16-2-3441 U.S. Importers' Questionnaire

Information collections for import injury investigations (producers, importers, purchasers, and foreign producer questionnaires and institution notices for 5-year reviews)

TB Tires (P) - US importer questionnaire

Truck and Bus Tires from China, Inv. No. 701-TA-556 and 731-TA-1311 (Preliminary)

OMB: 3117-0016

⚠️ Notice: This form may be outdated.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

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OMB No. 3117-0016/USITC No. 16-2-3441; Expiration Date: 6/30/2017
(No response is required if currently valid OMB control number is not displayed)

U.S. IMPORTERS’ QUESTIONNAIRE
TRUCK AND BUS TIRES FROM CHINA
This questionnaire must be received by the Commission by February 12, 2016
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 and antidumping duty investigations concerning truck and bus tires from China (inv.
Nos. 701-TA-556 and 731-TA-1311 (Preliminary)). The information requested in the questionnaire is requested under
the authority of the Tariff Act of 1930, title VII. This report is mandatory and failure to reply as directed can result in a
subpoena or other order to compel the submission of records or information in your firm’s possession (19 U.S.C. §
1333(a)).

Name of firm
Address
City

State

Zip Code

Website
Has your firm imported truck and bus tires (as defined on next page) from any country at any time since January
1, 2013?

(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: TIRES)
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, the undersigned, acknowledge that information submitted in response to this request for information and throughout this
investigation or other proceeding may be disclosed to and used: (i) by the Commission, its employees and Offices, and contract
personnel (a) for developing or maintaining the records of this or a related proceeding, or (b) in internal investigations, audits,
reviews, and evaluations relating to the programs, personnel, and operations of the Commission including under 5 U.S.C.
Appendix 3; or (ii) by U.S. government employees and contract personnel, solely for cybersecurity purposes. I understand that all
contract personnel will sign appropriate nondisclosure agreements.
Name of Authorized Official

Title of Authorized Official

Date

Phone:
Signature

Fax:

Email address

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Truck and Bus Tires

Page 2

PART I.—GENERAL INFORMATION
Background. This proceeding was instituted in response to a petition filed on January 29, 2016, by
United Steel, Paper and Forestry, Rubber, Manufacturing, Energy, Allied Industrial and Service Workers
International Union (“USW”), Pittsburg, PA. Countervailing and/or antidumping duties may be assessed
on the subject imports as a result of these proceedings if the Commission makes an affirmative
determination of injury, threat, or material retardation, and if the U.S. Department of Commerce makes
an affirmative determination of subsidization and/or dumping. Questionnaires and other information
pertinent to this proceeding are available at
https://www.usitc.gov/investigations/701731/2016/truck_and_bus_tires_china/preliminary.htm .
Truck and bus tires covered by these investigations are new pneumatic tires, of rubber, with a truck or
bus size designation. Truck and bus tires covered by these investigations may be tube-type, tubeless,
radial, or non-radial, and they may be intended for sale to original equipment manufacturers, fleet
owners and operators, or the replacement market.
Subject tires have, at the time of importation, the symbol “DOT” on the sidewall, certifying that the tire
conforms to applicable motor vehicle safety standards. Subject tires may also have one of the following
suffixes in their tire size designation, which also appear on the sidewall of the tire:
TR – Identifies tires for service on trucks or buses to differentiate them from similarly sized
passenger car and light truck tires;
MH – Identifies tires for mobile homes; and
HC – Identifies a 17.5 rim diameter code for use on low platform trailers.
All tires with a “TR,” “MH,” or “HC” suffix in their size designations are covered by these investigations
regardless of their intended use.
In addition, all tires that lack one of the above suffix markings are included in the scope, regardless of
their intended use, as long as the tire is of a size that is among the numerical size designations listed in
the “Truck-Bus” section of the Tire and Rim Association Year Book, as updated annually, unless the tire
falls within one of the specific exclusions set out below.
Truck and bus tires, whether or not mounted on wheels or rims, are included in the scope. However, if a
subject tire is imported mounted on a wheel or rim, only the tire is covered by the scope. Subject
merchandise includes truck and bus tires produced in the subject country whether mounted on wheels
or rims in the subject country or in a third country. Truck and bus tires are covered whether or not they
are accompanied by other parts, e.g., a wheel, rim, axle parts, bolts, nuts, etc. Truck and bus tires that
enter attached to a vehicle are not covered by the scope.
Specifically excluded from the scope of these investigations are the following types of tires:
(1) pneumatic tires, of rubber, that are not new, including recycled and retreaded tires; and
(2) non-pneumatic tires, such as solid rubber tires.
The subject merchandise is currently imported under Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States
(“HTSUS”) statistical reporting numbers: 4011.20.1015 and 4011.20.5020. Tires meeting the scope
description may also be imported under the following HTSUS provisions: 4011.99.4520, 4011.99.4590,
4011.99.8520, 4011.99.8590, 8708.70.4530, 8708.70.6030, and 8708.70.6060. While HTSUS
subheadings are provided for convenience and for customs purposes, the written description of the
subject merchandise is dispositive.

