Form 19-1-4005 US producers' questionnaire

OMB No. 3117-0016/USITC No. 19-1-4005; Expiration Date: 6/30/2020

(No response is required if currently valid OMB control number is not displayed)

U.S. PRODUCERS’ QUESTIONNAIRE

STEEL PROPANE CYLINDERS FROM CHINA AND THAILAND

This questionnaire must be received by the Commission by March 25, 2019

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 steel propane cylinders from China and Thailand (Inv. Nos. 701-TA-607 and 731-TA-1417 and 1419 (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 produced steel propane cylinders (as defined on next page) at any time since January 1, 2016?

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: PROP)

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

PART I.—GENERAL INFORMATION

Background.--This proceeding was instituted in response to a petition filed on May 22, 2018, by Worthington Industries, (Columbus, Ohio) and Manchester Tank & Equipment Company, (Franklin, Tennessee). Antidumping and countervailing 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 determinations of dumping and/or subsidization. Questionnaires and other information pertinent to this proceeding are available at https://www.usitc.gov/investigations/701731/2018/steel_propane_cylinders_china_and_thailand/final.htm.

Steel propane cylinders for purposes of these investigations are steel cylinders for compressed or liquefied propane gas meeting the requirements of, or produced to meet the requirements of, U.S. Department of Transportation (“USDOT”) Specifications 4B, 4BA, or 4BW, or Transport Canada Specification 4BM, 4BAM, or 4BWM, or a UN pressure receptacle meeting standard ISO 4706, and range from 2.5 pound nominal gas capacity (approximate 4-6 pound tare weight) to 42 pound nominal gas capacity (approximate 28-32 pound tare weight), with up to 100 pound water capacity (“Steel Propane Cylinders”). Steel Propane Cylinders may be certified to USDOT Specification 4B, 4BA, or 4BW either before or after importation. Steel Propane Cylinders have two or fewer ports and may be imported assembled or unassembled (i.e., welded or brazed before or after importation), with or without out all components (including collars, valves, gauges, tanks, foot rings, and overfill prevention devices), and coated or uncoated.  Also included within the scope are parts of steel propane cylinders, unfinished propane cylinders, collars, and foot rings for steel propane cylinders.

These petitions also cover steel propane cylinders that meet, are produced to meet, or are certified as meeting, other U.S. or Canadian government, international, or industry standards (including, for example, American Society of Mechanical Engineers (“ASME”), or American National Standard Institute (“ANSI”)), if they also meet, are produced to meet, or are certified as meeting USDOT Specification 4B, 4BA, or 4BW, or Transport Canada Specification 4BM, 4BAM, or 4BWM, or a UN pressure receptacle meeting standard ISO 4706.

Subject merchandise also includes steel propane cylinders that have been further processed in a third country, including but not limited to attachment of collars, foot rings, or handles by welding or brazing, heat treatment, painting, testing, certification, or any other processing that would not otherwise remove the merchandise from the scope of the petitions if performed in the country of manufacture of the in-scope Steel Propane Cylinders.

Specifically excluded are seamless steel propane cylinders and propane cylinders made from stainless steel (i.e., steel containing at least 10.5 percent chromium by weight and less than 1.2 percent carbon by weight), aluminum, or composite fiber material. 

The merchandise subject to these investigations is properly classified under statistical reporting numbers 7311.00.0060 and 7311.00.0090 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS).  Although the HTSUS statistical reporting numbers are provided for convenience and customs purposes, the written description of the merchandise 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-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-1a. 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.

I-1b. TAA information release.--In the event that the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) makes an affirmative final determination in this proceeding, do you consent to the USITC's release of your contact information (company name, address, contact person, telephone number, email address) appearing on the front page of this questionnaire to the Departments of Commerce, Labor, and Agriculture, as applicable, so that your firm and its workers can be made eligible for benefits under the Trade Adjustment Assistance program?

Yes No

I-2. 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 steel propane cylinders, 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 Additional discussion on establishments consolidated in this questionnaire:      .

I-3. Petitioner status.--Is your firm the petitioner in this proceeding or a member firm of the petitioning entity?

No	Yes

I-4. Petition support.--Does your firm support or oppose the petition?

