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pdfOMB No. 3117‐0016/USITC No. 16‐2‐3597; Expiration Date: 6/30/2017
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U.S. IMPORTERS’ QUESTIONNAIRE
1,1,1,2 – TETRAFLUOROETHANE (R‐134a) FROM CHINA
This questionnaire must be received by the Commission by December 30, 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 antidumping duty investigation concerning 1,1,1,2–Tetrafluoroethane (R‐134a) from China (Inv. No.
731‐TA‐1313 (Final)). The information requested in the questionnaire is requested under the authority of the Tariff Act
of 1930, title VII. This report is mandatory and failure to reply as directed can result in a subpoena or other order to
compel the submission of records or information in your firm’s possession (19 U.S.C. § 1333(a)).
Name of firm
Address
City
State
Zip Code
Website
Has your firm imported R‐134a (as defined on next page) from any country at any time since January 1, 2013?
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: R134A)
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
proceeding or other proceedings 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
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire ‐ R‐134a from China (F)
Page 2
PART I.—GENERAL INFORMATION
Background.‐‐ This proceeding was instituted in response to a petition filed on March 3, 2016, by the
American HFC Coalition and its individual members (Amtrol, Inc., West Warwick, Rhode Island; Arkema,
Inc., King of Prussia, Pennsylvania; The Chemours Company FC LLC, Wilmington, Delaware; Honeywell
International Inc., Morristown, New Jersey; Hudson Technologies, Pearl River, New York; Mexichem
Fluor Inc., St. Gabriel, Louisiana; and Worthington Industries, Inc., Columbus, Ohio) and District Lodge
154 of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers. Antidumping duties may be
assessed on the subject imports as a result of this proceeding 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 dumping. Questionnaires and other information pertinent to this
proceeding are available at:
https://www.usitc.gov/investigations/title_7/2016/1112_tetrafluoroethane_r_134a_china/final.htm.
1,1,1,2‐Tetrafluoroethane (“R‐134a”).‐‐The product covered by this investigation is 1,1,1,2‐
Tetrafluoroethane, R‐134a, or its chemical equivalent, regardless of form, type, or purity level. The
chemical formula for 1,1,1,2‐Tetrafluoroethane is CF3‐CH2F, and the Chemical Abstracts Service registry
number is CAS 811‐97‐2.1
Merchandise covered by the scope of this investigation is currently imported under subheading
2903.39.2020 in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (“HTSUS”). Although the HTSUS
subheading and CAS registry number are provided for convenience and customs purposes, the written
description of the scope is dispositive.
Importer.‐‐Any person or firm engaged, either directly or through a parent company or subsidiary,
in importing R‐134a (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.
1
R‐134a is sold under a number of trade names including Klea 134a and Zephex 134a (Mexichem Fluor);
Genetron 134a (Honeywell); FreonTM 134a, Suva 134a, Dymel 134a, and Dymel P134a (Chemours);
Solkane 134a (Solvay); and Forane 134a (Arkema). Generically, 1,1,1,2‐Tetrafluoroethane has been sold
as Fluorocarbon 134a, R–134a, HFC–134a, HF A–134a, Refrigerant 134a, and UN3159.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire ‐ R‐134a from China (F)
Page 3
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.
Valid number error messages.‐‐If you are completing this form in a country that uses periods (“.”) to
delineate multiples of 1000 (e.g., one million would appear as $1.000.000 rather than $1,000,000), you
may be unable to enter in numbers greater than 999 in numeric form fields. The solution to this data
entry issue is to temporarily change your operating system’s number formatting to be consistent with
the U.S. number formatting system while you complete this form. Detailed instructions on how to
resolve this issue is provided at the end of this questionnaire and is available upon request from Joanna
Lo (202‐205‐1888, [email protected]).
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire ‐ R‐134a from China (F)
I‐1.
I‐2.
Page 4
OMB statistics.‐‐Please report below the actual number of hours required and the cost to your
firm of completing this questionnaire.
Hours
Dollars
The questions in this questionnaire have been reviewed with market participants to ensure that
issues of concern are adequately addressed and that data requests are sufficient, meaningful,
and as limited as possible. Public reporting burden for this questionnaire is estimated to average
40 hours per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, gathering data, and
completing and reviewing the questionnaire.
