17-2-3730 U.S. Importers' Questionnaire

OMB No. 3117-0016/USITC No. 17-2-3730; Expiration Date: 6/30/2020
(No response is required if currently valid OMB control number is not displayed)

U.S. IMPORTERS’ QUESTIONNAIRE
CAST IRON SOIL PIPE FITTINGS FROM CHINA
This questionnaire must be received by the Commission by July 27, 2017
See last page for filing instructions.
The information called for in this questionnaire is for use by the United States International Trade Commission in
connection with its countervailing duty and antidumping investigations concerning cast iron soil pipe fittings from China
(Inv. Nos. 701-TA-583 and 731-TA-1381 (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 imported cast iron soil pipe fittings (as defined on next page) from any country at any time since
January 1, 2014?

NO

(Sign the certification below and promptly return only this page of the questionnaire to the Commission)

YES

(Complete all parts of the questionnaire, and return the entire questionnaire to the Commission)

Return questionnaire via the U.S. International Trade Commission Drop Box by clicking on the
following link: https://dropbox.usitc.gov/oinv/. (PIN: CISPF)
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
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Cast Iron Soil Pipe Fittings

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PART I.—GENERAL INFORMATION
Background.--This proceeding was instituted in response to a petition filed on July 13, 2017, by the Cast
Iron Soil Pipe Institute, Mundelein, IL. 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 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/title_7/2017/cast_iron_soil_pipe_fittings_china/preliminary.htm
Cast iron soil pipe fittings covered by these investigations are finished and unfinished cast iron soil pipe
fittings (“CISPF”), regardless of industry or proprietary specifications. These are non-malleable iron
castings of various shapes and sizes used in conjunction with cast iron soil pipe in the sanitary and storm
drain, waste, and vent piping of buildings. These fittings include various designs and sizes, consisting of
bends, tees, wyes, traps, drains, and other common or special fittings, with or without side inlets.
CISPF are classified into two major types – hub and spigot and hubless. Hubless pipe and fittings are also
referred to in the plumbing industry as no-hub. CISPF are distinguished from other types of nonmalleable cast iron fittings by the manner in which they are connected to cast iron soil pipe and other
fittings. Hubless cast iron soil pipe and fittings are manufactured without a hub, generally in compliance
with CISPI 301 and/or ASTM A888. The method of joining the pipe and fittings utilizes a metallic shielded
hubless coupling, generally manufactured to CISPI 310 and/or ASTM A 74, that telescopes over the plain
ends of the pipe and fittings and is torqued to seal the joint. Hub and spigot pipe and fittings have hubs
into which the spigot (plain end) of the pipe or fitting is inserted. The joint is sealed with a thermoset
elastomeric gasket or lead and oakum.
CISPF are currently imported under statistical reporting number 7307.11.00.45 of the Harmonized Tariff
Schedule of the United States (HTSUS). The HTSUS provisions are for convenience and customs
purposes; the written description of the scope is dispositive.
Importer.--Any person or firm engaged, either directly or through a parent company or subsidiary,
in importing cast iron soil pipe fittings (as defined above) into the United States from a foreign
manufacturer or through its selling agent.
Reporting of information.-- If information is not readily available from your records, provide carefully
prepared estimates. If your firm is completing more than one questionnaire (i.e., a producer, importer,
and/or purchaser questionnaire), you need not respond to duplicated questions.
Confidentiality.--The commercial and financial data furnished in response to this questionnaire that
reveal the individual operations of your firm will be treated as confidential by the Commission to the
extent that such data are not otherwise available to the public and will not be disclosed except as may
be required by law (see 19 U.S.C. § 1677f). Such confidential information will not be published in a
manner that will reveal the individual operations of your firm; however, general characterizations of
numerical business proprietary information (such as discussion of trends) will be treated as confidential
business information only at the request of the submitter for good cause shown.
Verification.-- The information submitted in this questionnaire is subject to audit and verification by the
Commission. To facilitate possible verification of data, please keep all files, worksheets, and supporting

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Cast Iron Soil Pipe Fittings

Page 3

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.
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 Amelia
Shister (202-205-2047, [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
40 hours per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, gathering data, and
completing and reviewing the questionnaire.
We welcome comments regarding the accuracy of this burden estimate, suggestions for
reducing the burden, and any suggestions for improving this questionnaire. Please attach such
comments to your response or send to the Office of Investigations, USITC, 500 E St. SW,
Washington, DC 20436.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Cast Iron Soil Pipe Fittings
I-2.