Country	Support	Oppose	Take no position
China CVD
China AD
Thailand AD

I-5. Ownership.--Is your firm owned, in whole or in part, by any other firm?

No Yes--List the following information.

Firm name	Address	Extent of ownership (percent)
     	     	     
     	     	     
     	     	     

I-6. Related importers/exporters.--Does your firm have any related firms, either domestic or foreign, that are engaged in importing steel propane cylinders from China and Thailand into the United States or that are engaged in exporting steel propane cylinders from China and Thailand to the United States?

No Yes--List the following information.

Firm name	Country	Affiliation
     	     	     
     	     	     
     	     	     

I-7. Related producers.--Does your firm have any related firms, either domestic or foreign, that are engaged in the production of steel propane cylinders?

No Yes--List the following information.

Firm name	Country	Affiliation
     	     	     
     	     	     
     	     	     
     	     	     
     	     	     
     	     	     

PART II.--TRADE AND RELATED INFORMATION

Further information on this part of the questionnaire can be obtained from Abu Kanu (202-205-2597, [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 production of steel propane cylinders since January 1, 2016.

(check as many as appropriate)		(If checked, please describe; leave blank if not applicable)
	plant openings	     
	plant closings	     
	relocations	     
	expansions	     
	acquisitions	     
	consolidations	     
	prolonged shutdowns or production curtailments	     
	revised labor agreements	     
	other (e.g., technology)	     

II-3a. Production constraints.--Please describe the constraint(s) that set the limit(s) on your firm’s production capacity.

     

II-3b. Product shifting.--

(i) Is your firm able to switch production between steel propane cylinders and other products using the same equipment and/or labor?

No	Yes	If yes—(i.e., have produced other products or are able to produce other products) Please identify other actual or potential products:
		     

(ii) 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. Tolling.--Since January 1, 2016, has your firm been involved in a toll agreement regarding the production of steel propane cylinders?

“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.

No	Yes	If yes-- Please describe the toll arrangement(s) and name the firm(s) involved.
		     

II-5. Foreign trade zones.--

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

“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.

No	Yes	If yes-- Describe the nature of your firms operations in FTZs and identify the specific FTZ site(s).
		     

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

No	Yes	If yes--Identify the firms and the FTZs.
		     

II-6. Importer.--Since January 1, 2016, has your firm imported steel propane cylinders?

“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

II-7. Production, shipment, and inventory data.--Report your firm’s production capacity, production, shipments, and inventories related to the production of steel propane cylinders 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.

“Shipments”--Shipments can include complete steel propane cylinders as well as partially completed steel propane cylinders and parts for such products. See definition on page 2.

“Non-retail commercial U.S. shipments” -- Shipments made within the United States, to be limited to sales of unfilled steel propane cylinders, as a result of an arm’s length commercial transaction in the ordinary course of business other than through own or related firm’s retail establishments.  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.  While non-retail commercial U.S. shipments properly excludes retail-level sales made by your firm or a related firms, non-retail commercial U.S. shipments should include commercial U.S. shipments made to customers that are retailers. 

“Internal consumption / including for own firm’s retail sales” --Product consumed internally by your firm.  Such transactions should be valued at fair market value of the steel propane cylinders that were consumed/used (i.e., not the retail price, not the total value of the downstream products).  Internal consumption should include (1) any steel propane cylinders your firm filled for use within a gas exchange business model, (2) any steel propane cylinders your firm physically installed within a larger set of machinery such as a recreation vehicle, and (3) any steel propane cylinders your firm stocked for online or bricks and mortar retail sales.  Once one of those three usage events occur, you should report the disposition of your imported steel propane cylinders as internal consumption and no longer report those data in inventory.  For example, if a gas exchanger imports 80 units in 2016, and fills those steel propane cylinders with propane and stocks them in their gas exchange facility in that same year, that firm should report all 80 units under “internal consumption” in 2016 valued at fair market value in unfilled form and zero (0) units in ending inventory in 2016.  Likewise, if an importer/retailer imports 80 units in 2016, and stocks those units on their shelves at a bricks and mortar retail store location that same year, that firm should report all 80 units under “internal consumption” in 2016 valued at fair market value (which is understood to be the wholesale purchase cost value, not the eventual retail sales value) and zero (0) units in ending period inventory in 2016.  Finally, if an RV manufacturer imports 80 units in 2016, and welds those units into a partially assembled RV that same year, that firm should report all 80 units under “internal consumption” in 2016 valued at fair market value of the unwelded/unprocessed steel propane cylinder input into their production process and zero (0) units in ending period inventory in 2016 (even though the company has WIP inventories for their RVs those no longer represent inventories steel propane cylinders available for sale or usage for this proceeding, they are already used).

