13-2-3109 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 from Austria and China, Inv. No. 731-1202-1203 (Final)

OMB: 3117-0016

⚠️ Notice: This form may be outdated.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

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OMB No. 3117-0016/USITC No. 13-2-3109; 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 March 26, 2013
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 investigations concerning xanthan gum from Austria and China (inv. Nos. 731-TA-120203 (Final)). The information requested in the questionnaire is requested under the authority of the Tariff Act of 1930, title
VII. This report is mandatory and failure to reply as directed can result in a subpoena or other order to compel the
submission of records or information in your possession (19 U.S.C. § 1333(a)).

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, 2010?

(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

Email address
Fax:

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Xanthan Gum from Austria and China (731-TA-1202-03 (Final)) Page 2
PART I.—GENERAL INFORMATION
The questions in this questionnaire have been reviewed with market participants to ensure that issues of
concern are adequately addressed and that data requests are sufficient, meaningful, and as limited as
possible. Public reporting burden for this questionnaire is estimated to average 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 (Final)) 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 (Final)) 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 (Final)) 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 and 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, 2010.
(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) ................

development of new xanthan
gum products ................................

(please describe and provide date of change)

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Xanthan Gum from Austria and China (731-TA-1202-03 (Final)) 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 December 31, 2012?
No

II-4.

Yes–Indicate dates 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 (Final)) 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

2010

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 (Final)) Page 8
PART II.--TRADE AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
Definitions for U.S. shipment and export shipment end use application tables (II-5b and II-5c) are:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Food & beverage
Pharmaceutical applications
Consumer applications
Industrial applications
Oilfield 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 to
lotions and cosmetics.
Food & 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

Pharmaceutical end use applications include products such as 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.
Consumer end use applications include products intended for use in oral care (e.g., toothpaste), personal
care (e.g., suncare lotions and sprays).
Industrial applications include 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 the Toxic Substances Control Act
(“TSCA”), The European Community Regulation on the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation, and
Restriction of Chemicals (“REACH”), etc.
Oilfield applications include products used in drilling fluid and other applications for the extraction of
oil and gas. These products meet the requirements contained in ISO 13500 and American Petroleum
Institute (“API”) standards.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Xanthan Gum from Austria and China (731-TA-1202-03 (Final)) Page 9
PART II.--TRADE AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
II-5b. U.S. shipments of imports by end use.--Report your firm’s U.S. shipments of imports
(commercial shipments and internal consumption and transfers of xanthan gum), by major end use.

AUSTRIA
Quantity (in 1,000 pounds), value (in $1,000)
Calendar years
2010
2011

Item
FOOD & BEVERAGE:1
Quantity
Value
PHARMACEUTICAL APPLICATIONS:1
Quantity
Value
CONSUMER APPLICATIONS:1
Quantity
Value
INDUSTRIAL APPLICATIONS:1
Quantity
Value
OILFIELD APPLICATIONS:1
Quantity
Value
ALL OTHER:2
Quantity
Value
TOTAL U.S. SHIPMENTS:3
Quantity
Value
1

2012

Please indicate the ranges of xanthan gum purity for reported U.S. shipments during 2012 as follows:
Purity
(percent)

Food & beverage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . _____________
Pharmaceutical . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . _____________
Consumer applications . . . . . . . . . . . . . _____________
Industrial applications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . _____________
Oilfield applications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . _____________
Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . _____________
2

Please describe: __________________________________________________________________

U.S. shipment data (food & beverage + pharmaceutical + consumer applications + Industrial
applications + oilfield applications + all other) should reconcile with total U.S. shipment data
reported in section II-5a.
Definitions for the above-specified U.S. shipment end use applications appear on page 8.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Xanthan Gum from Austria and China (731-TA-1202-03 (Final)) Page 10
PART II.--TRADE AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
II-5c. Export shipments by end use.--Report your firm’s export shipments, by major end use.

