18-2-3925 US importers' questionnaire

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

US importers--Plastic decorative ribbon (F)

Plastic decorative ribbon from China (Inv. Nos. 701-TA-592 and 731-TA-1400)

OMB: 3117-0016

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OMB No. 3117-0016/USITC No. 18-2-3925; Expiration Date: 6/30/2020
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U.S. IMPORTERS’ QUESTIONNAIRE
PLASTIC DECORATIVE RIBBON FROM CHINA
This questionnaire must be received by the Commission by October 1, 2018
See last page for filing instructions.
The information called for in this questionnaire is for use by the United States International Trade Commission in
connection with its countervailing duty and antidumping investigations concerning plastic decorative ribbon from China
(Inv. Nos. 701-TA-592 and 731-TA-1400 (Final)). The information requested in the questionnaire is requested under the
authority of the Tariff Act of 1930, title VII. This report is mandatory and failure to reply as directed can result in a
subpoena or other order to compel the submission of records or information in your firm’s possession (19 U.S.C. §
1333(a)).

Name of firm
Address
City

State

Zip Code

Website
Has your firm imported plastic decorative ribbon (as defined on next page) from any country at any time since
January 1, 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: DECO)
CERTIFICATION
I certify that the information herein supplied in response to this questionnaire is complete and correct to the best of my
knowledge and belief and understand that the information submitted is subject to audit and verification by the Commission. By
means of this certification I also grant consent for the Commission, and its employees and contract personnel, to use the
information provided in this questionnaire and throughout this proceeding in any other import-injury proceedings conducted by
the Commission on the same or similar merchandise.
I, the undersigned, acknowledge that information submitted in response to this request for information and throughout this
proceeding or other proceedings may be disclosed to and used: (i) by the Commission, its employees and Offices, and contract
personnel (a) for developing or maintaining the records of this or a related proceeding, or (b) in internal investigations, audits,
reviews, and evaluations relating to the programs, personnel, and operations of the Commission including under 5 U.S.C.
Appendix 3; or (ii) by U.S. government employees and contract personnel, solely for cybersecurity purposes. I understand that all
contract personnel will sign appropriate nondisclosure agreements.
Name of Authorized Official

Title of Authorized Official

Date

Phone:
Signature

Email address

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Plastic Decorative Ribbon (Final)

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PART I.—GENERAL INFORMATION
Background.--This proceeding was instituted in response to a petition filed on December 27, 2017, by
Berwick Offray, LLC, Berwick, Pennsylvania. Countervailing and/or antidumping duties may be assessed
on the subject imports as a result of these proceedings if the Commission makes an affirmative
determination of injury, threat, or material retardation, and if the U.S. Department of Commerce
(“Commerce”) makes an affirmative determination of subsidization and/or dumping. Questionnaires
and other information pertinent to this proceeding are available at
https://usitc.gov/investigations/701731/2018/plastic_decorative_ribbon_china/final.htm.
Plastic decorative ribbon covered in these investigations are certain plastic decorative ribbon having a
width (measured at the narrowest span of the ribbon) of less than or equal to four (4) inches in actual
measurement, including but not limited to ribbon wound onto itself; a spool, a core or a tube (with or
without flanges); attached to a card or strip; wound into a keg- or egg-shaped configuration; made into
bows, bow-like items, or other shapes or configurations; and whether or not packaged or labeled for
retail sale. The subject merchandise is typically made of substrates of polypropylene, but may be made
in whole or in part of any type of plastic, including without limitation, plastic derived from petroleum
products and plastic derived from cellulose products. Unless the context otherwise clearly indicates, the
word “ribbon” used in the singular includes the plural and the plural “ribbons” includes the singular.
The subject merchandise includes ribbons comprised of one or more layers of substrates made, in whole
or in part, of plastics adhered to each other, regardless of the method used to adhere the layers
together, including without limitation, ribbons comprised of layers of substrates adhered to each other
through a lamination process. Subject merchandise also includes ribbons comprised of (a) one or more
layers of substrates made, in whole or in part, of plastics adhered to (b) one or more layers of substrates
made, in whole or in part, of non-plastic materials, including, without limitation, substrates made, in
whole or in part, of fabric.
The ribbons subject to these investigations may be of any color or combination of colors (including
without limitation, ribbons that are transparent, translucent or opaque) and may or may not bear words
or images, including without limitation, those of a holiday motif. The subject merchandise includes
ribbons with embellishments and/or treatments, including, without limitation, ribbons that are printed,
hot-stamped, coated, laminated, flocked, crimped, die-cut, embossed (or that otherwise have impressed
designs, images, words or patterns), and ribbons with holographic, metallic, glitter or iridescent finishes.
Subject merchandise includes “pull-bows” an assemblage of ribbons connected to one another, folded
flat, and equipped with a means to form such ribbons into the shape of a bow by pulling on a length of
material affixed to such assemblage, and “pre-notched” bows, an assemblage of notched ribbon loops
arranged one inside the other with the notches in alignment and affixed to each other where notched,
and which the end user forms into a bow by separating and spreading the loops circularly around the
notches, which form the center of the bow. Subject merchandise includes ribbons that are packaged
with non-subject merchandise, including ensembles that include ribbons and other products, such as gift
wrap, gift bags, gift tags and/or other gift packaging products. The ribbons are covered by the scope of
these investigations; the “other products” (i.e., the other, non-subject merchandise included in the
ensemble) are not covered by the scope of these investigations.
Excluded from the scope of these investigations are the following: (1) ribbons formed exclusively by
weaving plastic threads together; (2) ribbons that have metal wire in, on, or along the entirety of each of
the longitudinal edges of the ribbon; (3) ribbons with an adhesive coating covering the entire span
between the longitudinal edges of the ribbon for the entire length of the ribbon; (4) ribbon formed into

