Download:
pdf |
pdfOMB No. 3117‐0016/USITC No. 19‐1‐4033; Expiration Date: : 6/30/2020
(No response is required if currently valid OMB control number is not displayed)
U.S. PRODUCERS’ QUESTIONNAIRE
CERAMIC TILE FROM CHINA
This questionnaire must be received by the Commission by April 24, 2019
See last page for filing instructions.
The information called for in this questionnaire is for use by the United States International Trade Commission in
connection with its countervailing duty and antidumping investigations concerning ceramic tile products (“ceramic tile”)
from China (Inv. Nos. 701‐TA‐621 and 731‐TA‐1447 (Preliminary)). The information requested in the questionnaire is
requested under the authority of the Tariff Act of 1930, title VII. This report is mandatory and failure to reply as directed
can result in a subpoena or other order to compel the submission of records or information in your firm’s possession (19
U.S.C. § 1333(a)).
Name of firm
Address
City
State
Zip Code
Website
Has your firm produced ceramic tile (as defined on next page) at any time since January 1, 2016?
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: TILE)
CERTIFICATION
I certify that the information herein supplied in response to this questionnaire is complete and correct to the best of my
knowledge and belief and understand that the information submitted is subject to audit and verification by the Commission. By
means of this certification I also grant consent for the Commission, and its employees and contract personnel, to use the
information provided in this questionnaire and throughout this proceeding in any other import‐injury proceedings conducted by
the Commission on the same or similar merchandise.
I, the undersigned, acknowledge that information submitted in response to this request for information and throughout this
proceeding or other proceedings may be disclosed to and used: (i) by the Commission, its employees and Offices, and contract
personnel (a) for developing or maintaining the records of this or a related proceeding, or (b) in internal investigations, audits,
reviews, and evaluations relating to the programs, personnel, and operations of the Commission including under 5 U.S.C.
Appendix 3; or (ii) by U.S. government employees and contract personnel, solely for cybersecurity purposes. I understand that all
contract personnel will sign appropriate nondisclosure agreements.
Name of Authorized Official Title of Authorized Official
Date
Signature
Phone
Email address
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire ‐ Ceramic Tile (Preliminary)
Page 2
PART I.—GENERAL INFORMATION
Background.‐‐This proceeding was instituted in response to a petition filed on April 10, 2019, by the
Coalition for Fair Trade in Ceramic Tile. Countervailing and/or antidumping duties may be assessed on
the subject imports as a result of these proceedings if the Commission makes an affirmative
determination of injury, threat, or material retardation, and if the U.S. Department of Commerce
(“Commerce”) makes an affirmative determination of subsidization and/or dumping. Questionnaires
and other information pertinent to this proceeding are available at
https://www.usitc.gov/investigations/701731/2019/ceramic_tile_products_china/preliminary.htm
Ceramic tile products (“ceramic tile”) covered by these investigations are articles containing a mixture
of minerals including clay (generally hydrous silicates of alumina or magnesium) that are treated to
develop a fired bond. The subject merchandise includes ceramic flooring tile, wall tile, paving tile, hearth
tile, porcelain tile, mosaic tile, finishing tile, and the like. All ceramic tile is subject to the scope
regardless of whether the tile is glazed or unglazed, regardless of size, regardless of the water
absorption coefficient by weight, regardless of the extent of vitrification, and regardless of whether or
not the tile is on a backing. Ceramic tile are covered by the scope regardless of end use, size, thickness,
and weight. Ceramic tile includes tile pressed as very large single pieces, up to and exceeding 5’ x 15’.
Subject merchandise includes ceramic tile produced in China that undergoes minor processing in a third
country prior to importation into the United States. Similarly, subject merchandise includes ceramic tile
produced in China that undergoes minor processing after importation into the United States. Such minor
processing includes, but is not limited to, one or more of the following: beveling, cutting, trimming,
staining, painting, polishing, finishing, or any other processing that would otherwise not remove the
merchandise from the scope of the investigation if performed in the country of manufacture of the in‐
scope product.
The scope excludes ceramic bricks currently imported under HTS US 6904.10.00.10 through
6904.90.00.00.
Ceramic tile may be provided for in any HTS subheading (8‐digit rate line) of heading 6907 and
imported/reported under any subordinate statistical reporting number of that heading.1 They may also
be imported under statistical reporting numbers 6914.10.80.00, 6914.90.80.00, 6905.10.00.00, and
6905.90.00.50. The HTSUS provisions are for convenience and customs purposes; the written
description of the scope 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.
1
Prior to 2017, ceramic tile were imported under headings 6907 and 6908.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Ceramic Tile (Preliminary)
Page 3
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. In addition, if your firm is a U.S. producer, the information you
provide on your production and imports of ceramic tile and your responses to the questions in Part I of
the producer questionnaire will be provided to the U.S. Department of Commerce, upon its request, for
use in connection with (and only in connection with) its requirement pursuant to section
702(c)(4)/732(c)(4) of the Act (19 U.S.C. § 1671a(c)(4)/1673a(c)(4)) to make a determination concerning
the extent of industry support for the petition requesting this proceeding. Any information provided to
Commerce will be transmitted under the confidentiality and release guidelines set forth above. Your
response to these questions constitutes your consent that such information be provided to Commerce
under the conditions described above.
D‐GRIDS tool.‐‐The Commission has a tool that firms can use to move data from their own MS Excel
compilation files into self‐contained data tables within this MS Word questionnaire, thereby reducing
the amount of cell‐by‐cell data entry that would be required to complete this form. This tool is a macro‐
enabled MS Excel file available for download from the Commission's generic questionnaires webpage
(https://www.usitc.gov/trade_remedy/question.htm) called the "D‐GRIDs tool." Use of this tool to help
your firm complete this questionnaire is optional. Firms opting to use the D‐GRIDs tool to populate their
data into this questionnaire will need the D‐GRIDs specification sheet PDF file specific to this proceeding
(available on the case page which is linked under the "Background" above) which includes the necessary
references relating to this questionnaire, as well as the macro‐enable MS Excel D‐GRIDs tool itself from
the generic questionnaires page. More detailed instructions on how to use the D‐GRIDs tool are
available within the D‐GRIDs tool itself.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Ceramic Tile (Preliminary)
I‐1a.
Page 4
OMB statistics.‐‐Please report below the actual number of hours required and the cost to your
firm of completing this questionnaire.