“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. In particular, parts for steel propane cylinders should only be reported as finished goods inventory if the decision has been made to dedicate the parts for sale without further processing. Do not include part inventories in this question if the parts could still be potentially used by your firm in the production of steel propane cylinders.

II-7. Production, shipment, and inventory data.--Continued

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.

Quantity (in pounds, tare weight), value (in dollars)
Item	Calendar years
	2016	2017	2018
Average production capacity (Quantity) (A)1	     	     	     
Beginning-of-period inventories (Quantity) (B)	     	     	     
Production (Quantity) (C)	     	     	     
Non-retail level commercial shipments: Quantity (D)	     	     	     
Value (E)	     	     	     
Internal consumption/ including for own firm’s retail sales:2 Quantity (F)	     	     	     
Value2 (G)	     	     	     
Transfers to related firms:2 Quantity (H)	     	     	     
Value2 (I)	     	     	     
Export shipments:3 Quantity (J)	     	     	     
Value (K)	     	     	     
End-of-period inventories (quantity) (L)	     	     	     
1 The production capacity reported is based on operating     hours per week,     weeks per year. Please describe the methodology used to calculate production capacity, and explain any changes in reported capacity     . 2 Internal consumption and transfers to related firms must be valued at fair market value. If your firm uses a different basis for valuing these transactions in your records, please specify that basis (e.g., cost, cost plus, etc.):     . However, the data provided above in this table should be based on fair market value. 3 Identify your firm’s principal export markets:      .

II-7. Production, shipment, and inventory data.--Continued

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.

Reconciliation	Calendar years
	2016	2017	2018
B + C – D – F – H – J – L = should equal zero ("0"). If not, provide an explanation.1	 0	 0	 0
1 Explanation if the calculated fields above are returning values other than zero (i.e., “0”) but are nonetheless accurate:     .

II-8. Channels of distribution.--Report your firm’s non-retail commercial U.S. shipments by channel of distribution.

Item	Calendar years
	2016	2017	2018
	Quantity (in pounds, tare weight), value (in dollars)
Channels of distribution Non-retail level commercial U.S. shipments: To distributors Quantity (M)	     	     	     
Value (N)	     	     	     
To retailers Quantity (O)	     	     	     
Value (P)	     	     	     
To gas exchangers Quantity (Q)	     	     	     
Value (R)	     	     	     
To RV manufacturers Quantity (S)	     	     	     
Value (T)	     	     	     
To all other end users Quantity (U)	     	     	     
Value (V)	     	     	     

RECONCILIATION OF CHANNELS.--Please ensure that the quantities reported for channels of distribution (i.e., lines O through V) in each time period equal the quantity reported for non-retail commercial U.S. shipments (i.e., lines F and G) 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.

Reconciliation	Calendar years
	2016	2017	2018
Quantity: M + O + Q + S + U – F = should equal zero ("0"), if not, revise	 0	 0	 0
Value: : N + P + R + T + V – G = should equal zero ("0"), if not, revise	 0	 0	 0

II-9. U.S. shipments of steel propane cylinders, by type.--Report your firm’s U.S. shipments (i.e., inclusive of retail level commercial U.S. shipments, non-retail level commercial shipments, internal consumption, and transfers to related firms) of steel propane cylinders produced by your firm from 2016 through 2018.

