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pdfOMB No. 3117‐0016/USITC No. 15‐2‐3389; Expiration Date: 6/30/2017
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U.S. IMPORTERS’ QUESTIONNAIRE
SUPERCALENDERED PAPER FROM CANADA
This questionnaire must be received by the Commission by September 14, 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 investigation concerning supercalendered paper from Canada (Inv. No. 701‐TA‐
530 (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 supercalendered paper (“SC paper”) (as defined on next page) from any country at any
time since January 1, 2012?
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: SCPP)
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
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire –Supercalendered Paper
Page 2
PART I.—GENERAL INFORMATION
Background. This proceeding was instituted in response to a petition filed on February 26, 2015, by
Madison Paper Industries, Madison, ME and Verso Corporation, Memphis, TN. Countervailing 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. Questionnaires and other information
pertinent to this proceeding are available at:
http://usitc.gov/investigations/701731/2015/supercalendered_paper_canada/final.htm
Supercalendered Paper (“SC Paper”) or the “subject product” covered by these investigations is defined
as: SC Paper is uncoated paper that has undergone a calendering process in which the base sheet, made
of pulp and filler, (typically clay, talc, or other mineral additive), is processed through a set of
supercalenders, a supercalender, or a soft nip calender operation. Supercalendering and soft nip
calendering processing, in conjunction with the mineral filler contained in the base paper, are
performed to enhance the surface characteristics of the paper by imparting a smooth and glossy printing
surface. Supercalendering and soft nip calendering also increase the density of the base paper.
The scope of this petition covers all SC Paper regardless of basis weight, brightness, opacity,
smoothness, or grade, and whether in rolls or in sheets. The scope covers all uncoated paper that that
meets the scope definition regardless of the type of pulp fiber or filler material used to produce the
paper.
SC Paper is typically (but not exclusively) used for retail catalogs and flyers, magazines, Sunday
newspaper inserts, and other advertising circulars, magazines and catalogues, directories, direct mail
advertising, coupons, and corporate brochures.
Specifically excluded from the scope are imports of paper printed with final content of printed text or
graphics.
Until July 1, 2014, the products covered by these investigations were classified in the Harmonized Tariff
Schedule of the United States (“HTS”) under statistical reporting numbers 4802.61.3010 and
4802.61.3090. Recently a tariff breakout covering SC Paper over 40 grams per square meter was
established. This statistical subheading, which became effective on July 1, 2014, is 4802.61.3035. SC
Paper of less than 40 grams per square meter continues to be covered in 4802.61.3010. Thus, subject
imports are currently entered under either HTS 4802.61.3010 or 4802.61.3035. Although the HTS
subheadings are provided for convenience and customs purposes, the written description of the scope
of the investigation is dispositive.
Importer.‐‐Any person or firm engaged, either directly or through a parent company or subsidiary, in
importing the subject product (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 records, provide carefully
prepared estimates. If your firm is completing more than one questionnaire (i.e., a producer, importer,
and/or purchaser questionnaire), you need not respond to duplicated questions.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire –Supercalendered Paper
Page 3
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 you submit.
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.
U.S. dollars.—All value data reported in the U.S. importers' questionnaire should be reported in U.S.
dollars.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire –Supercalendered Paper
I‐1a.
I‐2.
Page 4
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 response or send to the Office of Investigations, USITC, 500 E St. SW,
Washington, DC 20436.
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 SC paper, including
auxiliary facilities operated in conjunction with (whether or not physically separate from) such
facilities.
I‐3.
Ownership.‐‐Is your firm owned, in whole or in part, by any other firm?
No
Yes‐‐List the following information
Firm name
Address
Extent of
ownership
(percent)
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire –Supercalendered Paper
I‐4.
I‐5.
Page 5
Related importers/exporters.‐‐Does your firm have any related firms, either domestic or
foreign, that are engaged in importing SC paper from Canada into the United States or that are
engaged in exporting SC paper from Canada to the United States?
No
Yes‐‐List the following information.