We welcome comments regarding the accuracy of this burden estimate, suggestions for
reducing the burden, and any suggestions for improving this questionnaire. Please attach such
comments to your response or send to the Office of Investigations, USITC, 500 E St. SW,
Washington, DC 20436.
Establishments covered.‐‐Provide the name and address of establishment(s) covered by this
questionnaire. If your firm is publicly traded, please specify the stock exchange and trading
symbol.
“Establishment”‐‐Each facility of a firm involved in the importation of R‐134a, including auxiliary
facilities operated in conjunction with (whether or not physically separate from) such facilities.
I‐3.
Ownership.‐‐Is your firm owned, in whole or in part, by any other firm?
No
Yes‐‐List the following information
Firm name
Address
Extent of
ownership
(percent)
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire ‐ R‐134a from China (F)
I‐4.
I‐5.
I‐6.
Page 5
Related importers/exporters.‐‐Does your firm have any related firms, either domestic or
foreign, that are engaged in importing R‐134a from China into the United States or that are
engaged in exporting R‐134a from China to the United States?
No
Yes‐‐List the following information.
Firm name
Address
Affiliation
Related producers.‐‐Does your firm have any related firms, either domestic or foreign, that are
engaged in the production of R‐134a?
No
Yes‐‐List the following information.
Firm name
Address
Affiliation
Importing operations.‐‐Please indicate the nature of your firm’s importing operations on R‐
134a. More than one answer may be applicable.
Importer of record
I‐7.
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 R‐134a but is not the consignee, please list
the consignees below (firm name, address, telephone number, and individual to contact).
Firm name
Address
Contact person
and phone
number
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire ‐ R‐134a from China (F)
I‐8.
Page 6
FTZ, TIB, or bonded warehouses.‐‐Please indicate whether your firm enters R‐134a into, or
withdraws such merchandise from, foreign trade zones or bonded warehouses. Also indicate
whether your firm imports R‐134a 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.
Other trade actions.‐‐To your knowledge, has R‐134a been the subject of any other import relief
proceedings in the United States or in any other countries?
No
Yes–Please specify.
I‐10.
Restrictions on imports of R‐134a.‐‐To your knowledge, are there any restrictions on imports of
R‐134a in the United States as a result of actions aimed at reducing chemicals such as R‐134a
that may harm the environment? This may include EPA restrictions and/or the Montreal
Protocol and subsequent amendments.
No
Yes–Please specify.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire ‐ R‐134a from China (F)
Page 7
PART II.‐‐TRADE AND RELATED INFORMATION
Further information on this part of the questionnaire can be obtained from Joanna Lo (202‐205‐1888,
[email protected]). Supply all data requested on a calendar‐year basis.
II‐1. Contact information.‐‐ Please identify the responsible individual and the manner by which
Commission staff may contact that individual regarding the confidential information submitted
in part II.
Name
Title
Email
Telephone
Fax
II‐2. Changes in operations.‐‐Please indicate whether your firm has experienced any of the following
changes in relation to the importation of R‐134a since January 1, 2013.
(check as many as appropriate)
(If checked, please describe; leave blank if not applicable)
Office/warehouse openings
Office/warehouse closings
Relocations
Expansions
Acquisitions
Consolidations
Prolonged shutdowns or
importation curtailments
Revised labor agreements
Other (e.g., technology)
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire ‐ R‐134a from China (F)
II‐3.
Page 8
Arranged imports.‐‐Has your firm imported or arranged for the importation of R‐134a for
delivery after September 30, 2016?
“Arranged imports” are imports for which your firm has placed an order with a foreign supplier
for subject merchandise, but delivery of those imports is not scheduled to occur until after the
date listed above.
No
Yes–Fill out the table below.
Quantity (in short tons)
Period/source
China
1
Other sources
Oct‐Dec 2016
Jan‐Mar 2017
Apr‐Jun 2017
Jul‐Sept 2017
1
Identify your other sources: .
II‐4.
Reasons for importing if producer.‐‐If your firm also produces R‐134a in the United States,
please indicate the reasons for importing this product. If your firm’s reasons differ by source,
please elaborate.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire ‐ R‐134a from China (F)
Page 9
Definitions
“Imports”‐‐Those products identified for Customs purposes as imports for consumption for
which your firm was the importer of record (i.e., was responsible for paying any import duty) or
consignee (i.e., to which the merchandise was first delivered).
“Import quantities”‐‐Quantities reported should be net of returns.