Item	Calendar years
	2016	2017	2018
U.S. shipments.-- Capacity 20-pound cylinders.1 Quantity in units (W)	     	     	     
Quantity in pounds, tare weight (X)	     	     	     
Value in dollars (Y)	     	     	     
Capacity 30-pound cylinders.2 Quantity in units (Z)	     	     	     
Quantity in pounds, tare weight (AA)	     	     	     
Value in dollars (AB)	     	     	     
All other cylinder sizes. Quantity in units (AC)	     	     	     
Quantity in pounds, tare weight (AD)	     	     	     
Value in dollars (AE)	     	     	     
1 Please list the average and range of wall thickness sizes of your shipments of 20-pound steel propane cylinders:      . 2 Please list the average and range of wall thickness sizes of your shipments of 30-pound steel propane cylinders:      .

RECONCILIATION OF SHIPMENTS BY TYPE.--Please ensure that the quantities and values reported for US shipments by type (i.e., lines W through AE) in each time period equal the quantity and value reported for U.S. shipments (i.e., lines D through K) 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.

Reconciliation	Calendar years
	2016	2017	2018
Quantity: W + Z + AC – D – F – H – J = should equal zero ("0") if not, revise	 0	 0	 0
Value: : Y + AB + AE – E –G – I – K = should equal zero ("0") if not, revise	 0	 0	 0

II-10. Employment data.--Report your firm’s employment-related data related to the production of steel propane cylinders 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.

“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.

Item	Calendar years
	2016	2017	2018
Average number of PRWs (number)	     	     	     
Hours worked by PRWs (hours)	     	     	     
Wages paid to PRWs (dollars)	     	     	     

Explanation of trends:

     

II-11. Related firms.--If your firm reported transfers to related firms in question II-7, 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.

     

II-12. Purchases.--Has your firm purchased steel propane cylinders produced in the United States or in other countries since January 1, 2016? (Do not include imports for which your firm was the importer of record. These should be reported in an importer questionnaire). A link is provided on page 2 of this questionnaire.

“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. importer that has directly imported the product.

“Import” –A transaction to buy from a foreign supplier where your firm is the importer of record.

No	Yes	If yes-- Report such purchases in the table below and explain the reasons for your firms' purchases:
		     

Note: If your firm served as the importer of record for any purchases from foreign suppliers, either for your own account or as a service for another entity, those purchases are to be considered "imports" not "purchases" and should not be included in the table below.

(Quantity in pounds, tare weight)
Item	Calendar years
	2016	2017	2018
Purchases from U.S. importers1 of steel propane cylinders from— China	     	     	     
Thailand	     	     	     
All other sources	     	     	     
Purchases from domestic producers2	     	     	     
Purchases from other sources2	     	     	     
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 Please list the name of the producer(s) or U.S. distributor(s) from which your firm purchased this product:      .

II-13. Other explanations.--If your firm would like to further explain a response to a question in Part II for which a narrative box was not provided, 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.

     

PART III.--FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Address questions on this part of the questionnaire to David Boyland (202-708-4725, [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	     

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 steel propane cylinders:

     

2. Does your firm prepare profit/loss statements for steel propane cylinders:

Yes No

3. 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

4. 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 steel propane cylinders, 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.).

     

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 produced in the facilities in which your firm produced steel propane cylinders, and provide the share of net sales accounted for by these products in your firm’s most recent fiscal year.

Products	Share of sales
Steel propane cylinders	     	%
     	     	%
     	     	%
     	     	%
     	     	%

III-6. Inputs from related suppliers.--Does your firm purchase inputs (raw materials, labor, energy, or any services) used in the production of steel propane cylinders 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	No--Continue to question III-9a.

III-7. Inputs from related suppliers detailed.--Please identify the inputs used in the production of steel propane cylinders that your firm purchases from related suppliers and that are reflected in question III-9a. 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 your 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 purchased from related suppliers.--Please confirm that the inputs purchased from related suppliers, as identified in III-7, were reported in III-9a (financial results on steel propane cylinders) in a manner consistent with your firm’s accounting books and records.

Yes	No	If no--In the space below, please report the valuation basis of inputs purchased from related suppliers as reported in question III-9a.:
		     

III-9a. Operations on steel propane cylinders.--Report the revenue and related cost information requested below on the steel propane cylinders 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. If your firm was involved in tolling operations (either as the toller or as the tollee), please contact David Boyland at (202) 708-4725 before completing this section of the questionnaire.

