17-2-3817 US importers' questionnaire

OMB No. 3117-0016/USITC No. 17-2-3817; Expiration Date: 6/30/2020
(No response is required if currently valid OMB control number is not displayed)

U.S. IMPORTERS’ QUESTIONNAIRE
PLASTIC DECORATIVE RIBBON FROM CHINA
This questionnaire must be received by the Commission by January 10, 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 plastic decorative ribbon from China
(Inv. Nos. 701-TA-592 and 731-TA-1400 (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 plastic decorative ribbon (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: DECO)
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

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PART I.—GENERAL INFORMATION
Background.--This proceeding was instituted in response to a petition filed on December 27, 2017, by
Berwick Offray, LLC, Berwick, Pennsylvania. 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://usitc.gov/investigations/701731/2017/plastic_decorative_ribbon/preliminary.htm
Plastic decorative ribbon covered by these investigations is certain plastic decorative ribbon having a
width (measured at the narrowest span of the ribbon) of less than or equal to four (4) inches, including
but not limited to ribbon wound onto itself, a spool, a core or a tube (with or without flanges), attached
to a card or strip; wound into a keg- or egg-shaped configuration; made into bows, bow-like items, or
other shapes or configurations; and whether or not packaged or labeled for retail sale. The subject
merchandise is typically made of substrates of polypropylene, but may be made in whole or in part of
any type of plastic, including without limitation, plastic derived from petroleum products and plastic
derived from cellulose products.
The subject merchandise includes ribbons comprised of one or more layers of substrates made, in whole
or in part, of plastics adhered to each other, regardless of the method used to adhere the layers
together, including without limitation, ribbons comprised of layers of substrates adhered to each other
through a lamination process. Subject merchandise also includes ribbons comprised of (a) one or more
layers of substrates made, in whole or in part, of plastics adhered to (b) one or more layers of substrates
made, in whole or in part, of non-plastic materials, including, without limitation, substrates made, in
whole or in part, of fabric.
The ribbons subject to these investigations may be of any color or combination of colors (including
without limitation, ribbons that are transparent, translucent or opaque) and may or may not bear words
or images, including those of a holiday motif. The subject merchandise includes ribbons with
embellishments and/or treatments, including, without limitation, ribbons that are printed, hot-stamped,
coated, laminated, flocked, crimped, die-cut, embossed (or that otherwise have impressed designs,
images, words or patterns), and ribbons with holographic, metallic, glitter, or iridescent finishes.
Subject merchandise includes “pull-bows,” an assemblage of ribbons connected to one another, folded
flat, and equipped with a means to form such ribbons into the shape of a bow by pulling on a length of
material affixed to such assemblage, and “pre-notched” bows, an assemblage of notched ribbon loops
arranged one inside the other with the notches in alignment and affixed to each other where notched,
and which the end user forms into a bow by separating and spreading the loops circularly around the
notches, which form the center of the bow. Subject merchandise includes ribbons that are packaged
with non-subject merchandise, including ensembles that include ribbons and other products, such as gift
wrap, gift bags, gift tags and/or other gift packaging products. Unless the context otherwise clearly
indicates, the word “ribbon” used in the singular includes the plural and the plural “ribbons” includes
the singular.
Excluded from the scope of this investigation are the following: (1) ribbons formed exclusively by
weaving plastic threads together; (2) ribbons that have metal wire in, on, or along the entirety of each of
the longitudinal edges of the ribbon; (3) ribbons with an adhesive coating covering the entire span
between the longitudinal edges of the ribbon for the entire length of the ribbon; (4) ribbon formed into
a bow without a tab or other means for attaching the bow to an object using adhesives, where the bow