AUSTRIA
Quantity (in 1,000 pounds), value (in $1,000)
Calendar years
2010
2011

2012

Please indicate the ranges of xanthan gum purity for reported export shipments during 2012 as follows:
Purity
(percent)

Please describe: __________________________________________________________________

Export data (food & beverage + pharmaceutical + consumer applications + Industrial
applications + oilfield applications + all other) should reconcile with total export shipment data
reported in section II-5a.
Definitions for the above-specified export shipment end use applications appear on page 8.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Xanthan Gum from Austria and China (731-TA-1202-03 (Final)) Page 11
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

2010

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 (Final)) Page 12
PART II.--TRADE AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
Definitions for U.S. shipment and export shipment end use application tables (II-6b and II-6c) are:
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

Food & beverage
Pharmaceutical applications
Consumer applications
Industrial applications
Oilfield applications

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:
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Xanthan Gum from Austria and China (731-TA-1202-03 (Final)) Page 13
PART II.--TRADE AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
II-6b. U.S. shipments of imports by end use.--Report your firm’s U.S. shipments of imports
(commercial shipments and internal consumption and transfers of xanthan gum), by major end use.

CHINA
Quantity (in 1,000 pounds), value (in $1,000)
Calendar years
2010
2011

2012

Please indicate the ranges of xanthan gum purity for reported U.S. shipments during 2012 as follows:
Purity
(percent)

Please describe: __________________________________________________________________

U.S. shipment data (food & beverage + pharmaceutical + consumer applications + Industrial
applications + oilfield applications + all other) should reconcile with total U.S. shipment data
reported in section II-6a.
Definitions for the above-specified U.S. shipment end use applications appear on page 12.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Xanthan Gum from Austria and China (731-TA-1202-03 (Final)) Page 14
PART II.--TRADE AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
II-6c. Export shipments by end use.--Report your firm’s export shipments, by major end use.

CHINA
Quantity (in 1,000 pounds), value (in $1,000)
Calendar years
2010
2011

2012

Please indicate the ranges of xanthan gum purity for reported export shipments during 2012 as follows:
Purity
(percent)

Please describe: __________________________________________________________________

Export data (food & beverage + pharmaceutical + consumer applications + Industrial
applications + oilfield applications + all other) should reconcile with total export shipment data
reported in section II-6a.
Definitions for the above-specified export shipment end use applications appear on page 12.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Xanthan Gum from Austria and China (731-TA-1202-03 (Final)) Page 15
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

2010

2011

2012

Please identify the foreign producers, if known:

Yes

No--Please explain:

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Xanthan Gum from Austria and China (731-TA-1202-03 (Final)) Page 16
PART II.--TRADE AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
Definitions for U.S. shipment and export shipment end use application tables (II-7b and II-7c) are:
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.

Food & beverage
Pharmaceutical applications
Consumer applications
Industrial applications
Oilfield applications

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:
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Xanthan Gum from Austria and China (731-TA-1202-03 (Final)) Page 17
PART II.--TRADE AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
II-7b. U.S. shipments of imports by end use.--Report your firm’s U.S. shipments of imports from all
other sources (commercial shipments and internal consumption and transfers of xanthan gum), by major
end use.

ALL OTHER SOURCES COMBINED
Quantity (in 1,000 pounds), value (in $1,000)
Calendar years
2010
2011

2012

Please indicate the ranges of xanthan gum purity for reported U.S. shipments during 2012 as follows:
Purity
(percent)

Please describe: __________________________________________________________________

U.S. shipment data (food & beverage + pharmaceutical + consumer applications + Industrial
applications + oilfield applications + all other) should reconcile with total U.S. shipment data
reported in section II-7a.
Definitions for the above-specified U.S. shipment end use applications appear on page 16.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Xanthan Gum from Austria and China (731-TA-1202-03 (Final)) Page 18
PART II.--TRADE AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
II-7c. Export shipments by end use.--Report your firm’s export shipments, by major end use.

ALL OTHER SOURCES COMBINED
Quantity (in 1,000 pounds), value (in $1,000)
Calendar years
2010
2011

2012

Please indicate the ranges of xanthan gum purity for reported export shipments during 2012 as follows:
Purity
(percent)

Please describe: __________________________________________________________________

3
Export data (food & beverage + pharmaceutical + consumer applications + Industrial
applications + oilfield applications + all other) should reconcile with total export shipment data
reported in section II-7a.

