12-2-3052 Importer Questionnaire

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

Importer Q-Xanthan Gum

Xanthan Gum from Austria and China, Inv. No. 731-1202 (Preliminary)

OMB: 3117-0016

⚠️ Notice: This form may be outdated. More recent filings and information on OMB 3117-0016 can be found here:

Document [pdf]

Download: pdf | pdf

OMB No. 3117-0016/USITC No. 12-2-3052; Expiration Date: 6/30/2014
(No response is required if currently valid OMB control number is not displayed)

U.S. IMPORTERS’ QUESTIONNAIRE
XANTHAN GUM FROM AUSTRIA AND CHINA

This questionnaire must be received by the Commission by no later than June 19, 2012
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 antidumping investigation(s) concerning xanthan gum from Austria and China (inv. Nos. 731-TA1202 (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 xanthan gum (as defined in the instruction booklet) from any country at any time since
January 1, 2009?

(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

Date

Phone:
Signature

E-mail address
Fax:

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Xanthan Gum from Austria and China (731-TA-1202-03 (P))

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 – Xanthan Gum from Austria and China (731-TA-1202-03 (P))

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 xanthan gum from Austria and/or China into the United
States or that are engaged in exporting xanthan gum from Austria and/or 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 xanthan gum?
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
xanthan gum. 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 xanthan gum 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 – Xanthan Gum from Austria and China (731-TA-1202-03 (P))

Page 4

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

I-9.

FTZ or bonded warehouses.--Please indicate whether your firm enters xanthan gum into, or
withdraws such merchandise from, foreign trade zones or bonded warehouses.
Foreign trade zones

Yes

Bonded warehouses

Yes

Temporary importation under bond.--Please indicate whether your firm imports xanthan gum
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 – Xanthan Gum from Austria and China (731-TA-1202-03 (P))

Page 5

PART II.--TRADE AND RELATED INFORMATION
Further information on this part of the questionnaire can be obtained from Cynthia Trainor (202-2053354, [email protected]). Supply all data requested on a calendar-year basis.
II-1.

Contact information.-- Please identify the responsible individual and the manner by which
Commission staff may contact that individual regarding the confidential information submitted in
part II.
Name
Title
Email
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 xanthan gum since January 1, 2009.
(check as many as appropriate)
office/warehouse openings ...........

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

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

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

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

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

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

other (e.g., technology) ................

(please describe)

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Xanthan Gum from Austria and China (731-TA-1202-03 (P))

Page 6

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

Arranged imports.--Has your firm imported or arranged for the importation of xanthan gum
from Austria and/or China for delivery after March 31, 2011?
No

II-4.

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

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

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Xanthan Gum from Austria and China (731-TA-1202-03 (P))

Page 7

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

IMPORTS FROM SUBJECT SOURCES.–Report your firm’s imports and your firm’s
shipments and inventories of xanthan gum imported from Austria by your firm during the
specified periods. (See definitions in the instruction booklet.)

AUSTRIA
Quantity (in 1,000 pounds), value (in $1,000)
Calendar years
Item

2009

2010

January-March
2011

2011

2012

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:

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 – Xanthan Gum from Austria and China (731-TA-1202-03 (P))

Page 8

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

U.S. shipments by end use.—Report your firm’s U.S. shipments (commercial shipments and
internal consumption and transfers) of imports of xanthan gum from Austria, by major end use.

AUSTRIA

Item
2009
FOOD & BEVERAGE:1
Quantity

(Quantity in 1,000 pounds, value in $1,000)
Calendar years
January-March
2010
2011
2011
2012

Value
CONSUMER APPLICATIONS:1
Quantity

Value
OILFIELD & INDUSTRIAL APPLICATIONS:1
Quantity

Value
ALL OTHER:2
Quantity

Value
TOTAL U.S. SHIPMENTS:3
Quantity

Value
1

Please indicate the ranges of xanthan gum purity for reported U.S. shipments during 2011 as follows:
Purity
(percent)
Food & beverage. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . _____________
Consumer applications . . . . . . . . . . . . . _____________
Oilfield & industrial applications. . . . . . . ______________
Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ______________

Please describe: ___________________________________________________________________________

Import shipment data (commercial shipments + internal consumption + transfers) should reconcile with data
reported in section II-5a.
Definitions for the above-specified import shipment end use applications appear on the following page.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Xanthan Gum from Austria and China (731-TA-1202-03 (P))

