11-1-2958 U.S. Importer questionnaire

OMB No. 3117-0016/USITC No. 11-2-2958; Expiration Date: 6/30/2011
(No response is required if currently valid OMB control number is not displayed)

U.S. IMPORTERS’ QUESTIONNAIRE
HIGH PRESSURE STEEL CYLINDERS FROM CHINA

This questionnaire must be received by the Commission by no later than May 25, 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 countervailing duty/antidumping investigations concerning high pressure steel cylinders from China
(Inv. Nos. 701-TA-480 and 731-TA-1188 (Preliminary)). 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
City

State

Zip Code

World Wide Web address
Has your firm imported high pressure steel cylinders (as defined in the instruction booklet) from any country at
any time since January 1, 2008?

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 this proceeding in any other import-injury proceedings conducted by
the Commission on the same or similar merchandise.
I acknowledge that information submitted in this questionnaire response and throughout this proceeding may be used by the
Commission, its employees, and contract personnel who are acting in the capacity of Commission employees, for developing or
maintaining the records of this proceeding or related proceedings for which this information is submitted, or in internal audits and
proceedings 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 – High Pressure Steel Cylinders from China

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 - High Pressure Steel Cylinders from China

Page 3

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

Related importers/exporters.--Does your firm have any related firms, either domestic or
foreign, that are engaged in importing high pressure steel cylinders from China into the United
States or that are engaged in exporting high pressure steel cylinders from China to the United
States?
No

Yes--List the following information.

Firm name

I-5.

Address

Related producers.--Does your firm have any related firms, either domestic or foreign, that are
engaged in the production of high pressure steel cylinders?
No

Yes--List the following information.

Firm name

I-6.

I-7.

Affiliation

Address

Affiliation

Importing operations.--Please indicate the nature of your firm’s importing operations on high
pressure steel cylinders. 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 high pressure steel cylinders 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 - High Pressure Steel Cylinders from China

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

I-9.

FTZ or bonded warehouses.--Please indicate whether your firm enters high pressure steel
cylinders 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 high pressure
steel cylinders 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 proceedings in the United States or in any
other countries?
No

Yes–Please specify.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - High Pressure Steel Cylinders from China

Page 5

PART II.-- TRADE AND RELATED INFORMATION
Further information on this part of the questionnaire can be obtained from Edward Petronzio (202-2053176, [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
parts I 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 high pressure steel cylinders since January 1, 2008.
(check as many as appropriate)

(please describe in some detail)

office or warehouse openings,
expansions, or acquisitions ............
office or warehouse closings,
consolidations, or relocations.........
prolonged shutdowns or
curtailments of import operations ..
other (e.g., changes in
technology, revised labor
agreements, et cetera) ....................
II-3.

Arranged imports.--Has your firm imported or arranged for the importation of high pressure
steel cylinders from China for delivery after March 31, 2011?
No

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

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - High Pressure Steel Cylinders from China

Page 6

PART II.-- TRADE AND RELATED INFORMATION --Continued
II-4.

Reasons for importing.--If your firm also produces high pressure steel cylinders in the United
States, please indicate your reasons for importing this product. If your reasons differ by source,
please elaborate.

II-5.

Please list the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (“HTS”) statistical reporting
numbers (e.g., HTS numbers 7311.00.0030, 7311.00.0090, or other) under which you have
imported high pressure steel cylinders at any time since January 1, 2008.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - High Pressure Steel Cylinders from China

Page 7

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

IMPORTS FROM CHINA.–Did your firm import high pressure steel cylinders from China any
time since January 1, 2008?
No.

Yes-- Report your firm’s imports, shipments and inventories of high pressure
steel cylinders imported from China during the specified periods.
(See definitions in the instruction booklet.)

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

2008

2009

January-March
2010

2010

2011

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 - High Pressure Steel Cylinders from China

Page 8

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

IMPORTS FROM CANADA.–Did your firm import high pressure steel cylinders from Canada
any time since January 1, 2008?
No.

Yes-- Report your firm’s imports, shipments and inventories of high pressure
steel cylinders imported from Canada during the specified periods.
(See definitions in the instruction booklet.)