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Truck and Bus Tires

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Importer.--Any person or firm engaged, either directly or through a parent company or subsidiary,
in importing truck and bus tires (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.
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.

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Truck and Bus Tires
I-1.

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.
I-2.

Establishments covered.--Provide the name and address of establishment(s) covered by this
questionnaire. If your firm is publicly traded, please specify the stock exchange and trading
symbol.
“Establishment”--Each facility of a firm involved in the importation of truck and bus tires,
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)

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Truck and Bus Tires
I-4.

Related importers/exporters.--Does your firm have any related firms, either domestic or
foreign, that are engaged in importing truck and bus tires from China into the United States or
that are engaged in exporting truck and bus tires from China to the United States?
No

Yes--List the following information.

Firm name

I-5.

Address

Yes--List the following information.

Firm name

Address

Affiliation

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

I-7.

Affiliation

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

I-6.

Page 5

Takes title to the
imported product(s)

Consignee of the
imported products(s)

Customs broker or
freight forwarder

Consignee.--If your firm is an importer of record of truck and bus tires but is not the consignee,
please list the consignees below (firm name, address, telephone number, and individual to
contact).

Firm name

Address

Contact person
and phone
number

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Truck and Bus Tires
I-8.

Page 6

FTZ, TIB, or bonded warehouses.--Please indicate whether your firm enters truck and bus tires
into, or withdraws such merchandise from, foreign trade zones or bonded warehouses. Also
indicate whether your firm imports truck and bus tires 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.C. § 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.

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Truck and Bus Tires

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PART II.--TRADE AND RELATED INFORMATION
Further information on this part of the questionnaire can be obtained from Nathanael Comly
([email protected] or 202-205-3174). 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 truck and bus tires since January 1, 2013.
(check as many as appropriate)
Office/warehouse openings
Office/warehouse closings
Relocations
Expansions
Acquisitions
Consolidations
Prolonged shutdowns or
importation curtailments
Revised labor agreements
Other (e.g., technology)

(please describe)

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Truck and Bus Tires
II-3.

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Arranged imports.--Has your firm imported or arranged for the importation of truck and bus
tires for delivery on or after December 31, 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 1,000 tires)

Period/Source

Jan-Mar 2016

Apr-Jun 2016

Jul-Sept 2016

Oct-Dec 2016

China
Other sources1
1

II-4.

Identify your other sources:

Reasons for importing if producer.--If your firm also produces truck and bus tires in the United
States, please indicate the reasons for importing this product. If your firm’s reasons differ by
source, please elaborate.