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a bow without a tab or other means for attaching the bow to an object using adhesives, where the bow
has: (a) an outer layer that is either flocked or made of fabric, and (b) a flexible metal wire at the base
which permits attachment to an object by twist-tying; (5) elastic ribbons, meaning ribbons that elongate
when stretched and return to their original dimension when the stretching load is removed; (6) ribbons
affixed as a decorative detail to non-subject merchandise, such as a gift bag, gift box, gift tin, greeting
card or plush toy, or affixed (including by tying) as a decorative detail to packaging containing nonsubject merchandise; (7) ribbons that are (a) affixed to non-subject merchandise as a working
component of such non-subject merchandise, such as where the ribbon comprises a book marker, bag
cinch, or part of an identity card holder, or (b) affixed (including by tying) to non-subject merchandise as
a working component that holds or packages such non-subject merchandise or attaches packaging or
labeling to such non-subject merchandise, such as a “belly band” around a pair of pajamas, a pair of
socks or a blanket; (8) imitation raffia made of plastics having a thickness not more than one (1) mil
when measured in an unfolded/untwisted state; and (9) ribbons in the form of bows having a diameter
of less than seven-eighths (7/8) of an inch, or having a diameter of more than 16 inches, based on actual
measurement. For purposes of this exclusion, the diameter of a bow is equal to the diameter of the
smallest circular ring through which the bow will pass without compressing the bow.
The scope of these investigations is not intended to include shredded plastic film or shredded plastic
strip, in each case where the shred does not exceed 5 mm in width and does not exceed 18 inches in
length, imported in bags, typically labeled as artificial Easter grass or as decorative packaging shred.
Further, excluded from the scope of the antidumping duty investigation are any products covered by the
existing antidumping duty order on polyethylene terephthalate film, sheet, and strip (PET Film) from the
People's Republic of China (China). See Polyethylene Terephthalate Film, Sheet, and Strip from Brazil, the
People's Republic of China and the United Arab Emirates: Antidumping Duty Orders and Amended Final
Determination of Sales at Less Than Fair Value for the United Arab Emirates, 73 FR 66595 (November 10,
2008).
Merchandise covered by these investigations are currently classified in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule
of the United States (HTSUS) under subheadings 3920.20.0015 and 3926.40.0010. Merchandise covered
by these investigations also may enter under subheadings 3920.10.0000; 3920.20.0055; 3920.30.0000;
3920.43.5000; 3920.49.0000; 3920.62.0050; 3920.62.0090; 3920.69.0000; 3921.90.1100; 3921.90.1500;
3921.90.1910; 3921.90.1950; 3921.90.4010; 3921.90.4090; 3926.90.9996; 5404.90.0000; 9505.90.4000;
4601.99.9000; 4602.90.0000; 5609.00.3000; 5609.00.4000; and 6307.90.9889. These HTSUS
subheadings are provided for convenience and customs purposes; the written description of the scope
of these investigations is dispositive.
Importer.--Any person or firm engaged, either directly or through a parent company or subsidiary, in
importing plastic decorative ribbon (as defined above) into the United States from a foreign
manufacturer or through its selling agent.
Reporting of information.--If information is not readily available from your records, provide carefully
prepared estimates. If your firm is completing more than one questionnaire (i.e., a producer, importer,
and/or purchaser questionnaire), you need not respond to duplicated questions.
Confidentiality.--The commercial and financial data furnished in response to this questionnaire that
reveal the individual operations of your firm will be treated as confidential by the Commission to the
extent that such data are not otherwise available to the public and will not be disclosed except as may
be required by law (see 19 U.S.C. § 1677f). Such confidential information will not be published in a
manner that will reveal the individual operations of your firm; however, general characterizations of

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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 Calvin
Chang (202-205-3062), [email protected]).
I-1.

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

Dollars

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

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Plastic Decorative Ribbon (Final)
I-2.

Page 5

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

I-3.

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

Firm name

I-4.

Yes--List the following information

Address

Extent of
ownership
(percent)

Related importers/exporters.--Does your firm have any related firms, either domestic or
foreign, that are engaged in importing plastic decorative ribbon from China into the United
States or that are engaged in exporting plastic decorative ribbon from China to the United
States?
No
Firm name

Yes--List the following information.
Country

Affiliation

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Plastic Decorative Ribbon (Final)
I-5.

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

Yes--List the following information.

Firm name

I-6.

Country

Affiliation

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

I-7.

