Form 18-1-3880 US producers' questionnaire

Information collections for import injury investigations (producers, importers, purchasers, and foreign producer questionnaires and institution notices for 5-year reviews)

US producers--SS bar

STAINLESS STEEL BAR FROM BRAZIL, INDIA, JAPAN, AND SPAIN (Inv. Nos. 731-TA-678-679 and 681-682 (Fourth Review))

OMB: 3117-0016

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OMB No. 3117-0016/USITC No. 18-1-3880; Expiration Date: 6/30/2020
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U.S. PRODUCERS’ QUESTIONNAIRE
STAINLESS STEEL BAR (STAINLESS STEEL BAR) FROM BRAZIL, INDIA, JAPAN, AND
SPAIN
This questionnaire must be received by the Commission by May 14, 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 review of the antidumping duty orders concerning stainless steel bar from Brazil, India, Japan, and
Spain (Inv. Nos. 731-TA-678-679 and 681-682 (Fourth Review)). 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 produced stainless steel bar (as defined on the next page) at any time since January 1, 2012?

(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 Commission Drop Box by clicking on the following link:
https://dropbox.usitc.gov/oinv/ (PIN: SSBAR)
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 or reviews
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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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Stainless steel bar (Fourth Review)

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PART I.—GENERAL INFORMATION
Background.--On February 21, 1995, the Department of Commerce (“Commerce”) issued antidumping
duty orders on imports of stainless steel bar from Brazil, India, and Japan (60 FR 9661), and
subsequently issued an antidumping duty order on imports of stainless steel bar from Spain (60 FR
11656) on March 2, 1995. On July 3, 2017, the Commission instituted reviews pursuant to section 751(c)
of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. § 1675(c)) (the Act) to determine whether revocation of the
orders would be likely to lead to continuation or recurrence of material injury to the domestic industry
within a reasonably foreseeable time. If both the Commission and Commerce make affirmative
determinations, the orders will remain in place. If either the Commission or Commerce makes negative
determinations, Commerce will revoke the orders. Questionnaires and other information pertinent to
this proceeding are available at
https://www.usitc.gov/investigations/701731/2017/stainless_steel_bar_brazil_india_japan_and_spain/f
ourth_review_full.htm.
Stainless steel bar covered by these reviews are articles of Stainless steel in straight lengths that have
been either hot-rolled, forged, turned, cold-drawn, cold-rolled or otherwise cold-finished, or ground,
having a uniform solid cross section along their whole length in the shape of circles, segments of circles,
ovals, rectangles (including squares), triangles, hexagons, octagons or other convex polygons. Stainless
steel bar includes cold-finished stainless steel bars that are turned or ground in straight lengths, whether
produced from hot-rolled bar or from straightened and cut rod or wire, and reinforcing bars that have
indentations, ribs, grooves, or other deformations produced during the rolling process.
Except as specified above, the term does not include Stainless steel semi-finished products, cut length
flat-rolled products (i.e., cut length rolled products which if less than 4.75 mm in thickness have a width
measuring at least 10 times the thickness, or if 4.75 mm or more in thickness having a width which
exceeds 150 mm and measures at least twice the thickness), wire (i.e., cold-formed products in coils, of
any uniform solid cross section along their whole length, which do not conform to the definition of flatrolled products), and angles, shapes and sections.
Exclusions for Japan: Effective for entries entered, or withdrawn for warehouse, for consumption on or
after February 1, 2010, the term does not include one stainless steel bar product under Grade 304 and
two types of stainless steel bar products under Grade 440C.
(1) The Grade 304 product meets the following descriptions: round cross-section, cold finished,
chrome plated (plating thickness 10 microns or greater), hardness of plating a minimum 750 HV
on the Vickers Scale, maximum roundness deviation of 0.020 mm (based on circularity tolerance
described in JIS B 0021 (1984)), in actual (measured) lengths from 2000 mm to 3005 mm, in
nominal outside diameters ranging from 6 mm to 30 mm (diameter tolerance for any size from
minus 0.010 mm to minus 0.053 mm). Tolerance can be defined as the specified permissible
deviation from a specified nominal dimension; for example if the nominal outside diameter of
the product entering is 6 mm, then the actual measured sizes should fall within 5.947 mm to
5.990 mm;
(2) The first Grade 440C product meets the following descriptions: round cross-section, cold
finished, heat treated through induction hardening, minimum Rockwell hardness of 56 Hardness
of 56 HRC, maximum roundness deviation of 0.007 mm (based on circularity tolerance described
in JIS B 0021 (1984)), in actual (measured) lengths from 500 mm to 3005 mm, in nominal outside
diameters ranging from 3 mm to 38.10 mm (diameter tolerance for any size from 0.00 mm to
minus 0.150 mm). Tolerance can be defined as the specified permissible deviation from a
specified nominal dimension; for example if the nominal outside diameter of the product
entering is 3 mm, then the actual measured sizes should fall within 2.850 mm to 3.000 mm;

