18-2-3829 US importers' questionnaire

OMB No. 3117-0016/USITC No. 18-2-3829; 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 FROM CHINA
This questionnaire must be received by the Commission by February 9, 2018
See last page for filing instructions.
The information called for in this questionnaire is for use by the United States International Trade Commission in
connection with its countervailing duty and antidumping investigations concerning cast iron soil pipe from China (Inv.
Nos. 701-TA-597 and 731-TA-1407 (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 (as defined on next page) from any country at any time since January
1, 2015?

NO

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

YES

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

Return questionnaire via the U.S. International Trade Commission Drop Box by clicking on the
following link: https://dropbox.usitc.gov/oinv/. (PIN: CISP)
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

Email address

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

Page 2

PART I.—GENERAL INFORMATION
Background.--This proceeding was instituted in response to a petition filed on January 26, 2018, by Cast
Iron Soil Pipe Institute (“CISPI”), 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_7/2018/cast_iron_soil_pipe_china/preliminary.htm.
Cast iron soil pipe covered by these investigations is cast iron soil pipe, whether finished or unfinished,
regardless of industry or proprietary specifications, and regardless of wall thickness, length, diameter,
surface finish, end finish, or stenciling. Both hubless and hub and spigot cast iron soil pipe are included
in the scope of this investigation. Cast iron soil pipe is nonmalleable iron pipe of various designs and
sizes. Cast iron soil pipe is generally distinguished from other types of nonmalleable cast iron pipe by the
manner in which it is connected to cast iron soil pipe fittings.
Cast iron soil pipe is classified into two major types – hubless and hub and spigot. Hubless cast iron soil
pipe is manufactured without a hub, generally in compliance with Cast Iron Soil Pipe Institute (“CISPI”)
specification 301 and/or American Society for Testing and Materials (“ASTM”) specification A888. Hub
and spigot pipe has one or more hubs into which the spigot (plain end) of a fitting is inserted. All pipe
meeting the physical description set forth above is covered by the scope of this investigation, whether
or not produced according to a particular standard.
The subject imports are currently classified in statistical reporting number 7303.00.0030 of the
Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS): Cast iron soil pipe. The HTSUS subheading and
specifications are provided for convenience and customs purposes only; the written description of the
scope of these investigations is dispositive.
Importer.--Any person or firm engaged, either directly or through a parent company or subsidiary, in
importing cast iron soil pipe (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
documents used in the preparation of the questionnaire response. Please also retain a copy of the final
document that you submit.

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

Page 3

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
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,
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 from China into the United States or
that are engaged in exporting cast iron soil pipe 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
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?
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. 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 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
I-8.

Page 6

FTZ, TIB, or bonded warehouses.--Please indicate whether your firm enters cast iron soil pipe
into, or withdraws such merchandise from, foreign trade zones or bonded warehouses. Also
indicate whether your firm imports cast iron soil pipe 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 - Cast Iron Soil Pipe

Page 7

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

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 since January 1, 2015.
(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 - Cast Iron Soil Pipe
II-3.

Page 8

Arranged imports.--Has your firm imported or arranged for the importation of cast iron soil pipe
for delivery after December 31, 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

Jan-Mar 2018

Apr-Jun 2018

Jul-Sept 2018

Oct-Dec 2018

China
Other sources
II-4.

Reasons for importing if producer.--If your firm also produces cast iron soil pipe 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 - Cast Iron Soil Pipe

Page 9

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.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Cast Iron Soil Pipe
II-5a.

Page 10

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

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

2015

2016

2017

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

Please identify the foreign producers, if known:
.
Internal consumption and transfers to related firms must be valued at fair market value. Does your firm use a different
basis for valuing these transactions, please specify that basis (e.g., cost, cost plus, etc.):
(however, provide the data
above at fair market value).
3
Identify your firm’s principal export markets:
.
2

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Cast Iron Soil Pipe
II-5a.

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 L) 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, H, and J). 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

2015

2016

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

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

2015

2016
0

2017
0

0

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Cast Iron Soil Pipe
II-5b.

Page 12

U.S. shipments by product 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 by product type during the specified periods.

China

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

2015

2016

2017

Hubless, epoxy coated.-Quantity (O)
Value (P)
Hubless, non-epoxy coated.-Quantity (Q)
Value (R)
Hub and spigot, epoxy coated.-Quantity (S)
Value (T)
Hub and spigot, non-epoxy
coated.-Quantity (U)
Value (V)
Total.-Quantity

0

0

0

Value

0

0

0

RECONCILIATION OF SHIPMENTS.--The data reported for the quantity and value of U.S. shipments in this question
(i.e., lines O through V) across all columns should equal to the quantity and value of U.S. shipments (i.e., lines D
through I) for each period in part "a' of this question. If the calculated fields below do not equal to zero, please
revise these data prior to submission to the Commission.

