Download:
pdf |
pdfOMB No. 3117‐0016/USITC No. 19‐2‐4050; Expiration Date: 6/30/2020
(No response is required if currently valid OMB control number is not displayed)
U.S. IMPORTERS’ QUESTIONNAIRE
VERTICAL METAL FILE CABINETS FROM CHINA
This questionnaire must be received by the Commission by May 14, 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 duty investigation(s) concerning vertical metal file cabinets
“VMFCs” from China (inv. No. 701‐TA‐623 and 731‐TA‐1449 (Preliminary)). The information requested in the
questionnaire is requested under the authority of the Tariff Act of 1930, title VII. This report is mandatory and failure to
reply as directed can result in a subpoena or other order to compel the submission of records or information in your
firm’s possession (19 U.S.C. § 1333(a)).
Name of firm
Address
City
State
Zip Code
Website
Has your firm imported vertical metal file cabinets (as defined on next page) from any country 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: FILE)
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
Signature
Phone
Email address
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Vertical metal file cabinets (Preliminary)
Page 2
PART I.—GENERAL INFORMATION
Background.‐‐ This proceeding was instituted in response to a petition filed on April 30, 2019, by Hirsh
Industries LLC, West Des Moines, Iowa. Countervailing and antidumping duties may be assessed on the
subject imports as a result of these proceedings if the Commission makes an affirmative determination
of injury, threat, or material retardation, and if the U.S. Department of Commerce (“Commerce”) makes
an affirmative determination of subsidization and/or dumping. Questionnaires and other information
pertinent to this proceeding are available at
https://www.usitc.gov/investigations/701731/2019/vertical_metal_file_cabinets_china/preliminary.htm
.
Vertical metal file cabinets “VMFCs” covered by these investigations are freestanding vertical metal file
cabinets containing extendable file storage elements, having a width of 25 inches or less1, and having a
height that is greater than its width ("vertical metal file cabinets").
The subject vertical metal file cabinets have bodies made of carbon and/or alloy steel and or other
metals, regardless of whether painted, powder coated, galvanized or otherwise coated for corrosion
protection or aesthetic appearance. The subject vertical metal file cabinets must have two to five
extendable elements for file storage (e.g., file drawers) of a height that permits hanging files of either
letter (8.5" x 11") or legal (8.5" x 14") sized documents.
An “extendable element” is defined as a movable load‐bearing storage component including, but not
limited to, drawers and filing frames. Extendable elements typically have suspension systems, consisting
of glide blocks or ball bearing glides, to facilitate opening and closing.
The subject vertical metal file cabinets typically come in models with two, three, four, or five file
drawers. The inclusion of an additional non‐file‐sized extendable storage element, not sized for storage
files (e.g., a box or pencil drawer), does not remove an otherwise in‐scope product from the scope. The
inclusion of an integrated storage area that is 6" or less in height that is not extendable, (i.e., a cubby),
also does not remove a subject vertical metal file cabinet from the scope. Accessories packaged with a
subject vertical file cabinet, such as separate printer stands or shelf kits that sit on top of the in‐scope
vertical file cabinet are not considered integrated storage.
“Freestanding” means the unit has a solid top rather than an open top and is not designed to be
attached to, be hung from or to support a desktop or other work surface. The ability to anchor a vertical
file cabinet to a wall for stability or to prevent it from tipping over does not exclude the unit from the
scope.
Subject vertical file cabinets may have different handle styles including plastic, metal, recessed or
otherwise integrated handles. The addition of mobility elements such as casters or wheels, a dolly or
other mobility elements does not remove the product from the scope. Packaging a subject vertical metal
file cabinet with other accessories, including, but not limited to, locks, leveling glides, caster kits, drawer
accessories (e.g., including but not limited to follower wires, follower blocks, file compressors, hanger
rails, pencil trays, and hanging file folders), printer stand, shelf kit and magnetic hooks, also does not
remove the product from the scope.
1
Vertical file cabinets are defined by the Business and Institutional Furniture Manufacturers Association (“BIFMA”)
X5.9 testing standard as having a depth greater than its width and all imported vertical metal filing cabinets
currently meet this standard. To prevent circumvention of the scope, petitioners have set a width limitation.
Because the narrowest lateral file sold in the market is over 29 inches wide, petitioners have set the maximum
width for an in‐scope vertical file at 25 inches.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Vertical metal file cabinets (Preliminary)
Page 3
Excluded from the scope are vertical file cabinets with bodies made of plastic, wood, or other non‐
metallic substances.
Also excluded from the scope are lateral file cabinets. Lateral file cabinets typically have a body that is
more than 25 inches wide and have a width that is greater than the body depth.