“Import values”‐‐Values reported should be landed, duty‐paid values at the U.S. port of entry,
including ocean freight and insurance costs, brokerage charges, and import duties (i.e., all
charges except inland freight in the United States).
“U.S. commercial shipments”‐‐Shipments made within the United States as a result of an arm’s
length commercial transaction in the ordinary course of business. Report net values (i.e., gross
sales values less all discounts, allowances, rebates, prepaid freight, and the value of returned
goods) in U.S. dollars, f.o.b. your point of shipment.
“Internal consumption”‐‐Product consumed internally by your firm. Such transactions are
valued at fair market value.
“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.
“Export shipments”‐‐Shipments to destinations outside the United States, including shipments
to related firms.
“Inventories”‐‐Finished goods inventory, not raw materials or work in progress.
Note: As requested in Part I of this questionnaire, please keep all supporting documents/records
used in the preparation of the trade data, as Commission staff may contact your firm regarding
questions on the trade data. The Commission may also request that your company submit copies
of the supporting documents/records (such as production and sales schedules, inventory records,
etc.) used to compile these data.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire ‐ R‐134a from China (F)
II‐5.
Page 10
IMPORTS FROM CHINA.–Report your firm’s imports and your firm’s shipments and inventories
of R‐134a imported from China by your firm during the specified periods.
CHINA
Quantity (in short tons), value (in $1,000)
Calendar years
Item
2013
Beginning‐of‐period inventories (quantity) (A)
2014
January‐September
2015
2015
2016
End‐of‐period inventories (quantity) (L)
Channels of distribution:
Commercial U.S. shipments:
To distributors (quantity) (M)
1
Imports:
Imports under HTS 2903.39.2020
Quantity (B)
Value (C)
Imports under HTS other than 2903.39.2020
Quantity (D)
Value (E)
U.S. shipments:
Commercial shipments:
Quantity (F)
Value (G)
Internal consumption/company transfers:
Quantity (H)
3
Value (I)
2
4
Export shipments:
Quantity (J)
Value (K)
To end users (quantity) (N)
To retailers (quantity) (O)
1
Please identify the foreign producers, if known:
.
List the HTS statistical reporting numbers: .
3
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: .
4
Identify your firm’s principal export markets: .
2
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire ‐ R‐134a from China (F)
Page 11
II‐5. IMPORTS FROM CHINA.–Continued
RECONCILIATION OF SHIPMENTS, IMPORTS, AND INVENTORIES.‐‐Generally, the data reported for the
end‐of‐period inventories (i.e., line L) should be equal to the beginning‐of‐period inventories (i.e., line
A), plus imports (i.e., lines B and D), less total shipments (i.e., lines F, H, and J). Please ensure that any
differences are not due to data entry errors in completing this form, but rather actually reflect your
firm’s records; and also provide any likely explanations for any differences (e.g., theft, loss, damage,
record systems issues, etc.) if they exist.
Calendar years
Reconciliation
A + B + D – F – H – J – L = should equal
zero ("0") or provide an explanation.1
2013
0
2014
0
January‐September
2015
0
2015
2016
0
0
1
Explanation if the calculated fields above are returning values other than zero (i.e., “0”) but are nonetheless
accurate: .
RECONCILIATION OF CHANNELS.‐‐Please ensure that the quantities reported for channels of distribution
(i.e., lines M, N, and O) in each time period equal the quantity reported for commercial U.S. commercial
shipments (i.e., line F) in each time period. If the calculated fields below return values other than zero
(i.e., “0”), the data reported must be revised prior to submission to the Commission.
Calendar years
January‐September
Reconciliation item
M + N + O – F = zero ("0"), if not revise.
2013
0
2014
0
2015
0
2015
0
2016
0
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire ‐ R‐134a from China (F)
II‐6.
Page 12
U.S. shipments by customer type: China.–Report your firm’s U.S. shipments of imports of R‐
134a imported from China (inclusive of commercial shipments, internal consumption, and
transfers to related firms) to each of the customer types listed.
CHINA
Calendar years
Item
2013
U.S. shipments of imports from China to:
Automotive OEM.‐‐
Quantity (P)
2014
January‐September
2015
2015
2016
Quantity (in short tons) and Value (in $1,000)
Value (S)
Stationary OEM.‐‐
Quantity (T)
Value (U)
Value (Q)
Automotive aftermarket.‐‐
Quantity (R)
Stationary aftermarket.‐‐
Quantity (V)
Value (W)
Foam expansion and propellant.‐‐
Quantity (X)
Value (Y)
Other customer types and/or
unknown.1‐‐
Quantity (Z)
Value (AA)
1
Identify these "other" customer types:
Calendar years
Reconciliation
Quantity reconciliation: P + R + T + V +
X + Z –F – H = zero ("0"), if not revise.