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has: (a) an outer layer that is either flocked or made of fabric, and (b) a flexible metal wire at the base
that is suitable for attaching the bow to a Christmas tree or other object by twist-tying; (5) elastic
ribbons, meaning ribbons that elongate when stretched and return to their original dimension when the
stretching load is removed; (6) ribbons affixed as a decorative detail to non-subject merchandise, such
as a gift bag, gift box, gift tin, greeting card or plush toy, or affixed (including by tying) as a decorative
detail to packaging containing non-subject merchandise; (7) ribbons that are (a) affixed to non-subject
merchandise as a working component of such non-subject merchandise, such as where the ribbon
comprises a book marker, bag cinch, or part of an identity card holder, or (b) affixed (including by tying)
to non-subject merchandise as a working component that holds or packages such non-subject
merchandise or attaches packaging or labeling to such non-subject merchandise, such as a “belly band''
around a pair of pajamas, a pair of socks or a blanket; (8) imitation raffia made of plastics having a
thickness not more than one (1) mil when measured in an unfolded/untwisted state; and (9) ribbons in
the form of bows having a diameter of less than seven-eighths (7/8) of an inch, or having a diameter of
more than 16 inches. For purposes of this exclusion, the diameter of a bow is equal to the diameter of
the smallest circular ring through which the bow will pass without compressing the bow.
Merchandise covered by this investigation is currently classified in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the
United States (“HTSUS”) under statistical categories 3920.20.0015 and 3926.40.0010. Merchandise
covered by this investigation also may enter under subheadings 3920.10.0000; 3920.30.0000;
3920.43.5000; 3920.49.0000; 3920.62.0020; 3920.62.0090; 3920.69.0000; 3921.90.1100; 3921.90.1500;
3921.90.1910; 3921.90.1950; 3921.90.4010; 3921.90.4090; 3926.90.9905; 3926.90.9910; 3926.90.9925;
3926.90.9930; 3926.90.9996; 5404.90.0000; 9505.90.4000; 4601.99.9000; 4602.90.0000; 5609.00.3000;
5609.00.4000; and 9505.10.2500. These HTSUS statistical categories and subheadings are provided for
convenience and customs purposes; the written description of the scope of this investigation is
dispositive.
Importer.--Any person or firm engaged, either directly or through a parent company or subsidiary, in
importing plastic decorative ribbon (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.
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

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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]).
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.
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 plastic decorative ribbon,
including auxiliary facilities operated in conjunction with (whether or not physically separate
from) such facilities.

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Plastic Decorative Ribbon
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 plastic decorative ribbon from China into the United
States or that are engaged in exporting plastic decorative ribbon from China to the United
States?
No
Firm name

Yes--List the following information.
Country

Affiliation

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Plastic Decorative Ribbon
I-5.

Related producers.--Does your firm have any related firms, either domestic or foreign, that are
engaged in the production of plastic decorative ribbon?
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 plastic
decorative ribbon. 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 plastic decorative ribbon 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

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Plastic Decorative Ribbon
I-8.

Page 7

FTZ, TIB, or bonded warehouses.--Please indicate whether your firm enters plastic decorative
ribbon into, or withdraws such merchandise from, foreign trade zones or bonded warehouses.
Also indicate whether your firm imports plastic decorative ribbon 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.

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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

II-2.

Changes in operations.--Please indicate whether your firm has experienced any of the following
changes in relation to the importation of plastic decorative ribbon since January 1, 2014.
(check as many as appropriate)
Office/warehouse openings
Office/warehouse closings
Relocations
Expansions
Acquisitions
Consolidations
Prolonged shutdowns or
importation curtailments
Revised labor agreements
Other (e.g., technology)

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

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Plastic Decorative Ribbon
II-3a.

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Arranged imports.--Has your firm imported or arranged for the importation of plastic decorative
ribbon for delivery after September 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 square yards)

Period/Source

Oct-Dec 2017

Jan-Mar 2018

Apr-Jun 2018

Jul-Sept 2018

China
Other sources
II-3b.

Imports in the 12-month period preceding the petition.--Has your firm imported plastic
decorative ribbon from any source between December 1, 2016 and November 31, 2017? (i.e.,
the last month in 2016 and first eleven months in 2017 combined)
No

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

China
Other sources

December 2016 through November 2017

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II-4.

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

II-5.

