15-2-3330 U.S. Importer Questionnaire

OMB No. 3117-0016/USITC No. 15-2-3330; Expiration Date: 6/30/2017
(No response is required if currently valid OMB control number is not displayed)

U.S. IMPORTERS’ QUESTIONNAIRE
CERTAIN DOMESTIC CONTAINERS FROM CHINA

This questionnaire must be received by the Commission by February 18, 2015
See last page 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 53-foot domestic dry containers
(“certain domestic containers”) from China (Inv. Nos. 701-TA-514 and 731-TA-1250 (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 firm’s possession (19 U.S.C. § 1333(a)).

Name of firm
Address
City

State

Zip Code

Website
Has your firm imported certain domestic containers (as defined on next page) from any country at any time
since January 1, 2011?

NO

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

YES

(Complete all parts of the questionnaire, and return the entire questionnaire to the Commission)

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

Fax:

Email address

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Certain Domestic Containers (F)

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PART I.—GENERAL INFORMATION
Background.—This proceeding was instituted in response to petitions filed on April 23, 2014, by
Stoughton Trailers, LLC, Stoughton, Wisconsin. Countervailing and/or antidumping duties may be
assessed on the subject imports as a result of these proceedings if the Commission makes an affirmative
determination of injury, threat, or material retardation, and if the U.S. Department of Commerce makes
an affirmative determination of subsidization and/or dumping. Questionnaires and other information
pertinent to this proceeding are available at
http://www.usitc.gov/investigations/701731/2014/53_foot_domestic_dry_containers_china/final.htm.
Merchandise covered by these investigations.
Certain Domestic Containers covered by these investigations is closed (i.e., not open top) van containers
exceeding 14.63 meters (48 feet) but generally measuring 16.154 meters (53 feet) in exterior length,
which are designed for the intermodal transport of goods other than bulk liquids within North America
primarily by rail or by road vehicle, or by a combination of rail and road vehicle (domestic containers).
The merchandise is known in the industry by varying terms including “53-foot containers,” “53-foot dry
containers,” “53-foot domestic dry containers,” “domestic dry containers” and “domestic containers.”
Imports of the subject merchandise are provided for under subheading 8609.00.0000 of the Harmonized
Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS). Imports of the subject merchandise which meet the
definition of and requirements for “instruments of international traffic” pursuant to 19 U.S.C. § 1322
and 19 C.F.R. § 10.41a may be classified under subheading 9803.00.50, HTSUS.
Importer.—Any person or firm engaged, either directly or through a parent company or subsidiary,
in importing certain domestic containers (as defined above) into the United States from a foreign
manufacturer or through its selling agent.
Reporting of information.—If information is not readily available from your firm’s records, provide
carefully prepared estimates. If your firm is completing more than one questionnaire (i.e., a producer,
importer, and/or purchaser questionnaire), your firm need not respond to duplicated questions.
Service of questionnaire response(s).—In the event that your firm is a party to this proceeding, your
firm is required to serve a copy of the questionnaire(s), once completed, on parties to the proceeding
that are subject to administrative protective order (see 19 CFR § 207.7). A list of such parties is
maintained by the Commission’s Secretary and may be obtained by calling 202-205-1803. A certificate of
service must accompany the copy of the completed questionnaire(s) your firm submits (see 19 CFR §
207.7).
Confidentiality.—The commercial and financial data furnished in response to this questionnaire that
reveal the individual operations of your firm will be treated as confidential by the Commission to the
extent that such data are not otherwise available to the public and will not be disclosed except as may
be required by law (see 19 U.S.C. § 1677f). Such confidential information will not be published in a
manner that will reveal the individual operations of your firm; however, general characterizations of
numerical business proprietary information (such as discussion of trends) will be treated as confidential
business information only at the request of the submitter for good cause shown.
Verification.—The information submitted in this questionnaire is subject to audit and verification by the
Commission. To facilitate possible verification of data, please keep all files, worksheets, and supporting
documents used in the preparation of the questionnaire response. Please also retain a copy of the final
document that your firm submits.