Quantity (in pounds, tare weight) and value (in $1,000)
Item	Fiscal years ended--
	2016	2017	2018
Net sales quantities:2 Commercial sales (“CS”)	     	     	     
Internal consumption (“IC”)	     	     	     
Transfers to related firms (“Transfers”)	     	     	     
Total net sales quantities	 0	 0	 0
Net sales values:2 Commercial sales	     	     	     
Internal consumption	     	     	     
Transfers to related firms	     	     	     
Total net sales values	 0	 0	 0
Cost of goods sold (COGS):3 Raw materials	     	     	     
Direct labor	     	     	     
Other factory costs	     	     	     
Total COGS	 0	 0	 0
Gross profit or (loss)	 0	 0	 0
Selling, general, and administrative (SG&A) expenses: Selling expenses	     	     	     
General and administrative expenses	     	     	     
Total SG&A expenses	 0	 0	 0
Operating income (loss)	 0	 0	 0
Other expenses and income: Interest expense	     	     	     
All other expense items	     	     	     
All other income items	     	     	     
Net income or (loss) before income taxes	 0	 0	 0
Depreciation/amortization included above	     	     	     
1 Include only sales (whether domestic or export) and costs related to your U.S. manufacturing operations. 2 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.

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

III-9b. 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 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.
		     

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.

Item	Fiscal years ended--
	2016	2017	2018
	Value ($1,000)
Nonrecurring item 1	     	     	     
Nonrecurring item 2	     	     	     
Nonrecurring item 3	     	     	     
Nonrecurring item 4	     	     	     
Nonrecurring item 5	     	     	     
Nonrecurring item 6	     	     	     
Nonrecurring item 7	     	     	     

Nonrecurring item: In this table please provide a brief description of each nonrecurring item reported above and indicate the specific line item in table III-9a where the nonrecurring item is classified.

	Description of the nonrecurring item	Income statement classification of the nonrecurring item
Nonrecurring item 1	     	     
Nonrecurring item 2	     	     
Nonrecurring item 3	     	     
Nonrecurring item 4	     	     
Nonrecurring item 5	     	     
Nonrecurring item 6	     	     
Nonrecurring item 7	     	     

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.

     

III-12. Asset values.--Report the total assets (i.e., both current and long-term assets) associated with the production, warehousing, and sale of steel propane cylinders. If your firm does not maintain some or all of the specific asset information necessary to calculate total assets for steel propane cylinders 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)
Item	Fiscal years ended--
	2016	2017	2018
Total assets (net) 1	     	     	     
1 Describe      

III-13. Capital expenditures and research and development expenses.--Report your firm’s capital expenditures and research and development expenses for steel propane cylinders. Provide data for your firm’s three most recently completed fiscal years.

Value (in $1,000)
Item	Fiscal years ended--
	2016	2017	2018
Capital expenditures1	     	     	     
Research and development expenses2	     	     	     
1 Please describe the nature, focus, and significance of your firm’s capital expenditures on the subject product.       2 Please describe the nature, focus, and significance of your firm’s R&D expenses related to subject product.      

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 on 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-7 (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. 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.

Reconciliation	Fiscal years ended--
	2016	2017	2018
Quantity: Trade data from question II-7 (lines D, F, H, and J) less financial total net sales quantity data from question III-9a, = zero ("0").	 0	 0	 0
Value: Trade data from question II-7 (lines E, G, I, and K) less financial total net sales value data from question III-9a, = zero ("0").	 0	 0	 0

Do these data in question III-9a reconcile with data in question II-7?

Yes	No	If no, please explain.
		     

If your responses to any of the items in questions III-15, III-16, and III-17 differ by country, please describe these differences and, as applicable, indicate which country or countries your response refers to in the relevant form fields.

III-15. Effects of imports on investment.--Since January 1, 2016, has your firm experienced any actual negative effects on its return on investment or the scale of capital investments as a result of imports of steel propane cylinders from China and/or. Thailand?

No	Yes	If yes, my firm has experienced actual negative effects as follows.

(check as many as appropriate)		(please describe)
	Cancellation, postponement, or rejection of expansion projects	     
	Denial or rejection of investment proposal	     
	Reduction in the size of capital investments	     
	Return on specific investments negatively impacted	     
	Other	     

III-16. Effects of imports on growth and development.--Since January 1, 2016, has your firm experienced any actual negative effects on its growth, ability to raise capital, or existing development and production efforts (including efforts to develop a derivative or more advanced version of the product) as a result of imports of steel propane cylinders from China and/or Thailand?

