15-3-3394 U.S. Purchaser Questionnaire

OMB No. 3117-0016/USITC No. 15-3-3394; Expiration Date: 6/30/2017
(No response is required if currently valid OMB control number is not displayed)

U.S. PURCHASERS’ QUESTIONNAIRE
CERTAIN UNCOATED PAPER FROM AUSTRALIA, BRAZIL, CHINA,
INDONESIA, AND PORTUGAL
This questionnaire must be received by the Commission by November 6, 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 certain uncoated paper from
Australia, Brazil, China Indonesia, and Portugal (Inv. Nos. 701-TA-528-529 and 731-TA-1264-1268 (Final)). The
information requested in the questionnaire is requested under the authority of the Tariff Act of 1930, title VII. This
report is mandatory and failure to reply as directed can result in a subpoena or other order to compel the submission of
records or information in your possession (19 U.S.C. § 1333(a)). Further information on this questionnaire can be
obtained from Amelia Preece (202-205-3250, [email protected]).

Name of firm
Address
City

State

Zip Code

Website
Has your firm purchased certain uncoated paper (as defined on next page) from any source (domestic or
foreign) 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: PAPER)
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 submitting 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
Signature

Title of Authorized Official
Phone:
Fax

Date
Email address

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Certain Uncoated Paper

Page 2

PART I.—GENERAL INFORMATION
Background. These proceedings were instituted in response to a petition filed on January 21, 2015, by
United Steel, Paper and Forestry, Rubber, Manufacturing, Energy, Allied Industrial and Service Workers
International Union, Pittsburg, PA; Domtar Corporation, Ft. Mill, SC; Finch Paper LLC, Glen Falls, NY; P.H.
Glatfelter Company, York, PA; and Packaging Corporation of America, Lake Forest, IL. 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 these proceedings are available at:
http://www.usitc.gov/investigations/701731/2015/certain_uncoated_paper_australia_brazil_china/final.htm
Certain uncoated paper covered by these investigations is uncoated paper in sheet form; weighing at
least 40 grams per square meter but not more than 150 grams per square meter; that either is a white
paper with a GE brightness level1 of 85 or higher or is a colored paper; whether or not surfacedecorated, printed (except as described below), embossed, perforated, or punched; irrespective of the
smoothness of the surface; and irrespective of dimensions (Certain Uncoated Paper).
Certain Uncoated Paper includes (a) uncoated free sheet paper that meets this scope definition; (b)
uncoated groundwood paper produced from bleached chemi-thermo-mechanical pulp (BCTMP) that
meets this scope definition; and (c) any other uncoated paper that meets this scope definition
regardless of the type of pulp used to produce the paper.
Specifically excluded from the scope are: (1) paper printed with final content of printed text or graphics
and (2) lined paper products, typically school supplies, composed of paper that incorporates straight
horizontal and/or vertical lines that would make the paper unsuitable for copying or printing purposes.
Imports of the subject merchandise are provided for under Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United
States (HTSUS) categories 4802.56.1000, 4802.56.2000, 4802.56.3000, 4802.56.4000, 4802.56.6000,
4802.56.7020, 4802.56.7040, 4802.57.1000, 4802.57.2000, 4802.57.3000, and 4802.57.4000. Some
imports of subject merchandise may also be classified under 4802.62.1000, 4802.62.2000,
4802.62.3000, 4802.62.5000, 4802.62.6020, 4802.62.6040, 4802.69.1000, 4802.69.2000, 4802.69.3000,
4811.90.8050 and 4811.90.9080.
While HTSUS subheadings are provided for convenience and customs purposes, the written description
of the scope of the investigation is dispositive.
Purchaser.--Any firm engaged, either directly or through a parent company or subsidiary, in purchasing
certain uncoated paper from another firm that produces, imports, or otherwise distributes certain
uncoated paper.
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. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Certain Uncoated 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.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Certain Uncoated Paper
I-1.

Page 4

OMB statistics.--Please report 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
25 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.
I-2.

Establishments covered.-- Provide the name and address of your U.S. establishment(s) covered
by this questionnaire, if different from that listed on the cover page. Firms operating more than
one establishment should combine the data for all establishments into a single report.
“Establishment”--Each facility of a firm involved in the purchase of certain uncoated 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
Firm name

Yes--List the following information.
Address

Extent of ownership
(percent)

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Certain Uncoated Paper
I-4.

