19-3-4059 US purchasers' questionnaire

OMB No. 3117-0016/USITC No. 19-3-4059; Expiration Date: 6/30/2020
(No response is required if currently valid OMB control number is not displayed)

U.S. PURCHASERS’ QUESTIONNAIRE
REFILLABLE STAINLESS STEEL KEGS FROM CHINA, GERMANY, AND MEXICO
This questionnaire must be received by the Commission by July 5, 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 and antidumping duty investigations concerning refillable stainless steel kegs from
China, Germany, and Mexico (Inv. Nos. 701-TA-610 and 731-TA-1425-1427 (Final)) The information requested in the
questionnaire is requested under the authority of the Tariff Act of 1930, title VII. This report is mandatory and failure to
reply as directed can result in a subpoena or other order to compel the submission of records or information in your
possession (19 U.S.C. § 1333(a)). Further information on this questionnaire can be obtained from Natalia King (202-2052049, [email protected]).

Name of firm
Address
City

State

Zip Code

Website
Has your firm purchased refillable stainless steel kegs (as defined on next page) from any source (domestic or
foreign) 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: KEGS)
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
submitting 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

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Refillable Stainless Steel Kegs (Final)

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PART I.—GENERAL INFORMATION
Background.--This proceeding was instituted in response to a petition filed on September 20, 2018, by
American Keg Company, LLC, Pottstown, Pennsylvania. Countervailing and/or antidumping duties may
be assessed on the subject imports as a result of these proceedings if the Commission makes an
affirmative determination of injury, threat, or material retardation, and if the U.S. Department of
Commerce (“Commerce”) makes an affirmative determination of subsidization/dumping.
Questionnaires and other information pertinent to this proceeding are available at
https://www.usitc.gov/investigations/701731/2019/refillable_stainless_steel_kegs_china_germany_and
/final.htm.
Refillable stainless steel kegs covered by these investigations are kegs, vessels, or containers with
bodies that are approximately cylindrical in shape, made from stainless steel (i.e., steel containing at
least 10.5 percent chromium by weight and less than 1.2 percent carbon by weight, with or without
other elements), and that are compatible with a “D Sankey” extractor (refillable stainless steel kegs)
with a nominal liquid volume capacity of 10 liters or more, regardless of the type of finish, gauge,
thickness, or grade of stainless steel, and whether or not covered by or encased in other materials.
Refillable stainless steel kegs may be imported assembled or unassembled, with or without all
components (including spears, couplers or taps, necks, collars, and valves), and be filled or unfilled.
“Unassembled” or “unfinished” refillable stainless steel kegs include drawn stainless steel cylinders that
have been welded to form the body of the keg and attached to an upper (top) chime and/or lower
(bottom) chime. Unassembled refillable stainless steel kegs may or may not be welded to a neck, may or
may not have a valve assembly attached, and may be otherwise complete except for testing,
certification, and/or marking.
Subject merchandise also includes refillable stainless steel kegs that have been further processed in a
third country, including but not limited to, attachment of necks, collars, spears or valves, heat
treatment, pickling, passivation, painting, testing, certification or any other processing that would not
otherwise remove the merchandise from the scope of the investigation if performed in the country of
manufacture of the in-scope refillable stainless steel keg.
Specifically excluded are the following:
(1) vessels or containers that are not approximately cylindrical in nature (e.g., box, ‘‘hopper’’ or
‘‘cone’’ shaped vessels);
(2) stainless steel kegs, vessels, or containers that have either a ‘‘ball lock’’ valve system or a
‘‘pin lock’’ valve system (commonly known as ‘‘Cornelius,’’ ‘‘corny’’ or ‘‘ball lock’’ kegs);
(3) necks, spears, couplers or taps, collars, and valves that are not imported with the subject
merchandise; and
(4) stainless steel kegs that are filled with beer, wine, or other liquid and that are designated by
the Commissioner of Customs as Instruments of International Traffic within the meaning of
section 332(a) of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended.
Refillable stainless steel kegs are currently classified in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United
States (HTSUS) under subheadings 7310.10.0010, 7310.10.0050, 7310.29.0025, and 7310.29.0050.
These HTSUS subheadings are provided for convenience and customs purposes; the written description
of the scope of this investigation is dispositive.

