18-4-3923 Foreign producers' questionnaire

OMB No. 3117-0016/USITC No. 18-4-3923; Expiration Date: : 6/30/2020
(No response is required if currently valid OMB control number is not displayed)

FOREIGN PRODUCERS’/EXPORTERS’ QUESTIONNAIRE
COMMON ALLOY ALUMINUM SHEET FROM CHINA
This questionnaire must be received by the Commission by August 31, 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 countervailing duty and antidumping duty investigations concerning common alloy
aluminum sheet from China (Inv. Nos. 701-TA-591 and 731-TA-1399 (Final)). The information requested in the
questionnaire is requested under the authority of the Tariff Act of 1930, title VII.

Name of firm
Address
Website
Has your firm produced or exported common alloy aluminum sheet (“CAAS”) (as defined on next page) 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 Commission Drop Box by clicking on the following link:
https://dropbox.usitc.gov/oinv/. (PIN: CAAS)
CERTIFICATION
I certify that the information herein supplied in response to this questionnaire is complete and correct to the best of my
knowledge and belief and understand that the information submitted is subject to audit and verification by the Commission. By
means of this certification I also grant consent for the Commission, and its employees and contract personnel, to use the
information provided in this questionnaire and throughout this proceeding in any other import-injury proceedings conducted by
the Commission on the same or similar merchandise.
I, the undersigned, acknowledge that information submitted in response to this request for information and throughout this
proceeding or other proceedings may be disclosed to and used: (i) by the Commission, its employees and Offices, and contract
personnel (a) for developing or maintaining the records of this or a related proceeding, or (b) in internal investigations, audits,
reviews, and evaluations relating to the programs, personnel, and operations of the Commission including under 5 U.S.C.
Appendix 3; or (ii) by U.S. government employees and contract personnel, solely for cybersecurity purposes. I understand that all
contract personnel will sign appropriate nondisclosure agreements.
Name of Authorized Official

Title of Authorized Official

Date

Phone:
Signature

Fax:

Email address

Business Proprietary
Foreign Producers’ Questionnaire – Common Alloy Aluminum Sheet (Final)

Page 2

PART I.—GENERAL INFORMATION
Background.--This proceeding was instituted in response to a notification of investigations self-initiated
by the U.S. Department of Commerce (“Commerce”). That notification was deemed by the Commission
as having been filed on December 1, 2017. Countervailing and 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 Commerce makes an affirmative
determination of subsidization and dumping. Questionnaires and other information pertinent to this
proceeding are available at:
https://www.usitc.gov/investigations/701731/2018/common_alloy_aluminum_sheet_china/final.htm
Common alloy aluminum sheet (“CAAS”).-- The merchandise covered by these investigations is
common alloy aluminum sheet (“CAAS”), which is a flat-rolled aluminum product having a thickness of
6.3 mm or less, but greater than 0.2 mm, in coils or cut-to-length, regardless of width. CAAS within the
scope of this proceeding includes both not clad aluminum sheet, as well as multi-alloy, clad aluminum
sheet. With respect to not clad aluminum sheet, CAAS is manufactured from a 1XXX-, 3XXX-, or 5XXXseries alloy as designated by the Aluminum Association. With respect to multi-alloy, clad aluminum
sheet, CAAS is produced from a 3XXX-series core, to which cladding layers are applied to either one or
both sides of the core.
CAAS may be made to ASTM specification B209-14, but can also be made to other specifications.
Regardless of specification, however, all CAAS meeting the scope description is included in the scope.
Subject merchandise includes CAAS that has been further processed in a third country, including but not
limited to annealing, tempering, painting, varnishing, trimming, cutting, punching, and/or slitting, or any
other processing that would not otherwise remove the merchandise from the scope of the
investigations if performed in the country of manufacture of the CAAS.
Excluded from the scope of these investigations is aluminum can stock (as defined below).
Where the nominal and actual measurements vary, a product is within the scope if application of either
the nominal or actual measurement would place it within the scope based on the definitions set for the
above.
CAAS is currently classifiable under Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (“HTSUS”) statistical
reporting numbers 7606.11.3060, 7606.11.6000, 7606.12.3090, 7606.12,6000, 7606.91.3090,
7606.91.6080, 7606.92.3090, and 7606.92.6080. Further, merchandise that falls within the scope of
these investigations may also be entered into the United States under HTSUS statistical reporting
numbers 7606.11.3030, 7606.12.3030, 7606.91.3060, 7606.91.6040, 7606.92.3060, 7606.92.6040,
7607.11.9090. Although the HTSUS statistical reporting numbers are provided for convenience and
customs purposes, the written description of the scope of these investigations is dispositive.
Aluminum can stock.--Aluminum can stock is aluminum sheet or foil suitable for use in the manufacture
of aluminum beverage cans bodies (“body stock”), lids of such cans, or tabs (“lid stock”) used to open
such cans. Aluminum can stock, for the purposes of data gathered in this questionnaire, is limited to
gauges that range from 0.200 mm to 0.292 mm (i.e., thicknesses otherwise matching the in-scope
thicknesses for CAAS). Most aluminum can stock is produced with an H-19, H-41, H-48, or H-391
temper. In addition, aluminum can stock may have a lubricant applied to its flat surfaces to facilitate its
movement through machines used in the manufacture of beverage cans. Aluminum can stock is properly
classified under HTSUS statistical reporting numbers 7606.12.3045 (body stock) and 7606.12.3055 (lid
stock).