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(3) The second Grade 440C product meets the following descriptions: round cross-section, cold
finished, chrome plated (plating thickness 5 microns or greater), heat treated through induction
hardening, minimum Rockwell Hardness of 56 HRC, maximum roundness deviation of 0.007 mm
(based on circularity tolerance described in JIS B 0021 (1984)), in actual (measured) lengths from
2000 mm to minus 3005 mm, (diameter tolerance for any size from minus 0.004 mm to minus
0.020 mm). Tolerance can be defined as the specified permissible deviation from a specified
nominal dimension; for example if the nominal outside diameter of the product entering is 6
mm, then the actual measured sizes should fall within 5.980 mm to 5.996 mm. Except as
specified above, the term does not include Stainless steel semi-finished products, cut length flatrolled products (i.e., cut-length rolled products which if less than 4.75 mm in thickness have a
width measuring at least 10 times the thickness, or if 4.75 mm or more in thickness having a
width which exceeds 150 mm and measures at least twice the thickness), wire (i.e., cold-formed
products in coils, of any uniform solid cross section along their whole length, which do not
conform to the definition of flat-rolled products), and angles, shapes and sections.
Stainless steel bar is currently imported under statistical reporting numbers 7222.10.00, 7222.11.00,
7222.19.00, 7222.20.00, and 7222.30.00 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States
(HTSUS). The HTSUS provisions are for convenience and customs purposes; the written description of
the scope is dispositive.
Reporting of information.-- If information is not readily available from your records, provide carefully
prepared estimates. If your firm is completing more than one questionnaire (i.e., a producer, importer,
and/or purchaser questionnaire), you need not respond to duplicated questions.
Confidentiality.--The commercial and financial data furnished in response to this questionnaire that
reveal the individual operations of your firm will be treated as confidential by the Commission to the
extent that such data are not otherwise available to the public and will not be disclosed except as may
be required by law (see 19 U.S.C. § 1677f). Such confidential information will not be published in a
manner that will reveal the individual operations of your firm; however, general characterizations of
numerical business proprietary information (such as discussion of trends) will be treated as confidential
business information only at the request of the submitter for good cause shown.
Verification.-- The information submitted in this questionnaire is subject to audit and verification by the
Commission. To facilitate possible verification of data, please keep all files, worksheets, and supporting
documents used in the preparation of the questionnaire response. Please also retain a copy of the final
document that you submit.
Release of information.--The information provided by your firm in response to this questionnaire, as
well as any other business proprietary information submitted by your firm to the Commission in
connection with this proceeding, may become subject to, and released under, the administrative
protective order provisions of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. § 1677f) and section 207.7 of the
Commission’s Rules of Practice and Procedure (19 CFR § 207.7). This means that certain lawyers and
other authorized individuals may temporarily be given access to the information for use in connection
with this proceeding or other import-injury proceedings conducted by the Commission on the same or
similar merchandise; those individuals would be subject to severe penalties if the information were
divulged to unauthorized individuals.
D-GRIDS tool.--The Commission has a tool that firms can use to move data from their own MS Excel
compilation files into self-contained data tables within this MS Word questionnaire, thereby reducing
the amount of cell-by-cell data entry that would be required to complete this form. This tool is a macro-

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enabled MS Excel file available for download from the Commission's generic questionnaires webpage
(https://www.usitc.gov/trade_remedy/question.htm) called the "D-GRIDs tool." Use of this tool to help
your firm complete this questionnaire is optional. Firms opting to use the D-GRIDs tool to populate their
data into this questionnaire will need the D-GRIDs specification sheet PDF file specific to this proceeding
(available on the case page which is linked under the "Background" above) which includes the necessary
references relating to this questionnaire, as well as the macro-enable MS Excel D-GRIDs tool itself from
the generic questionnaires page. More detailed instructions on how to use the D-GRIDs tool are
available within the D-GRIDs tool itself.
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
50 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.

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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - Stainless steel bar (Fourth Review)
I-2.

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Establishments covered.--Provide the city, state, zip code, and brief description of each
establishment covered by this questionnaire. If your firm is publicly traded, please specify the
stock exchange and trading symbol in the footnote to the table. Firms operating more than one
establishment should combine the data for all establishments into a single report.
“Establishment”--Each facility of a firm involved in the production of stainless steel bar,
including auxiliary facilities operated in conjunction with (whether or not physically separate
from) such facilities.
Establishments
Covered1

City, State

Zip (5 digit)

Description

1
2
3
4
5
6
1

I-3.

Additional discussion on establishments consolidated in this questionnaire:

Position regarding continuation of orders.--Does your firm support or oppose continuation of
the following antidumping duty orders currently in place for stainless steel bar?
Country
Brazil
India
Japan
Spain

Support

Oppose

Take no position

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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - Stainless steel bar (Fourth Review)
I-4.

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

Firm name

I-5.

Page 6

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 stainless steel bar into the United States or that are
engaged in exporting stainless steel bar to the United States?
No

Firm name

Yes--List the following information and describe any affiliation, including the
share of foreign ownership in the domestic producer.
Country

Affiliation

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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - Stainless steel bar (Fourth Review)
I-6.

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

Yes--List the following information and describe any affiliation, including the
share of foreign ownership in the domestic producer.

Firm name

I-7.

Page 7

Country

Affiliation

Business plan.--In Parts II and IV of this questionnaire we request a copy of your company’s
business plan. Does your company or any related firm have a business plan or any internal
documents that describe, discuss, or analyze expected market conditions for stainless steel bar?

Yes

If yes, please provide the requested documents. If you are not providing the
requested documents, please explain why not.

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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - Stainless steel bar (Fourth Review)

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PART II.--TRADE AND RELATED INFORMATION
Further information on this part of the questionnaire can be obtained from Kristina Lara (202-205-3386,
[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-2a.

Changes in operations.--Please indicate whether your firm has experienced any of the following
changes in relation to the production of stainless steel bar since January 1, 2012.

Check as many as appropriate.
Plant openings
Plant closings
Relocations
Expansions
Acquisitions
Consolidations
Prolonged shutdowns or
production curtailments
Revised labor agreements
Other (e.g., technology)

If checked, please describe; leave blank if not
applicable.

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II -2b. Anticipated changes in operations.--Does your firm anticipate any changes in the character of
its operations or organization relating to the production of stainless steel bar in the future?

II-3a.

Yes

If yes, supply details as to the time, nature, and significance of
such changes and provide underlying assumptions, along with
relevant portions of business plans or other supporting
documentations that address this issue. Include in your
response a specific projection of your firm’s capacity to
produce stainless steel bar (in short tons) for 2018 and 2019.

Production using same machinery.--Please report your firm’s production of products made on
the same equipment and machinery used to produce stainless steel bar, and the combined
production capacity on this shared equipment and machinery in the periods indicated.
“Overall production capacity” or “capacity” – The level of production that your
establishment(s) could reasonably have expected to attain during the specified periods. Assume
normal operating conditions (i.e., using equipment and machinery in place and ready to
operate; normal operating levels (hours per week/weeks per year) and time for downtime,
maintenance, repair, and cleanup).
Note.--If your firm does not produce any out-of-scope merchandise on the same machinery and
equipment as scope merchandise (i.e., you have reported no data for "out-of-scope production"
in this question) then the "overall production capacity" numbers reported in this question
should be exactly equal to the "average production capacity" numbers reported in question II-4.
If, however, your firm does produce out-of-scope merchandise using the same machinery and
equipment as scope mercandhise, then the "average production capacity" reported in question
II-4 should exclude the portion of "overall production capacity" that was used to produce this
out-of-scope merchandise
“Production” – All production in your U.S. establishment(s), including production consumed
internally within your firm and production for another firm under a toll agreement.