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Release of information.—The information provided by your firm in response to this questionnaire, as
well as any other business proprietary information submitted by your firm to the Commission in
connection with this proceeding, may become subject to, and released under, the administrative
protective order provisions of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. § 1677f) and section 207.7 of the
Commission’s Rules of Practice and Procedure (19 CFR § 207.7). This means that certain lawyers and
other authorized individuals may temporarily be given access to the information for use in connection
with this proceeding or other import-injury proceedings conducted by the Commission on the same or
similar merchandise; those individuals would be subject to severe penalties if the information were
divulged to unauthorized individuals.
I-1a.

OMB statistics.—Please report below the actual number of hours required and the cost to your
firm of completing this questionnaire.
Hours
Dollars

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, gathering data, and
completing and reviewing the questionnaire.
We welcome comments regarding the accuracy of this burden estimate, suggestions for
reducing the burden, and any suggestions for improving this questionnaire. Please attach such
comments to your firm’s response or send to the Office of Investigations, USITC, 500 E St. SW,
Washington, DC 20436.
I-2.

Establishments covered.—Provide the name and address of establishment(s) covered by this
questionnaire. If your firm is publicly traded, please specify the stock exchange and trading
symbol.
“Establishment” – Each facility of a firm involved in the importation of certain domestic
containers, including auxiliary facilities operated in conjunction with (whether or not physically
separate from) such facilities.

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Certain Domestic Containers (F)
I-3.

Ownership.—Is your firm owned, in whole or in part, by any other firm?
No

Firm name

I-4.

Yes—List the following information

Address

Extent of
ownership
(percent)

Related importers/exporters.—Does your firm have any related firms, either domestic or
foreign, that are engaged in importing certain domestic containers from China into the United
States or that are engaged in exporting certain domestic containers from China to the United
States?
No
Firm name

I-5.

Page 4

Yes—List the following information.
Address

Affiliation

Related producers.—Does your firm have any related firms, either domestic or foreign, that are
engaged in the production of certain domestic containers?
No
Firm name

Yes—List the following information.
Address

Affiliation

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Certain Domestic Containers (F)
I-6.

Importing operations.—Please indicate the nature of your firm’s importing operations on
certain domestic containers. More than one answer may be applicable.
Importer of record

I-7.

Page 5

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 certain domestic containers 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 – Certain Domestic Containers (F)
I-8.

Page 6

FTZ, TIB, or bonded warehouses.—Please indicate whether your firm enters certain domestic
containers into, or withdraws such merchandise from, foreign trade zones or bonded
warehouses. Also indicate whether your firm imports certain domestic containers under the TIB
(temporary importation under bond) program.
“Foreign trade zone” is a designated location in the United States where firms utilize special
procedures that allow delayed or reduced customs duty payments on foreign merchandise, as
well as other savings. A foreign trade zone must be designed as such pursuant to the rules and
procedures set forth in the Foreign-Trade Zones Act.
“Bonded warehouse” is a secured facility supervised by U.S. customs, where dutiable landed
imports are stored pending their re-export, or release after payment of import duties, taxes, and
other charges. A bonded warehouse must be designed as such pursuant to the rules and
procedures set forth in 19 U.S. Code § 1555.
“Temporary Importation under Bond (“TIB”) program” is a procedure whereby imported
merchandise may be entered under certain conditions for a limited time into the United States
free of duty. Under the program, an importer posts a bond for twice the amount of duty, taxes,
etc. that would otherwise be owed on the importation and agrees to export or destroy the
merchandise within a specified time or pay liquidated damages. This program is restricted to
certain categories of merchandise listed in subheadings 9813.00.05 through 9813.00.75 of the
Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States(HTS).
No

Yes

Foreign trade zones
Bonded warehouses
Temporary importation under bond

I-9.

Third-country trade activities.—To your firm’s 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

I-10.

Yes–Please specify.

Nature of operations.—Please identify the nature of your firm’s operations.
Trucking company

Railroad company

Leasing company

Other (specify)

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PART II.—TRADE AND RELATED INFORMATION
Further information on this part of the questionnaire can be obtained from Carolyn Esko (202-205-3002,
[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 certain domestic containers since January 1, 2011.
(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 and indicate relevant dates, duration, result)

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Certain Domestic Containers (F)
II-3.

Page 8

Arranged imports.—Has your firm imported or arranged for the importation of certain domestic
containers for delivery on or after December 31, 2014?
“Arranged imports” are imports for which your firm has placed an order with a foreign producer
for subject merchandise, but delivery of those imports is not scheduled to occur until after the
date listed above.
No

Yes–Fill out the table below.
Quantity (in units)

Period/Source

Jan-Mar 2015

Apr-Jun 2015

Jul-Sept 2015

Oct-Dec 2015

China
Other sources:1
1

II-4.