Page 9

PART II.--TRADE AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
Definitions for import shipment end use applications are as follows:
1. Food & Beverage
2. Consumer Applications
3. Oilfield & Industrial Applications
Xanthan gum provides multiple forms of utility. Applications may benefit from xanthan gum’s ability to
suspend and stabilize dispersions of solids, immiscible fluids, and gases in aqueous systems. Practically
speaking, this would include solids in drilling fluids, immiscible fluids such as oils in personal care
products and salad dressings, and gases in firefighting foams. Xanthan gum also provides lubricity,
reducing friction in oilfield drilling applications as well as providing a particular type of skin feel in
lotions and cosmetics.
Food and Beverage applications include products approved for use in food and beverage systems.
Xanthan gum is used in condiments (e.g., relish, salad dressing, sauces), beverages (e.g., diet, low sugar,
energy, or instant powder drinks), syrups, baked goods, frozen meals, prepared foods, bakery products,
such as frozen dough, muffins, and gluten-free products. “Approved” refers to definitions and
requirements as put forth by multiple regulatory bodies as well as definitive and compendia standards,
including:
1.
2.
3.
4.

Food Chemicals Codex (FCC)
Canadian Food and Drug Law
JECFA
Japan’s Specifications and Standards for Food Additives

These bodies and standards manifest requirements in terms of:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Microbiological plate counts
Organism types
Heavy metal levels
Isopropyl Alcohol (IPA) and Ethanol residual levels
Basic requirements around color and appearance
Consistent and characterized viscosity

Consumer end use applications include products intended for use in oral care (e.g., toothpaste), personal
care (e.g., suncare lotions and sprays), and pharmaceutical (e.g., oral antibiotics such as amoxicillin).
These products are designed to meet higher level purity standards as set forth in USP and NF
monographs, and international bodies such as the Japanese Pharmaceutical Excipients, and European
Pharmacopeia.
Oilfield and industrial applications include products used in drilling fluid (and other applications for
the extraction of oil and gas), agricultural chemicals (e.g., sprayed onto leaves), fabric (e.g., stain
removal), home care (e.g., toilet bowl, surface, and oven cleaners), paints and coatings (e.g., pigment
suspension), and textiles. These products are regulated under TSCA, REACH etc.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Xanthan Gum from Austria and China (731-TA-1202-03 (P))

Page 10

PART II.--TRADE AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
II-6a. IMPORTS FROM SUBJECT SOURCES.–Report your firm’s imports and your firm’s
shipments and inventories of xanthan gum imported from China by your firm during the specified
periods. (See definitions in the instruction booklet.)

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

2009

2010

January-March
2011

2011

2012

Please identify the foreign producers, if known:

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

Yes

No--Please explain:

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Xanthan Gum from Austria and China (731-TA-1202-03 (P))

Page 11

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

U.S. shipments by end use.—Report your firm’s U.S. shipments (commercial shipments and
internal consumption and transfers) of imports of xanthan gum from China, by major end use.

CHINA

Item
2009
FOOD & BEVERAGE:1
Quantity

(Quantity in 1,000 pounds, value in $1,000)
Calendar years
January-March
2010
2011
2011
2012

Value
CONSUMER APPLICATIONS:1
Quantity

Value
OILFIELD & INDUSTRIAL APPLICATIONS:1
Quantity

Value
ALL OTHER:2
Quantity

Value
TOTAL U.S. SHIPMENTS:3
Quantity

Value
1

Please indicate the ranges of xanthan gum purity for reported import shipments during 2011 as follows:
Purity
(percent)
Food & beverage. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . _____________
Consumer applications . . . . . . . . . . . . . _____________
Oilfield & industrial applications. . . . . . . ______________
Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ______________

Please describe: ___________________________________________________________________________

U.S. shipment data (commercial shipments + internal consumption + transfers) should reconcile with data
reported in section II-6a.
Definitions for the above-specified import shipment end use applications appear on the following page.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Xanthan Gum from Austria and China (731-TA-1202-03 (P))