Page 6

Takes title to the
imported product(s)

Consignee of the
imported products(s)

Customs broker or
freight forwarder

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

Firm name

Address

Contact person
and phone
number

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

Page 7

FTZ, TIB, or bonded warehouses.--Please indicate whether your firm enters plastic decorative
ribbon into, or withdraws such merchandise from, foreign trade zones or bonded warehouses.
Also indicate whether your firm imports plastic decorative ribbon under the TIB (temporary
importation under bond) program.
“Foreign trade zone” is a designated location in the United States where firms utilize special
procedures that allow delayed or reduced customs duty payments on foreign merchandise, as
well as other savings. A foreign trade zone must be designed as such pursuant to the rules and
procedures set forth in the Foreign-Trade Zones Act.
“Bonded warehouse” is a secured facility supervised by U.S. customs, where dutiable landed
imports are stored pending their re-export, or release after payment of import duties, taxes, and
other charges. A bonded warehouse must be designed as such pursuant to the rules and
procedures set forth in 19 U.S.C. § 1555.
“Temporary Importation under Bond (“TIB”) program” is a procedure whereby imported
merchandise may be entered under certain conditions for a limited time into the United States
free of duty. Under the program, an importer posts a bond for twice the amount of duty, taxes,
etc. that would otherwise be owed on the importation and agrees to export or destroy the
merchandise within a specified time or pay liquidated damages. This program is restricted to
certain categories of merchandise listed in subheadings 9813.00.05 through 9813.00.75 of the
Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTS).
Item

No

Yes

Foreign trade zones
Bonded warehouses
Temporary importation under bond

I-9.

Other trade actions.--To your knowledge, have the products subject to this proceeding been the
subject of any other import relief proceedings in the United States or in any other countries?
No

Yes–Please specify.

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PART II.--TRADE AND RELATED INFORMATION
Further information on this part of the questionnaire can be obtained from Calvin Chang (202-205-3062,
[email protected]). Supply all data requested on a calendar-year basis.
II-1.

Contact information.--Please identify the responsible individual and the manner by which
Commission staff may contact that individual regarding the confidential information submitted
in part II.
Name
Title
Email
Telephone

II-2.

Changes in operations.--Please indicate whether your firm has experienced any of the following
changes in relation to the importation of plastic decorative ribbon since January 1, 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 – Plastic Decorative Ribbon (Final)
II-3a.

Page 9

Arranged imports.--Has your firm imported or arranged for the importation of plastic decorative
ribbon for delivery after June 30, 2018?
“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

If yes, fill out the table below.

Quantity (in pounds)
Period/Source

Jul-Sept 2018

Oct-Dec 2018

Jan-Mar 2019

Apr-Jun 2019

China
Other sources
II-3b.

Imports in the 12-month period preceding the petition.--Has your firm imported plastic
decorative ribbon from any source between December 1, 2016 and November 31, 2017? (i.e.,
the last month in 2016 and first 11 months in 2017 combined)
No

Yes

If yes, report the quantity of such import below by source.

Quantity (in pounds)
Source

December 2016 through November 2017

China
Other sources
II-4.

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

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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).
“Non-retail level commercial U.S. shipments” –Shipments made within the United States as a
result of an arm’s length commercial transaction in the ordinary course of business. Report net
values (i.e., gross sales values less all discounts, allowances, rebates, prepaid freight, and the
value of returned goods) in U.S. dollars, f.o.b. your point of shipment. For the purposes of this
questionnaire, non-retail commercial U.S. shipments should include sales to distributors, sales
to retailers, and sales to end users, but should not include sales made at the retail level of trade
to individual customers (including to other businesses).
“Retail level commercial U.S. shipments” –Shipments made within the United States as a result
of an arm’s length commercial transaction in the ordinary course of business. Report net values
(i.e., gross sales values less all discounts, allowances, rebates, prepaid freight, and the value of
returned goods) in U.S. dollars, f.o.b. your point of shipment. For the purposes of this
questionnaire, retail commercial U.S. shipments should only include sales at the retail level of
trade to individual customers (including to other businesses) whether made through an online
transaction or at a bricks and mortar retail location.
“Internal consumption” --Product consumed internally by your firm. Such transactions should
be 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 – Plastic Decorative Ribbon (Final)
II-5a.

Page 11

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

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

2015

2016

January-June
2017

2017

2018

Beginning-of-period inventories
Quantity (A)
Value (B)
Imports:1
Quantity (C)
Value (D)
U.S. shipments:
Non-retail level commercial
shipments:
Quantity (E)
Value (F)
Retail level commercial
shipments:
Quantity (G)
Value (H)
Internal consumption:2
Quantity (I)
Value2 (J)
Transfers to related firms:2
Quantity (K)
Value2 (L)
Export shipments:3
Quantity (M)
Value (N)
End-of-period inventories
Quantity (O)
Value (P)
Please identify the foreign producers, if known:
.
Internal consumption and transfers to related firms must be valued at fair market value. If your firm uses a different
basis for valuing these transactions in your records, please specify that basis (e.g., cost, cost plus, etc.):
. However,
the data provide above in this table should be based on fair market value.
3
Identify your firm’s principal export markets:
.
1
2

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II-5a.