Also excluded from the scope are pedestal file cabinets. Pedestal file cabinets are metal file cabinets
with body depths that are greater than or equal to their width, are under 31” in height, and have the
following characteristics: (1) an open top or the means for the cabinet to be attached to or hung from a
desktop or other work surface (i.e., not freestanding); or (2) freestanding file cabinets that have: (a) at
least a 90 percent drawer extension for all extendable storage elements; (b) a central locking system; (c)
a minimum weight density of 9.5 lbs/cubic foot; and (d) casters or leveling glides. A “central locking
system” locks all drawers in a unit.
Also excluded from the scope are fire proof or fire resistant file cabinets that meet Underwriters
Laboratories (“UL”) fire protection standard 72, class 350, which covers the test procedures applicable
to fire‐resistant equipment intend to protect paper records.
The merchandise subject to the investigation is classified in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the
United States ("HTSUS") subheading 9403.10.00 (statistical reporting number 9403.10.0020). While
HTSUS subheadings are provided for convenience and Customs purposes, the written description of the
scope of the investigation is dispositive; decisions on classification are within the authority of Customs.
Importer.‐‐Any person or firm engaged, either directly or through a parent company or subsidiary, in
importing VMFCs (as defined above) into the United States from a foreign manufacturer or through its
selling agent.
Reporting of information.‐‐If information is not readily available from your records, provide carefully
prepared estimates. If your firm is completing more than one questionnaire (i.e., a producer, importer,
and/or purchaser questionnaire), you need not respond to duplicated questions.
Confidentiality.‐‐The commercial and financial data furnished in response to this questionnaire that
reveal the individual operations of your firm will be treated as confidential by the Commission to the
extent that such data are not otherwise available to the public and will not be disclosed except as may
be required by law (see 19 U.S.C. § 1677f). Such confidential information will not be published in a
manner that will reveal the individual operations of your firm; however, general characterizations of
numerical business proprietary information (such as discussion of trends) will be treated as confidential
business information only at the request of the submitter for good cause shown.
Verification.‐‐ The information submitted in this questionnaire is subject to audit and verification by the
Commission. To facilitate possible verification of data, please keep all files, worksheets, and supporting
documents used in the preparation of the questionnaire response. Please also retain a copy of the final
document that you submit.
Release of information.‐‐The information provided by your firm in response to this questionnaire, as
well as any other business proprietary information submitted by your firm to the Commission in
connection with this proceeding, may become subject to, and released under, the administrative
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
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Vertical metal file cabinets (Preliminary)
Page 4
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 Jessica
Oliva (202‐205‐3432, [email protected]).
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.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Vertical metal file cabinets (Preliminary)
I‐1.
Page 5
OMB statistics.‐‐Please report below the actual number of hours required and the cost to your
firm of completing this questionnaire.
Hours
Dollars
I‐2.
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.
Establishments covered.‐‐Provide the name and address of establishment(s) covered by this
questionnaire. If your firm is publicly traded, please specify the stock exchange and trading
symbol.
“Establishment”‐‐Each facility of a firm involved in the importation of VMFCs, including auxiliary
facilities operated in conjunction with (whether or not physically separate from) such facilities.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Vertical metal file cabinets (Preliminary)
I‐3.
I‐4.
Page 6
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)
Related importers/exporters.‐‐Does your firm have any related firms, either domestic or
foreign, that are engaged in importing VMFCs from China into the United States or that are
engaged in exporting VMFCs from China to the United States?
No
Yes‐‐List the following information.
Firm name
Country
Affiliation
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Vertical metal file cabinets (Preliminary)
I‐5.
Page 7
Related producers.‐‐Does your firm have any related firms, either domestic or foreign, that are
engaged in the production of VMFCs?
No
Yes‐‐List the following information.
Firm name
Country
Affiliation
I‐6.
Importing operations.‐‐Please indicate the nature of your firm’s importing operations on
VMFCs. More than one answer may be applicable.
Importer of record
I‐7.
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 VMFCs 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
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Vertical metal file cabinets (Preliminary)
I‐8.
Page 8
FTZ, TIB, or bonded warehouses.‐‐Please indicate whether your firm enters VMFCs into, or
withdraws such merchandise from, foreign trade zones or bonded warehouses. Also indicate
whether your firm imports VMFCs 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 designated 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
I‐9.
No
Yes
Foreign trade zones
Bonded warehouses
Temporary importation under bond
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
If yes, Yes–Please specify.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Vertical metal file cabinets (Preliminary)
Page 9
PART II.‐‐TRADE AND RELATED INFORMATION
Further information on this part of the questionnaire can be obtained from Jessica Oliva (202‐205‐3432,
[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 VMFCs since January 1, 2016.