Value reconciliation Q + S + U + W + Y +
AA– G – I = zero ("0"), if not revise
2013
2014
January‐September
2015
2015
2016
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire ‐ R‐134a from China (F)
II‐7.
Page 13
U.S. shipments by size: China.‐‐Report your firm’s U.S. shipments of imports of R‐134a imported
from China (inclusive of commercial shipments, internal consumption, and transfers) of R‐134a
in each of the sizes listed in 2015.
U.S. shipments quantity 2015
(short tons)
Product size
U.S. shipments of imports from China to:
Bulk1 (AB)
30‐pound containers (AC)
12‐ounce containers (AD)
2
Other sizes and/or unknown (AE)
Total U.S. shipments (AF)
1
2
0
Bulk sizes include 125‐pound cylinders, half‐ton cylinders and bulk. Identify these bulk sizes:
Identify these "other" sizes: .
Reconciliation
AF – F – H = zero ("0"), if not revise.
U.S. shipments quantity 2015
0
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire ‐ R‐134a from China (F)
II‐8.
Page 14
IMPORTS FROM ALL OTHER SOURCES.–Report your firm’s imports and your firm’s shipments
and inventories of R‐134a imported from all other sources combined by your firm during the
specified periods.
ALL OTHER SOURCES COMBINED
(list sources:
)
Quantity (in short tons), value (in $1,000)
Calendar years
Item
2013
Beginning‐of‐period inventories (quantity) (A)
2014
January‐September
2015
2015
2016
End‐of‐period inventories (quantity) (L)
Channels of distribution:
Commercial U.S. shipments:
To distributors (quantity) (M)
To end users (quantity) (N)
To retailers (quantity) (O)
1
Imports:
Imports under HTS 2903.39.2020
Quantity (B)
Value (C)
Imports under HTS other than 2903.39.2020
Quantity (D)
Value (E)
U.S. shipments:
Commercial shipments:
Quantity (F)
Value (G)
Internal consumption/ company transfers:
Quantity (H)
3
Value (I)
2
4
Export shipments:
Quantity (J)
Value (K)
1
Please identify the foreign producers, if known:
.
List the HTS statistical reporting numbers: .
3
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: .
4
Identify your firm’s principal export markets: .
2
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire ‐ R‐134a from China (F)
II‐8.
Page 15
IMPORTS FROM ALL OTHER SOURCES.–Continued
RECONCILIATION OF SHIPMENTS, IMPORTS, AND INVENTORIES.‐‐Generally, the data reported for the
end‐of‐period inventories (i.e., line L) should be equal to the beginning‐of‐period inventories (i.e., line
A), plus imports (i.e., lines B and D), less total shipments (i.e., lines F, H, and J). Please ensure that any
differences are not due to data entry errors in completing this form, but rather actually reflect your
firm’s records; and also provide any likely explanations for any differences (e.g., theft, loss, damage,
record systems issues, etc.) if they exist.
Calendar years
Reconciliation
A + B + D – F – H – J – L = should equal
zero ("0") or provide an explanation.1
2013
0
2014
0
January‐September
2015
0
2015
2016
0
0
1
Explanation if the calculated fields above are returning values other than zero (i.e., “0”) but are nonetheless
accurate: .
RECONCILIATION OF CHANNELS.‐‐Please ensure that the quantities reported for channels of distribution
(i.e., lines M, N, and O) in each time period equal the quantity reported for commercial U.S. commercial
shipments (i.e., line F) in each time period. If the calculated fields below return values other than zero
(i.e., “0”), the data reported must be revised prior to submission to the Commission.
Calendar years
January‐September
Reconciliation item
M + N + O ‐ F = zero ("0"), if not revise.
2013
0
2014
0
2015
0
2015
0
2016
0
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire ‐ R‐134a from China (F)
II‐9.
Page 16
U.S. shipments by customer type: all other sources.–Report your firm’s U.S. shipments of
imports of R‐134a imported from all other sources (inclusive of commercial shipments, internal
consumption, and transfers to related firms) to each of the customer types listed.
