17-3-3655 U.S. Purchasers' Questionnaire

OMB No. 3117-0016/USITC No. 17-3-3655; Expiration Date: 6/30/2017
(No response is required if currently valid OMB control number is not displayed)

U.S. PURCHASERS’ QUESTIONNAIRE
STAINLESS STEEL SHEET AND STRIP FROM KOREA, JAPAN, AND TAIWAN
This questionnaire must be received by the Commission by May 12, 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 reviews of the countervailing duty order concerning stainless steel sheet and strip from Korea and
the antidumping duty orders concerning stainless steel sheet and strip from Japan, Korea, and Taiwan (Inv. Nos. 701-TA382 and 731-TA-800, 801, and 803 (Third Review)). 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 Cindy Cohen (202-205-3230, [email protected]).
Name of firm
Address
City

State

Zip Code

Website
Has your firm purchased stainless steel sheet and strip (as defined on the next page) from any source (domestic
or foreign) at any time since January 1, 2011?

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 Commission Drop Box by clicking on the following link:
https://dropbox.usitc.gov/oinv/. (PIN: STS3)
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 or reviews
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

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PART I.—GENERAL INFORMATION
Background.--On July 27, 1999, the Department of Commerce (“Commerce”) issued the antidumping
duty orders on imports of stainless steel sheet and strip from Japan, Korea, and Taiwan (64 FR 40565
and 64 FR 40555) and on August 6, 1999, Commerce issued the countervailing duty order on imports of
stainless steel sheet and strip Korea (64 FR 42923). Following five-year reviews by Commerce and the
Commission, effective August 4, 2005, Commerce issued a continuation of the countervailing duty order
on imports of stainless steel sheet and strip Korea and the antidumping duty orders on imports of
stainless steel sheet and strip from Japan, Korea, and Taiwan (70 FR 44886). Following second five-year
reviews by Commerce and the Commission, effective August 11, 2011, Commerce issued a second
continuation of the countervailing duty order on imports of stainless steel sheet and strip Korea and the
antidumping duty orders on imports of stainless steel sheet and strip from Japan, Korea, and Taiwan and
(76 FR 49726). On July 1, 2016, the Commission instituted a review pursuant to section 751(c) of the
Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. § 1675(c)) (the Act) to determine whether revocation of the orders would
be likely to lead to continuation or recurrence of material injury to the domestic industry within a
reasonably foreseeable time. Each order for which the Commission and Commerce make affirmative
determinations will remain in place. If the Commission makes a negative determination on a particular
order, the Department of Commerce will revoke that order. Questionnaires and other information
pertinent to this proceeding are available at
https://www.usitc.gov/investigations/701731/2016/stainless_steel_sheet_and_strip_japan_korea_and/
third_review_full.htm.
Stainless steel sheet and strip (“SSSS”).-- The merchandise covered by these AD and CVD orders is
stainless steel sheet and strip in coils. Stainless steel is an alloy steel containing, by weight, 1.2 percent
or less of carbon and 10.5 percent or more of chromium, with or without other elements. The subject
sheet and strip is a flat-rolled product in coils that is greater than 9.5 mm in width and less than 4.75
mm in thickness, and that is annealed or otherwise heat treated and pickled or otherwise descaled. The
subject sheet and strip may also be further processed (e.g., cold-rolled, polished, aluminized,
coated, etc.) provided that it maintains the specific dimensions of sheet and strip following such
processing.
The merchandise subject to these orders is classified in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United
States (HTSUS) at subheadings: 7219.13.00.31, 7219.13.00.51, 7219.13.00.71, 7219.13.00.81,
7219.14.00.30, 7219.14.00.65, 7219.14.00.90, 7219.32.00.05, 7219.32.00.20, 7219.32.00.25,
7219.32.00.35, 7219.32.00.36, 7219.32.00.38, 7219.32.00.42, 7219.32.00.44, 7219.33.00.05,
7219.33.00.20, 7219.33.00.25, 7219.33.00.35, 7219.33.00.36, 7219.33.00.38, 7219.33.00.42,
7219.33.00.44, 7219.34.00.05, 7219.34.00.20, 7219.34.00.25, 7219.34.00.30, 7219.34.00.35,
7219.35.00.05, 7219.35.00.15, 7219.35.00.30, 7219.35.00.35, 7219.90.00.10, 7219.90.00.20,
7219.90.00.25, 7219.90.00.60, 7219.90.00.80, 7220.12.10.00, 7220.12.50.00, 7220.20.10.10,
7220.20.10.15, 7220.20.10.60, 7220.20.10.80, 7220.20.60.05, 7220.20.60.10, 7220.20.60.15,
7220.20.60.60, 7220.20.60.80, 7220.20.70.05, 7220.20.70.10, 7220.20.70.15, 7220.20.70.60,
7220.20.70.80, 7220.20.80.00, 7220.20.90.30, 7220.20.90.60, 7220.90.00.10, 7220.90.00.15,
7220.90.00.60, and 7220.90.00.80. Although the HTSUS subheadings are provided for convenience and
customs purposes, the Department's written description of the merchandise subject to these orders is
dispositive.
Excluded from the scope of these orders are the following: (1) Sheet and strip that is not annealed or
otherwise heat treated and pickled or otherwise descaled, (2) sheet and strip that is cut to length, (3)
plate (i.e.,flat-rolled stainless steel products of a thickness of 4.75 mm or more), (4) flat wire (i.e., cold-

