18-2-3857 US importers' questionnaire

OMB No. 3117-0016/USITC No. 18-2-3857; Expiration Date: 6/30/2020
(No response is required if currently valid OMB control number is not displayed)

U.S. IMPORTERS’ QUESTIONNAIRE
LAMINATED WOVEN SACKS FROM VIETNAM
This questionnaire must be received by the Commission by March 21, 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 and antidumping duty investigations concerning laminated woven sacks from Vietnam
(Inv. Nos. 701-TA-601 and 731-TA-1411 (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 laminated woven sacks (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: SACK)
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 March 7, 2018, by the
Laminated Woven Sacks Fair Trade Coalition, which is comprised of Polytex Fibers Corporation (Houston,
Texas) and ProAmpac, LLC (Cincinnati, Ohio). Countervailing and/or antidumping duties may be assessed
on the subject imports as a result of these proceedings if the Commission makes an affirmative
determination of injury, threat, or material retardation, and if the U.S. Department of Commerce
(“Commerce”) makes an affirmative determination of subsidization and/or dumping. Questionnaires
and other information pertinent to this proceeding are available at
https://www.usitc.gov/investigations/title_7/2018/laminated_woven_sacks_vietnam/preliminary.htm
Laminated woven sacks covered by these investigations are bags consisting of one or more plies of
fabric consisting of woven polypropylene strip and/or woven polyethylene strip, regardless of the width
of the strip; with or without an extrusion coating of polypropylene and/or polyethylene on one or both
sides of the fabric; laminated by any method either to an exterior ply of plastic film such as biaxiallyoriented polypropylene (“BOPP”) or to an exterior ply of paper that is suitable for high-quality print
graphics (i.e., it has an ISO brightness of 82 or higher and a Sheffield Smoothness of 250 or less); printed;
displaying, containing, or comprising three or more colors, regardless of the type of printing process
used; with or without lining; whether finished or unfinished; whether or not closed on one end; whether
or not in roll form (including, but not limited to, sheets, lay-flat tubing, and sleeves); with or without
handles; with or without special closing features; not exceeding one kilogram in weight. Laminated
woven sacks subject to the scope are typically used for retail packaging of consumer goods such as pet
foods and bird seed. Laminated woven sacks produced in Vietnam are subject to the scope regardless of
the country of origin of the fabric used to make the sack.
Effective July 1, 2014, laminated woven sacks are classifiable under Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the
United States (“HTSUS”) subheading 6305.33.0040. If entered with plastic coating on both sides of the
fabric consisting of woven polypropylene strip and/or woven polyethylene strip, laminated woven sacks
may be classifiable under HTSUS subheadings 3923.21.0080, 3923.21.0095, and 3923.29.0000. If
entered not closed on one end or in roll form (including sheets, lay-flat tubing, and sleeves), laminated
woven sacks may be classifiable under other HTSUS subheadings, including 3917.39.0050, 3921.90.1100,
3921.90.1500, and 5903.90.2500. If the polypropylene strips and/or polyethylene strips making up the
fabric measure more than 5 millimeters in width, laminated woven sacks may be classifiable under other
HTSUS subheadings including 4601.99.0500, 4601.99.9000, and 4602.90.0000. Although HTSUS
subheadings are provided for convenience and customs purposes, the written description of the scope is
dispositive.
Importer.--Any person or firm engaged, either directly or through a parent company or subsidiary, in
importing laminated woven sacks (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

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numerical business proprietary information (such as discussion of trends) will be treated as confidential
business information only at the request of the submitter for good cause shown.
Verification.-- The information submitted in this questionnaire is subject to audit and verification by the
Commission. To facilitate possible verification of data, please keep all files, worksheets, and supporting
documents used in the preparation of the questionnaire response. Please also retain a copy of the final
document that you submit.
Release of information.--The information provided by your firm in response to this questionnaire, as
well as any other business proprietary information submitted by your firm to the Commission in
connection with this proceeding, may become subject to, and released under, the administrative
protective order provisions of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. § 1677f) and section 207.7 of the
Commission’s Rules of Practice and Procedure (19 CFR § 207.7). This means that certain lawyers and
other authorized individuals may temporarily be given access to the information for use in connection
with this proceeding or other import-injury proceedings conducted by the Commission on the same or
similar merchandise; those individuals would be subject to severe penalties if the information were
divulged to unauthorized individuals.
Valid number error messages.--If you are completing this form in a country that uses periods (“.”) to
delineate multiples of 1000 (e.g., one million would appear as $1.000.000 rather than $1,000,000), you
may be unable to enter in numbers greater than 999 in numeric form fields. The solution to this data
entry issue is to temporarily change your operating system’s number formatting to be consistent with
the U.S. number formatting system while you complete this form. Detailed instructions on how to
resolve this issue is provided at the end of this questionnaire and is available upon request from Drew
Dushkes (202-205-3229, [email protected]).