Reconciliation

2015

2016

2017

Quantity: O + Q + S + U – D - F –
H = zero ("0"), if not revise.

0

0

0

Value: P + R + T + V – E - G – I =
zero ("0"), if not revise.

0

0

0

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

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 imported from all other sources (i.e., all sources except China)
by your firm during the specified periods.

(list sources:

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

Item

2015

2016

2017

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

Please identify the foreign producers, if known:
.
Internal consumption and transfers to related firms must be valued at fair market value. Does your firm use a different
basis for valuing these transactions, please specify that basis (e.g., cost, cost plus, etc.):
(however, provide the data
above at fair market value).
3
Identify your firm’s principal export markets:
.
2

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

Page 14

U.S. imports from all others sources.–Continued

RECONCILIATION OF SHIPMENTS, IMPORTS, AND INVENTORIES.--Generally, the data reported for the
end-of-period inventories (i.e., line L) should be equal to the beginning-of-period inventories (i.e., line
A), plus imports (i.e., line B), less total shipments (i.e., lines D, F, H, and J). Please ensure that any
differences are not due to data entry errors in completing this form, but rather 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

2015

2016

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

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

2015

2016
0

2017
0

0

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

Page 15

U.S. shipments by product 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 by product type during the specified periods.

ALL OTHER SOURCES
Quantity (in short tons), value (in $1,000)
Calendar years
Item

2015

2016

2017

Hubless, epoxy coated.-Quantity (O)
Value (P)
Hubless, non-epoxy coated.-Quantity (Q)
Value (R)
Hub and spigot, epoxy coated.-Quantity (S)
Value (T)
Hub and spigot, non-epoxy
coated.-Quantity (U)
Value (V)
Total.-Quantity

0

0

0

Value

0

0

0

RECONCILIATION OF SHIPMENTS.--The data reported for the quantity and value of U.S. shipments in this question
(i.e., lines O through V) across all columns should equal to the quantity and value of U.S. shipments (i.e., lines D
through I) for each period in part "a' of this question. If the calculated fields below do not equal to zero, please
revise these data prior to submission to the Commission.

Reconciliation

2015

2016

2017

Quantity: O + Q + S + U – D - F –
H = zero ("0"), if not revise.

0

0

0

Value: P + R + T + V – E - G – I =
zero ("0"), if not revise.

0

0

0

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Cast Iron Soil Pipe
II-7.

Page 16

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 - Cast Iron Soil Pipe

Page 17

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

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, 2015 of the following products your firm imported
from China:
Product 1.--2” x 10’ no hub cast iron soil pipe, other than epoxy coated
Product 2.--4” x 10’ no hub cast iron soil pipe, other than epoxy coated
Product 3.--3” x 10’ no hub cast iron soil pipe, other than epoxy coated
Product 4.--6” x 10’ no hub cast iron soil pipe, other than epoxy coated

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 2015-December 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 table(s) as appropriate.
No.--Skip to question III-3.

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

Page 18

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 short tons and actual dollars (not 1,000s).

VALUE SHOULD BE THE FINAL AMOUNT RECEIVED NET OF ALL REBATES AND INCENTIVES.
Product 1
Quantity
Value

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

Product 4
Period of shipment
Quantity
Value
2015:
January-March
April-June
July-September
October-December
2016:
January-March
April-June
July-September
October-December
2017:
January-March
April-June
July-September
October-December
1
Net values (i.e., gross sales values less all discounts, allowances, rebates, prepaid freight, and the value of returned goods), f.o.b. your firm’s
U.S. point of shipment.
2
Pricing product definitions are provided on the first page of Part 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:

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

Page 19

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
III-3.

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

III-4.

Page 20

Set
price
lists

Contracts

Other

If other, describe

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

(1)
Quantity
or annual
total
volume
discounts
or rebates
based
only on
purchases
of cast
iron soil
pipe

(2)
Quantity
or annual
total
volume
discounts
or
rebates
based on
purchases
of other
products
as well as
cast iron
soil pipe

No
discounts

Other

b)

Describe

If you offer quantity discounts or rebates

Share of
cast iron
soil pipe
sales (by
volume)
that have
rebates or
discounts
(both 1 and
2)

Average
discount /
rebate for
cast iron
soil pipe
sales
(percent
reduction
of price)

%

%

Highest
discount /
rebate for
cast iron
soil pipe
sales
(percent
reduction
of price)
%

Other

If other, describe

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Cast Iron Soil Pipe
III-5.