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Definitions
“Imports” –Those products identified for Customs purposes as imports for consumption for
which your firm was the importer of record (i.e., was responsible for paying any import duty) or
consignee (i.e., to which the merchandise was first delivered).
“Import quantities” –Quantities reported should be net of returns.
“Import values”—Values reported should be landed, duty-paid values at the U.S. port of entry,
including ocean freight and insurance costs, brokerage charges, and import duties (i.e., all
charges except inland freight in the United States).
“Branded tire” –A truck or bus tire produced or packaged for sale under the name of the
manufacturer of the tire or a brand name owned by the manufacturer.
“Private label tire” --A truck or bus tire produced or packaged for sale under the name other
than of the manufacturer of the tire or a brand name owned by the manufacturer.
“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.

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Truck and Bus Tires
II-5.

Page 10

Imports from China.–Report your firm’s imports and your firm’s shipments and inventories of
truck and bus tires imported from China by your firm during the specified periods.

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

2013

2014

2015

Beginning-of-period inventories
(quantity) (A)
Imports:1
Quantity (B)
Value (C)
U.S. shipments:
Commercial shipments:2 3
Quantity (D)
Value (E)
Internal consumption/
company transfers:
Quantity (F)
Value4 (G)
Export shipments:5
Quantity (H)
Value (I)
End-of-period inventories
(quantity) (J)
Channels of distribution:
Commercial U.S. shipments:
To OEMs (quantity) (K)
To aftermarket suppliers
(quantity) (L)
1

Please identify the foreign producers, if known:
.
: Of the data reported to U.S. commercial shipments in 2015 above, please indicate the share of quantity (
percent)
your firm sold as a mounted truck and bus tire.
3
: Of the data reported to U.S. commercial shipments in 2015 above, please indicate the share of quantity (percent) your
firm sold as branded tires (
percent) and private label tires (
percent).
4
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:
.
5
Identify your firm’s principal export markets:
.
2

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Truck and Bus Tires
II-5.

Page 11

Import from China.–Continued

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

2013

2014

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

2015
0

Explanation if the calculated fields above are returning values other than zero (i.e., “0”) but are nonetheless
accurate:
.
RECONCILIATION OF CHANNELS.--Please ensure that the quantities reported for channels of distribution
(i.e., lines K and L) in each time period equal the quantity reported for commercial U.S. commercial
shipments (i.e., line D) in each time period. If the calculated fields below return values other than zero
(i.e., “0”), the data reported must be revised prior to submission to the Commission.
Calendar years
Reconciliation item
K + L – D = zero ("0"), if not revise.

2013

2014
0

2015
0

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Truck and Bus Tires
II-6.

Page 12

2015 shipments of imports from China by intended end use.--Report your firm’s U.S. shipments
of imports from China (i.e., commercial shipments, internal consumption, and transfers to
related firms) in 2015 by intended end use. If a tire model your firm imports can be used in
multiple end use categories, please report your firm's U.S. shipments for that model in the
category where is it predominately used in in the market (i.e., no double counting).

CHINA 2015
Quantity (in 1,000 tires) and value (in $1,000)
Item

Calendar year 2015

U.S. shipments:
Of heavy duty (Class 7 & 8) truck and bus tires
Steer / All position tires1
Quantity (M)
Value (N)
Drive position tires2
Quantity (O)
Value (P)
Trailer tires3
Quantity (Q)
Value (R)
Of medium duty (Class 6 & below) truck and bus tires
Steer / All position tires4
Quantity (S)
Value (T)
Drive position tires5
Quantity (U)
Value (V)
Trailer tires6
Quantity (W)
Value (X)
1

Please list your firm's heavy truck duty steer/all position tire models:
Please list your firm's heavy truck drive position tire models:
3
Please list your firm's heavy truck trailer tire models:
4
Please list your firm's medium truck duty steer/all position tire models:
5
Please list your firm's medium truck drive position tire models:
6
Please list your firm's medium truck trailer tire models:
2

.
.
.
.
.
.