Business Proprietary
Foreign Producers’ Questionnaire – Common Alloy Aluminum Sheet (Final)

Page 3

Aluminum foil.--Aluminum foil is defined as aluminum with a thickness of 0.2 mm or less.
Aluminum plate.--Aluminum plate is defined as aluminum with a thickness of greater than 6.3 mm.
Brazing aluminum tube stock (“brazing stock”).--Aluminum brazing tube stock (“brazing stock”) is
defined as a composite material consisting of multiple sheets of aluminum alloy metallurgically bonded
to one another, with the center or “core” alloy generally being much thicker than the outer “clad” (or
“filler”) layers. It consists of a high-end, often proprietary, core alloy and one or more layers of braze
clad. The material is typically 0.05mm to 1.0mm in thickness, of which the cladding generally represents
10% ± 2%. Aluminum brazing tube stock is used in such applications as automotive heat exchangers
(HEX) and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment.
This definition of brazing stock covers both “in-scope brazing stock” and “out-of-scope brazing stock”.
In-scope brazing stock is defined as brazing stock meeting the scope thickness range (i.e. having a
thickness of 6.3mm or less, but greater than 0.2mm), and data relating to in-scope brazing stock should
be reported generally as a subset of data reported in parts II, III, and IV of this questionnaire, and on a
stand-alone basis in part V of this questionnaire. Out-of-scope brazing stock is defined as brazing stock
having a thickness of 0.2mm of less, and data relating to out-of-scope brazing stock should NOT be
reported in most of this questionnaire, with the notable exception of question II-17 dedicated to this
merchandise
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,
purchaser and/or foreign producer questionnaire), you need not respond to duplicated questions.
Confidentiality.--The commercial and financial data furnished in response to this questionnaire that
reveal the individual operations of your firm will be treated as confidential by the Commission to the
extent that such data are not otherwise available to the public and will not be disclosed except as may
be required by law (see 19 U.S.C. §1677f). Such confidential information will not be published in a
manner that will reveal the individual operations of your firm; however, general characterizations of
numerical business proprietary information (such as discussion of trends) will be treated as confidential
business information only at the request of the submitter for good cause shown.
Verification.--The information submitted in this questionnaire is subject to audit and verification by the
Commission. To facilitate possible verification of data, please keep all files, worksheets, and supporting
documents used in the preparation of the questionnaire response. Please also retain a copy of the final
document that you submit.