Identify your firm’s other sources:

Reasons for importing.—If your firm also produces certain domestic containers 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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Definitions
“Imports” – Those products identified for Customs purposes as imports for consumption for
which your firm was the importer of record (i.e., was responsible for paying any import duty) or
consignee (i.e., to which the merchandise was first delivered).
“Import quantities” – Quantities reported should be net of returns.
“Import values” – Values reported should be landed, duty-paid values at the U.S. port of entry,
including ocean freight and insurance costs, brokerage charges, and import duties (i.e., all
charges except inland freight in the United States).
“U.S. commercial shipments” – Shipments made within the United States as a result of an arm’s
length commercial transaction in the ordinary course of business. Report net values (i.e., gross
sales values less all discounts, allowances, rebates, prepaid freight, and the value of returned
goods) in U.S. dollars, f.o.b. your firm’s point of shipment.
“Internal consumption” – Product consumed internally by your firm.
“Transfers to related firms” – Shipments made to related domestic firms. Such transactions are
valued at fair market value.
“Related firm” – A firm that your firm solely or jointly owns, manages, or otherwise controls.
Such transactions are valued at fair market value.
“Export shipments” – Shipments to destinations outside the United States, including shipments
to related firms.
“Inventories” – Finished goods inventory, not raw materials or work in progress.

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II-5(a). IMPORTS FROM CHINA.—Report your firm’s imports and your firm’s shipments and inventories
of certain domestic containers imported from China by your firm during the specified periods.
+Link to definitions

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

2011

2012

2013

2014

Beginning-of-period inventories
(quantity) (A)
U.S. imports:1
Quantity (B)
Value (C)
U.S. shipments:
Commercial shipments:
Quantity (D)
Value (E)
Internal consumption/company
transfers:
Quantity (F)
Value2 (G)
Export shipments:3
Quantity (H)
Value (I)
End-of-period inventories
(quantity) (J)
Channels of distribution:
Commercial U.S. shipments:
To distributors (quantity) (K)
To end users (quantity) (L)
1

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 your firm
uses a different basis for valuing these sales within your firm, 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:
2

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Certain Domestic Containers (F)
II-5.

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IMPORTS FROM CHINA.–Continued

RECONCILIATION OF SHIPMENTS, IMPORTS, AND INVENTORIES.—Generally, the data reported for the
end-of-period inventories (i.e., line J) should be equal to the beginning-of-period inventories (i.e., line A),
plus imports (i.e., line B), less total shipments (i.e., lines D, F, and H). Please ensure that any differences
are not due to data entry errors in completing this form, but rather actually reflect your firm’s records;
and also provide any likely explanations for any differences (e.g., theft, loss, damage, record systems
issues, etc.) if they exist.
Calendar years
Reconciliation

2011

A + B – D – F – H – J = should equal zero
("0") or provide an explanation.1

2012
0

2013
0

2014
0

0

1

Explanation if the calculated fields above are returning values other than zero (i.e., “0”) but are nonetheless
accurate.

RECONCILIATION OF CHANNELS.—Please ensure that the quantities reported for channels of distribution
(i.e., lines K and L) in each time period equal the quantity reported for commercial U.S. commercial
shipments (i.e., line D) in each time period. If the calculated fields below return values other than zero
(i.e., “0”), the data reported must be revised prior to submission to the Commission.
Calendar years
Reconciliation item

2011

K + L – D = zero (“0”), if not revise.

2012
0

2013
0

2014
0

0

II-5(b). IMPORTS FROM CHINA.— Does your firm import laden containers from China?
No

Yes—Please report the quantity of U.S. imports of laden containers from China for each year
in the table below:
Quantity (in units)
Calendar years
Item

2011

2012

2013

2014

U.S. imports of laden containers from
China
Calculation: Implied U.S. imports of
unladen containers from China (please
ensure this calculation results in number
equal to or greater than zero)

0

0

0

0

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II-6(a). IMPORTS FROM ALL OTHER SOURCES.–Report your firm’s imports and your firm’s shipments
and inventories of certain domestic containers imported from all other sources combined by
your firm during the specified periods. +Link to definitions

