18-2-3913 US importers' questionnaire

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

IMP - Clad Steel Plate (R4) - OMB

Clad steel plate from Japan (Inv. No. 731-TA-739)

OMB: 3117-0016

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OMB No. 3117-0016/USITC No. 18-2-3913; Expiration Date: 6/30/2020
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U.S. IMPORTERS’ QUESTIONNAIRE
CLAD STEEL PLATE FROM JAPAN
This questionnaire must be received by the Commission by August 24, 2018
See last page for filing instructions.
The information called for in this questionnaire is for use by the United States International Trade Commission in
connection with its review of the antidumping duty order concerning clad steel plate from Japan (Inv. No. 731-TA-739
(Fourth Review)). The information requested in the questionnaire is requested under the authority of the Tariff Act of
1930, title VII. This report is mandatory and failure to reply as directed can result in a subpoena or other order to compel
the submission of records or information in your firm’s possession (19 U.S.C. § 1333(a)).

Name of firm
Address
City

State

Zip Code

Website
Has your firm imported clad steel plate (as defined on the next page) from any country at any time
since January 1, 2012?

(Sign the certification below and promptly return only this page of the questionnaire to the Commission)

YES

(Complete all parts of the questionnaire, and return the entire questionnaire to the Commission)

Return questionnaire via the Commission Drop Box by clicking on the following link:
https://dropbox.usitc.gov/oinv/. (PIN: CLAD)
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 investigations or reviews conducted by the Commission
on the same or similar merchandise.
I, the undersigned, acknowledge that information submitted in response to this request for information and throughout this
proceeding or other proceedings may be disclosed to and used: (i) by the Commission, its employees and Offices, and contract
personnel (a) for developing or maintaining the records of this or a related proceeding, or (b) in internal investigations, audits,
reviews, and evaluations relating to the programs, personnel, and operations of the Commission including under 5 U.S.C. Appendix
3; or (ii) by U.S. government employees and contract personnel, solely for cybersecurity purposes. I understand that all contract
personnel will sign appropriate nondisclosure agreements.
Name of Authorized Official

Title of Authorized Official

Date

Phone:
Signature

Email address

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Clad Steel Plate (Fourth Review)

Page 2

PART I.—GENERAL INFORMATION
Background.--On July 2, 1996, the Department of Commerce (“Commerce”) issued an antidumping duty
order on imports of clad steel plate from Japan. On January 2, 2018, the Commission instituted a review
pursuant to section 751(c) of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. § 1675(c)) (the Act) to determine whether
revocation of the order would be likely to lead to continuation or recurrence of material injury to the
domestic industry within a reasonably foreseeable time. If both the Commission and Commerce make
an affirmative determination, the order will remain in place. If either the Commission or Commerce
makes a negative determination, Commerce will revoke the order. Questionnaires and other
information pertinent to this proceeding are available at
https://www.usitc.gov/investigations/701731/2018/clad_steel_plate_japan/fourth_review_full.htm.
Clad steel plate covered by these investigations is {a}ll clad 1 steel plate of a width of 600 millimeters
(“mm”) or more and a composite thickness of 4.5 mm or more. Clad steel plate is a rectangular finished
steel mill product consisting of a layer of cladding material (usually stainless steel or nickel) which is
metallurgically bonded to a base or backing of ferrous metal (usually carbon or low alloy steel) where
the latter predominates by weight.
Stainless clad steel plate is manufactured to American Society for Testing and Materials (“ASTM”)
specifications A263 (400 series stainless types) and A264 (300 series stainless types). Nickel and nickelbase alloy clad steel plate is manufactured to ASTM specification A265. These specifications are
illustrative but not necessarily all-inclusive.
Clad steel plate is currently imported under statistical reporting number 7210.90.1000of the
Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS). The HTSUS provisions are for convenience and
customs purposes; the written description of the scope is dispositive.
Reporting of information.-- If information is not readily available from your records, provide carefully
prepared estimates. If your firm is completing more than one questionnaire (i.e., a producer, importer,
purchaser and/or foreign producer 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.

