12-2-2974 Importer Questionnaire

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

Importer Q - Brass Sheet

Brass Sheet and Strip from France, Germany, Italy, and Japan, Inv. No. 731-313 (3rd Review)

OMB: 3117-0016

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OMB No. 3117-0016/USITC No. 12-2-2974; Expiration Date: 6/30/2014
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U.S. IMPORTERS’ QUESTIONNAIRE
BRASS SHEET AND STRIP FROM FRANCE, GERMANY, ITALY, AND JAPAN

This questionnaire must be received by the Commission by no later than November 23, 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 review of the antidumping duty orders concerning C20000-series brass sheet and strip from France,
Germany, Italy and Japan (Inv. No. 731-TA-313, 314, 317, 379 (Third 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
City

State

Zip Code

World Wide Web address
Has your firm imported C20000-series brass sheet and strip (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 theses 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 theses 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

Date

Phone:
Signature

E-mail address
Fax

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Brass Sheet and Strip

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

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Brass Sheet and Strip

Page 3

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

I-5.

Related SUBJECT importers/exporters.--Does your firm have any related firms, either
domestic or foreign, that are engaged in importing C20000-series brass sheet and strip from
France, Germany, Italy or Japan into the United States or that are engaged in exporting C20000series brass sheet and strip from France, Germany, Italy or Japan to the United States?
No

Yes--List the following information.

Firm name

Address

Related NONSUBJECT importers/exporters.--Does your firm have any related firms, either
domestic or foreign, that are engaged in importing C20000-series brass sheet and strip from
countries other than France, Germany, Italy or Japan into the United States or that are engaged in
exporting C20000-series brass sheet and strip from countries other than France, Germany, Italy or
Japan to the United States?
No

Yes--List the following information.

Firm name and country

I-6.

Affiliation

Address

Affiliation

Related producers.--Does your firm have any related firms, either domestic or foreign, that are
engaged in the production of C20000-series brass sheet and strip?
No

Yes--List the following information.

Firm name

Address

Affiliation

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Brass Sheet and Strip

Page 4

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

I-8.

Nature of import operations.--Please indicate the nature of your firm’s importing operations on
C20000-series brass sheet and strip. 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 C20000-series brass sheet and strip but is
not the consignee, please list the consignees below (firm name, address, telephone number, and
individual to contact).

Firm name

I-9.

I-10.

FTZs or bonded warehouse.--Please indicate whether your firm enters C20000-series brass
sheet and strip into, or withdraws such merchandise from, foreign trade zones or bonded
warehouses.
Foreign trade zones

Yes

Bonded warehouses

Yes

TIB.--Please indicate whether your firm imports C20000-series brass sheet and strip under the
TIB (temporary importation under bond) program.
No

I-11.

Contact person and phone
number

Address

Yes

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 C20000-series brass
sheet and strip?
No

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

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Brass Sheet and Strip

Page 5

PART I.--GENERAL INFORMATION--Continued
I-12.

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 - Brass Sheet and Strip

Page 6

PART II.--TRADE AND RELATED INFORMATION
Further information on this part of the questionnaire can be obtained from Joanna Lo (202-205-1888,
[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:

Telephone:

Fax:
II-2.

Changes in operations.--Please indicate whether your firm has experienced any of the following
changes in relation to the importation of C20000-series brass sheet and strip 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..........................................

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Brass Sheet and Strip

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 C20000-series
brass sheet and strip 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 orders, please indicate and explain the
particular effect of revocation of specific orders.
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 C20000-series brass sheet and strip in the future if the antidumping
duty orders on C20000-series brass sheet and strip from France, Germany, Italy, and/or Japan
were to be revoked?
No

II-5.

Arranged imports.--Has your firm imported or arranged for the importation of C20000-series
brass sheet and strip from France, Germany, Italy and/or Japan for delivery after September 30,
2011?
No

II-6.

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

Reasons for importing if producer.--If your firm also produces C20000-series brass sheet and
strip in the United States, please indicate your reasons for importing this product. If your reasons
differ by source, please elaborate.

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Brass Sheet and Strip

Page 8

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

Imports from France.--Does your firm import C20000-series brass sheet and strip from France?
No.