Definitions for the above-specified export shipment end use applications appear on page 16.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Xanthan Gum from Austria and China (731-TA-1202-03 (Final)) Page 19
PART III.--PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION
Further information on this part of the questionnaire can be obtained from Clark Workman (202-205-3248,
[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, 2010 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.—Pharmaceutical: xanthan gum that meets the requirements contained in 21 C.F.R. §
172.695, Food Chemical Codex (“FCC”), Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (“JECFA”),
and European Pharmacopeia (“Ph Eur”); and has a TPC of not more than 500 cfu/g.
Product 2.—Consumer: Meets the requirements contained in 21 C.F.R. § 172.695, FCC and JECFA;
and has a TPC of not more than 1,000 cfu/g.
Product 3.—Food and Beverage (but not agglomerated): Xanthan gum meets food grade requirements

as dictated by the Food Chemicals Codex, 21 C.F.R. § 172.695 or JECFA. Food and beverage can be produced
with either isopropyl alcohol (IPA) or ethyl alcohol (ethanol). 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% KCI viscosity profiles are basic and may range from 1200-1600 cP or from 1300-1700 cp (test is 1%
gum in 1% gum in 1% KCI 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 4.—Agglomerated Food and Beverage: The product meets the definition of food
and beverage xanthan gum described above for (product 3) but which also has undergone the additional
production step of agglomeration.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Xanthan Gum from Austria and China (731-TA-1202-03 (Final)) Page 20
PART III.--PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
Product 5.—Industrial: Industrial xanthan gum meets the requirements of the Toxic Substances Control ACT
(TSCA). General industrial applications include fire fighting foams, agricultural chemicals, industrial and institutional
cleaners, and architectural paints and coating. These industries and heavily regulated due to waste water and sewer
regulations.
Product 6. —Oilfield but not clarified: “Oilfield” exanthan gum consists of all other xanthan gum that meets
the physical characteristics of the subject merchandise but which does not meet the requirements for products 1,2,3,4, or
5.
Product 7. —Clarified Oilfield: This pricing product is that xanthan gum meeting the definition of product 6,
but which is also “clarified” according to the following definition: 1% xanthan gum in DI water, not less than 55%
transmittance.

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 (Final)) Page 21
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 distributors.

Austria

Period of shipment
2010:
January-March
April-June
July-September
October-December
2011:
January-March
April-June
July-September
October-December
2012:
January-March
April-June
July-September
October-December

(Quantity in 1,000 kilograms, Value in dollars)
Product 1
Product 2
Product 3
Quantity
Value
Quantity
Value
Quantity
Value

Product 5
Quantity
Value

Product 6
Quantity
Value

Product 4
Quantity
Value

Product 7
Quantity
Value

2010:
January-March
April-June
July-September
October-December
2011:
January-March
April-June
July-September
October-December
2012:
January-March
April-June
July-September
October-December
1
Net values (i.e., gross sales values less all discounts, allowances, rebates, prepaid freight, and the value of returned goods),
f.o.b. your U.S. point of shipment.
1
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 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:

________________________________________

Product 4:

________________________________________

Product 5:

________________________________________

Product 6:

________________________________________

Product 7:

________________________________________

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Xanthan Gum from Austria and China (731-TA-1202-03 (Final)) Page 22
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 end users.

Austria

(Quantity in 1,000 kilograms, Value in dollars)
Product 1
Product 2
Product 3
Quantity
Value
Quantity
Value
Quantity
Value

Product 5
Quantity
Value

Product 6
Quantity
Value

Product 4
Quantity
Value

Product 7
Quantity
Value

____________________________________

Product 3:

________________________________________

Product 4:

________________________________________

Product 5:

________________________________________

Product 6:

________________________________________

Product 7:

________________________________________

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Xanthan Gum from Austria and China (731-TA-1202-03 (Final)) Page 23
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 distributors.

CHINA

(Quantity in 1,000 kilograms, Value in dollars)
Product 1
Product 2
Product 3
Quantity
Value
Quantity
Value
Quantity
Value

Product 5
Quantity
Value

Product 6
Quantity
Value

Product 4
Quantity
Value

Product 7
Quantity
Value

____________________________________

Product 3:

________________________________________

Product 4:

________________________________________

Product 5:

________________________________________

Product 6:

________________________________________

Product 7:

________________________________________

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Xanthan Gum from Austria and China (731-TA-1202-03 (Final)) Page 24
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 end users.