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Purchaser.--Any firm engaged, either directly or through a parent company or subsidiary, in purchasing
refillable stainless steel kegs from another firm that produces, imports, or otherwise distributes
refillable stainless steel kegs.
Reporting of information.--If information is not readily available from your records, provide carefully
prepared estimates. If your firm is completing more than one questionnaire (i.e., a producer, importer,
and/or purchaser questionnaire), you need not respond to duplicated questions.
Confidentiality.--The commercial and financial data furnished in response to this questionnaire that
reveal the individual operations of your firm will be treated as confidential by the Commission to the
extent that such data are not otherwise available to the public and will not be disclosed except as may
be required by law (see 19 U.S.C. 1677f). Such confidential information will not be published in a manner
that will reveal the individual operations of your firm; however, general characterizations of numerical
business proprietary information (such as discussion of trends) will be treated as confidential business
information only at the request of the submitter for good cause shown.
Verification.--The information submitted in this questionnaire is subject to audit and verification by the
Commission. To facilitate possible verification of data, please keep all files, worksheets, and supporting
documents used in the preparation of the questionnaire response. Please also retain a copy of the final
document that you submit.
Release of information.--The information provided by your firm in response to this questionnaire, as
well as any other business proprietary information submitted by your firm to the Commission in
connection with this proceeding, may become subject to, and released under, the administrative
protective order provisions of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. § 1677f) and section 207.7 of the
Commission’s Rules of Practice and Procedure (19 CFR § 207.7). This means that certain lawyers and
other authorized individuals may temporarily be given access to the information for use in connection
with this proceeding or other import-injury proceedings conducted by the Commission on the same or
similar merchandise; those individuals would be subject to severe penalties if the information were
divulged to unauthorized individuals.
I-1.

Establishments covered.--Provide the name and address of your U.S. establishment(s) covered
by this questionnaire, if different from that listed on the cover page. Firms operating more than
one establishment should combine the data for all establishments into a single response.
“Establishment”--Each facility of a firm involved in the purchase of refillable stainless steel kegs,
including auxiliary facilities operated in conjunction with (whether or not physically separate
from) such facilities.

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Refillable Stainless Steel Kegs (Final)
I-2.

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

I-3.

Yes--List the following information.
Address

Extent of ownership
(percent)

Related importers/exporters.--Does your firm have any related firms, either domestic or
foreign, which import refillable stainless steel kegs into the United States or which export
refillable stainless steel kegs to the United States?
No
Firm name

I-4.

Page 4

Yes--List the following information.
Country

Affiliation

Related producers.--Does your firm have any related firms, either domestic or foreign, which
produce refillable stainless steel kegs?
No
Firm name

Yes--List the following information.
Country

Affiliation

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PART II.--PURCHASES
Contact information.--Please identify the responsible individual and the manner by which Commission
staff may contact that individual regarding the confidential information submitted in this questionnaire.
Name
Title
Email
Telephone
II-1.

Purchases and imports.--Report separately your firm’s domestic purchases and imports of
refillable stainless steel kegs.
“Purchase” – Purchase from a U.S. entity such as a U.S. producer, a U.S. importer, or other U.S.
firm.
“Import” – Purchase directly from a foreign supplier and your firm is the importer of record.
2016

2017

Item

January-March
2019

2018

Quantity (in units)

Purchases of refillable stainless
steel kegs produced in-United States
China
Germany
Mexico
All other countries1
Sources unknown
Total purchases

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Imports of refillable stainless steel
kegs from-China
Germany
Mexico
All other countries1
Total imports2
1

Please identify these countries:
If your firm imported refillable stainless steel kegs at any time since January 1, 2016, please also
complete and return a U.S. importers' questionnaire in this proceeding.
2

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Refillable Stainless Steel Kegs (Final)
II-2.

Page 6

Changes in purchasing patterns.--Please indicate how the shares of your firm’s purchases of
refillable stainless steel kegs from different sources have changed since January 1, 2016.