No	Yes	If yes, my firm has experienced actual negative effects as follows.

(check as many as appropriate)		(please describe)
	Rejection of bank loans	     
	Lowering of credit rating	     
	Problem related to the issue of stocks or bonds	     
	Ability to service debt	     
	Other	     

III-17. Anticipated effects of imports.--Does your firm anticipate any negative effects due to imports of steel propane cylinders from China and/or Thailand?

No	Yes	If yes, my firm anticipates negative effects as follows:
		     

III-18. Other explanations.--If your firm would like to further explain a response to a question in Part III for which a narrative box was not provided, 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.

     

PART IV.--PRICING AND MARKET FACTORS

Further information on this part of the questionnaire can be obtained from Amelia Preece (202-205-3250, [email protected]).

IV-1. Contact information.--Please identify the individual that Commission staff may contact regarding the confidential information submitted in part IV.

Name	     
Title	     
Email	     
Telephone	     

PRICE DATA

IV-2. This question requests quarterly quantity and value data for your firm’s commercial shipments to unrelated U.S. customers since January 1, 2016 of the following products produced by your firm. (Values should exclude the value of any accessories sold with the steel propane cylinders).

Product 1.--20-pound capacity steel cylinder for compressed or liquefied propane gas, without gauge, meeting the requirements of U.S. Department of Transportation specification 4BA.--Sold to RV manufacturers.

Product 2.--20-pound capacity steel cylinder for compressed or liquefied propane gas, without gauge, meeting the requirements of U.S. Department of Transportation specification 4BA.--Sold to gas exchangers.

Product 3.--20-pound capacity steel cylinder for compressed or liquefied propane gas, without gauge, meeting the requirements of U.S. Department of Transportation specification 4BA.--Sold to distributors.

Product 4.--20-pound capacity steel cylinder for compressed or liquefied propane gas, without gauge, meeting the requirements of U.S. Department of Transportation specification 4BA.--Sold to retailers.

Product 5.--30-pound capacity steel cylinder for compressed or liquefied propane gas, without gauge, meeting the requirements of U.S. Department of Transportation specification 4BA.--Sold to distributors.

Product 6.--30-pound capacity steel cylinder for compressed or liquefied propane gas, without gauge, meeting the requirements of U.S. Department of Transportation specification 4BA.--Sold to RV manufacturers.

Product 7.--30-pound capacity steel cylinder for compressed or liquefied propane gas, without gauge, meeting the requirements of U.S. Department of Transportation specification 4BA.--Sold to retailers.

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).

IV-2a. During January 2016-December 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 as appropriate.
	No.--Skip to question IV-3.

IV-2b. Price data.--Report below the quarterly price data¹ for pricing products² produced and sold by your firm.

Report data in units (numbers of cylinders, not pounds tare weight) and dollars (not thousands).

(Quantity in units, value in dollars)
Period of shipment	Product 1		Product 2		Product 3		Product 4
	Quantity	Value	Quantity	Value	Quantity	Value	Quantity	Value
2016: January-March	     	     	     	     	     	     	     	     
April-June	     	     	     	     	     	     	     	     
July-September	     	     	     	     	     	     	     	     
October-December	     	     	     	     	     	     	     	     
2017: January-March	     	     	     	     	     	     	     	     
April-June	     	     	     	     	     	     	     	     
July-September	     	     	     	     	     	     	     	     
October-December	     	     	     	     	     	     	     	     
2018: January-March	     	     	     	     	     	     	     	     
April-June	     	     	     	     	     	     	     	     
July-September	     	     	     	     	     	     	     	     
October-December	     	     	     	     	     	     	     	     
1 Net values (i.e., gross sales values less all discounts, allowances, rebates, prepaid freight, and the value of returned goods), f.o.b. your firm’s U.S. point of shipment. 2 Pricing product definitions are provided on the first page of Part 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 your firm’s product. Also, please explain any anomalies in your firm’s reported pricing data. Product 1:       Product 2:       Product 3:       Product 4:      

IV-2b. Price data.--Report below the quarterly price data¹ for pricing products² produced and sold by your firm.