(check as many as appropriate)
(If checked, please describe; leave blank if not applicable)
Office/warehouse openings
Office/warehouse closings
Relocations
Expansions
Acquisitions
Consolidations
Prolonged shutdowns or
importation curtailments
Revised labor agreements
Other (e.g., technology)
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Vertical metal file cabinets (Preliminary)
Page 10
II‐3a. Arranged imports.‐‐Has your firm imported or arranged for the importation of VMFCs for
delivery after December 31, 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.
Period
Source
Jan‐Mar 2019
Apr‐Jun 2019
Jul‐Sept 2019
Oct‐Dec 2019
Quantity (in units)
China
All Other Sources
II‐3b. Imports in the 12 month period preceding the petition.‐‐Has your firm imported VMFCs from
China or Other Source between April 1, 2018 and March 31, 2019? (i.e., the last nine months in
2018 and first three months in 2019 combined)
No
Yes
If yes, report the quantity of such import below by source.
Quantity (in units)
Source
II‐4.
April 2018 through March 2019
China
Other sources
Reasons for importing if producer.‐‐If your firm also produces VMFCs in the United States,
please indicate the reasons for importing this product. If your firm’s reasons differ by source,
please elaborate.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Vertical metal file cabinets (Preliminary)
Page 11
Definitions
“Imports” –Those products identified for Customs purposes as imports for consumption for
which your firm was the importer of record (i.e., was responsible for paying any import duty) or
consignee (i.e., to which the merchandise was first delivered).
“Import quantities” –Quantities reported should be net of returns.
“Import values”—Values reported should be landed, duty‐paid values at the U.S. port of entry,
including ocean freight and insurance costs, brokerage charges, and import duties (i.e., all
charges except inland freight in the United States).
“U.S. shipments”— Shipments made within the United States as a result of an arm’s length
transaction in the ordinary course of business. Report net values (i.e., gross sales values less all
discounts, allowances, rebates, prepaid freight, and the value of returned goods) in U.S. dollars,
f.o.b. your point of shipment.
“Internal consumption/including own firm’s retail sales” – Product consumed internally by your
firm, which includes merchandise that your firm transferred to your own firm's retail locations.
Such transactions are valued at fair market value (i.e., not the total value of final downstream
processed merchandise (in the case of internal consumption), nor the retail sale value (in the
case of your firm owning and operating its own retail locations); rather these transactions
should be recorded at the fair market wholesale value of the merchandise used for further
processing or for retail level sale).
“Transfers to related firms” –Shipments made to related firms. Such transactions are valued at
fair market value.
“Related firm” –A firm that your firm solely or jointly owned, managed, or otherwise controlled;
a firm that solely or jointly owned, managed, or otherwise controlled your firm; and/or a firm
that was solely or jointly owned, managed, or otherwise controlled by a firm that also solely or
jointly owned, managed, or otherwise controlled your firm.
“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.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Vertical metal file cabinets (Preliminary)
Page 12
II‐5a. U.S. imports from China.‐‐Report your firm’s imports and your firm’s shipments and inventories
of VMFCs imported from China by your firm during the specified periods.
China
Quantity (in units), value (in $1,000)
Calendar years
Item
2016
Beginning‐of‐period inventories
(quantity) (A)
2017
2018
Imports:
Quantity (B)
Value (C)
1
U.S. shipments:
Commercial shipments:
Quantity (D)
Value (E)
Internal consumption/including
own firm’s retail sales:2
Quantity (F)
3
Value (G)
Transfers to related firms:
Quantity (H)
3
Value (I)
4
Export shipments:
Quantity (J)
Value (K)
End‐of‐period inventories
(quantity) (L)
1
Please report imports based on country‐of‐origin of primary manufacturing location, regardless of final
processing or shipment location (if different). Please identify the foreign producers, if known: .
2
Include merchandise that your firm transferred to your own firm's retail locations.
3
Internal consumption and transfers to related firms must be valued at fair market value. If your firm uses a
different basis for valuing these transactions in your records, please specify that basis (e.g., cost, cost plus, etc.):
. However, the data provided above in this table should be based on fair market value.
4
Identify your firm’s principal export markets: .
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Vertical metal file cabinets (Preliminary)
Page 13
II‐5a. U.S. imports from China.–Continued
RECONCILIATION OF SHIPMENTS, IMPORTS, AND INVENTORIES.‐‐Generally, the data reported for the
end‐of‐period inventories (i.e., line L) should be equal to the beginning‐of‐period inventories (i.e., line
A), plus imports (i.e., line B), less total shipments (i.e., lines D, F, H, and J). Please ensure that any
differences are not due to data entry errors in completing this form, but rather actually reflect your
firm’s records; and also provide any likely explanations for any differences (e.g., theft, loss, damage,
record systems issues, etc.) if they exist.