Related SUBJECT importers/exporters.--Does your firm have any related firms, either domestic
or foreign, which import certain uncoated paper from Australia, Brazil, China Indonesia, or
Portugal into the United States or which export certain uncoated paper from Australia, Brazil,
China Indonesia, or Portugal to the United States?
No

Yes--List the following information.

Firm name

I-5.

Address

Affiliation

Related NONSUBJECT importers/exporters.--Does your firm have any related firms, either
domestic or foreign, which import certain uncoated paper from countries other than Australia,
Brazil, China Indonesia, or Portugal into the United States or which export certain uncoated
paper from countries other than Australia, Brazil, China Indonesia, or Portugal to the United
States?
No

Yes--List the following information.

Firm name and country

I-6.

Page 5

Address

Affiliation

Related producers.--Does your firm have any related firms, either domestic or foreign, which
produce certain uncoated paper?
No
Firm name

Yes--List the following information.
Address

Affiliation

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Certain Uncoated Paper

Page 6

PART II.--PURCHASES
Contact information.-- Please identify the responsible individual and the manner by which Commission
staff may contact that individual regarding the confidential information submitted in this questionnaire.
Name
Title
Email
Telephone
Fax
Purchases.— Report your firm’s U.S. purchases of certain uncoated paper. (Do not include
imports for which your firm was the importer of record; such imports should be reported in your
U.S. importer’s questionnaire).

II-1.

Item
Purchases of certain uncoated paper
produced in--

2012

2013

2014

Quantity (in short tons)

United States
Australia
Brazil
China
Indonesia
Portugal
All other countries:1
Purchases of imports
Total purchases
1

Please identify these countries:

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Certain Uncoated Paper
II-2.

Page 7

Changes in purchasing patterns.--Please indicate how the shares of your firm’s purchases of
certain uncoated paper from different sources have changed since January 1, 2012.
Source of
purchases

Did not
purchase Decreased Increased Constant Fluctuated

Explanation for trend

United States

Australia

Brazil

China

Indonesia

Portugal
All other
countries
II-3.

Purchases from one country only.--If your firm has purchased certain uncoated paper from only
one country, please explain the reasons for doing so.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Certain Uncoated Paper
II-4.

Page 8

Supplier identification.--Please list your firm’s FIVE largest suppliers for certain uncoated paper
since January 1, 2012. Also, provide the share of the quantity of your firm’s total purchases of
certain uncoated paper that each of these suppliers accounted for in 2014.

No.

Supplier’s name

City and state

Share of quantity of
2014 purchases

1

%

2

%

3

%

4

%

5

%

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Certain Uncoated Paper

Page 9

PART III.--MARKET CHARACTERISTICS AND PURCHASING PRACTICES
III-1.

Firm type.--Which of the following best describes your firm as a purchaser of certain uncoated
paper (check all that apply)?
Major classification
End user

Minor classification
Education
Government
Other institution
Printer/copier
Other business
Retailer
Big box
Other
Distributor/Paper merchant
Other (Describe:
)

Check one that best
describes your firm

If your firm is a Distributor/Paper merchant of certain uncoated paper, please answer questions III-2
to III-3.
III-2.

Distributor/Paper merchant: Competition for sales.--Does your firm compete for sales to
customers with the manufacturers or importers from which your firm purchases certain
uncoated paper?
No

III-3.

Yes

If yes, please describe.

Distributor/Paper merchant: Types of customers.--What are the major types of consumers to
which your firm sells certain uncoated paper?

Major classification
End user

Minor classification
Education
Government
Other institution
Printer/copier
Other business
Retailer
Big box
Other
Distributor/Paper merchant
Other (Describe:
)

Check as many as
applicable that describe
your firm's customers

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Certain Uncoated Paper

Page 10

If your firm is a Distributor/Paper merchant of certain uncoated paper, please answer question III-4.
III-4.

Distributor/Paper merchant: Types product sold to retailers.—If you sell to retailers, please
report the quantity of uncoated paper you sold to retailers by type of branding to your
customers?