Page 12

PART II.--TRADE AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
Definitions for export shipment end use applications are as follows:
1. Food & Beverage
2. Consumer Applications
3. Oilfield & Industrial Applications
Xanthan gum provides multiple forms of utility. Applications may benefit from xanthan gum’s ability to
suspend and stabilize dispersions of solids, immiscible fluids, and gases in aqueous systems. Practically
speaking, this would include solids in drilling fluids, immiscible fluids such as oils in personal care
products and salad dressings, and gases in firefighting foams. Xanthan gum also provides lubricity,
reducing friction in oilfield drilling applications as well as providing a particular type of skin feel in
lotions and cosmetics.
Food and Beverage applications include products approved for use in food and beverage systems.
Xanthan gum is used in condiments (e.g., relish, salad dressing, sauces), beverages (e.g., diet, low sugar,
energy, or instant powder drinks), syrups, baked goods, frozen meals, prepared foods, bakery products,
such as frozen dough, muffins, and gluten-free products. “Approved” refers to definitions and
requirements as put forth by multiple regulatory bodies as well as definitive and compendia standards,
including:
1.
2.
3.
4.

Food Chemicals Codex (FCC)
Canadian Food and Drug Law
JECFA
Japan’s Specifications and Standards for Food Additives

These bodies and standards manifest requirements in terms of:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Xanthan Gum from Austria and China (731-TA-1202-03 (P))

Page 13

PART II.--TRADE AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
II-7a. IMPORTS FROM NONSUBJECT SOURCES.–Report your firm’s imports and your firm’s
shipments and inventories of xanthan gum imported from all other sources combined by your firm
during the specified periods. (See definitions in the instruction booklet.)

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

2009

2010

January-March
2011

2011

2012

Please identify the sources and foreign producers, if known:

Yes

No--Please explain:

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Xanthan Gum from Austria and China (731-TA-1202-03 (P))

Page 14

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

U.S. shipments by end use.—Report your firm’s U.S. shipments (commercial shipments and
internal consumption and transfers) of imports of xanthan gum from all other sources
combined, by major end use.

ALL OTHER SOURCES COMBINED

Item
2009
FOOD & BEVERAGE:1
Quantity

(Quantity in 1,000 pounds, value in $1,000)
Calendar years
January-March
2010
2011
2011
2012

Value
CONSUMER APPLICATIONS:1
Quantity

Value
OILFIELD & INDUSTRIAL APPLICATIONS:1
Quantity

Value
ALL OTHER:2
Quantity

Value
TOTAL U.S. SHIPMENTS:3
Quantity

Value
1

Please indicate the ranges of xanthan gum purity for reported U.S. shipments during 2011 as follows:
Purity
(percent)
Food & beverage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . _____________
Consumer applications . . . . . . . . . . . . . _____________
Oilfield & industrial applications . . . . . . ______________
Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ______________

Please describe: ___________________________________________________________________________

U.S. shipment data (commercial shipments + internal consumption + transfers) should reconcile with data
reported in section II-7a.
Definitions for the above-specified import shipment end use applications appear on the following page.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Xanthan Gum from Austria and China (731-TA-1202-03 (P))

Page 15

PART II.--TRADE AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
Definitions for export shipment end use applications are as follows:
1. Food & Beverage
2. Consumer Applications
3. Oilfield & Industrial Applications
Xanthan gum provides multiple forms of utility. Applications may benefit from xanthan gum’s ability to
suspend and stabilize dispersions of solids, immiscible fluids, and gases in aqueous systems. Practically
speaking, this would include solids in drilling fluids, immiscible fluids such as oils in personal care
products and salad dressings, and gases in fire fighting foams. Xanthan gum also provides lubricity,
reducing friction in oilfield drilling applications as well as providing a particular type of skin feel in
lotions and cosmetics.
Food and Beverage applications include products approved for use in food and beverage systems.
Xanthan gum is used in condiments (e.g., relish, salad dressing, sauces), beverages (e.g., diet, low sugar,
energy, or instant powder drinks), syrups, baked goods, frozen meals, prepared foods, bakery products,
such as frozen dough, muffins, and gluten-free products. “Approved” refers to definitions and
requirements as put forth by multiple regulatory bodies as well as definitive and compendia standards,
including:
1.
2.
3.
4.