Calendar years
Reconciliation
2016
A + B – D – F – H – J – L = should equal
zero ("0") or provide an explanation.1
2017
2018
0
0
0
1
Explanation if the calculated fields above are returning values other than zero (i.e., “0”) but are nonetheless
accurate: .
II‐5b. Channels of distribution: China.‐‐Report your firm’s U.S. shipments (i.e., inclusive of commercial
U.S. shipments, internal consumption including VMFCs for your own firm’s retail sales), and
transfers to related firms from China by channel of distribution.
China
Calendar years
Item
2016
2017
2018
Quantity (in units)
Channels of distribution:
U.S. shipments:
To distributors (M)
To retailers (N)
To end users (O)
RECONCILIATION OF CHANNELS.‐‐Please ensure that the quantities reported for channels of distribution
(i.e., lines M, N and O) in each time period equal the quantity reported for U.S. shipments (i.e., lines D, F,
and H) in each time period. If the calculated fields below return values other than zero (i.e., “0”), the
data reported must be revised prior to submission to the Commission.
Calendar years
Reconciliation item
M + N + O – D – F – H = zero ("0"),
if not revise.
2016
2017
0
2018
0
0
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Vertical metal file cabinets (Preliminary)
II‐5c.
Page 14
U.S. shipments by primary metal: China.‐‐Report your firm’s U.S. shipments (i.e., inclusive of
commercial U.S. shipments, internal consumption including for own firm’s retail sales, and
transfers to related firms) of imports from China by primary metal type of the body during the
specified periods.
China
Quantity (in units); Value (in $1,000)
Calendar years
Item
2016
U.S. shipments from China.—
Steel:
Quantity (P)
2017
2018
Value (Q)
Other metals:1
Quantity (R)
Value (S)
1 If other metals, please identify the material:
.
RECONCILIATION OF SHIPMENTS.‐‐Please ensure that the quantities and values reported for US
shipments by primary metal (i.e., lines P through S) in each time period equal the quantities and values
reported for U.S. shipments (i.e., lines D through I) 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
2016
2017
2018
Quantity: P + R – D – F – H = zero
("0"), if not revise.
0
0
0
Value: Q + S – E – G – I = zero ("0"),
if not revise.
0
0
0
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Vertical metal file cabinets (Preliminary)
Page 15
II‐6a. Imports from All Other Sources.–Report your firm’s imports and your firm’s shipments and
inventories of VMFCs imported from All Other Sources by your firm during the specified
periods.
All Other Sources
(list sources:
)
Quantity (in units), value (in $1,000)
Calendar years
Item
Beginning‐of‐period inventories
(quantity) (A)
2016
2017
2018
Imports:
Quantity (B)
0
0
0
Value (C)
0
0
0
1 2
U.S. shipments:
Commercial shipments:
Quantity (D)
Value (E)
Internal consumption/including
own firm’s retail sales:3
Quantity (F)
4
Value (G)
Transfers to related firms:
Quantity (H)
4
Value (I)
5
Export shipments:
Quantity (J)
Value (K)
End‐of‐period inventories
(quantity) (L)
1
Please report imports based on country‐of‐origin of primary manufacturing location, regardless of final
processing or shipment location (if different). Please identify the foreign producers, if known: .
2
Data on U.S. imports will populate into this table once reported in question II‐7.
3
Include merchandise that your firm transferred to your own firm's retail locations.
4
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.
5
Identify your firm’s principal export markets: .
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Vertical metal file cabinets (Preliminary)
Page 16
II‐6a. Imports from All Other Sources.–Continued
RECONCILIATION OF SHIPMENTS, IMPORTS, AND INVENTORIES.‐‐Generally, the data reported for the
end‐of‐period inventories (i.e., line L) should be equal to the beginning‐of‐period inventories (i.e., line
A), plus imports (i.e., line B), less total shipments (i.e., lines D, F, H, and J). Please ensure that any
differences are not due to data entry errors in completing this form, but rather actually reflect your
firm’s records; and also provide any likely explanations for any differences (e.g., theft, loss, damage,
record systems issues, etc.) if they exist.
Calendar years
Reconciliation
2016
A + B – D – F – H – J – L = should equal
zero ("0") or provide an explanation.1
2017
2018
0
0
0
1
Explanation if the calculated fields above are returning values other than zero (i.e., “0”) but are nonetheless accurate:
.
II‐6b. Channels of distribution: All Other Sources.‐‐Report your firm’s U.S. shipments (i.e., inclusive of
commercial U.S. shipments, internal consumption including for own firm’s retail sales, and
transfers to related firms) of imports from All Other Sources by channel of distribution.
