17-2-3626 U.S. Importers' Questionnaire

OMB No. 3117-0016/USITC No. 17-2-3626; Expiration Date: 6/30/2017
(No response is required if currently valid OMB control number is not displayed)

U.S. IMPORTERS’ QUESTIONNAIRE
FINISHED CARBON STEEL FLANGES
This questionnaire must be received by the Commission by March 14, 2017
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 investigations concerning finished carbon steel flanges (“flanges”)
from India, Italy, and Spain (Inv. Nos. 701-TA-563 and 731-TA-1331-1333 (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 flanges (as defined on next page) from any country at any time since January 1, 2014?

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: FCSF)
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 – Finished Carbon Steel Flanges

Page 2

PART I.—GENERAL INFORMATION
Background.-- This proceeding was instituted in response to a petition filed on June 30, 2016, by
Weldbend Corporation (“Weldbend”), Argo, Illinois and Boltex Mfg. Co., L.P. (“Boltex”), Houston, Texas.
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 (“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/title_7/2017/finished_carbon_steel_flanges_india_italy_and/final.
htm
Finished carbon steel flanges.--The scope of these investigations covers finished carbon steel flanges.
Finished carbon steel flanges differ from unfinished carbon steel flanges (also known as carbon steel
flange forgings) in that they have undergone further processing after forging, which can include
beveling, bore threading, center or step boring, face machining, recoining or resizing, taper boring,
machining ends or surfaces other than a gasket face, drilling bolt holes, and/or burring or shot blasting.
Any one of these post-forging processes suffices to render the forging into a finished carbon steel flange
for purposes of these petitions. However, mere heat treatment of a carbon steel flange forging
(without any other further processing after forging) does not render the forging into a finished carbon
steel flange for purposes of these petitions.
While these finished carbon steel flanges are generally manufactured to specification ASME B16.5 or
ASME B16.47 series A or series B, the scope is not limited to flanges produced under those
specifications. All types of finished carbon steel flanges are included in the scope, regardless of pipe size
(usually expressed in inches of nominal pipe size), pressure class (usually expressed in pounds of
pressure, e.g., 150, 300, 400, 600, 900, 1500, 2500, etc.), type of face (e.g., flat face, full face, raised
face, etc.), configuration (e.g., weld neck, slip on, socket weld, lap joint, threaded, etc.), wall thickness
(usually expressed in inches), and normalization or heat treatment (which may not always be used). The
carbon steel used to produce finished carbon steel flanges includes, but is not limited to, carbon steel
produced to ASTM A105 and ASTM A694 standards.
Finished carbon steel flanges are currently imported under statistical reporting numbers 7307.91.5010
and 7307.91.5050 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS). They may also be
imported under HTSUS statistical reporting numbers 7307.91.5030 and 7307.91.5070. The HTSUS
provisions are 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 flanges (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.

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Page 3

Confidentiality.--The commercial and financial data furnished in response to this questionnaire that
reveal the individual operations of your firm will be treated as confidential by the Commission to the
extent that such data are not otherwise available to the public and will not be disclosed except as may
be required by law (see 19 U.S.C. § 1677f). Such confidential information will not be published in a
manner that will reveal the individual operations of your firm; however, general characterizations of
numerical business proprietary information (such as discussion of trends) will be treated as confidential
business information only at the request of the submitter for good cause shown.
Verification.-- The information submitted in this questionnaire is subject to audit and verification by the
Commission. To facilitate possible verification of data, please keep all files, worksheets, and supporting
documents used in the preparation of the questionnaire response. Please also retain a copy of the final
document that you submit.
Release of information.--The information provided by your firm in response to this questionnaire, as
well as any other business proprietary information submitted by your firm to the Commission in
connection with this proceeding, may become subject to, and released under, the administrative
protective order provisions of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. § 1677f) and section 207.7 of the
Commission’s Rules of Practice and Procedure (19 CFR § 207.7). This means that certain lawyers and
other authorized individuals may temporarily be given access to the information for use in connection
with this proceeding or other import-injury proceedings conducted by the Commission on the same or
similar merchandise; those individuals would be subject to severe penalties if the information were
divulged to unauthorized individuals.
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 Drew
Dushkes (202-205-3229, [email protected]).