Cladding is the association of layers of metals of different colors or natures by molecular interpenetration of the
surfaces in contact. This limited diffusion is characteristic of clad products and differentiates them from products
metalized in other manners (e.g., by normal electroplating). The various cladding processes include pouring molten
cladding metal onto the basic metal followed by rolling; simple hot-rolling of the cladding metal to ensure efficient
welding to the basic metal; any other method of deposition of superimposing of the cladding metal followed by
any mechanical or thermal process to ensure welding (e.g., electrocladding), in which the cladding metal (nickel,
chromium, etc.) is applied to the basic metal by electroplating, molecular interpenetration of the surfaces in
contact then being obtained by heat treatment at the appropriate temperature with subsequent cold rolling. See
Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System Explanatory Notes, Chapter 72, General Note (IV)(C)(2) (e).
1

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Clad Steel Plate (Fourth Review)

Page 3

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

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Clad Steel Plate (Fourth Review)
I-1.

Page 4

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

Dollars

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

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

I-3.

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

Firm name

Yes--List the following information.

Address

Extent of
ownership
(percent)

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Clad Steel Plate (Fourth Review)
I-4.

Related importers/exporters.--Does your firm have any related firms, either domestic or
foreign, that are engaged in importing clad steel plate into the United States or that are engaged
in exporting clad steel plate to the United States?
No

Yes--List the following information.

Firm name

I-5.

Country

Affiliation

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

Yes--List the following information.

Firm name

I-6.

Page 5

Country

Affiliation

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

Takes title to the
imported product(s)

Consignee of the
imported products(s)

Customs broker or
freight forwarder

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Clad Steel Plate (Fourth Review)
I-7.

Consignees.--If your firm is an importer of record of clad steel plate but is not the consignee,
please list the consignees below (firm name, address, telephone number, and individual to
contact).
Firm name

I-8.

Page 6

Contact person and
phone number

Address

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

Yes

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Clad Steel Plate (Fourth Review)
I-9.

Business plan.--In Parts II and III of this questionnaire we request a copy of your company’s
business plan. Does your company or any related firm have a business plan or any internal
documents that describe, discuss, or analyze expected market conditions for clad steel plate?
No

I-10.

Page 7

Yes–Please provide the requested documents. If you are not providing the
requested documents, please explain why not.

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

Yes–Please specify.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Clad Steel Plate (Fourth Review)

Page 8

PART II.--TRADE AND RELATED INFORMATION
Further information on this part of the questionnaire can be obtained from Drew Dushkes (202-2053229, [email protected]). Supply all data requested on a calendar-year basis.
II-1.

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

II-2.

Changes in operations.--Please indicate whether your firm has experienced any of the following
changes in relation to the importation of clad steel plate since January 1, 2012.
Check as many as appropriate.

Office/warehouse openings
Office/warehouse closings
Relocations
Expansions
Acquisitions
Consolidations
Prolonged shutdowns or
importation curtailments
Revised labor agreements
Other (e.g., technology)

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

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Clad Steel Plate (Fourth Review)
II -2b

Anticipated changes in operations.—Does your firm anticipate any changes in in the character
of its operations or organization relating to the importation of clad steel plate in the future?

II-3.

Page 9

Yes

If yes, supply details as to the time, nature, and significance of
such changes and provide underlying assumptions, along with
relevant portions of business plans or other supporting
documentations that address this issue.

Arranged imports.--Has your firm imported or arranged for the importation of clad steel plate
for delivery after June 30, 2018?
“Arranged imports” are imports for which your firm has placed an order with a foreign supplier
for subject merchandise, but delivery of those imports is not scheduled to occur until after the
date listed above.
No

Yes–Fill out the table below.
Quantity (in short tons)

Period/Source

Jul-Sep 2018

Oct-Dec 2018

Jan-Mar 2019

Apr-Jun 2019

Japan
Other sources
II-4.