All Other Sources
Calendar years
Item
2016
2017
2018
Quantity (in units)
Channels of distribution:
U.S. shipments:
To distributors (M)
To retailers (N)
To end users (O)
RECONCILIATION OF CHANNELS.‐‐Please ensure that the quantities reported for channels of distribution
(i.e., lines M, N and O) in each time period equal the quantity reported for U.S. shipments (i.e., lines D, F,
and H) in each time period. If the calculated fields below return values other than zero (i.e., “0”), the
data reported must be revised prior to submission to the Commission.
Calendar years
Reconciliation item
M + N + O – D – F – H = zero ("0"),
if not revise.
2016
2017
0
2018
0
0
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Vertical metal file cabinets (Preliminary)
II‐6c.
Page 17
U.S. shipments from All Other Sources by primary metal ‐ Report your firm’s U.S. shipments
(i.e., inclusive of commercial U.S. shipments, internal consumption including for own firm’s retail
sales, and transfers to related firms) of imports from All Other Sources by primary metal type of
the body during the specified periods.
All Other Sources
Quantity (in units); Value (in $1,000)
Calendar years
Item
2016
U.S. shipments from All Other
Sources.—
Steel, other than stainless
steel:
Quantity (P)
2017
2018
Value (Q)
Other metals:1
Quantity (R)
Value (S)
1 Other metals also include a combination of metals mentioned above. If other metals, please identify the material:
.
RECONCILIATION OF SHIPMENTS.‐‐Please ensure that the quantities and values reported for US
shipments by primary metal (i.e., lines P through S) in each time period equal the quantities and values
reported for U.S. shipments (i.e., lines D through I) 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
2016
2017
2018
Quantity: P + R – D – F – H =
zero ("0"), if not revise.
0
0
0
Value: Q + S – E – G – I = zero
("0"), if not revise.
0
0
0
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Vertical metal file cabinets (Preliminary)
II‐7.
Page 18
U.S. imports from individual nonsubject sources ‐ Report your firm’s U.S. imports by individual
nonsubject source (i.e., sources other than China) during the specified periods.
Quantity (in units); Value (in $1,000)
Calendar years
Item
2016
U.S. imports from.‐‐
Canada:
Quantity (T)
2017
2018
Value (U)
Mexico:
Quantity (V)
Value (W)
Taiwan:
Quantity (X)
Value (Y)
United Kingdom:
Quantity (Z)
Value (AA)
Italy:
Quantity (AB)
Value (AC)
All other nonsubject
sources:1
Quantity (AD)
Value (AE)
1 List the other sources:
II‐8.
.
Transfers to related firms.‐‐ If your firm reported transfers to related firms in any of the data
tables in part II, please identify the firm(s) and indicate the nature of the relationship between
your firm and the related firms (e.g., joint venture, wholly owned subsidiary) and whether the
transfers were priced at market value or by a non‐market formula.
II‐9.
Other explanations.‐‐If your firm would like to further explain a response to a question in Part II
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.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Vertical metal file cabinets (Preliminary)
Page 19
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Vertical metal file cabinets (Preliminary)
Page 20
PART III.‐‐PRICING AND MARKET FACTORS
Further information on this part of the questionnaire can be obtained from Pamela Davis (202‐205‐
2218, [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, 2016 of the following products your firm imported
from China:
Product 1.‐‐Vertical metal file cabinet, 17.75” — 18.25” deep, two file drawers, letter size
(14.25” — 15.25” wide), containing a lock, not containing casters
Product 2.‐‐ Vertical metal file cabinet, 17.75” — 18.25” deep, two file drawers and one pencil
drawer, letter size (14.25” — 15.25” wide), containing a lock, not containing casters
Product 3.‐‐ Vertical metal file cabinet, 17.75” — 18.25” deep, three file drawers, letter size
(14.25” — 15.25” wide), containing a lock, not containing casters
Product 4.‐‐ Vertical metal file cabinet, 26.25” — 26.75” deep, four file drawers, letter size
(14.25” — 15.25” wide), containing a lock, not containing casters
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 2016‐December 2018, did your firm import from China and sell to unrelated U.S.
customers any of the above listed products (or any products that were competitive with these
products)?
Yes.‐‐Please complete the following pricing data table as appropriate.
No.‐‐Skip to question III‐3.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Vertical metal file cabinets (Preliminary)
III‐2.
Page 21
Price data.‐‐Report below the quarterly price data1 for pricing products2 imported from China
and sold by your firm.
China
Report data in units and actual dollars (not 1,000s).
Product 1
Quantity
Value
(Quantity in units, value in dollars)
Product 2
Product 3
Quantity
Value
Quantity
Value
Product 4
Period of shipment
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 III.