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Finished Carbon Steel Flanges
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 flanges, including auxiliary
facilities operated in conjunction with (whether or not physically separate from) such facilities.

I-3.

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

Firm name

Yes--List the following information

Address

Extent of
ownership
(percent)

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Finished Carbon Steel Flanges
I-4.

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

Yes--List the following information.

Firm name

I-5.

Country

Affiliation

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

Yes--List the following information.

Firm name

I-6.

Page 5

Country

Affiliation

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

Takes title to the
imported product(s)

Consignee of the
imported products(s)

Customs broker or
freight forwarder

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Finished Carbon Steel Flanges
I-7.

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

Firm name

I-8.

Page 6

Contact person
and phone
number

Address

FTZ, TIB, or bonded warehouses.--Please indicate whether your firm enters flanges into, or
withdraws such merchandise from, foreign trade zones or bonded warehouses. Also indicate
whether your firm imports flanges 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, 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 – Finished Carbon Steel Flanges

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PART II.--TRADE AND RELATED INFORMATION
Further information on this part of the questionnaire can be obtained from Drew Dushkes (202-2053229, [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 flanges since January 1, 2014.
(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)

(If checked, please describe; leave blank if not applicable)

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Finished Carbon Steel Flanges
II-3.

Page 8

Arranged imports.--Has your firm imported or arranged for the importation of flanges for
delivery after December 31, 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 1,000 pounds)

Period/Source

Jan-Mar 2017

Apr-Jun 2017

Jul-Sept 2017

Oct-Dec 2017

India
Italy
Spain
Other sources
II-4.

Reasons for importing if producer.--If your firm also produces flanges 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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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Finished Carbon Steel Flanges

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.

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Finished Carbon Steel Flanges
II-5.

Page 10

IMPORTS FROM INDIA Report your firm’s imports and your firm’s shipments and inventories of
flanges imported from India by your firm during the specified periods.

India
Quantity (in 1,000 pounds), value (in $1,000)
Calendar years
Item

2014

2015

2016

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

Please identify the foreign producers, if known:
.
Sales to related firms (including internal consumption) must be valued at fair market value. In the event that your firm
uses a different basis for valuing these sales within your company, please specify that basis (e.g., cost, cost plus, etc.) and
provide value data using that basis for each of the periods noted above:
.
3
Identify your firm’s principal export markets:
.
2

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Finished Carbon Steel Flanges
II-5.

Page 11

IMPORTS FROM INDIA.–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

2014

2015

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

0

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 K and L) in each time period equal the quantity reported for commercial U.S. 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

2014

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

2015
0

2016
0

0

II-6.
Commercial U.S. shipments, by ASME specification.--Report your firm’s share of commercial
U.S. shipments of flanges imported from India that meet ASME (e.g. ASME B16.5 or ASME B16.47, series
A or series B) or internationally equivalent standards during calendar year 2016.

Commercial U.S. shipments in 2016
Meeting ASME or internationally equivalent standard

Share of total
commercial U.S.
shipments in
2016
%

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Finished Carbon Steel Flanges
II-7.

Page 12

IMPORTS FROM ITALY Report your firm’s imports and your firm’s shipments and inventories of
flanges imported from Italy by your firm during the specified periods.

Italy
Quantity (in 1,000 pounds), value (in $1,000)
Calendar years
Item

2014

2015

2016

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

Please identify the foreign producers, if known:
.
Sales to related firms (including internal consumption) must be valued at fair market value. In the event that your firm
uses a different basis for valuing these sales within your company, please specify that basis (e.g., cost, cost plus, etc.) and
provide value data using that basis for each of the periods noted above:
.
3
Identify your firm’s principal export markets:
.
2

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Finished Carbon Steel Flanges
II-7.