Page 4

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 involved in the importation of cast iron soil pipe fittings,
including auxiliary facilities operated in conjunction with (whether or not physically separate
from) such facilities.

I-3.

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

Firm name

I-4.

Yes--List the following information

Address

Extent of
ownership
(percent)

Related importers/exporters.--Does your firm have any related firms, either domestic or
foreign, that are engaged in importing cast iron soil pipe fittings from China into the United
States or that are engaged in exporting cast iron soil pipe fittings from China to the United
States?
No
Firm name

Yes--List the following information.
Country

Affiliation

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Cast Iron Soil Pipe Fittings
I-5.

Related producers.--Does your firm have any related firms, either domestic or foreign, that are
engaged in the production of cast iron soil pipe fittings?
No

Yes--List the following information.

Firm name

I-6.

Country

Affiliation

Importing operations.--Please indicate the nature of your firm’s importing operations on cast
iron soil pipe fittings. More than one answer may be applicable.
Importer of record

I-7.

Page 5

Takes title to the
imported product(s)

Consignee of the
imported products(s)

Customs broker or
freight forwarder

Consignee.--If your firm is an importer of record of cast iron soil pipe fittings but is not the
consignee, please list the consignees below (firm name, address, telephone number, and
individual to contact).

Firm name

Address

Contact person
and phone
number

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Cast Iron Soil Pipe Fittings
I-8.

Page 6

FTZ, TIB, or bonded warehouses.--Please indicate whether your firm enters cast iron soil pipe
fittings into, or withdraws such merchandise from, foreign trade zones or bonded warehouses.
Also indicate whether your firm imports cast iron soil pipe fittings under the TIB (temporary
importation under bond) program.
“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, as
well as other savings. A foreign trade zone must be designed as such pursuant to the rules and
procedures set forth in the Foreign-Trade Zones Act.
“Bonded warehouse” is a secured facility supervised by U.S. customs, where dutiable landed
imports are stored pending their re-export, or release after payment of import duties, taxes, and
other charges. A bonded warehouse must be designed as such pursuant to the rules and
procedures set forth in 19 U.S.C. § 1555.
“Temporary Importation under Bond (“TIB”) program” is a procedure whereby imported
merchandise may be entered under certain conditions for a limited time into the United States
free of duty. Under the program, an importer posts a bond for twice the amount of duty, taxes,
etc. that would otherwise be owed on the importation and agrees to export or destroy the
merchandise within a specified time or pay liquidated damages. This program is restricted to
certain categories of merchandise listed in subheadings 9813.00.05 through 9813.00.75 of the
Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTS).
No

Yes

Foreign trade zones
Bonded warehouses
Temporary importation under bond

I-9.

Other trade actions.--To your knowledge, have the products subject to this proceeding been the
subject of any other import relief proceedings in the United States or in any other countries?
No

Yes–Please specify.

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Cast Iron Soil Pipe Fittings

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PART II.--TRADE AND RELATED INFORMATION
Further information on this part of the questionnaire can be obtained from Amelia Shister (202-2052047, [email protected]). 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 importation of cast iron soil pipe fittings since January 1, 2014.
(check as many as appropriate)
Office/warehouse openings
Office/warehouse closings
Relocations
Expansions
Acquisitions
Consolidations
Prolonged shutdowns or
importation curtailments
Revised labor agreements
Other (e.g., technology)

(If checked, please describe; leave blank if not applicable)

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Cast Iron Soil Pipe Fittings
II-3

Page 8

Arranged imports.--Has your firm imported or arranged for the importation of cast iron soil pipe
fittings for delivery after June 30, 2017?
“Arranged imports” are imports for which your firm has placed an order with a foreign supplier
for subject merchandise, but delivery of those imports is not scheduled to occur until after the
date listed above.
No

Yes–Fill out the table below.
Quantity (in short tons)

Period/Source

Jul-Sept 2017

Oct-Dec 2017

Jan-Mar 2018

Apr-Jun 2018

China
Other sources
II-4.

Reasons for importing if producer.--If your firm also produces cast iron soil pipe fittings in the
United States, please indicate the reasons for importing this product. If your firm’s reasons differ
by source, please elaborate.