Note.‐‐If your firm’s product does not exactly meet the product specifications but is competitive with the specified product, provide a
description of your firm’s product. Also, please explain any anomalies in your firm’s reported pricing data.
Product 1:
Product 2:
Product 3:
Product 4:
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Vertical metal file cabinets (Preliminary)
Page 22
III‐2b. 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 part II in each year?
III‐2c. Pricing data methodology.‐‐Please describe the method and the kinds of documents/records
that were used to compile your price data.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Vertical metal file cabinets (Preliminary)
Page 23
III‐3a. Imports for repackaging or retail sale.‐‐Did your firm import VMFCs for repackaging or use for
sales in your firm’s retail locations since January 1, 2016?
Yes.‐‐Please complete the following table as appropriate.
No.‐‐Skip to question III‐4.
Report below the import data1 for pricing products2 imported from China and sold at retail.
Please note that values should be landed, duty‐paid 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).
China
Report data in units and actual dollars (not 1,000s).
Product 1
Quantity
LDP
value1
(dollars)
Product 2
Quantity
LDP
value1
(dollars)
Product 3
Quantity
LDP
value1
(dollars)
Product 4
Quantity
LDP
value1
(dollars)
Period of importation
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 LDP value (i.e., landed duty‐paid 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). See “Import
values” definition in Part II (Trade and Related Information – Definitions).
2 Pricing product definitions are provided on the first page of Part III.
Note.‐‐If your firm’s product does not exactly meet the product specifications but is competitive with the specified product, provide a
description of your firm’s product. Also, please explain any anomalies in your firm’s reported pricing data.
Product 1:
Product 2:
Product 3:
Product 4:
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Vertical metal file cabinets (Preliminary)
Page 24
III‐3b. Inland transportation costs for your firm’s direct imports of VMFCs for repackaging or retail
sale.‐‐
If your firm reported import purchases costs above (questions III‐3a), what is the approximate
percentage of the total cost VMFCs that you directly imported from China that is accounted for
by U.S. inland transportation costs from the port of importation to your distribution network,
retail store(s), or manufacturing plant(s)?
Country
China
Percent
%
III‐3c. Additional costs for your firm’s direct imports of VMFCs for your firm’s repackaging or retail
sale.
(i)
If your firm reported direct import purchase costs above (question III‐3a), please identify
the factors (other than U.S. inland transportation costs or costs already included in
landed duty paid “LDP” values) that add to your cost of importing directly since January
1, 2016. Estimate the ratio to the cost of the landed duty‐paid value, and explain the
specific costs associated with each category.
Factors
Logistical or supply chain management
costs (not already included in LDP
value)
Warehousing/inventory carrying costs
(not already included in LDP value)
Insurance costs (not already included in
LDP value)
Other, please identify ( )
Estimated ratio
to landed duty‐
paid value
(percent)
Explanation
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Vertical metal file cabinets (Preliminary)
Page 25
III‐3c. Additional costs for your firm’s direct imports of VMFCs for your firm’s repackaging or retail
sale.—Continued.
(ii)
To which source(s) does your firm compare costs in determining your additional
transaction costs to directly import?
U.S. importers
(iii)
U.S. producers
Both
Neither
(a) Briefly identify the benefits of directly importing VMFCs instead of purchasing VMFCs
from a U.S. importer or from a U.S. producer.
(b) Please provide the estimated margin saved by having directly imported VMFCs
instead of purchasing from a U.S. importer. percent of landed duty‐paid value.
(c) Explain any variation in the margin saved since January 1, 2016.
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 – Vertical metal file cabinets (Preliminary)
III‐4.
Price setting.‐‐How does your firm determine the prices that it charges for sales of VMFCs
(check all that apply)? If your firm issues price lists, please submit sample pages of a recent list.
Transaction
by
transaction
Contracts
III‐5.
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
III‐6.
Page 26
No
discount
policy
Other
Describe
Pricing terms.‐‐On what basis are your firm’s prices of imported VMFCs from China usually
quoted (check one)?
Delivered
F.o.b.
III‐7.
Contract versus spot.‐‐Approximately what share of your firm’s sales of VMFCs imported from
China 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
Share of 2018
sales
If f.o.b., specify point
Short‐term
contracts
(multiple
deliveries for
less than 12
months)
%
Type of sale
Long‐term
Annual
contracts
contracts
(multiple
(multiple
deliveries for
deliveries for 12
more than 12
months)
months)
%
%
Spot sales
(for a single
delivery)
%
Total
(should
sum to
100.0%)
0.0
%
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Vertical metal file cabinets (Preliminary)
III‐8.
Page 27
Contract provisions.‐‐Please fill out the table regarding your firm’s typical sales contracts for
VMFCs imported from China (or check “not applicable” if your firm does not sell on a short‐
term, annual and/or long‐term contract basis).
