

III-18. Anticipated changes in substitute.--Do you anticipate any changes in terms of the
substitutability of other products for hot-rolled steel?
No

Yes--Please explain.

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PART III.--PRICING AND MARKET FACTORS--Continued
III-19. Raw materials.—
(a)

To what extent have changes in the prices of raw materials (e.g., coke, iron, steel scrap,
or slab) affected your firm’s selling prices for hot-rolled steel since 2005?

(b)

Do you anticipate changes in your raw material costs in the foreseeable future?
No

Yes--Please explain.

III-20. Changes in factors affecting supply.--Have any changes occurred in any other factors affecting
supply (e.g., safeguard or other trade actions; changes in availability or prices of energy or labor;
transportation conditions; production capacity and/or methods of production; technology; export
markets; or alternative production opportunities) that affected the availability of U.S.-produced
hot-rolled steel in the U.S. market since 2005?
No

Yes--Please provide details.

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PART III.--PRICING AND MARKET FACTORS--Continued
III-21. Availability of subject import supply.-(a)

Do you anticipate any changes in terms of the availability of hot-rolled steel imported
from Brazil, Japan, and Russia in the U.S. market?
Increase

(b)

No change

Decrease

If you anticipate changes in supply, please identify the changes, and why you anticipate
these changes in supply.

III-22. Availability of “nonsubject” import supply.--Has the availability of NONSUBJECT hot-rolled
steel (i.e., hot-rolled steel imported from countries other than Brazil, Japan, and Russia) changed
since 2005?
No

Yes--Please explain.

III-23. Export constraints.--Describe how easily your firm can shift its sales of hot-rolled steel between
the U.S. market and alternative country markets. In your discussion, please describe any
contracts, other sales arrangements, or other constraints that would prevent or retard your firm
from shifting hot-rolled steel between the U.S. and alternative country markets within a 12-month
period.

III-24. Foreign contracts.--Do you have existing contracts for hot-rolled steel with subject foreign
producers?
No

Yes-- Please describe the duration of such contracts and when they are set to
expire.

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PART III.--PRICING AND MARKET FACTORS--Continued
III-25. Product changes.--Have there been any significant changes in the product range, product mix, or
marketing of hot-rolled steel since 2005?
No

Yes--Please describe and quantify if possible.

III-26. Anticipated product changes.--Do you anticipate any changes in terms of the product range,
product mix, or marketing of hot-rolled steel?
No

Yes--Please identify.

III-27. Demand trends.-(a)

How has the demand within the United States for hot-rolled steel changed since
January 1, 2005? What principal factors affect changes in demand?
Increased

(b)

No Change

Decreased

Fluctuated

How has the demand outside the United States for hot-rolled steel changed since
January 1, 2005? What principal factors affect changes in demand? If your answer
differs for specific markets outside the United States (i.e., specific regions, or developed
v. developing markets), please specify.
Increased

No Change

Decreased

Fluctuated

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PART III.--PRICING AND MARKET FACTORS--Continued
III-28. Anticipated demand trends.-(a)

How do you anticipate demand will change within the United States for hot-rolled steel?
What principal factors are likely to affect demand?
Increase

(b)

No Change

Decrease

Fluctuate

How do you anticipate demand will change outside the United States for hot-rolled steel?
What principal factors are likely to affect demand? If your answer differs for specific
markets outside the United States (i.e., specific regions, or developed v. developing
markets), please specify.
Increase

No Change

Decrease

Fluctuate

III-29. Business cycles.-(a) Is the hot-rolled steel market subject to business cycles or conditions of competition other than
the changes in the overall economy?
No

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

(b) Have the business cycles or conditions of competition for hot-rolled steel changed since
January 1, 2005?
No

Yes-- Please describe any such change.

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PART III.--PRICING AND MARKET FACTORS--Continued
III-30. Price comparisons.--Please compare market prices of hot-rolled steel in U.S. and non-U.S.
markets. Provide information as to time periods and regions for any price comparisons.

III-31. Market studies.--Please provide as a separate attachment to this request any studies, surveys, etc.
that you are aware of that quantify and/or otherwise discuss hot-rolled steel supply (including
production capacity and capacity utilization) and demand in (1) the United States, (2) each of the
other major producing/consuming countries, including Brazil, Japan, and Russia, and (3) the
world as a whole. Of particular interest is such data from 2005 to the present and forecasts for the
future.
III-32. Interchangeability by country-pair.--Is hot-rolled steel 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

Brazil

Japan

Russia

Other countries

United States
Brazil
Japan
Russia
1
For any country-pair producing hot-rolled steel which is sometimes or never interchangeable, please
explain the factors that limit or preclude interchangeable use:

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PART III.--PRICING AND MARKET FACTORS--Continued
III-33. Differences other than price by country-pair.--Are differences other than price (i.e., quality,
availability, transportation network, product range, technical support, etc.) between hot-rolled
steel 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

Brazil

Japan

Russia

Other countries

United States
Brazil
Japan
Russia
1

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