Manufacturer/Mill branded.--Certain uncoated paper sold with the manufacturer's (e.g., your firm's)
own brand name(s).
Retailer branded (private label).--Certain uncoated paper sold under the brand name(s) of entities
other than those of the manufacturer (e.g., the purchasers' brand name(s)).
Unbranded (white box).--Certain uncoated paper sold with no brand name.
Item

2014
Quantity (in short tons)

Sales of certain uncoated paper sold to—
Big box retailers.-Manufacturer/Mill branded
Retailer branded (private label)
Unbranded (white box)
Subtotal, to big box retailers

0.0

Other retailers.-Manufacturer/Mill branded
Retailer branded (private label)
Unbranded (white box)
Subtotal, to other retailers

0.0

If your firm is an end user of certain uncoated paper, please answer questions III-5 and III-6.
III-5.

End users: End uses.-- List the top end uses of certain uncoated paper (office copier/printers,
commercial printers, etc.) for your firm..
End uses for certain uncoated paper
1
2
3

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Certain Uncoated Paper
III-6.

Page 11

End users: Demand for end use products.-(a)

Has the demand for your firm’s final products incorporating certain uncoated paper
changed since January 1, 2012?
Increased

(b)

No change

Decreased

Fluctuated

Has this had any effect on your firm’s demand for certain uncoated paper?
No

Yes

Explain

If your firm is a retailer of certain uncoated paper, please answer questions III-7.
III-8.

Retailer: Types product sold to/ by retailers.—If you purchased certain uncoated paper for sale
in your firm's own retail establishment (e.g., you are a retailer), please report the quantity of
uncoated paper you sold to your retailer customers by type of branding to your customers?

Manufacturer/Mill branded.--Certain uncoated paper sold with the manufacturer's (e.g., your firm's)
own brand name(s).
Retailer branded (private label).--Certain uncoated paper sold under the brand name(s) of entities
other than those of the manufacturer (e.g., the purchasers' brand name(s)).
Unbranded (white box).--Certain uncoated paper sold with no brand name.
Item

2014

Retail sales of certain uncoated paper sold as—
Manufacturer/Mill branded1
Quantity (short tons)
Value ($1,000)
Retailer branded (private label)
Quantity (short tons)
Value ($1,000)
Unbranded (white box)
Quantity (short tons)
Value ($1,000)
Total retail sales
Quantity (short tons)
Value ($1,000)
1

Please list the brands your firm sells.

0.0
0.0

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Certain Uncoated Paper
III-8.

Page 12

Substitutes.--Can other products be substituted for certain uncoated paper?
No

Substitute

Yes--Please fill out the table.

End use in which this
substitute is used

Have changes in the price of this substitute
affected the price for certain uncoated paper?
No Yes

Explanation

1.
2.
3.
III-9.

Demand trends.-- Indicate how demand within the United States and outside of the United
States (if known) for certain uncoated paper has changed since January 1, 2012. Explain any
trends and describe the principal factors that have affected these changes in demand.

Market
Within the United
States
Outside the United
States

Overall
increase

No
change

Fluctuate
Overall
with no
decrease clear trend

Explanation and factors

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Certain Uncoated Paper

Page 13

III-10. Importance of purchasing domestic product.--Please fill out the table below, estimating the
percentage of your firm’s total 2014 purchases of certain uncoated paper that required certain
uncoated paper produced in the United States.

Purchases that did not require domestic product
Purchases that were required by law or regulation to be domestic product
(e.g., government purchases under “Buy American” provisions)
Purchases that were not required by law or regulation, but were required by
your customers to be domestic product
Purchases were available only from domestic because size, tint/color, or
product feature (e.g., surface-decorating, printing, embossing, perforating,
punching, or watermarking) was not available from imported product
Purchases that were required to be domestic product for other reasons
(explain:
)
Total (should sum to 100.0%)

Estimated percentage of
your firm’s total 2014
purchases of certain
uncoated paper
%
%
%

%
%
0.0 %

III-11. Conditions of competition.-(a)

Is the certain uncoated paper market subject to business cycles (other than general
economy-wide conditions) and/or other conditions of competition distinctive to certain
uncoated paper?

Check all that apply.

Please describe.

No

Skip to question III-12.