Business Proprietary
Foreign Producers’ Questionnaire – Common Alloy Aluminum Sheet (Final)

Page 4

Release of information.--The information provided by your firm in response to this questionnaire, as
well as any other business proprietary information submitted by your firm to the Commission in
connection with this proceeding, may become subject to, and released under, the administrative
protective order provisions of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. § 1677f) and section 207.7 of the
Commission’s Rules of Practice and Procedure (19 CFR § 207.7). This means that certain lawyers and
other authorized individuals may temporarily be given access to the information for use in connection
with this proceeding or other import-injury proceedings conducted by the Commission on the same or
similar merchandise; those individuals would be subject to severe penalties if the information were
divulged to unauthorized individuals.
Valid number error messages.--If you are completing this form in a country that uses periods (“.”) to
delineate multiples of 1000 (e.g., one million would appear as $1.000.000 rather than $1,000,000), you
may be unable to enter in numbers greater than 999 in numeric form fields. The solution to this data
entry issue is to temporarily change your operating system’s number formatting to be consistent with
the U.S. number formatting system while you complete this form. Detailed instructions on how to
resolve this issue is provided at the end of this questionnaire and is available upon request from
Nathanael Comly (202-205-3174, [email protected]).
I-1.

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
20 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.

Business Proprietary
Foreign Producers’ Questionnaire – Common Alloy Aluminum Sheet (Final)
I-2.

Page 5

Establishments covered.--Provide the name and address of establishment(s) covered by this
questionnaire. If your firm is publicly traded, please specify the stock exchange and trading
symbol.
“Establishment”-- Each facility of a firm in China involved in the production or export of CAAS,
including auxiliary facilities operated in conjunction with (whether or not physically separate
from) such facilities. Firms operating more than one establishment in China should combine the
data for all establishments into a single report.

I-3.

Related producers.--Does your firm or any related firm produce, have the capability to produce,
or have any plans to produce CAAS in the United States or other countries?
No

Yes--Please name the firm(s) and country(ies) below and, if U.S. producer(s),
ensure that they complete the Commission’s producer questionnaire.

Business Proprietary
Foreign Producers’ Questionnaire – Common Alloy Aluminum Sheet (Final)
I-4.

Related U.S. importers.--Does your firm or any related firm import or have any plans to import
CAAS into the United States?
No

I-5.

2
3
4
5

Yes--Please name the firm(s) below and ensure that they complete the
Commission’s importer questionnaire.

U.S. importers.--Please provide the names, street addresses (not P.O. boxes), contacts,
telephone numbers, and e-mail addresses of the FIVE largest U.S. importers of your firm’s CAAS
in 2017.

Importer’s name
1

Page 6

Contact person

Email

Telephone

Share of your
firm’s 2017 U.S.
exports (%)

Business Proprietary
Foreign Producers’ Questionnaire – Common Alloy Aluminum Sheet (Final)

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
Fax

II-2.

Changes in operations.--Please indicate whether your firm has experienced any of the following
changes in relation to the production of CAAS since January 1, 2015.
(check as many as appropriate)

plant openings
plant closings
relocations
expansions
acquisitions
consolidations
prolonged shutdowns or
production curtailments
revised labor agreements
other (e.g., technology)

(If checked, please describe including dates and quantities
as appropriate; leave blank if not applicable)

Business Proprietary
Foreign Producers’ Questionnaire – Common Alloy Aluminum Sheet (Final)
II-3.

Anticipated changes in operations.--Does your firm anticipate any changes in the character of
its operations or organization (as noted above) relating to the production of CAAS in the future?

No

II-4a.

Page 8

Yes

If yes, supply details as to the time, nature, and significance of such changes and
provide underlying assumptions. Include in the response a specific projection of
your firm’s capacity to produce CAAS (in short tons) for 2018 and 2019.

Production using same machinery.—
“Overall production capacity” or “capacity” –The level of production that your establishment(s)
could reasonably have expected to attain during the specified periods for all products manufactured
in that establishment using the same manufacturing equipment. 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
questions II-9 and II-10. If, however, your firm does produce out-of-scope merchandise using the
same machinery and equipment as scope mercandhise, then the “average production capacity”
reported in questions II-9 and II-10 should exclude the portion of “overall production capacity” that
was used to produce this out-of-scope merchandise.
“Production” --All production in your establishment(s) in China, including production consumed
internally within your firm.
Please report your firm’s production of products made on the the same machinery and equipment
used to produce CAAS or using the same employees used to produce CAAS, and the combined
production capacity in the periods indicated.
Quantity (in short tons)
Calendar years
Item

2015

2016

January-June
2017

2017

2018

Overall production capacity
Production of:
Total CAAS1

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Out-of-scope products :
Aluminum can stock2
Aluminum foil2
Aluminum plate2
Other products3
Subtotal, out-of-scope products
Total

Data entered for production of CAAS will populate here once reported in questions II-9 and II-10.
Defined on pages 2-3.
3
Please identify these products:
.
1
2

Business Proprietary
Foreign Producers’ Questionnaire – Common Alloy Aluminum Sheet (Final)
II-4b.