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Cast Iron Soil Pipe Fittings

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Definitions
“Imports” –Those products identified for Customs purposes as imports for consumption for
which your firm was the importer of record (i.e., was responsible for paying any import duty) or
consignee (i.e., to which the merchandise was first delivered).
“Import quantities” –Quantities reported should be net of returns.
“Import values”—Values reported should be landed, duty-paid values at the U.S. port of entry,
including ocean freight and insurance costs, brokerage charges, and import duties (i.e., all
charges except inland freight in the United States).
“U.S. commercial shipments”— Shipments made within the United States as a result of an arm’s
length commercial transaction in the ordinary course of business. 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” –Product consumed internally by your firm. Such transactions are
valued at fair market value.
“Transfers to related firms” –Shipments made to related domestic firms. Such transactions are
valued at fair market value.
“Related firm” –A firm that your firm solely or jointly owns, manages, or otherwise controls.
“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.

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Cast Iron Soil Pipe Fittings
II-5.

Page 10

U.S. imports from China.–Report your firm’s imports and your firm’s shipments and inventories
of cast iron soil pipe fittings imported from China by your firm during the specified periods.

China
Quantity (in short tons), value (in $1,000)
Calendar years
Item

2014

2015

January-June
2016

2016

2017

Beginning-of-period inventories
(quantity) (A)
Imports:1
Quantity (B)
Value (C)
U.S. shipments:2
Commercial shipments:
Quantity (D)
Value (E)
Internal consumption/
company transfers:3
Quantity (F)
Value2 (G)
Export shipments:4
Quantity (H)
Value (I)
End-of-period inventories
(quantity) (J)
Channels of distribution:
Commercial U.S. shipments:
To distributors (quantity) (K)
To end users (quantity) (L)
1

Please identify the foreign producers, if known:
.
Please report your firm’s quantity (in short tons) of U.S. shipments of unfinished cast iron soil pipe fittings in 2016:
short tons.
3
Sales to related firms (including internal consumption) must be valued at fair market value. In the event that your firm
uses a different basis for valuing these sales within your company, please specify that basis (e.g., cost, cost plus, etc.) and
provide value data using that basis for each of the periods noted above:
.
4
Identify your firm’s principal export markets:
.
2

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Cast Iron Soil Pipe Fittings
II-5.

Page 11

U.S. imports from China.–Continued

RECONCILIATION OF SHIPMENTS, IMPORTS, AND INVENTORIES.--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 A),
plus imports (i.e., line B), less total shipments (i.e., lines D, F, and H). 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.
Calendar years
Reconciliation

2014

2015

A + B – D – F – H – J = should equal zero
("0") or provide an explanation.1

0

January-June
2016

0

2016
0

2017
0

0

1

Explanation if the calculated fields above are returning values other than zero (i.e., “0”) but are nonetheless
accurate:
.
RECONCILIATION OF CHANNELS.--Please ensure that the quantities reported for channels of distribution
(i.e., lines K and L) in each time period equal the quantity reported for commercial U.S. shipments (i.e.,
line D) 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
K + L – D = zero ("0"), if not revise.

2014

2015
0

January-June
2016

0

2016
0

2017
0

0

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Cast Iron Soil Pipe Fittings
II-6.

Page 12

U.S. shipments by type: China.--Report your firm’s U.S. shipments (i.e., inclusive of commercial
U.S. shipments, internal consumption, and transfers to related firms) of imports from China in
2016 by type.

China
Quantity (in short tons) and value (in $1,000)
Item

Calendar year 2016

U.S. shipments:
Hubless / no hub:
Quantity (M)
Value (N)
Hub and spigot:
Quantity (O)
Value (P)
RECONCILIATION OF CHANNELS.--Please ensure that the quantities and value reported for US shipments
above (i.e., lines M though P) in each time period equal the quantity and value reported for U.S.
shipments (i.e., lines D through G) in 2016 from the previous question. 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.
Reconciliations

Calendar year 2016

Quantity: M + O - D – F = zero ("0"), if
not revise.

0

Value: N + P - E – G = zero ("0"), if not
revise.

0

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Cast Iron Soil Pipe Fittings
II-7.

