17-2-3734 U.S. Importers' Questionnaire

OMB No. 3117-0016/USITC No. 17-2-3734; Expiration Date: 6/30/2020
(No response is required if currently valid OMB control number is not displayed)

U.S. IMPORTERS’ QUESTIONNAIRE
UNCOATED GROUNDWOOD PAPER FROM CANADA
This questionnaire must be received by the Commission by August 23, 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 uncoated groundwood paper (“UGW
paper”) from Canada (Inv. Nos. 701-TA-584 and 731-TA-1382 (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 UGW paper (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: UGWP)
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 – Uncoated ground wood paper

Page 2

PART I.—GENERAL INFORMATION
Background.-- This proceeding was instituted in response to a petition filed on August 9, 2017, by North
Pacific Paper Company (“NORPAC”), Longview, Washington. 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://usitc.gov/investigations/701731/2017/certain_uncoated_groundwood_paper_canada/prelimina
ry.htm.
Uncoated ground wood paper covered by these investigations includes certain paper that has not been
coated on either side and with 50 percent or more of the cellulose fiber content consisting of
groundwood pulp, or deinked pulp made from recycled ONP (old newspapers), weighing not more than
90 grams per square meter. Groundwood pulp includes all forms of pulp produced from a mechanical
process, such as thermo-mechanical process (“TMP”), chemi-thermo mechanical process (“CTMP”), or
bleached chemi-thermo mechanical process (“BCTMP”) or any other process other than the bleached
Kraft process. The scope includes paper shipped in any form, including both rolls and sheets.
Certain uncoated groundwood paper includes but is not limited to standard newsprint, high bright
newsprint, book publishing, directory, and printing and writing papers. The scope includes paper that is
white, off-white, cream, or colored.
Specifically excluded from the scope are imports of paper printed with final content of printed text or
graphic. Also excluded are papers that otherwise meet this definition, but which have undergone a
supercalendering process.
UGW paper is currently imported under statistical reporting numbers 4801.00.0120, 4801.00.0140,
4802.61.1000, 4802.61.2000, 4802.61.3010, 4802.61.3110, 4802.61.3191, 4802.61.6040, 4802.62.1000,
4802.62.2000, 4802.62.3000, 4802.62.6140, 4802.69.1000, 4802.69.2000, and 4802.69.30001 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.
High Bright Paper. -- Any paper that meets the definition of certain uncoated groundwood paper
(defined above) with ISO brightness of 65 or greater.
Regular UGW paper.—Any paper that meets the definition of certain uncoated groundwood paper
(defined above) with ISO brightness that is below 65.
Importer.--Any person or firm engaged, either directly or through a parent company or subsidiary,
in importing UGW paper (as defined above) into the United States from a foreign manufacturer or
through its selling agent.

From 2014 to 2016, UGW paper was imported under statistical reporting numbers 4801.00.0020, 4801.00.0040,
4802.61.3091, and 4802.62.6040. These numbers were discontinued in 2017. UGW paper imported under
4801.00.0020 is now imported under 4801.61.0120. UGW paper imported under 4801.00.0040 is now imported
under 4801.00.0140. UGW paper imported under 4802.61.3091 is now imported under 4802.61.3191. UGW paper
imported under 4802.62.6040 is now imported under 4802.62.6140.

1

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Uncoated groundwood paper

Page 3

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
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 Calvin
Chang (202-205-3062, [email protected]).

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Uncoated groundwood paper
I-1.

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
40 hours per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, gathering data, and
completing and reviewing the questionnaire.
We welcome comments regarding the accuracy of this burden estimate, suggestions for
reducing the burden, and any suggestions for improving this questionnaire. Please attach such
comments to your response or send to the Office of Investigations, USITC, 500 E St. SW,
Washington, DC 20436.
I-2.

Establishments covered.--Provide the name and address of establishment(s) covered by this
questionnaire. If your firm is publicly traded, please specify the stock exchange and trading
symbol.
“Establishment”--Each facility of a firm involved in the importation of UGW paper, including
auxiliary facilities operated in conjunction with (whether or not physically separate from) such
facilities.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Uncoated groundwood paper
I-3.

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

Firm name

I-4.

Page 5

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 UGW paper from Canada into the United States or that
are engaged in exporting UGW paper from Canada to the United States?
No
Firm name

Yes--List the following information.
Country

Affiliation

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Uncoated groundwood paper
I-5.

Related producers.--Does your firm have any related firms, either domestic or foreign, that are
engaged in the production of UGW paper?
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 UGW
paper. More than one answer may be applicable.
Importer of record

I-7.