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Laminated Woven Sacks
I-1.

Page 4

OMB statistics.--Please report below the actual number of hours required and the cost to your
firm of completing this questionnaire.
Hours

Dollars

The questions in this questionnaire have been reviewed with market participants to ensure that
issues of concern are adequately addressed and that data requests are sufficient, meaningful,
and as limited as possible. Public reporting burden for this questionnaire is estimated to average
40 hours per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, gathering data, and
completing and reviewing the questionnaire.
We welcome comments regarding the accuracy of this burden estimate, suggestions for
reducing the burden, and any suggestions for improving this questionnaire. Please attach such
comments to your response or send to the Office of Investigations, USITC, 500 E St. SW,
Washington, DC 20436.
I-2.

Establishments covered.--Provide the name and address of establishment(s) covered by this
questionnaire. If your firm is publicly traded, please specify the stock exchange and trading
symbol.
“Establishment”--Each facility of a firm involved in the importation of laminated woven sacks,
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

Yes--List the following information

Address

Extent of
ownership
(percent)

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Laminated Woven Sacks
I-4.

Related importers/exporters.--Does your firm have any related firms, either domestic or
foreign, that are engaged in importing laminated woven sacks from Vietnam into the United
States or that are engaged in exporting laminated woven sacks from Vietnam to the United
States?
No

Yes--List the following information.

Firm name

I-5.

Country

Affiliation

Related producers.--Does your firm have any related firms, either domestic or foreign, that are
engaged in the production of laminated woven sacks?
No

Yes--List the following information.

Firm name

I-6.

Page 5

Country

Affiliation

Importing operations.--Please indicate the nature of your firm’s importing operations on
laminated woven sacks. More than one answer may be applicable.
Importer of record

Takes title to the
imported product(s)

Consignee of the
imported products(s)

Customs broker or
freight forwarder

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Laminated Woven Sacks
I-7.

Consignee.--If your firm is an importer of record of laminated woven sacks but is not the
consignee, please list the consignees below (firm name, address, telephone number, and
individual to contact).

Firm name

I-8.

Page 6

Contact person
and phone
number

Address

FTZ, TIB, or bonded warehouses.--Please indicate whether your firm enters laminated woven
sacks into, or withdraws such merchandise from, foreign trade zones or bonded warehouses.
Also indicate whether your firm imports laminated woven sacks 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 Drew Dushkes (202-2053229, [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 laminated woven sacks 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)

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Laminated Woven Sacks
II-3.

Units of quantity.--Does your firm record quantities of laminated woven sacks by individual
sacks or by a weight measurement?
Individual
Sacks

II-4a.

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Weight
Measurement If records are by weight, please report quantity data in this
questionnaire using the following conversion factor:
One short ton (907 kilograms) = 8,000 sacks

Arranged imports.--Has your firm imported or arranged for the importation of laminated woven
sacks 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 1,000 sacks)

Period/Source

Jan-Mar 2018

Apr-Jun 2018

Jul-Sept 2018

Oct-Dec 2018

Vietnam
Other sources
II-4b.

Imports in the 12 month period preceding the petition.--Has your firm imported laminated
woven sacks from any source between March 1, 2017 and February 28, 2018? (i.e., the last ten
months in 2017 and first two months in 2018 combined)
No

Yes-Report the quantity of such import below by source.
Quantity (in 1,000 sacks)
Source

March 2017 through February 2018

Vietnam
Other sources
II-5.

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

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

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Laminated Woven Sacks
II-6a.