RECONCILIATION.--The data reported for tire end use and market tier (lines M through X) when summed
across all columns should equal U.S. shipments in 2015 (lines D and F).
Reconciliation
Calendar year 2015
Quantity: M + O + Q + S + U + W – D – F = zero ("0"), if not revise.

Value: N + P + R + T + V+ X – E – G= zero ("0"), if not revise.

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Truck and Bus Tires
II-7.

Page 13

Imports from all other sources (AOS) combined.–Report your firm’s imports and your firm’s
shipments and inventories of truck and bus tires imported from all other sources (AOS)
combined (e.g., all sources except China) by your firm during the specified periods.

(list sources:

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

Item

2013

2014

2015

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II-7.

Page 14

Imports from all other sources (AOS) combined.–Continued

2013

2014

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

2015
0

2013

2014
0

2015
0

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II-8.

Page 15

2015 shipments of imports from all others sources (AOS) combined by intended end use.-Report your firm’s U.S. shipments of imports from all other sources (i.e., commercial shipments,
internal consumption, and transfers to related firms) in 2015 by intended end use. If a tire
model your firm imports can be used in multiple end use categories, please report your firm's
U.S. shipments for that model in the category where is it predominately used in in the market
(i.e., no double counting).

ALL OTHER SOURCES 2015
Quantity (in 1,000 tires) and value (in $1,000)
Item

Calendar year 2015

.
.
.
.
.
.

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II-8.

Page 16

2015 shipments of imports from China by intended end use.—Continued

RECONCILIATION.--The data reported for tire end use and market tier (lines M through X) when summed
across all columns should equal U.S. shipments in 2015 (lines D and F).
Reconciliation

Calendar year 2015

Quantity: M + O + Q + S + U + W – D – F = zero ("0"), if not revise.

Value: N + P + R + T + V+ X – E – G= zero ("0"), if not revise.

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.

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PART III.--PRICING AND MARKET FACTORS
Further information on this part of the questionnaire can be obtained from John Benedetto (202-2053270, [email protected]) or Michele Breaux (202-205-2781, [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, 2013 of the following products your firm imported
from China or Canada:
Product 1.--Truck and bus tire, tires designated for drive application (excluding all-position/allpurpose tires), size 11R22.5, 16 ply rating, load range of H, speed rating L (75
mph).
Product 2.-- Truck and bus tire, tires designated for drive application (excluding allposition/all-purpose tires), size 11R24.5, 16 ply rating, load range of H, speed
rating L (75 mph).
Product 3.-- Truck and bus tire, tires designated for drive application (excluding allposition/all-purpose tires), size 295/75R22.5, 14 ply rating, load range of G, speed
rating L (75 mph).
Product 4.-- Truck and bus tire, tires designated for drive application (excluding allposition/all-purpose tires), size 285/75R24.5, 14 ply rating, load range of G, speed
rating L (75 mph).

Please note that values should be f.o.b., U.S. point of shipment and should not include U.S.-inland
transportation costs. Values should reflect the final net amount paid to your firm (i.e., should be net
of all deductions for discounts or rebates). Do not include mounted tires.
During January 2013-December 2015, did your firm import from China and sell to unrelated U.S.
customers any of the above listed products (or any products that were competitive with these
products)?
Yes.--Please complete the following pricing data tables as appropriate.
No.--Skip to question III-3.

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III-2(a) Price data.--Report below the quarterly price data1 for pricing products2 imported from China
and sold by your firm to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).