Yes-- Report your firm’s imports and your firm’s shipments and inventories
of C20000-series brass sheet and strip imported from France by your
firm during the specified periods. (See definitions in the instruction
booklet.)

FRANCE
Quantity (in 1,000 pounds), value (in $1,000)
Calendar year
Item

2005

2006

2007

2008

January-September
2009

2010

2011

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)
Channels of distribution:
U.S. shipments to
distributors (quantity) (K)
U.S. shipments to end users
(quantity) (L)
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:

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Brass Sheet and Strip

Page 9

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

Imports from Germany.--Does your firm import C20000-series brass sheet and strip from
Germany?
No.

Yes-- Report your firm’s imports and your firm’s shipments and inventories
of C20000-series brass sheet and strip imported from Germany by
your firm during the specified periods. (See definitions in the
instruction booklet.)

GERMANY
Quantity (in 1,000 pounds), value (in $1,000)
Calendar year
Item

2005

2006

2007

2008

January-September
2009

2010

2011

Identify your principal export markets:

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Brass Sheet and Strip

Page 10

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

Imports from Italy.--Does your firm import C20000-series brass sheet and strip from Italy?
No.

Yes-- Report your firm’s imports and your firm’s shipments and inventories
of C20000-series brass sheet and strip imported from Italy by your
firm during the specified periods. (See definitions in the instruction
booklet.)

ITALY
Quantity (in 1,000 pounds), value (in $1,000)
Calendar year
Item

2005

2006

2007

2008

January-September
2009

2010

2011

Identify your principal export markets:

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Brass Sheet and Strip

Page 11

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

Imports from Japan.--Does your firm import C20000-series brass sheet and strip from Japan?
No.

Yes-- Report your firm’s imports and your firm’s shipments and inventories
of C20000-series brass sheet and strip imported from Japan by your
firm during the specified periods. (See definitions in the instruction
booklet.)

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

2005

2006

2007

2008

January-September
2009

2010

2011

Identify your principal export markets:

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Brass Sheet and Strip

Page 12

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

Imports from ALL OTHER SOURCES.--Does your firm import C20000-series brass sheet and
strip from countries other than France, Germany, Italy or Japan?
No.

Yes-- Report your firm’s imports and your firm’s shipments and inventories
of C20000-series brass sheet and strip imported from countries other
than France, Germany, Italy and/or Japan by your firm during the
specified periods. (See definitions in the instruction booklet.)

ALL OTHER SOURCES COMBINED
Quantity (in 1,000 pounds), value (in $1,000)
Calendar year
Item

2005

2006

2007

2008

January-September
2009

2010

2011

Identify your principal export markets:

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Brass Sheet and Strip

Page 13

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
D+F=K+L

(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.

For questions II-9 and II-10, if your response differs for particular orders, please indicate and
explain the particular effect of imposition and/or revocation of specific orders.
II-9.

Effect of orders.--Describe the significance of the existing antidumping duty orders covering
imports of C20000-series brass sheet and strip from France, Germany, Italy, and/or Japan 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 order.

)

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Brass Sheet and Strip

Page 14

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

Likely effect of revocation of orders.--Would your firm anticipate any changes in its imports,
U.S. shipments of imports, or inventories of C20000-series brass sheet and strip in the future if
the antidumping duty order on C20000-series brass sheet and strip from France, Germany, Italy,
and/or Japan were to be revoked?
No

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Brass Sheet and Strip

Page 15

PART III.--PRICING AND MARKET FACTORS
Further information on this part of the questionnaire can be obtained from Amelia Preece (202205-3250, [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:

Telephone:

Fax:
PRICE DATA
III-2.

This question 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 France, Germany, Italy and Japan: (If you import for your own use please check
here
and report quantities you purchase and landed duty paid cost for value (including
dumping duties) in the tables below.)