Page 13

U.S. imports from all other sources.–Report your firm’s imports and your firm’s shipments and
inventories of cast iron soil pipe fittings imported from all other sources (i.e., all source except
China) by your firm during the specified periods.

All other sources

(list sources:

)
Quantity (in short tons), value (in $1,000)
Calendar years

Item

2014

2015

January-June
2016

2016

2017

Beginning-of-period inventories
(quantity) (A)
Imports:1
Quantity (B)
Value (C)
U.S. shipments:2
Commercial shipments:
Quantity (D)
Value (E)
Internal consumption/
company transfers:3
Quantity (F)
Value2 (G)
Export shipments:4
Quantity (H)
Value (I)
End-of-period inventories
(quantity) (J)
Channels of distribution:
Commercial U.S. shipments:
To distributors (quantity) (K)
To end users (quantity) (L)
1

Please identify the foreign producers, if known:
.
Please report your firm’s quantity (in short tons) of U.S. shipments of unfinished cast iron soil pipe fittings in 2016:
short tons.
3
Sales to related firms (including internal consumption) must be valued at fair market value. In the event that your firm
uses a different basis for valuing these sales within your company, please specify that basis (e.g., cost, cost plus, etc.) and
provide value data using that basis for each of the periods noted above:
.
4
Identify your firm’s principal export markets:
.
2

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Cast Iron Soil Pipe Fittings
II-7.

Page 14

IMPORTS FROM ALL OTHER SOURCES.–Continued

RECONCILIATION OF SHIPMENTS, IMPORTS, AND INVENTORIES.--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 A),
plus imports (i.e., line B), less total shipments (i.e., lines D, F, and H). 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.
Calendar years
Reconciliation

2014

2015

A + B – D – F – H – J = should equal zero
("0") or provide an explanation.1

0

January-June
2016

0

2016
0

2017
0

0

1

Explanation if the calculated fields above are returning values other than zero (i.e., “0”) but are nonetheless
accurate:
.
RECONCILIATION OF CHANNELS.--Please ensure that the quantities reported for channels of distribution
(i.e., lines K and L) in each time period equal the quantity reported for commercial U.S. shipments (i.e.,
line D) 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
K + L – D = zero ("0"), if not revise.

2014

2015
0

January-June
2016

0

2016
0

2017
0

0

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Cast Iron Soil Pipe Fittings
II-6.

Page 15

U.S. shipments by type: All other sources.--Report your firm’s U.S. shipments (i.e., inclusive of
commercial U.S. shipments, internal consumption, and transfers to related firms) of imports
from all other sources in 2016 by type.

All other sources
Quantity (in short tons) and value (in $1,000)
Item

Calendar year 2016

U.S. shipments:
Hubless / no hub:
Quantity (M)
Value (N)
Hub and spigot:
Quantity (O)
Value (P)
RECONCILIATION OF CHANNELS.--Please ensure that the quantities and value reported for US shipments
above (i.e., lines M though P) in each time period equal the quantity and value reported for U.S.
shipments (i.e., lines D through G) in 2016 from the previous question. 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.
Reconciliations

II-9.

Calendar year 2016

Quantity: M + O - D – F = zero ("0"), if
not revise.

0

Value: N + P - E – G = zero ("0"), if not
revise.

0

Other explanations.--If your firm would like to further explain a response to a question in Part II
that did not provide a narrative response 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.

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Cast Iron Soil Pipe Fittings

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PART III.--PRICING AND MARKET FACTORS
Further information on this part of the questionnaire can be obtained from Craig Thomsen (202-2053226, [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
Fax

PRICE DATA
III-2.

This question requests quarterly quantity and value data for your firm’s commercial shipments
to unrelated U.S. customers since January 1, 2014 of the following products your firm imported
from China:
Product 1.-- 2” no hub, ¼ bend cast iron soil pipe fitting
Product 2.—2” no hub, 1/8 bend cast iron soil pipe fitting
Product 3.—2” no hub, sanitary Tee cast iron soil pipe fitting
Product 4.—4” no hub, 1/8 bend cast iron soil pipe fitting

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 2014-June 2017, did your firm import from China 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 tables as appropriate.
No.--Skip to question III-3.

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Cast Iron Soil Pipe Fittings

Page 17

III-2(a). Price data.--Report below the quarterly price data1 for pricing products2 imported from China
and sold by your firm.