(list sources:

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

Item

2011

2012

2013

2014

Beginning-of-period inventories
(quantity) (A)
Imports:1
Quantity (B)
Value (C)
U.S. shipments:
Commercial shipments:
Quantity (D)
Value (E)
Internal consumption/company
transfers:
Quantity (F)
Value2 (G)
Export shipments:3
Quantity (H)
Value (I)
End-of-period inventories
(quantity) (J)
Channels of distribution:
Commercial U.S. shipments:
To distributors (quantity) (K)
To end users (quantity) (L)
1

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 your firm
uses a different basis for valuing these sales within your firm, 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:
2

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Certain Domestic Containers (F)
II-6.

Page 13

IMPORTS FROM ALL OTHER SOURCES.–Continued

RECONCILIATION OF SHIPMENTS, IMPORTS, AND INVENTORIES.—Generally, the data reported for the
end-of-period inventories (i.e., line J) should be equal to the beginning-of-period inventories (i.e., line A),
plus imports (i.e., line B), less total shipments (i.e., lines D, F, and H). Please ensure that any differences
are not due to data entry errors in completing this form, but rather actually reflect your firm’s records;
and also provide any likely explanations for any differences (e.g., theft, loss, damage, record systems
issues, etc.) if they exist.
Calendar years
Reconciliation

2011

A + B – D – F – H – J = should equal zero
("0") or provide an explanation.1

2012
0

2013
0

2014
0

0

1

Explanation if the calculated fields above are returning values other than zero (i.e., “0”) but are nonetheless
accurate.

RECONCILIATION OF CHANNELS.—Please ensure that the quantities reported for channels of distribution
(i.e., lines K and L) in each time period equal the quantity reported for commercial U.S. commercial
shipments (i.e., line D) in each time period. If the calculated fields below return values other than zero
(i.e., “0”), the data reported must be revised prior to submission to the Commission.
Calendar years
Reconciliation item

2011

K + L – D = zero ("0"), if not revise.

2012

2013

0

2014
0

0

II-6(b). IMPORTS FROM ALL OTHER SOURCES.—Does your firm import laden containers from all other
sources (AOS) (e.g., all sources other than China)?
No

Yes—Please report the quantity of U.S. imports of laden containers from all other sources for
each year in the table below:
Quantity (in units)
Calendar years
Item

2011

2012

2013

2014

U.S. imports of laden containers from
all other sources
Calculation: Implied U.S. imports of
unladen containers from all other
sources (please ensure this calculation
results in number equal to or greater
than zero)

0

0

0

0

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Certain Domestic Containers (F)
II-7.

Monthly Imports:—Report your firm’s monthly U.S. imports of certain domestic containers
from China between October 2013 and December 2014.

October 2013
November 2013
December 2013
January 2014
February 2014
March 2014
April 2014
May 2014
June 2014
July 2014
August 2014
September 2014
October 2014
November 2014
December 2014
II-8.

Page 14

Month

Quantity (in units)

Value (in $1,000)

Other explanations:—If your firm would like to further explain a response to a question in Part II
that did not provide a narrative response box, please note the question number and the
explanation in the space provided below. Please also use this space to highlight any issues your
firm had in providing the data in this section, including but not limited to technical issues with
the MS Word questionnaire.

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PART III.—PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION
Further information on this part of the questionnaire can be obtained from Michele Breaux (202-2052781, [email protected]).
III-1.

Contact information.—Please identify the individual that Commission staff may contact
regarding the confidential information submitted in part III.
Name
Title
Email
Telephone
Fax

PRICE DATA
III-2.

This question requests quarterly quantity and value data for your firm’s commercial shipments
to unrelated U.S. customers since January 1, 2011 of the following products your firm imported
from China separately for both laden and unladen containers:
Product 1.—53-foot high cube 100 inches or less in internal width, dry domestic containers
suitable for intermodal transport, fully welded, as described and specified in
American Association of Railroads Specification M-930 (Adopted: 1972; Last
Revised: 2013) applicable to closed van containers for domestic intermodal service.
Product 2.—53-foot high cube more than 100 inches in internal width, dry domestic containers
suitable for intermodal transport, fully welded, as described and specified in
American Association of Railroads Specification M-930 (Adopted: 1972; Last
Revised: 2013) applicable to closed van containers for domestic intermodal service.
Product 3.—53-foot high cube 100 inches or less in internal width, dry domestic containers
suitable for intermodal transport, assembled in part with mechanical fasteners, as
described and specified in American Association of Railroads Specification M-930
(Adopted: 1972;Last Revised: 2013) applicable to closed van containers for domestic
intermodal service.
Product 4.—53-foot high cube more than 100 inches in internal width, dry domestic containers
suitable for intermodal transport, assembled in part with mechanical fasteners, as
described and specified in American Association of Railroads Specification M-930
(Adopted: 1972; applicable to closed van containers for domestic intermodal
service.