ALL OTHER SOURCES
Calendar years
Item
2013
2014
January‐September
2015
2015
2016
Quantity (in short tons) and Value (in $1,000)
U.S. shipments of imports from all other sources to:
Automotive OEM.‐‐
Quantity (P)
Value (S)
Stationary OEM.‐‐
Quantity (T)
Value (U)
Value (Q)
Automotive aftermarket.‐‐
Quantity (R)
Stationary aftermarket.‐‐
Quantity (V)
Value (W)
Foam expansion and propellant.‐‐
Quantity (X)
Value (Y)
1
Other customer types and/or unknown. ‐‐
Quantity (Z)
Value (AA)
1
Identify these "other" customer types:
Calendar years
Reconciliation
Quantity reconciliation: P + R + T + V + X + Z –F –
H = zero ("0"), if not revise.
Value reconciliation Q + S + U + W + Y + AA– G – I
= zero ("0"), if not revise
2013
2014
January‐September
2015
2015
2016
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire ‐ R‐134a from China (F)
Page 17
II‐10. U.S. shipments by size: all other sources.‐‐Report your firm’s U.S. shipments of imports of R‐
134a imported from all other sources (inclusive of commercial shipments, internal consumption,
and transfers) of R‐134a in each of the sizes listed in 2015.
U.S. shipments quantity 2015
(short tons)
Product size
U.S. shipments of imports from all other
sources to:
Bulk1 (AB)
30‐pound containers (AC)
12‐ounce containers (AD)
2
Other sizes and/or unknown (AE)
Total U.S. shipments (AF)
1
2
0
Bulk sizes include 125‐pound cylinders, half‐ton cylinders and bulk. Identify these bulk sizes:
Identify these "other" sizes: .
.
Reconciliation
AF – F – H = zero ("0"), if not revise.
U.S. shipments quantity 2015
0
II‐11. 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.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire ‐ R‐134a from China (F)
Page 18
PART III.‐‐PRICING AND MARKET FACTORS
Further information on this part of the questionnaire can be obtained from Cindy Cohen (202‐205‐3230,
[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:
Product 1.‐‐ R‐134a in bulk sold to repackers and distributors
Product 2.‐‐ R‐134a in 30‐pound containers with an automotive valve sold to distributors
Product 3.‐‐ R‐134a in 30‐pound containers with an HVAC valve sold to distributors or
wholesalers
Product 4.‐‐ R‐134a in 30‐pound containers with an automotive valve sold to retailers
Product 5.‐‐ R‐134a in 12‐ounce containers sold to distributors
Please note that values should be f.o.b., U.S. point of shipment and should not include U.S.‐inland
transportation costs. Values should reflect the final net amount paid to your firm (i.e., should be net
of all deductions for discounts or rebates).
During January 2013‐September 2016, 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.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire ‐ R‐134a from China (F)
III‐2.
Page 19
Price data.‐‐Report below the quarterly price data1 for pricing products2 imported from China
and sold by your firm.
China
(Quantity in pounds, value in dollars)
Product 1
Product 2
Quantity
Value
Quantity
Value
Product 3
Period of shipment
Quantity
Value
2013:
January‐March
April‐June
July‐September
October‐December
2014:
January‐March
April‐June
July‐September
October‐December
2015:
January‐March
April‐June
July‐September
October‐December
2016:
January‐March
April‐June
July‐September
1
Net values (i.e., gross sales values less all discounts, allowances, rebates, prepaid freight, and the value of returned goods), f.o.b.
your firm’s U.S. point of shipment.
2
Pricing product definitions are provided on the first page of Part III.
Note.‐‐If your firm’s product does not exactly meet the product specifications but is competitive with the specified product, provide a
description of your firm’s product. Also, please explain any anomalies in your firm’s reported pricing data.
Product 1:
Product 2:
Product 3:
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire ‐ R‐134a from China (F)
III‐2.
Page 20
Price data.‐‐Report below the quarterly price data1 for pricing products2 imported from China
and sold by your firm.
China
Product 4
Product 5
Period of shipment
Quantity
Value
Quantity
Value
2013:
January‐March
April‐June
July‐September
October‐
December
2014:
January‐March
April‐June
July‐September
October‐
December
2015:
January‐March
April‐June
July‐September
October‐
December
2016:
January‐March
April‐June
July‐September
1
Net values (i.e., gross sales values less all discounts, allowances, rebates, prepaid freight, and the value of
returned goods), f.o.b. your firm’s U.S. point of shipment.