Page 13

IMPORTS FROM ITALY.–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

2014

2015

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

0

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 K and L) in each time period equal the quantity reported for commercial U.S. 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

2014

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

2015
0

2016
0

0

II-8.
Commercial U.S. shipments, by ASME specification.--Report your firm’s share of commercial
U.S. shipments of flanges imported from Italy that meet ASME (e.g. ASME B16.5 or ASME B16.47, series
A or series B) or internationally equivalent standards during calendar year 2016.

Commercial U.S. shipments in 2016
Meeting ASME or internationally equivalent standard

Share of total
commercial U.S.
shipments in
2016
%

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Finished Carbon Steel Flanges
II-9.

Page 14

IMPORTS FROM SPAIN Report your firm’s imports and your firm’s shipments and inventories of
flanges imported from Spain by your firm during the specified periods.

Spain
Quantity (in 1,000 pounds), value (in $1,000)
Calendar years
Item

2014

2015

2016

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

Please identify the foreign producers, if known:
.
Sales to related firms (including internal consumption) must be valued at fair market value. In the event that your firm
uses a different basis for valuing these sales within your company, please specify that basis (e.g., cost, cost plus, etc.) and
provide value data using that basis for each of the periods noted above:
.
3
Identify your firm’s principal export markets:
.
2

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Finished Carbon Steel Flanges
II-9.

Page 15

IMPORTS FROM SPAIN.–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

2014

2015

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

0

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 K and L) in each time period equal the quantity reported for commercial U.S. 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

2014

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

2015
0

2016
0

0

II-10. Commercial U.S. shipments, by ASME specification.--Report your firm’s share of commercial
U.S. shipments of flanges imported from Spain that meet ASME (e.g. ASME B16.5 or ASME B16.47, series
A or series B) or internationally equivalent standards during calendar year 2016.

Commercial U.S. shipments in 2016
Meeting ASME or internationally equivalent standard

Share of total
commercial U.S.
shipments in
2016
%

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Finished Carbon Steel Flanges
II-11.

Page 16

IMPORTS FROM ALL OTHER SOURCES.–Report your firm’s imports and your firm’s shipments
and inventories of flanges imported from all other sources combined by your firm during the
specified periods.

ALL OTHER SOURCES

(list sources:

)
Quantity (in 1,000 pounds), value (in $1,000)
Calendar years

Item

2014

2015

2016

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

Please identify the foreign producers, if known:
.
Sales to related firms (including internal consumption) must be valued at fair market value. In the event that your firm
uses a different basis for valuing these sales within your company, please specify that basis (e.g., cost, cost plus, etc.) and
provide value data using that basis for each of the periods noted above:
.
3
Identify your firm’s principal export markets:
.
2

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Finished Carbon Steel Flanges
II-11.

Page 17

IMPORTS FROM ALL OTHER SOURCES.–Continued

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

2014

2015

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

0

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 K and L) in each time period equal the quantity reported for commercial U.S. 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

2014

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

2015
0

2016
0

0

II-12. Commercial U.S. shipments, by ASME specification.--Report your firm’s share of commercial
U.S. shipments of flanges imported from all other sources that meet ASME (e.g. ASME B16.5 or ASME
B16.47, series A or series B) or internationally equivalent standards during calendar year 2016.

Commercial U.S. shipments in 2016
Meeting ASME or internationally equivalent standard
II-13.

Share of total
commercial U.S.
shipments in
2016
%

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 – Finished Carbon Steel Flanges

Page 18

PART III.--PRICING AND MARKET FACTORS
Further information on this part of the questionnaire can be obtained from Tana Farrington (202-2052389, [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, 2014 of the following products your firm imported
from India, Italy, and Spain (all subject sources), and from China (nonsubject source)::
Product 1.‐‐3 inch, 150 class, Raised Face, Weld neck standard flange (3 150 RF WN STD)
Product 2.‐‐ 4 inch, 150 class, Raised Face, Weld neck standard flange (4 150 RF WN STD)
Product 3.‐‐ 6 inch, 150 class, Raised Face, Weld neck standard flange (6 150 RF WN STD)
Product 4.‐‐16 inch, 150 class, Raised Face, Weld neck standard flange (16 150 RF WN STD)
Product 5.‐‐6 inch, 150 class, Raised Face, Slip on standard flange (6 150 RF Slip on)
Product 6.‐‐2 inch, 150 class, Raised Face, Threaded standard flange (2 150 RF THD)