Page 6

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 UGW paper 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 – Uncoated groundwood paper
I-8.

Page 7

FTZ, TIB, or bonded warehouses.--Please indicate whether your firm enters UGW paper into, or
withdraws such merchandise from, foreign trade zones or bonded warehouses. Also indicate
whether your firm imports UGW 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).
Item

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.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Uncoated groundwood paper

Page 8

PART II.--TRADE AND RELATED INFORMATION
Further information on this part of the questionnaire can be obtained from Calvin Chang (202-205-3062,
[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 UGW paper 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)

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Uncoated groundwood paper
II-3a.

Page 9

Arranged imports.--Has your firm imported or arranged for the importation of UGW paper 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 metric tons)

Period/Source

Jul-Sept 2017

Oct-Dec 2017

Jan-Mar 2018

Apr-Jun 2018

Canada
Other sources
II-3b.

Imports in the 12 month period preceding the petition.--Has your firm imported UGW paper
from any source between August 1, 2016 and July 31, 2017? (i.e., the last five months in 2016
and first seven months in 2017 combined)
No

Yes-Report the quantity of such import below by source.
Quantity (in metric tons)
Source

August 2016 through July 2017

Canada
Other sources
II-4.

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

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Uncoated groundwood paper

Page 10

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, and the value of returned goods) in U.S.
dollars on a delivered basis.
“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.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Uncoated groundwood paper
II-5a.

Page 11

U.S. imports from Canada.–Report your firm’s imports and your firm’s shipments and
inventories of UGW paper imported from Canada by your firm during the specified periods.

CANADA
Quantity (in metric tons), value (in $1,000)
Calendar years
Item

2014

2015

January-June
2016

2016

2017

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

Please identify the foreign producers, if known:
.
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:
.
3
Identify your firm’s principal export markets:
.
2

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Uncoated groundwood paper
II-5a.

Page 12

U.S. imports from Canada.–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, L, M, and N) in each time period equal the quantity reported for commercial U.S. shipments
(i.e., lines 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 + M + N – D = zero ("0"), if not
revise.

2014

2015
0

January-June
2016

0

2016
0

2017
0

0

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Uncoated groundwood paper
II-5b.

Page 13

Commercial U.S. shipments by product type: Canada.--Report your firm’s commercial U.S.
shipments of UGW paper imported from Canada by product type.

CANADA
Quantity (in metric tons); Value ($1,000)
Calendar years
Item

2014

2015

January-June
2016

2016

2017

2016

January-June
2016
2017

Commercial U.S. shipments:
High bright paper
Quantity (O)
Value (P)
Regular UGW paper
Quantity (Q)
Value (R)

Reconciliation
Quantity: O + Q – D should equal
zero ("0"), revise if not.
Value: P + R – E should equal zero
("0"), revise if not.

Calendar years
2015

2014
0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Uncoated groundwood paper
II-6a.

Page 14

U.S. imports from all other sources.–Report your firm’s imports and your firm’s shipments and
inventories of UGW paper imported from all other sources combined by your firm during the
specified periods.

ALL OTHER SOURCES

(list sources:

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

Item

2014

2015

January-June
2016

2016

2017

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

Please identify the foreign producers, if known:
.
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:
.
3
Identify your firm’s principal export markets:
.
2

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Uncoated groundwood paper
II-6a.

Page 15

U.S. 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 through N) 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 + M + N – D = zero ("0"), if not
revise.

2014

2015
0

January-June
2016

0

2016
0

2017
0

0

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Uncoated groundwood paper
II-6b.

Page 16

Commercial U.S. shipments by product type: All other sources.--Report your firm’s commercial
U.S. shipments of UGW paper imports from all other sources by product type.

ALL OTHER SOURCES
Quantity (in metric tons); Value ($1,000)
Calendar years
Item

2014

2015

January-June
2016

2016

2017

2016

January-June
2016
2017

Commercial U.S. shipments:
High bright paper
Quantity (O)
Value (P)
Regular UGW paper
Quantity (Q)
Value (R)

Reconciliation
Quantity: O + Q – D should equal
zero ("0"), revise if not.
Value: P + R – E should equal zero
("0"), revise if not.

Calendar years
2015

2014
0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Uncoated groundwood paper

II-7.