2
Pricing product definitions are provided on the first page of Part III.
Note.‐‐If your firm’s product does not exactly meet the product specifications but is competitive with the
specified product, provide a description of your firm’s product. Also, please explain any anomalies in your firm’s
reported pricing data.
Product 4:
Product 5:
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.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire ‐ R‐134a from China (F)
Page 21
III‐3a. Imports for internal use or repackaging.‐‐ Did your firm import bulk R‐134a for internal use or
repackaging since January 1, 2013?
Yes.‐‐Please complete the following table as appropriate.
No.‐‐Skip to question III‐4.
Please note that values should be landed, duty‐paid and should not include U.S.‐inland transportation
costs. Values should reflect the final net amount paid by your firm (i.e., should be net of all returns,
discounts, allowances, and rebates).
China
Report data in actual pounds (not short tons) and actual dollars (not 1,000s of dollars).
Bulk R‐134a
Quantity
(pounds)
Landed, duty‐paid
value1 (dollars)
Period of shipment
2013:
January‐March
April‐June
July‐September
October‐December
2014:
January‐March
April‐June
July‐September
October‐December
2015:
January‐March
April‐June
July‐September
October‐December
2016:
January‐March
April‐June
July‐September
1
Net values (i.e., landed duty‐paid values net all discounts, returns, allowances, rebates, prepaid freight, and the value
of returned goods). Moreover, please note that landed duty‐paid values are NOT the sales prices at which your firm sells R‐
134a at retail to consumers.
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.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire ‐ R‐134a from China (F)
Page 22
III‐3b. Additional costs for your direct imports of R‐134a.
(i)
If your firm reported direct import costs above (question III‐2b), please identify the
factors that add to your cost of importing directly since January 1, 2013, estimate the
share of the cost of the landed duty‐paid value, and explain the specific costs associated
with each category.
Estimated share
of landed duty‐
Factors
paid value (%)
Explanation
Logistical or supply chain costs
Warehousing costs
Insurance costs
Currency conversion costs
Other
(ii)
To which source(s) does your firm compare costs in determining your additional
transaction costs to directly import?
U.S. importers U.S. producers
Both
Neither
(iii)
Briefly identify the benefits of directly importing R‐134a in bulk instead of purchasing R‐
134a from a U.S. importer or from a U.S. producer.
(iii)
(iv)
Please provide the estimated margin saved by having imported R‐134a directly from
China instead of purchasing from a U.S. importer. percent of landed duty‐paid
value.
Explain any variation in the margin saved since January 1, 2013.
(iv)
(v)
What is the approximate percentage of the total cost of R‐134a you directly imported
from China that is accounted for by U.S. inland transportation or other logistics costs
from the port of importation to your distribution network or retail store?
percent.
Did your firm purchase R‐134a from a U.S. producer?
No
Yes—Please complete the U.S. purchasers questionnaire.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire ‐ R‐134a from China (F)
III‐3.
Price setting.‐‐ How does your firm determine the prices that it charges for sales of R‐134a
(check all that apply)? If your firm issues price lists, please submit sample pages of a recent list.
Transaction
by
transaction
Other
If other, describe
Discount policy.‐‐ Please indicate and describe your firm’s discount policies (check all that
apply).
Quantity
discounts
Annual
total
volume
discounts
III‐5.
Set
price
lists
Contracts
III‐4.
Page 23
No
discount
policy
Other
Describe
Pricing terms.‐‐
(a)
What are your firm’s typical sales terms for R‐134a imported from China?
Net 30
days
Net 60
days
2/10 net 30
days
Other
Other (specify)
(b)
On what basis are your firm’s prices of imported R‐134a from China usually quoted
(check one)?
Delivered
F.o.b.
III‐6.
Contract versus spot.‐‐Approximately what share of your firm’s sales of R‐134a 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?
Long‐term
contracts
(multiple
deliveries for
more than 12
months)
Share of 2015
sales
If f.o.b., specify point
%
Type of sale
Short‐term
Annual
contracts
contracts
(multiple
(multiple
deliveries for
deliveries for 12
less than 12
months)
months)
%
%
Spot sales
(for a single
delivery)
%
Total
(should
sum to
100.0%)
0.0
%
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire ‐ R‐134a from China (F)
III‐7.