Records of units.--Does your firm maintain records of its imports and sales of plastic decorative
ribbon in an area measure (e.g., square yards, square meters) and/or in the component
dimensional widths and lengths necessary for calculating an area measure (e.g., width in inches
AND length in yards) for all covered merchandise?

Yes

No

If no--Please describe the units of measurement that your firm maintains
on imports and sales of "plastic decorative ribbon" (e.g., weight, number
of units, number of packages, number of spools), and indicate whether
the units differ depending on the type of product covered.

Note.--If your firm does not maintain records on the requisite area and/or length measurements
for all of its imports and sales of plastic decorative ribbon, please provide an estimate for the
requested quantities (e.g., "square yards") in each appropriate data grid, and indicate below
your firm's methodology for providing its estimated quantities.
Methodology for providing estimates for quantity (if applicable)

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Definitions
“Imports” –Those products identified for Customs purposes as imports for consumption for
which your firm was the importer of record (i.e., was responsible for paying any import duty) or
consignee (i.e., to which the merchandise was first delivered).
“Import quantities” –Quantities reported should be net of returns.
“Import values”—Values reported should be landed, duty-paid values at the U.S. port of entry,
including ocean freight and insurance costs, brokerage charges, and import duties (i.e., all
charges except inland freight in the United States).
“Bulk commercial U.S. shipments” –Shipments made within the United States as a result of an
arm’s length commercial transaction in the ordinary course of business. 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. For the purposes of this
questionnaire, bulk commercial U.S. shipments should include sales to distributors, to end users,
and to retail establishments, whether or not already packaged for retail sale, but should not
include sales made at the retail level of trade to individual customers (including to other
businesses).
“Internal consumption / including for retail sale” --Product consumed internally by your firm
and product that is destined for sale at a retail level to individual consumers. Such transactions
should be valued at fair market value of the bulk plastic decorative ribbon (i.e., not the retail
price).
“Transfers to related firms” –Shipments made to related domestic firms. Such transactions are
valued at fair market value.
“Related firm” –A firm that your firm solely or jointly owns, manages, or otherwise controls.
“Export shipments”— Shipments to destinations outside the United States, including shipments
to related firms.
“Inventories” --Finished goods inventory, not raw materials or work in progress.
Note: As requested in Part I of this questionnaire, please keep all supporting documents/records
used in the preparation of the trade data, as Commission staff may contact your firm regarding
questions on the trade data. The Commission may also request that your company submit copies
of the supporting documents/records (such as production and sales schedules, inventory records,
etc.) used to compile these data.

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Plastic Decorative Ribbon
II-5a.

Page 12

U.S. imports from China.–Report your firm’s imports and your firm’s shipments and inventories
of plastic decorative ribbon imported from China by your firm during the specified periods.

China
Quantity (in square yards), value (in $1,000)
Calendar years
Item

2014

2015

January-September
2016

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 /
including for retail sale: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)
1

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

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Page 13

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

2014

2015

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

0

January-September
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:
.
II-5b.

Channels of distribution.--Report your firm’s U.S. shipments (i.e., inclusive of bulk commercial
U.S. shipments, internal consumption including for retail sale, and transfers to related firms) of
plastic decorative ribbon imported from China by channel of distribution.

China
Quantity (in square yards)
Calendar years
Item

2014

2015

January-September
2016

2016

2017

Channels of distribution:
U.S. shipments:
To distributors (M)
To retailers (N)
To end users (O)
RECONCILIATION OF CHANNELS.--Please ensure that the quantities reported for channels of distribution (i.e.,
lines M, N, and O) in each time period equal the quantity reported for U.S. shipments (i.e., lines D, F, and H) in
each time period in part "a" of this question. If the calculated fields below return values other than zero (i.e.,
“0”), the data reported must be revised prior to submission to the Commission.
Calendar years
Reconciliation
M + N + O – D – F – H = zero ("0"), if
not revise.

2014

2015
0

January-September
2016

0

2016
0

2017
0

0

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Plastic Decorative Ribbon
II-5c.

