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pdfOMB No. 3117-0016/USITC No. 18-3-3822; Expiration Date: 6/30/2020
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U.S. PURCHASERS’ QUESTIONNAIRE
CITRIC ACID AND CERTAIN CITRATE SALTS (“CACCS”)
FROM BELGIUM, COLOMBIA, AND THAILAND
This questionnaire must be received by the Commission by March 5, 2018
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 and countervailing duty investigations concerning CACCS from Belgium, Colombia, and
Thailand (Inv. Nos. 701-TA-581 and 731-TA-1374-1376 (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 Fernando Gracia
([email protected], 202-205-2747).
Name of firm
Address
City
State
Zip Code
Website
Has your firm purchased CACCS (as defined on next page) from any source (domestic or foreign) at any time
since January 1, 2015?
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: CBCT)
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
Email address
Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - CACCS
Page 2
PART I.--GENERAL INFORMATION
Background.--This proceeding was instituted in response to a petition filed on June 2, 2017, by Archer
Daniels Midland Company, Decatur, Illinois; Cargill, Incorporated, Minneapolis, Minnesota; and Tate &
Lyle Ingredients Americas, LLC, Hoffman Estates, Illinois.. Countervailing/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/dumping. Questionnaires and other
information pertinent to this proceeding are available at
https://usitc.gov/investigations/701731/2017/citric_acid_and_certain_citrate_salts_belgium/final.htm.
CACCS covered by these investigations is all grades and granulation sizes of citric acid, sodium citrate,
and potassium citrate in their unblended forms, whether dry or in solution, and regardless of packaging
type. The scope also includes blends of citric acid, sodium citrate, and potassium citrate; as well as
blends with other ingredients, such as sugar, where the unblended form(s) of citric acid, sodium citrate,
and potassium citrate constitute 40 percent or more, by weight, of the blend.
The scope also includes all forms of crude calcium citrate, including dicalcium citrate monohydrate, and
tricalcium citrate tetrahydrate, which are intermediate products in the production of citric acid, sodium
citrate, and potassium citrate.
The scope includes the hydrous and anhydrous forms of citric acid, the dihydrate and anhydrous forms
of sodium citrate, otherwise known as citric acid sodium salt, and the monohydrate and monopotassium
forms of potassium citrate. Sodium citrate also includes both trisodium citrate and monosodium citrate
which are also known as citric acid trisodium salt and citric acid monosodium salt, respectively.
The scope does not include calcium citrate that satisfies the standards set forth in the United States
Pharmacopeia and has been mixed with a functional excipient, such as dextrose or starch, where the
excipient constitutes at least 2 percent, by weight, of the product.
Citric acid and sodium citrate are classifiable in subheadings 2918.14.00 and 2918.15.10 of the HTSUS,
respectively. Potassium citrate and crude calcium citrate are classifiable in subheading 2918.15.50 and,
if included in a mixture or blend, subheading 3824.99.92 (statistical reporting number 3824.99.9295) of
the HTSUS. Blends that include citric acid, sodium citrate, and potassium citrate are also imported under
statistical reporting number 3824.99.9295 of the HTSUS. Although the HTSUS subheadings are provided
for convenience and customers purposes, the written description of the merchandise is dispositive.
Purchaser.--Any firm engaged, either directly or through a parent company or subsidiary, in purchasing
CACCS from another firm that produces, imports, or otherwise distributes CACCS.
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.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - CACCS
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.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - CACCS
I-1.
Page 4
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 response.
“Establishment”--Each facility of a firm involved in the purchase of CACCS, 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 - CACCS
I-4.
Related importers/exporters.--Does your firm have any related firms, either domestic or
foreign, which import CACCS into the United States or which export CACCS to the United States?
No
Firm name
I-5.
Page 5
Yes--List the following information.
Country
Affiliation
Related producers.--Does your firm have any related firms, either domestic or foreign, which
produce CACCS?
No
Firm name
Yes--List the following information.
Country
Affiliation
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
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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - CACCS
II-1.
Page 6
Purchases and imports: GMO.—
GMO: CACCS not certified as non-GMO
(a) Report your firm’s total U.S. purchases and imports of CACCS. Please report separately for
your purchases from U.S. producers and importers, and your imports for which your firm
was the importer of record.
“Purchase” – A transaction to buy product from a U.S. corporate entity such as a U.S.
producer, a U.S. distributor, or a U.S. firm that has imported the product.
“Import” – A transaction to buy from a foreign supplier in which your firm is the importer of
record.