Page 24
Contract provisions.— Please fill out the table regarding your firm’s typical sales contracts for R‐
134a from China (or check “not applicable” if your firm does not sell on a long‐term, short‐term
and/or annual contract basis).
Typical sales
contract provisions
Item
Short‐term
contracts
(multiple deliveries
for less than 12
months)
Average contract
duration
No. of
days
Price renegotiation
(during contract
period)
Yes
No
Quantity
Price
Both
Yes
No
Fixed quantity
and/or price
Meet or release
provision
Not applicable
Annual contracts
Long‐term contracts
(multiple deliveries (multiple deliveries for
more than 12 months)
for 12 months)
365
III‐8.
Lead times.‐‐What is your firm’s share of sales of R‐134a 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 R‐134a?
Share of
Lead time
Source
2015 sales
(days)
From your firm’s U.S. inventory
%
From foreign manufacturers’ inventory
%
Produced to order
%
0.0 %
Total (should sum to 100.0%)
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire ‐ R‐134a from China (F)
III‐9.
Page 25
Shipping information.—
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
What is the approximate percentage of the total delivered cost of R‐134a imported from
China that is accounted for by U.S. inland transportation costs? percent.
Who generally arranges the transportation to your firm’s customers’ locations?
Your firm Purchaser (check one)
When your firm sells R‐134a imported from China, from where is it shipped?
Point of importation Storage facility (check one)
Indicate the approximate percentage of your firm’s sales of R‐134a imported from China
that are delivered the following distances from your firm’s U.S. point of shipment.
Distance from your firm’s U.S. point of shipment
Share
Within 100 miles
%
101 to 1,000 miles
%
Over 1,000 miles
%
Total (should sum to 100.0%)
0.0 %
III‐10. Geographical shipments.‐‐In which U.S. geographic market area(s) has your firm sold R‐134a
imported from China 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.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire ‐ R‐134a from China (F)
Page 26
III‐11. End uses.‐‐List the end uses of the R‐134a that your firm imports from China. For each end‐use
product, what percentage of the total cost is accounted for by R‐134a and other inputs?
Share of total cost of end‐use product
accounted for by
Total
(should sum to
100.0% across)
End use product
R‐134a
Other inputs
%
%
0.0 %
%
%
0.0 %
%
%
0.0 %
III‐12. Substitutes.‐‐ Can other products be substituted for R‐134a?
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 R‐134a?
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 R‐134a has changed since January 1, 2013. Explain any trends and describe
the principal factors that have affected these changes in demand.
Market
Overall
No
Overall Fluctuate with
increase change decrease no clear trend
Explanation and factors
Within
the United
States
Outside
the United
States
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire ‐ R‐134a from China (F)
Page 27
III‐14. Product changes.‐‐Have there been any significant changes in the product range, product mix or
marketing of R‐134a since January 1, 2013?
No
Yes
If yes, please describe.
III‐15. Conditions of competition.—
(a) Is the R‐134a market subject to business cycles (other than general economy‐wide
conditions) and/or other conditions of competition distinctive to R‐134a?
Check all that apply.
Please describe.
No
Skip to question III‐16.
Yes‐Business cycles (e.g.
seasonal business)
Yes‐Other distinctive
conditions of competition
(b) If yes, have there been any changes in the business cycles or conditions of competition for
R‐134a since January 1, 2013?
No
Yes
If yes, describe.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire ‐ R‐134a from China (F)
Page 28
III‐16. Conditions of competition.—
(a) Is the R‐134a market subject to business cycles (other than general economy‐wide
conditions) and/or other conditions of competition distinctive to R‐134a?
Check all that apply.
Please describe.
No
Skip to question III‐17.
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
R‐134a since January 1, 2013?
No
Yes
If yes, describe.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire ‐ R‐134a from China (F)
Page 29
III‐17. Supply constraints.‐‐
(a) Has your firm refused, declined, or been unable to supply R‐134a 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.
(b) Has your firm refused, declined, or been unable to supply R‐134a in bulk form since January
1, 2013?
No
Yes
If yes, please describe.
(c) Since January 1, 2013, has your firm produced R‐134a in 12‐ounce containers?
If no, was your firm able to arrange for the supply of 12‐ounce containers through
distributors by having them package bulk R‐134a into 12‐ounce cans for retail
customers?
No
Yes
No
Yes
If yes, please describe.