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rolled sections, with a prepared edge, rectangular in shape, of a width of not more than 9.5 mm), and (5)
razor blade steel, (6) flapper valve steel, (7) suspension foil, (8) certain stainless steel foil for automotive
catalytic converters, (9) permanent magnet iron-chromium-cobalt alloy stainless strip, (10) certain
electrical resistance ally steel, (11) certain martensitic precipitation-hardenable stainless steel, and (12)
three specialty stainless steels typically used in certain industrial blades and surgical and medication
instruments. Items 5 through 12 are further described below.
Razor blade steel is a flat-rolled product of stainless steel, not further worked than cold-rolled (coldreduced), in coils, of a width of not more than 23 mm and a thickness of 0.266 mm or less, containing,
by weight, 12.5 to 14.5 percent chromium, and certified at the time of entry to be used in the
manufacture of razor blades. See Chapter 72 of the HTSUS, “Additional U.S. Note” 1(d).
Flapper valve steel is also excluded from the scope. This product is defined as stainless steel strip in coils
containing, by weight, between 0.37 and 0.43 percent carbon, between 1.15 and 1.35 percent
molybdenum, and between 0.20 and 0.80 percent manganese. This steel also contains, by weight,
phosphorus of 0.025 percent or less, silicon of between 0.20 and 0.50 percent, and sulfur of 0.020
percent or less. The product is manufactured by means of vacuum arc remelting, with inclusion controls
for sulphide of no more than 0.04 percent and for oxide of no more than 0.05 percent. Flapper valve
steel has a tensile strength of between 210 and 300 ksi, yield strength of between 170 and 270 ksi, plus
or minus 8 ksi, and a hardness (Hv) of between 460 and 590. Flapper valve steel is most commonly used
to produce specialty flapper valves in compressors.
Suspension foil excluded from the scope is a specialty steel product used in the manufacture of
suspension assemblies for computer disk drives. Suspension foil is described as 302/304 grade or 202
grade stainless steel of a thickness between 14 and 127 microns, with a thickness tolerance of plus-orminus 2.01 microns, and surface glossiness of 200 to 700 percent Gs. Suspension foil must be supplied in
coilwidths of not more than 407 mm, and with a mass of 225 kg or less. Roll marks may only be visible
on one side, with no scratches of measurable depth. The material must exhibit residual stresses of 2 mm
maximum deflection, and flatness of 1.6 mm over 685 mm length.
Certain stainless steel foil for automotive catalytic converters is also excluded from the scope. This
stainless steel strip in coils is a specialty foil with a thickness of between 20 and 110 microns used to
produce a metallic substrate with a honeycomb structure for use in automotive catalytic converters. The
steel contains, by weight, carbon of no more than 0.030 percent, silicon of no more than 1.0 percent,
manganese of no more than 1.0 percent, chromium of between 19 and 22 percent, aluminum of no less
than 5.0 percent, phosphorus of no more than 0.045 percent, sulfur of no more than 0.03 percent,
lanthanum of less than 0.002 or greater than 0.05 percent, and total rare earth elements of more than
0.06 percent, with the balance iron.
Permanent magnet iron-chromium-cobalt alloy stainless strip is also excluded from the scope. This
ductile stainless steel strip contains, by weight, 26 to 30 percent chromium, and 7 to 10 percent cobalt,
with the remainder of iron, in widths 228.6 mm or less, and a thickness between 0.127 and 1.270 mm. It
exhibits magnetic remanence between 9,000 and 12,000 gauss, and a coercivity of between 50 and 300
oersteds. This product is most commonly used in electronic sensors and is currently available under
proprietary trade names such as “Arnokrome III.”1

1

“Arnokrome III” is a trademark of the Arnold Engineering Company.