2015
Item
2016
2017
Quantity (in dry pounds)
Purchases of GMO CACCS produced in—
United States
Belgium
Colombia
Thailand
Canada
All other countries:1
Sources unknown
Total purchases
0
0
0
0
0
0
Imports of GMO CACCS from—
Belgium
Colombia
Thailand
Canada
All other countries:1
Total imports
1
Please identify these countries:
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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - CACCS
II-1.
Page 7
Purchases and imports: non-GMO.—
Non-GMO: CACCS certified as non-GMO
(b) Report your firm’s total U.S. purchases and imports of non-GMO CACCS. Please report
separately for your purchases from U.S. producers and importers, and your imports for
which your firm was the importer of record.
“Purchase” – A transaction to buy product from a U.S. corporate entity such as a U.S.
producer, a U.S. distributor, or a U.S. firm that has imported the product.
“Import” – A transaction to buy from a foreign supplier in which your firm is the importer of
record.
2015
Item
2016
2017
Quantity (in dry pounds)
Purchases of non-GMO CACCS produced in—
United States
Belgium
Colombia
Thailand
Canada
All other countries1
Sources unknown
Total purchases
0
0
0
0
0
0
Imports of non-GMO CACCS from—
Belgium
Colombia
Thailand
Canada
All other countries1
Total imports
1
Please identify these countries:
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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - CACCS
II-2.
Page 8
Changes in purchasing patterns.—
(a) Please indicate how the shares of your firm’s purchases of GMO CACCS from different
sources have changed since January 1, 2015.
Source of
purchases
Did not
purchase Decreased Increased Constant Fluctuated
Explanation for trend
United States
Belgium
Colombia
Thailand
Canada
All other
countries
Sources unknown
(b) Please indicate how the shares of your firm’s purchases of non-GMO CACCS from different
sources have changed since January 1, 2015.
Source of
purchases
Did not
purchase Decreased Increased Constant Fluctuated
Explanation for trend
United States
Belgium
Colombia
Thailand
Canada
All other
countries
Sources unknown
II-3.
Country knowledge.--Please indicate the countries of origin with which your firm has
experience or information in the CACCS market.
United
States
Belgium
Colombia
Thailand
Canada
Other
countries
Other countries (specify)
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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - CACCS
II-4.
Page 9
Supplier identification.--Please list your firm’s FIVE largest suppliers for CACCS since January 1,
2015. Also, provide the share of the quantity of your firm’s total purchases of CACCS that each
of these suppliers accounted for in 2017.
No.
Supplier’s name
City and state
Share of quantity of
2017 purchases
1
%
2
%
3
%
4
%
5
%
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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - CACCS
Page 10
PART III.--MARKET CHARACTERISTICS AND PURCHASING PRACTICES
III-1.
Firm type.--Which of the following best describes your firm as a purchaser of CACCS (check all
that apply)?
End user
(Food and
Distributor beverages)
End user
(Industrial)
Other end
user
(Identify:
)
Other
Describe other
If your firm is a distributor of CACCS, 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 CACCS?
No
III-3.
Yes
If yes, please describe.
Types of customers.--What are the major types of consumers to which your firm sells CACCS?
Identify whether these consumers have shown changes in their preferences and demands for
non-GMO CACCS.
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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - CACCS
Page 11
If your firm is an end user of CACCS, please answer questions III-4 and III-5.
III-4.
End uses.--List the top 3 products your firm makes using CACCS and estimate the percent of your
total production cost that is accounted for by CACCS 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.
CACCS
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 CACCS changed since
January 1, 2015?
Increased
(b)
No change
Decreased
Fluctuated
Has this had any effect on your firm’s demand for CACCS?
No
Yes
Explain
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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - CACCS
III-6.
Page 12
Substitutes.--Can other products be substituted for CACCS?
No
Yes--Please fill out the table.
End use in which this
substitute is used
Substitute
Have changes in the price of this substitute
affected the price for CACCS?
No Yes
Explanation
1.
2.
3.
III-7.
Market
Demand trends.--Indicate how demand within the United States and outside of the United
States (if known) for CACCS has changed since January 1, 2015. Explain any trends and describe
the principal factors that have affected these changes in demand.
Overall
increase
No
change
Overall
decrease
Fluctuate
with no
clear
trend
Explanation and
factors
If known, indicate whether
any changes in demand
trends for CACCS since
January 1, 2015 are
attributable to changes in
demand for non-GMO
CACCS
Within the
United States
Outside the
United States
III-8.