Food Chemicals Codex (FCC)
Canadian Food and Drug Law
JECFA
Japan’s Specifications and Standards for Food Additives

These bodies and standards manifest requirements in terms of:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Consumer end use applications include products intended for use in oral care (e.g., toothpaste), personal
care (e.g., suncare lotions and sprays), and pharmaceutical (e.g., oral antibiotics such as amoxicillin).
These products are designed to meet higher level purity standards as set forth in USP and NF
monographs, and international bodies such as the Japanese Pharmaceutical Excipients, and European
Pharmacopeia.
Oilfield and industrial applications include products used in drilling fluid (and other applications for
the extraction of oil and gas), agricultural chemicals (e.g., sprayed onto leaves), fabric (e.g., stain
removal), home care (e.g., toilet bowl, surface, and oven cleaners), paints and coatings (e.g.,
pigment suspension), and textiles. These products are regulated under TSCA, REACH etc.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Xanthan Gum from Austria and China (731-TA-1202-03 (P))

Page 16

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. Contact information.-- Please identify the responsible individual and the manner by which
Commission staff may contact that individual regarding the confidential information submitted in part III.
Name
Title
Email
Telephone
Fax

PRICE DATA
III-2.

These questions 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 January 1, 2009 of the following
products you imported from Austria and/or China. Data are requested separately for shipments to
distributors and end users.

THE PRODUCT DESCRIPTIONS ARE THE CONTROLLING FACTOR IN DECIDING
WHAT COMPANY-SPECIFIC PRODUCTS TO INCLUDE IN EACH PRODUCT
CATEGORY; THE PRODUCT TRADE NAMES ARE PROVIDED AS GUIDELINES.
Product 1.-- Consumer xanthan gum that, at a minimum, meets typical food grade

requirements globally, including the Food Chemicals Codex, 21 C.F.R. § 172.695 and JECFA.
Applications include oral care, personal care, cosmetic and pharmaceutical. Microbiological
count or Total Plate Count (“TPC”) limits range from Not More Than (“NMT”) 500 to as high as
2,000 Colony Forming Units per gram (“CFU/g”) for bacteria. Yeast and mold counts are
typically NMT 100 CFU/g. The 1% KCl viscosity profiles typically range from 1200 to1600 cP
(test is 1% gum in 1% KCl solution, 60 rpm reading). Alcohol levels are NMT 750 ppm for
countries complying with 21 CFR § 172.695 .
Furthermore, some variants of this product are tested to comply with United States Pharmacopeia
(“USP”) <467> Residual Solvents and with purity criteria defined in the most current editions of
the National Formulary, Japanese Pharmaceutical Excipients, and the European
Pharmacopoeia. Other certifications include certification with widely recognized Kosher and
Halal organizations and ECOCERT, and have a Chemical Abstract Service (CAS) number
98112-77-7.
In short, this product provides fitness to use and fitness to spec in that it provides a characterized
viscosity profile along with microbiological specifications as dictated by market requirements
and global regulatory bodies. Testing is done in a lot by lot manner in house or utilizing
recognized third party test labs.
Product is manufactured under ISO 9001:2008 using a recognized certifying body.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Xanthan Gum from Austria and China (731-TA-1202-03 (P))

Page 17

PART III.--PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
Product 2.-- Food and Beverage xanthan gum meets food grade requirements as dictated
by the Food Chemicals Codex, 21 C.F.R. § 172.695 and JECFA. Applications include, but are
not limited to, basic food and beverage applications including baking, condiments, instant
beverages, and reduced calorie beverages. Microbiological counts are typically NMT than 2000
CFU/g for TPC and NMT 100 CFU/g for yeast and mold. The 1% KCl viscosity profiles are
basic and may range from 1200-1600 cP or from 1300-1700 cP (test is 1% gum in 1% KCl
solution, 60rpm reading). Alcohol levels are NMT 750 ppm for countries complying with CFR.

Other certifications include certification with widely recognized Kosher and Halal organizations.
In short, this product provides fitness to use and fitness to spec in that they provide a
characterized viscosity profile along with microbiological specifications as dictated by market
requirements and global regulatory bodies. Testing is done in a lot by lot manner in house or
utilizing recognized third party test labs.
Product is manufactured under ISO 9001:2008 using a recognized certifying body.
Product 3.-- xanthan gum intended for use in Oilfield and Industrial applications. The
functionality provided in oilfield is viscosity, with 0.28% gum in seawater viscosities at 3 rpm at
Not Less Than (“NLT”) 16.0 Fann dial readings and at 6 rpm NLT 18 Fann dial readings. These
represent fitness to use. Typical household care applications include laundry products, liquid dish
detergent, surfactant-containing systems, and hard surface cleaners. General industrial
applications include fire fighting foams, agricultural chemicals, industrial and institutional
cleaners, and architectural paints and coatings. These industries are heavily regulated due to
waste water and sewer regulations. Characteristic viscosity ranges typically run from 800-1200
cP (test is 1% gum in DI water, 60 rpm reading). Despite being used for oilfield and industrial
applications, a number of regulatory bodies still dictate what is considered a product that
provides fitness to use. The TSCA Inventory is a common example of regulatory oversight.
Microbiological requirements are not normally required in the Oilfield and Industrial segment.
The specifications required for this set of applications are measured on a lot by lot basis.
Chemical Abstract Service (CAS) number 98112-77-7.