Reasons for importing if producer.--If your firm also produces clad steel plate 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 – Clad Steel Plate (Fourth Review)

Page 10

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

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Clad Steel Plate (Fourth Review)
II-5a.

Page 11

Imports from Japan.-- Report your firm’s imports and your firm’s shipments and inventories of
clad steel plate imported from Japan during the specified periods.

JAPAN
Quantity (in short tons), value (in $1,000)
Calendar year
Item

2015

2016

January-June
2017

2017

2018

Beginning-of-period
inventories (quantity) (A)
Imports:1
Quantity (B)
Value (C)
U.S. shipments:
Commercial shipments:
Quantity (D)
Value (E)
Internal consumption: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)
Please identify the foreign producers, if known:
.
Sales to related firms (including internal consumption) must be valued at fair market value. In the event that your firm
uses a different basis for valuing these sales within your company, please specify that basis (e.g., cost, cost plus, etc.) and
provide value data using that basis for each period identified above:
.
3
Identify your firm’s principal export markets:
.
1
2

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Clad Steel Plate (Fourth Review)
II-5a.

Page 12

Imports from Japan.–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 year
Reconciliation

2015

2016

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

January-June
2017

2017

2018

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

II-5b. Channels of distribution: Japan.-- Report your firm’s U.S. shipments of imports from Japan by
channel of distribution.
Quantity (in short tons)
Calendar year
Item

2015

2016

January-June
2017

2017

2018

Channels of distribution:
Commercial U.S.
shipments—
to distributors (M)
to fabricators (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 year
Reconciliation item
M+N+O–D-F-H=
zero ("0"), if not revise.

2015

2016
0

January-June
2017

2017
0

2018
0

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Clad Steel Plate (Fourth Review)

Page 13

II-5c. Historical U.S imports: Japan. --Report the quantity your firm’s imports of clad steel plate
imported from Japan during the specified periods.
Quantity (in short tons)
Item

2012

2013

2014

Imports
Quantity (P)
Value (Q)
II-6.

U.S. shipments by cladding material: Japan.-- Report your firm’s U.S. shipments of imports from
Japan by cladding material.
Quantity (in short tons)
Calendar year
Item

2017

Cladding material:
U.S. shipments—
Stainless steel (R)
Nickel and nickel alloy (S)
Titanium (T)
Other (U)1
Total
1

Please identify these other types of cladding material:

RECONCILIATION OF CHANNELS.--Please ensure that the quantities reported for U.S. shipments by
cladding material (i.e., lines R, S, T and U) in 2017 equal the quantity reported for U.S. shipments (i.e.,
lines D, F, and H) in 2017. If the calculated fields below return values other than zero (i.e., “0”), the data
reported must be revised prior to submission to the Commission.
Calendar year
Reconciliation item
R + S + T + U – D – F – H = zero ("0"), if not
revise.

2017
0

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Clad Steel Plate (Fourth Review)
II-7.

Page 14

U.S. shipments by base metal: Japan.-- Report your firm’s U.S. shipments of imports from Japan
by base metal.
Quantity (in short tons)
Calendar year
Item

2017

Base metal:
U.S. shipments—
Carbon steel (V)
Low alloy (W)
Other (X)
Total
1

Please identify these other types of base metal:

RECONCILIATION OF CHANNELS.--Please ensure that the quantities reported for U.S. shipments by base
metal (i.e., lines V, W, and X) in 2017 equal the quantity reported for U.S. shipments (i.e., lines D, F, and
H) in 2017. If the calculated fields below return values other than zero (i.e., “0”), the data reported must
be revised prior to submission to the Commission.
Calendar year
Reconciliation item
V + W + X – D – F – H = zero ("0"), if not revise.

2017
0

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Clad Steel Plate (Fourth Review)
II-8.