Product 1.—Distributors, CDA end-use classification 920, CDA alloy 260,0.020-inch to 0.025-inch
thick by maximum yield width, uncoated, without special surface finish, without special
annealing requirements, and without special tolerances
Product 2.--Reroll, CDA end-use classification 910, alloy 260, 0.050-inch to 0.080-inch thick
by maximum yield width, uncoated, without special surface finish, without special annealing
requirements, and without special tolerances
Product 3.—Automotive electrical, CDA end-use classification 320, CDA alloy 230 and/or alloy
260, 0.0098 inch to 0.020 inch by 0.5 inch to 2 inches in width, not tin coated
Product 4.—Closures, CDA end-use classification 620, CDA alloy 260, 0.010-inch - 0.016-inch thick
by 1 inch to 4 inches in width
Product 5.—End users, CDA alloy 272, 0.015-inch to 0.020-inch thick, 0.75 – 2.00 inch wide,
without coating, without special tolerances, and without special surface finish
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.
Fabrication should include fabrication charges plus any surcharges/additions related to fabrication such
as energy surcharges.
Metal exchange price component should be the LME/COMEX settlement prices you used for zinc and
copper for the product on the date the metal price was fixed.
Metal premium should include any additions to the cost of metal reported in the “metal exchanged price
component” above, such as interest surcharges or other riders/surcharges.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Brass Sheet and Strip

Page 16

PART III.--PRICING AND MARKET FACTORS--Continued
III-2.

Price data (France).--Report below the quarterly price data1 for pricing products2 imported from
France and sold by your firm.

France
(Quantity in pounds, value in dollars)
Product 1 sales
Value
Metal exchange
Fabrication
price component
Metal premium

Period of
Quantity
Total
shipment
2005:
Jan.-March
April-June
July-Sept.
Oct.-Dec.
2006:
Jan.-March
April-June
July-Sept.
Oct.-Dec.
2007:
Jan.-March
April-June
July-Sept.
Oct.-Dec.
2008:
Jan.-March
April-June
July-Sept.
Oct.-Dec.
2009:
Jan.-March
April-June
July-Sept.
Oct.-Dec.
2010:
Jan.-March
April-June
July-Sept.
Oct.-Dec.
2011:
Jan.-March
April-June
July-Sept.
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:

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Brass Sheet and Strip

Page 17

PART III.--PRICING AND MARKET FACTORS--Continued
III-2.

Price data (France).--Continued

France
(Quantity in pounds, value in dollars)
Product 2 sales
Value
Metal exchange
Fabrication
price component
Metal premium

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Brass Sheet and Strip

Page 18

PART III.--PRICING AND MARKET FACTORS--Continued
III-2.

Price data (France).--Continued.

France
(Quantity in pounds, value in dollars)
Product 3 sales
Value
Metal exchange
Fabrication
price component
Metal premium

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Brass Sheet and Strip

Page 19

PART III.--PRICING AND MARKET FACTORS--Continued
III-2.

Price data (France).-- --Continued.

France
(Quantity in pounds, value in dollars)
Product 4 sales
Value
Metal exchange
Fabrication
price component
Metal premium

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Brass Sheet and Strip

Page 20

PART III.--PRICING AND MARKET FACTORS--Continued
III-2.

Price data (France).--Continued.

France
(Quantity in pounds, value in dollars)
Product 5 sales
Value
Metal exchange
Fabrication
price component
Metal premium

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Brass Sheet and Strip

Page 21

PART III.--PRICING AND MARKET FACTORS--Continued
III-2.

Price data (Germany).--Report below the quarterly price data1 for pricing products2 imported
from Germany and sold by your firm.

Germany
(Quantity in pounds, value in dollars)
Product 1 sales
Value
Metal exchange
Fabrication
price component
Metal premium

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Brass Sheet and Strip

Page 22

PART III.--PRICING AND MARKET FACTORS--Continued
III-2.

Price data (Germany). --Continued.

Germany
(Quantity in pounds, value in dollars)
Product 2 sales
Value
Metal exchange
Fabrication
price component
Metal premium

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Brass Sheet and Strip

Page 23

PART III.--PRICING AND MARKET FACTORS--Continued
III-2.

Price data (Germany).--Continued.

Germany
(Quantity in pounds, value in dollars)
Product 3 sales
Value
Metal exchange
Fabrication
price component
Metal premium

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Brass Sheet and Strip

Page 24

PART III.--PRICING AND MARKET FACTORS--Continued
III-2.

Price data (Germany).-- --Continued.

Germany
(Quantity in pounds, value in dollars)
Product 4 sales
Value
Metal exchange
Fabrication
price component
Metal premium

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Brass Sheet and Strip

Page 25

PART III.--PRICING AND MARKET FACTORS--Continued
III-2.

Price data (Germany).-- --Continued.

