14-2-3185 U.S. Importer Questionnaire

OMB No. 3117-0016/USITC No. 14-2-3185; Expiration Date: 6/30/2014
(No response is required if currently valid OMB control number is not displayed)

U.S. IMPORTERS’ QUESTIONNAIRE
CALCIUM HYPOCHLORITE FROM CHINA

This questionnaire must be received by the Commission by no later than JANUARY 2, 2014
See the Instruction Booklet for filing instructions.
The information called for in this questionnaire is for use by the United States International Trade Commission in
connection with its countervailing duty and antidumping investigations concerning calcium hypochlorite (“calhypo”) from
China (Inv. Nos. 701-TA-510 and 731-TA-1245 (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 firm’s possession (19
U.S.C. § 1333(a)).

Name of firm
Address
City

State

Zip Code

World Wide Web address
Has your firm imported Calhypo (as defined in the instruction booklet) from any country at any time since
January 1, 2010?

NO

(Sign the certification below and promptly return only this page of the questionnaire to the Commission)

YES

(Read the instruction booklet carefully, complete all parts of the questionnaire, and return the entire
questionnaire to the Commission so as to be received by the date indicated above)

Return questionnaire via the U.S. International Trade Commission Drop Box by clicking
on the following link: https://dropbox.usitc.gov/oinv/. (use the following PIN: HYPO)
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:

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire -- Calcium Hypochlorite from China (P)

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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
firm’s 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 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
(percent)

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire -- Calcium Hypochlorite from China (P)

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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 Calhypo from China into the United States or that are
engaged in exporting Calhypo from China to the United States?
No

Yes--List the following information.

Firm name

I-5.

Address

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

Yes--List the following information.

Firm name

I-6.

Address

Affiliation

Importing operations.--Please indicate the nature of your firm’s importing operations on
Calhypo. More than one answer may be applicable.
Importer of record

I-7.

Affiliation

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 Calhypo 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

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire -- Calcium Hypochlorite from China (P)

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

FTZ or bonded warehouses.--Please indicate whether your firm enters Calhypo into, or
withdraws such merchandise from, foreign trade zones or bonded warehouses.
No

Yes

Foreign trade zones
Bonded warehouses

I-9.

Temporary importation under bond.--Please indicate whether your firm imports Calhypo
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 -- Calcium Hypochlorite from China (P)

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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.

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 Calhypo 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) ................

(please describe)

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire -- Calcium Hypochlorite from China (P)

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

Arranged imports.--Has your firm imported or arranged for the importation of Calhypo for
delivery after September 30, 2013?
No

Yes–Fill out the table below.
Quantity (in 1,000 pounds)

Period/Source

Oct-Dec 2013

Jan-Mar 2014

Apr-Jun 2014

Jul-Sept 2014

China
Other sources:1
1

II-4.

Identify your other sources:

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

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire -- Calcium Hypochlorite from China (P)

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

IMPORTS FROM CHINA.–Report your firm’s imports and your firm’s shipments and
inventories of Calhypo 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

January-September
2012

2012

2013

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 your firm uses
a different basis for valuing these sales within your company, please specify that basis (e.g., cost, cost plus, etc.) and provide
value data using that basis for each of the periods noted above:

3

Identify your firm’s principal export markets:
Reconciliation of data.--Please note that the quantities reported above should reconcile as follows: beginning-of-period
inventories, plus imports, less total shipments, equals end-of-period inventories. Do the data reported reconcile?
4

Yes

No--Please explain:

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire -- Calcium Hypochlorite from China (P)

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

IMPORTS FROM NONSUBJECT SOURCES.–Report your firm’s imports and your firm’s
shipments and inventories of Calhypo 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

January-September
2012

2012

2013

Beginning-of-period inventories (quantity)
Imports:1
Quantity of imports
Value of imports
U.S. shipments:
Commercial shipments:
Quantity of commercial shipments
Value of commercial shipments
Internal consumption/company transfers:
Quantity of internal consumption/transfers
Value2 of internal consumption/transfers
Export shipments:3
Quantity of export shipments
Value of export shipments
End-of-period inventories4 (quantity)
Channels of distribution:
U.S. shipments to distributors (quantity)
U.S. shipments to end users (quantity)
1

Please identify the sources and foreign producers, if known:

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

3

Identify your firm’s principal export markets:
Reconciliation of data.--Please note that the quantities reported above should reconcile as follows: beginning-of-period
inventories, plus imports, less total shipments, equals end-of-period inventories. Do the data reported reconcile?
4

Yes

No--Please explain:

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire -- Calcium Hypochlorite from China (P)

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PART III.--PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION
Further information on this part of the questionnaire can be obtained from James Fetzer (202-7085403,[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 firm’s U.S. point of
shipment, for your firm’s commercial shipments to unrelated U.S. customers since January 1,
2010 of the following products your firm imported from China.
Note that some or all of the products that you import may not match these specifications. If that is
the case, do not report data for these products unless the product is competitive with one of these
products. However, please respond to the other questions in Part III with respect to all your sales
or use of calhypo.
Product 1.—Calcium Hypochlorite, 65%-68% available chlorine, granular, 100 lbs., however
packaged, sold into the repacker/private label channel.
Product 2.-- Calcium Hypochlorite, 65%-68% available chlorine, granular, 100 lbs., however
packaged, sold directly to dealers that serve the private residential or commercial swimming pool
channels.

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
your firm (i.e., should be net of all deductions for discounts or rebates). See instruction booklet.