Page 15

U.S. shipments by thickness: Japan.-- Report your firm’s U.S. shipments of imports from Japan
by thickness.
Quantity (in short tons)
Calendar year
Item

2017

Thickness:
U.S. shipments—
Less than or equal to 1 inch (Y)
Greater than 1 inch but less than or equal to
2 inches (Z)
Greater than 2 inches (AA)
Total

RECONCILIATION OF CHANNELS.--Please ensure that the quantities reported for U.S. shipments by
thickness (i.e., lines Y, Z, and AA) in 2017 equal the quantity reported for U.S. shipments (i.e., lines D, F,
and H) in 2017. If the calculated fields below return values other than zero (i.e., “0”), the data reported
must be revised prior to submission to the Commission.
Calendar year
Reconciliation item
Y + Z + AA – D – F – H = zero ("0"), if not revise.

2017
0

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Clad Steel Plate (Fourth Review)
II-9a.

Page 16

Imports from all other sources.-- Report your firm’s imports and your firm’s shipments and
inventories of clad steel plate imported from all other sources combined during the specified
periods.

ALL OTHER SOURCES COMBINED
(list sources:

)
Quantity (in short tons), value (in $1,000)
Calendar year

Item

2015

2016

January-June
2017

2017

2018

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Clad Steel Plate (Fourth Review)
II-9a.

Page 17

Imports from all other sources.–Continued

2015

2016

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

January-June
2017

2017

2018

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

II-9b. Channels of distribution: All other sources.-- Report your firm’s U.S. shipments of imports from
all other sources by channel of distribution.
Quantity (in short tons)
Calendar year
Item

2015

2016

January-June
2017

2017

2018

Channels of distribution:
Commercial U.S.
shipments—
to distributors (M)
to fabricators (N)
to end users (O)
RECONCILIATION OF CHANNELS.--Please ensure that the quantities reported for channels of distribution
(i.e., lines M and N) 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 year
Reconciliation item
M+N+O–D–F–H=
zero ("0"), if not revise.

2015

2016
0

January-June
2017

2017
0

2018
0

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Clad Steel Plate (Fourth Review)

Page 18

II-10c. Historical U.S imports: All other sources. --Report the quantity your firm’s imports of clad steel
plate imported from all other sources during the specified periods.
Quantity (in short tons)
Item

2012

2013

2014

Imports
Quantity (P)
Value (Q)
II-11.

U.S. shipments by cladding material: All other sources.-- Report your firm’s U.S. shipments of
imports from all other sources by cladding material.
Quantity (in short tons)
Calendar year
Item

2017

Cladding material:
U.S. shipments—
Stainless steel (R)
Nickel and nickel alloy (S)
Titanium (T)
Other (U)
Total
1

Please identify these other types of cladding material:

RECONCILIATION OF CHANNELS.--Please ensure that the quantities reported for U.S. shipments by
cladding material (i.e., lines R, S, T, and U) in 2017 equal the quantity reported for U.S. shipments (i.e.,
lines D, F, and H) in 2017. If the calculated fields below return values other than zero (i.e., “0”), the data
reported must be revised prior to submission to the Commission.
Calendar year
Reconciliation item
R + S + T + U – D – F – H = zero ("0"), if not revise.

2017
0

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Clad Steel Plate (Fourth Review)
II-12.

Page 19

U.S. shipments by base metal: All other sources.-- Report your firm’s U.S. shipments of imports
from all other sources by base metal.
Quantity (in short tons)
Calendar year
Item

2017

Base metal:
U.S. shipments—
Carbon steel (V)
Low alloy (W)
Other (X)
Total
1

Please identify these other types of base metal:

2017
0

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Clad Steel Plate (Fourth Review)
II-13.

Page 20

U.S. shipments by thickness: All other sources.-- Report your firm’s U.S. shipments of imports
from all other sources by thickness.
Quantity (in short tons)
Calendar year
Item

2017

Thickness:
U.S. shipments—
Less than or equal to 1 inch (Y)
Greater than 1 inch but less than or equal to
2 inches (Z)
Greater than 2 inches (AA)
Total

2017
0

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Clad Steel Plate (Fourth Review)

Page 21

II-14.