Source of
purchases

Did not
purchase Decreased Increased Constant Fluctuated

Explanation for trend

United States
China
Germany
Mexico
All other countries
Sources unknown
II-3.

Country knowledge.--Please indicate the countries of origin with which your firm has
experience or information in the refillable stainless steel kegs market.
United
States

China

Germany

Mexico

Other
countries

Other countries (specify)

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Refillable Stainless Steel Kegs (Final)
II-4.

Page 7

Supplier identification.--Please list your firm’s TEN largest suppliers for refillable stainless steel
kegs since January 1, 2016. Also, provide the share of the quantity of your firm’s total purchases
of refillable stainless steel kegs that each of these suppliers accounted for in 2018.

No.

Supplier’s name

City and state

Share of quantity of
2018 purchases

1

%

2

%

3

%

4

%

5

%

6

%

7

%

8

%

9

%

10

%

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PART III.--MARKET CHARACTERISTICS AND PURCHASING PRACTICES
III-1a. Firm type.--Which of the following best describes your firm as a purchaser of refillable stainless
steel kegs (check all that apply)?
Brewery or beer manufacturer
Other
Large
Small
Medium
Keg leasing
(production
(production
(production
and rental
of more
of fewer
of 100,000
firm without
than 6
than
Distributor Other
to 6 million
beverage
million
100,000
barrels per
manufacturing
barrels per
barrels per
year)
operations
year)
year)

Describe
other

III-1b. Beverage production by keg arrangement.--Please estimate the percentage of your firm’s
annual beverage production that relies on leased or rented stainless steel kegs and the
percentage of your firm’s production that relies on purchased stainless steel kegs (Please skip to
next question if your firm is not a beverage manufacturer).

Beverage production using

Share of annual
beverage production
(percent)

Leased or rented kegs
Purchased kegs owned by your firm
Total (should sum to 100.0%)
If your firm is a distributor of refillable stainless steel kegs, please answer questions III-2 and III-3.
III-2.

Competition for sales.--Does your firm compete for sales to customers with the manufacturers
or importers from which your firm purchases refillable stainless steel kegs?
No

Yes

If yes, please describe the nature of the competition.

0.0

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Refillable Stainless Steel Kegs (Final)
III-3.

Page 9

Types of customers.--Which are the primary types of consumers to which your firm sells
refillable stainless steel kegs?
Large
brewery
(production
of more
than 6
million
barrels per
year)

Medium
brewery
(production
of 100,000
to 6 million
barrels per
year)

Small
brewery
(production
of fewer
than
100,000
barrels per
year)

Other
beverage
producers

Restaurants

Other

Describe
other

If your firm is an end user of refillable stainless steel kegs, please answer question III-4.
III-4.

Demand for end-use products.-(a)

Has the demand for your firm’s final products or beverages that utilize refillable
stainless steel kegs changed since January 1, 2016?
Increased

(b)

Decreased

Fluctuated

Has this had any effect on your firm’s demand for refillable stainless steel kegs?
No

(c)

No change

Yes

Explain

What is the share that refillable stainless steel kegs account for in the total cost of your
firm’s operations:
percent.

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Refillable Stainless Steel Kegs (Final)
III-5.

Page 10

Substitutes.--

(a) Specific substitutes.--Are these specific products considered as substitutes for refillable stainless
steel kegs products in the same end use(s)?

Specific substitutes

Are these
considered
substitutes in the
End use(s) in which
market?
this substitute is
No
Yes
used

Have changes in the price of this
substitute affected the price for
refillable stainless steel kegs?
No

Yes

Explanation

Plastic kegs
Aluminum kegs
(b) Other substitutes.--Can other products not already listed in part "a" of this question be
substituted for refillable stainless steel kegs?
No

Other substitutes

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 refillable stainless steel
kegs?
No Yes

Explanation

1.
2.
3.
(c) Substitute purchases.--Has your firm ever purchased substitutes for refillable stainless steel
kegs?
No

Substitute product that was
purchased by your firm
1.
2.
3.