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Certain electrical resistance alloy steel is also excluded from the scope. This product is defined as a nonmagnetic stainless steel manufactured to American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM)
specification B344 and containing, by weight, 36 percent nickel, 18 percent chromium, and 46 percent
iron, and is most notable for its resistance to high temperature corrosion. It has a melting point of 1390
degrees Celsius and displays a creep rupture limit of 4 kilograms per square millimeter at 1000 degrees
Celsius. This steel is most commonly used in the production of heating ribbons for circuit breakers and
industrial furnaces, and in rheostats for railway locomotives. The product is currently available under
proprietary trade names such as “Gilphy 36.”2
Certain martensitic precipitation-hardenable stainless steel is also excluded from the scope. This highstrength, ductile stainless steel product is designated under the Unified Numbering System (UNS) as
S45500-grade steel, and contains, by weight, 11 to 13 percent chromium, and 7 to 10 percent nickel.
Carbon, manganese, silicon and molybdenum each comprise, by weight, 0.05 percent or less, with
phosphorus and sulfur each comprising, by weight, 0.03 percent or less. This steel has copper, niobium,
and titanium added to achieve aging, and will exhibit yield strengths as high as 1700 Mpa and ultimate
tensile strengths as high as 1750 Mpa after aging, with elongation percentages of 3 percent or less in 50
mm. It is generally provided in thicknesses between 0.635 and 0.787 mm, and in widths of 25.4 mm. This
product is most commonly used in the manufacture of television tubes and is currently available under
proprietary trade names such as “Durphynox 17.”3
Three specialty stainless steels typically used in certain industrial blades and surgical and medical
instruments are also excluded from the scope. These include stainless steel strip in coils used in the
production of textile cutting tools (e.g., carpet knives).4 This steel is similar to AISI grade 420 but
containing, by weight, 0.5 to 0.7 percent of molybdenum. The steel also contains, by weight, carbon of
between 1.0 and 1.1 percent, sulfur of 0.020 percent or less, and includes between 0.20 and 0.30
percent copper and between 0.20 and 0.50 percent cobalt. This steel is sold under proprietary names
such as “GIN4 Mo.” The second excluded stainless steel strip in coils is similar to AISI 420-J2 and
contains, by weight, carbon of between 0.62 and 0.70 percent, silicon of between 0.20 and 0.50 percent,
manganese of between 0.45 and 0.80 percent, phosphorus of no more than 0.025 percent and sulfur of
no more than 0.020 percent. This steel has a carbide density on average of 100 carbide particles per 100
square microns. An example of this product is “GIN5” steel. The third specialty steel has a chemical
composition similar to AISI 420 F, with carbon of between 0.37 and 0.43 percent, molybdenum of
between 1.15 and 1.35 percent, but lower manganese of between 0.20 and 0.80 percent, phosphorus of
no more than 0.025 percent, silicon of between 0.20 and 0.50 percent, and sulfur of no more than 0.020
percent. This product is supplied with a hardness of more than Hv 500 guaranteed after customer
processing, and is supplied as, for example, “GIN6”.5
In addition, as a result of changed circumstances reviews, the Department has revoked, in part, the
Japanese AD order with respect to imports of the following products:6

2

“Gilphy 36” is a trademark of Imphy, S.A.
“Durphynox 17” is a trademark of Imphy, S.A.
4
This list of uses is illustrative and provided for descriptive purposes only.
5
“GIN4 Mo,” “GIN5” and “GIN6” are the proprietary grades of Hitachi Metals America, Ltd.
6
See the following Federal Register notices entitled Stainless Steel Sheet and Strip in Coils From Japan: Final Results
of Changed Circumstance Antidumping Duty Review, and Determination To Revoke Order in Part: 65 FR 17856,
April 5, 2000; 65 FR 54841, September 11, 2000; 65 FR 64423, October 27, 2000; and 65 FR 77578, December 12,
2000.
3