Hours
Dollars
The questions in this questionnaire have been reviewed with market participants to ensure that
issues of concern are adequately addressed and that data requests are sufficient, meaningful,
and as limited as possible. Public reporting burden for this questionnaire is estimated to average
50 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‐1b. TAA information release.‐‐In the event that the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC)
makes an affirmative final determination in this proceeding, do you consent to the USITC's
release of your contact information (company name, address, contact person, telephone
number, email address) appearing on the front page of this questionnaire to the Departments of
Commerce, Labor, and Agriculture, as applicable, so that your firm and its workers can be made
eligible for benefits under the Trade Adjustment Assistance program?
Yes
No
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Ceramic Tile (Preliminary)
I‐2.
Page 5
Establishments covered.‐‐Provide the city, state, zip code, and brief description of each
establishment covered by this questionnaire. If your firm is publicly traded, please specify the
stock exchange and trading symbol in the footnote to the table. 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 production of ceramic tile, including
auxiliary facilities operated in conjunction with (whether or not physically separate from) such
facilities.
Establishments
City, State
Zip (5 digit)
Description
covered1
1
I‐3.
1
2
3
4
5
6
Additional discussion on establishments consolidated in this questionnaire: .
Petitioner status.‐‐Is your firm a petitioner in this proceeding or a member firm of the
petitioning entity?
No
Yes
I‐4.
Petition support.‐‐Does your firm support or oppose the petition?
Country
Support
Oppose
Take no position
China AD
China CVD
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Ceramic Tile (Preliminary)
I‐5.
I‐6.
I‐7.
Page 6
Ownership.‐‐Is your firm owned, in whole or in part, by any other firm?
No
Yes‐‐List the following information.
Firm name
Address
Extent of
ownership
(percent)
Related importers/exporters.‐‐Does your firm have any related firms, either domestic or
foreign, that are engaged in importing ceramic tile from China into the United States or that are
engaged in exporting ceramic tile from China to the United States?
No
Yes‐‐List the following information.
Firm name
Country
Affiliation
Related producers.‐‐Does your firm have any related firms, either domestic or foreign, that are
engaged in the production of ceramic tile?
No
Yes‐‐List the following information.
Firm name
Country
Affiliation
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Ceramic Tile (Preliminary)
Page 7
PART II.‐‐TRADE AND RELATED INFORMATION
Further information on this part of the questionnaire can be obtained from Nathanael Comly
([email protected]; 202‐205‐3174). Supply all data requested on a calendar‐year basis.
II‐1. Contact information.‐‐Please identify the responsible individual and the manner by which
Commission staff may contact that individual regarding the confidential information submitted
in part II.
Name
Title
Email
Telephone
II‐2. Changes in operations.‐‐Please indicate whether your firm has experienced any of the following
changes in relation to the production of ceramic tile since January 1, 2016.
(check as many as appropriate)
(If checked, please describe; leave blank if not applicable)
plant openings
plant closings
relocations
expansions
acquisitions
consolidations
prolonged shutdowns or
production curtailments
revised labor agreements
other (e.g., technology)
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Ceramic Tile (Preliminary)
Page 8
II‐3a. Production using same machinery.‐‐Please report your firm’s production of products using the
same equipment, machinery, or employees as used to produce ceramic tile, and the combined
production capacity on this shared equipment, machinery, or employees in the periods
indicated.
“Overall production capacity” or “capacity” – The level of production that your
establishment(s) could reasonably have expected to attain during the specified periods. Assume
normal operating conditions (i.e., using equipment and machinery in place and ready to
operate; normal operating levels (hours per week/weeks per year) and time for downtime,
maintenance, repair, and cleanup).
Note.‐‐If your firm does not produce any out‐of‐scope merchandise on the same machinery and
equipment as scope merchandise then the "overall production capacity" numbers reported in
this question should be exactly equal to the "average production capacity" numbers reported in
question II‐7. If, however, your firm does produce out‐of‐scope merchandise using the same
machinery and equipment as scope merchandise, then the "average production capacity"
reported in question II‐7 should exclude the portion of "overall production capacity" that was
used to produce this out‐of‐scope merchandise.
“Production” – All production in your U.S. establishment(s), including production consumed
internally within your firm and production for another firm under a toll agreement.
Quantity (in thousands of square feet)
Calendar years
Item
2016
1
Overall production capacity
Production of:
Ceramic tile2
3
Other products
Total production using same machinery
or workers
2017
2018
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
Data reported for capacity (first line) should be greater than data reported for total production (last line).
Data entered for production of ceramic tile will populate here once reported in question II‐7.
3
Please identify these products: .
2
II‐3b. Operating parameters.‐‐The production capacity reported in II‐3a is based on the following
operating paramaters:
Hours per week
Weeks per year
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Ceramic Tile (Preliminary)
II‐3c.
Page 9
Capacity calculation.‐‐Please describe the methodology used to calculate overall production
capacity reported in II‐3a, and explain any changes in reported capacity.
II‐3d. Production constraints.‐‐Please describe the constraint(s) that set the limit(s) on your firm’s
production capacity.
II‐3e. Product shifting.—
(i)
Is your firm able to switch production (capacity) between ceramic tile and other products
using the same equipment and/or labor?
No
Yes
If yes—(i.e., have produced other products or are able to produce other
products) Please identify other actual or potential products.
(ii)
Please describe the factors that affect your firm’s ability to shift production capacity
between products (e.g., time, cost, relative price change, etc.), and the degree to which
these factors enhance or constrain such shifts.
II‐4.
Tolling.‐‐Since January 1, 2016, has your firm been involved in a toll agreement regarding the
production of ceramic tile?
“Toll agreement”‐‐Agreement between two firms whereby the first firm furnishes the raw
materials and the second firm uses the raw materials to produce a product that it then returns
to the first firm with a charge for processing costs, overhead, etc.
No
Yes
If yes‐‐ Please describe the toll arrangement(s) and name the firm(s)
involved.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Ceramic Tile (Preliminary)
II‐5.
Page 10
Foreign trade zones.‐‐
(a)
Firm's FTZ operations.‐‐Does your firm produce ceramic tile in and/or admit ceramic tile
into a foreign trade zone (FTZ)?
“Foreign trade zone” is a designated location in the United States where firms utilize
special procedures that allow delayed or reduced customs duty payments on foreign
merchandise. A foreign trade zone must be designated as such pursuant to the rules
and procedures set forth in the Foreign‐Trade Zones Act.
No
Yes
If yes‐‐ Describe the nature of your firms operations in FTZs and identify
the specific FTZ site(s).