Firm name
Address
Affiliation
Related producers.‐‐Does your firm have any related firms, either domestic or foreign, that are
engaged in the production of SC paper?
No
Yes‐‐List the following information.
Firm name
Address
Affiliation
I‐6.
Importing operations.‐‐Please indicate the nature of your firm’s importing operations on SC
paper. 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
I‐7.
Consignee.‐‐If your firm is an importer of record of SC paper 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 –Supercalendered Paper
I‐8.
Page 6
FTZ, TIB, or bonded warehouses.‐‐Please indicate whether your firm enters SC paper into, or
withdraws such merchandise from, foreign trade zones or bonded warehouses. Also indicate
whether your firm imports SC paper 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 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 –Supercalendered Paper
I‐10.
Page 7
Foreign domiciled importer of record.—Is your firm a foreign domiciled U.S. importer of record
(e.g., not a U.S.‐based importer)?
No
Yes– Please explain how the exchange rate for U.S. dollars has impacted
your firm's imports into the United States over the period.
(a)
If yes, are all value data reported in this questionnaire reported in U.S. dollars per the
instructions above.
Yes
No.—REVISE THESE DATA TO BE IN USD PRIOR TO SUBMISSION.
(b)
Are your firm's records kept in Canadian dollars?
No
Yes– Provide the average exchange rate used by your firm to
covert value data from Canadian dollars into U.S. dollars in
the specified periods
Trade data:
Calendar years
Item
2012
1
Average conversion USD/CAD rate
1
2013
January‐June
2014
2014
2015
Leave blank if your firm's accounting records are kept in U.S. dollars and conversion rates are not applicable.
Otherwise, please report the average conversion rate USD/CAD, or number of Canadian dollars needed in period to
purchase one U.S. dollar, that your firm used to convert reported values into U.S. dollars.
Pricing data:
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
2015:
January‐March
April‐June
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire –Supercalendered Paper
Page 8
PART II.‐‐TRADE AND RELATED INFORMATION
Further information on this part of the questionnaire can be obtained from Christopher J. Cassise (202‐
708‐5408, [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 SC paper since January 1, 2012.
(check as many as appropriate)
(please describe)
Office/warehouse openings
Office/warehouse closings
Relocations
Expansions
Acquisitions
Consolidations
Prolonged shutdowns or
importation curtailments
Revised labor agreements
Other (e.g., technology)
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire –Supercalendered Paper
II‐3.
Page 9
Arranged imports.‐‐Has your firm imported or arranged for the importation of SC paper for
delivery on or after June 30, 2015?
“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 short tons)
Source
Canada
II‐4.
U.S. imports after June 30, 2015
Reasons for importing.‐‐If your firm also produces SC paper in the United States, please indicate
the reasons for importing this product. If your firm’s reasons differ by source, please elaborate.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire –Supercalendered Paper
Page 10
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 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.
Note: As requested in Part I of this questionnaire, please keep all supporting documents/records
used in the preparation of the trade data, as Commission staff may contact your firm regarding
questions on the trade data. The Commission may also request that your company submit copies
of the supporting documents/records (such as production and sales schedules, inventory records,
etc.) used to compile these data.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire –Supercalendered Paper
II‐5.
Page 11
IMPORTS FROM CANADA.–Report your firm’s U.S. imports and your firm’s shipments and
inventories of SC paper imported from Canada by your firm during the specified periods.
CANADA
Quantity (in short tons), value (in $1,000)
Calendar years
Item
2012
2013
January‐June
2014
2014
2015
Beginning‐of‐period inventories
(quantity) (A)
Imports:1
Quantity (B)
Value (C)
End‐of‐period inventories
(quantity) (J)
Channels of distribution:
Commercial U.S. shipments:
To distributors (quantity) (K)
U.S. shipments:
Commercial shipments:
Quantity (D)
Value (E)
Internal consumption/
company transfers:
Quantity (F)
2
Value (G)
Export shipments:3
Quantity (H)
Value (I)
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 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: .