By Size / Welding
100 inches or less in internal
width
more than 100 inches in internal
width

Fully welded

Assembled in part with
mechanical fasteners

Product 1

Product 3

Product 2

Product 4

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Please note that values should be f.o.b., U.S. point of shipment and should not include U.S.-inland
transportation costs. Values should reflect the final net amount paid to your firm (i.e., should be net
of all deductions for discounts or rebates).
During January 2011-December 2014, did your firm import from China for own use or sell to
unrelated U.S. customers any of the above listed products (or any products that were
competitive with these products)?
Yes.—Please complete the following pricing or purchase cost data tables as
appropriate.
No.—Skip to question III-3.
III-2a. Sales to other firms.—During January 2011-December 2014, did your firm import from China
and sell to unrelated U.S. customers any of the above listed products (or any products that were
competitive with these products)?
Yes.—Fill question III-2b with price data on sales of certain domestic containers to
other firms.
No.—Fill question III-2c with purchase cost data on purchases of certain domestic
containers from China.
Both.—Fill question III-2b with price data on sales of certain domestic containers to
other firms and question III-2c with purchase cost data on your firm's purchases of
certain domestic containers from China.

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III-2b. Price data.—Report below the quarterly price 1 for pricing products2 imported from China and
sold by your firm.3 (e.g., your firms' sales)

CHINA

Product 1.—53-foot high cube 100 inches or less in internal width, dry domestic containers
suitable for intermodal transport, fully welded, as described and specified in
American Association of Railroads Specification M-930 (Adopted: 1972; Last
Revised: 2013) applicable to closed van containers for domestic intermodal service.
Report quantity in actual units and value in actual dollars (not 1,000s).
Product 1 (100 inches or less; fully welded)
Laden
Unladen
Value
Quantity

Period of shipment
Quantity
Value
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
October-December
2014:
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 firm’s U.S. point of shipment.
2
Pricing product definitions are provided on the first page of Part III.
3.
Fill out this table if your firm imports from China and sell to unrelated U.S. customers.
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:

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III-2b. Price data (e.g., your firms' sales).—Continued

CHINA
Product 2.—53-foot high cube more than 100 inches in internal width, dry domestic containers
suitable for intermodal transport, fully welded, as described and specified in
American Association of Railroads Specification M-930 (Adopted: 1972; Last
Revised: 2013) applicable to closed van containers for domestic intermodal service.
Report quantity in actual units and value in actual dollars (not 1,000s).
Product 2 (more than 100 inches; fully welded)
Laden
Unladen
Value
Quantity

Period of shipment
Quantity
Value
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
October-December
2014:
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 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 2:

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III-2b. Price data (e.g., your firms' sales).—Continued

CHINA
Product 3.—53-foot high cube 100 inches or less in internal width, dry domestic containers
suitable for intermodal transport, assembled in part with mechanical fasteners, as
described and specified in American Association of Railroads Specification M-930
(Adopted: 1972;Last Revised: 2013) applicable to closed van containers for domestic
intermodal service.
Report quantity in actual units and value in actual dollars (not 1,000s).
Product 3 (100 inches or less; assembled in part with mechanical fasteners)
Laden
Unladen
Quantity
Value
Quantity
Value

Period of shipment
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
October-December
2014:
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 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 3:

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Certain Domestic Containers (F)

Page 20

III-2b. Price data (e.g., your firms' sales).—Continued

CHINA
Product 4.—53-foot high cube more than 100 inches in internal width, dry domestic containers
suitable for intermodal transport, assembled in part with mechanical fasteners, as
described and specified in American Association of Railroads Specification M-930
(Adopted: 1972; applicable to closed van containers for domestic intermodal
service.
Report quantity in actual units and value in actual dollars (not 1,000s).
Product 4 (more than 100 inches; assembled in part with mechanical fasteners)
Laden
Unladen
Quantity
Value
Quantity
Value

Period of shipment
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
October-December
2014:
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 firm’s U.S. point of shipment.
2
Pricing product definitions are provided on the first page of Part applicable to closed van containers for domestic
intermodal service. 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 4:

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Certain Domestic Containers (F)
III-2c.