Page 17

Comparability of high bright paper to regular UGW paper--For each of the following indicate
whether high bright paper and regular UGW paper (see definitions on page 2) are: fully
comparable or the same, i.e., have no differentiation between them; mostly comparable or
similar; somewhat comparable or similar; never or not-at-all comparable or similar; or no
familiarity with products.
(a)

Characteristics and Uses.--The differences and similarities in the physical
characteristics and end uses.
High bright paper vs regular UGW paper

Fully comparable

Mostly
comparable

Somewhat
comparable

Not at all
comparable

NA/no familiarity

Please provide a narrative discussion for the comparability ratings you provided in terms of their
characteristics and uses:

(b)

Interchangeability.--The ability to use interchangeably in the same end use
applications.
High bright paper vs regular UGW paper

Fully
interchangeable

Mostly
interchangeable

Somewhat
interchangeable

Not at all
interchangeable

NA/no
familiarity

Please provide a narrative discussion for the comparability ratings you provided in terms of
their interchangeability:

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Uncoated groundwood paper
II-7.

Page 18

Comparability of high bright paper to regular UGW paper.--Continued
(c)

Manufacturing facilities, production processes, and production employees.--Whether
manufactured in the same facilities, from the same inputs, on the same machinery and
equipment, and using the same employees.
High bright paper vs regular UGW paper

Fully the same

Mostly the same

Somewhat the
same

Not at all the
same

NA/no familiarity

Please provide a narrative discussion for the comparability ratings you provided in terms of their
manufacturing processes:

(d)

Channels of distribution.--Channels of distribution/market situation through which
they are sold.
High bright paper vs regular UGW paper

Fully comparable

Mostly
comparable

Somewhat
comparable

Not at all
comparable

NA/no familiarity

Please provide a narrative discussion for the comparability ratings you provided in terms of their
channels of distribution:

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Uncoated groundwood paper
II-7.

Page 19

Comparability of high bright paper to regular UGW paper.--Continued
(e)

Customer and producer perceptions.--Perceptions as to the differences and/or
similarities in the market (e.g., sales/marketing practices).
High bright paper vs regular UGW paper

Fully comparable

Mostly
comparable

Somewhat
comparable

Not at all
comparable

NA/no familiarity

Please provide a narrative discussion for the comparability ratings you provided in terms of their
customer and producer perceptions:

(f)

Price.--Whether prices are comparable or differ.
High bright paper vs regular UGW paper

Fully comparable

Mostly
comparable

Somewhat
comparable

Not at all
comparable

NA/no familiarity

Please provide a narrative discussion for the comparability ratings you provided in terms of their
prices:

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Uncoated groundwood paper
II-8.

Page 20

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.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Uncoated groundwood paper

Page 21

PART III.--PRICING AND MARKET FACTORS
Further information on this part of the questionnaire can be obtained from Amelia Preece (202-2053250, [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 Canada:
Product 1.--Newsprint, 45.0 gsm (27.7 lb. newsprint weight), with ISO Brightness of 55-62, in rolls.
Product 2.--65 Bright, 44.0-46.0 gsm (27-28 lb. newsprint weight) with ISO brightness of 65, in rolls.
Product 3.--80 Bright, 51.5-52.5 gsm (35.0 lb. book weight), with ISO brightness of 80, in rolls.

Please note that values should be delivered and should 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 Canada 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 III-3.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Uncoated groundwood paper

Page 22

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

Canada

Report data in kilograms (not metric tons) and actual dollars (not 1,000s).

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
2

(Quantity in kilograms, value in dollars)
Product 1
Product 2
Quantity
Value
Quantity
Value

Product 3
Quantity
Value

Net values (i.e., gross sales values less all discounts, allowances, rebates, and the value of returned goods), delivered.
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:

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Uncoated groundwood paper

Page 23

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)
In kilograms (not metric tons)?
Delivered (i.e., includes 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 – Uncoated groundwood paper
III-3.

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

III-4.

Set
price
lists

Contracts

Other

If other, describe

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

Quantity
discounts

III-5.

Page 24

Annual
total
volume
discounts

No
discount
policy

Other

Describe

Pricing terms.-(a)

What are your firm’s typical sales terms for UGW paper imported from Canada?
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 UGW paper from Canada usually
quoted (check one)?
Delivered

F.o.b.

If f.o.b., specify point

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Uncoated groundwood paper
III-6.

Page 25

Pricing factors.—
(a) Rate and describe the effect of the following factors on your firm’s ability to price UGW
paper.
Rating of the factor
Minimal effect
Factor

1

Substantial effect
2

3

4

5

No role

The decline in print media
Other factors causing demand
for paper products to decline
Competition from substitute
products
Competition from U.S.
producers
Competition among subject
imports
Please describe:
(b) Are there any internal benchmarks you use to determine prices of UGW paper, e.g., pricing
UGW paper at a certain percentage of another paper’s price? Please explain.
No

III-7.

Yes

Explain.