CANADA
Quantity (in units), value (in $1,000)
Calendar years
Item

2008

2009

January-March
2010

2010

2011

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:

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - High Pressure Steel Cylinders from China

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

IMPORTS FROM KOREA.–Did your firm import high pressure steel cylinders from China any
time since January 1, 2008?
No.

Yes-- Report your firm’s imports, shipments and inventories of high pressure
steel cylinders imported from Korea during the specified periods.
(See definitions in the instruction booklet.)

KOREA
Quantity (in units), value (in $1,000)
Calendar years
Item

2008

2009

January-March
2010

2010

2011

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 - High Pressure Steel Cylinders from China

Page 10

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

IMPORTS FROM ALL OTHER SOURCES COMBINED.–Did your firm import high
pressure steel cylinders from sources other than China and Canada any time since January 1,
2008?
No.

Yes-- Report your firm’s imports, shipments and inventories of high pressure
steel cylinders imported from all other sources other than China and
Canada combined during the specified periods. (See definitions in
the instruction booklet.)

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

2008

2009

January-March
2010

2010

2011

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 - High Pressure Steel Cylinders from China

Page 11

PART II.-- TRADE AND RELATED INFORMATION --Continued
II-10.

U.S. shipments of high pressure steel cylinders by gas capacity.--Please estimate the share of
your firms U.S. shipments of high pressure steel cylinders by size in each year.

China
Gas Capacity
U.S. shipments of imports from
China:
80 cubic feet or less
Between 80 and 150 cubic feet
Between 150 and 702 cubic feet
Total, China

Share of U.S. Shipments
2008
2009
(percent)
(percent)

100%

100%

2010
(percent)

100%

Canada
Gas Capacity
U.S. shipments of imports from
Canada:
80 cubic feet or less
Between 80 and 150 cubic feet
Between 150 and 702 cubic feet
Total, Canada

Share of U.S. Shipments
2008
2009
(percent)
(percent)

100%

100%

2010
(percent)

100%

Korea
Gas Capacity
U.S. shipments of imports from
Korea:
80 cubic feet or less
Between 80 and 150 cubic feet
Between 150 and 702 cubic feet
Total, Korea

2008
(percent)

Share of U.S. Shipments
2009
(percent)

100%

100%

2010
(percent)

100%

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - High Pressure Steel Cylinders from China

Page 12

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

All other sources combined
Gas Capacity
U.S. shipments of imports from all
other sources combined:
80 cubic feet or less
Between 80 and 150 cubic feet
Between 150 and 702 cubic feet
Total, All other sources

Share of U.S. Shipments
2008
2009
(percent)
(percent)

100%

2010
(percent)

100%

100%

II-11. China Foreign Manufacturer / Exporter identification.--Please identify below the names and
addresses of your firm’s FIVE largest foreign suppliers (whether the foreign manufacturer or just foreign
exporter) for high pressure steel cylinders from China in the 2008-10 period. Please also provide the
name and fax number or e-mail address of a contact person and the share of the quantity of your firm’s
total imports of high pressure steel cylinders that each of these suppliers accounted for in 2010.
Not applicable (i.e., responded “no” to question II-6)
Foreign
manufacturer /
Exporter’s
No.
name
1

2

3

4

5

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

Contact person

Telephone number
or e-mail address

Share of
2010
imports
(%)

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - High Pressure Steel Cylinders from China

Page 13

PART III.-- PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION
Further information on this part of the questionnaire can be obtained from Clark Workman (202-2053248, [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
part III with questions regarding the submitted confidential information.
E-mail:

Telephone:

Fax:
PRICE DATA
III-2.

Does your firm resell high pressure steel cylinders?
Yes--Please complete this section.
No, import for own end use only --Please skip to question III-12.
These questions request quarterly price and quantity data, f.o.b. your U.S. point of shipment, for
your commercial shipments to unrelated U.S. customers of the following products you imported
from China, Canada, and Korea:
Product 1.—High pressure cylinders, 40 cubic feet, DOT 3AA2015, painted.
Report values without additional charges for neck rings, caps, and valves.
Product 2.-- High pressure cylinders, 80 cubic feet, DOT 3AA2015, painted.
Report values including neck rings and caps, but without additional charges for valves.
Product 3.— High pressure cylinders, 150 cubic feet, DOT 3AA2015, painted.
Report values including neck rings and caps, but without additional charges for valves.
Product 4.— High pressure cylinders, 300 cubic feet, DOT 3AA2400, painted.
Report values including neck rings and caps, but without additional charges for valves.