Yes--Please fill out the table.

Time frame for substitute
purchases

Approximate percentage of
your firm’s demand for
refillable stainless steel kegs
that was filled by substitute
products

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Refillable Stainless Steel Kegs (Final)
III-6.

Page 11

Demand trends.--Indicate how demand within the United States and outside of the United
States (if known) for refillable stainless steel kegs has changed since January 1, 2016. Explain any
trends and describe the principal factors that have affected these changes in demand.
Fluctuate
Overall
No
Overall
with no
increase change decrease clear trend

Market

Explanation and factors

Within the United States
Outside the United States
III-7.

Country preferences.--Do you or your customers ever specifically order refillable stainless steel
kegs from one country in particular over other possible sources of supply?
No

III-8.

Yes

If yes, identify the countries and explain.

Importance of purchasing domestic product.--Please fill out the table below, estimating the
percentage of your firm’s total 2018 purchases of refillable stainless steel kegs that required
refillable stainless steel kegs produced in the United States.

Purchases that did not require domestic product
Purchases that were required by law or regulation to be domestic product
(e.g., government purchases under “Buy American” provisions)
Purchases that were not required by law or regulation, but were required by
your customers to be domestic product
Purchases that were required to be domestic product for other reasons
(explain:
)
Total (should sum to 100.0%)

Estimated percentage of
your firm’s total 2018
purchases of refillable
stainless steel kegs
%
%
%
%
0.0 %

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Refillable Stainless Steel Kegs (Final)
III-9.

Page 12

Conditions of competition.-(a)

Is the refillable stainless steel kegs market subject to business cycles (other than general
economy-wide conditions) and/or other conditions of competition distinctive to
refillable stainless steel kegs?

Check all that apply.

Please describe.

No

Skip to question III-10.

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

Have there been any changes in the business cycles or conditions of competition for
refillable stainless steel kegs since January 1, 2016?
No

Yes

If yes, describe.

III-10. Decisions based on producer and country-of-origin.--How often does your firm, and if known,
do your customers, make purchasing decisions involving refillable stainless steel kegs based on
its producer or country of origin?
Item

Always

Usually

Sometimes

Never

If at least sometimes, explain.1

Decision based on producer
Your firm
Your
customers
Decision based on country of origin
Your firm
Your
customers
1

If purchasing decisions are at least “sometimes” based on the producer or country of origin,
how does the decision impact the price paid for refillable stainless steel kegs?

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III-11. Availability of supply.--Has the availability of refillable stainless steel kegs in the U.S. market
changed since January 1, 2016?
Availability in the U.S.
Please explain, noting the countries and reasons for the
market
No Yes changes.
U.S.-produced product
Subject imports
Nonsubject imports
III-12. Supply constraints.--Has any firm refused, declined, or been unable to supply your firm with
refillable stainless steel kegs 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.

III-13. Availability of specific product types.--Are certain grades/types/sizes of refillable stainless steel
kegs only available from certain country sources?
No

Yes

If yes, please identify the countries and the grade/type/size.

III-14. Purchasing frequency.-(a)

How frequently does your firm make purchases of refillable stainless steel kegs (check
one)?
Daily

(b)

Weekly

Monthly

Quarterly

Annually

Other

Has this purchasing frequency changed since January 1, 2016?
No

Yes

If yes, please describe.

If other, specify

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III-15. Raw material prices.-(a)

Is your firm familiar with the prices for raw materials (i.e. stainless steel) used in the
production of refillable stainless steel kegs?
No

(b)

Yes – please answer (b)

Has information on raw material prices affected your firm’s negotiations or contracts to
purchase refillable stainless steel kegs since January 1, 2016?
No

Yes Explain

III-16. Number of suppliers contacted.--How many suppliers does your firm generally contact before
making a purchase? Between
and
firms
III-17. Supplier negotiations.--Do your firm’s purchases of refillable stainless steel kegs usually involve
negotiations between supplier and purchaser?

No

Yes

If yes, explain the factors your firm generally negotiates and note whether
your firm quotes competing prices during negotiations.