Page 14

Seasonality in U.S. imports.--Report your firm’s U.S. imports of plastic decorative ribbon from
China by quarter-year.

China
Quantity (in square yards)
Calendar year
Quarter

2014

2015

2016

2017

January-March (P)
April-June (Q)
July-September (R)
October-December(S)

Calendar years
Item

2014

Sum of quarterly data by period (T)

2015
0

January-September
2016

0

2016
0

2017
0

0

RECONCILIATION OF QUARTERLY IMPORTS.--Please ensure that the quantities reported for quarterly U.S.
imports (i.e., lines P through S, summed in line T) in each time period equal the quantity of reported U.S.
imports (i.e., line B) in each time period in part "a" of this question. If the calculated fields below return
values other than zero (i.e., “0”), the data reported must be revised prior to submission to the
Commission.
Calendar years
Reconciliation
T – B = zero ("0"), if not revise.

2014

2015
0

January-September
2016

0

2016
0

2017
0

0

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Plastic Decorative Ribbon
II-6a.

Page 15

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

All other sources
(list sources:

)
Quantity (in square yards), value (in $1,000)
Calendar years

Item

2014

2015

January-September
2016

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 /
including for retail sale: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)
1

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

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II-6a.

Page 16

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 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

2014

2015

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

0

January-September
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:
.
II-6b.

Channels of distribution.--Report your firm’s U.S. shipments (i.e., inclusive of bulk commercial
U.S. shipments, internal consumption including for retail sale, and transfers to related firms) of
plastic decorative ribbon imported from all other sources by channel of distribution.

All other sources
Quantity (in square yards)
Calendar years
Item

2014

2015

January-September
2016

2016

2017

Channels of distribution:
U.S. shipments:
To distributors (M)
To retailers (N)
To end users (O)
RECONCILIATION OF CHANNELS.--Please ensure that the quantities reported for channels of distribution (i.e.,
lines M, N, and O) in each time period equal the quantity reported for U.S. shipments (i.e., lines D, F, and H) in
each time period in part "a" of this question. If the calculated fields below return values other than zero (i.e.,
“0”), the data reported must be revised prior to submission to the Commission.
Calendar years
Reconciliation
M + N + O – D – F – H = zero ("0"), if
not revise.

2014

2015
0

January-September
2016

0

2016
0

2017
0

0

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Plastic Decorative Ribbon
II-6c.

Page 17

Seasonality in U.S. imports.--Report your firm’s U.S. imports of plastic decorative ribbon from
all other sources by quarter-year.

All other sources
Quantity (in square yards)
Calendar year
Quarter

2014

2015

2016

2017

January-March (P)
April-June (Q)
July-September (R)
October-December (S)

Calendar years
Item

2014

Sum of quarterly data by period (T)

2015
0

January-September
2016

0

2016
0

2017
0

0

RECONCILIATION OF QUARTERLY IMPORTS.--Please ensure that the quantities reported for quarterly U.S.
imports (i.e., lines P through S, summed in line T) in each time period equal the quantity of reported U.S.
imports (i.e., line B) in each time period in part "a" of this question. If the calculated fields below return
values other than zero (i.e., “0”), the data reported must be revised prior to submission to the
Commission.
Calendar years
Reconciliation
T – B = zero ("0"), if not revise.

2014

2015
0

January-September
2016

0

2016
0

2017
0

0

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Plastic Decorative Ribbon
II-7.

Page 18

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
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Page 19

PART III.--PRICING AND MARKET FACTORS
Further information on this part of the questionnaire can be obtained from Nabil Abbyad (202-7081446, [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, 2014 of the following products your firm imported
from China:
Product 1.--Curl ribbon (non-laminated): Extruded plastic curl ribbon, not laminated, having a
width of not less than 11/64” and not more than 13/64”, having a length less than 350 yards, on
a single spool intended for individual retail sale.
Product 2.--Extruded plastic ribbon in 15-count Bow Bags: 15-count bow bags, where: (i) a
majority of the bows in the bag have a diameter of not less than 2 ½” and not more than 5”; and
(ii) a majority of the bows in the bag are made of ribbon having a width of not less than 1/2” and
not more than 3/4”.
Product 3.--Ribbon “Eggs” (or “Kegs”) in multi-packs: Extruded plastic ribbon having a width of
not less than 11/64” and not more than 13/64”, rolled onto itself, without a spool or flange, into
an “egg-shaped” (also known as a “keg-shaped”) configuration, intended for retail sale in “multipacks” of two or more ribbon eggs (or kegs) per package.