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Stainless Steel Sheet and Strip
•
•
•
•

Page 5

Stainless steel welding electrode strips that are manufactured in accordance with
American Welding Society (AWS) specifications ANSI/AWS A5.9-93
Certain stainless steel used for razor blades, medical surgical blades, and industrial
blades that are sold under proprietary names such as DSRIK7, DSRIKA, and DSRIK9;
Certain stainless steel lithographic sheet that is made of 304-grade stainless steel; and
Certain nickel clad stainless steel sheet.

Purchaser.--Any firm engaged, either directly or through a parent company or subsidiary, in purchasing
stainless steel sheet and strip from another firm that produces, imports, or otherwise distributes
stainless steel sheet and strip.
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 in connection with this
proceeding (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 of your files, worksheets, and
supporting documents used in the preparation of the questionnaire response. Please also retain a copy
of the final document that you submit.
Release of information.--The information provided by your firm in response to this questionnaire, as
well as any other business proprietary information submitted by your firm to the Commission in
connection with this proceeding, may become subject to, and released under, the administrative
protective order provisions of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. § 1677f) and section 207.7 of the
Commission’s Rules of Practice and Procedure (19 CFR § 207.7). This means that certain lawyers and
other authorized individuals may temporarily be given access to the information for use in connection
with this proceeding or other import-injury proceedings conducted by the Commission on the same or
similar merchandise; those individuals would be subject to severe penalties if the information were
divulged to unauthorized individuals.

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Stainless Steel Sheet and Strip
I-1.

Page 6

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
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 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 stainless steel sheet and
strip, including auxiliary facilities operated in conjunction with (whether or not physically
separate from) such facilities.

I-3.

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

Yes--List the following information.
Address

Extent of ownership
(percent)

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Stainless Steel Sheet and Strip
I-4.

Related importers/exporters.--Does your firm have any related firms, either domestic or
foreign, that import stainless steel sheet and strip into the United States or that export stainless
steel sheet and strip 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
produce stainless steel sheet and strip?
No

Yes--List the following information.

Firm name and country

I-6.

Page 7

Country

Affiliation

Business plan.--Does your company or any related firm have a business plan or any internal
documents that describe, discuss, or analyze expected market conditions for stainless steel
sheet and strip?

No

Yes

If yes, please provide these documents. If you are not providing the
requested documents, please explain why not.

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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
II-1.

Purchases.—
(a)

Please estimate your firm’s total U.S. purchases of stainless steel sheet and strip in
2016. (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.)
Quantity (short tons)

(b)

Estimate the percentage of the quantity of your firm’s purchases of stainless steel sheet
and strip in 2016 that were produced in each of the specified countries.
Share of quantity of 2016 purchases
(percent)

Item
Stainless steel sheet and strip
produced in:
United States

%

Japan

%

Korea

%

Taiwan

%

All other countries:1

%

Total (should sum to 100.0%)
1

II-2.

0.0

%

Please identify these countries:

Purchases by grades.--Which of the following grades of stainless steel sheet and strip did your
firm purchase since January 1, 2011? (Check all that apply)
Grade 201

Grade 304

Grade 316

Grade 409

Grade 430

Other

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Stainless Steel Sheet and Strip
II-3.

Page 9

Changes in purchasing patterns.--Please indicate how the shares of your firm’s purchases of
stainless steel sheet and strip from different sources have changed since January 1, 2011.

Source of purchases

Did not
purchase Decreased Increased Constant Fluctuated

Explanation for trend

United States
Japan
Korea
Taiwan
All other countries
Sources unknown

II-4.

Purchases from one country only.--If your firm has purchased stainless steel sheet and strip
from only one country, please explain the reasons for doing so.

II-5.

Supplier identification.--Please list your firm’s FIVE largest suppliers for stainless steel sheet and
strip since January 1, 2011. Also, provide the share of the quantity of your firm’s total purchases
of stainless steel sheet and strip 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

%

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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 stainless steel
sheet and strip (check all that apply)?
Automotive
assembler/
supplier

Consumer
appliance
producer

Distributor

Tubular
products
producer

Processor/
service
center

Other

Describe other

If your firm is a distributor of stainless steel sheet and strip, please answer questions III-2 and III-3.
III-2.