Page 21

Purchase cost data.—Report below the quarterly purchase data1 for pricing products2 imported
from China by your firm.3 (e.g., your firms' imports)

CHINA
Product 1.—53-foot high cube 100 inches or less in internal width, dry domestic containers
suitable for intermodal transport, fully welded, as described and specified in
American Association of Railroads Specification M-930 (Adopted: 1972; Last
Revised: 2013) applicable to closed van containers for domestic intermodal service.
Report quantity in actual units and value in actual dollars (not 1,000s).
Product 1 (100 inches or less; fully welded)
Laden
Unladen
Value
Quantity

Period of shipment
Quantity
Value
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
October-December
2014:
January-March
April-June
July-September
October-December
1
Import value (landed, duty-paid values at the U.S. port of entry).
2
Pricing product definitions are provided on the first page of Part III.
3.
Fill out this question if your firm directly imports from China for its own use.
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:

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Certain Domestic Containers (F)
III-2c.

Page 22

Purchase cost data (e.g., your firms' imports).—Continued

CHINA
Product 2.—53-foot high cube more than 100 inches in internal width, dry domestic containers
suitable for intermodal transport, fully welded, as described and specified in
American Association of Railroads Specification M-930 (Adopted: 1972; Last
Revised: 2013) applicable to closed van containers for domestic intermodal service.
Report quantity in actual units and value in actual dollars (not 1,000s).
Product 2 (more than 100 inches; fully welded)
Laden
Unladen
Value
Quantity

Period of shipment
Quantity
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
October-December
2014:
January-March
April-June
July-September
October-December
1
Import value (landed, duty-paid values at the U.S. port of entry).
2
Pricing product definitions are provided on the first page of Part III.

Value

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 2:

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Certain Domestic Containers (F)
III-2c.

Page 23

Purchase cost data (e.g., your firms' imports).—Continued

CHINA

Product 3.—53-foot high cube 100 inches or less in internal width, dry domestic containers
suitable for intermodal transport, assembled in part with mechanical fasteners, as
described and specified in American Association of Railroads Specification M-930
(Adopted: 1972;Last Revised: 2013) applicable to closed van containers for domestic
intermodal service.
Report quantity in actual units and value in actual dollars (not 1,000s).
Product 3 (100 inches or less; assembled in part with mechanical fasteners)
Laden
Unladen
Quantity
Value
Quantity
Value

Period of shipment
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
October-December
2014:
January-March
April-June
July-September
October-December
1
Import value (landed, duty-paid values at the U.S. port of entry).
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 3:

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Certain Domestic Containers (F)
III-2c.

Page 24

Purchase cost data (e.g., your firms' imports).—Continued

CHINA
Product 4.—53-foot high cube more than 100 inches in internal width, dry domestic containers
suitable for intermodal transport, assembled in part with mechanical fasteners, as
described and specified in American Association of Railroads Specification M-930
(Adopted: 1972; applicable to closed van containers for domestic intermodal
service.
Report quantity in actual units and value in actual dollars (not 1,000s).
Product 4 (more than 100 inches; assembled in part with mechanical fasteners)
Laden
Unladen
Quantity
Value
Quantity
Value

Period of shipment
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
October-December
2014:
January-March
April-June
July-September
October-December
1
Import value (landed, duty-paid values at the U.S. port of entry).
2
Pricing product definitions are provided on the first page of Part applicable to closed van containers for domestic
intermodal service. 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 4:

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Certain Domestic Containers (F)
III-2d.