Contract versus spot.--Approximately what share of your firm’s sales of UGW paper imported
from Canada in 2016 was on a (1) long-term contract basis, (2) annual contract basis, (3) shortterm 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 – Uncoated groundwood paper
III-8.

Page 26

Contract provisions.-Please fill out the table regarding your firm’s typical sales contracts for
UGW paper from Canada (or check “not applicable” if your firm does not sell on a long-term,
short-term and/or annual contract basis).

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

Short-term
contracts
(multiple deliveries
for less than 12
months)

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-9.

Lead times.--What is your firm’s share of sales of UGW paper imported from Canada 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 UGW paper?

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 – Uncoated groundwood paper

Page 27

III-10. Shipping information.—
(a)

What is the approximate percentage of the cost of UGW paper imported from Canada
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 UGW paper imported from Canada, from where is it shipped?
Point of importation
Storage facility (check one)

(d)

Indicate the approximate percentage of your firm’s sales of UGW paper imported from
Canada 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-11. Geographical shipments.--In which U.S. geographic market area(s) has your firm sold UGW
paper imported from Canada 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.

Canada

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Uncoated groundwood paper

Page 28

III-12. End uses.--List the end uses of the UGW paper that your firm imports. For each end-use
product, what percentage of the total cost is accounted for by UGW paper and other inputs?
Share of total cost of end-use product
accounted for by
End use product

UGW paper

Other inputs

Total
(should sum to
100.0% across)

%

%

0.0 %

%

%

0.0 %

%

%

0.0 %

III-13. Substitutes.--Can other products be substituted for UGW paper?
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 UGW paper?
No Yes

Explanation

1.
2.
3.
III-14. Demand trends.—
(a) Indicate how demand within the United States and outside of the United States (if known)
for UGW paper has changed since January 1, 2014. Explain any trends and describe the
principal factors that have affected these changes in demand.
Overall
increase

Market

No
Overall Fluctuate with
change decrease no clear trend

Explanation and factors

Within the United States
Outside the United States
(b)

Has demand for UGW paper been affected by purchases shifting between different types
of paper (check one)?

No

Yes

Specify papers that have shifted and if this has increased or
reduced demand for UGW paper

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Uncoated groundwood paper

Page 29

III-15. Factors affecting UGW Paper demand.--For each factor, rate how it has affected the overall
demand for UGW paper since January 1, 2014 and discuss the effect of each factor.
Impact on demand in the U.S. market for UGW paper products
Decreased demand in U.S. for
UGW paper

Factor

Substantial Moderate

Minimal

No
impact

Do not
Increased demand in U.S. for UGW
know/
paper
no
Minimal Moderate Substantial opinion

Demand shift
between UGW
paper and other
paper
Decline in demand
for print media/
periodical
Use of digital media
Narrative discussion of each factor
Demand shift between
UGW paper and other
paper (please report
the type of other
paper)
Decline in demand for
print media/ periodical
Use of digital media
III-16. Product changes.--Have there been any significant changes in the product range, product mix or
marketing of UGW paper since January 1, 2014?
No

Yes

If yes, please describe.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Uncoated groundwood paper

Page 30

III-17. Conditions of competition.—
(a) Is the UGW paper market subject to business cycles (other than general economy-wide
conditions) and/or other conditions of competition distinctive to UGW paper?
Check all that apply.

Please describe.

No

Skip to question III-18.

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
UGW paper since January 1, 2014?
No

Yes

If yes, describe.

III-18. Supply constraints.--Has your firm refused, declined, or been unable to supply UGW paper 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.

III-19. Raw materials.--How have UGW paper 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 UGW
paper.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Uncoated groundwood paper

Page 31

III-20. Interchangeability.--Is UGW paper 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

Canada

Other countries

United States
Canada
For any country-pair producing UGW paper 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 – Uncoated groundwood paper

Page 32

III-21. Factors other than price.--Are differences other than price (e.g., quality, availability,
transportation network, product range, technical support, etc.) between UGW paper 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

Canada

Other countries

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

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Uncoated groundwood paper

Page 33

III-22. Customer identification.--List the names and contact information for your firm’s 10 largest U.S.
customers for UGW paper since January 1, 2014. Indicate the share of the quantity of your
firm’s total shipments of UGW paper 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-23. 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 – Uncoated groundwood paper

Page 34

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 – Uncoated groundwood paper

Page 35

HOW TO FILE YOUR QUESTIONNAIRE RESPONSE
This questionnaire is available as a “fillable” form in MS Word format on the
Commission’s website at:
https://usitc.gov/investigations/701731/2017/certain_uncoated_groundwood_paper_c
anada/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: UGWP

• 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.