Competition for sales.--Do you compete for sales to your customers with the manufacturers or
importers from which you purchase stainless steel sheet and strip?
No

III-3.

Yes

If yes, please describe.

Types of customers.--What are the major types of consumers to which you sell stainless steel
sheet and strip?

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If your firm is an end user of stainless steel sheet and strip, please answer questions III-4 and III-5.
III-4.

End uses.—
(a)

List the top 3 products you make using stainless steel sheet and strip and estimate the
percent of your total production cost that is accounted for by stainless steel sheet and
strip 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

(b)

Stainless steel sheet
and strip

Total
(should
sum to
100.0%
across)

Other inputs

% +

%

=

0.0 %

% +

%

=

0.0 %

% +

%

=

0.0 %

Have there been any changes in the end uses of stainless steel sheet and strip since
January 1, 2011? Do you anticipate any future changes?

Changes in end uses

No

Yes

Explain

Changes since
January 1, 2011
Anticipated changes
III-5.

Demand for end use products.-(a)

Has the demand for your firm’s final products incorporating stainless steel sheet and
strip changed since January 1, 2011?
Increased

(b)

No change

Decreased

Fluctuated

Has this had any effect on your firm’s demand for stainless steel sheet and strip?
No

Yes

Explain

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Stainless Steel Sheet and Strip
III-6.

Page 12

Substitutes.—
(a)

Can other products be substituted for stainless steel sheet and strip?
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 stainless steel sheet and
strip?
No Yes

Explanation

1.
2.
3.
(b)

Have there been any changes in the number or types of products that can be
substituted for stainless steel sheet and strip since January 1, 2011? Do you anticipate
any future changes?

Changes in substitutes No Yes
Changes since January
1, 2011
Anticipated changes

Explain

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Stainless Steel Sheet and Strip
III-7.

Page 13

Demand trends.-- Indicate how demand within the United States and outside of the United
States (if known) for stainless steel sheet and strip has changed since January 1, 2011, and how
you anticipate demand will change in the future. Explain any trends and describe the principal
factors that have affected, and that you anticipate will affect, these changes in demand.

Overall
increase

Market

No
change

Overall
decrease

Fluctuate
with no
clear trend

Explanation and factors

Demand since January 1, 2011
Within the United States
Outside the United States
Anticipated future demand
Within the United States
Outside the United States
III-8.

Market studies.--Please provide as a separate attachment to this request any studies, surveys,
etc. that you are aware of that quantify and/or otherwise discuss stainless steel sheet and strip
supply (including production capacity and capacity utilization) and demand in (1) the United
States, (2) each of the other major producing/consuming countries, including Japan, Korea, and
Taiwan, and (3) the world as a whole. Of particular interest is such data from 2011 to the
present and forecasts for the future.

III-9.

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

Yes

If yes, identify the countries and explain.

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III-10. Importance of purchasing domestic product.--Please fill out the table below, estimating the
percentage of your firm’s total 2016 purchases of stainless steel sheet and strip that required
stainless steel sheet and strip 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 stainless
steel sheet and strip
%
%
%
%
0.0 %

III-11. Conditions of competition.-(a) Is the stainless steel sheet and strip market subject to business cycles (other than general
economy-wide conditions) and/or other conditions of competition distinctive to stainless
steel sheet and strip?
Check all that apply.

Please describe.

No

Skip to question III-12.

Yes-Business cycles (e.g.
seasonal business)
Yes-Other distinctive
conditions of competition
(b) If yes, have there been any changes in the business cycles or conditions of competition for
stainless steel sheet and strip since January 1, 2011?
No

Yes

If yes, describe.

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III-12. Decisions based on producer and country-of-origin.--How often does your firm, and if you
know, do your customers, make purchasing decisions involving stainless steel sheet and strip
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-13. Availability of supply.--Has the availability of stainless steel sheet and strip in the U.S. market
changed since January 1, 2011? Do you anticipate any future changes?
Availability in the U.S.
market

Please explain, noting the countries and reasons for the
No Yes changes.