Report data in units (numbers of cylinders, not pounds tare weight) and dollars (not thousands).

(Quantity in units, value in dollars)
Period of shipment	Product 5		Product 6		Product 7
	Quantity	Value	Quantity	Value	Quantity	Value
2016: January-March	     	     	     	     	     	     
April-June	     	     	     	     	     	     
July-September	     	     	     	     	     	     
October-December	     	     	     	     	     	     
2017: January-March	     	     	     	     	     	     
April-June	     	     	     	     	     	     
July-September	     	     	     	     	     	     
October-December	     	     	     	     	     	     
2018: January-March	     	     	     	     	     	     
April-June	     	     	     	     	     	     
July-September	     	     	     	     	     	     
October-December	     	     	     	     	     	     
1 Net values (i.e., gross sales values less all discounts, allowances, rebates, prepaid freight, and the value of returned goods), f.o.b. your firm’s U.S. point of shipment. 2 Pricing product definitions are provided on the first page of Part 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 your firm’s product. Also, please explain any anomalies in your firm’s reported pricing data. Product 5:       Product 6:       Product 7:      

IV-2c. Price data checklist.--Please check that the pricing data in question IV-2(b) has been correctly reported.

Is the price data reported above:	√ if Yes
In actual dollars?
In actual units (number of cylinders, not pounds tare weight)?
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-7 in each year?
Value excludes the value of any accessories sold with the cylinders?
Quantity and value reported excludes product with gauges?

IV-2d. 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 steel propane cylinders (check all that apply)? If your firm issues price lists, please submit sample pages of a recent list.

Transaction by transaction	Contracts	Set price lists	Other	If other, describe
				     

IV-4. 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
				     

III-5. Pricing terms.--On what basis are your firm’s prices of domestic steel propane cylinders usually quoted (check one)?

Delivered	F.o.b.	If f.o.b., specify point
		     

IV-6. Contract versus spot.--Approximately what share of your firm’s sales of its U.S.-produced steel propane cylinders in 2018 was on a (1) short-term contract basis, (2) annual contract basis, (3) long-term contract basis, and (4) spot sales basis?

Item	Type of sale
	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)		Spot sales (for a single delivery)		Total (should sum to 100.0%)
Share of 2018 sales	     	%	     	%	     	%	     	%	 0.0	%

IV-7. Contract provisions.--Please fill out the table regarding your firm’s typical sales contracts for U.S.-produced steel propane cylinders (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	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)
Average contract duration	No. of days	     	365	     
Price renegotiation (during contract period)	Yes
	No
Fixed quantity and/or price	Quantity
	Price
	Both
Indexed to raw material costs1	Yes
	No
Not applicable
1 Please identify the indexes used:      

IV-8. Most favored purchaser agreement.--Does your firm have any most favored purchaser agreement or other agreement that guarantees that the price at which you sell steel propane cylinders to one or more customers will be at the lowest price offered by your firm?

No	Yes	If yes, please identify the purchasers, and the conditions of these agreements.
		     

IV-9. Announcements of price changes.--Please submit any price change announcements you have provided to purchasers in 2016 through 2018 as an attachment to this questionnaire. Has your firm made any price change announcements in 2016 through 2018?

No	Yes	If yes, please provide these as an attachment to this questionnaire and discuss below the results of each announcement. If you have not provided these as an attachment please explain why below.
		     

IV-10. Lead times.--What is your firm’s share of sales 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 its U.S.-produced steel propane cylinders?

Source	Share of 2018 sales		Lead time (Average number of days)
From inventory	     	%	     
Produced to order	     	%	     
Total (should sum to 100.0%)	 0.0	%

IV-11. Shipping information.--

(a) What is the approximate percentage of the cost of U.S.-produced steel propane cylinders 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) Indicate the approximate percentage of your firm’s sales of steel propane cylinders that are delivered the following distances from its production facility.

Distance from production facility	Share
Within 100 miles	     	%
101 to 1,000 miles	     	%
Over 1,000 miles	     	%
Total (should sum to 100.0%)	 0.0	%

IV-12. Geographical shipments.--In which U.S. geographic market area(s) has your firm sold its U.S.-produced steel propane cylinders since January 1, 2016 (check all that apply)?