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Imports from Vietnam.–Report your firm’s imports and your firm’s shipments and inventories of
laminated woven sacks imported from Vietnam by your firm during the specified periods.

VIETNAM
Quantity (in 1,000 sacks), value (in $1,000)
Calendar years
Item

2015

2016

2017

Beginning-of-period inventories
(quantity) (A)
Imports:1
Entered under HTS statistical
reporting number
6305.33.0040:
Quantity (B)
Value (C)
Entered under other HTS
statistical reporting numbers2
Quantity (D)
Value (E)
U.S. shipments:
Commercial shipments:
Quantity (F)
Value (G)
Internal consumption:3
Quantity (H)
Value2 (I)
Transfers to related firms:3
Quantity (J)
Value2 (K)
Export shipments:4
Quantity (L)
Value (M)
End-of-period inventories
(quantity) (N)
1

Please identify the foreign producers, if known:
.
Please identify the specific other HTS statistical reporting numbers under which your firm classifies its imports of
laminated woven sacks:
.
3
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 provided above in this table should be based on fair market value.
4
Identify your firm’s principal export markets:
.
2

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II-6a.

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Imports from Vietnam.–Continued

RECONCILIATION OF SHIPMENTS, IMPORTS, AND INVENTORIES.-- Generally, the data reported for the
end-of-period inventories (i.e., line N) should be equal to the beginning-of-period inventories (i.e., line
A), plus imports (i.e., lines B, and D), less total shipments (i.e., lines F, H, J. and L). 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 – N = 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:
.
Quantity (in 1,000 sacks), value (in $1,000)

II-6b.

Channels of distribution: Vietnam

VIETNAM
Calendar years

Item

2015

2016

2017

Quantity (in 1,000 sacks)
Channels of distribution:
Commercial U.S. shipments:
To distributors (O)
To consumer goods end users (P)
To all other end users1 (Q)
1

Please identify the other end user types:

.

RECONCILIATION OF CHANNELS.-- Please ensure that the quantities reported for channels of distribution
(i.e., lines O, P and Q) in each time period equal the quantity reported for commercial U.S. shipments
(i.e., line F) 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
O + P + Q – F = zero ("0"), if not
revise.

2015

2016
0

2017
0

0

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Imports from all other sources.–Report your firm’s imports and your firm’s shipments and
inventories of laminated woven sacks imported from all other sources by your firm during the
specified periods. .

ALL OTHER SOURCES
(List sources in descending order of size:

)

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

2015

2016

2017

Beginning-of-period inventories
(quantity) (A)
Imports:1
Entered under HTS statistical
reporting number
6305.33.0040:
Quantity (B)
Value (C)
Entered under other HTS
statistical reporting numbers2
Quantity (D)
Value (E)
U.S. shipments:
Commercial shipments:
Quantity (F)
Value (G)
Internal consumption:3
Quantity (H)
Value2 (I)
Transfers to related firms:3
Quantity (J)
Value2 (K)
Export shipments:4
Quantity (L)
Value (M)
End-of-period inventories
(quantity) (N)
1

Please identify the foreign producers, if known:
.
Please identify the specific other HTS statistical reporting numbers under which your firm classifies its imports of
laminated woven sacks:
.
3
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 provided above in this table should be based on fair market value.
4
Identify your firm’s principal export markets:
.
2

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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 N) should be equal to the beginning-of-period inventories (i.e., line
A), plus imports (i.e., lines B, and D), less total shipments (i.e., lines F, H, J. and L). 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 – N = 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:
.
Quantity (in 1,000 sacks), value (in $1,000)

II-7b.

Channels of distribution: All other sources

ALL OTHER SOURCES
Calendar years

Item

2015

2016

2017

Quantity (in 1,000 sacks)
Channels of distribution:
Commercial U.S. shipments:
To distributors (O)
To consumer goods end users (P)
To all other end users1 (Q)
1

Please identify the other end user types:

.

RECONCILIATION OF CHANNELS.--Please ensure that the quantities reported for channels of distribution
(i.e., lines O, P and Q) in each time period equal the quantity reported for commercial U.S. shipments
(i.e., line F) 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
O + P + Q – F = zero ("0"), if not
revise.

2015

2016
0

2017
0

0

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II-8.