2
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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire –Supercalendered Paper
Page 12
II‐5. IMPORTS FROM CANADA.–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
A + B – D – F – H – J = should equal zero
("0") or provide an explanation.1
2012
0
2013
0
January‐June
2014
0
2014
2015
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
January‐June
Reconciliation
A + B – D – F – H – J = should equal zero
("0") or provide an explanation.1
1
2012
0
2013
0
2014
0
2014
0
2015
0
Explanation if the calculated fields above are returning values other than zero (i.e., “0”) but are nonetheless
accurate: .
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire –Supercalendered Paper
II‐6.
Page 13
Commercial U.S. shipments of SC paper imported from Canada by grade.‐‐Report your firm’s
commercial U.S. shipments of SC paper imported from Canada, by grade, for the specified
periods.
Quantity (in short tons) and value (in $1,000)
Calendar years
Item
2012
January‐June
2013
2014
2014
2015
Canada: Commercial U.S. shipments of SC paper of grade‐‐
SCA++
Quantity (M)
Value (N)
SCA+
Quantity (O)
Value (P)
SCA
Quantity (Q)
Value (R)
SCB
Quantity (S)
Value (T)
SNC
Quantity (U)
Value (V)
Other grades
Quantity (W)
Value (X)
1
1
Please describe the "other grades":
RECONCILIATION OF COMMERCIAL SHIPMENTS.—The sum of the commercial U.S. shipments by
individual grade reported in this question should be equal to the commercial U.S. shipments reported in
the previous question. Please ensure that the following two reconciliations (one for quantity and one for
value) result in zero ("0") in each period.
Calendar years
Reconciliation
Quantity reconciliation.‐‐
D – M – O – Q – S – U – W = zero ("0"), if
not revise.
Value reconciliation.‐‐
E – N – P – R – T – V – X = zero ("0"), if
not revise.
2012
2013
January‐June
2014
2014
2015
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire –Supercalendered Paper
II‐7.
Page 14
IMPORTS FROM ALL OTHER COUNTRIES.–Report your firm’s imports and your firm’s shipments
and inventories of SC paper imported from all other countries combined by your firm during the
specified periods.
ALL OTHER COUNTRIES COMBINED
(List Countries:
)
Quantity (in short tons), value (in $1,000)
Calendar years
Item
2012
2013
January‐June
2014
2014
2015
Beginning‐of‐period inventories
(quantity) (A)
Imports:1
Quantity (B)
Value (C)
End‐of‐period inventories
(quantity) (J)
Channels of distribution:
Commercial U.S. shipments:
To distributors (quantity) (K)
U.S. shipments:
Commercial shipments:
Quantity (D)
Value (E)
Internal consumption/
company transfers:
Quantity (F)
2
Value (G)
Export shipments:3
Quantity (H)
Value (I)
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 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: .
2
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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire –Supercalendered Paper
II‐7.
Page 15
IMPORTS FROM ALL OTHER COUNTRIES.–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
A + B – D – F – H – J = should equal zero
("0") or provide an explanation.1
2012
0
2013
0
January‐June
2014
0
2014
2015
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
January‐June
Reconciliation
A + B – D – F – H – J = should equal zero
("0") or provide an explanation.1
1
2012
0
2013
0
2014
0
2014
0
2015
0
Explanation if the calculated fields above are returning values other than zero (i.e., “0”) but are nonetheless
accurate: .
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire –Supercalendered Paper
II‐8.
Page 16
Commercial U.S. shipments of SC paper imported from all other sources (AOS) by grade.‐‐
Report your firm’s commercial U.S. shipments of SC paper imported from all other sources (e.g.,
except Canada), by grade, for the specified periods.