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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - Stainless steel bar (Fourth Review)
II-3a.

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Production using same machinery.--Continued
Quantity (in short tons)
Calendar years
Item

2015

2016

January-March
2017

2017

2018

Overall production capacity
Production of:
Stainless steel bar1

Out-of-scope production:
SS wire rod
SS angles
Tool and high speed steels
Other products2
Total
1
2

Data entered for production of stainless steel bar will populate here once reported in question II-4.
Please identify these products:
.

II-3b.

Operating parameters.--The production capacity reported in II-3a is based on operating
per week,
weeks per year.

II-3c.

Capacity calculation.--Please describe the methodology used to calculate overall production
capacity reported in II-3a, and explain any changes in reported capacity.

II-3d.

Production constraints.--Please describe the constraint(s) that set the limit(s) on your firm’s
production capacity.

hours

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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - Stainless steel bar (Fourth Review)
II-3e.

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Product shifting.--Is your firm able to switch production (capacity) between stainless steel bar and
other products using the same equipment and/or labor?
No

Yes-- (i.e., have produced other products or are able to produce other
products). Please identify other actual or potential products:

II-3f.

Product shifting factors.--Please describe the factors that affect your firm’s ability to shift
production capacity between products (e.g., time, cost, relative price change, etc.), and the degree
to which these factors enhance or constrain such shifts.

II-4.

Production, shipment, and inventory data.--Report your firm’s production capacity, production,
shipments, and inventories related to the production of stainless steel bar in its U.S.
establishment(s) during the specified periods.
“Average production capacity” or “capacity” – The level of production that your
establishment(s) could reasonably have expected to attain during the specified periods. Assume
normal operating conditions (i.e., using equipment and machinery in place and ready to
operate; normal operating levels (hours per week/weeks per year) and time for downtime,
maintenance, repair, and cleanup; and a typical or representative product mix).
“Production” – All production in your U.S. establishment(s), including production consumed
internally within your firm and production for another firm under a toll agreement.
“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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Production, shipment, and inventory data. --Continued

II-4.

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

2015

2016

January-March
2017

2017

2018

Average production capacity (quantity) (A)
Beginning-of-period inventories (quantity) (B)
Production (quantity) (C)
U.S. shipments:
Commercial shipments:
Quantity (D)
Value (E)
2

Internal consumption:
Quantity (F)
2

Value (G)
Transfers to related firms:
Quantity (H)

Value (I)
Export shipments:
Quantity (J)

Value (K)
End-of-period inventories (quantity) (L)
1

The production capacity reported is based on operating
hours per week,
weeks per year. Please describe the
methodology used to calculate production capacity, explain how your firm allocates production capacity to products produced
, and explain any changes in reported capacity
.
on the same equipment:
2
Internal consumption and transfers to related firms must be valued at fair market value. Does your firm use a different
(however, provide the data
basis for valuing these transactions, please specify that basis (e.g., cost, cost plus, etc.):
above at fair market value).
3
Identify your firm’s principal export markets:
.
Please explain how your firm allocates production capacity to products produced on the same equipment:
.
RECONCILIATION OF SHIPMENTS, PRODUCTION, AND INVENTORY.--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 B), plus production (i.e., line C), 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 reflect your firm’s actual records; and, also provide explanations for any differences (e.g., theft, loss, damage, record
systems issues, etc.) if they exist.
Calendar years

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

2015

2016

January-March
2017

2017

2018

Explanation if the calculated fields above are returning values other than zero (i.e., “0”) but are nonetheless accurate:

0
.

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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - Stainless steel bar (Fourth Review)
II-5.

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U.S. shipments by grade.--Report your firm’s total U.S. shipments (i.e., inclusive of commercial
U.S. shipments, internal consumption, and transfers to related firms) in 2017 by AISI (or
equivalent) grade.
Quantity (in short tons)
Calendar year 2017
Item

Quantity

U.S. shipments.-AISI grade 303 (M)
AISI grade 304/304L (N)
AISI grade 316/316L (O)
AISI grade 410 (P)
AISI grade 416 (Q)
1

Other (R)

All grades
1

List the grade(s) for which you entered data in the “other” category

RECONCILIATION OF SHIPMENTS BY GRADE AND TOTAL SHIPMENTS REPORTED IN 2017.--The
total shipments by grade reported (i.e., lines M, N, O, P, Q, and R) should be equal to the total
U.S. shipments reported in 2017 for question II-4 (i.e., lines D, F, and H). 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 year
Item

M+N+O+P+Q+R-D-F-H = should equal zero
(“0”), if not revise.

2017

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II-6.

Page 14

U.S. shipments by product type.--Report your firm’s U.S. shipments (i.e., inclusive of
commercial U.S. shipments, internal consumption, and transfers to related firms) by the product
type for the specified periods.
Quantity (in short tons)
Calendar years
Product Item

2015

2016

January-March
2017

2017

2018

U.S. shipments.-Hot-rolled, hot-drawn or extruded:
Quantity (S)
Value (T)
Cold-formed or cold-finished:
Quantity (U)
Value (V)
Other:
Quantity (W)
Value (X)
RECONCILIATION OF SHIPMENTS.--Please ensure that the quantities and value reported for US shipments by
product type (i.e., lines S through X) in each time period equal the quantities and values reported for U.S.
shipments reported in question II-4 (i.e., lines D through I). 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

2015

2016

January-March
2017

2017

2018

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

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

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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - Stainless steel bar (Fourth Review)
II-7.