Effect of order.--Describe the significance of the existing antidumping duty order covering
imports of clad steel plate from Japan in terms of its effect on your firm’s imports, U.S.
shipments of imports, and inventories. You may wish to compare your firm’s operations before
and after the imposition of the order.

II-15.

Likely impact of revocation. --Would your firm anticipate any changes in in the character of its
operations or organization, including its imports, U.S. shipments of imports, or inventories of
clad steel plate in the future if the antidumping duty orders on clad steel plate from Japan were
to be revoked?

II-16.

Yes

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

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Clad Steel Plate (Fourth Review)

Page 22

PART III.--PRICING AND MARKET FACTORS
Further information on this part of the questionnaire can be obtained from Andrew Knipe (202-2052390, [email protected]).
III-1.

PRICE DATA
III-2.

Pricing and sales.-(a)

Have customers expressed interest in purchasing Japanese clad steel plate products?
No

(b)

Yes

If yes, please describe.

How do product offerings and prices of Japanese clad steel plate compare to similar
U.S.-produced clad steel plate?

Generally
Generally
Higher
Comparable
Lower

(c)

Please explain, noting any differences in product
offerings

Please provide any additional market price comparisons of clad steel plate in U.S.,
Japanese, and other markets, if known. Please also provide information as to time
periods and regions for any price comparisons.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Clad Steel Plate (Fourth Review)
III-3.

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

III-4.

Contracts

Set
price
lists

Other

If other, describe

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

Quantity
discounts

III-5.

Page 23

Annual
total
volume
discounts

No
discount
policy

Other

Describe

Pricing terms.-(a)

What are your firm’s typical sales terms for clad steel plate imported from Japan?

Net 30
days

(b)

Net 60
days

2/10
net 30
days

Other

Other (specify)

On what basis are your firm’s prices of imported clad steel plate from Japan usually
quoted? (check one)
Delivered

F.o.b.

If f.o.b., specify point

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Clad Steel Plate (Fourth Review)
III-6.

Contract versus spot.--Approximately what share of your firm’s sales of clad steel plate
imported from Japan in 2017 was on a (1) long-term contract basis, (2) annual contract basis, (3)
short-term contract basis, and (4) spot sales basis?

Share of
2017 sales
III-7.

Page 24

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

Type of sale
Short-term
Annual
contracts
contracts
(multiple
(multiple
deliveries for
deliveries for
less than 12
12 months)
months)

Spot sales
(for a single
delivery)

Total
(should sum to
100.0%)

0.0

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

Typical sales
contract provisions

Item

Average contract
duration

No. of
days

Price renegotiation
(during contract
period)

Yes

Fixed quantity
and/or price

No
Quantity

Meet or release
provision
Not applicable

Price
Both
Yes
No

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

Annual contracts
(multiple
deliveries for 12
months)
365

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

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Clad Steel Plate (Fourth Review)
III-8.

Lead times.--What is your firm’s share of sales of clad steel plate imported from Japan 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 clad steel plate?
Source

Share of 2017 sales

From inventory

From foreign manufacturers’ inventory

Produced to order

Total (should sum to 100.0%)
III-9.

Page 25

0.0

Lead time (Average
number of days)

Shipping information.-(a)

What is the approximate percentage of the cost of clad steel plate imported from Japan
that is accounted for by U.S. inland transportation costs?
%

(b)

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

(c)

When your firm sells clad steel plate imported from Japan, from where is it shipped?
Point of importation
Storage facility (check one)

(d)

Indicate the approximate percentage of your sales of clad steel plate imported from
Japan 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

Within 100 miles

101 to 1,000 miles

Over 1,000 miles

Total (should sum to 100.0%)

0.0

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Clad Steel Plate (Fourth Review)

Page 26

III-10. Geographical shipments.--In which U.S. geographic market area(s) has your firm sold clad steel
plate imported from Japan since January 1, 2012 (check all that apply)?
Geographic area