Yes-Business cycles (e.g.
seasonal business)
Yes-Other distinctive
conditions of competition
(b)

Have there been any changes in the business cycles or conditions of competition for
certain uncoated paper since January 1, 2012?
No

Yes

If yes, describe.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Certain Uncoated Paper

Page 14

III-12. Decisions based on producer and country-of-origin.--How often does your firm, and if known,
do your customers, make purchasing decisions involving certain uncoated paper based on its
producer or country of origin?
Always

Usually

Sometimes

Never

If at least sometimes, explain.

Decision based on producer
Your firm
Your
customers
Decision based on country of origin
Your firm
Your
customers
III-13a. Availability of supply.--Has the availability of certain uncoated paper in the U.S. market changed
since January 1, 2012?
Availability in the U.S.
Please explain, noting the countries and reasons for the
market
No Yes changes.
U.S.-produced product
Subject imports
Nonsubject imports
III-13b. Response to U.S. capacity reductions.—Has the reduction of U.S. producers capacity or the
expected reduction in U.S. producers capacity had any effect on your firm’s purchases or planed
purchases?
No

Yes

If yes, describe.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Certain Uncoated Paper

Page 15

III-14. Supply constraints.—
(a) Has any firm refused, declined, or been unable to supply your firm with certain uncoated
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.

(b) Has any firm since January 1, 2012, denied supply, offered restricted volumes, or offered
volumes on long delivery schedules to your firm for 20 lb. (75 gsm) plain white 8.5 inches x
11 inches copy paper with a GE brightness level of 85 or higher?
No

Yes

If yes, please describe.

III-15. Purchasing frequency.-(a)

How frequently does your firm make purchases of certain uncoated paper (check one)?
Daily

(b)

Weekly

Monthly

Quarterly

Annually

Other

If other, specify

Has this purchasing frequency changed since January 1, 2012?
No

Yes

If yes, please describe.

III-16. Number of suppliers contacted.--How many suppliers does your firm generally contact before
making a purchase? Between
and
firms
III-17. Supplier negotiations.--Does your firm’s purchases of certain uncoated paper usually involve
negotiations between supplier and purchaser?

No

Yes

If yes, explain the factors your firm generally negotiates and note whether
your firm quotes competing prices during negotiations.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Certain Uncoated Paper

Page 16

III-18. Change in suppliers.--Has your firm changed suppliers since January 1, 2012?

No

Yes

If yes, please list the supplier(s), whether the firm was added or dropped,
and the reasons for the change.

III-19. New suppliers.--Are you aware of any new suppliers, either foreign or domestic, that have
entered the market since January 1, 2012?
No

Yes

If yes, please identify the firms.

III-20. Supplier qualification.—
a) Do you require your suppliers or the paper you purchase to be environmentally certified?

Type of certification

No

Yes

If yes, share of
purchases in 2014

Forest Stewardship Council Certification
(“FSC Certification”)

%

Sustainable Forestry Initiative Certification
(“SFI Certification”)

%

Programme for the Endorsement of Forest
Certification (“PEFC Certification”)

%

b) Do you require your suppliers to be or to become certified or qualified other than
environmentally to sell certain uncoated paper to your firm?
If yes, provide the following information.
• The number of days to qualify a new supplier.
• A general description of the certification or qualification process. Also, a brief
description of the factors that you consider when qualifying a new supplier (e.g., quality
of product, reliability of supplier, etc.).

No

Yes

Number
of days Process and factors

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Certain Uncoated Paper

Page 17

III-21. Failure to certify.--Since January 1, 2012, have any domestic or foreign producers failed in their
attempts to certify or qualify their certain uncoated paper with your firm or have any producers
lost their approved status?

No

Yes

If yes, please identify these firms, the countries where they are located,
and the reasons why they failed the certification/qualification.