Please note that values should be f.o.b., U.S. point of shipment and should not include U.S.-inland
transportation costs. Values should reflect the final net amount paid to your firm (i.e., should be net
of all deductions for discounts or rebates).
During January 2014-September 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 as appropriate.
No.--Skip to question III-3.

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III-2(a). Price data.--Report below the quarterly price data1 for pricing products2 imported from China
and sold by your firm. Do not report data for sales at the retail level of trade.

China

Report data in square yards and actual dollars (not 1,000s).
(Quantity in square yards, value in dollars)
Product 1
Product 2
Quantity
Value
Quantity
Value

Product 3
Period of shipment
Quantity
Value
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
July-September
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:

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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.

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III-3a. Imports for retail sale.--Did your firm import plastic decorative ribbon for sales in your firm’s
retail locations since January 1, 2014?
Yes.--Please complete the following table as appropriate.
No.--Skip to question III-4.
Report below the import data1 for pricing products2 imported from China and sold at retail.
Please note that values should be landed, duty-paid (LDP) and should not include U.S.-inland
transportation costs. Values should reflect the final net amount paid by your firm (i.e., should be net
of all returns, discounts, allowances, and rebates).

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Plastic Decorative Ribbon
II-3b.

Page 23

Imports for retail/own use.--Report below the import data1 for pricing products2 imported from
China and destined for sale at the retail level or internally consumed.

China

Report data in square yards and actual dollars (not 1,000s).
(Quantity in square yards, LDP value in dollars)
Product 1

Product 2
Product 3
Period of shipment
Quantity
Value
Quantity
Value
Quantity
Value
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
July-September
1
LDP value (i.e., landed duty-paid values) represents the cost paid to foreign supplier(s) plus any freight and insurance costs paid for
international transportation as well as all Customs duties and fees. LDP value represents the f.o.b. value of your firm’s imports at the U.S. port
of entry after clearing Customs.
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:

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Plastic Decorative Ribbon
III-3c.

Page 24

Additional costs for your direct imports of plastic decorative ribbon for your firm’s retail/own
use.

(i) If your firm reported direct import purchase costs (questions III-3b), please identify the factors
that add to your cost of importing directly since January 1, 2014, estimate the share of the cost
of the landed duty paid value, and explain the specific costs associated with each category.
NOTE: Report only costs that are not included in the landed duty paid costs provided in the
table(s) above.

Factors
Logistical or supply chain costs
Warehousing costs
Insurance costs
Currency conversion costs
Other

Estimated share
of landed dutypaid value
(percent)

Explanation

(ii) To which source does your firm compare costs in determining your additional transaction costs
to directly import?
U.S. importers

U.S. producers

Both

Neither

(iii) (A) If your firm reported data above (question III-3b), briefly identify the benefits of directly
importing plastic decorative ribbon instead of purchasing plastic decorative ribbon from a
U.S. importer or from a U.S. producer.

(B) Please provide the estimated margin saved by having directly imported plastic
decorative ribbon instead of purchasing from a U.S. importer.
percent of landed dutypaid value.
(C) Explain any variation in the margin saved since January 1, 2014.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Plastic Decorative Ribbon
III-3c.

Page 25

Additional costs for your direct imports of plastic decorative ribbon for your firm’s retail/own
use. (Continued)

(iv) What is the approximate percentage of the total cost of plastic decorative ribbon you directly
imported from China that is accounted for by U.S. inland transportation or other logistics
costs from the port of importation to your distribution network or retail store?
Country
China

Percent
%

III-3b. If your firm is a direct importer for retail sales or your own use please check here
question III-12.

and skip to

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Plastic Decorative Ribbon
III-4.