Short‐term contracts Annual contracts
(multiple
(multiple deliveries
deliveries for 12
for less than 12
months)
months)
Long‐term contracts
(multiple deliveries
for more than 12
months)
Typical sales
contract provisions
Item
Average contract
duration
No. of
days
Price renegotiation
(during contract
period)
Yes
No
Quantity
Price
Both
Yes
No
Fixed quantity
and/or price
Indexed to raw
material costs1
Not applicable
365
1
Please identify the indexes used:
III‐9.
Lead times.‐‐What is your firm’s share of sales of VMFCs 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 VMFCs?
Lead time
(Average number
Source
Share of 2018 sales
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 – Vertical metal file cabinets (Preliminary)
Page 28
III‐10. Shipping information.—
(a)
What is the approximate percentage of the cost of VMFCs 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 VMFCs 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 VMFCs 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 VMFCs
imported from subject countries since January 1, 2016 (check all that apply)?
Geographic area
China
Northeast.–CT, ME, MA, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, and VT.
Midwest.–IL, IN, IA, KS, MI, MN, MO, NE, ND, OH, SD, and WI.
Southeast.–AL, DE, DC, FL, GA, KY, MD, MS, NC, SC, TN, VA, and WV.
Central Southwest.–AR, LA, OK, and TX.
Mountains.–AZ, CO, ID, MT, NV, NM, UT, and WY.
Pacific Coast.–CA, OR, and WA.
Other.–All other markets in the United States not previously listed,
including AK, HI, PR, and VI.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Vertical metal file cabinets (Preliminary)
Page 29
III‐12. End uses.‐‐List the end uses of the VMFCs that your firm imports. For each end‐use product,
what percentage of the total cost is accounted for by VMFCs and other inputs?
Share of total cost of end‐use product
accounted for by
Total
(should sum to
100.0% across)
VMFCs
Other inputs
End‐use product
%
%
0.0 %
%
%
0.0 %
%
%
0.0 %
III‐13. Substitutes.‐‐Can other products be substituted for VMFCs?
No
Yes‐‐Please fill out the table.
End use in which this
substitute is used
Substitute
Have changes in the price of this substitute
affected the price for VMFCs?
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 VMFCs has changed since January 1, 2016. Explain any trends and describe
the principal factors that have affected these changes in demand.
Overall
No
Overall Fluctuate with
increase change decrease no clear trend
Market
Explanation and factors
Within the United States
Outside the United States
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Vertical metal file cabinets (Preliminary)
Page 30
III‐15. Product changes.‐‐Have there been any significant changes in the product range, product mix or
marketing of VMFCs since January 1, 2016?
No
Yes
If yes, please describe.
III‐16. Conditions of competition.—
(a) Is the VMFCs market subject to business cycles (other than general economy‐wide
conditions) and/or other conditions of competition distinctive to VMFCs?
Check all that apply.
Please describe.
No
Skip to question III‐16.
Yes‐Business cycles (e.g.
seasonal business)
Yes‐Other distinctive
conditions of competition
(b) If yes, have there been any changes in the business cycles or conditions of competition for
VMFCs since January 1, 2016?
No
Yes
If yes, describe.
III‐17. Supply constraints.‐‐Has your firm refused, declined, or been unable to supply VMFCs 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.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Vertical metal file cabinets (Preliminary)
Page 31
III‐18. Raw materials.‐‐How have VMFC raw material prices changed since January 1, 2016?
Fluctuate
with no
Explain, noting how raw material price changes
Overall
No
Overall
increase change decrease clear trend have affected your firm’s selling prices for VMFC.
III‐19. Interchangeability.‐‐Are VMFCs 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
United States
China
China
Other countries
For any country‐pair producing VMFCs 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 – Vertical metal file cabinets (Preliminary)
Page 32
III‐20. Factors other than price.‐‐Are differences other than price (e.g., quality, availability,
transportation network, product range, technical support, etc.) between VMFCs 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
United States
China
China
Other countries
For any country‐pair for which factors other than price always or frequently are a significant factor
in your firm’s sales of VMFCs, identify the country‐pair and report the advantages or disadvantages
imparted by such factors:
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Vertical metal file cabinets (Preliminary)
Page 33
III‐21. Impact of the section 232 investigation.‐‐This question concerns the section 232 investigation
and subsequent tariffs imposed on imported steel and aluminum products.
(a) Did the announcement of the 232 investigation in April 2017 or the subsequent imposition
of tariffs on imported steel and aluminum products beginning in March 2018 have an impact
on the VMFCs market?