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire -- Calcium Hypochlorite from China (P)

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

China
Report data in actual pounds and actual dollars (not 1,000s).
(Quantity in pounds, value in dollars)
Product 1
Product 2
Quantity
Value
Quantity

Period of shipment
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
2013:
January-March
April-June
July-September
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 firm’s U.S. point of shipment.
2
Pricing product definitions are provided on the first page of Part III.
Note.--If your firm’s product does not exactly meet the product specifications but is competitive with the specified
product, provide a description of your firm’s product. Also, please explain any anomalies in your firm’s reported
pricing data.
Product 1:
Product 2:

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire -- Calcium Hypochlorite from China (P)

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

III-3.

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

III-4.

Contracts

If other, describe

Annual
total
volume
discounts

No
discount
policy

Other

Describe

Pricing terms for calhypo.-(a)

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

(b)

Net 60
days

2/10 net 30
days

Other

Other (specify)

On what basis are your firm’s prices of imported calhypo from China usually quoted
(check one)?
Delivered

III-6.

Other

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

Quantity
discounts

III-5.

Set
price
lists

F.o.b.

If f.o.b., specify point

Contract versus spot.--Approximately what share of your firm’s sales of calhypo imported from
China in 2012 were on a (1) long-term contract basis, (2) short-term contract basis, and (3) spot
sales basis?
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

%

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire -- Calcium Hypochlorite from China (P)

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

III-7.

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

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 firm’s share of sales of calhypo imported from China both from
inventory and produced to order and what is the typical lead time between a customer’s order and
the date of delivery for your firm’s sales of calhypo?
Source

Share of
2012 sales

From your firm’s U.S. inventory

%

From foreign manufacturers’ inventory

%

Produced to order

%

Total

100 %

Lead time
(days)

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire -- Calcium Hypochlorite from China (P)

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

Shipping information.—
(a)

What is the approximate percentage of the total delivered cost of calhypo imported from
China that is accounted for by U.S. inland transportation costs?
percent.

(b)

Who generally arranges the transportation to your firm’s customers’ locations?
Your firm
Purchaser (check one)

(c)

When your firm sells calhypo imported from China, from where is it shipped?
Point of importation
Storage facility
(check one)

(d)

Indicate the approximate percentage of your firm’s sales of calhypo imported from China
that are delivered the following distances from your firm’s U.S. point of shipment.
Distance from your firm’s U.S. point of
shipment

Share

Within 100 miles

%

101 to 1,000 miles

%

Over 1,000 miles

%
Total

100

%

III-10. Geographical shipments--In which U.S. geographic market area(s) has your firm sold calhypo
imported from subject countries since January 1, 2010 (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.

China

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire -- Calcium Hypochlorite from China (P)

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PART III.--PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
III-11. End uses-Describe the end uses of the calhypo that your firm imports from China. For each enduse product, what percentage of the total cost is accounted for by calhypo and other inputs?
Share of total cost of end use product
accounted for by
End use product

Calhypo (percent)

Other inputs (percent)

Total

%

%

100%

%

%

100%

%

%

100%

III-12. Substitutes.-- Can other products be substituted for calhypo?
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 calhypo?
No Yes

Explanation

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire -- Calcium Hypochlorite from China (P)

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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 calhypo has changed since January 1, 2010. Explain any trends and describe the
principal factors that have affected these changes in demand.

Market

Overall
No
Overall Fluctuate with
increase change decrease no clear trend

Explanation and 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
calhypo since January 1, 2010?
No

Yes

If yes, please describe.

III-15. Business cycles.-(a) Is the calhypo market subject to business cycles (other than general economy-wide conditions)
and/or other conditions of competition distinctive to calhypo?
No (skip to question III-16.)
Yes-Business cycles (e.g. seasonal business).
Yes-Other distinctive conditions of competition.
If yes, describe below.
Business cycles
Other conditions
of competition

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire -- Calcium Hypochlorite from China (P)

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PART III.--PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
III-15. Business cycles.-(b) Have there been any changes in the business cycles or conditions of competition for calhypo
since January 1, 2010?
No

Yes

If yes, please describe.

III-16. Supply constraints.--Has your firm refused, declined, or been unable to supply calhypo since
January 1, 2010 (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

If yes, please describe.

III-17. Raw materials.--Please describe any trends in the prices of raw materials used to produce
calhypo and whether your firm expects these trends to continue.

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire -- Calcium Hypochlorite from China (P)

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PART III.--PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
III-18. Interchangeability.--Is calhypo 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

China

Other countries

United States
China

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

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire -- Calcium Hypochlorite from China (P)

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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 calhypo 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

China

Other countries

United States
China

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

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire -- Calcium Hypochlorite from China (P)

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PART III.--PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
III-20. Customer identification--Please identify the names and contact information for your firm’s
10 largest U.S. customers for calhypo since January 1, 2010. Indicate the share of the quantity of
your firm’s total shipments of calhypo that each of these customers accounted for in 2012.

Customer’s name

1

Contact person

Email

Telephone

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

Street Address

,
City

2

State

Street Address

,
City

3

State

,
State

,
State

,
State

,
State

,
State

,
State

Zip Code

Street Address

,
City

10

Zip Code

Street Address
City

9

Zip Code

Street Address
City

8

Zip Code

Street Address
City

7

Zip Code

Street Address
City

6

Zip Code

Street Address
City

5

Zip Code

Street Address
City

4

Zip Code

State

Zip Code

Street Address

,
City

State

Zip Code

Share
of 2012
sales
(%)