(b)
Other firms' FTZ operations.‐‐To your knowledge, do any firms in the United States
import ceramic tile into a foreign trade zone (FTZ) for use in distribution of ceramic tile
and/or the production of downstream articles?
II‐6.
No
Yes
If yes‐‐Identify the firms and the FTZs.
Importer.‐‐Since January 1, 2016, has your firm imported ceramic tile?
“Importer” – The person or firm primarily liable for the payment of any duties on the
merchandise, or an authorized agent acting on his behalf. The importer may be the consignee,
or the importer of record.
No
Yes
If yes‐‐ COMPLETE AND RETURN A U.S. IMPORTERS’ QUESTIONNAIRE
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Ceramic Tile (Preliminary)
II‐7.
Page 11
Production, shipment, and inventory data.‐‐Report your firm’s production capacity, production,
shipments, and inventories related to the production of ceramic tile in its U.S. establishment(s)
during the specified periods.
“Average production capacity” or “capacity” – The level of production that your
establishment(s) could reasonably have expected to attain during the specified periods. Assume
normal operating conditions (i.e., using equipment and machinery in place and ready to
operate; normal operating levels (hours per week/weeks per year) and time for downtime,
maintenance, repair, and cleanup; and a typical or representative product mix).
“Production” – All production in your U.S. establishment(s), including production consumed
internally within your firm and production for another firm under a toll agreement.
“Commercial U.S. shipments” –Shipments made within the United States as a result of an arm’s
length commercial transaction in the ordinary course of business excluding sales made through
own firm's retail locations. Report net values (i.e., gross sales values less all discounts,
allowances, rebates, prepaid freight, and the value of returned goods) in U.S. dollars, f.o.b. your
point of shipment.
“Internal consumption / including for own firm’s retail sales” – Product consumed internally by
your firm, which includes merchandise that your firm transferred to your own firm's retail
locations. Such transactions are valued at fair market value (i.e., not the total value of final
downstream processed merchandise (in the case of internal consumption), nor the retail sale
value (in the case of your firm owning and operating its own retail locations); rather these
transactions should be recorded at the fair market wholesale value of the merchandise used for
further processing or for retail level sale).
“Transfers to related firms” –Shipments made to related firms. Such transactions are valued at
fair market value.
“Related firm” –A firm that your firm solely or jointly owned, managed, or otherwise controlled;
a firm that solely or jointly owned, managed, or otherwise controlled your firm; and/or a firm
that was solely or jointly owned, managed, or otherwise controlled by a firm that also solely or
jointly owned, managed, or otherwise controlled your firm.
“Export shipments” –Shipments to destinations outside the United States, including shipments
to related firms.
“Inventories”— Finished goods inventory, not raw materials or work‐in‐progress.
Note: As requested in Part I of this questionnaire, please keep all supporting documents/records used in
the preparation of the trade data, as Commission staff may contact your firm regarding questions on the
trade data. The Commission may also request that your company submit copies of the supporting
documents/records (such as production and sales schedules, inventory records, etc.) used to compile
these data.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Ceramic Tile (Preliminary)
II‐7.
Page 12
Production, shipment, and inventory data.‐‐Continued
Quantity (in thousands of square feet) and value (in $1,000)
Calendar years
Item
2016
1
2017
2018
Average production capacity (quantity) (A)
Beginning‐of‐period inventories (quantity) (B)
Production (quantity) (C)
U.S. shipments:
Commercial shipments:
Quantity (D)
Value (E)
Internal consumption / including for own
firm's retail sales:2
Quantity (F)
Value2 (G)
Transfers to related firms:
Quantity (H)
2
2
Value (I)
Export shipments:
Quantity (J)
3
Value (K)
End‐of‐period inventories (quantity) (L)
1
The production capacity reported is based on operating hours per week, weeks per year. Please describe
the methodology used to calculate production capacity, and explain any changes in reported capacity .
2
Internal consumption and transfers to related firms must be valued at fair market value. If your firm uses a different
basis for valuing these transactions in your records, please specify that basis (e.g., cost, cost plus, etc.): . However,
the data provided above in this table should be based on fair market value.
3
Identify your firm’s principal export markets: .
RECONCILIATION OF SHIPMENTS, PRODUCTION, AND INVENTORY.‐‐Generally, the data reported for the end‐of‐
period inventories (i.e., line L) should be equal to the beginning‐of‐period inventories (i.e., line B), plus
production (i.e., line C), less total shipments (i.e., lines D, F, H, and J). Please ensure that any differences are not
due to data entry errors in completing this form, but rather reflect your firm’s actual records; and, also provide
explanations for any differences (e.g., theft, loss, damage, record systems issues, etc.) if they exist.
Calendar years
Reconciliation
B + C – D – F – H – J – L = should equal zero
("0") or provide an explanation.1
2016
2017
0
2018
0
1 Explanation if the calculated fields above are returning values other than zero (i.e., “0”) but are nonetheless accurate:
0
.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Ceramic Tile (Preliminary)
II‐8.
Page 13
Channels of distribution.‐‐Report your firm’s U.S. shipments (i.e., inclusive of commercial U.S.
shipments, internal consumption, and transfers to related firms) by channel of distribution.
Calendar years
Item
2016
2017
2018
Quantity (in thousands of square feet) and value (in $1,000)
Channels of distribution:
U.S. shipments:
To Distributors1
Quantity (M)
Value (N)
To Big box/home center retailers
Quantity (O)
Value (P)
To Other retailers
Quantity (Q)
Value (R)
To Contractors/builders
Quantity (S)
Value (T)
To Other end users
Quantity (U)
Value (V)
1
This category includes floor covering wholesalers.
RECONCILIATION OF CHANNELS.‐‐Please ensure that the quantities and values reported for channels of
distribution (i.e., lines M through V) in each time period equal the quantity and value reported for U.S.
shipments (i.e., lines D through I) in each time period. If the calculated fields below return values other
than zero (i.e., “0”), the data reported must be revised prior to submission to the Commission.
Calendar years
Reconciliation item
Quantity: M + O + Q + S + U– D – F – H =
zero ("0"), if not revise.
Value: N + P + R + T + V – E – G – I = zero
("0"), if not revise.
2016
2017
2018
0
0
0
0
0
0
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Ceramic Tile (Preliminary)
II‐9.
Page 14
Commercial U.S. shipments by type of product.‐‐Report your firm’s commercial U.S. shipments
of ceramic tile by product type in the specified periods.