III-22. Major purchasing factors.--Please list, in order of their importance, the three major factors your
firm considers in deciding from whom to purchase certain uncoated paper (examples include
availability, extension of credit, contracts, price, quality, range of supplier’s product line,
traditional supplier, etc.).
1.
2.
3.
Please list any other factors that are very important in your purchase decisions:

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Certain Uncoated Paper

Page 18

III-23. Purchasing factors.--Please rate the importance of the following factors in your firm’s
purchasing decisions for certain uncoated paper.
Very
important

Somewhat
important

Not
important

Factor
Availability
Availability of a full range of sizes
Availability of product features1
Availability of tints/ colors
Brand
Brightness
Delivery terms
Delivery time
Discounts offered
Environmental
certification/qualification
Extension of credit
Jamming
Made from eucalyptus fibers
Minimize ink requirement
Minimum quantity requirements
Misfeeds
Opacity
Packaging
Print resolution
Price
Product consistency
Product range
Quality exceeds industry standards
Quality meets industry standards
Reduced ink spread
Reliability of supply
Runnability
Stiffness
Technical support/service
U.S. transportation costs
1
Features include: surface-decorating, printing, embossing, perforating, punching, or
watermarking.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Certain Uncoated Paper

Page 19

III-24. Quality characteristics.--What characteristics does your firm consider when determining the
quality of certain uncoated paper? If this differs by end use such as home use, office use, or
commercial printer, please explain.

III-25. Frequency of decisions based on price.--How often does your firm purchase the certain
uncoated paper that is offered at the lowest price?
Always

Usually

Sometimes

Never

III-26. Pricing factors.—Since January 2012, please rate the impact of the following factors on the
prices your firm pays for certain uncoated paper.
Rating of the factor on prices certain uncoated paper

Factor
Long-term decline
in demand for
paper products
Competition from
substitute
products
Competition
among U.S.
producers
Competition from
subject imports
U.S. Producers’
mill/paper
machine closures
Other:

Substantially
lowered
prices

Moderately
lowered
prices

No
ModSubimpact erately stantially
on
increased increased
prices
prices
prices

Explanation

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Certain Uncoated Paper

Page 20

III-27. Price leaders.—A price leader is defined as (1) one or more firms that initiate a price change,
either upward or downward, that is followed by other firms, or (2) one or more firms that have a
significant impact on prices. A price leader is not necessarily the lowest-priced supplier.
Please list the names of any firms you considered price leaders in the certain uncoated paper
market since January 1, 2012.
Direction

Firm(s)

Describe how the firm(s) exhibited price leadership

Upward
Downward
III-28. Discount received.-(a)

Please indicate and describe the discounts/rebates policies regarding certain uncoated
paper your firm receives (check all that apply).

Quantity
discounts

(b)

Annual
total
volume
discounts

Other

Describe

Yes

If f.o.b., specify point

In what form(s) are rebates provided?

Cash

(d)

Rebates

Does your firm receive rebates for purchases for which you did not issue a purchase
order or receive an invoice (e.g., you received a rebate, but your printer issued the
purchase order to the paper supplier and received the invoice for the sale.)?
No

(c)

No
discount
policy

Account/
credit

How are the rebates calculated?

Other

Describe

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Certain Uncoated Paper

Page 21

III-28. Discount received.—Continued
(e)

From which/what types of suppliers do you receive rebates?

(f)

What was the average rebate received from invoice price (per short ton) in the specified
periods?
Average (dollars per short ton)
Calendar years
Item

2012

2013

2014

Average rebate
(g)

Where are these rebated accounted for in your books and records?

III-29. Types of paper purchased.—Please report the share of your purchases that are plain and other
types.
Type of certification

Share of purchases

Plain, white 8.5 inches x 11 inches

%

Plain white size other than 8.5 inches x 11 inches

%

Plain, tinted/colored, any size

%

Altered (e.g., surface-decorated, printed, embossed,
perforated, punched, or watermarked), white or
tinted/colored/, any size.

%

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Certain Uncoated Paper

Page 22

III-30. (a)
Switching to imports.--Since January 2012, did your firm switch purchases from U.S.
producers of certain uncoated paper to imports of certain uncoated paper from Australia, Brazil,
China Indonesia, or Portugal? Respond for each subject country.
Source

Yes (also respond to question 4. (b))

No
(If “No” for all countries skip to question 5)

Australia
Brazil
China
Indonesia
Portugal
III-30. (b)
Switching to imports.--If you responded “Yes” to III-30 (a) above, was price the primary
reason for shift?
Source

Yes

If Yes, estimate the quantity of
purchases that you shifted since
January 2012 because of price