Quantity (in short tons) and value (in $1,000)
Calendar years
Item
2012
January‐June
2013
2014
2014
2015
AOS: Commercial U.S. shipments of SC paper of grade‐‐
SCA++
Quantity (M)
Value (N)
SCA+
Quantity (O)
Value (P)
SCA
Quantity (Q)
Value (R)
SCB
Quantity (S)
Value (T)
SNC
Quantity (U)
Value (V)
Other grades
Quantity (W)
Value (X)
1
1
Please describe the "other grades":
RECONCILIATION OF COMMERCIAL SHIPMENTS.—The sum of the commercial U.S. shipments by
individual grade reported in this question should be equal to the commercial U.S. shipments reported in
the previous question. Please ensure that the following two reconciliations (one for quantity and one for
value) result in zero ("0") in each period.
Calendar years
Reconciliation
Quantity reconciliation.‐‐
D – M – O – Q – S – U – W = zero ("0"), if
not revise.
Value reconciliation.‐‐
E – N – P – R – T – V – X = zero ("0"), if
not revise.
2012
2013
January‐June
2014
2014
2015
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire –Supercalendered Paper
II‐9.
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.
Page 17
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire –Supercalendered Paper
Page 18
PART III.‐‐PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION
Further information on this part of the questionnaire can be obtained from Craig Thomsen (202‐205‐
3226, [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. This question requests quarterly quantity and value data for your firm’s commercial shipments
to unrelated U.S. customers since January 1, 2012 of the following products your firm imported
from Canada:
Product 1.‐‐ Grade SCA+ supercalendered paper, weighing 36 lb. (53 gsm), in rolls.
Product 2.‐‐ Grade SCA+ supercalendered paper, weighing 38 lb. (56 gsm), in rolls.
Product 3.‐‐ Grade SCA supercalendered paper, weighing 30 lb. (44 gsm), in rolls.
Product 4.‐‐ Grade SCA supercalendered paper, weighing 33 lb. (49 gsm), in rolls.
Product 5.‐‐ Grade SCA supercalendered paper, weighing 35 lb. (52 gsm), in rolls.
Product 6.‐‐ Grade SCB supercalendered paper, weighing 30 lb. (44 gsm), in rolls.
Product 7.‐‐ Grade SCB supercalendered paper, weighing 33 lb. (49 gsm), in rolls.
Please note that values should be delivered and should 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 2012‐June 2015, did your firm produce and 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 data tables as appropriate.
No.‐‐Skip to question III‐3.
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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire –Supercalendered Paper
III‐2.
Page 19
Price data.‐‐Report below the quarterly price data1 for pricing products2 imported from Canada
and sold by your firm.
CANADA
Report net sales data in short tons and actual U.S. dollars (not 1,000s): gross sales values less all
discounts, allowances, rebates, prepaid freight, and the value of returned goods even if those
adjustments occurred in a later period.
(Quantity in short tons, value in US dollars)
Product 1
Product 2
Product 3
Quantity
Value
Quantity
Value
Quantity
Value
Product 4
Period of shipment
Quantity
Value
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
2015:
January‐March
April‐June
1 Net values (i.e., gross sales values less all discounts, allowances, rebates, prepaid freight, and the value of returned goods), delivered.
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:
Product 3:
Product 4:
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire –Supercalendered Paper
III‐2.
Page 20
Price data.‐‐Continued.
CANADA
Report net sales data in short tons and actual U.S. dollars (not 1,000s): gross sales values less all
discounts, allowances, rebates, prepaid freight, and the value of returned goods even if those
adjustments occurred in a later period.
(Quantity in short tons, value in US dollars)
Product 5
Product 6
Quantity
Value
Quantity
Value
Product 7
Period of shipment
Quantity
Value
2012:
January‐March
April‐June
July‐September
October‐December
2013:
January‐March
April‐June
July‐September
October‐December
2014:
January‐March
April‐June
FORMTEXT
July‐September
October‐December
2015:
January‐March
April‐June
1 Net values (i.e., gross sales values less all discounts, allowances, rebates, prepaid freight, and the value of returned
goods), delivered.