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 2014-December 2016, did your firm import from India, Italy, and Spain (all
subject sources), and/or from China (nonsubject source) 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 table(s) 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 India
and sold by your firm.

INDIA

Report data in actual pieces (not 1,000s of pounds) and actual dollars (not 1,000s).
(Quantity in pieces, value in dollars)
Product 1
Product 2
Quantity
Value
Quantity
Value

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

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Page 20

III-2(a). Price data (continued).--Report below the quarterly price data1 for pricing products2 imported
from India and sold by your firm.

INDIA

Report data in actual pieces (not 1,000s of pounds) and actual dollars (not 1,000s).
(Quantity in pieces, value in dollars)
Product 4
Product 5
Quantity
Value
Quantity
Value

Product 6
Period of shipment
Quantity
Value
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
October-December
1
Net values (i.e., gross sales values less all discounts, allowances, rebates, prepaid freight, and the value of returned
goods), f.o.b. your firm’s U.S. point of shipment.
2
Pricing product definitions are provided on the first page of part III.
Note.--If your firm’s product does not exactly meet the product specifications but is competitive with the specified product,
provide a description of your firm’s product. Also, please explain any anomalies in your firm’s reported pricing data.
Product 4:
Product 5:
Product 6:

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III-2(b). Price data.--Report below the quarterly price data1 for pricing products2 imported from Italy and
sold by your firm.

ITALY

Report data in actual pieces (not 1,000s of pounds) and actual dollars (not 1,000s).
(Quantity in pieces, value in dollars)
Product 1
Product 2
Quantity
Value
Quantity
Value

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

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Page 22

III-2(b). Price data (continued).--Report below the quarterly price data1 for pricing products2 imported
from Italy and sold by your firm.

ITALY

Report data in actual pieces (not 1,000s of pounds) and actual dollars (not 1,000s).
(Quantity in pieces, value in dollars)
Product 4
Product 5
Quantity
Value
Quantity
Value

Product 6
Period of shipment
Quantity
Value
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
October-December
1
Net values (i.e., gross sales values less all discounts, allowances, rebates, prepaid freight, and the value of returned
goods), f.o.b. your firm’s U.S. point of shipment.
2
Pricing product definitions are provided on the first page of part III.
Note.--If your firm’s product does not exactly meet the product specifications but is competitive with the specified product,
provide a description of your firm’s product. Also, please explain any anomalies in your firm’s reported pricing data.
Product 4:
Product 5:
Product 6:

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III-2(c). Price data.--Report below the quarterly price data1 for pricing products2 imported from Spain
and sold by your firm.

SPAIN

Report data in actual pieces (not 1,000s of pounds) and actual dollars (not 1,000s).
(Quantity in pieces, value in dollars)
Product 1
Product 2
Quantity
Value
Quantity
Value

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

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Page 24

III-2(c). Price data (continued).--Report below the quarterly price data1 for pricing products2 imported
from Spain and sold by your firm.

SPAIN

Report data in actual pieces (not 1,000s of pounds) and actual dollars (not 1,000s).
(Quantity in pieces, value in dollars)
Product 4
Product 5
Quantity
Value
Quantity
Value

Product 6
Period of shipment
Quantity
Value
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
October-December
1
Net values (i.e., gross sales values less all discounts, allowances, rebates, prepaid freight, and the value of returned
goods), f.o.b. your firm’s U.S. point of shipment.
2
Pricing product definitions are provided on the first page of part III.
Note.--If your firm’s product does not exactly meet the product specifications but is competitive with the specified product,
provide a description of your firm’s product. Also, please explain any anomalies in your firm’s reported pricing data.
Product 4:
Product 5:
Product 6:

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Page 25

III-2(d). Price data.--Report below the quarterly price data1 for pricing products2 imported from China
and sold by your firm.