CHINA – SALES TO OEMs
Report data in actual tires and actual dollars (not 1,000s).
(Quantity in number of tires, value in dollars)
Product 1
Product 2
Product 3
Quantity
Value
Quantity
Value
Quantity
Value

Product 4
Period of shipment
Quantity
Value
2013:
January-March
April-June
July-September
OctoberDecember
2014:
January-March
April-June
July-September
OctoberDecember
2015:
January-March
April-June
July-September
OctoberDecember
1
Net values (i.e., gross sales values less all discounts, allowances, rebates, prepaid freight, and the value of returned goods),
f.o.b. your firm’s U.S. point of shipment.
2
Pricing product definitions are provided on the first page of Part III.
Note.--If your firm’s product does not exactly meet the product specifications but is competitive with the specified product, provide
a description of your firm’s product. Also, please explain any anomalies in your firm’s reported pricing data.
Product 1:
Product 2:
Product 3:
Product 4:

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Page 19

III-2(b) Price data.--Report below the quarterly price data1 for pricing products2 imported from China
and sold by your firm into the aftermarket (e.g., to dealers and service centers for tire
replacements)

CHINA – SOLD TO AFTERMARKET
Report data in actual tires and actual dollars (not 1,000s).
(Quantity in number of tires, value in dollars)
Product 1
Product 2
Product 3
Quantity
Value
Quantity
Value
Quantity
Value

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III-2(c) Price data.--Report below the quarterly price data1 for pricing products2 imported from Canada
and sold by your firm to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).

CANADA – SALES TO OEMs
Report data in actual tires and actual dollars (not 1,000s).
(Quantity in number of tires, value in dollars)
Product 1
Product 2
Product 3
Quantity
Value
Quantity
Value
Quantity
Value

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Page 21

III-2(d) Price data.--Report below the quarterly price data1 for pricing products2 imported from Canada
and sold by your firm into the aftermarket (e.g., to dealers and service centers for tire
replacements)

CANADA – SOLD TO AFTERMARKET
Report data in actual tires and actual dollars (not 1,000s).
(Quantity in number of tires, value in dollars)
Product 1
Product 2
Product 3
Quantity
Value
Quantity
Value
Quantity
Value

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III-2(e) Pricing data methodology.--Please describe the method and the kinds of documents/records
that were used to compile your price data.

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.
III-3.

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

III-4.

Contracts

Other

If other, describe

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

Quantity
discounts

III-5.

Set
price
lists

Annual
total
volume
discounts

No
discount
policy

Other

Describe

Pricing terms.-(a)

What are your firm’s typical sales terms for truck and bus tires imported from China?
Net 30
days

(b)

Net 60
days

2/10 net 30
days

Other

Other (specify)

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

F.o.b.

If f.o.b., specify point

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Truck and Bus Tires
III-6.

Contract versus spot.--Approximately what share of your firm’s sales of truck and bus tires
imported from China in 2015 was on a (1) long-term contract basis, (2) annual contract basis, (3)
short-term contract basis, and (4) spot sales basis?

Share of 2015
OEM sales
Share of 2015
aftermarket
sales
III-7.

Page 23

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

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

Total
(should
sum to
100.0%)

Spot sales
(for a single
delivery)

0.0

Contract provisions.—Please fill out the table regarding your firm’s typical sales contracts for
truck and bus tires from China (or check “not applicable” if your firm does not sell on a longterm, short-term and/or annual contract basis).

Typical sales
contract provisions

Item

Average contract
duration

No. of
days

Price renegotiation
(during contract
period)

Yes

Fixed quantity
and/or price
Meet or release
provision
Not applicable

No
Quantity
Price
Both
Yes
No

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

Annual contracts
(multiple deliveries
for 12 months)
365

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

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Truck and Bus Tires
III-8.

Page 24

Lead times.--What is your firm’s share of sales of truck and bus tires imported from China 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 truck and bus tires?

Source

Share of 2015
sales

From your firm’s U.S. inventory

From foreign manufacturers’ inventory

Produced to order

Total (should sum to 100.0%)
III-9.