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 5:
Product 6:
Product 7:
Pricing data methodology.‐‐Please describe the method and the kinds of documents/records that were
used to compile your price data.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire –Supercalendered Paper
Page 21
Note: As requested in Part I of this questionnaire, please keep all supporting documents/records used in
the preparation of the price data, as Commission staff may contact your firm regarding questions on the
price data. The Commission may also request that your company submit copies of the supporting
documents/records (such as sales journal, invoices, etc.) used to compile these data.
Questions III‐3 through III‐10 relate to your firm’s sales of SC paper. If your firm only imports SC paper
for its own use and does not sell to unrelated firms, please skip to III‐11.
III‐3. Price setting.‐‐How does your firm determine the prices that it charges for sales of SC paper
(check all that apply)? If your firm issues price lists, please submit sample pages of a recent list.
Transaction
by
transaction
Contracts
III‐4.
Set
price
lists
Other
If other, describe
Discount policy.‐‐ Please indicate and describe your firm’s discount/rebate policies regarding SC
paper (check all that apply).
Annual
total
volume
discounts
Quantity
discounts
(c)
No
discount
policy
Rebates
Other
No
Yes
If f.o.b., specify point
In what form(s) are rebates provided to your customers?
Cash
Account/
credit
Other
Describe
(d)
How are the rebates calculated?
Describe
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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire –Supercalendered Paper
III‐4.
Page 22
Discount policy.—Continued
(e)
Which/what types of customers receive rebates?
(f)
What was the average rebate granted from invoice price (per short ton) in the specified
periods?
Average (dollars per short ton)
Calendar years
Item
Average rebate
2012
2013
2014
(g)
Where are these rebated accounted for in your books and records?
(h)
How have you accounted for these rebates in the quarterly pricing data in question III‐2
above?
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire –Supercalendered Paper
III‐5.
Page 23
Pricing terms.‐‐
(a)
What are your firm’s typical sales terms for SC paper imported from Canada?
Net 30
days
Net 60
days
2/10 net 30
days
Other
Other (specify)
(b)
On what basis are your firm’s prices of imported SC paper from Canada usually quoted
(check one)?
III‐6.
Delivered
F.o.b.
If f.o.b., specify point
Pricing factors.—
(a) Rate and describe the effect of the following factors on your firm’s ability to price SC Paper.
Rating of the factor
Minimal effect
Factor
1
Substantial effect
2
3
4
No role
5
Long‐term decline in demand
for paper products
Competition from substitute
products
Competition among U.S.
producers
Competition from subject
imports
Please describe:
(b) Are there any internal benchmarks you use to determine prices of SC paper, e.g., pricing SC
paper at a certain percentage of another paper’s price? Please explain.
No
Yes
Explain.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire –Supercalendered Paper
III‐7.
Page 24
Contract versus spot.‐‐Approximately what share of your firm’s sales of SC paper imported from
Canada in 2014 was on a (1) long‐term contract basis, (2) annual contract basis, (3) short‐term
contract basis, and (4) spot sales basis?
Long‐term
contracts
(multiple
deliveries for
more than 12
months)
Share of 2014
sales
III‐8.
%
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
%
Contract provisions.— Please fill out the table regarding your firm’s typical sales contracts for
U.S.‐produced SC paper (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
Short‐term contracts
(multiple deliveries
for less than 12
months)
Average contract
duration
# of days
Annual contracts
(multiple
deliveries for 12
months)
Long‐term contracts
(multiple deliveries for
more than 12 months)
365
Price renegotiation
(during contract
period)
Yes
No
Contract prices
indexed to published
price series
Yes
No
Contract prices
indexed or linked to
raw material costs
Yes1
No
Quantity
Price
Both
Yes
No
Fixed quantity
and/or price
Meet or release
provision
Not applicable
1 If your firm’s contracts for SC Paper are indexed to or linked to raw material costs, please identify the specific raw
materials and describe the contract provisions:
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire –Supercalendered Paper
III‐9.
Page 25
Lead times.‐‐What is your firm’s share of sales of SC paper imported from Canada 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 SC paper?
