17-3-3631 U.S. Purchasers' Questionnaire

OMB No. 3117-0016/USITC No. 17-3-3631; Expiration Date: 6/30/2017
(No response is required if currently valid OMB control number is not displayed)

U.S. PURCHASERS’ QUESTIONNAIRE
DIOCTYL TEREPHTHALATE (DOTP) FROM KOREA
This questionnaire must be received by the Commission by April 11, 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 antidumping duty investigation concerning dioctyl terephthalate (“DOTP”) from Korea (Inv. No. 731‐
TA‐1330 (Final)). The information requested in the questionnaire is requested under the authority of the Tariff Act of
1930, title VII. This report is mandatory and failure to reply as directed can result in a subpoena or other order to compel
the submission of records or information in your possession (19 U.S.C. § 1333(a)). Further information on this
questionnaire can be obtained from John Benedetto (202-205-3270, [email protected]).

Name of firm
Address
City

State

Zip Code

Website
Has your firm purchased DOTP (as defined on next page) from any source (domestic or foreign) 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: DOTP)
CERTIFICATION
I certify that the information herein supplied in response to this questionnaire is complete and correct to the best of my
knowledge and belief and understand that the information submitted is subject to audit and verification by the Commission. By
submitting this certification I also grant consent for the Commission, and its employees and contract personnel, to use the
information provided in this questionnaire and throughout this proceeding in any other import-injury proceedings conducted by
the Commission on the same or similar merchandise.
I, 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. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - DOTP

Page 2

PART I.—GENERAL INFORMATION
Background. This proceeding was instituted in response to a petition filed on June 30, 2016, by Eastman
Chemical Company, Kingsport, Tennessee. 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/701731/2016/dioctyl_terephthalate_dotp_korea/final.htm.
Dioctyl terephthalate (“DOTP”).--The product covered by this investigation is dioctyl terephthalate
(“DOTP”), regardless of form.
DOTP that has been blended with other products is included within this scope when such blends include
constituent parts that have not been chemically reacted with each other to produce a different product.
For such blends, only the DOTP component of the mixture is covered by the scope of this investigation.
DOTP that is otherwise subject to this investigation is not excluded when commingled with DOTP from
sources not subject to this investigation. Commingled refers to the mixing of subject and non-subject
DOTP. Only the subject component of such commingled products is covered by the scope of the
investigation. DOTP has the general chemical formulation C 6 H 4 (C 8 H 17 COO) 2 and a chemical name of “bis
(2-ethylhexyl) terephthalate” and has a Chemical Abstract Service (“CAS”) registry number of 6422-86-2.
Regardless of the label, all DOTP is covered by this investigation.
Subject merchandise is currently classified under subheading 2917.39.20 of the Harmonized Tariff
Schedule of the United States (“HTSUS”). Subject merchandise may also be imported under subheadings
2917.39.70 or 3812.20.10 of the HTSUS. While the CAS registry number and HTSUS classification are
provided for convenience and customs purposes, the written description of the scope of this
investigation is dispositive.
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.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - DOTP
I-1.

Page 3

OMB statistics.--Please report the actual number of hours required and the cost to your firm of
completing this questionnaire.
Hours

Dollars

The questions in this questionnaire have been reviewed with market participants to ensure that
issues of concern are adequately addressed and that data requests are sufficient, meaningful,
and as limited as possible. Public reporting burden for this questionnaire is estimated to average
25 hours per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, gathering data, and
completing and reviewing the questionnaire.
We welcome comments regarding the accuracy of this burden estimate, suggestions for
reducing the burden, and any suggestions for improving this questionnaire. Please attach such
comments to your response or send to the Office of Investigations, USITC, 500 E St. SW,
Washington, DC 20436.
I-2.

Establishments covered.-- Provide the name and address of your U.S. establishment(s) covered
by this questionnaire, if different from that listed on the cover page. Firms operating more than
one establishment should combine the data for all establishments into a single report.
“Establishment”--Each facility of a firm involved in the purchase of DOTP, including auxiliary
facilities operated in conjunction with (whether or not physically separate from) such facilities.