No

If No, please indicate the
reason for the shift

Australia
Brazil
China
Indonesia
Portugal
III-31. (a) U.S. producers and import competition.--Since January 1, 2012, did U.S. producers reduce
their prices of domestically produced uncoated paper in order to compete with lower-priced
imports of uncoated paper from subject countries? Respond for each subject country.
Source

Australia
Brazil
China
Indonesia
Portugal

Yes (also respond to
question 5. (b))

No (If “No” for all countries, skip
to question IV-1)

Don’t know

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Certain Uncoated Paper

Page 23

III-31. (b) U.S. producers and import competition.--If your firm responded “yes” to any of the above
sources, please provide an estimate of the reduction in U.S. producers’ prices, and any additional
explanations, such as timing (e.g., months/years), frequency of price reductions, or other
market/competitive factors.
Source

Estimated reduction
in U.S. prices
(percent)

Australia

%

Brazil

%

China

%

Indonesia

%

Portugal

%

Additional explanation, include such information as
timing (e.g., months/years), frequency of price
reductions, or other market/competitive factors

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Certain Uncoated Paper

Page 24

PART IV.—PRODUCT COMPARISONS
IV-1.

Country knowledge.--Please indicate the countries of origin for certain uncoated paper for
which your firm has actual marketing/pricing knowledge.
United States Australia

IV-2.

Brazil

China

Indonesia Portugal Canada

Other countries
(specify)

Interchangeability.--Is certain uncoated paper produced in the United States and in other
countries interchangeable (i.e., can they physically be used in the same applications)? If
uncoated paper of certain product specifications e.g., stiffness, opacity, and shade is only or
primarily available from one source, please explain in the space provided in the bottom of the
table.
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

Australia

Brazil

China

Indonesia Portugal Canada

Other
countries

United States
Australia
Brazil
China
Indonesia
Portugal
Canada
For any country-pair producing certain uncoated paper which is sometimes or never
interchangeable, please identify the country-pair and explain the factors that limit or preclude
interchangeable use:
Differences in product specifications:

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Certain Uncoated Paper
IV-3.

Page 25

Factors other than price.--Are differences other than price (e.g., quality, availability,
transportation network, product range, technical support, etc.) between certain uncoated paper
produced in the United States and in other countries a significant factor in your firm’s purchases
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

Australia

Brazil

China

Other
Indonesia Portugal Canada countries

United States
Australia
Brazil
China
Indonesia
Portugal
Canada
For any country-pair for which factors other than price always or frequently are a significant
factor in your firm’s purchases of certain uncoated paper, identify the country-pair and report
the advantages or disadvantages imparted by such factors:

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Certain Uncoated Paper
IV-4.

Country preferences.--Do you or your customers ever specifically order certain uncoated paper
from one country in particular over other possible sources of supply?
No

IV-5.

Yes

If yes, identify the countries and explain.

Availability of merchandise.--Are certain grades/types/sizes of certain uncoated paper available
from only certain country sources?
No

IV-6.

Page 26

Yes

If yes, please identify the countries and the grade/type/size.

Choice of product not based on price.--If you purchased certain uncoated paper from one
country source although a comparable product was available from another country source at a
lower price, please explain your reasons for doing so (please specify by country).

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Certain Uncoated Paper
IV-7.

Page 27

Factor country comparisons.--For the factors listed below, please rate how certain uncoated
paper produced in each country you identified in your response to the first question in Part IV
compares with certain uncoated paper produced in each of the other countries you identified.

If you are unfamiliar with the product from a particular country, please leave the boxes for those
country comparisons blank.

1

Features include: surface-decorating, printing, embossing, perforating, punching, or watermarking.
A rating of superior on price and U.S. transportation costs indicates that the first country generally has lower prices/U.S.
transportation costs than the second country.
2

Inferior

Comparable

Product from
United States
compared to
product from
China

Superior

Inferior

Comparable

Product from
United States
compared to
product from
Brazil

Superior

Inferior

Comparable

Factor
Availability
Availability of a full range of sizes
1
Availability of product features
Availability of tints/ colors
Brand
Brightness
Delivery terms
Delivery time
Discounts offered
Environmental certification/qualification
Extension of credit
Jamming
Made from eucalyptus fibers
Minimize ink requirement
Minimum quantity requirements
Misfeeds
Opacity
Packaging
Print resolution
Price
Product consistency
Product range
Quality exceeds industry standards
Quality meets industry standards
Reduced ink spread
Reliability of supply
Runnability
Stiffness
Technical support/service
2
U.S. transportation costs

Superior

Product from
United States
compared to
product from
Australia

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Certain Uncoated Paper
IV-7.