Japan

Northeast.–CT, ME, MA, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, and VT.
Midwest.–IL, IN, IA, KS, MI, MN, MO, NE, ND, OH, SD, and WI.
Southeast.–AL, DE, DC, FL, GA, KY, MD, MS, NC, SC, TN, VA, and WV.
Central Southwest.–AR, LA, OK, and TX.
Mountains.–AZ, CO, ID, MT, NV, NM, UT, and WY.
Pacific Coast.–CA, OR, and WA.
Other.–All other markets in the United States not previously listed,
including AK, HI, PR, and VI.
III-11. End uses.-(a)

List the end uses of the clad steel plate that your firm imports. For each end-use
product, what percentage of the total cost is accounted for by clad steel plate and other
inputs?
Share of total cost of end-use product
accounted for by

End use product

(b)

Clad steel plate

Other inputs

Total
(should sum to
100.0% across)

0.0 %

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

Changes in end
uses
Changes since
January 1, 2012
Anticipated
changes

Yes

Explain

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Clad Steel Plate (Fourth Review)

Page 27

III-12. Substitutes.-(a)

Can other products be substituted for clad steel plate?
No

Substitute

Yes--Please fill out the table.

End use in which this
substitute is used

Have changes in the price of this substitute
affected the price for clad steel plate?
No Yes

Explanation

1.
2.
3.
(b)

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

Changes since
January 1, 2012
Anticipated
changes

Yes

Explain

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Clad Steel Plate (Fourth Review)

Page 28

III-13. Availability of supply.--Has the availability of clad steel plate in the U.S. market changed since
January 1, 2012? Do you anticipate any future changes in the next two years?
Availability in the U.S. market

Yes

Please explain, noting the countries and reasons for
the changes.

Changes since January 1, 2012:
U.S.-produced product
Imports from Japan
Imports from all other countries
Anticipated changes:
U.S.-produced product
Imports from Japan
Imports from all other countries
III-14. Demand trends.-- Indicate how demand within the United States and outside of the United
States (if known) for clad steel plate has changed since January 1, 2012, and how you anticipate
demand will change in the next two years. Explain any trends and describe the principal factors
that have affected, and that you anticipate will affect, these changes in demand.

Market

Overall
increase

No
change

Fluctuate
Overall
with no
decrease clear trend
Demand since January 1, 2012

Within the United
States
Outside the United
States
Anticipated future demand
Within the United
States
Outside the United
States

Explanation and factors

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Clad Steel Plate (Fourth Review)

Page 29

III-15. Product changes.--Have there been any significant changes in the product range, product mix,
or marketing of clad steel plate since January 1, 2012? Do you anticipate any future changes in
the next two years?
Changes in
product range,
product mix, or
marketing

Yes

Explain

Changes since
January 1, 2012
Anticipated
changes
III-16. Conditions of competition.-(a)

Is the clad steel plate market subject to business cycles (other than general economywide conditions) and/or other conditions of competition distinctive to clad steel plate?

Check all that apply.
No

Please describe.
Skip to question III-17.

Yes-Business cycles (e.g.
seasonal business)
Yes-Other distinctive
conditions of competition
(b)

If yes, have there been any changes in the business cycles or conditions of competition
for clad steel plate since January 1, 2012?
No

Yes

If yes, describe.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Clad Steel Plate (Fourth Review)

Page 30

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

Yes

If yes, please describe.

III-18. Raw materials.--

(a)

Indicate how clad steel plate raw material prices have changed since January 1, 2012,
and how you expect they will change in the future.

Raw material prices

Fluctuate
with no
clear
Overall
No
Overall
increase change decrease trend

Explain, noting how raw material
price changes have affected your
firm’s selling prices for clad steel
plate.

Changes since January
1, 2012
Anticipated changes

(a)

Are your firm’s selling prices for clad steel plate indexed to raw material costs, including
base steel, cladding material, and/or other raw materials?