China

Report data in actual short tons and actual dollars (not 1,000s).
Product 1
Quantity
Value

(Quantity in short tons, value in dollars)
Product 2
Product 3
Quantity
Value
Quantity
Value

Product 4
Quantity
Value

Period of shipment
2014:
January-March
April-June
July-September
October-December
2015:
January-March
April-June
July-September
October-December
2016:
January-March
April-June
July-September
October-December
2017:
January-March
April-June
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 III.
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:

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Cast Iron Soil Pipe Fittings

Page 18

III-2 (b). Price data checklist.--Please check that the pricing data in question III-2(a) has been correctly
reported.
Is the price data reported above:

√ if Yes

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-5 in each year?
III-2(c). 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. Importers’ Questionnaire – Cast Iron Soil Pipe Fittings
III-3.

Price setting.--How does your firm determine the prices that it charges for sales of cast iron soil
pipe fittings (check all that apply)? If your firm issues price lists, please submit sample pages of
a recent list.
Transaction
by
transaction

III-4.

Contracts

Other

If other, describe

Annual
total
volume
discounts

No
discount
policy

Other

Describe

Pricing terms.-(a)

What are your firm’s typical sales terms for cast iron soil pipe fittings imported from
China?
Net 30
days

(b)

Net 60
days

2/10 net 30
days

Other

Other (specify)

On what basis are your firm’s prices of imported cast iron soil pipe fittings from China
usually quoted (check one)?
Delivered

III-6.

Set
price
lists

Discount policy.--Please indicate and describe your firm’s discount policies (check all that apply).

Quantity
discounts

III-5.

Page 19

F.o.b.

If f.o.b., specify point

Contract versus spot.--Approximately what share of your firm’s sales of cast iron soil pipe
fittings imported from China in 2016 was on a (1) long-term contract basis, (2) annual contract
basis, (3) short-term contract basis, and (4) spot sales basis?

Share of 2016
sales

Long-term
contracts
(multiple
deliveries for
more than 12
months)
%

Type of sale
Short-term
Annual
contracts
contracts
(multiple
(multiple
deliveries for
deliveries for 12
less than 12
months)
months)
%

Total
(should
sum to
100.0%)

Spot sales
(for a single
delivery)
%

%

0.0

%

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Cast Iron Soil Pipe Fittings
III-7.

Page 20

Contract provisions.--Please fill out the table regarding your firm’s typical sales contracts for
cast iron soil pipe fittings from China. Check “not applicable” if your firm does not sell on a longterm, short-term and/or annual contract basis in the appropriate column(s).
Short-term
contracts
(multiple deliveries
for less than 12
months)

Typical sales
contract provisions

Item

Average contract
duration

No. of
days

Price renegotiation
(during contract
period)

Yes

Fixed quantity
and/or price
Meet or release
provision

Annual contracts
(multiple deliveries
for 12 months)

Long-term contracts
(multiple deliveries for
more than 12 months)

365

No
Quantity
Price
Both
Yes
No

Not applicable
III-8.

Lead times.--What is your firm’s share of sales of cast iron soil pipe fittings imported from China
from inventory and 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 cast iron soil pipe fittings?

Source

Share of 2016
sales

From your firm’s U.S. inventory

%

From foreign manufacturers’ inventory

%

Produced to order

%

Total (should sum to 100.0%)

0.0 %

Lead time (Average
number of days)

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Cast Iron Soil Pipe Fittings
III-9.

Page 21

Shipping information.—
(a)

What is the approximate percentage of the cost of cast iron soil pipe fittings imported
from China that is accounted for by U.S. inland transportation costs?
percent.

(b)

Who generally arranges the transportation to your firm’s customers’ locations?
Your firm
Purchaser (check one)

(c)

When your firm sells cast iron soil pipe fittings imported from China, from where is it
shipped?
Point of importation
Storage facility (check one)

(d)

Indicate the approximate percentage of your firm’s sales of cast iron soil pipe fittings
imported from China that are delivered the following distances from your firm’s U.S.
point of shipment.
Distance from your firm’s U.S. point of shipment

Share

Within 100 miles

%

101 to 1,000 miles

%

Over 1,000 miles

%

Total (should sum to 100.0%)

0.0

%

III-10. Geographical shipments.--In which U.S. geographic market area(s) has your firm sold cast iron
soil pipe fittings imported from subject countries since January 1, 2014 (check all that apply)?
Geographic area
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.