Quantity (in thousands of square feet) and value (in $1,000)
Calendar years
Item
2016
Commercial U.S. shipments.—
Ceramic tile requiring further processing
before end use.1
Quantity (X)
Value (Y)
Ceramic tile not requiring further
processing before end use.
Quantity (Z)
Value (AA)
2017
2018
1 Can include tile requiring cutting, polishing, glazing or other finishing activity prior to final end use. Please described the products
you included: Please list the three leading purchasers to which your firm sold these products:
RECONCILIATION OF SHIPMENTS BY PRODUCT TYPE.‐‐Please ensure that the quantities and values
reported for commercial U.S. shipments by product type (i.e., lines X through AA) in each time period
equal the quantity and value reported for commercial U.S. shipments (i.e., lines D and E) in each time
period. If the calculated fields below return values other than zero (i.e., “0”), the data reported must be
revised prior to submission to the Commission.
Calendar years
Reconciliation item
Quantity: X + Z – D = zero ("0"), if not
revise.
Value: Y + AA – E = zero ("0"), if not
revise.
2016
2017
2018
0
0
0
0
0
0
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Ceramic Tile (Preliminary)
II‐9.
Page 15
Employment data.‐‐Report your firm’s employment‐related data related to the production of
ceramic tile and provide an explanation for any trends in these data.
“Production and Related Workers” (PRWs) includes working supervisors and all nonsupervisory
workers (including group leaders and trainees) engaged in fabricating, processing, assembling,
inspecting, receiving, storage, handling, packing, warehousing, shipping, trucking, hauling,
maintenance, repair, janitorial and guard services, product development, auxiliary production
for plant’s own use (e.g., power plant), recordkeeping, and other services closely associated with
the above production operations. Average number employed may be computed by adding the
number of employees, both full time and part time, for the 12 pay periods ending closest to the
15th of the month and divide that total by 12.
“Hours worked” includes time paid for sick leave, holidays, and vacation time. Include overtime
hours actually worked; do not convert overtime pay to its equivalent in straight time hours.
“Wages paid” –Total wages paid before deductions of any kind (e.g., withholding taxes, old‐age
and unemployment insurance, group insurance, union dues, bonds, etc.). Include wages paid
directly by your firm for overtime, holidays, vacations, and sick leave.
Calendar years
Item
2016
2017
2018
Average number of PRWs (number)
Hours worked by PRWs (1,000 hours)
Wages paid to PRWs ($1,000)
Explanation of trends:
II‐10. Related firms.‐‐If your firm reported transfers to related firms in question II‐7, please identify
the firm(s) and indicate the nature of the relationship between your firm and the related firms
(e.g., joint venture, wholly owned subsidiary), whether the transfers were priced at market
value or by a non‐market formula, whether your firm retained marketing rights to all transfers,
and whether the related firms also processed inputs from sources other than your firm.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Ceramic Tile (Preliminary)
Page 16
II‐11. Purchases.‐‐Has your firm purchased ceramic tile produced in the United States or in other
countries since January 1, 2016? (Do not include imports for which your firm was the importer
of record. These should be reported in an importer questionnaire).
“Purchase” – A transaction to buy product from a U.S. corporate entity such as another U.S.
producer, a U.S. distributor, or a U.S. firm that has directly imported the product.
“Import” –A transaction to buy from a foreign supplier where your firm is the importer of
record.
No
Yes
If yes‐‐ Report such purchases in the table below and explain the reasons
for your firms' purchases.
Note: If your firm served as the importer of record for any purchases from foreign suppliers,
either for your own account or as a service for another entity, those purchases are to be
considered "imports" not "purchases" and should not be included in the table below
(Quantity in thousands of square feet)
Calendar years
Item
2016
2017
2018
1
Purchases from U.S. importers of
ceramic tile from—
China
All other sources
Purchases from domestic producers2
2
Purchases from other sources
1
Please list the name of the importer(s) from which your firm purchased this product. If your firm’s import
suppliers differ by source, please identify the source for each listed supplier: .
2
Please list the name of the producer(s) or U.S. distributor(s) from which your firm purchased this product:
.
II‐12. Imports.‐‐Since January 1, 2016, has your firm imported ceramic tile?
No
Yes
If yes‐‐ COMPLETE AND RETURN A U.S. IMPORTERS’ QUESTIONNAIRE
II‐13. Other explanations.‐‐If your firm would like to further explain a response to a question in Part II
for which a narrative box was not provided, please note the question number and the
explanation in the space provided below. Please also use this space to highlight any issues your
firm had in providing the data in this section, including but not limited to technical issues with
the MS Word questionnaire.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Ceramic Tile (Preliminary)
Page 17
PART III.‐‐FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Address questions on this part of the questionnaire to Joanna Lo (202‐205‐1888, [email protected]).
III‐1. Contact information.‐‐Please identify the responsible individual and the manner by which
Commission staff may contact that individual regarding the confidential information submitted
in part III.
Name
Title
Email
Telephone
III‐2. Accounting system.‐‐Briefly describe your firm’s financial accounting system.
A.
When does your firm’s fiscal year end (month and day)?
If your firm’s fiscal year changed during the data‐collection period, explain
below:
Note.‐‐Please note that we are requesting that your firm report financial data on
a calendar year basis.
B.1. Describe the lowest level of operations (e.g., plant, division, company‐wide) for
which financial statements are prepared that include ceramic tile:
2. Does your firm prepare profit/loss statements for ceramic tile:
Yes
No
3. How often did your firm (or parent company) prepare financial statements
(including annual reports, 10Ks)? Please check relevant items below.
Audited, unaudited, annual reports, 10Ks, 10 Qs,
Monthly, quarterly, semi‐annually, annually
4. Accounting basis: GAAP, cash, tax, or other comprehensive
basis of accounting (specify)
Note: As requested in Part I of this questionnaire, please keep all supporting documents/records
used in the preparation of the financial data, as Commission staff may contact your firm
regarding questions on the financial data. The Commission may also request that your company
submit copies of the supporting documents/records (financial statements, including internal
profit‐and‐loss statements for the division or product group that includes ceramic tile, as well as
specific statements and worksheets) used to compile these data.
III‐3.
Cost accounting system.‐‐Briefly describe your firm’s cost accounting system (e.g., standard
cost, job order cost, etc.).
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Ceramic Tile (Preliminary)
III‐4.
Page 18
Allocation basis.‐‐Briefly describe your firm’s allocation basis, if any, for COGS, SG&A, and
interest expense and other income and expenses.