Page 15

Channels of distribution.--Report your firm’s U.S. shipments (i.e., inclusive of commercial U.S.
shipments, internal consumption, and transfers to related firms) by channel of distribution.
Quantity (in short tons)
Calendar years
Item

2015

2016

January-March
2017

2017

2018

Channels of distribution:
U.S. shipments:
To distributors (Y)
To fabricators or finishers (Z)
To end users (AA)
RECONCILIATION OF CHANNELS.--Please ensure that the quantities reported for channels of distribution (i.e.,
lines Y, Z, and AA) in each time period equal the quantity reported for U.S. shipments (i.e., line D, F, and H) 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
Y + Z + AA – D – F – H = zero ("0"), if
not revise.

2015

2016
0

January-March
2017

2017
0

2018
0

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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - Stainless steel bar (Fourth Review)
II-8.

Page 16

Employment data.--Report your firm’s employment-related data related to the production of
stainless steel bar and provide an explanation for any trends in these data.
“Production and Related Workers” (PRWs) includes working supervisors and all nonsupervisory
workers (including group leaders and trainees) engaged in fabricating, processing, assembling,
inspecting, receiving, storage, handling, packing, warehousing, shipping, trucking, hauling,
maintenance, repair, janitorial and guard services, product development, auxiliary production
for plant’s own use (e.g., power plant), recordkeeping, and other services closely associated with
the above production operations. Average number employed may be computed by adding the
number of employees, both full time and part time, for the 12 pay periods ending closest to the
15th of the month and divide that total by 12. For the January to March periods, calculate
similarly and divide by 3.
“Hours worked” includes time paid for sick leave, holidays, and vacation time. Include overtime
hours actually worked; do not convert overtime pay to its equivalent in straight time hours.
“Wages paid” –Total wages paid before deductions of any kind (e.g., withholding taxes, old-age
and unemployment insurance, group insurance, union dues, bonds, etc.). Include wages paid
directly by your firm for overtime, holidays, vacations, and sick leave.
Calendar years
Item

2015

2016

January-March
2017

2017

2018

Average number of PRWs (number)
Hours worked by PRWs (1,000 hours)
Wages paid to PRWs ($1,000)
Explanation of trends:

II-9.

Historical U.S. shipments.--Report your firm’s U.S. shipments of stainless steel bar (i.e., inclusive
of commercial U.S. shipment, internal consumption, and transfers to related firms) during the
periods specified.
Quantity (in short tons) and value (in $1,000)
Calendar year
Item

U.S. shipments:
Quantity
Value

2012

2013

2014

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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - Stainless steel bar (Fourth Review)
II-10.

Page 17

Transfers to related firms.--If your firm reported transfers to related firms in question II-4,
please indicate the nature of the relationship between your firm and the related firms (e.g., joint
venture, wholly owned subsidiary), whether the transfers were priced at market value or by a
non-market formula, whether your firm retained marketing rights to all transfers, and whether
the related firms also processed inputs from sources other than your firm.

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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - Stainless steel bar (Fourth Review)
II-11.

Page 18

Purchases.--Other than direct imports, has your firm otherwise purchased stainless steel bar
since January 1, 2012?
“Purchase” – A transaction to buy product from a U.S. corporate entity such as another U.S.
producer, a U.S. distributor, or a U.S. firm that has directly imported the product.
“Import” –A transaction to buy from a foreign supplier where your firm is the importer of
record.

Yes

If yes-- Report such purchases below and explain the reasons for your
firms' purchases:

(Quantity in short tons)
Calendar years
Item

2015

2016

January-March
2017

2017

2018

Purchases from U.S.
importers1 of stainless steel
bar from—
Brazil
India, other than Viraj and
Venus
India, Viraj and Venus
Japan
Spain
All other sources2
Purchases from domestic
producers4
Purchases from other
sources3
1

Please list the name of the importer(s) from which your firm purchased this product. If your firm’s import
suppliers differ by source, please identify the source for each listed supplier:
.
2
All other sources should include data from Indian producers Viraj and Venus.
3
Please list the name of the producer(s) or U.S. distributor(s) from which your firm purchased this product:
.

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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - Stainless steel bar (Fourth Review)
II-12.

Page 19

Toll production.--Since January 1, 2012, has your firm been involved in a toll agreement
regarding the production of stainless steel bar?
“Toll agreement”--Agreement between two firms whereby the first firm furnishes the raw
materials and the second firm uses the raw materials to produce a product that it then returns
to the first firm with a charge for processing costs, overhead, etc.

II-13.

Yes

If yes-- Please describe the toll arrangement(s) and name the firm(s)
involved.

Foreign trade zones.-Firm's FTZ operations.--Does your firm produce stainless steel bar in and/or admit
stainless steel bar into a foreign trade zone (FTZ)?

(a)

“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. A foreign trade zone must be designed as such pursuant to the rules and
procedures set forth in the Foreign-Trade Zones Act.

Other firms' FTZ operations.--To your knowledge, do any firms in the United States
import stainless steel bar into a foreign trade zone (FTZ) for use in distribution of
stainless steel bar and/or the production of downstream articles?

(b)

II-14.

Yes

If yes-- Describe the nature of your firms operations in FTZs and identify
the specific FTZ site(s).

Yes

If yes--Identify the firms and the FTZs.

Direct imports.--Since January 1, 2012, has your firm imported stainless steel bar?
“Importer” – The person or firm primarily liable for the payment of any duties on the
merchandise, or an authorized agent acting on his behalf. The importer may be the consignee,
or the importer of record.
No

Yes
If yes-- COMPLETE AND RETURN A U.S. IMPORTERS’ QUESTIONNAIRE

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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - Stainless steel bar (Fourth Review)

Page 20

For questions II-15 and II-16, if your response differs for particular orders, please indicate and explain
the particular effect of imposition and/or revocation of specific orders.
II-15.

Effect of order.--Describe the significance of the existing antidumping duty order covering
imports of stainless steel bar from Brazil, India, Japan, and Spain in terms of its effect on your
firm’s production capacity, production, U.S. shipments, inventories, purchases, employment,
revenues, costs, profits, cash flow, capital expenditures, research and development
expenditures, and asset values. You may wish to compare your firm’s operations before and
after the imposition of the order.

II-16.

Likely impact of revocation.--Would your firm anticipate any changes in the character of its
operations or organization, including its production capacity, production, U.S. shipments,
inventories, purchases, employment, revenues, costs, profits, cash flow, capital expenditures,
research and development expenditures, or asset values relating to the production of stainless
steel bar in the future if the antidumping duty orders on stainless steel bar from Brazil, India,
Japan, and Spain were to be revoked?