Page 12

U.S. imports from China.–Continued

RECONCILIATION OF SHIPMENTS, IMPORTS, AND INVENTORIES.--Generally, the quantity data reported
for the end-of-period inventories (i.e., line O) should be equal to the beginning-of-period inventories
(i.e., line A), plus imports (i.e., line C), less total shipments (i.e., lines E, G, I, K, and M). 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

Quantity: A + C – E – G – I – K – M – O =
should equal zero ("0") or provide an
explanation.1
1

2016

0

January-June
2017

0

2017

0

2018

0

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

II-5b.

Change in average unit value.--Do the average unit values of your firm’s U.S. shipments
reported in question II-5a change noticeably (more than 10 percent up or down) over the period
of investigation?

No

Yes

If yes—Please explain why, with some specificity, the average unit values
have changed noticeability over the period (e.g., if product mix changed,
please explain the changes and their impact on prices).

0

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

Page 13

Channels of distribution (China).--Report your firm’s non-retail level commercial U.S. shipments
of plastic decorative ribbon imported from China by channel of distribution.

CHINA
Quantity (in pounds); Value (in $1,000)
Calendar years
Item

2015

2016

January-June
2017

2017

2018

Channels of distribution:
Non-retail level commercial U.S.
shipments:
to Retailers:
Quantity (Q)
Value (R)
to Distributors:
Quantity (S)
Value (T)
to End users:
Quantity (U)
Value (V)
RECONCILIATION OF CHANNELS.--Please ensure that the quantities and values reported for channels of distribution
(i.e., lines Q through V) in each time period equal the quantity and value reported for non-retail level commercial
U.S. shipments (i.e., lines E and 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

2015

2016

January-June
2017

2017

2018

Quantity: Q + S + U – E = zero ("0"), if
not revise.

0

0

0

0

0

Value: R + T + V – F = zero ("0"), if not
revise.

0

0

0

0

0

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Plastic Decorative Ribbon (Final)
II-5d.

Page 14

U.S. shipments of ribbon in bow form/not in bow form (China).--Report your firm’s U.S.
shipments (i.e., inclusive of non-retail commercial U.S. shipments, retail commercial shipments,
internal consumption, and transfers to related firms) of plastic decorative ribbon imported from
China in bow form and not in bow form.

CHINA
Quantity (pounds); Value (in $1,000)
Calendar years
Item

2015

January-June

2016

2017

2017

2018

U.S. shipments.—
In bow form1
Quantity (W)
Value (X)
In spool form2
Quantity (Y)
Value (Z)
In all other forms3
Quantity (AA)
Value (AB)
Please describe the two largest volume products sold in bow form by your firm:
.
Please describe the two largest volume products sold in spool form by your firm:
.
3
Please describe the two largest volume products sold in all other forms by your firm:
1
2

.

RECONCILIATION OF SHIPMENTS BY FORM.--Please ensure that the quantities and values
reported for channels of distribution (i.e., lines W through AA) in each time period equal the
quantity and value reported for U.S. shipments (i.e., lines E through L) 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 year
Reconciliation

2015

2016

January-June
2017

2017

2018

Quantity: W + Y + AA– E – G
– I – K = zero ("0"), if not
revise

0

0

0

0

0

Value: X + Z +AB – F – H – J –
L = zero ("0"), if not revise

0

0

0

0

0

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Plastic Decorative Ribbon (Final)
II-5e.

Page 15

Seasonality in U.S. shipments (China).--Report your firm’s U.S. shipments (i.e., inclusive of nonretail commercial U.S. shipments, retail commercial shipments, internal consumption, and
transfers to related firms) of plastic decorative ribbon imported from China by month.

CHINA
2017
Month

2018

2017

Quantity (in pounds)

2018

Value (in $1,000)

January (AC)
February (AD)
March (AE)
April (AF)
May (AG)
June (AH)
July (AI)
August (AJ)
September (AK)
October (AL)
November (AM)
December (AN)

Calendar year
Item

January-June

2017

Sum of data by month
Quantity (AO)
Value (AP)

2017

2018

0

0

0

0

0

0

RECONCILIATION OF MONTHLY SHIPMENTS.--Please ensure that the quantity and value reported for
monthly U.S. shipments (i.e., lines AC through AN, summed in line AP for value and line AO for quantity)
in each time period equal the quantity value reported for U.S. shipments (i.e., lines E through L). 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
Reconciliation

January-June

2017

2017

2018

Quantity: AO – E – G – I – K = zero
("0"), if not revise.

0

0

0

Value: AP – F – H – J – L = zero ("0"),
if not revise.

0

0

0

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Plastic Decorative Ribbon (Final)
II-6a.