Please note that total dollar values should be f.o.b., U.S. point of shipment and should not include
U.S.-inland transportation costs. Total dollar values should reflect the final net amount paid to you
(i.e., should be net of all deductions for discounts or rebates). See instruction booklet.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Xanthan Gum from Austria and China (731-TA-1202-03 (P))

Page 18

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

AUSTRIA
(Quantity in pounds, Value in dollars)
Product 1
Product 2
Quantity
Value
Quantity
Value

Product 3
Quantity
Value

Period of shipment
2009:
January-March
April-June
July-September
October-December
2010:
January-March
April-June
July-September
October-December
2011:
January-March
April-June
July-September
October-December
2012:
January-March
1
Net values (i.e., gross sales values less all discounts, allowances, rebates, prepaid freight, and the value of
returned goods), f.o.b. your U.S. point of shipment.
2
Pricing product definitions are provided on the first page of Part III.
3
Please identify the specific company products (by trade name) that your firm reported for each product category
where price data was reported.

Note.--If your product does not exactly meet the product specifications but is competitive with the specified product,
provide a description of your product. Also, please explain any anomalies in your reported pricing data.
Product 1:
Product 2:
Product 3:

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Xanthan Gum from Austria and China (731-TA-1202-03 (P))

Page 19

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

AUSTRIA
(Quantity in pounds, Value in dollars)
Product 1
Product 2
Quantity
Value
Quantity
Value

Product 3
Quantity
Value

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Xanthan Gum from Austria and China (731-TA-1202-03 (P))

Page 20

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

CHINA
(Quantity in pounds, Value in dollars)
Product 1
Product 2
Quantity
Value
Quantity
Value

Product 3
Quantity
Value

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Xanthan Gum from Austria and China (731-TA-1202-03 (P))

Page 21

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

CHINA
(Quantity in ppounds, Value in dollars)
Product 1
Product 2
Quantity
Value
Quantity
Value

Product 3
Quantity
Value

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Xanthan Gum from Austria and China (731-TA-1202-03 (P))

Page 22

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

III-3.

Price setting.-- How does your firm determine the prices that it charges for sales of xanthan gum
(check all that apply)? If your firm issues price lists, please submit sample pages of a recent list.
Transaction
by
transaction

III-4.

Other

If other, describe

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

Quantity
discounts

III-5.

Contracts

Set
price
lists

Annual
total
volume
discounts

No
discount
policy

Other

Describe

Pricing terms for xanthan gum.-(a)

What are your firm’s typical sales terms for xanthan gum imported from Austria?
Net 30 days

(b)

Other (specify)

Net 60 days

2/10 net 30 days

Other (specify)

On what basis are your prices of imported xanthan gum from Austria usually quoted
(check one)?
Delivered

(d)

2/10 net 30 days

What are your firm’s typical sales terms for xanthan gum imported from China?
Net 30 days

(c)

Net 60 days

F.o.b.

If f.o.b., specify point

On what basis are your prices of imported xanthan gum from China usually quoted
(check one)?
Delivered

F.o.b.

If f.o.b., specify point

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Xanthan Gum from Austria and China (731-TA-1202-03 (P))

Page 23

PART III.--PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
III-6.

Contract versus spot.--Approximately what share of your firm’s sales of xanthan gum
imported from Austria and/or China in 2011 were on a (1) long-term contract basis, (2) short-term
contract basis, and (3) spot sales basis?
AUSTRIA:
Share of
2011 sales

Type of sale
Long-term contracts (multiple deliveries for more
than 12 months)

Short-term contracts (multiple deliveries up to and
including 12 months)

Spot sales (for a single delivery)

Total

100

CHINA:
Share of
2011 sales

Type of sale
Long-term contracts (multiple deliveries for more
than 12 months)

Short-term contracts (multiple deliveries up to and
including 12 months)

Spot sales (for a single delivery)

Total

100

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Xanthan Gum from Austria and China (731-TA-1202-03 (P))

Page 24

PART III.--PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
III-7.