Lead time
(average
Share of 2014
number of
Source
sales
days)
From your firm’s U.S. inventory
%
From foreign manufacturers’ inventory
%
Produced to order
%
Total (should sum to 100.0%)
0.0 %
III‐10. Shipping information.—
(a)
What is the approximate percentage of the total delivered cost of SC paper imported
from Canada that is accounted for by U.S. inland transportation costs? Please exclude
any portion of transportation cost that occurred outside the United States. Example: A
$10 transportation cost on a product with a $100 f.o.b. value would yield 9.1 percent
(10/(100+10)). However, if only half of the total transportation cost is attributable to
those costs incurred while shipping after it reached the U.S. border, please report 4.5
percent (5/(100+10)), or the pro‐rated portion of the transportation cost attributable to
the U.S. leg. percent.
(b)
Who generally arranges the transportation to your firm’s customers’ locations?
Your firm Purchaser (check one)
(c)
When your firm sells SC paper imported from Canada, from where is it shipped?
Point of importation Storage facility (check one)
(d)
Indicate the approximate percentage of your firm’s sales of SC paper imported from
Canada 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
Within 100 miles
%
101 to 1,000 miles
%
Over 1,000 miles
%
Total (should sum to 100.0%)
Share
0.0
%
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire –Supercalendered Paper
Page 26
III‐11. Geographical shipments‐‐In which U.S. geographic market area(s) has your firm sold SC paper
imported from subject countries since January 1, 2012 (check all that apply)?
Geographic area
Canada
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.
III‐12. End uses‐‐List the end uses of the SC paper that your firm imports from Canada. For each end‐
use SC paper, what percentage of the total cost is accounted for by SC paper and other inputs?
Share of total cost of end use SC paper
accounted for by
End use product
SC paper
Total
(should sum to
100.0% across)
Other inputs
%
%
0.0 %
%
%
0.0 %
%
%
0.0 %
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire –Supercalendered Paper
Page 27
III‐13. Substitutes.‐‐ Can other products be substituted for SC paper?
No
Yes‐‐Please fill out the table.
Substitute
End use in which this
substitute is used
Have changes in the prices of this substitute
affected the price for SC paper?
No
Yes
1. Coated groundwood
paper (incl. light‐
weight coated paper)
2. Newsprint/Hi‐brite
3.
4.
5.
Explanation
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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire –Supercalendered Paper
Page 28
III‐14. SC and other paper substitutability.‐‐ Please compare the substitutability of SC and other paper
products with each other (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 being compared are always substitutable with each other in the same
end uses
F = the products are frequently substitutable
S = the products are sometimes substitutable
N = the products are never substitutable
0 = no familiarity with products from a specified product‐pair
Product‐pair
SCA++
SCA+
SCA
SCB
SNC
SC Paper grade and other paper product comparisons
Coated
groundwood
paper (incl.
lightweight
coated paper)
Newsprint/Hi‐
Brite
SC Paper grade comparisons
SCA++
SCA+
SCA
SCB
For any product comparison that is sometimes or never substitutable, identify the factors that limit or
preclude substitutability between those products.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire –Supercalendered Paper
Page 29
III‐15. Demand trends.‐‐ Indicate how demand within the United States and outside of the United
States (if known) for SC paper has changed since January 1, 2012. 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‐16. Factors affecting SC Paper demand.—For each factor, rate how it has affected the overall
demand for SC paper since January 1, 2012 and discuss the effect of each factor.
Impact on demand in the U.S. market for SC paper products
Decreased demand in U.S.
Factor
Substantial Moderate
Minimal
No
impact
Do not
know/
Increased demand in U.S.
no
Minimal Moderate Substantial opinion
Demand shift
between coated
groundwood and SC
paper
Demand shift
between Newsprint/
Hi‐Brite paper and
SC paper
Decline in demand
for print media/
periodical
Use of digital media
Narrative discussion of each factor
Demand shift between
coated groundwood
and SC paper
Demand shift between
Newsprint/Hi‐Brite
paper and SC paper
Decline in demand for
print media/ periodical
Use of digital media
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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire –Supercalendered Paper
Page 30
III‐17. Product changes.‐‐Have there been any significant changes in the product range, product mix,
or marketing of SC paper since January 1, 2012?