Yes

Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - Stainless steel bar (Fourth Review)
II-17.

Page 21

Cold finishing operations.--Since January 1, 2015, has your firm purchased stainless steel bar
covered by the investigations (either domestic or imported) and cold-finished those purchases
into products that still match the definition of stainless steel bar?

Yes

If yes—Please describe the nature and extent of the following items in
relation to your firm's cold finishing operations in the United States.
Capital investments
Technical expertise
Value added
Employment
Quantity, type and source
of parts
Costs and activities

II-18.

Cold finishing only processing operations' complexity and importance.--On a scale of 1 to 5,
please provide your firm's subjective opinion as to the complexity, intensity, and importance of
cold finishing only processing activities. 1 being minimally complex, intense or important. 5
being extremely complex, intense, and important.

1:
Minimally complex,
intense, and
important

5:
Extremely complex,
intense, and
important

Please describe the reason for your rating.

II-19.

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

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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - Stainless steel bar (Fourth Review)

Page 22

PART III.--FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Address questions on this part of the questionnaire to Emily Kim (202-205-1800, [email protected]).
III-1.

III-2.

Accounting system.--Briefly describe your firm’s financial accounting system.
A.

When does your firm’s fiscal year end (month and day)?
If your firm’s fiscal year changed during the data-collection period, explain below:

B.1.

Describe the lowest level of operations (e.g., plant, division, company-wide) for which
financial statements are prepared that include stainless steel bar:

2.
3.

Does your firm prepare profit/loss statements for stainless steel bar:
Yes
No
How often did your firm (or parent company) prepare financial statements (including
annual reports, 10Ks)? Please check relevant items below.
Audited,
unaudited,
annual reports,
10Ks,
10 Qs,
Monthly,
quarterly,
semi-annually,
annually
Accounting basis:
GAAP,
cash,
tax, or
other comprehensive basis of
accounting (specify)
Note: As requested in Part I of this questionnaire, please keep all supporting documents/records
used in the preparation of the financial data, as Commission staff may contact your firm
regarding questions on the financial data. The Commission may also request that your company
submit copies of the supporting documents/records (financial statements, including internal
profit-and-loss statements for the division or product group that includes stainless steel bar, as
well as specific statements and worksheets) used to compile these data.

III-3.

Cost accounting system.--Briefly describe your firm’s cost accounting system (e.g., standard
cost, job order cost, etc.).

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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - Stainless steel bar (Fourth Review)

Page 23

III-4.

Allocation basis.--Briefly describe your firm’s allocation basis, if any, for COGS, SG&A, and
interest expense and other income and expenses.

III-5.

Product listing.--Please list the products your firm produces in the facilities in which it produces
stainless steel bar, and provide the share of net sales accounted for by these products in your
firm’s most recent fiscal year.
Products

Stainless steel bar

Share of sales

%
%
%
%
%

Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - Stainless steel bar (Fourth Review)
III-6.

Does your firm purchase inputs (raw materials, labor, energy, or any services) used in the
production of stainless steel bar from any related suppliers (e.g., inclusive of transactions
between related firms, divisions and/or other components within the same company)?
Yes--Continue to question III-7.

III-7.

Page 24

No--Continue to question III-9a.

Inputs from related suppliers.--Please identify the inputs used in the production of stainless
steel bar that your firm purchases from related suppliers and that are reflected in question III9a. For “Share of total COGS” please report this information by relevant input on the basis of
your most recently completed fiscal year. For “Input valuation” please describe the basis, as
recorded in the company’s own accounting system, of the purchase cost from the related
supplier; e.g., the related supplier’s actual cost, cost plus, negotiated transfer price to
approximate fair market value.
Input

Related supplier

Share of total COGS

Input valuation as recorded in the firm’s accounting books and records

III-8.

Inputs from related suppliers at cost.--Please confirm that the inputs purchased from related
suppliers, as identified in III-7, were reported in question III-9a (financial results on stainless
steel bar) in a manner consistent with the firm’s accounting books and records.
Yes
No--In the space below, please report the valuation basis of inputs purchased from related
suppliers as reported in question III-9a.

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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - Stainless steel bar (Fourth Review)

Page 25

III-9a. Operations on Stainless steel bar.--Report the revenue and related cost information requested
below on the stainless steel bar operations of your firm’s U.S. establishment(s).1 Do not report
resales of products. Note that internal consumption and transfers to related firms must be
valued at fair market value. Input purchases from related suppliers should be consistent with
and based on information in the firm’s accounting books and records. Provide data for your
firm’s three most recently completed fiscal years, and for the specified interim periods. If your
firm was involved in tolling operations (either as the toller or as the tollee), please contact Emily
Kim at (202) 205-1800 before completing this section of the questionnaire.
Quantity (in short tons) and value (in $1,000)

Fiscal years ended-Item

2015

2016

January-March
2017

2017

2018

Net sales quantities:
Commercial sales (“CS”)
Internal consumption (“IC”)
Transfers to related firms (“Transfers”)
Total net sales quantities

Total COGS

Gross profit or (loss)

Net sales values:
Commercial sales
Internal consumption
Transfers to related firms
Total net sales values
Cost of goods sold (COGS):
Raw materials

Direct labor
Other factory costs

Selling, general, and administrative (SG&A)
expenses:
Selling expenses
General and administrative expenses
Total SG&A expenses
Operating income (loss)
Other expenses and income:
Interest expense
All other expense items
All other income items
Net income or (loss) before income taxes
Depreciation/amortization included above
1

Include only sales (whether domestic or export) and costs related to your U.S. manufacturing operations.
Less discounts, returns, allowances, and prepaid freight. The quantities and values should approximate the corresponding
shipment quantities and values reported in Part II of this questionnaire.
3
COGS (whether for domestic or export sales) should include costs associated with CS, IC, and Transfers.
2

Note -- The table above contains calculations that will appear when you have entered data in the MS Word
form fields.