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

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PART III.--PRICING AND MARKET FACTORS
Further information on this part of the questionnaire can be obtained from Porscha Stiger (202-2053241, [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 Vietnam:
Product 1.--Woven polypropylene fabric laminated to biaxially-oriented polypropylene ("BOPP")
reverse printed film, ink coverage 200%, measuring 15" x 3.5" x 27" (plus or minus 1
inch in any or all directions), fabric 70 g/m2 (plus or minus 6 g/m²), coating 20 g/m²,
(plus or minus 5 g/m²), film 22 g/m² (plus or minus 6 g/m²).
Product 2.--Woven polypropylene fabric laminated to biaxially-oriented polypropylene ("BOPP")
reverse printed film, ink coverage 200%, measuring 16" x 6" x 39" (plus or minus 1
inch in any or all directions), fabric 80 g/m² (plus or minus 8 g/m²), coating 20 g/m²
(plus or minus 5 g/m²), film 22 g/m² (plus or minus 6 g/m²).
Product 3.--Woven polypropylene fabric laminated to biaxially-oriented polypropylene ("BOPP")
reverse printed film, ink coverage 200%, measuring 13" x 2" x 24" (plus or minus 1
inch in any or all directions), fabric 75 g/m² (plus or minus 6 g/m²), coating 20 g/m²
(plus or minus 5 g/m²), film 25 g/m² (plus or minus 6 g/m²).
Product 4.--Woven polypropylene fabric laminated to biaxially-oriented polypropylene ("BOPP")
reverse printed film, ink coverage 200%, measuring 15” x 5” x 32” (plus or minus 1
inch in any or all directions), fabric 70 g/m² (plus or minus 6 g/m²), coating 20 g/m²,
(plus or minus 5 g/m²), film 12 g/m² (plus or minus 6 g/m²).

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).

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During January 2015- December 2017, did your firm import from Vietnam 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.
III-2(a). Price data.--Report below the quarterly price data1 for pricing products2 imported from Vietnam
and sold by your firm.

Vietnam

Report quantity data in 1,000 sacks and value data in actual dollars (not 1,000s).
(Quantity in 1,000 sacks, value in dollars)
Product 1
Product 2
Product 3
Quantity
Value
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:

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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.
√ if Yes

Is the price data reported above:
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-6a 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.
III-3.

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

III-4.

Contracts

Other

If other, describe

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

Quantity
discounts

III-5.

Set
price
lists

Annual
total
volume
discounts

No
discount
policy

Other

Describe

Pricing terms.-(a)

What are your firm’s typical sales terms for laminated woven sacks imported from
Vietnam?
Net 30
days

Net 60
days

2/10 net 30
days

Other

Other (specify)

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Laminated Woven Sacks
(b)

On what basis are your firm’s prices of imported laminated woven sacks from Vietnam
usually quoted (check one)?
Delivered

III-6.

F.o.b.

If f.o.b., specify point

Contract versus spot.--Approximately what share of your firm’s sales of laminated woven sacks
imported from Vietnam 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-7.

Page 18

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
laminated woven sacks from Vietnam (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 - Laminated Woven Sacks
III-8.

Page 19

Lead times.--What is your firm’s share of sales of laminated woven sacks imported from
Vietnam 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 laminated woven sacks?

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%)
III-9.

Lead time (Average
number of days)

0.0 %

Shipping information.—
(a)

What is the approximate percentage of the cost of laminated woven sacks imported
from Vietnam 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 laminated woven sacks imported from Vietnam, from where is it
shipped?
Point of importation
Storage facility (check one)

(d)

Indicate the approximate percentage of your firm’s sales of laminated woven sacks
imported from Vietnam 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

%

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Laminated Woven Sacks

Page 20

III-10. Geographical shipments.--In which U.S. geographic market area(s) has your firm sold laminated
woven sacks imported from Vietnam since January 1, 2015 (check all that apply)?
Geographic area

Vietnam

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-11. End uses.--List the end uses of the laminated woven sacks that your firm imports. For each enduse product, what percentage of the total cost is accounted for by laminated woven sacks and
other inputs?
Share of total cost of end-use product
accounted for by

End use product

Laminated woven
sacks

Total
(should sum to
100.0% across)

Other inputs

%

%

0.0 %

%

%

0.0 %

%

%

0.0 %

III-12. Substitutes.--Can other products be substituted for laminated woven sacks?
No

Substitute
1.
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 laminated woven sacks?
No Yes

Explanation

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Laminated Woven Sacks

Page 21

III-13. Demand trends.--Indicate how demand within the United States and outside of the United
States (if known) for laminated woven sacks 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-14. Product changes.--Have there been any significant changes in the product range, product mix or
marketing of laminated woven sacks since January 1, 2015?
No

Yes

If yes, please describe.