III-18. Change in suppliers.--Has your firm changed suppliers since January 1, 2016?
Supplier
name

Supplier
added

Supplier Country of supplier
dropped

Please explain the reasons for the change
in supplier.

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III-19. New suppliers.--Are you aware of any new suppliers, either foreign or domestic, that have
entered the market since January 1, 2016?
No

Yes

If yes, please identify the firms.

III-20. Supplier qualification.--Do you require your suppliers to be or to become certified or qualified
to sell refillable stainless steel kegs to your firm?
If yes, provide the following information.
 The number of days to qualify a new supplier.
 A general description of the certification or qualification process. Also, a brief
description of the factors that you consider when qualifying a new supplier (e.g., quality
of product, reliability of supplier, etc.).

No

Yes

Number
of days Process and factors

III-21. U.S. producer’s attempts to certify.-(a) Since January 1, 2016, has American Keg attempted to certify or qualify its refillable stainless
steel kegs with your firm? If yes, please answer b.
No

Yes – please answer b

(b) If American Keg attempted to certify or qualify its refillable stainless steel kegs with your
firm, was it successful in certifying with your firm? If no, please describe why it was not
successful or why it lost its approved status.

No

Yes

If no, please explain why American Keg was unable to certify with your
firm.

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III- 22. Foreign producers’ attempts to certify.-(a) Since January 1, 2016, have any foreign producers attempted to certify or qualify their
refillable stainless steel kegs with your firm? If yes, please answer b.
No

Yes – please answer b

(b) If a foreign producer attempted to certify or qualify its refillable stainless steel kegs with
your firm, was it successful in certifying with your firm? If no, please identify these firms, the
countries where they are located, and the reasons why they were unable to certify with
your firm or why they lost their approved status.

No

Yes

If no, please identify the firms, the countries where they are located, and
the reasons why they were unable to certify with your firm.

III-23. Supplier capacity requirements.--Does your firm require its suppliers of refillable stainless steel
kegs to have a minimum annual production capacity and/or the ability to fill minimum order
sizes?

No
Minimum annual
production capacity
supplier requirement
Minimum order size
supplier requirement

Yes

Minimum
capacity/size
quantity (units)

Please explain

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III-24. Major purchasing factors.--Please list, in order of their importance and one item per line, the
main factors your firm considers in deciding from whom to purchase refillable stainless steel
kegs (examples include availability, extension of credit, contracts, price, quality, range of
supplier’s product line, traditional supplier, etc.).
1.
2.
3.
Please list any other factors that are very important in your purchase decisions:
III-25. Quality characteristics.--What characteristics does your firm consider when determining the
quality of refillable stainless steel kegs?

III-26. Minimum quality.--How often does refillable stainless steel kegs from the following countries
meet minimum quality specifications for your uses or your customers’ uses?

Source
United States
China
Germany
Mexico
Other:

Always

Usually

Sometimes

Rarely or
never

Don’t
know

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III-27. Purchasing factors.--Please rate the importance of the following factors in your firm’s
purchasing decisions for refillable stainless steel kegs.

Factor
Availability
Ability to meet minimum quantity
Branding (of keg supplier)
Business/historical relationship
Certification
Customer service
Delivery terms
Delivery time
Discounts offered
Packaging
Payment terms
Price
Product consistency
Product range
Quality exceeds industry standards
Quality meets industry standards
Reliability of supply
Supplier financial stability
Supply chain efficiency
Technical support/service
U.S. transportation costs
Warranty

Very
important

Somewhat
important

Not
important

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III-28. Frequency of decisions based on price.--How often does your firm purchase the refillable
stainless steel kegs that is offered at the lowest price?
Always

Usually

Sometimes

Never

III-29. Price leaders.--A price leader is defined as (1) one or more firms that initiate a price change,
either upward or downward, that is followed by other firms, or (2) one or more firms that have a
significant impact on prices. A price leader is not necessarily the lowest-priced supplier.
Please list any firms that your firm considered price leaders in the refillable stainless steel kegs
market since January 1, 2016.
There are no
price leaders
in the
refillable
stainless
steel keg
market

Firm(s) that
are
considered
to be price
leaders

Describe how the firm(s) exhibited price leadership

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III-30. Purchasing subject imports rather than domestic products.—
(a)

Since January 1, 2016, did your firm purchase imports of refillable stainless steel kegs
from China, Germany, and Mexico instead of available U.S.-produced refillable stainless
steel kegs? Respond for each subject country.