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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - Stainless steel bar (Fourth Review)

Page 26

III-9b. Raw materials for stainless steel bar.--Please indicate the share of total raw material costs
reported in III-9a in 2017 for the following raw material inputs:

Products
Steel or iron (primary and scrap) costs
Alloy element costs
Other material inputs1
Total (should sum to 100 percent)

Share of total raw
material costs
(percent)
%
%
%
0.0 %

Please indicate any other notable "other" raw materials not expressly identified above
and provide the share of the total raw material costs that they account for:

III-9c.

Financial data reconciliation.--The calculable line items from question III-9a (i.e., total net sales
quantities and values, total COGS, gross profit (or loss), total SG&A, and net income (or loss))
have been calculated from the data submitted in the other line items. Do the calculated fields
return the correct data according to your firm's financial records ignoring non-material
differences that may arise due to rounding?
Yes

No--If the calculated fields do not show the correct data, please double check the
feeder data for data entry errors and revise.
Also, check signs accorded to the post operating income line items; the two
expense line items should report positive numbers (i.e., expenses are
positive and incomes or reversals are negative--instances of the latter
should be rare in those lines) while the income line item also in most
instances should have its value be a positive number (i.e., income is positive,
expenses or reversals are negative).
If after reviewing and potentially revising the feeder data your firm has
provided, the differences between your records and the calculated fields
persist please identify and discuss the differences in the space below.

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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - Stainless steel bar (Fourth Review)

Page 27

III-10. Nonrecurring items (charges and gains) included in the subject product financial results.--For
each annual and interim period for which financial results are reported in question III-9a, please
specify all material (significant) nonrecurring items (charges and gains) in the schedule below,
the specific question III-9a line item where the nonrecurring items are included, a brief
description of the relevant nonrecurring items, and the associated values (in $1,000), as
reflected in question III-9a; i.e., if an aggregate nonrecurring item has been allocated to question
III-9a, only the allocated value amount included in question III-9a should be reported in the
schedule below. Note: The Commission’s objective here is to gather information only on
material (significant) nonrecurring items which impacted the reported financial results of the
subject product in question III-9a.
Fiscal years ended--

2015

2016

January-March

2017

2018

Nonrecurring item: In this column please provide a brief
Nonrecurring item: In these columns please report the amount of the relevant
description of each nonrecurring item and indicate the
nonrecurring item reported in question III-9a.
specific line item in table III-9a where the nonrecurring item is
classified.
Value ($1,000)
1.

, classified as

III-11. Classification of identified nonrecurring items (charges and gains) in the accounting books and
records of the company.--If non-recurring items were reported in question III-10 above, please
identify where your company recorded these items in your accounting books and records in the
normal course of business; i.e., just as responses to question III-10 identify where these items
are reported in question III-9a.

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Page 28

III-12. Asset values.--Report the total assets (i.e., both current and long-term assets) associated with
the production, warehousing, and sale of stainless steel bar. If your firm does not maintain some
or all of the specific asset information necessary to calculate total assets for stainless steel bar in
the normal course of business, please estimate this information based upon a method (such as
production, sales, or costs) that is consistent with relevant cost allocations in question III-9a.
Provide data as of the end of your firm’s three most recently completed fiscal years.
Note: Total assets should reflect net assets after any accumulated depreciation and allowances
deducted.
Total assets should be allocated to the subject products if these assets are also related to other
products. Please provide a brief explanation if there are any substantial changes in total asset
value during the period; e.g., due to asset write-offs, revaluation, and major purchases.
Value (in $1,000)
Fiscal years ended-Item
Total assets (net)
1

2015

2016

2017

Describe

III-13. Capital expenditures and research and development expenses.--Report your firm’s capital
expenditures and research and development (R&D) expenses for stainless steel bar by top four
largest and all others. Provide data for your firm’s three most recently completed fiscal years,
and for the specified interim periods.
Fiscal years ended--

2015

2016

January-March

2017

2018

Capital expenditures: In this column please describe Capital expenditures: In these columns please report the amount of the
the nature, focus, and location of each capital
relevant capital expenditure.
expenditure.
Value(in $1,000)
1st largest (describe:

)

2nd largest (describe:

)

3rd largest (describe:

)

4th largest (describe:

)

All other
Total capital expenditures

Fiscal years ended--

2015
Research and development expenses: In this
column please describe the nature, focus, and
location of each R&D expense.
1st largest (describe:

)

2nd largest (describe:

)

3rd largest (describe:

)

4th largest (describe:

)

2016

January-March

2017

2018

Research and development expenses: In these columns please report
the amount of the relevant R&D expense.
Value(in $1,000)

All other
Total research and development expenses

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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - Stainless steel bar (Fourth Review)

Page 29

III-14. Data consistency and reconciliation.--Please indicate whether your firm’s financial data for
questions III-9a, 12, and 13 are based on a calendar year or your firm’s fiscal year:
Calendar year

Fiscal year

Specify fiscal year

Please note the quantities and values reported in question III-9a should reconcile with the data
reported in question II-4 (including export shipments) as long as they are reported on the same
calendar year basis.
RECONCILIATION OF TRADE VS FINANCIAL DATA.--Please ensure that the quantities and values reported
for total shipments in part II equal the quantities and values reported for total net sales in part III of this
questionnaire in each time period unless the financial data from part III are reported on a fiscal year
basis, in which case only the interim periods must reconcile. If the calculated fields below return values
other than zero (i.e., “0”) and both are being reported on a calendar basis, please explain the discrepancy
below.
Full year data
Reconciliation

2015

2016

January-March
2017

2017

2018

Quantity: Trade data from question
II-6 (lines D, F, H, and J) less financial
total net sales quantity data from
question III-9a, = zero ("0").

Value: Trade data from question II-6
(lines E, G, I, and K) less financial
total net sales value data from
question III-9a, = zero ("0").

Do these data in question III-9a reconcile with data in question II-4?
Yes

If no, please explain.

III-15. Other explanations.--If your firm would like to further explain a response to a question in Part III
that did not provide a narrative box, please note the question number and the explanation in
the space provided below. Please also use this space to highlight any issues your firm had in
providing the data in this section, including but not limited to technical issues with the MS Word
questionnaire.