Page 21

Sales bundles.—
(a)

Does your firm’s sales of cast iron soil pipe ever involve or have discounts linked to sales
of products other than cast iron soil pipe such as cast iron soil pipe fittings, couplings,
gaskets, plastic pipe and fittings, etc.?

No (skip
to III-6)

Yes

Percent of sales of cast
iron pipe (by volume) If yes, list the types of products involved
involving other product in these purchases.
%

(b)

Are cast iron soil pipe sales invoiced separately or as part of the sales bundle with
products other than cast iron soil pipe?
No

(c)

Yes

Does your firm charge different price list multipliers for cast iron soil pipe compared
with products other than cast iron soil pipe such as cast iron soil pipe fittings, couplings,
gaskets, plastic pipe and fittings, etc.?

No

III-6.

If yes, list the types of products also listed on these invoices.

Yes

If yes, list examples of recent purchases that have different multipliers
including the approximate dates of those purchases.

Pricing terms.-(a)

What are your firm’s typical sales terms for cast iron soil pipe 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 from China usually
quoted (check one)?
Delivered

F.o.b.

If f.o.b., specify point

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

Contract versus spot.--Approximately what share of your firm’s sales of cast iron soil pipe
imported from China in 2017 was on a (1) long-term contract basis, (2) annual contract basis, (3)
short-term contract basis, and (4) spot sales basis?

Share of 2017
sales
III-8.

Page 22

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

%

Contract provisions.— Please fill out the table regarding your firm’s typical sales contracts for
cast iron soil pipe from China (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
Not applicable

No
Quantity
Price
Both
Yes
No

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

Annual contracts
(multiple deliveries
for 12 months)
365

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

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

Page 23

Lead times.--What is your firm’s share of sales of cast iron soil pipe 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?

Source

Share of 2017
sales

From your firm’s U.S. inventory

%

From foreign manufacturers’ inventory

%

Produced to order

%

Total (should sum to 100.0%)

Lead time (Average
number of days)

0.0 %

III-10. Shipping information.—
(a)

What is the approximate percentage of the cost of cast iron soil pipe 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 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 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

%

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

Page 24

III-11. Geographical shipments.--In which U.S. geographic market area(s) has your firm sold cast iron
soil pipe imported from subject countries since January 1, 2015 (check all that apply)?
Geographic area

China

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.
III-12. End uses.--List the end uses of the cast iron soil pipe that your firm imports. For each end-use
product, what percentage of the total cost is accounted for by cast iron soil pipe and other
inputs?
Share of total cost of end-use product
accounted for by
End use product
Building wastewater
plumbing system

Cast iron soil pipe

Other inputs

Total
(should sum to
100.0% across)

%

%

0.0 %

%

%

0.0 %

%

%

0.0 %

III-13. Substitutes.--Can other products be substituted for cast iron soil pipe?
No

Substitute
1. Plastic pipe/fittings
2.
3.

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?
No Yes

Explanation

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

Page 25

III-14. Demand trends.--Indicate how demand within the United States and outside of the United
States (if known) for cast iron soil pipe has changed since January 1, 2015. 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
III-15. Product changes.--Have there been any significant changes in the product range, product mix or
marketing of cast iron soil pipe since January 1, 2015?
No

Yes

If yes, please describe.

III-16. Conditions of competition.—
(a) Is the cast iron soil pipe market subject to business cycles (other than general economywide conditions) and/or other conditions of competition distinctive to cast iron soil pipe?
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 since January 1, 2015?
No

Yes

If yes, describe.

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

Page 26

III-17. Supply constraints.--Has your firm refused, declined, or been unable to supply cast iron soil pipe
since January 1, 2015 (examples include placing customers on allocation or “controlled order
entry,” declining to accept new customers or renew existing customers, delivering less than the
quantity promised, being unable to meet timely shipment commitments, etc.)?
No

Yes

If yes, please describe.

III-18. Raw materials.--How have cast iron soil pipe raw material prices changed since January 1, 2015?
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.

III-19. Interchangeability.--Is cast iron soil pipe 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 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

Page 27

III-20. 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
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, identify the country-pair and report the
advantages or disadvantages imparted by such factors:

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

Page 28

III-21. Customer identification.--List the names and contact information for your firm’s 10 largest U.S.
customers for cast iron soil pipe since January 1, 2015. Indicate the share of the quantity of your
firm’s total shipments of cast iron soil pipe that each of these customers accounted for in 2017.

Customer’s name

Contact person

Email

Telephone

City

State

Share
of
2017
sales
(%)

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

III-22. 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

Page 29

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

Page 30

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_7/2018/cast_iron_soil_pipe_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: CISP

• 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.