Changes since January 1, 2011:
U.S.-produced product
Imports from Japan,
Korea, and Taiwan
Imports from all other
countries
Anticipated changes:
U.S.-produced product
Imports from Japan,
Korea, and Taiwan
Imports from all other
countries
III-14. Availability of specific product types.--Are certain grades/types/sizes of stainless steel sheet
and strip only available from certain country sources?
No

Yes

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

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III-15. Supply constraints.--Has any firm refused, declined, or been unable to supply your firm with
stainless steel sheet and strip since January 1, 2011?
No

Yes

Supply constraint
(check all that apply)
Our domestic supplier(s) have placed our firm
on allocation or “controlled order entry”.
Our import supplier(s) have placed our firm
on allocation or “controlled order entry”.
Our domestic supplier(s) have declined
order(s)
Our import supplier(s) have declined order(s)
Our domestic supplier(s) has accepted
order(s) but delivered less than promised
and/or contracted
Our import supplier(s) has accepted order(s)
but delivered less than promised and/or
contracted
Our domestic supplier(s) have been unable to
deliver product by the date of delivery
identified at the time of order
Our import supplier(s) have been unable to
deliver product by the date of delivery
identified at the time of order
Our domestic supplier(s) have been unable or
unwilling to provide specific types of stainless
steel sheet and strip
Our import supplier(s) have been unable or
unwilling to provide specific types of stainless
steel sheet and strip

If yes, please explain the timing and duration of any
supply constraint, and list the supplier/source.

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Stainless Steel Sheet and Strip

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III-16. Purchasing frequency.-(a)

How frequently do you make purchases of stainless steel sheet and strip (check one)?
Daily

(b)

Weekly

Monthly

Quarterly

Annually

Other

If other, specify

Do you expect this purchasing frequency to change in the next two years?
No

Yes

If yes, explain.

III-17. Number of suppliers contacted.--How many suppliers do you generally contact before making a
purchase? Between
and
firms.
III-18. Supplier negotiations.--Do your purchases of stainless steel sheet and strip usually involve
negotiations between supplier and purchaser?

No

Yes

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

III-19. Change in suppliers.--Has your firm changed suppliers since January 1, 2011?

No

Yes

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

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Stainless Steel Sheet and Strip

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III-20. New suppliers.-(a)

Are you aware of any new suppliers, either foreign or domestic, that have entered the
market since January 1, 2011?
No

(b)

Yes

If yes, please identify the firms.

Do you expect new stainless steel sheet and strip suppliers to enter the U.S. market?
No

Yes

If yes, please explain.

III-21. Supplier qualification.--Do you require your suppliers to be or to become certified or qualified
to sell stainless steel sheet and strip 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-22. Failure to certify.--Since January 1, 2011, have any domestic or foreign producers failed in their
attempts to certify or qualify their stainless steel sheet and strip 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.

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Stainless Steel Sheet and Strip

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III-23. Major purchasing factors.-- Please list, in order of their importance, the three major factors
your firm considers in deciding from whom to purchase stainless steel sheet and strip (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:
III-24. Purchasing factors.--Please rate the importance of the following factors in your firm’s
purchasing decisions for stainless steel sheet and strip.

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 exceeds industry standards
Quality meets industry standards
Reliability of supply
Technical support/service
U.S. transportation costs
III-25. Quality characteristics.--What characteristics does your firm consider when determining the
quality of stainless steel sheet and strip?

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Stainless Steel Sheet and Strip

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III-26. Minimum quality.--How often does stainless steel sheet and strip 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
Japan
Korea
Taiwan
Other:
III-27. Frequency of decisions based on price.--How often does your firm purchase the stainless steel
sheet and strip that is offered at the lowest price?
Always

Usually

Sometimes

Never

III-28. Choice of product not based on price.--If you purchased stainless steel sheet and strip 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-29. 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 stainless steel sheet and
strip market since January 1, 2011.
Firm(s)

Describe how the firm(s) exhibited price leadership

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Stainless Steel Sheet and Strip

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III-30. Changes in U.S. industry.-(a)

Please identify and discuss any improvements/changes in the U.S. stainless steel sheet
and strip industry since January 1, 2011 and explain the factors, including the order(s)
under review, that were responsible for each improvement/change.

(b)

Please discuss any improvements/changes that you anticipate in the future in the U.S.
stainless steel sheet and strip industry. Identify the time period and causes for these
improvements/changes.