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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - Stainless steel bar (Fourth Review)

Page 30

PART IV.--PRICING AND MARKET FACTORS
Further information on this part of the questionnaire can be obtained from Lauren Gamache (202-2053489, [email protected]).
IV-1.

PRICE DATA
IV-2.

This question requests quarterly quantity and value data for your firm’s commercial shipments
to unrelated U.S. customers of the following products produced by your firm.
Product 1.-- Stainless steel bar, grade AISI 304/304L, 3.000 inch in diameter, annealed, coldfinished, of round shape.
Product 2.-- Stainless steel bar, grade AISI 303, 1.000 inch in diameter, annealed, cold-finished,
of round shape.
Product 3.--Stainless steel bar, grade AISI 303, 2.000 inch in diameter, annealed, cold-finished,
of round shape.
Product 4.--Stainless steel bar, grade AISI 316, 3.000 inch in diameter, annealed, cold-finished,
of round shape.

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).
(a) During January 2015-March 2018, did your firm produce and sell to unrelated U.S.
customers any of the above listed products (or any products that were competitive with
these products)?
Yes.--Please complete the following pricing data table(s) as appropriate.
No.--Skip to question IV-3.

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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - Stainless steel bar (Fourth Review)

Page 31

IV-2(b). Price data.--Report below the quarterly price data1 for pricing products2 produced and sold by
your firm.
Report data in short tons and actual dollars (not 1,000s).
(Quantity in short tons, 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
2018:
January-March
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 IV.
Note.--If your firm’s product does not exactly meet the product specifications but is competitive with the specified product,
provide a description of the 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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Page 32

IV-2 (c). Price data checklist.--Please check that the pricing data in question IV-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-4 in each year?

IV-2(d). 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.

IV-3.

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

IV-4.

Contracts

Set
price
lists

Other

If other, describe

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

Quantity
discounts

Annual
total
volume
discounts

No
discount
policy

Other

Describe

Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - Stainless steel bar (Fourth Review)
IV-5.

Pricing terms.-(a)

What are your firm’s typical sales terms for its U.S.-produced stainless steel bar?
Net 30
days

(b)

Net 60
days

2/10 net
30 days

Other

Other (specify)

On what basis are your firm’s prices of domestic stainless steel bar usually quoted
(check one)?
Delivered

IV-6.

Page 33

F.o.b.

If f.o.b., specify point

Contract versus spot.--Approximately what share of your firm’s sales of its U.S.-produced
stainless steel bar in 2017 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 2017
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. Producers’ Questionnaire - Stainless steel bar (Fourth Review)
IV-7.

Page 34

Contract provisions.--Please fill out the table regarding your firm’s typical sales contracts for
U.S.-produced stainless steel bar (or check “not applicable” if your firm does not sell on a longterm, short-term and/or annual contract basis).

Typical sales
contract provisions

Item

Average contract
duration

No. of
days

Price renegotiation
(during contract
period)

Yes

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

Fixed quantity
and/or price

Price
Both

Indexed to raw
material costs1

Yes

Meet or release
provision

Yes

No
No

Not applicable
1

Please identify the indexes used:

IV-8.

Lead times.--What is the typical lead time between a customer’s order and the date of delivery
for your firm’s sales of its U.S.-produced stainless steel bar?

Source

Lead time
(Average number of
days)

Share of 2017
sales

From inventory

Produced to order

Total (should sum to 100.0%)

0.0 %

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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - Stainless steel bar (Fourth Review)
IV-9.

Page 35

Shipping information.-(a)

What is the approximate percentage of the cost of U.S.-produced stainless steel bar that
is accounted for by U.S. inland transportation costs?
%

(b)

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

(c)

Indicate the approximate percentage of your firm’s sales of stainless steel bar that are
delivered the following distances from your firm’s production facility.
Distance from production facility

Within 100 miles

101 to 1,000 miles

Over 1,000 miles

Total (should sum to 100.0%)

0.0

IV-10. Geographical shipments.--In which U.S. geographic market area(s) has your firm sold its U.S.produced stainless steel bar since January 1, 2012 (check all that apply)?
Geographic area
Northeast.–CT, ME, MA, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, and VT.
Midwest.–IL, IN, IA, KS, MI, MN, MO, NE, ND, OH, SD, and WI.
Southeast.–AL, DE, DC, FL, GA, KY, MD, MS, NC, SC, TN, VA, and WV.
Central Southwest.–AR, LA, OK, and TX.
Mountains.–AZ, CO, ID, MT, NV, NM, UT, and WY.
Pacific Coast.–CA, OR, and WA.
Other.–All other markets in the United States not previously listed,
including AK, HI, PR, and VI.

√ if applicable

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IV-11. End uses.-(a)

List the end uses of the stainless steel bar that your firm manufactures. For each enduse product, what percentage of the total cost is accounted for by stainless steel bar
and other inputs?
Share of total cost of end use product
accounted for by
End use product

(b)

Stainless steel bar

Other inputs

Total
(should sum to
100.0% across)

0.0 %

Have there been any changes in the end uses of stainless steel bar since January 1,
2012? Do you anticipate any future changes?

Changes in end
uses

Yes

Explain

Changes since
January 1, 2012
Anticipated
changes
IV-12. Substitutes.-(a)

Can other products be substituted for stainless steel bar?
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 stainless steel bar?
No Yes

Explanation

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Page 37

IV-12. Substitutes.-- Continued
(b)

Have there been any changes in the number or types of products that can be
substituted for stainless steel bar since January 1, 2012? Do you anticipate any future
changes?
Changes in
substitutes

No Yes

Explain

Changes since
January 1, 2012
Anticipated
changes
IV-13. Availability of supply.--Has the availability of stainless steel bar in the U.S. market changed since
January 1, 2012? Do you anticipate any future changes?
Availability in the U.S.
market

Please explain, noting the countries and reasons for the
No Yes changes.

Changes since January 1, 2012:
U.S.-produced product
Imports from Brazil,
India, Japan, and/or
Spain
Imports from all other
countries
Anticipated changes:
U.S.-produced product
Imports from Brazil,
India, Japan, and/or
Spain
Imports from all other
countries

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Page 38

IV-14. Demand trends.-- Indicate how demand within the United States and outside of the United
States (if known) for stainless steel bar has changed since January 1, 2012, and how you
anticipate demand will change in the future. Explain any trends and describe the principal
factors that have affected, and that you anticipate will affect, these changes in demand.