Yes—Please fill out table below and
answer part (b)
No
Don’t know
Item
Response
1
Impact on your firm
Impact on overall U.S. market1
1
Please identify the magnitude and timing of any effects, and compare your firm's operations/overall market
before and after the application of additional tariffs on imported steel products.
(b)
Assessment of impact of the section 232 tariffs.‐‐Please indicate the impact of the 232
investigation and subsequent imposition of tariffs on imported steel and aluminum
products beginning in March 2018.
Item
Fluctuate
with no
clear
No
trend
Increase change Decrease
Explanation and factors
Overall demand for
VMFCs in the U.S.
market
Supply of VMFCs in
the U.S. market
Prices for VMFCs in
the U.S. market
Raw material costs for
VMFCs in the U.S.
market
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Vertical metal file cabinets (Preliminary)
Page 34
III‐22. Impact of the section 301 investigation.— This question concerns the section 301 investigation
and tariffs on VMFCs.
(a) Did the announcement in March 2018 and subsequent implementation of tariff remedies in
the section 301 investigation impact, or do you anticipate that it will impact, your firm's
VMFCs business and/or the U.S. VMFC market as a whole?
Yes—Please fill out table below and
answer part (b)
No
Don’t know
Item
Response
1
Impact on your firm
Impact on overall U.S. market1
1
Please identify the magnitude and timing of any effects, and compare your firm's
operations/overall market before and after the announcement of the section 301 measures.
(b) Assessment of specific impacts of the section 301 investigation.‐‐Please indicate the impact
of the announcement and subsequent implementation of remedies in the section 301
investigation and tariff actions regarding VMFCs.
Item
Fluctuate
with no
No
clear
Increase change Decrease
trend
Explanation and factors
Overall demand for
VMFCs in the U.S.
market
Prices for VMFCs in
the U.S. market
Prices for VMFCs in
the U.S. market
Raw material costs for
VMFCs in the U.S.
market
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Vertical metal file cabinets (Preliminary)
Page 35
III‐23. Customer identification.‐‐List the names and contact information for your firm’s 10 largest U.S.
customers for VMFCs since January 1, 2016. Indicate the share of the quantity of your firm’s
total shipments of VMFCs that each of these customers accounted for in 2018.
Customer’s name
Contact person
Email
Telephone
City
State
Share
of
2018
sales
(%)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
III‐24. Other explanations.‐‐If your firm would like to further explain a response to a question in Part III
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.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Vertical metal file cabinets (Preliminary)
Page 36
Correcting Valid number error messages.‐‐If you are completing a Commission
questionnaire in a country that uses periods (“.”) to delineate multiples of 1000 (e.g., one million would
appear as $1.000.000 instead of as $1,000,000), you may be unable to enter in numbers greater than
999 in numeric form fields. This issues stem from your computer number formatting setting (e.g., not
the MS Word document itself, but the computer from which you are opening up the document). In the
United States commas (,) delineate multiples of 1000 and periods (.) delineate fractions less than one.
Many EU countries use the reverse where multiples of 1000 are delineated with periods (.) and
fractions less than one are delineated with commas (,). The US International Trade Commission’s
questionnaires are set‐up in the United States with the U.S. number formatting. When this formatting
interacts with a computer set to EU number formatting, we believe this may cause this issue.
The solution to this data entry issue is to temporarily change your operating system’s number
formatting to be consistent with the U.S. number formatting system while you complete the
questionnaire.
To temporarily change your computer’s number settings to U.S. settings, please do the following (for
Microsoft Windows Operating system):
START
Control Panel
Region and Language (under Clock, Language, and Region category)
Format tab
Change the Format from your existing one (e.g. “Italian (Italy)”) to “English (United States)” (see
screen shots below)
When you do this the number “twelve million dollars and thirty five cents” would change from
$12.000.000,35 (Italy format) to $12,000,000.35 (U.S. format), and then there will be no conflict with
the questionnaire. When you finish reporting the data then you can close the questionnaire and switch
back to Italy settings.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Vertical metal file cabinets (Preliminary)
Page 37
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/701731/2019/vertical_metal_file_cabinets_china/
preliminary.htm
Please do not attempt to modify the format or permissions of the questionnaire
document. Please submit the completed questionnaire using one of the methods noted
below. If your firm is unable to complete the MS Word questionnaire or cannot use one
of the electronic methods of submission, please contact the Commission for further
instructions.
• Upload via Secure Drop Box.—Upload the MS Word questionnaire along with a scanned copy of the
signed certification page (page 1) through the Commission’s secure upload facility:
Web address: https://dropbox.usitc.gov/oinv/
Pin: FILE
• 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 (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.
File Type | application/pdf |
File Title | Microsoft Word - US importer questionnaire |
Author | jessica.oliva |
File Modified | 2019-05-02 |
File Created | 2019-05-02 |