Page 16

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

ALL OTHER SOURCES
(list sources:

)
Quantity (in pounds), value (in $1,000)
Calendar years

Item

2015

2016

January-June
2017

2017

2018

Beginning-of-period inventories
Quantity (A)
Value (B)
Imports:1
Quantity (C)
Value (D)
U.S. shipments:
Non-retail level commercial
shipments:
Quantity (E)
Value (F)
Retail level commercial
shipments:
Quantity (G)
Value (H)
Internal consumption:2
Quantity (I)
Value2 (J)
Transfers to related firms:2
Quantity (K)
Value2 (L)
Export shipments:3
Quantity (M)
Value (N)
End-of-period inventories
Quantity (O)
Value (P)
Please identify the foreign producers, if known:
.
Internal consumption and transfers to related firms must be valued at fair market value. If your firm uses a different
basis for valuing these transactions in your records, please specify that basis (e.g., cost, cost plus, etc.):
. However,
the data provide above in this table should be based on fair market value.
3
Identify your firm’s principal export markets:
.
1
2

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Plastic Decorative Ribbon (Final)
II-6a.

Page 17

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

RECONCILIATION OF SHIPMENTS, IMPORTS, AND INVENTORIES.--Generally, the quantity data reported
for the end-of-period inventories (i.e., line O) should be equal to the beginning-of-period inventories
(i.e., line A), plus imports (i.e., line C), less total shipments (i.e., lines E, G, I, K, and M). 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

Quantity: A + C – E – G – I – K – M – O =
should equal zero ("0") or provide an
explanation.1
1

2016

0

January-June
2017

0

2017

0

2018

0

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

II-6b.

Change in average unit value.—Do the average unit values of your firm’s U.S. shipments
reported in question II-5a change noticeably (more than 10 percent up or down) over the period
of investigation?

No

Yes

If yes—Please explain why, with some specificity, the average unit values
have changed noticeability over the period (e.g., if product mix changed,
please explain the changes and their impact on prices).

0

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Plastic Decorative Ribbon (Final)
II-6c.

Page 18

Channels of distribution (all other sources).--Report your firm’s commercial U.S. shipments of
plastic decorative ribbon imported from all other sources by channel of distribution.

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

2015

2016

January-June
2017

2017

2018

Channels of distribution:
Non-retail level commercial U.S.
shipments:
to Retailers:
Quantity (Q)
Value (R)
to Distributors:
Quantity (S)
Value (T)
to End users:
Quantity (U)
Value (V)
RECONCILIATION OF CHANNELS.--Please ensure that the quantities and values reported for channels of distribution
(i.e., lines Q through V) in each time period equal the quantity and value reported for non-retail level commercial
U.S. shipments (i.e., lines E and 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

2015

2016

January-June
2017

2017

2018

Quantity: Q + S + U – E = zero ("0"), if
not revise.

0

0

0

0

0

Value: R + T + V – F = zero ("0"), if not
revise.

0

0

0

0

0

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Plastic Decorative Ribbon (Final)
II-6d.

Page 19

U.S. shipments of ribbon in bow form/not in bow form (all other sources).--Report your firm’s
U.S. shipments (i.e., inclusive of non-retail commercial U.S. shipments, retail commercial
shipments, internal consumption, and transfers to related firms) of plastic decorative ribbon
imported from all other sources in bow form and not in bow form.

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

2015

January-June

2016

2017

2017

2018

U.S. shipments.—
In bow form1
Quantity (W)
Value (X)
In spool form2
Quantity (Y)
Value (Z)
In all other forms3
Quantity (AA)
Value (AB)
Please describe the two largest volume products sold in bow form by your firm:
.
Please describe the two largest volume products sold in spool form by your firm:
.
3
Please describe the two largest volume products sold in all other forms by your firm:
1
2

.

RECONCILIATION OF SHIPMENTS BY FORM.--Please ensure that the quantities and values
reported for channels of distribution (i.e., lines W through AB) in each time period equal the
quantity and value reported for U.S. shipments (i.e., lines E through L) 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 year
Reconciliation

2015

2016

January-June
2017

2017

2018

Quantity: W + Y + AA– E – G
– I – K = zero ("0"), if not
revise

0

0

0

0

0

Value: X + Z + AB – F – H – J
– L = zero ("0"), if not revise

0

0

0

0

0

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Plastic Decorative Ribbon (Final)
II-6e.

Page 20

Seasonality in U.S. shipments (all other sources).--Report your firm’s U.S. shipments (i.e.,
inclusive of non-retail commercial U.S. shipments, retail commercial shipments, internal
consumption, and transfers to related firms) of plastic decorative ribbon imported from all other
sources by month.

ALL OTHER SOURCES
2017
Month

2018

2017

Quantity (in pounds)

2018

Value (in $1,000)

January (AC)
February (AD)
March (AE)
April (AF)
May (AG)
June (AH)
July (AI)
August (AJ)
September (AK)
October (AL)
November (AM)
December (AN)

Calendar year
Item

January-June

2017

Sum of data by month
Quantity (AO)
Value (AP)

2017

2018

0

0

0

0

0

0

RECONCILIATION OF MONTHLY SHIPMENTS.--Please ensure that the quantity and value reported for
monthly U.S. shipments (i.e., lines AC through AN, summed in line AP for value and line AO for quantity)
in each time period equal the quantity value reported for U.S. shipments (i.e., lines E through L). 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
Reconciliation

January-June

2017

2017

2018

Quantity: AO – E – G – I – K = zero
("0"), if not revise.

0

0

0

Value: AP – F – H – J – L = zero ("0"),
if not revise.