III-31. Effect of revocation.--What do you think will be the likely effects of any revocation of the
countervailing and antidumping duty orders for imports of stainless steel sheet and strip from
Japan, Korea, and Taiwan? As appropriate, please discuss any potential effects of revocation of
the countervailing and antidumping duty orders on (1) the future activities of your firm and
(2) the U.S. market as a whole. Please note the future time period to which you are referring.
Activities of your firm
Entire U.S. market

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Stainless Steel Sheet and Strip

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PART IV.--PRODUCT COMPARISIONS
IV-1.

Country knowledge.--Please indicate the countries of origin for stainless steel sheet and strip for
which your firm has actual marketing/pricing knowledge.
United
States

IV-2.

Japan

Korea

Taiwan

Other
countries

Other countries (specify)

Interchangeability.--Is stainless steel sheet and strip 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

Japan

Korea

Taiwan

Other countries

United States
Japan
Korea
Taiwan
For any country-pair producing stainless steel sheet and strip 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 - Stainless Steel Sheet and Strip
IV-3.

Page 23

Factors other than price.--Are differences other than price (e.g., quality, availability,
transportation network, product range, technical support, etc.) between stainless steel sheet
and strip 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

Japan

Korea

Taiwan

Other countries

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

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Stainless Steel Sheet and Strip
IV-4.

Page 24

Factor country comparisons.--For the factors listed below, please rate how stainless steel sheet
and strip produced in each country you identified in your response to the first question in Part
IV compares with stainless steel sheet and strip 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

Product from
United States
compared to
product from
Taiwan

Superior

Inferior

Comparable

Product from
United States
compared to
product from
Korea

Superior

Inferior

Comparable

Factor

Superior

Product from
United States
compared to
product from
Japan

Availability
Delivery terms
Delivery time
Discounts offered
Extension of credit
Minimum quantity requirements
Packaging
Price1
Product consistency
Product range
Quality exceeds industry standards
Quality meets 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 - Stainless Steel Sheet and Strip
IV-4.

Page 25

Continued.

Inferior

Comparable

Superior

Inferior

Comparable

Superior

Inferior

Comparable

Factor

Superior

If you are unfamiliar with the product from a particular country, please leave the boxes for those
country comparisons blank.
Product from
Product from
Product from
Japan
Japan
Korea
compared to
compared to
compared to
product from
product from
product from
Korea
Taiwan
Taiwan

Availability
Delivery terms
Delivery time
Discounts offered
Extension of credit
Minimum quantity requirements
Packaging
Price1
Product consistency
Product range
Quality exceeds industry standards
Quality meets 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.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Stainless Steel Sheet and Strip
IV-4.

Page 26

Continued.

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

Availability
Delivery terms
Delivery time
Discounts offered
Extension of credit
Minimum quantity requirements
Packaging
Price1
Product consistency
Product range
Quality exceeds industry standards
Quality meets 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.

Inferior

Comparable

Factor

Superior

Product from
United States
compared to
product from
Nonsubject
countries

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Stainless Steel Sheet and Strip
IV-5.

Page 27

Change in price.-(a)

Since January 1, 2011, has there been a change in the price of stainless steel sheet and
strip? If so, has the price of U.S.-produced stainless steel sheet and strip changed more
or less than the price of imported stainless steel sheet and strip from Japan, Korea, and
Taiwan?
No change in price.
Prices have changed by the same amount.
Price of U.S.-produced stainless steel sheet and strip has changed relative to
the price of stainless steel sheet and strip from Japan.
Price of U.S.-produced stainless steel sheet and strip has changed relative to
the price of stainless steel sheet and strip from Korea.
Price of U.S.-produced stainless steel sheet and strip has changed relative to
the price of stainless steel sheet and strip from Taiwan.

(b)

If the price of U.S.-produced stainless steel sheet and strip has changed relative to the
price of stainless steel sheet and strip from Japan, Korea, and Taiwan, the price of U.S.produced stainless steel sheet and strip is now relatively
Higher

Lower
than those from Japan.
than those from Korea.
than those from Taiwan.

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 - Stainless Steel Sheet and Strip

Page 28

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/stainless_steel_sheet_and_strip_ja
pan_korea_and/third_review_full.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: STS3

• 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 you submit (see 19 CFR
§ 207.7). Service of the questionnaire must be made in paper form.