CHINA

Report data in actual pieces (not 1,000s of pounds) and actual dollars (not 1,000s).
(Quantity in pieces, value in dollars)
Product 1
Product 2
Quantity
Value
Quantity
Value

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

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Page 26

III-2(d). Price data (continued).--Report below the quarterly price data1 for pricing products2 imported
from China and sold by your firm.

CHINA

Report data in actual pieces (not 1,000s of pounds) and actual dollars (not 1,000s).
(Quantity in pieces, value in dollars)
Product 4
Product 5
Quantity
Value
Quantity
Value

Product 6
Period of shipment
Quantity
Value
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
October-December
1
Net values (i.e., gross sales values less all discounts, allowances, rebates, prepaid freight, and the value of returned
goods), f.o.b. your firm’s U.S. point of shipment.
2
Pricing product definitions are provided on the first page of part III.
Note.--If your firm’s product does not exactly meet the product specifications but is competitive with the specified product,
provide a description of your firm’s product. Also, please explain any anomalies in your firm’s reported pricing data.
Product 4:
Product 5:
Product 6:

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 – Finished Carbon Steel Flanges
III-3.

Price setting.-- How does your firm determine the prices that it charges for sales of finished
carbon steel flanges (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

Annual
total
volume
discounts

No
discount
policy

Other

Describe

Pricing terms.-(a)

What are your firm’s typical sales terms for flanges imported from India, Italy, and/or
Spain?
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 flanges from India, Italy, and/or Spain
usually quoted (check one)?
Delivered

III-6.

Set
price
lists

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

Quantity
discounts

III-5.

Page 27

F.o.b.

If f.o.b., specify point

Contract versus spot.--Approximately what share of your firm’s sales of flanges imported from
India, Italy, and/or Spain in 2016 was on a (1) long-term contract basis, (2) annual contract basis,
(3) short-term contract basis, and (4) spot sales basis?

Share of 2016
sales

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

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

Total
(should
sum to
100.0%)

Spot sales
(for a single
delivery)
%

%

0.0

%

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Finished Carbon Steel Flanges
III-7.

Page 28

Contract provisions.— Please fill out the table regarding your firm’s typical sales contracts for
flanges from India, Italy, and/or Spain (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

Average contract
duration

No. of
days

Price renegotiation
(during contract
period)

Yes

Fixed quantity
and/or price
Meet or release
provision

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

Annual contracts
(multiple deliveries
for 12 months)

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

365

No
Quantity
Price
Both
Yes
No

Not applicable

III-8.

Lead times.--What is your firm’s share of sales of flanges imported from India, Italy, and/or
Spain 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 flanges?

Source

Share of 2016
sales

From your firm’s U.S. inventory

%

From foreign manufacturers’ inventory

%

Produced to order

%

Total (should sum to 100.0%)

0.0 %

Lead time (average
number of days)

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Finished Carbon Steel Flanges
III-9.

Page 29

Shipping information.—
(a)

What is the approximate percentage of the total delivered cost of flanges imported from
India, Italy, and/or Spain 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 flanges imported from India, Italy, and/or Spain, from where are
they shipped?
Point of importation
Storage facility (check one)

(d)

Indicate the approximate percentage of your firm’s sales of flanges imported from India,
Italy, and/or Spain 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 flanges
imported from subject countries since January 1, 2014 (check all that apply)?
Geographic area
Northeast.–CT, ME, MA, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, and VT.
Midwest.–IL, IN, IA, KS, MI, MN, MO, NE, ND, OH,
SD, and WI.
Southeast.–AL, DE, DC, FL, GA, KY, MD, MS, NC, SC,
TN, VA, and WV.
Central Southwest.–AR, LA, OK, and TX.
Mountains.–AZ, CO, ID, MT, NV, NM, UT, and WY.
Pacific Coast.–CA, OR, and WA.
Other.–All other markets in the United States not
previously listed, including AK, HI, PR, and VI.