0

0

0

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Plastic Decorative Ribbon (Final)
II-7.

Page 21

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

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

Page 22

PART III.--PRICING AND MARKET FACTORS
Further information on this part of the questionnaire can be obtained from Jonathan Ruder (202-2053435, [email protected]).
III-1.

Contact information.--Please identify the responsible individual and the manner by which
Commission staff may contact that individual regarding the confidential information submitted
in part III.
Name
Title
Email
Telephone

PRICE DATA
III-2.

This question requests quarterly quantity and value data for your firm’s commercial shipments
to unrelated U.S. customers since January 1, 2015 of the following products your firm imported
from China:
Product 1.--100-yard Curl ribbon (non-laminated): Extruded plastic curl ribbon, not laminated,
having a width of not less than 11/64" and not more than 13/64", having a nominal
length of 100 yards in a single ribbon end, on a single spool intended for individual retail
sale.
Product 2.--12-18 count bow bags, where (i) a majority of the bows in the bag have a diameter
of not less than 2 1/2" and not more than 5"; and (ii) a majority of the bows in the bag
are made of ribbon having a width of not less than 1/2" and not more than 3/4".
Product 3.--Ribbon "Eggs" (or "Kegs") in multi-packs of 4-10 Eggs: Extruded plastic ribbon having
a width of not less than 11/64" and not more than 13/64", rolled onto itself, without a
spool or flange, into an "egg-shaped" (also known as a "keg-shaped") configuration,
intended for retail sale in "multi-packs" of four to ten ribbon eggs (or kegs) per package.

Please note that values should be f.o.b., U.S. point of shipment and should not include U.S.-inland
transportation costs. Values should reflect the final net amount paid to your firm (i.e., should be net
of all deductions for discounts or rebates).
During January 2015-June 2018, did your firm import from China and sell to unrelated nonretail
U.S. customers any of the above listed products (or any products that were competitive with
these products)?
Yes.--Please complete the following pricing data table as appropriate.
No.--Skip to question III-3.

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

Page 23

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

China

Report data in pounds or units as specified in the table and actual dollars (not 1,000s).
Product 1
Quantity:
Weight (pounds)
Value (dollars)

Product 2
Quantity:
Units (bags)
Value (dollars)

Product 3
Quantity:
Units (eggs)
Value (dollars)

Period of shipment
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
April-June
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:

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

Page 24

III-2 (b). Price data checklist.--Please check that the pricing data in question III-2(a) has been correctly
reported.
Is the price data reported above:

√ if Yes

In actual dollars (not $1,000)
F.o.b. U.S. point of shipment (i.e., does not include U.S. transport costs)?
Net of all discounts and rebates?
Have returns credited to the quarter in which the sale occurred?
Less than reported commercial shipments in question II-5 in each year?
III-2(c). Pricing data methodology.--Please describe the method and the kinds of documents/records
that were used to compile your price data.

Note: As requested in Part I of this questionnaire, please keep all supporting documents/records used in
the preparation of the price data, as Commission staff may contact your firm regarding questions on the
price data. The Commission may also request that your company submit copies of the supporting
documents/records (such as sales journal, invoices, etc.) used to compile these data.

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

Page 25

III-3a. Imports for retail sale/own use.--Did your firm import plastic decorative ribbon for sales in your
firm’s retail locations or for your firm's own internal use any time since January 1, 2015?
Yes.--Please complete the following table as appropriate.
No.--Skip to question III-4.
Please note that values should be landed, duty-paid (LDP) and should not include U.S.-inland
transportation costs. Values should reflect the final net amount paid by your firm (i.e., should be net
of all returns, discounts, allowances, and rebates).

Business Proprietary
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Page 26

III-3b. Imports for retail/own use.--Report below the import data1 for pricing products2 imported from
China and destined for sale at the retail level or internally consumed.

China
Report data in pounds or units as specified in the table and actual dollars (not 1,000s).
Product 1

Product 2

Product 3

Quantity:
Weight
(pounds)

LDP value
Quantity:
LDP value
Quantity:
LDP value
Period of shipment
(dollars)
Units (bags)
(dollars)
Units (eggs)
(dollars)
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
April-June
1 LDP value (i.e., landed duty-paid values) represents the cost paid to foreign supplier(s) plus any freight and insurance costs paid for
international transportation as well as all Customs duties and fees. LDP value represents the f.o.b. value of your firm’s imports at the U.S. port
of entry after clearing Customs. Please note that values should be landed, duty-paid (LDP) and should not include U.S.-inland transportation
costs. Values should reflect the final net amount paid by your firm (i.e., should be net of all returns, discounts, allowances, and rebates).
2 Pricing product definitions are provided on the first page of Part III.
Note.--If your firm’s product does not exactly meet the product specifications but is competitive with the specified product, provide a
description of your firm’s product. Also, please explain any anomalies in your firm’s reported pricing data.
Product 1:
Product 2:
Product 3:

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

Page 27

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

(i) If your firm reported direct import purchase costs (questions III-3b), please identify the factors
that added to your cost of importing directly since January 1, 2015, estimate the share of the
cost of the landed duty paid value, and explain the specific costs associated with each category.