No
Yes
If yes, please describe.
III‐18. Conditions of competition.—
(a) Is the SC paper market subject to business cycles (other than general economy‐wide
conditions) and/or other conditions of competition distinctive to SC paper?
Check all that apply.
Please describe.
No
Skip to question III‐16.
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
SC paper since January 1, 2012?
No
Yes
If yes, describe.
III‐19. Supply constraints.‐‐Has your firm refused, declined, or been unable to supply SC paper since
January 1, 2012 (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.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire –Supercalendered Paper
Page 31
III‐20. Supply of SC Paper Grades.—Does your firm currently supply or is able to supply the following
grades of SC Paper?
Currently
produce/ supply
Grade
Able to produce/
supply
No
Yes
No
Yes
Explain.
SCA++
SCA+
SCA
SCB
SNC
III‐21. New suppliers.‐‐Are you aware of any new suppliers of SC paper, either foreign or domestic,
that have entered the market since January 1, 2012?
No
Yes
If yes, please identify the firms.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire –Supercalendered Paper
Page 32
III‐22. Port Hawkesbury Paper Mill Re‐opening.—
(a)
Please quantify and explain the impact that the re‐opening of the Port Hawkesbury
Paper Mill in October 2012 has had on the U.S. market for SC paper?
Rating of the factor
No
Minimal effect
effect/no
impact
1
2
Factor
Impact of Port Hawkesbury
Paper Mill opening
Extreme effect
3
4
5
Explanation
(b)
How has the credibility of the Port Hawkesbury Paper Mill as a supplier to the U.S.
market changed since its re‐opening?
Much less Somewhat
credible less credible
No
change
Somewhat Much more
more credible
credible
Explanation
(c) Has your company has made any public statements regarding the impact of the re‐opening
of the Port Hawkesbury Paper Mill? No. Yes. Please provide these statements.
III‐23. Raw materials.‐‐ How have SC paper raw materials prices changed since January 1, 2012?
Fluctuate
with no Explain, noting how raw material price changes
clear have affected your firm’s selling prices for SC
Overall
No
Overall
trend paper.
increase change decrease
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire –Supercalendered Paper
Page 33
III‐24. Interchangeability.‐‐Is SC paper 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
Canada‐pair
Canada
Other countries
United States
Canada
For any country‐pair producing SC paper that is sometimes or never interchangeable, identify
the country‐pair and explain the factors that limit or preclude interchangeable use:
III‐25. Factors other than price.‐‐Are differences other than price (e.g., quality, availability,
transportation network, SC paper range, technical support, etc.) between SC paper 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
Canada‐pair
Canada
Other countries
United States
Canada
For any country‐pair for which factors other than price always or frequently are a significant
factor in your firm’s sales of SC paper, identify the country‐pair and report the advantages or
disadvantages imparted by such factors:
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire –Supercalendered Paper
Page 34
III‐26. Customer identification‐‐List the names and contact information for your firm’s 10 largest U.S.
customers for SC paper since January 1, 2012. Indicate the share of the quantity of your firm’s
total shipments of SC paper 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‐26. 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 –Supercalendered Paper
Page 35
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://usitc.gov/investigations/701731/2015/supercalendered_paper_canada/fi
nal.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: SCPP
• E‐mail.—E‐mail the MS Word questionnaire to [email protected]; include a scanned copy
of the signed certification page (page 1). Please note that submitting your questionnaire by e‐mail
may subject your firm’s business proprietary information to transmission over an unsecure environment
and to possible disclosure. If you choose this option, the Commission warns you 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 SC paper, 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, it 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 you submit (see 19 CFR 207.7). Service of the questionnaire must be
made in paper form.
| File Type | application/pdf |
| File Title | Microsoft Word - U.S. Importer_Final_SC Paper |
| Author | russell.duncan |
| File Modified | 2015-08-17 |
| File Created | 2015-08-17 |