Contract provisions.— Please fill out the table with respect to provisions of your typical sales
contracts for xanthan gum from Austria and/or China (or check “not applicable” if your firm
does not sell on a long term and/or short term contract basis).

AUSTRIA

CHINA

Typical sales contract
provisions

Item

Average contract duration

Number of days

Price renegotiation (during the
contract period)

Yes

Short term contracts

Long term contracts

(multiple deliveries up to
and including 12 months)

(multiple deliveries for more
than 12 months)

No
Quantity

Fixed quantity and/or price

Price
Both

Meet or release provision

Yes
No

Not applicable

III-8.

Lead times.--What is your share of sales of xanthan gum imported from Austria and/or 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 xanthan gum?
AUSTRIA
Source

CHINA
Share of
2011 sales

From your U.S. inventory

From foreign manufacturers’ inventory

Produced to order

Total

100 %

Lead time
(days)

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Xanthan Gum from Austria and China (731-TA-1202-03 (P))

Page 25

PART III.--PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
III-9.

Shipping information.—

(a) What is the approximate percentage of the total delivered cost of xanthan gum imported from:
AUSTRIA that is accounted for by U.S. inland transportation costs?
percent.
CHINA that is accounted for by U.S. inland transportation costs?
percent.
(b)
(b)
Who generally arranges the transportation to your customers’ locations?
Your firm
Purchaser (check one)
(c)

When you sell xanthan gum imported from Austria and/or China, from where is it
shipped?
Point of importation
Storage facility
(check one)

(d)

Indicate the approximate percentage of your sales of xanthan gum imported from Austria
and/or China that are delivered the following distances from your U.S. point of shipment.
Distance from your U.S. point of shipment

Within 100 miles

101 to 1,000 miles

Over 1,000 miles

%
Total

100

III-10. Geographical shipments--What is the geographic market area in the United States served by
your firm’s shipments of xanthan gum 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, and VI, among others.

√ if applicable

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Xanthan Gum from Austria and China (731-TA-1202-03 (P))

Page 26

PART III.--PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
III-11. End uses-Describe the end uses of the xanthan gum that you import from Austria and/or China.
For each end-use product, what percentage of the total cost is accounted for by xanthan gum and
other inputs?
Share of total cost of end use product
accounted for by
End use product

Xanthan gum (percent)

Other inputs (percent)

Total

100%

III-12. Substitutes.-- Can other products be substituted for xanthan gum?
No

Substitute
1.
2.
3.

Yes--Please fill out the table.

End use in which this
substitute is used

Have changes in the prices of this substitute
affected the price for PRODUCT?
No Yes

Explanation

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Xanthan Gum from Austria and China (731-TA-1202-03 (P))

Page 27

PART III.--PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
III-13. Demand trends.-- Indicate how demand within the United States and outside of the United States
(if known) for xanthan gum has changed since January 1, 2009. Describe the principal factors
that have affected these changes in demand.

Market

No
Increase change Decrease Fluctuate

Factors

Within
the United
States
Outside
the United
States

III-14. Product changes.--Have there been any significant changes in the product mix or marketing of
xanthan gum since January 1, 2009?
No

Yes-- Please describe.

III-15. Business cycles.-(a) Is the xanthan gum market subject to business cycles or conditions of competition (including
seasonal business) distinctive to xanthan gum?
No (skip to question III-16.)

Yes-- Please describe and then answer part (b).

(b) If yes, have there been any changes in the business cycles or conditions of competition for
xanthan gum since January 1, 2009?
No

Yes-- Please describe.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Xanthan Gum from Austria and China (731-TA-1202-03 (P))

Page 28

PART III.--PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
III-16. Supply constraints.--Has your firm refused, declined, or been unable to supply xanthan gum
since January 1, 2009 (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-17. Raw materials.--Please describe any trends in the prices of raw materials used to produce
xanthan gum and whether your firm expects these trends to continue.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Xanthan Gum from Austria and China (731-TA-1202-03 (P))

Page 29

PART III.--PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
III-18. Interchangeability.--Is xanthan gum produced in the United States and in other countries
interchangeable (i.e., can they physically be used in the same applications)?
Please indicate A, F, S, N, or 0 in the table below:
A = the products from a specified country-pair are always interchangeable
F = the products are frequently interchangeable
S = the products are sometimes interchangeable
N = the products are never interchangeable
0 = no familiarity with products from a specified country-pair
Country-pair