III‐5.
Product listing.‐‐Please list the products your firm produced in the facilities in which your firm
produced ceramic tile, and provide the share of net sales accounted for by these products in
2018.
Products
Share of sales in 2018
Ceramic tile
%
%
%
%
%
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Ceramic Tile (Preliminary)
III‐6.
Page 19
Inputs from related suppliers.‐‐Does your firm purchase inputs (raw materials, labor, energy, or
any services) used in the production of ceramic tile from any related suppliers (e.g., inclusive of
transactions between related firms, divisions and/or other components within the same
company)?
Yes‐‐Continue to question III‐7
III‐7.
No‐‐Continue to question III‐9a.
Inputs from related suppliers detailed.‐‐Please identify the inputs used in the production of
ceramic tile that your firm purchases from related suppliers and that are reflected in question
III‐9a. For “Share of total COGS” please report this information by relevant input on the basis of
2018. For “Input valuation” please describe the basis, as recorded in your company’s own
accounting system, of the purchase cost from the related supplier; e.g., the related supplier’s
actual cost, cost plus, negotiated transfer price to approximate fair market value.
Input
Related supplier
Share of total COGS in 2018
%
%
%
%
Input valuation as recorded in the firm’s accounting books and records:
III‐8.
Inputs purchased from related suppliers.‐‐Please confirm that the inputs purchased from
related suppliers, as identified in III‐7, were reported in III‐9a (financial results on ceramic tile) in
a manner consistent with your firm’s accounting books and records.
Yes
No
If no‐‐In the space below, please report the valuation basis of inputs
purchased from related suppliers as reported in question III‐9a.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Ceramic Tile (Preliminary)
Page 20
III‐9a. Operations on ceramic tile.‐‐Report the revenue and related cost information requested below
on the ceramic tile operations of your firm’s U.S. establishment(s).1 Do not report resales of
products. Note that internal consumption and transfers to related firms must be valued at fair
market value. Input purchases from related suppliers should be consistent with and based on
information in the firm’s accounting books and records. Provide data for calendar years 2016,
2017, and 2018. If your firm was involved in tolling operations (either as the toller or as the
tollee), please contact Joanna Lo at (202) 205‐1888 or [email protected] before
completing this section of the questionnaire.
Quantity (in thousands of square feet) and value (in $1,000)
Calendar years
Item
2016
2017
2018
2
Net sales quantities:
Commercial sales (“CS”) (A)
Internal consumption (“IC”) (B)
Transfers to related firms (“Transfers”) (C)
0
0
0
Internal consumption (F)
Transfers to related firms (G)
Total net sales values (H)
0
0
0
Direct labor (J)
Other factory costs (K)
0
0
0
0
0
0
Selling, general, and administrative (SG&A)
expenses:
Selling expenses (N)
General and administrative expenses (O)
0
0
0
0
0
0
All other expense items (S)
All other income items (T)
0
0
0
Total net sales quantities (D)
2
Net sales values:
Commercial sales (E)
3
Cost of goods sold (COGS):
Raw materials (I)
Total COGS (L)
Gross profit or (loss) (M)
Total SG&A expenses (P)
Operating income (loss) (Q)
Other expenses and income:
Interest expense (R)
Net income or (loss) before income taxes (U)
Depreciation/amortization included above (V)
1
Include only sales (whether domestic or export) and costs related to your U.S. manufacturing operations.
2 Less discounts, returns, allowances, and prepaid freight. The quantities and values should approximate the corresponding
shipment quantities and values reported in Part II of this questionnaire.
3 COGS (whether for domestic or export sales) should include costs associated with CS, IC, and Transfers.
Note ‐‐ The table above contains calculations that will appear when you have entered data in the MS
Word form fields.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Ceramic Tile (Preliminary)
Page 21
III‐9b. Financial data reconciliation.‐‐The calculable line items from question III‐9a (i.e., total net sales
quantities (row D) and values (row H), total COGS (row L), gross profit (or loss) (row M), total
SG&A (P), operating income (or loss) (row Q), and net income (or loss) (row U)) have been
calculated from the data submitted in the other line items. Do the calculated fields return the
correct data according to your firm's financial records ignoring non‐material differences that
may arise due to rounding?
Yes
No
If no‐‐ If the calculated fields do not show the correct data, please double
check the feeder data for data entry errors and revise. For items reported
after operating income (loss) in row Q, check the signs reported (rows R, S,
and T). The two expense items in rows R and S should report positive
numbers (i.e., expenses are positive and incomes or reversals are negative‐‐
instances of the latter should be rare in rows R and S) while the other
income reported in row T should have positives values in most instances
(i.e., income is positive, expenses or reversals are negative). If after
reviewing and potentially revising the feeder data your firm has provided,
the differences between your records and the calculated fields persist
please identify and discuss the differences in the space below.
III‐9c. Raw materials.‐‐Please report the share of total raw material costs in 2018 (reported in III‐9a,
row I) for the specified raw material inputs below:
Procurement method
Share of total
Primarily
raw material
Primarily
costs in 2018 produced by purchased
(percent)
your firm by your firm
Input
Clay for ceramic tile
Silica, feldspar, and other mineral additives
Glazing, decorating, and other surfacing materials
1
All other raw material inputs
Total (should sum to 100 percent)
1
0.0
Please indicate any other notable "other" raw materials not expressly identified above and provide
the share of the total raw material costs that they account for:
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Ceramic Tile (Preliminary)
Page 22
III‐10. Nonrecurring items (charges and gains) included in the subject product financial results.‐‐For
each calendar year for which financial results are reported in question III‐9a, please specify all
material (significant) nonrecurring items (charges and gains) in the schedule below, the specific
question III‐9a line item where the nonrecurring items are included, a brief description of the
relevant nonrecurring items, and the associated values (in $1,000), as reflected in question III‐
9a; i.e., if an aggregate nonrecurring item has been allocated to question III‐9a, only the
allocated value amount included in question III‐9a should be reported in the schedule below.
Note: The Commission’s objective here is to gather information only on material (significant)
nonrecurring items which impacted the reported financial results of the subject product in
question III‐9a.
Calendar years
2016
2017
Item
2018
Value ($1,000)
Nonrecurring item 1
Nonrecurring item 2
Nonrecurring item 3
Nonrecurring item 4
Nonrecurring item 5
Nonrecurring item 6
Nonrecurring item 7
Nonrecurring item: In this table please provide a brief description of each nonrecurring item reported above and
indicate the specific line item in table III‐9a where the nonrecurring item is classified.