Country preferences.--Do you or your customers ever specifically order CACCS from one country
in particular over other possible sources of supply?
No
Yes
If yes, identify the countries and explain.
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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - CACCS
III-9.
Page 13
Importance of purchasing domestic product.--Please fill out the table below, estimating the
percentage of your firm’s total 2017 purchases of CACCS that required CACCS 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 2017
purchases of CACCS
%
%
%
%
0.0 %
III-10. Conditions of competition.-(a)
Is the CACCS market subject to business cycles (other than general economy-wide
conditions) and/or other conditions of competition distinctive to CACCS?
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
CACCS since January 1, 2015?
No
Yes
If yes, describe. Please indicate whether any changes in in the business
cycles or conditions of competition since January 1, 2015 are
attributable to demand for non-GMO CACCS.
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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - CACCS
Page 14
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 CACCS 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
Decision based on producer certifications (e.g., GMO, halal, kosher, et cetera)
Your firm
Your customers
III-12. Availability of supply.--Has the availability of CACCS in the U.S. market changed since January 1,
2015?
Availability in the U.S.
Please explain, noting the countries and reasons for the
market
No Yes changes.
U.S.-produced product
Imports from Belgium,
Colombia, and/or
Thailand
Imports from other
sources
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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - CACCS
Page 15
III-13. Supply constraints.--Has any firm refused, declined, or been unable to supply your firm with
CACCS since January 1, 2015 (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, being unable to meet timely shipment commitments, inability to
supply non-GMO CACCS, etc.)?
Source
No
Yes
If yes, please explain the nature and extent of the
incident(s), firms/suppliers, and describe the impact on
your firm.
U.S.-produced
Product
Imports from
Belgium
Imports from
Colombia
Imports from
Thailand
Other sources
III-14. Availability of specific product types.--Are certain grades/types/sizes of CACCS only available
from certain country sources?
No
Yes
If yes, please identify the countries and
the grade/type/size.
Please identify specific domestic or
foreign suppliers who cannot
supply certain grades/types/sizes
and the impact on your firm.
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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - CACCS
Page 16
III-15. Purchasing frequency.-(a)
How frequently does your firm make purchases of CACCS (check one)?
Daily
(b)
Weekly
Monthly
Quarterly
Annually
Other
If other, specify
Has this purchasing frequency changed since January 1, 2015?
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. Sourcing preferences.—Does your firm have a preference for specific sourcing strategies?
Type
No
Yes
If yes, explain.
Single source (domestic or
imported)
Multiple source (domestic
and/or imported)
Global (standard sourcing for
global operations)
Other
III-18. Supplier negotiations.--Do your firm’s purchases of CACCS 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.
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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - CACCS
Page 17
III-19. Change in suppliers.--Has your firm changed suppliers since January 1, 2015?
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 - CACCS
Page 18
III-20. New suppliers.--Are you aware of any new suppliers, either foreign or domestic, that have
entered the market since January 1, 2015?
No
Yes
If yes, please identify the firms.
III-21. Supplier qualification.--Do you require your suppliers to be or to become certified or qualified
to sell CACCS 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, non-GMO CACCS, etc.).
No
Yes
Number
of days Process and factors
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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - CACCS
Page 19
III-22. Certifications.-(a) Does your firm require your purchases of CACCS to have any of the following certifications?
GMO.-- In the context of your firm's purchases of CACCS, GMO stands for CACCS that was
produced using inputs (i.e., the substrates) that were genetically engineered or bioengineered.
Certification
No
If yes, indicate the
share of your
firm’s 2017
purchases that
were certified
Yes
(percent)
Other explanations
Halal
Kosher
Non-GMO but not (yet)
certified or verified by any
independent organization1
“Non-GMO Project”
verified1
Verified or certified NonGMO by other than “NonGMO Project” verified1
Other:
Other:
1
Please describe the criteria and documentation that your firm considers in its approval process to
determine whether a supplier meets your firm’s non-GMO requirements:
(b) Has the importance of these certifications changed since January 2015?
Yes
No
Increased
Decreased If yes, please identify specific certifications and explain.
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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - CACCS
Page 20
(c) If your firm purchases non-GMO CACCS:
If you are a reseller/distributor, is non-GMO CACCS sold to customers that do not require
non-GMO certified product? If you are an end user, is non-GMO CACCS used in applications
that do not require non-GMO certified product?