I-3.

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

Yes--List the following information.
Address

Extent of ownership
(percent)

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - DOTP
I-4.

Related importers/exporters.--Does your firm have any related firms, either domestic or
foreign, which import DOTP into the United States or which export DOTP to the United States?
No
Firm name

I-5.

Page 4

Yes--List the following information.
Country

Affiliation

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

Yes--List the following information.
Country

Affiliation

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - DOTP

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

II-1.

2013
Item

2014

2015

Quantity (in metric tons)

Purchases of DOTP produced in-United States
Korea
All other countries1
Sources unknown
Total purchases
1

II-2.

0

0

Please identify these countries:
Changes in purchasing patterns.--Please indicate how the shares of your firm’s purchases of
DOTP from different sources have changed since January 1, 2014.

Source of Did not
purchases purchase Decreased Increased Constant Fluctuated
United
States
Korea
All other
countries
Sources
unknown

Explanation for trend

0

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - DOTP

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II-3.

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

II-4.

Supplier identification.--Please list your firm’s FIVE largest suppliers for DOTP since January 1,
2014. Also, provide the share of the quantity of your firm’s total purchases of DOTP that each of
these suppliers accounted for in 2016.

No.

Supplier’s name

City and state

Share of quantity of
2016 purchases

1

%

2

%

3

%

4

%

5

%

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - DOTP

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

Firm type.--Which of the following best describes your firm as a purchaser of DOTP (check all
that apply)?
Polyvinyl
chloride
(PVC)
product
producer

Other end
user

Distributor

Other

Describe other

If your firm is a distributor or broker of DOTP, please answer questions III-2 and III-3.
III-2.

Competition for sales.--Does your firm compete for sales to customers with the manufacturers
or importers from which your firm purchases DOTP?
No

III-3.

Yes

If yes, please describe.

Types of customers.--What are the major types of consumers to which your firm sells DOTP?

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - DOTP

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If your firm is an end user of DOTP, please answer questions III-4 and III-5.
III-4.

End uses.--List the top 3 products your firm makes using DOTP and estimate the percent of your
total production cost that is accounted for by DOTP and by other inputs (such as labor, energy,
and other raw materials).
Share of total cost in each of the product(s) your
firm produces accounted for by
Product(s) your firm
produces

III-5.

DOTP

Total
(should
sum to
100.0%
across)

Other inputs
% +

%

=

0.0 %

% +

%

=

0.0 %

% +

%

=

0.0 %

Demand for end use products.-(a)

Has the demand for your firm’s final products incorporating DOTP changed since
January 1, 2014?
Increased

(b)

No change

Decreased

Fluctuated

Has this had any effect on your firm’s demand for DOTP?
No

Yes

Explain

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - DOTP
III-6.

Page 9

Substitutes.--Can other products be substituted for DOTP?
No

Yes--Please fill out the following tables.

The number of end use applications in
which the specified product can be used as
a substitute for DOTP
Potential Substitute
All
Most
Some
None
DINP (diisononyl
phthalate)
DOP (dioctyl
phthalate
DPHP
(di(2‐propylheptyl)
phthalate
Other(s)1
1
Describe the other(s):

Have changes in the price of this substitute affected the price for DOTP
No
Yes
Explain

Potential Substitute
DINP
DOP
DPHP
Other(s)
III-7.

Describe the limitations of the
specified substitute product

Demand trends.--Indicate how demand within the United States and outside of the United
States (if known) for DOTP has changed since January 1, 2014. Explain any trends and describe
the principal factors that have affected these changes in demand.

Overall
increase

Market

No
change

Fluctuate
Overall
with no
decrease clear trend

Explanation and factors

Within the United
States
Outside the United
States
III-8.

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

Yes

If yes, identify the countries and explain.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - DOTP
III-9.