Geographic area	√ if applicable
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.

IV-13. End uses.--List the end uses of the steel propane cylinders that your firm manufactures. For each end-use product, what percentage of the total cost of that end-use product is accounted for by steel propane cylinders and other inputs?

End use product	Share of total cost of end use product accounted for by				Total (should sum to 100.0% across)
	Steel propane cylinders		Other inputs
     	     	%	     	%	 0.0	%
     	     	%	     	%	 0.0	%
     	     	%	     	%	 0.0	%

IV-14. Substitutes.--Can other products be substituted for steel propane cylinders?

No Yes--Please fill out the table.

Substitute		End use in which this substitute is used	Have changes in the price of this substitute affected the price for steel propane cylinders?
			No	Yes	Explanation
1.	     	     			     
2.	     	     			     
3.	     	     			     

IV-15. Demand trends.--Indicate how demand within the United States and outside of the United States (if known) for steel propane cylinders has changed since January 1, 2016. Explain any trends and describe the principal factors that have affected these changes in demand.

Market	Overall increase	No change	Overall decrease	Fluctuate with no clear trend	Explanation and factors
Within the United States					     
Outside the United States					     

IV-16. Product changes.--Have there been any significant changes in the product range, product features, product mix, or marketing of steel propane cylinders since January 1, 2016?

No	Yes	If yes, please describe and quantify if possible.
		     

IV-17. Conditions of competition.--

1. Is the steel propane cylinder market subject to business cycles (other than general economy-wide conditions) and/or other conditions of competition distinctive to steel propane cylinders? If yes, describe.

Check all that apply.		Please describe.
	No	Skip to question IV-18.
	Yes-Business cycles (e.g., seasonal business)	     
	Yes-Other distinctive conditions of competition	     

2. If yes, have there been any changes in the business cycles or conditions of competition for steel propane cylinders since January 1, 2016?

No	Yes	If yes, describe.
		     

IV-18. Supply constraints.--Has your firm refused, declined, or been unable to supply steel propane cylinders since January 1, 2016 (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.
		     

IV-19. Raw materials.--How have steel propane cylinders raw material prices changed since January 1, 2016?

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

IV-20. Interchangeability.--Are steel propane cylinders 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	Thailand	Other countries
United States (i.e., Manchester or Worthington)
China
Thailand
For any country-pair producing steel propane cylinders that is sometimes or never interchangeable, identify the country-pair and explain the factors that limit or preclude interchangeable use:      

IV-21. Factors other than price.--Are differences other than price (e.g., quality, availability, transportation network, product range, technical support, etc.) between steel propane cylinders 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	Thailand	Other countries
United States (i.e., Manchester or Worthington)
China
Thailand
For any country-pair for which factors other than price always or frequently are a significant factor in your firm’s sales of steel propane cylinders, identify the country-pair and report the advantages or disadvantages imparted by such factors:      

IV-22. Customer identification.--List the names and contact information for your firm’s 10 largest unrelated U.S. customers for steel propane cylinders since January 1, 2016. Indicate the share of the quantity of your firm’s total shipments of steel propane cylinders that each of these customers accounted for in 2018.

Customer’s name		City	State	Share of 2018 sales (%)
1	     	     	     	     
2	     	     	     	     
3	     	     	     	     
4	     	     	     	     
5	     	     	     	     
6	     	     	     	     
7	     	     	     	     
8	     	     	     	     
9	     	     	     	     
10	     	     	     	     

IV-23. Competition from imports

(a) Lost revenue.--Since January 1, 2016: To avoid losing sales to competitors selling steel propane cylinders from China and/or Thailand, did your firm:

Item	No	Yes
Reduce prices
Roll back announced price increases

(b) Lost sales.--Since January 1, 2016: Did your firm lose sales of steel propane cylinders to imports of this product from China and/or Thailand?

No	Yes

IV-24. Other explanations.--If your firm would like to further explain a response to a question in Part IV for which a narrative response box was not provided, 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.

     

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/701731/2018/steel_propane_cylinders_china_and_thailand/final.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: PROP

• 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 (202-205-1803). 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.