Never Sometimes Frequently
Always Explain
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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - CACCS
Page 21
III-23. Failure to certify.--Since January 1, 2015, have any domestic or foreign producers failed in their
attempts to certify or qualify their CACCS 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-24. Major purchasing factors.—
(a) Please list, in order of their importance, the main factors your firm considers in deciding
from whom to purchase CACCS (examples include availability, extension of credit, contracts,
price, quality, range of supplier’s product line, traditional supplier, ability to supply nonGMO CACCS, etc.).
1.
2.
3.
Please list any other factors that are very important in your purchase decisions:
(b) Describe the role non-GMO CACCS products have in the U.S. market and in your firm’s
purchasing decisions.
Factor
In the U.S. market
In your firm’s
purchasing decisions
Explain role of non-GMO CACCS products.
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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - CACCS
Page 22
III-25. Purchasing factors.--Please rate the importance of the following factors in your firm’s
purchasing decisions for CACCS.
Factor
Very
important
Somewhat
important
Not
important
Availability
Delivery terms
Delivery time
Discounts offered
Extension of credit
Halal certified
Kosher certified
Being “Non-GMO Project” verified
Being Non-GMO whether or not
specifically being “Non-GMO
Project” verified
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-26. Quality characteristics.--What characteristics does your firm consider when determining the
quality of CACCS?
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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - CACCS
Page 23
III-27. Minimum quality.--How often does CACCS 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
Belgium
Colombia
Thailand
Canada
Other:
III-28. Frequency of decisions based on price.--How often does your firm purchase the CACCS that is
offered at the lowest price?
Always
Usually
Sometimes
Never
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 CACCS market since
January 1, 2015.
Firm(s)
Describe how the firm(s) exhibited price leadership
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Page 24
III-30. Purchasing subject imports rather than domestic products.—
(a)
Since January 2015, did your firm purchase imports of CACCS from Belgium, Colombia,
and/or Thailand instead of U.S.-produced CACCS? Respond for each subject country.
Source
Yes
(also respond to parts (b) and (c))
No
(If “No” for all countries, skip to next
question)
Belgium
Colombia
Thailand
(b)
If you responded “Yes” to part (a), was the imported product priced lower than the
domestic product?
Source
Yes
No
Belgium
Colombia
Thailand
(c)
If you responded “Yes” to part (a), was price a primary reason for purchasing subject
imports rather than domestic product?
Source
Belgium
Colombia
Thailand
Yes
If Yes, estimate the quantity
of imports purchased instead
of domestic product since
January 2015
(in dry pounds)
No
If No, please indicate the
reason your firm purchased
imports instead of domestic
product. (Indicate if your
response differs by
country.)
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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - CACCS
Page 25
III-31. U.S. producers and import competition.—
(a)
Since January 1, 2015, in connection with a sale or offer to sell CACCS to your firm, did
U.S. producers reduce their prices of domestically produced CACCS in order to compete
with lower-priced imports of CACCS from the subject countries? Respond for each
subject country.
Source
Yes (also respond to
question part (b))
No (If “No” for all countries,
skip to next question)
Don’t know
Belgium
Colombia
Thailand
(b)
If your firm responded “yes” to any of the above countries, 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.
Source
Estimated
reduction in U.S.
prices
(percent)
Belgium
%
Colombia
%
Thailand
%
Additional explanation, including such information as
timing (e.g., months/years), frequency of price
reductions, or other market/competitive factors.
(Indicate if your response differs by country.)
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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - CACCS
Page 26
PART IV.—PRODUCT COMPARISONS
IV-1.
Interchangeability.--Is CACCS 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
Belgium
Colombia
Thailand
Canada
Other countries
United
States
Belgium
Colombia
Thailand
Canada
For any country-pair producing CACCS 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 - CACCS
IV-2.
Page 27
Factors other than price.--Are differences other than price (e.g., quality, availability,
transportation network, product range, technical support, etc.) between CACCS 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
Belgium
Colombia
Thailand
Canada
Other countries
United
States
Belgium
Colombia
Thailand
Canada
For any country-pair producing CACCS 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 - CACCS
IV-3.
Page 28
Factor country comparisons.-- For the factors listed below, please rate how CACCS produced in
each country compares with CACCS produced in each of the other countries.
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
United States
United States
United States
compared to
compared to
compared to
product from
product from
product from
Belgium
Colombia
Thailand
Availability
Delivery terms
Delivery time
Discounts offered
Extension of credit
Halal certified
Kosher certified
Being “Non-GMO Project” verified
Being Non-GMO whether or not
specifically “Non-GMO Project” verified
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.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - CACCS
IV-3.