Market

Fluctuate
with no
clear
Overall
No
Overall
increase change decrease
trend

Explanation and factors

Demand since January 1, 2012
Within the United States
Outside the United States
Anticipated future demand
Within the United States
Outside the United States
IV-15. Product changes.--Have there been any significant changes in the product range, product mix,
or marketing of stainless steel bar since January 1, 2012? Do you anticipate any future changes?
Changes in
product range,
product mix, or
marketing
No Yes
Changes since
January 1, 2012
Anticipated
changes

Explain

Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - Stainless steel bar (Fourth Review)
IV-16.

Page 39

Conditions of competition.-(a) Is the stainless steel bar market subject to business cycles (other than general economywide conditions) and/or other conditions of competition distinctive to stainless steel bar?
Check all that apply.

Please describe.

Skip to question IV-17.

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
stainless steel bar since January 1, 2012?
No

Yes

If yes, describe.

IV-17. Supply constraints.--Has your firm refused, declined, or been unable to supply stainless steel
bar since January 1, 2012 (examples include placing customers on allocation or “controlled order
entry,” declining to accept new customers or renew existing customers, delivering less than the
quantity promised, being unable to meet timely shipment commitments, etc.)?
No

Yes

If yes, please describe.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - Stainless steel bar (Fourth Review)

Page 40

IV-18. Raw materials.--Indicate how stainless steel bar raw material prices have changed since January
1, 2012, and how you expect they will change in the future.

Raw
materials
prices

Fluctuate
Explain, noting how raw material
with no
price changes have affected your
clear
firm’s selling prices for stainless steel
Overall
No
Overall
increase change decrease trend
bar.

Changes since
January 1,
2012
Anticipated
changes
III-19. Surcharges.-(a)

Does your firm employ a surcharge for any of the following inputs (check all that apply)?
If yes, please describe the
surcharge formula applied for
each input and whether the
formula has changed since 2012.
Input

Yes

Spot sales

Contract

Chrome
Copper
Iron
Molybdenum
Nickel
Energy (natural gas and /or electricity)
Fuel (for transport)
Other (describe:
(b)

)

How frequently does your firm change or adjust its surcharges for stainless steel bar?
Daily

Weekly

Monthly

Quarterly

Annually

Other

If other, specify

Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - Stainless steel bar (Fourth Review)

Page 41

IV-20. Base price.—
(a)

How does your firm determine its base price for stainless steel bar?

(b)

Does your base price include any raw material costs that are not included in your
surcharges?

(c)

Yes

If yes, please identify the raw material(s) and explain how raw
material price changes have affected your firm’s base price for
stainless steel bar

How frequently does your firm change or adjust its base price for stainless steel bar?
Daily

Weekly

Monthly

Quarterly

Annually

Other

If other, specify

IV-21. Price comparisons.--Please compare market prices of stainless steel bar in U.S. and non-U.S.
markets, if known. Provide specific information as to time periods and regions for any price
comparisons.

IV-22. Market studies.--Please provide as a separate attachment to this request any studies, surveys,
etc. that you are aware of that quantify and/or otherwise discuss stainless steel bar supply
(including production capacity and capacity utilization) and demand in (1) the United States, (2)
each of the other major producing/consuming countries, including Brazil, India, Japan, and
Spain, and (3) the world as a whole. Of particular interest is such data from 2012 to the present
and forecasts for the future.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - Stainless steel bar (Fourth Review)

Page 42

IV-23. Export constraints.--Describe how easily your firm can shift its sales of stainless steel bar
between the U.S. market and alternative country markets. In your discussion, please describe
any contracts, other sales arrangements, or other constraints that would prevent or retard your
firm from shifting stainless steel bar between the U.S. and alternative country markets within a
12-month period.

IV-24. Barriers to trade.--Are your firm’s exports of stainless steel bar subject to any tariff or non-tariff
barriers to trade in other countries?

Yes

If yes, please list the countries and describe any such barriers and any
significant changes in such barriers that have occurred since January 1,
2012, or that are expected to occur in the future.

IV-25. Effect of 232 investigation of steel on conditions of competition.-(a) Are you familiar with the 232 investigation or the imposition of tariffs on imported steel
products?
No (skip to IV-26)

Yes (complete part b)

(b) Did the announcement of the 232 investigation in April 2017 or the imposition of tariffs on
imported steel products in March 2018 impact on the conditions of competition for stainless
steel bar?
No
Announcement of the 232 investigation in
April 2017
Imposition of tariffs on imported steel
products in March 2018

Yes If yes, describe.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - Stainless steel bar (Fourth Review)

Page 43

IV-26. Interchangeability.--Is stainless steel bar 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

Brazil

India

Japan

Spain

Other
countries

United States
Brazil
India
Japan
Spain
For any country-pair producing stainless steel bar that is sometimes or never interchangeable, identify
the country-pair and explain the factors that limit or preclude interchangeable use:

Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - Stainless steel bar (Fourth Review)

Page 44

IV-27. Factors other than price.--Are differences other than price (e.g., quality, availability,
transportation network, product range, technical support, etc.) between stainless steel bar
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

Brazil

India

Japan

Spain

Other
countries

United States
Brazil
India
Japan
Spain
For any country-pair for which factors other than price always or frequently are a significant factor in
your firm’s sales of stainless steel bar, identify the country-pair and report the advantages or
disadvantages imparted by such factors:

IV-28. Other explanations.-(a) If your firm would like to further explain a response to any question that did not provide a
narrative response box, please note the question number and the explanation in the space
provided below.

(b) If your firm’s responses are substantially different for a subset of years since January 2012,
please describe below.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - Stainless steel bar (Fourth Review)

Page 45

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/701731/2017/stainless_steel_bar_brazil_india_ja
pan_and_spain/fourth_review_full.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: SSBAR

• 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 does not produce 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.

File Type	application/pdf
File Title	US Producer questionnaire - sunst
Author	Duncan, Russell
File Modified	2018-04-03
File Created	2018-04-03