Page 28

Continued.

If you are unfamiliar with the product from a particular country, please leave the boxes for those
country comparisons blank.

Availability
Availability of a full range of sizes
1
Availability of product features
Availability of tints/ colors
Brand
Brightness
Delivery terms
Delivery time
Discounts offered
Environmental certification/qualification
Extension of credit
Jamming
Made from eucalyptus fibers
Minimize ink requirement
Minimum quantity requirements
Misfeeds
Opacity
Packaging
Print resolution
Price
Product consistency
Product range
Quality exceeds industry standards
Quality meets industry standards
Reduced ink spread
Reliability of supply
Runnability
Stiffness
Technical support/service
2
U.S. transportation costs
1

Features include: surface-decorating, printing, embossing, perforating, punching, or watermarking.
A rating of superior on price and U.S. transportation costs indicates that the first country generally has lower prices/U.S.
transportation costs than the second country.
2

Inferior

Comparable

Product from
United States
compared to
product from
Nonsubject
countries

Superior

Inferior

Comparable

Product from
United States
compared to
product from
Portugal

Superior

Inferior

Comparable

Factor

Superior

Product from
United States
compared to
product from
Indonesia

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Certain Uncoated Paper
IV-7.

Page 29

Continued.

If you are unfamiliar with the product from a particular country, please leave the boxes for those
country comparisons blank.

Availability
Availability of a full range of sizes
1
Availability of product features
Availability of tints/ colors
Brand
Brightness
Delivery terms
Delivery time
Discounts offered
Environmental certification/qualification
Extension of credit
Jamming
Made from eucalyptus fibers
Minimize ink requirement
Minimum quantity requirements
Misfeeds
Opacity
Packaging
Print resolution
Price
Product consistency
Product range
Quality exceeds industry standards
Quality meets industry standards
Reduced ink spread
Reliability of supply
Runnability
Stiffness
Technical support/service
2
U.S. transportation costs
1

Features include: surface-decorating, printing, embossing, perforating, punching, or watermarking.
A rating of superior on price and U.S. transportation costs indicates that the first country generally has lower prices/U.S.
transportation costs than the second country.
2

Inferior

Comparable

Product from
Australia
compared to
product from
Indonesia

Superior

Inferior

Comparable

Product from
Australia
compared to
product from
China

Superior

Inferior

Comparable

Factor

Superior

Product from
Australia
compared to
product from
Brazil

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Certain Uncoated Paper
IV-7.

Page 30

Continued.

If you are unfamiliar with the product from a particular country, please leave the boxes for those
country comparisons blank.

Availability
Availability of a full range of sizes
1
Availability of product features
Availability of tints/ colors
Brand
Brightness
Delivery terms
Delivery time
Discounts offered
Environmental certification/qualification
Extension of credit
Jamming
Made from eucalyptus fibers
Minimize ink requirement
Minimum quantity requirements
Misfeeds
Opacity
Packaging
Print resolution
Price
Product consistency
Product range
Quality exceeds industry standards
Quality meets industry standards
Reduced ink spread
Reliability of supply
Runnability
Stiffness
Technical support/service
2
U.S. transportation costs
1

Features include: surface-decorating, printing, embossing, perforating, punching, or watermarking.
A rating of superior on price and U.S. transportation costs indicates that the first country generally has lower prices/U.S.
transportation costs than the second country.
2

Inferior

Comparable

Product from
Brazil
compared to
product from
Indonesia

Superior

Inferior

Comparable

Product from
Brazil
compared to
product from
China

Superior

Inferior

Comparable

Factor

Superior

Product from
Australia
compared to
product from
Portugal

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Certain Uncoated Paper
IV-7.

Page 31

Continued.

If you are unfamiliar with the product from a particular country, please leave the boxes for those
country comparisons blank.