Page 29
Factor country comparisons.--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
Belgium
Belgium
Colombia
compared to
compared to
compared to
product from
product from
product from
Colombia
Thailand
Thailand
Availability
Delivery terms
Delivery time
Discounts offered
Extension of credit
Halal certified
Kosher certified
Being “Non-GMO Project” verified
Being Non-GMO whether or not
specifically “Non-GMO Project” verified
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.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - CACCS
IV-3.
Page 30
Factor country comparisons.--Continued.
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
United States
Belgium
compared to product from
compared to product from
all other sources
all other sources
Availability
Delivery terms
Delivery time
Discounts offered
Extension of credit
Halal certified
Kosher certified
Being “Non-GMO Project” verified
Being Non-GMO whether or not
specifically “Non-GMO Project” verified
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.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - CACCS
IV-3.
Page 31
Factor country comparisons.--Continued.
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
Colombia
Thailand
compared to product from
compared to product from
all other sources
all other sources
Availability
Delivery terms
Delivery time
Discounts offered
Extension of credit
Halal certified
Kosher certified
Being “Non-GMO Project” verified
Being Non-GMO whether or not
specifically “Non-GMO Project” verified
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.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - CACCS
Page 32
PART V.—ALTERNATIVE PRODUCT INFORMATION (non-GMO CACCS)
The Commission is requesting information on the comparability of non-GMO CACCS and GMO CACCS.
V-1.
Comparability of GMO CACCS vs. non-GMO CACCS.--For each of the following indicate whether
non-GMO CACCS and GMO CACCS are: fully comparable or the same, i.e., have no
differentiation between them; mostly comparable or similar; somewhat comparable or similar;
never or not-at-all comparable or similar; or no familiarity with products.
(a) Characteristics and Uses.-- The differences and similarities in the physical characteristics
and end uses for non-GMO CACCS versus GMO CACCS.
Fully comparable
Mostly
comparable
Somewhat
comparable
Not at all
comparable
NA/no familiarity
Please provide a narrative discussion for the comparability ratings you provided in terms of their
characteristics and uses:
(b) Interchangeability.--The ability to substitute non-GMO CACCS with GMO CACCS for the
same application.
Fully
interchangeable
Mostly
interchangeable
Somewhat
interchangeable
Not at all
interchangeable
NA/no
familiarity
Please provide a narrative discussion for the comparability ratings you provided in terms of
their interchangeability:
Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - CACCS
V-1.
Page 33
Comparability of non-GMO CACCS vs. GMO CACCS.--Continued
(c) Manufacturing facilities, production processes, and production employees.-- Whether
non-GMO CACCS and GMO CACCS are manufactured in the same facilities, from the same
inputs, on the same machinery and equipment, and using the same employees.
Fully the same
Mostly the same
Somewhat the
same
Not at all the
same
NA/no familiarity
Please provide a narrative discussion for the comparability ratings you provided in terms of their
manufacturing processes:
(d) Channels of distribution.-- Channels of distribution/market situation through which nonGMO CACCS and GMO CACCS are sold (i.e., sold direct to end users, through distributors,
etc.).
Fully comparable
Mostly
comparable
Somewhat
comparable
Not at all
comparable
NA/no familiarity
Please provide a narrative discussion for the comparability ratings you provided in terms of their
channels of distribution:
Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - CACCS
V-1.
Page 34
Comparability of non-GMO CACCS vs. GMO CACCS.--Continued
(e) Customer and producer perceptions.--Perceptions as to the differences and/or similarities
in non-GMO CACCS versus GMO CACCS in the market (e.g., sales/marketing practices).
Fully comparable
Mostly
comparable
Somewhat
comparable
Not at all
comparable
NA/no familiarity
Please provide a narrative discussion for the comparability ratings you provided in terms of their
customer and producer perceptions:
(f)
Price.--Whether prices are comparable or differ for non-GMO CACCS and versus GMO
CACCS.
Fully comparable
Mostly
comparable
Somewhat
comparable
Not at all
comparable
NA/no familiarity
Please provide a narrative discussion for the comparability ratings you provided in terms of their
prices:
Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - CACCS
Page 35
PART VI.—ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
VI-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.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - CACCS
Page 36
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://usitc.gov/investigations/701731/2017/citric_acid_and_certain_citrate_salts_bel
gium/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: CBCT
• 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.
| File Type | application/pdf |
| File Title | US purchaser questionnaire |
| Subject | Title 7 investigations |
| Author | Carlson, Carolyn |
| File Modified | 2018-01-18 |
| File Created | 2018-01-18 |