NOTE: Report only costs that are not included in the landed duty paid costs provided
in the table(s) above.

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

Estimated share
of landed dutypaid value
(percent)

Explanation

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

U.S. producers

Both

Neither

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

(B) Please provide the estimated margin saved by having directly imported plastic
decorative ribbon instead of purchasing from a U.S. importer.
percent of landed dutypaid value.
(C) Explain any variation in the margin saved since January 1, 2015.

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

Page 28

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

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

Percent

China

%

III-3d. If your firm is a direct importer for retail sales or your own use please check here
question III-12.
III-4.

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

III-5.

and skip to

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. Importers’ Questionnaire – Plastic Decorative Ribbon (Final)
III-6.

Pricing terms.-(a)

What are your firm’s typical sales terms for plastic decorative ribbon imported from
China?
Net 30
days

(b)

Net 60
days

2/10 net 30
days

Other

Other (specify)

On what basis are your firm’s prices of imported plastic decorative ribbon from China
usually quoted (check one)?
Delivered

III-7.

Page 29

F.o.b.

If f.o.b., specify point

Contract versus spot.--Approximately what share of your firm’s sales of plastic decorative
ribbon imported from China in 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. Importers’ Questionnaire – Plastic Decorative Ribbon (Final)
III-8.

Page 30

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

Typical sales
contract provisions

Item

Average contract
duration

No. of
days

Price renegotiation
(during contract
period)

Yes

Fixed quantity
and/or price
Meet or release
provision

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

Annual contracts
(multiple deliveries
for 12 months)

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

365

No
Quantity
Price
Both
Yes
No

Not applicable
III-9.

Lead times.--What is your firm’s share of sales of plastic decorative ribbon imported from China
from inventory and produced to order and what is the typical lead time between a customer’s
order and the date of delivery for your firm’s sales of plastic decorative ribbon?
Source

Share of 2017
sales

Lead time (Average
number of days)

From your firm’s U.S. inventory

%

From foreign manufacturers’ inventory

%

Produced to order

%

Total (should sum to 100.0%)

0.0 %

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

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III-10. Shipping information.—
(a)

What is the approximate percentage of the cost of plastic decorative ribbon imported
from China that is accounted for by U.S. inland transportation costs?
percent.

(b)

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

(c)

When your firm sells plastic decorative ribbon imported from China, from where is it
shipped?
Point of importation
Storage facility (check one)

(d)

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

Share

Within 100 miles

%

101 to 1,000 miles

%

Over 1,000 miles

%

Total (should sum to 100.0%)

0.0

%

III-11. Geographical shipments.--In which U.S. geographic market area(s) has your firm sold plastic
decorative ribbon imported from subject countries since January 1, 2015 (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.

China

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

End-use product

Total
(should sum to
100.0% across)

Other inputs

%

%

0.0 %

%

%

0.0 %

%

%

0.0 %

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

Substitute

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 plastic decorative
ribbon?
No Yes

Explanation

1.
2.
3.
III-14. Demand trends.--Indicate how demand within the United States and outside of the United
States (if known) for plastic decorative ribbon has changed since January 1, 2015. Explain any
trends and describe the principal factors that have affected these changes in demand.

Market
Within the United States
Outside the United States

Overall
increase

No
Overall Fluctuate with
change decrease no clear trend

Explanation and factors

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

Page 33

III-15. Product changes.--Have there been any significant changes in the product range, product mix or
marketing of plastic decorative ribbon since January 1, 2015?
No

Yes

If yes, please describe.

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

Please describe.

No

Skip to question III-17.

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

percent

Yes-Other distinctive
conditions of competition
(b) If yes, have there been any changes in the business cycles or conditions of competition for
plastic decorative ribbon since January 1, 2015?
No

Yes

If yes, describe.

III-17. Supply constraints.--Has your firm refused, declined, or been unable to supply plastic decorative
ribbon since January 1, 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.

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

Page 34

III-18. Product unavailability in U.S.—Are any of your firm’s imports from China in 2017 (reported II5a) products that are not available from U.S. producers of plastic decorative ribbon?

No

Yes

If yes, please describe these products and estimate the share of your
imports of plastic decorate ribbon, in terms of value, for products that are
unavailable from U.S. producers.

III-19. Online retail sales.--Have online retail sales of plastic decorative ribbon increased in prevalence
since January 1, 2015?

No

Yes

If yes, please describe, including a discussion of the impact of this trend on
your firm’s operations.

III-20. Raw materials.--How have plastic decorative ribbon 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 plastic
decorative ribbon.

III-21. Sales over internet.--Does your firm sell plastic decorative ribbon over the internet?

No

Yes

Share of 2017
sales
(percent)
If yes, please describe trends.

III-22. Competition over internet.—Since January 1, 2015, has competition from internet sales
increased, decreased, or remained constant?