Page 25

Transaction costs.
(a) If your firm reported purchase cost data above, does your firm incur additional transaction
costs (e.g., additional logistical costs, additional inventory carrying costs, quality control
monitoring, etc.) when it imports Chinese certain domestic containers directly compared to
when it purchases imported Chinese certain domestic containers from a U.S. importer or certain
domestic containers from a U.S. producer?
No

Yes—Please list the factors that add to the cost of importing directly,
indicate the source of the purchases your firm is comparing your firm’s direct
imports to, and provide estimates of these additional costs.
Factors

Basis of comparison (source
of purchases)
U.S. importers

Cost estimate (% of
purchase cost)

U.S. producers
Both
U.S. importers
U.S. producers
Both
U.S. importers
U.S. producers
Both

(b) Is your firm able to reduce its transaction costs by importing Chinese certain domestic
containers directly compared to purchasing imported Chinese certain domestic containers from
a U.S. importer or certain domestic containers from a U.S. producer?
No

Yes—Please list the factors that reduce the cost of importing directly (e.g.,
Chinese export logistical structure already in place, transport economies of
scale, etc.), indicate the source of the purchases your firm is comparing your
firm’s direct imports to, and provide estimates of these cost reductions.
Factors

Basis of comparison (source
of purchases)
U.S. importers
U.S. producers
Both
U.S. importers
U.S. producers
Both
U.S. importers
U.S. producers
Both

Savings estimate (% of
purchase cost)

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Certain Domestic Containers (F)

Page 26

III-2e. Purchases by bid.—Since January 1, 2011, did your firm purchase any of the above listed
products (or any products that were competitive with these products) by requesting bids from
suppliers?
Yes. Please complete a purchaser questionnaire (contact Michele Breaux at
[email protected]).
No.

III-2f.

Pricing data methodology.—Please describe the method and the kinds of documents/records
that were used to compile your firm’s price or purchase cost data.

Questions III-3 through III-11 relate to your sales of certain domestic containers, not purchases of
Chinese certain domestic containers or domestic certain domestic containers.
III-3.

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

III-4.

Bid

Contracts

Set
price
lists

Other

If other, describe

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

Quantity
discounts

Annual
total
volume
discounts

Laden
containers

No
discount
policy

Other

Describe the discounts offered
and estimate the average
discount given per discount type.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Certain Domestic Containers (F)
III-5.

Pricing terms.—
(a)

What are your firm’s typical sales terms for certain domestic containers 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 certain domestic containers from China
usually quoted (check one)?
Delivered

III-6.

Page 27

F.o.b.

If f.o.b., specify point

Contract versus spot.—Approximately what share of your firm’s sales of certain domestic
containers imported from China in 2014 was on a (1) long-term contract basis, (2) annual
contract basis, (3) short-term contract basis, and (4) spot sales basis?

Share of your
firm’s 2014
sales

Long-term
contracts
(multiple
deliveries for
more than 12
months)
%

Type of sale
Short-term
Annual
contracts
contracts
(multiple
(multiple
deliveries for
deliveries for 12
less than 12
months)
months)
%

Total
(should
sum to
100.0%)

Spot sales
(for a single
delivery)

%

%

0.0

%

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Certain Domestic Containers (F)
III-7.

Page 28

Contract provisions.—Please fill out the table regarding your firm’s typical sales contracts for
certain domestic containers 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

# of days

Price renegotiation
(during contract
period)
Fixed quantity
and/or price
Meet or release
provision

Short-term
contracts
(multiple deliveries
for less than 12
months)

Annual contracts
(multiple deliveries
for 12 months)

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

365

Yes
No
Quantity
Price
Both
Yes
No

Not applicable
III-8.

Lead times.—What is your firm’s share of sales of certain domestic containers 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 certain domestic containers?
Source

Share of
2014 sales

From your firm’s U.S. inventory

%

From foreign manufacturers’ inventory

%

Produced to order

%

Total (should sum to 100.0%)

0.0

%

Lead time
(days)

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Certain Domestic Containers (F)
III-9.

Page 29

Shipping information.—
(a)

What is the approximate percentage of the total delivered cost of certain domestic
containers 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 certain domestic containers 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 certain domestic containers
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 (should sum to 100.0%)

0.0

%

III-10. Geographical shipments.—In which U.S. geographic market area(s) has your firm sold certain
domestic containers imported from subject countries since January 1, 2011 (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

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Certain Domestic Containers (F)

Page 30

III-11. Substitutes.—Can other products be substituted for certain domestic containers?
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 certain domestic
containers?
No Yes

Explanation

1.
2.
3.
III-12. Demand trends.—Indicate how demand within the United States and outside of the United
States (if known) for certain domestic containers has changed since January 1, 2011. Explain any
trends and describe the principal factors that have affected these changes in demand.