III-15. Conditions of competition.—
(a) Is the laminated woven sacks market subject to business cycles (other than general
economy-wide conditions) and/or other conditions of competition distinctive to laminated
woven sacks?
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
laminated woven sacks since January 1, 2015?
No

Yes

If yes, describe.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Laminated Woven Sacks

Page 22

III-16. Supply constraints.--Has your firm refused, declined, or been unable to supply laminated woven
sacks from Vietnam 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-17. Raw materials.--How have laminated woven sacks 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
laminated woven sacks from Vietnam.

III-18. Interchangeability.--Is laminated woven sacks 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

Vietnam

Other countries

United States
Vietnam
For any country-pair producing laminated woven sacks 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 - Laminated Woven Sacks

Page 23

III-19. Factors other than price.--Are differences other than price (e.g., quality, availability,
transportation network, product range, technical support, etc.) between laminated woven sacks
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

Vietnam

Other countries

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

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Laminated Woven Sacks

Page 24

III-20. Customer identification.--List the names and contact information for your firm’s 10 largest U.S.
customers for imported laminated woven sacks since January 1, 2015. Indicate the share of the
quantity of your firm’s total shipments of imported laminated woven sacks 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-21. Other explanations.--If your firm would like to further explain a response to a question in Part III
that did not provide a narrative response box, please note the question number and the
explanation in the space provided below. Please also use this space to highlight any issues your
firm had in providing the data in this section, including but not limited to technical issues with
the MS Word questionnaire.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Laminated Woven Sacks

Page 25

PART IV.--ALTERNATIVE PRODUCT INFORMATION
Further information on this part of the questionnaire can be obtained from Drew Dushkes (202-2053229, [email protected]).
In-scope laminated woven sacks.--As defined on page 2, laminated woven sacks are bags consisting of
one or more plies of fabric consisting of woven polypropylene strip and/or woven polyethylene strip,
regardless of the width of the strip; with or without an extrusion coating of polypropylene and/or
polyethylene on one or both sides of the fabric; laminated by any method either to an exterior ply of
plastic film such as biaxially-oriented polypropylene (“BOPP”) or to an exterior ply of paper that is
suitable for high-quality print graphics (i.e., it has an ISO brightness of 82 or higher and a Sheffield
Smoothness of 250 or less); printed; displaying, containing, or comprising three or more colors,
regardless of the type of printing process used; with or without lining; whether finished or unfinished;
whether or not closed on one end; whether or not in roll form (including, but not limited to, sheets, layflat tubing, and sleeves); with or without handles; with or without special closing features; not
exceeding one kilogram in weight. Laminated woven sacks subject to the scope are typically used for
retail packaging of consumer goods such as pet foods and bird seed. Laminated woven sacks produced
in Vietnam are subject to the scope regardless of the country of origin of the fabric used to make the
sack.
Out-of-scope non-laminated woven sacks.—Non-laminated woven sacks are bags consisting of one or
more plies of fabric consisting of woven polypropylene strip and/or woven polyethylene strip, regardless
of the width of the strip; with or without an extrusion coating of polypropylene and/or polyethylene on
one or both sides of the fabric, but not laminated either to an exterior ply of plastic film such as
biaxially-oriented polypropylene (“BOPP”) or to an exterior ply of paper that is suitable for high-quality
print graphics; whether or not printed (and regardless of the type of printing process used); with or
without lining; whether finished or unfinished; whether or not closed on one end; whether or not in roll
form (including, but not limited to, sheets, lay-flat tubing, and sleeves); with or without handles; with or
without special closing features; not exceeding one kilogram in weight.
Out-of-scope multi-walled paper sacks.— Multi-walled paper sacks are bags, other than grocers bags,
consisting of more than one ply of material made from paper, paperboard, cellulose wadding or webs of
cellulose fibers; whether or not laminated or coated; whether or not printed (and regardless of the type
of printing process used); with or without lining; whether finished or unfinished; whether or not closed
on one end; whether or not in roll form (including, but not limited to, sheets, lay-flat tubing, and
sleeves); with or without handles; with or without special closing features. Multi-walled paper sacks are
typically used in retail packaging of consumer goods.
Note.--The alternative product comparison question (i.e., V-1 below) is being asked in multiple
questionnaire types (U.S. producers' and U.S. importers' questionnaires). If your firm is completing
more than one of these questionnaire types in relation to this proceeding, please respond to the
alternative product comparisons question in only one questionnaire type. In general, your firm should
make these comparisons in the questionnaire type that is most relevant to your firm's role in the
market.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Laminated Woven Sacks
IV-1.