Description of the
nonrecurring item
Income statement classification of the nonrecurring item
Nonrecurring item 1
Nonrecurring item 2
Nonrecurring item 3
Nonrecurring item 4
Nonrecurring item 5
Nonrecurring item 6
Nonrecurring item 7
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Ceramic Tile (Preliminary)
Page 23
III‐11. Classification of identified nonrecurring items (charges and gains) in the accounting books and
records of the company.‐‐If non‐recurring items were reported in question III‐10 above, please
identify where your company recorded these items in your accounting books and records in the
normal course of business; i.e., just as responses to question III‐10 identify where these items
are reported in question III‐9a.
III‐12. Asset values.‐‐Report the total assets (i.e., both current and long‐term assets) associated with
the production, warehousing, and sale of ceramic tile. If your firm does not maintain some or all
of the specific asset information necessary to calculate total assets for ceramic tile in the normal
course of business, please estimate this information based upon a method (such as production,
sales, or costs) that is consistent with relevant cost allocations in question III‐9a. Provide data as
of the end of your firm’s three most recently completed calendar years.
Note: Total assets should reflect net assets after any accumulated depreciation and allowances
deducted.
Total assets should be allocated to the subject products if these assets are also related to other
products. Please provide a brief explanation if there are any substantial changes in total asset
value during the period; e.g., due to asset write‐offs, revaluation, and major purchases.
Value (in $1,000)
Calendar years
Item
2016
1
Total assets (net)
1
III‐13.
2017
2018
Describe
Capital expenditures (“capx”) and research and development (“R&D”) expenses.‐‐Report your
firm’s capx and R&D expenses for ceramic tile. Provide data for calendar years 2016, 2017, and
2018.
Value (in $1,000)
Calendar years
Item
1
Capital expenditures
2
R&D expenses
1
2016
2017
2018
Please describe the nature, focus, and significance of your firm’s capital expenditures on the subject
product.
2
Please describe the nature, focus, and significance of your firm’s R&D expenses related to subject
product.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Ceramic Tile (Preliminary)
Page 24
III‐14. Data consistency and reconciliation.‐‐Please note the quantities and values reported in
question III‐9a should reconcile with the data reported in question II‐7 (including export
shipments) since both are to be reported on the same calendar year basis.
RECONCILIATION OF TRADE VS FINANCIAL DATA.‐‐Please ensure that the quantities and values reported
for total shipments in part II equal the quantities and values reported for total net sales in part III of this
questionnaire in each time period. If the calculated fields below return values other than zero (i.e., “0”)
and both are being reported on a calendar basis, please explain the discrepancy below.
Calendar years
Reconciliation
2016
2017
2018
Quantity: Trade data from question II‐6 (rows D, F,
H, and J) less financial total net sales quantity data
from question III‐9a (row D) = zero ("0").
0
0
0
Value: Trade data from question II‐6 (rows E, G, I,
and K) less financial total net sales value data from
question III‐9a (row H) = zero ("0").
0
0
0
Do these data in question III‐9a reconcile with data in question II‐7?
Yes
No
If no, please explain.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Ceramic Tile (Preliminary)
Page 25
III‐15. Effects of imports on investment.‐‐Since January 1, 2016, has your firm experienced any actual
negative effects on its return on investment or the scale of capital investments as a result of
imports of ceramic tile from China?
No
Yes
If yes, my firm has experienced actual negative effects as follows.
(check as many as appropriate)
(please describe)
Cancellation,
postponement, or
rejection of expansion
projects
Denial or rejection of
investment proposal
Reduction in the size of
capital investments
Return on specific
investments negatively
impacted
Other
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Ceramic Tile (Preliminary)
Page 26
III‐16. Effects of imports on growth and development.‐‐Since January 1, 2016, has your firm
experienced any actual negative effects on its growth, ability to raise capital, or existing
development and production efforts (including efforts to develop a derivative or more advanced
version of the product) as a result of imports of ceramic tile from China?
No
Yes
If yes, my firm has experienced actual negative effects as follows.
(check as many as appropriate)
(please describe)
Rejection of bank loans
Lowering of credit rating
Problem related to the
issue of stocks or bonds
Ability to service debt
Other
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Ceramic Tile (Preliminary)
Page 27
III‐17. Anticipated effects of imports.‐‐Does your firm anticipate any negative effects due to imports of
ceramic tile from China?
No
Yes
If yes, my firm anticipates negative effects as follows.
III‐18. Other explanations.‐‐If your firm would like to further explain a response to a question in Part III
for which a narrative box was not provided, please note the question number and the
explanation in the space provided below. Please also use this space to highlight any issues your
firm had in providing the data in this section, including but not limited to technical issues with
the MS Word questionnaire.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Ceramic Tile (Preliminary)
Page 28
PART IV.‐‐PRICING AND MARKET FACTORS
Further information on this part of the questionnaire can be obtained from Andrew Knipe (202‐205‐
2390, [email protected]).
IV‐1. Contact information.‐‐Please identify the individual that Commission staff may contact
regarding the confidential information submitted in part IV.
Name
Title
Email
Telephone
PRICE DATA
IV‐2. This question requests quarterly quantity and value data for your firm’s commercial shipments
to unrelated U.S. customers since January 1, 2016 of the following products produced by your
firm.
Product 1.‐‐Porcelain tile, rectangular, 6”–8” in width by 24”–36” in length, sold to home center
retailers
Product 2.‐‐Porcelain tile, square or rectangular, 12”–24” in width by 12”–24” in length, sold to
distributors
Product 3.‐‐Ceramic tile, square or rectangular, 12”–24” in width by 12”–24” in length, sold to
home center retailers
Product 4.‐‐Ceramic tile, square or rectangular, 3”–6” in width by 6”–12” in length, sold to other
retailers
Please note that values should be f.o.b., U.S. point of shipment and should not include U.S.‐inland
transportation costs. Values should reflect the final net amount paid to your firm (i.e., should be net
of all deductions for discounts or rebates).
During January 2016‐December 2018, did your firm produce and sell to unrelated U.S.
customers any of the above listed products (or any products that were competitive with these
products)?
Yes.‐‐Please complete the following pricing data table as appropriate.
No.‐‐Skip to question IV‐3.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Ceramic Tile (Preliminary)
Page 29
IV‐2a. Price data.‐‐Report below the quarterly price data1 for pricing products2 produced and sold by
your firm.