India

Italy

Spain

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Page 30

III-11. End uses.--List the end uses of the flanges that your firm imports from India, Italy, and/or Spain.
For each end-use product, what percentage of the total cost is accounted for by flanges and
other inputs?
Share of total cost of end-use product
accounted for by
End use product

Flanges

Total
(should sum to
100.0% across)

Other inputs
%

%

0.0 %

%

%

0.0 %

%

%

0.0 %

III-12. Substitutes.-- Can other products be substituted for flanges?
No

Substitute

Yes--Please fill out the table.

End use in which this
substitute is used

Have changes in the price of this substitute
affected the price for flanges?
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 flanges has changed since January 1, 2014 in the oil and gas sector and in
other sectors. Explain any trends and describe the principal factors that have affected these
changes in demand.

Market
Oil and gas sector:
Within the United States
Outside the United States
Other than oil and gas sector:
Within the United States
Outside the United States

Overall
increase

No
change

Fluctuate
Overall
with no
decrease clear trend

Explanation and factors

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Page 31

III-14. Product changes.--Have there been any significant changes in the product range, product mix or
marketing of flanges since January 1, 2014?
No

Yes

If yes, please describe.

III-15. Conditions of competition.—
(a) Is the flanges market subject to business cycles (other than general economy-wide
conditions) and/or other conditions of competition distinctive to flanges?
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
flanges since January 1, 2014?
No

Yes

If yes, describe.

III-16. Supply constraints.--Has your firm refused, declined, or been unable to supply flanges since
January 1, 2014 (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.

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III-17. Raw materials.-- How have flanges raw material prices changed since January 1, 2014?
Fluctuate
Overall
No
Overall
with no
Explain, noting how raw material price changes
increase change decrease clear trend have affected your firm’s selling prices for flanges.

III-18. Interchangeability.--Are flanges 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

India

Italy

Spain

China

Other countries

United
States
India
Italy
Spain
China
For any country-pair producing flanges that are sometimes or never interchangeable, identify
the country-pair and explain the factors that limit or preclude interchangeable use:

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Page 33

III-19. Factors other than price.--Are differences other than price (e.g., quality, availability,
transportation network, product range, technical support, etc.) between flanges 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

India

Italy

Spain

China

Other countries

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

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Page 34

III-20. Approved manufacturers’ lists.—
(a) Please estimate the share of your firm’s U.S. commercial shipments of flanges that were to
customers that required the listing of the producer on an approved manufacturers’ list (whether
published or proprietary).
Calendar years
2015

2014
Estimated share of your firm’s U.S. commercial
shipments of imported flanges subject to an
approved manufacturers’ listing

%

2016

%

%

(b) Are there distinctions between different types or classes of approved manufacturers’ lists, e.g.,
standard, high yield, low temperature, etc.? Please describe.

(c) With what frequency are flanges produced by firms listed on approved manufacturers’ lists and
flanges produced by firms not on approved manufacturers’ lists interchangeable?
Always

Usually

Sometimes

Never

Please explain your answer:
(d) Please provide as an attachment to this questionnaire any approved manufacturers’ lists that
your firm has, including where the approved flanges are manufactured. Please check one box.
List(s) attached

My firm does not use have any approved manufacturers’ lists

(e) Additional comments on approved manufacturers’ lists:

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Page 35

III-21. Customer identification.--List the names and contact information for your firm’s 10 largest U.S.
customers for flanges since January 1, 2014. Indicate the share of the quantity of your firm’s
total shipments of flanges that each of these customers accounted for in 2016.
Customer’s name

City

State

Share of 2016
sales (%)

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

III-22. 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.

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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.

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Page 37

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_7/2017/finished_carbon_steel_flanges_india
_italy_and/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: FCSF

• 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.