Austria

China

Other countries

United States
Austria
China

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

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Xanthan Gum from Austria and China (731-TA-1202-03 (P))

Page 30

PART III.--PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
III-19. Factors other than price.--Are differences other than price (i.e., quality, availability,
transportation network, product range, technical support, etc.) between xanthan gum produced in
the United States and in other countries a significant factor in your firm’s sales of the products?
Please indicate A, F, S, N, or 0 in the table below:
A = such differences are always significant
F = such differences are frequently significant
S = such differences are sometimes significant
N = such differences are never significant
0 = no familiarity with products from a specified country-pair
Country-pair

Austria

China

Other countries

United States
Austria
China

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Xanthan Gum from Austria and China (731-TA-1202-03 (P))

Page 31

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

IV-B-20. Does your firm sell its imported xanthan gum from China or Austria over the internet?
No

Yes–Please describe, noting the estimated percentage of your firm’s
total sales of xanthan gum in 2011 accounted for by internet sales.
Please explain the effect of any internet sales on your U.S. selling
prices and quantities.

IV-B-21. a) What technical support/service provisions are important for your firm’s customers
in your sales of xanthan gum?
None.
b) Were the technical support/service provisions priced separately from the xanthan
gum product that your firm sold during January 2009-December 2011?
No

Yes

Please explain.

IV-B-22. a) Please explain the extent to which the carbohydrate source used as an input in the
production of xanthan gum results in better quality and/or performance of this product.

b) Do your customers ever specify/require the type(s) of carbohydrate source to be
used in the xanthan gum that your firm produces for them?
No

Yes--Please explain below whether your firm, your customer, or
both jointly determine the type(s) of carbohydrate source used and why
one form of carbohydrate is chosen over another form.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Xanthan Gum from Austria and China (731-TA-1202-03 (P))

Page 32

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

IV-B-23. Please explain below for the U.S. market the extent to which prices of xanthan gum in
one end-use sector affect prices of xanthan gum in another sector during January 2009December 2011. Please identify the xanthan gum products, the end-use sectors, and
the time periods for any such effects.

IV-B-24. a) Specify below among the listed products (and any other products that apply) those
that were imported by your firm from Austria or China during January 2009-December 2011. For the products that were imported by your firm, indicate which, if
any, have been used as alternatives to xanthan gum and identify the downstream
product(s) and application(s) associated with each alternative input product.
Produced
Alternative to Downstream
By your firm xanthan gum product(s)
Application(s)
Yes No
Yes No
Other hydrocolloids (specify):

Other products (specify):

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Xanthan Gum from Austria and China (731-TA-1202-03 (P))

Page 33

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

b) Are any such products also sold/marketed by your sales personnel that sell xanthan
gum?
No

Yes

If yes-Do your sales staff market xanthan gum separately from, or as a potential substitute
for, these other products, or vice versa? (Check as appropriate)
_____ Separately–Explain the distinction in how these other products are sold.
_____ A potential substitute for xanthan gum–How does your sales staff determine
which of these various product(s), including xanthan gum, to sell to a given
prospective customer, and what determines the degree of substitutability?

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Xanthan Gum from Austria and China (731-TA-1202-03 (P))

Page 34

PART III.--PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
III-25. Customer Identification--Please identify the names and contact information for your firm’s
10 largest U.S. customers for xanthan gum since January 1, 2009. Indicate the share of the
quantity of your firm’s total shipments of xanthan gum that each of these customers accounted for
in 2011.

Customer’s name

Contact person

Telephone

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

Street Address

,
City

State

Street Address

,
City

State

,
State

Zip Code

Street Address

,
City

Zip Code

Street Address
City

Zip Code

Street Address
City

Zip Code

Street Address
City

Zip Code

Street Address
City

Zip Code

Street Address
City

Zip Code

Street Address
City

Zip Code

State

Zip Code

Street Address

,
City

State

Zip Code

Share
of 2011
sales
(%)

File Type	application/pdf
File Title	XANTHAN GUM FROM AUSTRIA AND CHINA - Importer Q-Xanthan Gum
Subject	Inv. Nos. 731-TA-1202 (Preliminary)
Author	Cynthia Trainor
File Modified	2012-06-07
File Created	2012-06-07