Germany
(Quantity in pounds, value in dollars)
Product 5 sales
Value
Metal exchange
Fabrication
price component
Metal premium

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Brass Sheet and Strip

Page 26

PART III.--PRICING AND MARKET FACTORS--Continued
III-2.

Price data (Italy).--Report below the quarterly price data1 for pricing products2 imported from
Italy and sold by your firm.

Italy
(Quantity in pounds, value in dollars)
Product 1 sales
Value
Metal exchange
Fabrication
price component
Metal premium

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Brass Sheet and Strip

Page 27

PART III.--PRICING AND MARKET FACTORS--Continued
III-2.

Price data (Italy).-- Continued.

Italy
(Quantity in pounds, value in dollars)
Product 2 sales
Value
Metal exchange
Fabrication
price component
Metal premium

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Brass Sheet and Strip

Page 28

PART III.--PRICING AND MARKET FACTORS--Continued
III-2.

Price data (Italy).-- Continued.

Italy
(Quantity in pounds, value in dollars)
Product 3 sales
Value
Metal exchange
Fabrication
price component
Metal premium

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Brass Sheet and Strip

Page 29

PART III.--PRICING AND MARKET FACTORS--Continued
III-2.

Price data (Italy).-- Continued.

Italy
(Quantity in pounds, value in dollars)
Product 4 sales
Value
Metal exchange
Fabrication
price component
Metal premium

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Brass Sheet and Strip

Page 30

PART III.--PRICING AND MARKET FACTORS--Continued
III-2.

Price data (Italy).-- Continued.

Italy
(Quantity in pounds, value in dollars)
Product 5 sales
Value
Metal exchange
Fabrication
price component
Metal premium

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Brass Sheet and Strip

Page 31

PART III.--PRICING AND MARKET FACTORS--Continued
III-2.

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

Japan
(Quantity in pounds, value in dollars)
Product 1 sales
Value
Metal exchange
Fabrication
price component
Metal premium

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Brass Sheet and Strip

Page 32

PART III.--PRICING AND MARKET FACTORS--Continued
III-2.

Price data (Japan).-- Continued.

Japan
(Quantity in pounds, value in dollars)
Product 2 sales
Value
Metal exchange
Fabrication
price component
Metal premium

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Brass Sheet and Strip

Page 33

PART III.--PRICING AND MARKET FACTORS--Continued
III-2.

Price data (Japan).-- Continued.

Japan
(Quantity in pounds, value in dollars)
Product 3 sales
Value
Metal exchange
Fabrication
price component
Metal premium

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Brass Sheet and Strip

Page 34

PART III.--PRICING AND MARKET FACTORS--Continued
III-2.

Price data (Japan).-- Continued.

Japan
(Quantity in pounds, value in dollars)
Product 4 sales
Value
Metal exchange
Fabrication
price component
Metal premium

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Brass Sheet and Strip

Page 35

PART III.--PRICING AND MARKET FACTORS--Continued
III-2.

Price data (Japan).-- Continued.

Japan
(Quantity in pounds, value in dollars)
Product 5 sales
Value
Metal exchange
Fabrication
price component
Metal premium

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Brass Sheet and Strip

Page 36

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

(a) Price setting.-- How does your firm determine the prices that it charges for fabrication in
your sales of C20000-series brass sheet and strip (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:

(b) How does your firm determine the prices that it charges for metal in your sales of C20000series brass sheet and strip? Include what index you use and time lags between when the price of
metal changes and when the price your charge changes.

(c) Please include with your responses copies of all general price announcements between
January 1, 2005 and the date of the submission of your response to this questionnaire that
includes notice of a price change for C20000-series brass sheet and strip.
IV-4.

Surcharges.-(a)

Since 2005, has your firm included surcharges on its invoices for any of the following
(check all that apply)?
Raw materials

III-5.

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.

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

Annual total volume discounts

No discounts

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Brass Sheet and Strip

Page 37

PART III.--PRICING AND MARKET FACTORS--Continued
III-6.

III-7.

Pricing terms for brass sheet and strip.-(a)

What are your firm’s typical sales terms for its imported C20000-series brass sheet and
strip (e.g., 2/10 net 30 days)?
.