1

Features include: surface-decorating, printing, embossing, perforating, punching, or watermarking.
A rating of superior on price and U.S. transportation costs indicates that the first country generally has lower prices/U.S.
transportation costs than the second country.
2

Inferior

Comparable

Product from
China
compared to
product from
Portugal

Superior

Inferior

Comparable

Product from
China
compared to
product from
Indonesia

Superior

Inferior

Comparable

Factor
Availability
Availability of a full range of sizes
1
Availability of product features
Availability of tints/ colors
Brand
Brightness
Delivery terms
Delivery time
Discounts offered
Environmental certification/qualification
Extension of credit
Jamming
Made from eucalyptus fibers
Minimize ink requirement
Minimum quantity requirements
Misfeeds
Opacity
Packaging
Print resolution
Price
Product consistency
Product range
Quality exceeds industry standards
Quality meets industry standards
Reduced ink spread
Reliability of supply
Runnability
Stiffness
Technical support/service
2
U.S. transportation costs

Superior

Product from
Brazil
compared to
product from
Portugal

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Certain Uncoated Paper
IV-7.

Page 32

Continued.

If you are unfamiliar with the product from a particular country, please leave the boxes for those
country comparisons blank.

Availability
Availability of a full range of sizes
1
Availability of product features
Availability of tints/ colors
Brand
Brightness
Delivery terms
Delivery time
Discounts offered
Environmental certification/qualification
Extension of credit
Jamming
Made from eucalyptus fibers
Minimize ink requirement
Minimum quantity requirements
Misfeeds
Opacity
Packaging
Print resolution
Price
Product consistency
Product range
Quality exceeds industry standards
Quality meets industry standards
Reduced ink spread
Reliability of supply
Runnability
Stiffness
Technical support/service
2
U.S. transportation costs
1

Features include: surface-decorating, printing, embossing, perforating, punching, or watermarking.
A rating of superior on price and U.S. transportation costs indicates that the first country generally has lower prices/U.S.
transportation costs than the second country.
2

Inferior

Comparable

Product from
Brazil
compared to
product from
Nonsubject
countries

Superior

Inferior

Comparable

Product from
Australia
compared to
product from
Nonsubject
countries

Superior

Inferior

Comparable

Factor

Superior

Product from
Indonesia
compared to
product from
Portugal

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Certain Uncoated Paper
IV-7.

Page 33

Continued.

If you are unfamiliar with the product from a particular country, please leave the boxes for those
country comparisons blank.

Availability
Availability of a full range of sizes
1
Availability of product features
Availability of tints/ colors
Brand
Brightness
Delivery terms
Delivery time
Discounts offered
Environmental certification/qualification
Extension of credit
Jamming
Made from eucalyptus fibers
Minimize ink requirement
Minimum quantity requirements
Misfeeds
Opacity
Packaging
Print resolution
Price
Product consistency
Product range
Quality exceeds industry standards
Quality meets industry standards
Reduced ink spread
Reliability of supply
Runnability
Stiffness
Technical support/service
2
U.S. transportation costs
1

Features include: surface-decorating, printing, embossing, perforating, punching, or watermarking.
A rating of superior on price and U.S. transportation costs indicates that the first country generally has lower prices/U.S.
transportation costs than the second country.
2

Inferior

Comparable

Product from
Portugal
compared to
product from
Nonsubject
countries

Superior

Inferior

Comparable

Product from
Indonesia
compared to
product from
Nonsubject
countries

Superior

Inferior

Comparable

Factor

Superior

Product from
China
compared to
product from
Nonsubject
countries

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Certain Uncoated Paper
IV-8.

Page 34

Minimum quality.--How often does certain uncoated paper from the following countries meet
minimum quality specifications for your uses or your customers’ uses?

Source

Always

Usually

Sometimes

Rarely or
never

Don’t
know

United States
Australia
Brazil
China
Indonesia
Portugal
Canada
Other:
IV-9.

Other explanations.--If your firm would like to further explain a response to any question that
did not provide a narrative response box, please note the question number and the explanation
in the space provided below.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Certain Uncoated 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://www.usitc.gov/investigations/701731/2015/certain_uncoated_paper_australia_brazil_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: PAPER

• 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 does not purchase 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, 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 (202205-1803). 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.