Page 10

Importance of purchasing domestic product.--Please fill out the table below, estimating the
percentage of your firm’s total 2016 purchases of DOTP that required DOTP produced in the
United States.

Purchases that did not require domestic product
Purchases that were required by law or regulation to be domestic product
(e.g., government purchases under “Buy American” provisions)
Purchases that were not required by law or regulation, but were required by
your customers to be domestic product
Purchases that were required to be domestic product for other reasons
(explain:
)
Total (should sum to 100.0%)

Estimated percentage of
your firm’s total 2016
purchases of DOTP
%
%
%
%
0.0 %

III-10. Conditions of competition.-(a)

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

Check all that apply.

Please describe.

No

Skip to question III-11.

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

Have there been any changes in the business cycles or conditions of competition for
DOTP since January 1, 2014?
No

Yes

If yes, describe.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - DOTP

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III-11. Decisions based on producer and country-of-origin.--How often does your firm, and if known,
do your customers, make purchasing decisions involving DOTP based on its producer or country
of origin?
Always

Usually

Sometimes

Never

If at least sometimes, explain.

Decision based on producer
Your firm
Your
customers
Decision based on country of origin
Your firm
Your
customers
III-12. Availability of supply.--Has the availability of DOTP in the U.S. market changed since January 1,
2014?
Availability in the U.S.
Please explain, noting the countries and reasons for the
market
No Yes changes.
U.S.-produced product
Subject imports
Nonsubject imports
III-13. Supply constraints.--Has any firm refused, declined, or been unable to supply your firm with
DOTP 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.

III-14. Availability of specific product types.--Are certain grades/types/sizes of DOTP only available
from certain country sources?
No

Yes

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

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - DOTP

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III-15. Purchasing frequency.-(a)

How frequently does your firm make purchases of DOTP (check one)?
Daily

(b)

Weekly

Monthly

Quarterly

Annually

Other

If other, specify

Has this purchasing frequency changed since January 1, 2014?
No

Yes

If yes, please describe.

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

No

Yes

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

III-18. Change in suppliers.--Has your firm changed suppliers since January 1, 2014?

No

Yes

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

III-19. New suppliers.--Are you aware of any new suppliers, either foreign or domestic, that have
entered the market since January 1, 2014?
No

Yes

If yes, please identify the firms.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - DOTP

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III-20. Supplier qualification.--Do you require your suppliers to be or to become certified or qualified
to sell DOTP to your firm?
If yes, provide the following information.
• The number of days to qualify a new supplier.
• A general description of the certification or qualification process. Also, a brief
description of the factors that you consider when qualifying a new supplier (e.g., quality
of product, reliability of supplier, etc.).

No

Yes

Number
of days Process and factors

III-21. Failure to certify.--Since January 1, 2014, have any domestic or foreign producers failed in their
attempts to certify or qualify their DOTP with your firm or have any producers lost their
approved status?

No

Yes

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

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

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - DOTP

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III-23. Purchasing factors.--Please rate the importance of the following factors in your firm’s
purchasing decisions for DOTP.

Factor

Very
important

Somewhat
important

Not
important

Availability
Delivery terms
Delivery time
Discounts offered
Extension of credit
Minimum quantity requirements
Packaging
Price
Product consistency
Product range
Quality meets industry standards
Quality exceeds industry standards
Reliability of supply
Technical support/service
U.S. transportation costs
III-24. Quality characteristics.--What characteristics does your firm consider when determining the
quality of DOTP?

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - DOTP

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III-25. Minimum quality.--How often does DOTP from the following countries meet minimum quality
specifications for your uses or your customers’ uses?

Source

Always

Usually

Sometimes

Rarely or
never

Don’t
know

United States
Korea
All other sources:
III-26. Frequency of decisions based on price.--How often does your firm purchase the DOTP that is
offered at the lowest price?
Always

Usually

Sometimes

Never

III-27. Choice of product not based on price.--If you purchased DOTP from one country source
although a comparable product was available from another country source at a lower price,
please explain your reasons for doing so (please specify by country).