Lead time (average
number of days)

0.0 %

Shipping information.—
(a)

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

(b)

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

(c)

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

(d)

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

Within 100 miles

101 to 1,000 miles

Over 1,000 miles

Total (should sum to 100.0%)

0.0

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Truck and Bus Tires

Page 25

III-10. Geographical shipments.--In which U.S. geographic market area(s) has your firm sold truck and
bus tires imported from subject countries since January 1, 2013 (check all that apply)?
Geographic area

China

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.
III-11. End uses.--List the end uses of the truck and bus tires that your firm imports from China. For
each end-use product, estimate what percentage of the total cost is accounted for by truck and
bus tires and other inputs.
Estimated share of total cost of end use
product accounted for by
End use product

Truck and bus tires

Other inputs

Total
(should sum to
100.0% across)

For OEMs, a new
Heavy Duty (Class 7 or
8) Truck or Bus1

0.0 %

For OEMs, a new
Medium Duty (Class 6
or lower) Truck or Bus1

0.0 %

For Aftermarket, an
end use consumer
replacing a tire2

0.0 %

Other
1

This line is asking how much do "truck and bus tires" account for the total cost to produce the
class of truck or bus in question for an OEM. The other inputs include everything else that makes
up a truck/bus. Include trailer costs in this calculation/analysis if appropriate.
2
This line is asking how much of what the end use customer pays to a dealer or service center
is accounted for by the cost of the "truck or bus tires" when replacing a tire or tires. The other
inputs could include the tire mounting service provided by the dealer and/or service center.
3
Describe the end use
.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Truck and Bus Tires

Page 26

III-12. Substitutes.--Can other products be substituted for truck and bus tires?
No

Yes--Please fill out the table.

End use in which this
substitute is used

Substitute

Have changes in the price of this substitute
affected the price for truck and bus tires?
No

Yes

Explanation

1.
2.
3.
III-13. Demand trends.--Indicate how demand within the United States and outside of the United
States (if known) for truck and bus tires in the OEM market and the aftermarket has changed
since January 1, 2013. Explain any trends and describe the principal factors that have affected
these changes in demand.

Market

Overall
increase

Fluctuate
No
Overall
with no
change decrease clear trend

Explanation and factors

OEM market
Within the
United States
Outside the
United States
Aftermarket
Within the
United States
Outside the
United States
III-14. Product changes.--Have there been any significant changes in the product range, product mix or
marketing of truck and bus tires since January 1, 2013?
No

Yes

If yes, please describe.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Truck and Bus Tires

Page 27

III-15. Conditions of competition.—
(a) Is the truck and bus tires market subject to business cycles (other than general economywide conditions) and/or other conditions of competition distinctive to truck and bus tires?
Check all that apply.

Please describe.

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
truck and bus tires since January 1, 2013?
No

Yes

If yes, describe.

III-16. Supply constraints.--Has your firm refused, declined, or been unable to supply truck and bus
tires since January 1, 2013 (examples include placing customers on allocation or “controlled
order entry,” declining to accept new customers or renew existing customers, delivering less
than the quantity promised, been unable to meet timely shipment commitments, etc.)?
No

Yes

If yes, please describe.

III-17. Raw materials.-- How have bus and truck tires raw materials prices changed since January 1,
2013?
Fluctuate
Overall
No
Overall
with no
increase change decrease clear trend

Explain, noting how raw material price changes
have affected your firm’s selling prices for truck
and bus tires.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Truck and Bus Tires

Page 28

III-18. EPA Smartway certified.—
(a)

Did your firm sell truck and bus tires classified as EPA Smartway certified?
No

Yes

If yes, estimate the proportion of 2015 sales that were EPA
Smartway certified (percent)
%

(b)

Estimate of the additional price of a Bus and Truck Tire with EPA Smartway certification
relative to one without.
to
percent

III -19. Retreading.—
(a)

Did your firm sell truck and bus tires with retreading warrantees/guarantees?
No

Yes

If yes, please describe.