Page 9

Operating parameters.--The production capacity reported in II-4a is based on the following
operating paramaters:
Hours per week

Weeks per year

II-4c.

Capacity calculation.--Please describe the methodology used to calculate overall production
capacity reported in II-4a, and explain any changes in reported capacity.

II-4d.

Production constraints.--Please describe the constraint(s) that set the limit(s) on your firm’s
production capacity.

II-4e.

Product shifting.—
(i) Is your firm able to switch production (capacity) between CAAS and the following products
using the same equipment and/or labor?
Able to switch from CAAS
to:

No

Yes If yes—(i.e., have produced other products or are
able to produce other products) Please identify
other actual or potential products:

Aluminum can stock
Aluminum foil
Aluminum plate
Other products1
1

Please identify these products:

(ii).

Please describe the factors that affect your firm’s ability to shift production capacity
between CAAS and the other products (e.g., time, cost, relative price change, etc.), and the
degree to which these factors enhance or constrain such shifts (please note if this differs
between the other products).

Business Proprietary
Foreign Producers’ Questionnaire – Common Alloy Aluminum Sheet (Final)

Page 10

II-5.

Share of sales.--What percentage of your firm’s total sales in its most recent fiscal year was
represented by sales of CAAS?
percent.

II-6.

Firm's estimated share of production in China.--Please estimate the percentage of total production
of CAAS in China accounted for by your firm’s production in 2017.
percent.

II-7.

Firm's estimated share of country's exports.--Please estimate the percentage of total exports to
the United States of CAAS from China accounted for by your firm’s exports in 2017.
percent.

II-8.

Third country trade actions.--Is the CAAS exported by your firm subject to
antidumping/countervailing duty/safeguard findings, remedies, or proceedings?

No

Yes

If yes--List the products(s), countries affected, and the date of such
findings/remedies/proceedings.

Business Proprietary
Foreign Producers’ Questionnaire – Common Alloy Aluminum Sheet (Final)
II-9.

Page 11

Trade data (in-scope brazing stock).--Report your firm’s production capacity, production,
shipments, and inventories related to the production of in-scope brazing stock in your
establishment(s) in China during the specified periods. Do not include resales of in-scope
brazing stock that your firm did not produce in this question; those data to the degree they are
exported to the United States should only be reported in question II-11.
Do not submit data by manufacturing facility if they are in the same country. If your firm has
multiple manufacturing establishments within one country, you are required to combine data
for those establishments within one foreign producer questionnaire response.
“Average production capacity” or “capacity” –The level of production that your
establishment(s) could reasonably have expected to attain during the specified periods for all
products manufactured in that establishment using the same manufacturing equipment.
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 establishment(s) in China, including production consumed
internally within your firm.
“Shipments”--Shipments of products produced in your establishment(s) in China. Quantities
reported should be net of returns.
“Home market commercial shipments”--Shipments, other than internal consumption and
transfers to related firms, within China.
“Home market internal consumption/transfers to related firms”--Shipments made to
related firms in China, including product consumed internally by your firm.
“Export shipments”--Shipments to destinations outstide of the country indicacted on page 1
(China), including shipments to related firms.
“Inventories”--Finished goods inventory, not raw materials or work-in-progress.

Business Proprietary
Foreign Producers’ Questionnaire – Common Alloy Aluminum Sheet (Final)
II-9.

Page 12

Trade data (in-scope brazing stock).--Continued.
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.