Source

Yes
(also respond to parts (b) and (c))

No
(If “No” for all countries, skip to next
question)

China
Germany
Mexico
(b)

If you responded “Yes” to part (a), was the imported product priced lower than the
domestic product?
Source

Yes

No

China
Germany
Mexico
(c)

If you responded “Yes” to part (a), was price a primary reason for purchasing subject
imports rather than domestic product?

Source

China
Germany
Mexico

Yes

If Yes, estimate the quantity
of imports purchased instead
of domestic product since
January 2016
(in units)

No

If No, please indicate the
reason your firm purchased
imports instead of domestic
product

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III-31. U.S. producers and import competition.—
(a)

Since January 1, 2016, in connection with a sale or offer to sell refillable stainless steel
kegs to your firm, did U.S. producers reduce their prices of domestically produced
refillable stainless steel kegs in order to compete with lower-priced imports of refillable
stainless steel kegs from the subject countries? Respond for each subject country.
Source

Yes (also respond to
question part (b))

No (If “No” for all countries,
skip to next question)

Don’t know

China
Germany
Mexico
(b)

If your firm responded “yes” to any of the above countries, please provide an estimate
of the reduction in U.S. producers’ prices, and any additional explanations, such as
timing (e.g., months/years), frequency of price reductions, or other market/competitive
factors.

Source

Estimated
reduction in U.S.
prices
(percent)

China

%

Germany

%

Mexico

%

Additional explanation, including such information as
timing (e.g., months/years), frequency of price
reductions, or other market/competitive factors

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III-32. Impact of 301 duties.--This question concerns the section 301 investigation and subsequent
announcement of additional tariffs that include refillable stainless steel kegs proposed and
implemented by the United States in response to Chinese trade practices.
(a) Did the announcement of the 301 investigation in June 2018 or the subsequent imposition
of tariffs on Chinese-origin products have an impact on the refillable stainless steel keg
market?
Yes—Please answer b and c.

No

Don’t know

(b) Please indicate the impact of the announcements and subsequent imposition of duties
under the section 301 investigation.
Item

Overall
increase

No
Overall
change decrease

Fluctuate with no
clear trend

Demand for U.S.-produced
refillable stainless steel kegs in
the U.S. market
Demand for imports from China
of refillable stainless steel kegs in
the U.S. market
Demand for imports from other
sources of refillable stainless
steel kegs in the U.S. market
Prices for refillable stainless steel
kegs in the U.S. market
(c) Describe the impact on your firm and the overall market for refillable stainless steel kegs.
Please identify the magnitude and timing of any effects, and compare your firm's
operations/overall market before and after the announcement.

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III-33. Impact of duties on all goods from Mexico.--This question concerns the announcement of
tariffs on all goods from Mexico, beginning June 10, 2019 proposed by the United States
pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.
(a) Did the announcement, and any subsequent imposition, of these tariffs have an impact on
the refillable stainless steel keg market?
Yes—Please answer b and c.

No

Don’t know

(b) Please indicate the impact of the announcements and subsequent imposition of duties.
Item

Overall
increase

No
change

Overall
decrease

Fluctuate with no
clear trend

Demand for U.S.-produced
refillable stainless steel kegs in
the U.S. market
Demand for imports from Mexico
of refillable stainless steel kegs in
the U.S. market
Demand for imports from other
sources of refillable stainless
steel kegs in the U.S. market
Prices for refillable stainless steel
kegs in the U.S. market
(c) Describe the impact on your firm and the overall market for refillable stainless steel kegs.
Please identify the magnitude and timing of any effects, and compare your firm's
operations/overall market before and after the announcement.

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III-34. Services.-(a)

What types of pre-/post-sales services are important to your firm’s purchasing
decisions?