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.
III-2.(a)

For products 1-4, please check the box for those items which are included in the price of
the cylinder (if you charge an additional fee for these items, leave the box blank).
Product 1
Product 2
Product 3
Product 4

Neck ring
Neck ring
Neck ring
Neck ring

Cap
Cap
Cap
Cap

Valve
Valve
Valve
Valve

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - High Pressure Steel Cylinders from China

Page 14

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

China
Product 1

(Quantity in units, value in dollars)
Product 2
Product 3

Product 4

Period of shipment
Quantity
Value
Quantity
Value
Quantity
Value
Quantity
Value
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
2011:
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. Values should NOT include neck rings and caps for products 1-4, and valves for product 1 only.
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 - High Pressure Steel Cylinders from China

Page 15

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

Canada
Product 1

(Quantity in units, value in dollars)
Product 2
Product 3

Product 4

Period of shipment
Quantity
Value
Quantity
Value
Quantity
Value
Quantity
Value
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
2011:
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. Values should NOT include neck rings and caps for products 1-4, and valves for product 1 only.
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 - High Pressure Steel Cylinders from China

Page 16

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

Korea
Product 1

(Quantity in units, value in dollars)
Product 2
Product 3

Product 4

Period of shipment
Quantity
Value
Quantity
Value
Quantity
Value
Quantity
Value
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
2011:
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. Values should NOT include neck rings and caps for products 1-4, and should not include valves
for product 1 only.
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 - High Pressure Steel Cylinders from China

Page 17

PART III.-- PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
III-3(a) Price setting.-- How does your firm determine the prices that it charges for sales of high pressure
steel cylinders (check all that apply)?
Transaction by transaction

Contracts

Set price lists

Other--Please describe:

III-3(b) Buying groups.—Did your firm negotiate prices with any buying groups in 2010?
No
Yes – Approximately what percent of your 2010 total sales of high pressure steel cylinders
were to firms that were members of buying groups?
%. Please complete table.
Name of group

III-4.

Did you negotiate prices in
2010?

Were you selected as the preferred
vendor in 2010?

IWDC

No

Yes

No

Yes

BIG Buying Group

No

Yes

No

Yes

AIWD

No

Yes

No

Yes

ADA

No

Yes

No

Yes

IDC

No

Yes

No

Yes

Other

No

Yes

No

Yes

Discount policy.-- Please indicate and describe your firm’s discount policies for sales of high
pressure steel cylinders (check all that apply).
Quantity discounts
Other--Please describe:

Annual total volume discounts

No discounts

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - High Pressure Steel Cylinders from China

Page 18

PART III.-- PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
III-5.

Pricing terms.-(a)

What are your firm’s typical sales terms for high pressure steel cylinders imported from
China (e.g., 2/10 net 30 days)?

(b)

On what basis are your prices of imported high pressure steel cylinders from China
usually quoted? (check one)
F.o.b.--Please specify point:

III-6.

Contract versus spot.--Approximately what share of your firm’s sales of high pressure steel
cylinders imported from China 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

III-8.

Share of sales

Long-term contracts

%

Short-term contracts

%

Spot sales

%

Total
III-7.

Delivered

100%

Long-term contract provisions.--If you sell high pressure steel cylinders imported from China
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 high pressure steel cylinders imported from China
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

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - High Pressure Steel Cylinders from China

Page 19

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

III-9.