China

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Cast Iron Soil Pipe Fittings

Page 22

III-11. End uses.--List the end uses of the cast iron soil pipe fittings that your firm imports. For each
end-use product, what percentage of the total cost is accounted for by cast iron soil pipe fittings
and other inputs?
Share of total cost of end-use product
accounted for by
Cast iron soil pipe
fittings

End use product

Total
(should sum to
100.0% across)

Other inputs

%

%

0.0 %

%

%

0.0 %

%

%

0.0 %

III-12. Substitutes.--Can other products be substituted for cast iron soil pipe fittings?
No

Substitute

Yes--Please fill out the table.

End use in which this
substitute is used

Have changes in the price of this substitute
affected the price for cast iron soil pipe
fittings?
No Yes

Explanation

1.
2.
3.
III-13. Demand trends.-- Indicate how demand within the United States and outside of the United
States (if known) for cast iron soil pipe fittings has changed since January 1, 2014. Explain any
trends and describe the principal factors that have affected these changes in demand.

Market
Within the United States
Outside the United States

Overall
increase

No
Overall Fluctuate with
change decrease no clear trend

Explanation and factors

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Cast Iron Soil Pipe Fittings

Page 23

III-14. Product changes.--Have there been any significant changes in the product range, product mix or
marketing of cast iron soil pipe fittings since January 1, 2014?
No

Yes

If yes, please describe.

III-15. Conditions of competition.—
(a) Is the cast iron soil pipe fittings market subject to business cycles (other than general
economy-wide conditions) and/or other conditions of competition distinctive to cast iron
soil pipe fittings?
Check all that apply.

Please describe.

No

Skip to question III-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
cast iron soil pipe fittings since January 1, 2014?
No

Yes

If yes, describe.

III-16. Supply constraints.--Has your firm refused, declined, or been unable to supply cast iron soil pipe
fittings since January 1, 2014 (examples include placing customers on allocation or “controlled
order entry,” declining to accept new customers or renew existing customers, delivering less
than the quantity promised, being unable to meet timely shipment commitments, etc.)?
No

Yes

If yes, please describe.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Cast Iron Soil Pipe Fittings

Page 24

III-17. Raw materials.--How have cast iron soil pipe fittings raw material prices changed since January
1, 2014?
Fluctuate
Overall
No
Overall
with no
increase change decrease clear trend

Explain, noting how raw material price changes
have affected your firm’s selling prices for cast
iron soil pipe fittings.

III-18. Interchangeability.--Is cast iron soil pipe fittings 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

China

Other countries

United States
China
For any country-pair producing cast iron soil pipe fittings that is sometimes or never
interchangeable, identify the country-pair and explain the factors that limit or preclude
interchangeable use:

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Cast Iron Soil Pipe Fittings

Page 25

III-19. Factors other than price.--Are differences other than price (e.g., quality, availability,
transportation network, product range, technical support, etc.) between cast iron soil pipe
fittings 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

China

Other countries

United States
China
For any country-pair for which factors other than price always or frequently are a significant
factor in your firm’s sales of cast iron soil pipe fittings, identify the country-pair and report the
advantages or disadvantages imparted by such factors:

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Cast Iron Soil Pipe Fittings

Page 26

III-20. Customer identification.--List the names and contact information for your firm’s 10 largest U.S.
customers for cast iron soil pipe fittings since January 1, 2014. Indicate the share of the quantity
of your firm’s total shipments of cast iron soil pipe fittings that each of these customers
accounted for in 2016.

Customer’s name

Contact person

Email

Telephone

City

State

Share
of
2016
sales
(%)

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

III-21. Other explanations.--If your firm would like to further explain a response to a question in Part III
that did not provide a narrative response 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
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Cast Iron Soil Pipe Fittings

Page 27

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 questionnaire. When you finish reporting the data then you can close the questionnaire and switch
back to Italy settings.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Cast Iron Soil Pipe Fittings

Page 28

HOW TO FILE YOUR QUESTIONNAIRE RESPONSE
This questionnaire is available as a “fillable” form in MS Word format on the
Commission’s website at:
https://www.usitc.gov/investigations/title_7/2017/cast_iron_soil_pipe_fittings_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: CISPF

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