If yes, estimate the proportion of 2015 sales with retreading warrantees/guarantees.
%
(b)

Estimate of the additional price of a Bus and Truck Tire with retreading
warrantees/guarantees relative to one without.
to
percent

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Truck and Bus Tires

Page 29

III -20. Product categories.—Is the U.S. truck and bus tires market divided into categories (e.g.,
Best/Better/Good; Tier 1/Tier 2/Tier 3; Flagship/Secondary/Mass-market)?
No
Yes

Categories
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

If no, please provide a description of how, if at all, the U.S. market for
Bus and Truck tires can be categorized:
If yes, please describe each category and identify the producers and
brands that belong in each category in the table below
Main distinguishing
characteristics

Producers

Brands

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Truck and Bus Tires

Page 30

III -21. Branding.—
(a)

Does brand influence the price consumers are willing to pay for truck and bus tires?
No

(b)

If yes, please describe.

How competitive are private-label tires with their name-brand counterparts? How do
they compare in terms of quality and price?
Very
competitive

(c)

Yes

Somewhat
competitive

Not
competitive

Explanation and factors

Does your firm sell private label and branded truck and bus tires with the same
specifications at different prices?
No

Yes

If yes, please explain and estimate price differences.

III-22. Interchangeability.--Is truck and bus tires produced in the United States and in other countries
interchangeable (i.e., can they physically be used in the same applications)?
Please indicate A, F, S, N, or 0 in the table below:
A = the products from a specified country-pair are always interchangeable
F = the products are frequently interchangeable
S = the products are sometimes interchangeable
N = the products are never interchangeable
0 = no familiarity with products from a specified country-pair
Country-pair

China

Other countries

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

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Truck and Bus Tires

Page 31

III-23. Factors other than price.--Are differences other than price (e.g., quality, availability,
transportation network, product range, technical support, etc.) between truck and bus tires
produced in the United States and in other countries a significant factor in your firm’s sales of
the products?
Please indicate A, F, S, N, or 0 in the table below:
A = such differences are always significant
F = such differences are frequently significant
S = such differences are sometimes significant
N = such differences are never significant
0 = no familiarity with products from a specified country-pair
Country-pair

China

Other countries

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

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Truck and Bus Tires

Page 32

III-24. Customer identification.--List the names and contact information for your firm’s 10 largest U.S.
customers for truck and bus tires since January 1, 2013. Indicate the share of the quantity of
your firm’s total shipments of truck and bus tires that each of these customers accounted for in
2015.

Customer’s name

Contact person

Telephone

City

State

Share
of
2015
sales
(%)

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

III-25. 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 - Truck and Bus Tires

Page 33

HOW TO FILE YOUR QUESTIONNAIRE RESPONSE
This questionnaire is available as a “fillable” form in MS Word format on the Commission’s website at:
https://www.usitc.gov/investigations/701731/2016/truck_and_bus_tires_china/preliminary.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: TIRES

• E-mail.—E-mail the MS Word questionnaire to [email protected]; include a scanned copy of
the signed certification page (page 1). Submitters are strongly encouraged to encrypt nonpublic
documents that are electronically transmitted to the Commission to protect your sensitive information
from unauthorized disclosure. The USITC secure drop-box system and the Electronic Document
Information System (EDIS) use Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS) 140-2 cryptographic
algorithms to encrypt data in transit. Submitting your nonpublic documents by a means that does not
use these encryption algorithms (such as by email) may subject your firm’s nonpublic information to
unauthorized disclosure during transmission. If you choose a non-encrypted method of electronic
transmission, the Commission warns you that the risk of such possible unauthorized disclosure is
assumed by you and not by the Commission.
If your firm did not import this product, please fill out page 1, print, sign, and submit a scanned copy to
the Commission.
Parties to this proceeding.—If your firm is a party to this proceeding, 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 you submit (see 19 CFR
§ 207.7). Service of the questionnaire must be made in paper form.

File Type	application/pdf
File Title	USITCQUESTIONNAIRE
Subject	Title 7 investigations
Author	Nate Comly
File Modified	2016-02-03
File Created	2016-02-03