(b)

On what basis are your prices of imported C20000-series brass sheet and strip usually
quoted? (check one)
F.o.b.--Please specify point:
Delivered

Contract versus spot.--Approximately what share of your firm’s sales of its imported C20000series brass sheet and strip 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 (percent)

Long-term contracts

Short-term contracts

Spot sales

Long-term contract provisions.--If you sell C20000-series brass sheet and strip imported from
France, Germany, Italy and Japan 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?

days

(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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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Brass Sheet and Strip

Page 38

PART III.--PRICING AND MARKET FACTORS--Continued
III-9.

Short-term contract provisions.--If you sell C20000-series brass sheet and strip imported from
France, Germany, Italy and Japan 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?

days

(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

III-10. Lead times.—
(a) What is the average lead time between a customer’s order and the date of delivery for your
firm’s sales of C20000-series brass sheet and strip imported from France, Germany, Italy and
Japan?
Share of sales,
Source
2010
Lead time
From your U.S. inventory

days

From foreign manufacturers’
inventory

days

Produced to order

days

Total

100

(b) Did you provide lead time information for C20000-series brass sheet and strip to your
customers at any time since January 1, 2005?
No

Date
March 2005
June 2005
September 2005
December 2005
March 2006
June 2006
September 2006
December 2006
March 2007
June 2007
September 2007
December 2007
March 2008
June 2008

Yes--Please report the average lead time you reported to your customers at (or
as close as possible to) the end of the months in the table below.
Lead time (days)

Date
September 2008
December 2008
March 2009
June 2009
September 2009
December 2009
March 2010
June 2010
September 2010
December 2010
March 2011
June 2011
September 2011

Lead time (days)

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Brass Sheet and Strip

Page 39

PART III.--PRICING AND MARKET FACTORS--Continued
III-11. Shipping information.-(a)

What is the approximate percentage of the total delivered cost of C20000-series brass
sheet and strip imported from France, Germany, Italy and Japan 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 C20000-series brass sheet and strip imported from France, Germany, Italy
and Japan, from where is it shipped?
(check one) point of importation
or storage facility

(d)

What proportion of your sales of C20000-series brass sheet and strip imported from
France, Germany, Italy and Japan 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 C20000-series brass sheet and strip imported from any source? (check
all that apply)
Geographic area

√ if applicable

Northeast.–CT, ME, MA, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, and VT.
Midwest.–IL, IN, IA, KS, MI, MN, MO, NE, ND, OH, SD, and WI.
Southeast.–AL, DE, DC, FL, GA, KY, MD, MS, NC, SC, TN, VA, and WV.
Central Southwest.–AR, LA, OK, and TX.
Mountains.–AZ, CO, ID, MT, NV, NM, UT, and WY.
Pacific Coast.–CA, OR, and WA.
Other.–All other markets in the United States not previously listed, including AK, HI,
PR, VI, among others.

III-13. End uses.--List the end uses of the C20000-series brass sheet and strip that you import from
France, Germany, Italy and Japan. For each end-use product, what percentage of the total cost is
accounted for by C20000-series brass sheet and strip and other inputs?
Share of total cost of end use product
accounted for by

End use product
1.

C20000-series brass
sheet and strip
(percent)
%

Other inputs (percent)
%

Total
100%

%
100%

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Brass Sheet and Strip

Page 40

PART III.--PRICING AND MARKET FACTORS--Continued
III-14. Changes in end uses.--Have there been any changes in the end uses of C20000-series brass sheet
and strip 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
C20000-series brass sheet and strip?
No

Yes--Please describe.

III-16. Substitutes.— Are there any nonsubject products that may be substituted for C20000-brass sheet
and strip?
No

Yes—Please fill in the following table.

Substitute product
1.

Description of applications
and end uses in which this
substitute can be used

Have changes in the prices of this
substitute affected the price of C20000brass sheet and strip since
January 1, 2005

Yes

Please explain--

Yes

Please explain--

Yes

Please explain--

Yes

Please explain--

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Brass Sheet and Strip

Page 41

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

III-17. Changes in substitutes.--Have there been any changes in the number or types of products that
can be substituted for C20000-series brass sheet and strip 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 C20000-series brass sheet and strip?
No

Yes—Please explain.

III-19. Raw materials.-(a)

To what extent have changes in the prices of raw materials affected your firm’s selling
prices for C20000-series brass sheet and strip since 2005?