Item
Competition
over internet

Overall
increase

No
change

Fluctuate
Overall
with no
decrease clear trend

Explain impact on your firm's
operations

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

Page 35

III-23. Interchangeability.--Is plastic decorative ribbon produced in the United States and in other
countries interchangeable (i.e., can they physically be used in the same applications)?
Please indicate A, F, S, N, or 0 in the table below:
A = the products from a specified country-pair are always interchangeable
F = the products are frequently interchangeable
S = the products are sometimes interchangeable
N = the products are never interchangeable
0 = no familiarity with products from a specified country-pair
Country-pair

China

Other countries

United States
China
For any country-pair producing plastic decorative ribbon that is sometimes or never
interchangeable, identify the country-pair and explain the factors that limit or preclude
interchangeable use:

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

Page 36

III-24. Factors other than price.--Are differences other than price (e.g., quality, availability,
transportation network, product range, technical support, etc.) between plastic decorative
ribbon produced in the United States and in other countries a significant factor in your firm’s
sales of the products?
Please indicate A, F, S, N, or 0 in the table below:
A = such differences are always significant
F = such differences are frequently significant
S = such differences are sometimes significant
N = such differences are never significant
0 = no familiarity with products from a specified country-pair

Country-pair

China

Other countries

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

Business Proprietary
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Page 37

III-25. Customer identification.--List the names and contact information for your firm’s 10 largest U.S.
customers for plastic decorative ribbon since January 1, 2015. Indicate the share of the quantity
of your firm’s total shipments of plastic decorative ribbon that each of these customers
accounted for in 2017.

Customer’s name

City

State

Share of 2017 sales (%)

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

III-26. 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.

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Plastic Decorative Ribbon (Final)

Page 38

Correcting valid number error messages.--If you are completing a Commission questionnaire

in a country that uses periods (“.”) to delineate multiples of 1000 (e.g., one million would appear as
$1.000.000 instead of as $1,000,000), you may be unable to enter in numbers greater than 999 in
numeric form fields. This issues stem from your computer number formatting setting (e.g., not the MS
Word document itself, but the computer from which you are opening up the document). In the United
States commas (,) delineate multiples of 1000 and periods (.) delineate fractions less than one. Many EU
countries use the reverse where multiples of 1000 are delineated with periods (.) and fractions less than
one are delineated with commas (,). The US International Trade Commission’s questionnaires are set-up
in the United States with the U.S. number formatting. When this formatting interacts with a computer
set to EU number formatting, we believe this may cause this issue.
The solution to this data entry issue is to temporarily change your operating system’s number
formatting to be consistent with the U.S. number formatting system while you complete the
questionnaire.
To temporarily change your computer’s number settings to U.S. settings, please do the following (for
Microsoft Windows Operating system):
•
•
•
•
•

START
Control Panel
Region and Language (under Clock, Language, and Region category)
Format tab
Change the Format from your existing one (e.g. “Italian (Italy)”) to “English (United States)” (see
screen shots below)

When you do this the number “twelve million dollars and thirty five cents” would change from
$12.000.000,35 (Italy format) to $12,000,000.35 (U.S. format), and then there will be no conflict with
the questionnaire. When you finish reporting the data then you can close the questionnaire and switch
back to Italy settings.

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Plastic Decorative Ribbon (Final)

Page 39

HOW TO FILE YOUR QUESTIONNAIRE RESPONSE
This questionnaire is available as a “fillable” form in MS Word format on the
Commission’s website at:
https://usitc.gov/investigations/701731/2018/plastic_decorative_ribbon_china/final.ht
m.
Please do not attempt to modify the format or permissions of the questionnaire
document. Please submit the completed questionnaire using one of the methods noted
below. If your firm is unable to complete the MS Word questionnaire or cannot use one
of the electronic methods of submission, please contact the Commission for further
instructions.
• Upload via Secure Drop Box.—Upload the MS Word questionnaire along with a scanned copy of the
signed certification page (page 1) through the Commission’s secure upload facility:
Web address: https://dropbox.usitc.gov/oinv/

Pin: DECO

• E-mail.—E-mail the MS Word questionnaire to [email protected]; include a scanned copy of
the signed certification page (page 1). Submitters are strongly encouraged to encrypt nonpublic
documents that are electronically transmitted to the Commission to protect your sensitive information
from unauthorized disclosure. The USITC secure drop-box system and the Electronic Document
Information System (EDIS) use Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS) 140-2 cryptographic
algorithms to encrypt data in transit. Submitting your nonpublic documents by a means that does not
use these encryption algorithms (such as by email) may subject your firm’s nonpublic information to
unauthorized disclosure during transmission. If you choose a non-encrypted method of electronic
transmission, the Commission warns you that the risk of such possible unauthorized disclosure is
assumed by you and not by the Commission.
If your firm did not import this product, please fill out page 1, print, sign, and submit a scanned copy to
the Commission.
Parties to this proceeding.—If your firm is a party to this proceeding, it is required to serve a copy of the
completed questionnaire on parties to the proceeding that are subject to administrative protective
order (see 19 CFR § 207.7). A list of such parties may be obtained from the Commission’s Secretary (202205-1803). A certificate of service must accompany the completed questionnaire you submit (see 19 CFR
§ 207.7). Service of the questionnaire must be made in paper form.


File Typeapplication/pdf
File TitleUSITCQUESTIONNAIRE
SubjectTitle 7 investigations
AuthorPreece, Amelia
File Modified2018-08-27
File Created2018-08-27

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