III-28. Price leaders.--A price leader is defined as (1) one or more firms that initiate a price change,
either upward or downward, that is followed by other firms, or (2) one or more firms that have a
significant impact on prices. A price leader is not necessarily the lowest-priced supplier.
Please list the names of any firms you considered price leaders in the DOTP market since
January 1, 2014.
Firm(s)

Describe how the firm(s) exhibited price leadership

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - DOTP

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III-29. Purchasing subject imports rather than domestic products.—
(a)

Since January 2014, did your firm purchase imports of DOTP from Korea instead of U.S.produced DOTP?

Yes
(also respond to parts (b) and (c))

(b)

No
(If “No”, skip to next question)

If you responded “Yes” to part (a), was the imported product priced lower than the
domestic product?
Yes

(c)

No

If you responded “Yes” to part (a), was price a primary reason for purchasing subject
imports rather than domestic product?

Yes

If Yes, estimate the quantity
of imports purchased instead
of domestic product since
January 2014
(in metric tons)

No

If No, please indicate the
reason your firm purchased
imports instead of domestic
product

III-30. U.S. producers and import competition.—
(a)

Since January 1, 2014, in connection with a sale or offer to sell DOTP to your firm, did
U.S. producers reduce their prices of domestically produced DOTP in order to compete
with lower-priced imports of DOTP from the subject countries?

Yes (also respond to
question part (b))

(b)

No (If “No”, skip to next
question)

Don’t know

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

Estimated
reduction in U.S.
prices
(percent)
%

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

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - DOTP

Page 17

III-31. DOTP sold in different size containers.—
Does your firm generally purchase DOTP in 20 MT containers (including tank trucks, flexitanks or
flexitainers, and/or isotanks) or in bulk (including railcars and bulk liftings)?
20 MT containers

Bulk

Both

Another way
Describe

Please describe why your firm generally purchases DOTP this way (i.e., 20 MT containers or bulk),
including whether the price of DOTP in one form affects whether you purchase DOTP in that
form or another.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - DOTP

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PART IV.—PRODUCT COMPARISONS
IV-1.

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

IV-2.

Korea

Other
countries

Other countries (specify)

Interchangeability.--Is DOTP 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

Korea

Other countries

United States
Korea
For any country-pair producing DOTP which is sometimes or never interchangeable, please
identify the country-pair and explain the factors that limit or preclude interchangeable use:

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - DOTP
IV-3.

Page 19

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

Korea

Other countries

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

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - DOTP
IV-4.

Page 20

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

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

Inferior

Comparable

Superior

Inferior

Comparable

Superior

Inferior

Comparable

Factor

Superior

Product from
United States
compared to
product from
Korea

Product from
Product from
United States
Korea
compared to
compared to
product from
product from
all other sources
all other sources
(i.e. non-U.S., non- (i.e. non-U.S., nonKorean)
Korean)

Availability
Delivery terms
Delivery time
Discounts offered
Extension of credit
Minimum quantity requirements
Packaging
Price1
Product consistency
Product range
Quality meets industry standards
Quality exceeds industry standards
Reliability of supply
Technical support/service
U.S. transportation costs1
1

A rating of superior on price and U.S. transportation costs indicates that the first country generally has lower
prices/U.S. transportation costs than the second country.

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - DOTP

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PART V.—ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
V-1.

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

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - DOTP

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

• 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 does not purchase this product, please fill out page 1, print, sign, and submit a scanned
copy to the Commission.
Parties to this proceeding.—If your firm is a party to this proceeding, it is required to serve a copy of the
completed questionnaire on parties to the proceeding that are subject to administrative protective
order (see 19 CFR § 207.7). A list of such parties may be obtained from the Commission’s Secretary (202205-1803). A certificate of service must accompany the completed questionnaire your firm submits (see
19 CFR § 207.7). Service of the questionnaire must be made in paper form.