CHINA

(Quantity in 1,000 kilograms, Value in dollars)
Product 1
Product 2
Product 3
Quantity
Value
Quantity
Value
Quantity
Value

Product 5
Quantity
Value

Product 6
Quantity
Value

Product 4
Quantity
Value

Product 7
Quantity
Value

____________________________________

Product 3:

________________________________________

Product 4:

________________________________________

Product 5:

________________________________________

Product 6:

________________________________________

Product 7:

________________________________________

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Xanthan Gum from Austria and China (731-TA-1202-03 (Final)) Page 25
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.

Contracts

Other

If other, describe

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

Quantity
discounts

III-5.

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 (Final)) Page 26
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 2012 were on a (1) long-term contract basis, (2) short-term contract basis, and (3) spot sales
basis?
AUSTRIA :
Share of
2012 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
2012 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 (Final)) Page 27
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). Please provide a list of the customers that have long-term contracts for
purchases of xanthan gum with your company.

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
2012 sales

From your U.S. inventory

From foreign manufacturers’ inventory

Produced to order

Total

Lead time
(days)

100 %

(b) Do items held in inventory generally have a shorter delivery lead time than items that are
produced to order? Yes___ NO___ In the space provided please discuss the relationship
between inventory levels and lead times for delivery at your company.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Xanthan Gum from Austria and China (731-TA-1202-03 (Final)) Page 28
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)

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 (percentage) ___ Storage facility (percentage) ___

(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 (Final)) Page 29
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?
(a)
No

Yes--Please fill out the table.

End use in which this
substitute is used

Substitute

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

Explanation

1.
2.
3.

(b) Is guar gum a substitute for xanthan gum?
No

Yes--Please discuss.

(c) Have changes in the price of guar gum affected the prices or demand for xanthan gum at any time since
January 1, 2010?
No

Yes--Please discuss.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Xanthan Gum from Austria and China (731-TA-1202-03 (Final)) Page 30
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, 2010. 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, 2010?
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, 2010?
No

Yes-- Please describe.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Xanthan Gum from Austria and China (731-TA-1202-03 (Final)) Page 31
PART III.--PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
III-16. Supply constraints.--Has your firm ever refused, declined, or been unable to supply xanthan gum (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, indicating the specific period where the supply constraint occurred and
the nature of the supply constraint.

III-17. Unusual Supply problems.—In the space provided below please discuss any significant U.S. xanthan gum plant
closings that have occurred in the United States since January 1, 2010. In your discussion, please note the name
and owner of the plant, the approximate date when the closing occurred, and the reason the plant closed.

III-18. Raw materials.--Please describe any trends in the prices of raw materials used to produce xanthan gum, whether
your firm expects these trends to continue, and what effect these trends have had on pricing of xanthan gum.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Xanthan Gum from Austria and China (731-TA-1202-03 (Final)) Page 32
PART III.--PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
III-19. 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 producing xanthan gum that is sometimes or never interchangeable,
please explain the factors that limit or preclude interchangeable use:

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Xanthan Gum from Austria and China (731-TA-1202-03 (Final)) Page 33
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 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

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 (Final)) Page 34
PART III.--PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
III-21. Global prices—From your experience, are prices of xanthan gum determined largely on a global basis because
large global purchasers typically buy xanthan gum for delivery to their facilities throughout the world in the same
transaction? Yes____ No. ____. Please discuss in the space provided.

lll-22. Substitutability between U.S.-produced and imported xanthan gum from Austria and China—Are there
certain applications where only U.S.-produced xanthan gum can be used rather than imports from Austria or
China? Yes___ No____ Please discuss these applications in the space provided. In your discussion please note
whether it is easy or difficult to switch suppliers.

lll-23. Quality issue relating to imports from China— Are there quality problems with imports of xanthan gum from
China that limit or discourage their used in certain applications? Yes___ No___. Please discuss the quality
problems and applications in the space provided.

lll-24. Private label products— Are private label products commonly provided to customers on request in the xanthan
gum industry? Yes___No___. Please discuss below.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Xanthan Gum from Austria and China (731-TA-1202-03 (Final)) Page 35
PART III.--PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
III-24.

Customer Identification--Please identify the names and contact information for your firm’s 10 largest U.S.
customers for xanthan gum since January 1, 2010. Indicate the share of the quantity of your firm’s total
shipments of xanthan gum that each of these customers accounted for in 2012.

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
2012
sales
(%)

File Type	application/pdf
File Title	Microsoft Word - Importer Q
Author	cynthia.trainor
File Modified	2013-02-22
File Created	2013-02-22