(d) Has your firm refused, declined, or been unable to supply R‐134a in 12‐ounce containers
with the customer’s label since January 1, 2013?
No
Yes
If yes, please describe.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire ‐ R‐134a from China (F)
Page 30
III‐18. Private labels.--
(a) Since January 1, 2013, was your firm capable of supplying, either directly or through a
repackager, 12‐ounce cans of R‐134a for retail customers with the customer’s label?
Able to supply
No
Yes ‐ Directly Yes ‐ Repackager Please describe.
(b) Since January 1, 2013, did your firm actually supply, either directly or through a repackager,
12‐ounce cans of R‐134a for any retail customers with the customer’s label?
Actually supplied
No
Yes ‐ Directly Yes ‐ Repackager Please describe.
III‐19. Raw materials.‐‐ How have R‐134a raw material prices changed since January 1, 2013?
Fluctuate
with no
Explain, noting how raw material price changes
Overall
No
Overall
increase change decrease clear trend have affected your firm’s selling prices for R‐134a.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire ‐ R‐134a from China (F)
Page 31
III‐20. Interchangeability.‐‐Is R‐134a 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
United States
China
China
Other countries
For any country‐pair producing R‐134a which is sometimes or never interchangeable, please
identify the country‐pair and explain the factors that limit or preclude interchangeable use:
III‐21. Factors other than price.‐‐Are differences other than price (e.g., quality, availability,
transportation network, product range, technical support, etc.) between R‐134a 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
United States
China
China
Other countries
For any country‐pair for which factors other than price always or frequently are a significant
factor in your firm’s purchases of R‐134a, identify the country‐pair and report the advantages
or disadvantages imparted by such factors:
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire ‐ R‐134a from China (F)
Page 32
III‐20. Customer identification.‐‐List the names and contact information for your firm’s 10 largest U.S.
customers for R‐134a since January 1, 2013. Indicate the share of the quantity of your firm’s
total shipments of R‐134a that each of these customers accounted for in 2015.
Customer’s name
City
State
Share of 2015
sales (%)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
III‐21. 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 ‐ R‐134a from China (F)
Page 33
Correcting Valid number error messages.‐‐If you are completing a Commission
questionnaire in a country that uses periods (“.”) to delineate multiples of 1000 (e.g., one million would
appear as $1.000.000 instead of as $1,000,000), you may be unable to enter in numbers greater than
999 in numeric form fields. This issues stem from your computer number formatting setting (e.g., not
the MS Word document itself, but the computer from which you are opening up the document). In the
United States commas (,) delineate multiples of 1000 and periods (.) delineate fractions less than one.
Many EU countries use the reverse where multiples of 1000 are delineated with periods (.) and
fractions less than one are delineated with commas (,). The US International Trade Commission’s
questionnaires are set‐up in the United States with the U.S. number formatting. When this formatting
interacts with a computer set to EU number formatting, we believe this may cause this issue.
The solution to this data entry issue is to temporarily change your operating system’s number
formatting to be consistent with the U.S. number formatting system while you complete the
questionnaire.
To temporarily change your computer’s number settings to U.S. settings, please do the following (for
Microsoft Windows Operating system):
START
Control Panel
Region and Language (under Clock, Language, and Region category)
Format tab
Change the Format from your existing one (e.g. “Italian (Italy)”) to “English (United States)” (see
screen shots below)
When you do this the number “twelve million dollars and thirty five cents” would change from
$12.000.000,35 (Italy format) to $12,000,000.35 (U.S. format), and then there will be no conflict with
the USITC foreign producer questionnaire form. When you finish reporting the data then you can close
the questionnaire and switch back to Italy settings.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire ‐ R‐134a from China (F)
Page 34
HOW TO FILE YOUR QUESTIONNAIRE RESPONSE
This questionnaire is available as a “fillable” form in MS Word format on the
Commission’s website at:
https://www.usitc.gov/investigations/title_7/2016/1112_tetrafluoroethane_r_134a_chi
na/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: R134A
• 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 (202‐
205‐1803). A certificate of service must accompany the completed questionnaire you submit (see 19 CFR
§ 207.7). Service of the questionnaire must be made in paper form.
| File Type | application/pdf |
| File Title | Microsoft Word - US Importer Questionnaire_R134a |
| Author | joanna.lo |
| File Modified | 2016-11-17 |
| File Created | 2016-11-17 |