IN-SCOPE BRAZING STOCK
Quantity (in short tons)
Actual experience
Calendar year
Item

2015

2016

Projections1
January-June

2017

2017

Calendar year

2018

2018

2019

Average production capacity (A)
2

Beginning-of-period inventories
(B)
Production (C)
Home market shipments:
Internal consumption/
transfers (D)
Commercial shipments (E)
Exports to the United States (F)
Exports to all other markets3 (G)
Total exports (H)
(should equal F+G)

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Total shipments (I)
(should equal D+E+F+G)

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

End-of-period inventories (J)
Please explain the basis for your firm’s projections.
.
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.
.
3
Identify principal other export markets.
.
1
2

Business Proprietary
Foreign Producers’ Questionnaire – Common Alloy Aluminum Sheet (Final)
II-9.

Page 13

Trade data.—Continued.
RECONCILIATION OF SHIPMENTS, PRODUCTION, AND INVENTORY.--Generally, the data reported
for the end-of-period inventories (i.e., line J) should be equal to the beginning-of-period
inventories (i.e., line B), plus production (i.e., line C), less total shipments (i.e., lines D, E, F, and
G). Please ensure that any differences are not due to data entry errors in completing this form,
but rather actually reflect your firm’s records; and also provide any likely explanations for any
differences (e.g., theft, loss, damage, record systems issues, etc.) if they exist.
Actual experience
Calendar year
Item

2015

2016

Projections
January-June

2017

2017

2018

Calendar year
2018

2019

B + C – D – E – F –G – J =
should equal zero ("0")
or provide an
explanation.1
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
Explanation if the calculated fields above are returning values other than zero (i.e., “0”) but are
nonetheless accurate.

0

Business Proprietary
Foreign Producers’ Questionnaire – Common Alloy Aluminum Sheet (Final)
II-10.

Page 14

Trade data (all other in-scope CAAS).--Report your firm’s production capacity, production,
shipments, and inventories related to the production of all other in-scope CAAS in your
establishment(s) in China during the specified periods. Do not include resales of all other inscope CAAS that your firm did not produce in this question; those data to the degree they are
exported to the United States should only be reported in question II-11.
Do not submit data by manufacturing facility if they are in the same country. If your firm has
multiple manufacturing establishments within one country, you are required to combine data
for those establishments within one foreign producer questionnaire response.
“Average production capacity” or “capacity” –The level of production that your
establishment(s) could reasonably have expected to attain during the specified periods for all
products manufactured in that establishment using the same manufacturing equipment.
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 establishment(s) in China, including production consumed
internally within your firm.
“Shipments”--Shipments of products produced in your establishment(s) in China. Quantities
reported should be net of returns.
“Home market commercial shipments”--Shipments, other than internal consumption and
transfers to related firms, within China.
“Home market internal consumption/transfers to related firms”--Shipments made to
related firms in China, including product consumed internally by your firm.
“Export shipments”--Shipments to destinations outstide of the country indicacted on page 1
(China), 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
Foreign Producers’ Questionnaire – Common Alloy Aluminum Sheet (Final)
II-10.

Page 15

Trade data (all other in-scope CAAS).--Continued.

ALL OTHER IN-SCOPE CAAS
Quantity (in short tons)
Actual experience
Calendar year
Item

2015

2016

Projections1
January-June

2017

2017

Calendar year

2018

2018

2019

Average production capacity (A)
2

Beginning-of-period inventories
(B)
Production (C)
Home market shipments:
Internal consumption/
transfers (D)
Commercial shipments (E)
Exports to the United States (F)
Exports to all other markets3 (G)
Total exports (H)
(should equal F+G)

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Total shipments (I)
(should equal D+E+F+G)

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

End-of-period inventories (J)
Please explain the basis for your firm’s projections.
.
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.
.
3
Identify principal other export markets.
.
1
2

Business Proprietary
Foreign Producers’ Questionnaire – Common Alloy Aluminum Sheet (Final)
II-10.

Page 16

Trade data (all other in-scope CAAS).—Continued.
RECONCILIATION OF SHIPMENTS, PRODUCTION, AND INVENTORY.--Generally, the data reported
for the end-of-period inventories (i.e., line J) should be equal to the beginning-of-period
inventories (i.e., line B), plus production (i.e., line C), less total shipments (i.e., lines D, E, F, and
G). Please ensure that any differences are not due to data entry errors in completing this form,
but rather actually reflect your firm’s records; and also provide any likely explanations for any
differences (e.g., theft, loss, damage, record systems issues, etc.) if they exist.
Actual experience
Calendar year
Item

2015

2016

Projections
January-June

2017

2017

Calendar year

2018

2018

2019

B + C – D – E – F –G – J =
should equal zero ("0")
or provide an
explanation.1
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
Explanation if the calculated fields above are returning values other than zero (i.e., “0”) but are
nonetheless accurate.
II-11.