Type of sale

Yes

Please explain, noting the type of input material and which
publication the input(s) are indexed to.

Contract
Spot
III-19. Surcharges.--Does your firm’s pricing of clad steel plate include the use of surcharges for
particular raw materials or other inputs?

Type of sale
Contract
Spot

Yes

Please explain, noting the specific material or input(s) and the
formula(s) used.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Clad Steel Plate (Fourth Review)

Page 31

III-20. Price comparisons.--Please compare market prices of clad steel plate in U.S. and non-U.S.
markets, if known. Provide specific information as to time periods and regions for any price
comparisons.

III-21. Market studies.--Please provide as a separate attachment to this request any studies, surveys,
etc. that you are aware of that quantify and/or otherwise discuss clad steel plate supply
(including production capacity and capacity utilization) and demand in (1) the United States, (2)
each of the other major producing/consuming countries, including Japan, and (3) the world as a
whole. Of particular interest is such data from 2015 to the present and forecasts for the future.
III-22. Interchangeability.--Is clad steel plate 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

Japan

Other countries

United States
Japan
For any country-pair producing clad steel plate 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 – Clad Steel Plate (Fourth Review)

Page 32

III-23. Factors other than price.--Are differences other than price (e.g., quality, availability,
transportation network, product range, technical support, etc.) between clad steel plate
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

Japan

Other countries

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

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Clad Steel Plate (Fourth Review)

Page 33

III-24. Effect of 232 investigation of steel on conditions of competition.-(a)

Are you familiar with the 232 investigation conducted by the United States under
section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, as amended (19 U.S.C. § 1862), on
imports of certain steel products and the related proclamations issued by the President
or the subsequent imposition of tariffs on imported steel products?
No (skip to III-24)

(b)

Yes--Please fill out the tables.

Did the announcement of the section 232 investigation in April 2017 or the President’s
subsequent issuance of proclamations and imposition of tariffs on certain imported
steel products beginning in March 2018 impact the conditions of competition for clad
steel plate?
No

Yes If yes, describe.

Announcement of the section 232
investigation in April 2017
Issuance of proclamations on certain
imported steel products beginning in
March 2018
(c)

Do you anticipate that additional developments in relation the 232 investigation and
imposition of tariffs on certain imported steel products will impact the conditions of
competition for clad steel plate in the future?
No

Yes If yes, describe.

III-25. Other explanations.--If your firm would like to further explain a response to a question in Part III
that did not provide a narrative response box, please note the question number and the
explanation in the space provided below. Please also use this space to highlight any issues your
firm had in providing the data in this section, including but not limited to technical issues with
the MS Word questionnaire.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Clad Steel Plate (Fourth Review)

Page 34

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 – Clad Steel Plate (Fourth Review)

Page 35

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/clad_steel_plate_japan/fourth_revi
ew_full.htm
Please do not attempt to modify the format or permissions of the questionnaire
document. Please submit the completed questionnaire using one of the methods noted
below. If your firm is unable to complete the MS Word questionnaire or cannot use one
of the electronic methods of submission, please contact the Commission for further
instructions.
• Upload via Secure Drop Box.—Upload the MS Word questionnaire along with a scanned copy of the
signed certification page (page 1) through the Commission’s secure upload facility:
Web address: https://dropbox.usitc.gov/oinv/

Pin: CLAD

• 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 import this product, please fill out page 1, print, sign, and submit a scanned copy
to the Commission.
Parties to this proceeding.—If your firm is a party to this proceeding, it is required to serve a copy of the
completed questionnaire on parties to the proceeding that are subject to administrative protective
order (see 19 CFR § 207.7). A list of such parties may be obtained from the Commission’s Secretary (202205-1803). A certificate of service must accompany the completed questionnaire you submit (see 19 CFR
§ 207.7). Service of the questionnaire must be made in paper form.

File Type	application/pdf
File Title	Importers questionnaire - sunset
Author	Dushkes, Andrew
File Modified	2018-07-13
File Created	2018-07-13