(b)

Do you anticipated 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., 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 C20000-series brass
sheet and strip in the U.S. market since 2005?
No

Yes--Please provide details.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Brass Sheet and Strip

Page 42

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 C20000-series brass sheet
and strip imported from France, Germany, Italy and Japan 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 C20000series brass sheet and strip (i.e., brass sheet and strip imported from countries other than France,
Germany, Italy and Japan) changed since 2005?
No

Yes--Please explain.

III-23. Export constraints.--Describe how easily your firm can shift its sales of C20000-series brass
sheet and strip 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 brass sheet and strip between the U.S. and alternative country
markets within a 12-month period.

III-24. Product changes.--Have there been any significant changes in the product range, product mix, or
marketing of C20000-series brass sheet and strip since 2005?
No

Yes--Please describe and quantify if possible.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Brass Sheet and Strip

Page 43

PART III.--PRICING AND MARKET FACTORS--Continued
III-25. Anticipated product changes.--Do you anticipate any changes in terms of the product range,
product mix, or marketing of C20000-series brass sheet and strip?
No

Yes--Please identify.

III-26. Demand trends.-(a)

How has the demand within the United States for C20000-series brass sheet and strip
changed since January 1, 2005? What principal factors affect changes in demand?
Increased

(b)

No Change

Decreased

Fluctuated

Don’t Know

How has the demand outside the United States for C20000-series brass sheet and strip
changed since January 1, 2005? What principal factors affect changes in demand?
Increased

No Change

Decreased

Fluctuated

Don’t Know

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Brass Sheet and Strip

Page 44

PART III.--PRICING AND MARKET FACTORS--Continued
III-27. Anticipated demand trends.-(a)

How do you anticipate demand will change within the United States for C20000-series
brass sheet and strip? What principal factors will affect these changes in demand?
Increase

(b)

No Change

Decrease

Fluctuate

How do you anticipate demand will change outside the United States for C20000-series
brass sheet and strip? What principal factors will affect these changes in demand?
Increase

No Change

Decrease

Fluctuate

III-28. Conditions of competition.-(a)

Is the C20000-series brass sheet and strip market subject to any business cycles or is it
subject to special conditions of competition?
No

(b)

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

Have the business cycles or conditions of competition for C20000-series brass sheet and
strip changed since 2005?
No

Yes--Please explain any such changes.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Brass Sheet and Strip

Page 45

PART III.--PRICING AND MARKET FACTORS--Continued
III-29. Price comparisons.—
(a)

Please compare market prices of C20000-series brass sheet and strip in U.S. and nonU.S. markets. Provide specific information as to time periods and regions for any price
comparisons
.

(b)

Do other markets use fabrication and metal value to set prices? Please explain any
difference.
No

Yes

Do not know

III-30. 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 C20000-series brass sheet and strip
supply (including production capacity and capacity utilization) and demand in (1) the United
States, (2) each of the other major producing/consuming countries, including France, Germany,
Italy and Japan, and (3) the world as a whole. Of particular interest is such data from 2005 to the
present and forecasts for the future.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Brass Sheet and Strip

Page 46

PART III.--PRICING AND MARKET FACTORS--Continued
III-31. Interchangeability by country-pair.--Is C20000-series brass sheet and strip 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

France

Germany

Italy

Japan

Other countries

United States
France
Germany
Italy
Japan
1

For any country-pair producing brass sheet and strip that is sometimes or never interchangeable,
please explain the factors that limit or preclude interchangeable use:

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Brass Sheet and Strip

Page 47

PART III.--PRICING AND MARKET FACTORS--Continued
III-32. Factors other than price.--Are differences other than price (i.e., quality, availability,
transportation network, product range, technical support, etc.) between C20000-series brass sheet
and strip 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

France

Germany

Italy

Japan

Other countries

United States
France
Germany
Italy
Japan
1

For any country-pair for which differences other than price always or frequently are a significant factor
in your firm’s sales of C20000-series brass sheet and strip, identify the country-pair and report the
advantages or disadvantages imparted by such differences:

File Type	application/pdf
File Title	Microsoft Word - Importer Q - Brass Sheet.doc
Author	joanna.lo
File Modified	2011-10-18
File Created	2011-10-18