Page 26

Comparability of in-scope laminated woven sacks to out-of-scope non-laminated woven sacks
and out-of-scope multi-walled paper sacks.--For each of the following indicate whether inscope laminated woven sacks and out-of-scope non-laminated woven sacks or multi-walled
paper sacks are: fully comparable or the same, i.e., have no differentiation between them;
mostly comparable or similar; somewhat comparable or similar; never or not-at-all comparable
or similar; or no familiarity with products.
F: fully comparable or the same, i.e., have no differentiation between them;
M: mostly comparable or similar;
S: somewhat comparable or similar;
N: never or not-at-all comparable or similar; or
0: no familiarity with products.
(a) Physical Characteristics and End Uses.--The differences and similarities in the physical
characteristics and end uses.

Product-pair

Comparison

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

In-scope laminated woven sacks
vs out-of-scope non-laminated
woven sacks
In-scope laminated woven sacks
vs out-of-scope multi-walled
paper sacks

(b) Interchangeability.--The ability to substitute the products in the same application.

Product-pair
In-scope laminated woven sacks vs
out-of-scope non-laminated woven
sacks
In-scope laminated woven sacks vs
out-of-scope multi-walled paper
sacks

Comparison

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

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Laminated Woven Sacks

Page 27

IV-1. Comparability of in-scope laminated woven sacks to out-of-scope non-laminated woven
sacks and out-of-scope multi-walled paper sacks.--Continued
(c) Manufacturing facilities, production processes, and production employees.--Whether
manufactured in the same facilities, from the same inputs, on the same machinery and
equipment, and using the same employees.

Product-pair

Comparison

Please provide a narrative discussion for the
comparability ratings you provided in terms of their
manufacturing facilities, production processes, and
production employees:

In-scope laminated woven sacks vs
out-of-scope non-laminated woven
sacks
In-scope laminated woven sacks vs
out-of-scope multi-walled paper
sacks

(d) Channels of distribution.--Channels of distribution/market situation through which the
products are sold (i.e., sold direct to end users, through wholesaler/distributors, etc.).

Product-pair
In-scope laminated woven sacks vs
out-of-scope non-laminated woven
sacks
In-scope laminated woven sacks vs
out-of-scope multi-walled paper
sacks

Comparison

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

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Laminated Woven Sacks

Page 28

IV-1. Comparability of in-scope laminated woven sacks to out-of-scope non-laminated woven
sacks and out-of-scope multi-walled paper sacks.--Continued
(e) Customer and producer perceptions.--Perceptions as to the differences and/or
similarities in the market (e.g., sales/marketing practices).

Product-pair

Comparison

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

In-scope laminated woven sacks vs
out-of-scope non-laminated woven
sacks
In-scope laminated woven sacks vs
out-of-scope multi-walled paper
sacks

(f) Price.--Whether prices are comparable or differ between the products.

Product-pair
In-scope laminated woven sacks vs
out-of-scope non-laminated woven
sacks
In-scope laminated woven sacks vs
out-of-scope multi-walled paper
sacks

Comparison

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

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire - Laminated Woven Sacks

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 - Laminated Woven Sacks

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/laminated_woven_sacks_vietnam/p
reliminary.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: SACK

• 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.