Lead times.--What is your share of sales of high pressure steel cylinders imported from China
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 high pressure steel cylinders?
Share of sales,
2010

Source

Lead time

From your U.S. inventory

%

days

From foreign manufacturers’
inventory

%

days

Produced to order

%

days

Total

100 %

III-10. Shipping information.—
(a)

What is the approximate percentage of the total delivered cost of high pressure steel
cylinders imported from China 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 high pressure steel cylinders imported from China, from where is it
shipped? (check one) point of importation
or storage facility

(d)

What proportion of your sales of high pressure steel cylinders imported from China 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-11. Geographical shipments--What is the geographic market area in the United States served by
your firm’s shipments of high pressure steel cylinders imported from any 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

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - High Pressure Steel Cylinders from China

Page 20

PART III.-- PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
III-12. End uses-Describe the end uses of the high pressure steel cylinders that you import from China.
For each end-use product, what percentage of the total cost is accounted for by high pressure steel
cylinders and other inputs?
Share of total cost of end use product
accounted for by

End use product

High pressure steel
cylinders

Other inputs

Total

1.

%

% 100%

2.

%

% 100%

3.

%

% 100%

III-13. Substitutes.-(a) Can other products be substituted for high pressure steel cylinders?
No

Yes--Please complete (b).

(b) Please list in order of importance any products that may be substituted for high pressure steel
cylinders and fill out the table.

Substitute
1.

End use in which this
substitute is used

Have changes in the prices of this substitute
affected the price for high pressure steel
cylinders?

No

Yes

Please explain-2.

No

Yes

Please explain--

3.

No

Yes

Please explain--

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - High Pressure Steel Cylinders from China

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PART III.-- PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
III-14. Demand trends.-(a)

How has the demand within the United States for high pressure steel cylinders changed
since January 1, 2008? What principal factors affect changes in demand?
Increased

(b)

No Change

Decreased

Fluctuated

How has the demand outside the United States (if known) for high pressure steel
cylinders changed since January 1, 2008? 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 mix or marketing of
high pressure steel cylinders since January 1, 2008?
No

Yes-- Please describe.

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PART III.-- PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
III-16. Business cycles.-(a) Is the high pressure steel cylinders market subject to business cycles or conditions of
competition (including seasonal business) distinctive to high pressure steel cylinders?
No (skip to question IV-17.)

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
high pressure steel cylinders since January 1, 2008?
No

Yes-- Please describe.

III-17. Supply constraints.--Has your firm (or if you are an end user, please regarding your suppliers)
refused, declined, or been unable to supply high pressure steel cylinders since January 1, 2008
(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 high
pressure steel cylinders and whether you expect these trends to continue.

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - High Pressure Steel Cylinders from China

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PART III.-- PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
III-19. Interchangeability.--Are high pressure steel cylinders produced in the United States and in other
countries interchangeable (i.e., can they physically be used in the same applications)? Please
indicate below, using “A” to indicate that the products from a specified country-pair are always
interchangeable, “F” to indicate that the products are frequently interchangeable, “S” to indicate
that the products are sometimes interchangeable, “N” to indicate that the products are never
interchangeable, and “0” to indicate no familiarity with products from a specified country-pair.1
Country-pair

China

Other countries

United States
China
1

For any country-pair producing high pressure steel cylinders that is sometimes or never
interchangeable, please explain the factors that limit or preclude interchangeable use:

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - High Pressure Steel Cylinders from China

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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 high pressure steel
cylinders 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

Other countries

United States
China
1

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

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - High Pressure Steel Cylinders from China

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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 high pressure steel cylinders since January 1, 2008. Please also provide
the name, email, and telephone number of a contact person and the share of the quantity of your
firm’s total shipments of high pressure steel cylinders from China that each of these customers
accounted for in 2010.

No.

1

Customer’s name

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

Street Address
State

State

State

State

Zip Code

Email

Name

,
State

Zip Code

Street Address

Email

Name

,
State

Zip Code

Street Address

Email

Name

,
State

Zip Code

Street Address

Email

Name

,
State

Zip Code

Street Address

Email

Name

,
City

10

Email

Name

Street Address

City

9

Zip Code

,

City

8

Email

Name

Street Address

City

7

Zip Code

,

City

6

Name

Street Address

City

5

Email

,

City

4

Zip Code

Street Address
City

3

Name

,
City

2

Contact person and
e-mail address

State

Zip Code

Street Address

Email

Name

,
City

State

Zip Code

Email

Area
code and
telephone
number

Share of
2010
sales
(%)