Market

Overall
increase

No
Overall Fluctuate with
change decrease no clear trend

Explanation and factors

Within
the United
States
Outside
the United
States
III-13. Product changes.—Have there been any significant changes in the product range, product mix
or marketing of certain domestic containers since January 1, 2011?
No

Yes

If yes, please describe.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Certain Domestic Containers (F)

Page 31

III-14. Conditions of competition.—
(a) Is the certain domestic containers market subject to business cycles (other than general
economy-wide conditions) and/or other conditions of competition distinctive to certain
domestic containers?
Check all that apply.

Please describe.

No

Skip to question III-15.

Yes-Business cycles (e.g.
seasonal business)
Yes-Other distinctive
conditions of competition
(b) If yes, have there been any changes in the business cycles or conditions of competition for
certain domestic containers since January 1, 2011?
No

Yes

If yes, describe.

III-15. Supply constraints.—Has your firm refused, declined, or been unable to supply certain domestic
containers since January 1, 2011 (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-16. Raw materials.—How have certain domestic containers raw materials prices changed since
January 1, 2011?

Overall
increase

Fluctuate
with no
Explain, noting how raw material price changes
clear
have affected your firm’s selling prices for certain
No
Overall
change decrease
trend
domestic containers.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Certain Domestic Containers (F)

Page 32

III-17. Interchangeability.—Are certain domestic containers 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

United States
China
For any country-pair producing certain domestic containers that is sometimes or never interchangeable,
identify the country-pair and explain the factors that limit or preclude interchangeable use:

III-18. Factors other than price.—Are differences other than price (e.g., quality, availability,
transportation network, product range, technical support, etc.) between certain domestic
containers 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

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 certain domestic containers, identify the country-pair and report the advantages or
disadvantages imparted by such factors:

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Certain Domestic Containers (F)

Page 33

III-19. Customer identification.—List the names and contact information for your firm’s 10 largest U.S.
customers for certain domestic containers since January 1, 2011. Indicate the share of the
quantity of your firm’s total shipments of certain domestic containers that each of these
customers accounted for in 2014.
Customer’s name

City

State

Share of 2014
sales (%)

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

III-20. Other explanations:—If your firm would like to further explain a response to a question in Part
III that did not provide a narrative response box, please note the question number and the
explanation in the space provided below. Please also use this space to highlight any issues your
firm had in providing the data in this section, including but not limited to technical issues with
the MS Word questionnaire.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Certain Domestic Containers (F)

Page 34

HOW TO FILE YOUR QUESTIONNAIRE RESPONSE
This questionnaire is available as a “fillable” form in MS Word format on the
Commission’s website at:
http://www.usitc.gov/investigations/701731/2014/53_foot_domestic_dry_cont
ainers_china/final.htm.
Please do not attempt to modify the format or permissions of the questionnaire
document. Please submit the completed questionnaire using one of the methods
noted below. If your firm is unable to complete the MS Word questionnaire or
cannot use one of the electronic methods of submission, please contact the
Commission for further instructions.
• Upload via Secure Drop Box.—Upload the MS Word questionnaire along with a scanned copy
of the signed certification page (page 1) through the Commission’s secure upload facility:
Web address: https://dropbox.usitc.gov/oinv/ Pin: CDDC
• E-mail.—E-mail your firm’s questionnaire to [email protected]; include a scanned copy of
the signed certification page (page 1). Please note that submitting your firm’s questionnaire by e-mail

may subject your firm’s business proprietary information to transmission over an unsecure environment
and to possible disclosure. If your firm chooses this option, the Commission warns your firm that any risk
involving possible disclosure of such information is assumed by the submitter and not by the Commission.

If your firm did not import this product, please fill out page 1, print, sign, and submit a scanned
copy to the Commission.
Parties to this proceeding.—If your firm is a party to this proceeding, your firm is required to
serve a copy of the completed questionnaire on parties to the proceeding that are subject to
administrative protective order (see 19 CFR § 207.7). A list of such parties may be obtained
from the Commission’s Secretary (202-205-1803). A certificate of service must accompany the
completed questionnaire your firm submits (see 19 CFR § 207.7). Service of the questionnaire
must be made in paper form.