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

III-5.

Contracts

Other

If other, describe

Annual
total
volume
discounts

No
discount
policy

Other

Describe

Pricing terms.-(a)

What are your firm’s typical sales terms for plastic decorative ribbon 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 plastic decorative ribbon from China
usually quoted (check one)?
Delivered

III-7.

Set
price
lists

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

Quantity
discounts

III-6.

Page 26

F.o.b.

If f.o.b., specify point

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

Item
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 – Plastic Decorative Ribbon
III-8.

Page 27

Contract provisions.--Please fill out the table regarding your firm’s typical sales contracts for
plastic decorative ribbon 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

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 plastic decorative ribbon 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 plastic decorative ribbon?

Source

Share of 2016
sales

Lead time (Average
number of days)

From your firm’s U.S. inventory

%

From foreign manufacturers’ inventory

%

Produced to order

%

Total (should sum to 100.0%)

0.0 %

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III-10. Shipping information.—
(a)

What is the approximate percentage of the cost of plastic decorative ribbon 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 plastic decorative ribbon 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 plastic decorative ribbon
imported from China that are delivered the following distances from your firm’s U.S.
point of shipment.
Distance from your firm’s U.S. point of shipment

Share

Within 100 miles

%

101 to 1,000 miles

%

Over 1,000 miles

%

Total (should sum to 100.0%)

0.0

%

III-11. Geographical shipments.--In which U.S. geographic market area(s) has your firm sold plastic
decorative ribbon imported from subject countries since January 1, 2014 (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 use.--Please estimate the share of your plastic decorative ribbon that are used in wrapping
gifts, and report other end uses.
End use

Share

Used in gift wrapping

%

Other end uses

%

Total (should sum to 100.0%)

0.0

%

Business Proprietary
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III-13. Substitutes.--Can other products be substituted for plastic decorative ribbon?
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 plastic decorative
ribbon?
No Yes

Explanation

1.
2.
3.
III-14. Demand trends.--Indicate how demand within the United States and outside of the United
States (if known) for plastic decorative ribbon 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
III-15. Product changes.--Have there been any significant changes in the product range, product mix or
marketing of plastic decorative ribbon since January 1, 2014?
No

Yes

If yes, please describe.

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III-16. Conditions of competition.—
(a) Is the plastic decorative ribbon market subject to business cycles (other than general
economy-wide conditions) and/or other conditions of competition distinctive to plastic
decorative ribbon?
Check all that apply.

Please describe.

No

Skip to question III-16.

Yes-Business cycles (e.g.
seasonal business)
List the 3 month with the
largest sales
Report the percent of
your sales in these top 3
months

percent

Yes-Other distinctive
conditions of competition
(b) If yes, have there been any changes in the business cycles or conditions of competition for
plastic decorative ribbon since January 1, 2014?
No

Yes

If yes, describe.

III-17. Supply constraints.--Has your firm refused, declined, or been unable to supply plastic decorative
ribbon 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.

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III-18. Raw materials.--How have plastic decorative ribbon 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 plastic
decorative ribbon.

III-19. Interchangeability.--Is plastic decorative ribbon 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 plastic decorative ribbon that is sometimes or never
interchangeable, identify the country-pair and explain the factors that limit or preclude
interchangeable use:

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Page 32

III-20. Factors other than price.--Are differences other than price (e.g., quality, availability,
transportation network, product range, technical support, etc.) between plastic decorative
ribbon 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 plastic decorative ribbon, identify the country-pair and report the
advantages or disadvantages imparted by such factors:

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Plastic Decorative Ribbon

Page 33

III-21. Customer identification.--List the names and contact information for your firm’s 10 largest U.S.
customers for plastic decorative ribbon since January 1, 2014. Indicate the share of the quantity
of your firm’s total shipments of plastic decorative ribbon 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-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
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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.

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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/plastic_decorative_ribbon/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: DECO

• 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.