Report data in square feet (not 1,000s) and actual dollars (not 1,000s).
(Quantity in square feet, value in dollars)
Product 1
Product 2
Product 3
Quantity
Value
Quantity
Value
Quantity
Value
Product 4
Period of shipment
Quantity
Value
2016:
January‐March
April‐June
July‐September
October‐December
2017:
January‐March
April‐June
July‐September
October‐December
2018:
January‐March
April‐June
July‐September
October‐December
1 Net values (i.e., gross sales values less all discounts, allowances, rebates, prepaid freight, and the value of returned goods), f.o.b. your
firm’s U.S. point of shipment.
2 Pricing product definitions are provided on the first page of Part IV.
Note.‐‐If your firm’s product does not exactly meet the product specifications but is competitive with the specified product, provide a description
of your firm’s product. Also, please explain any anomalies in your firm’s reported pricing data.
Product 1:
Product 2:
Product 3:
Product 4:
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Ceramic Tile (Preliminary)
Page 30
IV‐2b. Price data checklist.‐‐Please check that the pricing data in question IV‐2(a) have been correctly
reported.
Are the price data reported above:
√ if Yes
In square feet (not 1,000s of square feet)?
In actual dollars (not $1,000)?
F.o.b. U.S. point of shipment (i.e., does not include U.S. transport costs)?
Net of all discounts and rebates?
Have returns credited to the quarter in which the sale occurred?
Less than reported commercial shipments in question II‐7 in each year?
IV‐2c. Pricing data methodology.‐‐Please describe the method and the kinds of documents/records
that were used to compile your price data.
Note: As requested in Part I of this questionnaire, please keep all supporting documents/records used in
the preparation of the price data, as Commission staff may contact your firm regarding questions on the
price data. The Commission may also request that your company submit copies of the supporting
documents/records (such as sales journal, invoices, etc.) used to compile these data.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Ceramic Tile (Preliminary)
IV‐3.
Page 31
Price setting.‐‐How does your firm determine the prices that it charges for sales of ceramic tile
(check all that apply)? If your firm issues price lists, please submit sample pages of a recent list.
Transaction
by
transaction
Contracts
IV‐4.
Other
If other, describe
Discount policy.‐‐Please indicate and describe your firm’s discount policies (check all that apply).
Annual
total
volume
discounts
Quantity
discounts
IV‐5.
Set
price
lists
No
discount
policy
Other
Describe
Pricing terms.‐‐On what basis are your firm’s prices of domestic ceramic tile usually quoted
(check one)?
Delivered
F.o.b.
IV‐6.
If f.o.b., specify point
Contract versus spot.‐‐Approximately what share of your firm’s sales of its U.S.‐produced
ceramic tile in 2018 was on a (1) short‐term contract basis, (2) annual contract basis, (3) long‐
term contract basis, and (4) spot sales basis?
Item
Share of 2018
sales
Short‐term
contracts
(multiple
deliveries for
less than 12
months)
%
Type of sale
Long‐term
Annual
contracts
contracts
(multiple
(multiple
deliveries for
deliveries for 12
more than 12
months)
months)
%
%
Spot sales
(for a single
delivery)
%
Total
(should
sum to
100.0%)
0.0
%
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Ceramic Tile (Preliminary)
IV‐7.
Page 32
Contract provisions.‐‐Please fill out the table regarding your firm’s typical sales contracts for
U.S.‐produced ceramic tile (or check “not applicable” if your firm does not sell on a short‐term,
annual and/or long‐term contract basis).
Short‐term contracts Annual contracts
(multiple
(multiple deliveries
deliveries for 12
for less than 12
months)
months)
Long‐term contracts
(multiple deliveries
for more than 12
months)
Typical sales
contract provisions
Item
Average contract
duration
No. of
days
Price renegotiation
(during contract
period)
Yes
No
Quantity
Price
Both
Yes
No
Fixed quantity
and/or price
Indexed to raw
material costs1
Not applicable
365
1
Please identify the indexes used:
IV‐8.
Lead times.‐‐What is your firm’s share of sales from inventory vs. produced to order and what is
the typical lead time between a customer’s order and the date of delivery for your firm’s sales of
its U.S.‐produced ceramic tile?
Lead time (Average
Source
Share of 2018 sales number of days)
From inventory
%
Produced to order
%
Total (should sum to 100.0%)
0.0 %
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Ceramic Tile (Preliminary)
IV‐9.
Page 33
Shipping information.‐‐
(a)
(b)
(c)
What is the approximate percentage of the cost of U.S.‐produced ceramic tile that is
accounted for by U.S. inland transportation costs? percent
Who generally arranges the transportation to your firm’s customers’ locations?
Your firm Purchaser (check one)
Indicate the approximate percentage of your firm’s sales of ceramic tile that are
delivered the following distances from its production facility.
Distance from production facility
Share
Within 100 miles
%
101 to 1,000 miles
%
Over 1,000 miles
%
Total (should sum to 100.0%)
0.0 %
IV‐10. Geographical shipments.‐‐In which U.S. geographic market area(s) has your firm sold its U.S.‐
produced ceramic tile since January 1, 2016 (check all that apply)?
Geographic area
√ if applicable
Northeast.–CT, ME, MA, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, and VT.
Midwest.–IL, IN, IA, KS, MI, MN, MO, NE, ND, OH, SD, and WI.
Southeast.–AL, DE, DC, FL, GA, KY, MD, MS, NC, SC, TN, VA, and WV.
Central Southwest.–AR, LA, OK, and TX.
Mountains.–AZ, CO, ID, MT, NV, NM, UT, and WY.
Pacific Coast.–CA, OR, and WA.
Other.–All other markets in the United States not previously listed,
including AK, HI, PR, and VI.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Ceramic Tile (Preliminary)
Page 34
IV‐11. End uses.‐‐List the end uses of the ceramic tile that your firm manufactures. For each end‐use
product, what percentage of the total cost is accounted for by ceramic tile and other inputs?
Share of total cost of end use product
accounted for by
Total
(should sum to
100.0% across)
Ceramic tile
Other inputs
End‐use product
%
%
0.0 %
%
%
0.0 %
%
%
0.0 %
IV‐12. Substitutes.‐‐Can other products be substituted for ceramic tile?
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 ceramic tile?
No Yes
Explanation
1.
2.
3.
IV‐13. Demand trends.‐‐Indicate how demand within the United States and outside of the United
States (if known) for ceramic tile has changed since January 1, 2016. Explain any trends and
describe the principal factors that have affected these changes in demand.