0

Exports to the United States not produced by your firm.--Report your firm’s exports to the
United States of CAAS (in-scope brazing stock and all other CAAS) that was produced in China
but not by your firm during the specified periods. Note these data should not be included in
question II-9 or II-10.
Quantity (in short tons)
Actual experience
Calendar year
Item

2015

2016

Projections
January-June

2017

2017

2018

Calendar year
2018

2019

Exports of in-scope brazing stock
to the United States not
produced by your firm1
Exports of all other in-scope
CAAS to the United States not
produced by your firm2
1
2

List the producer(s).
List the producer(s).

II-12.

Other explanations.--If your firm would like to further explain a response to a question in Part II
that did not provide a narrative box, please note the question number and the explanation in
the space provided below. Please also use this space to highlight any issues your firm had in
providing the data in this section, including but not limited to technical issues with the MS Word
questionnaire.

.
.

Business Proprietary
Foreign Producers’ Questionnaire – Common Alloy Aluminum Sheet (Final)

Page 17

Correcting Valid number error messages.--If you are completing a Commission

questionnaire in a country that uses periods (“.”) to delineate multiples of 1000 (e.g., one million would
appear as $1.000.000 instead of as $1,000,000), you may be unable to enter in numbers greater than
999 in numeric form fields. This issues stem from your computer number formatting setting (e.g., not
the MS Word document itself, but the computer from which you are opening up the document). In the
United States commas (,) delineate multiples of 1000 and periods (.) delineate fractions less than one.
Many EU countries use the reverse where multiples of 1000 are delineated with periods (.) and
fractions less than one are delineated with commas (,). The US International Trade Commission’s
questionnaires are set-up in the United States with the U.S. number formatting. When this formatting
interacts with a computer set to EU number formatting, we believe this may cause this issue.
The solution to this data entry issue is to temporarily change your operating system’s number
formatting to be consistent with the U.S. number formatting system while you complete the
questionnaire.
To temporarily change your computer’s number settings to U.S. settings, please do the following (for
Microsoft Windows Operating system):
•
•
•
•
•

START
Control Panel
Region and Language (under Clock, Language, and Region category)
Format tab
Change the Format from your existing one (e.g. “Italian (Italy)”) to “English (United States)” (see
screen shots below)

When you do this the number “twelve million dollars and thirty five cents” would change from
$12.000.000,35 (Italy format) to $12,000,000.35 (U.S. format), and then there will be no conflict with
the USITC foreign producer questionnaire form. When you finish reporting the data then you can close
the questionnaire and switch back to Italy settings.

Business Proprietary
Foreign Producers’ Questionnaire – Common Alloy Aluminum Sheet (Final)

Page 18

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/701731/2018/common_alloy_aluminum_sheet_china/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: CAAS

• E-mail.—E-mail your questionnaire to [email protected]; include a scanned copy of the
signed certification page (page 1). Submitters are strongly encouraged to encrypt nonpublic documents
that are electronically transmitted to the Commission to protect your sensitive information from
unauthorized disclosure. The USITC secure drop-box system and the Electronic Document Information
System (EDIS) use Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS) 140-2 cryptographic algorithms to
encrypt data in transit. Submitting your nonpublic documents by a means that does not use these
encryption algorithms (such as by email) may subject your firm’s nonpublic information to unauthorized
disclosure during transmission. If you choose a non-encrypted method of electronic transmission, the
Commission warns you that the risk of such possible unauthorized disclosure is assumed by you and not
by the Commission.
If your firm did not produce or export 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, you are required to serve a copy of
the completed questionnaire on parties to the proceeding that are subject to administrative protective
order (see 19 CFR § 207.7). A list of such parties may be obtained from the Commission’s Secretary (202205-1803). A certificate of service must accompany the completed questionnaire you submit (see 19 CFR
§ 207.7). Service of the questionnaire must be made in paper form.