Market
Fluctuate
with no
Overall
No
Overall
increase change decrease clear trend
Explanation and factors
Within the United States
Outside the United States
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Ceramic Tile (Preliminary)
Page 35
IV‐14. Product changes.‐‐Have there been any significant changes in the product range, product mix,
or marketing of ceramic tile since January 1, 2016?
No
Yes
If yes, please describe and quantify if possible.
IV‐15. Conditions of competition.‐‐
(a) Is the ceramic tile market subject to business cycles (other than general economy‐wide
conditions) and/or other conditions of competition distinctive to ceramic tile? If yes,
describe.
Check all that apply.
Please describe.
No
Skip to question IV‐16.
Yes‐Business cycles (e.g.
seasonal business)
Yes‐Other distinctive
conditions of competition
(b) If yes, have there been any changes in the business cycles or conditions of competition for
ceramic tile since January 1, 2016?
No
Yes
If yes, describe.
IV‐16. Supply constraints.‐‐Has your firm refused, declined, or been unable to supply ceramic tile since
January 1, 2016 (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, etc.)?
No
Yes
If yes, please describe.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Ceramic Tile (Preliminary)
Page 36
IV‐17. Raw materials.‐‐How have ceramic tile raw material prices changed since January 1, 2016?
Explain, noting how raw material price changes
Fluctuate
with no have affected your firm’s selling prices for ceramic
Overall
No
Overall
tile.
increase change decrease clear trend
IV‐18. Interchangeability.‐‐Is ceramic tile produced in the United States and in other countries
interchangeable (i.e., can they physically be used in the same applications)?
Please indicate A, F, S, N, or 0 in the table below:
A = the products from a specified country‐pair are always interchangeable
F = the products are frequently interchangeable
S = the products are sometimes interchangeable
N = the products are never interchangeable
0 = no familiarity with products from a specified country‐pair
Country pair
United States
China
China
Other countries
For any country‐pair producing ceramic tile that is sometimes or never interchangeable,
identify the country‐pair and explain the factors that limit or preclude interchangeable use:
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Ceramic Tile (Preliminary)
Page 37
IV‐19. Factors other than price.‐‐Are differences other than price (e.g., quality, availability,
transportation network, product range, technical support, etc.) between ceramic tile produced
in the United States and in other countries a significant factor in your firm’s sales of the
products?
Please indicate A, F, S, N, or 0 in the table below:
A = such differences are always significant
F = such differences are frequently significant
S = such differences are sometimes significant
N = such differences are never significant
0 = no familiarity with products from a specified country‐pair
Country pair
United States
China
China
Other countries
For any country‐pair for which factors other than price always or frequently are a significant
factor in your firm’s sales of ceramic tile, identify the country‐pair and report the advantages
or disadvantages imparted by such factors:
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Ceramic Tile (Preliminary)
Page 38
IV‐20. Customer identification.‐‐List the names and contact information for your firm’s 10 largest U.S.
customers for ceramic tile since January 1, 2016. Indicate the share of the quantity of your firm’s
total shipments of ceramic tile that each of these customers accounted for in 2018.
Customer’s name
Contact person
Email
Telephone
City
State
Share of
2018 sales
(%)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Ceramic Tile (Preliminary)
Page 39
IV‐21. Competition from imports.‐‐
(a)
Lost revenue.‐‐Since January 1, 2016: To avoid losing sales to competitors selling
ceramic tile from China, did your firm:
Item
No
Yes
(b)
Reduce prices
Roll back announced price increases
Lost sales.‐‐Since January 1, 2016: Did your firm lose sales of ceramic tile to imports of
this product from China?
No
Yes
(c)
The submission of lost sales/lost revenue allegations is to be completed only by NON‐
PETITIONERS.
If your firm indicated “yes” to any of the above, your firm can provide the Commission
with additional information by downloading and completing the lost sales/lost revenues
worksheet at http://usitc.gov/trade_remedy/question.htm. Note that the Commission
may contact the firms named to verify the allegations reported.
Is your firm submitting the lost sales/lost revenues worksheet?
No—Please explain.
Yes—Please complete the worksheet and submit via the Commission dropbox.
https://dropbox.usitc.gov/oinv/. (PIN: TILE)
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Ceramic Tile (Preliminary)
Page 40
IV‐22. Impact of the section 301 investigation.‐‐This question concerns the section 301 investigation
and tariffs on ceramic tile that have been proposed and implemented by the United States in
response to Chinese trade practices.
(a)
Did the announcement in March 2018 and subsequent implementation of tariff
remedies in the section 301 investigation impact, or do you anticipate that it will impact,
your firm's ceramic tile business and/or the U.S. ceramic tile market as a whole?
Yes‐‐
Please fill out table below and answer part (b)
Don’t
know
No
Item
Response
Impact on your firm1
1
Impact on overall U.S. market
1
Please identify the magnitude and timing of any effects, and compare your firm's
operations/overall market before and after the announcement of the section 301 measures.
(b)
Assessment of specific impacts of the section 301 investigation.‐‐Please indicate the
impact of the announcement and subsequent implementation of remedies in the
section 301 investigation and tariff actions regarding ceramic tile.
Item
Fluctuate
with no
No
clear
Increase change Decrease
trend
Explanation and factors
Overall demand for
ceramic tile in the U.S.
market
Prices for ceramic tile
in the U.S. market
IV‐23. Other explanations.‐‐If your firm would like to further explain a response to a question in Part
IV for which a narrative response box was not provided, please note the question number and
the explanation in the space provided below. Please also use this space to highlight any issues
your firm had in providing the data in this section, including but not limited to technical issues
with the MS Word questionnaire.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Ceramic Tile (Preliminary)
Page 41
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/701731/2019/ceramic_tile_products_china/preliminary.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: TILE
• 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 produce this product, please fill out page 1, print, sign, and submit a scanned copy
to the Commission.
Parties to this proceeding.—If your firm is a party to this proceeding, it is required to serve a copy of the
completed questionnaire on parties to the proceeding that are subject to administrative protective
order (see 19 CFR § 207.7). A list of such parties may be obtained from the Commission’s Secretary (202‐
205‐1803). A certificate of service must accompany the completed questionnaire you submit (see 19 CFR
§ 207.7). Service of the questionnaire must be made in paper form.
| File Type | application/pdf |
| File Modified | 0000-00-00 |
| File Created | 0000-00-00 |