(b)

Are there differences in suppliers’ ability to provide these services?

No

Yes

If yes, please describe, indicating any differences between the service
offerings of U.S. suppliers and suppliers in subject countries.

PART IV.—PRODUCT COMPARISONS
IV-1.

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

China

Germany

Mexico

Other countries

United States
China
Germany
Mexico
For any country-pair producing refillable stainless steel kegs which is sometimes or never
interchangeable, please identify the country-pair and explain the factors that limit or preclude
interchangeable use:

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Refillable Stainless Steel Kegs (Final)
IV-2.

Page 25

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

China

Germany

Mexico

Other countries

United States
China
Germany
Mexico
For any country-pair for which factors other than price always or frequently are a significant
factor in your firm’s purchases of refillable stainless steel kegs, identify the country-pair and
report the advantages or disadvantages imparted by such factors:

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Refillable Stainless Steel Kegs (Final)

Factor country comparisons.--For the factors listed below, please rate how refillable stainless
steel kegs produced in each country you identified in your response to the first question in Part
IV compares with refillable stainless steel kegs produced in the other countries you identified. If
you are unfamiliar with products from a particular country, please leave the relevant boxes
blank.

Inferior

Comparable

Superior

Inferior

Product from United States Product from United States
compared to product from compared to product from
Germany
Mexico

Comparable

Inferior

Comparable

Factor

Superior

Product from United
States compared to
product from China

Superior

IV-3.

Page 26

Availability
Ability to meet minimum quantity
Branding (of keg supplier)
Business/historical relationship
Certification
Customer service
Delivery terms
Delivery time
Discounts offered
Packaging
Payment terms
Price1
Product consistency
Product range
Quality exceeds industry standards
Quality meets industry standards
Reliability of supply
Supplier financial stability
Supply chain efficiency
Technical support/service
U.S. transportation costs1
Warranty
1

A rating of superior on price and U.S. transportation costs indicates that the first country generally has lower prices/U.S.
transportation costs than the second country.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Refillable Stainless Steel Kegs (Final)
IV-3.

Page 27

Factor country comparisons.--Continued

Inferior

Comparable

Superior

Inferior

Comparable

Superior

Inferior

Comparable

Factor

Superior

Product from China
Product from China
Product from Germany
compared to product from compared to product from compared to product from
Germany
Mexico
Mexico

Availability
Ability to meet minimum quantity
Branding (of keg supplier)
Business/historical relationship
Certification
Customer service
Delivery terms
Delivery time
Discounts offered
Packaging
Payment terms
Price1
Product consistency
Product range
Quality exceeds industry standards
Quality meets industry standards
Reliability of supply
Supplier financial stability
Supply chain efficiency
Technical support/service
U.S. transportation costs1
Warranty
1

A rating of superior on price and U.S. transportation costs indicates that the first country generally has lower prices/U.S.
transportation costs than the second country.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Refillable Stainless Steel Kegs (Final)
Factor country comparisons.—Continued

Availability
Ability to meet minimum quantity
Branding (of keg supplier)
Business/historical relationship
Certification
Customer service
Delivery terms
Delivery time
Discounts offered
Packaging
Payment terms
Price1
Product consistency
Product range
Quality exceeds industry standards
Quality meets industry standards
Reliability of supply
Supplier financial stability
Supply chain efficiency
Technical support/service
U.S. transportation costs1
Warranty
1

A rating of superior on price and U.S. transportation costs indicates that the first country generally has lower prices/U.S.

Interior

Comparable

Product from
Mexico compared
to product from
Nonsubject
sources

Superior

Interior

Comparable

Product from
Germany
compared to
product from
Nonsubject
sources

Superior

Interior

Product from
China compared
to product from
Nonsubject
sources

Comparable

Interior

Comparable

Factor

Superior

Product from
United States
compared to
product from
Nonsubject
sources

Superior

IV-3.

Page 28

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Refillable Stainless Steel Kegs (Final)

Page 29

transportation costs than the second country.

PART V.--ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
V-1.

Other explanations.--If your firm would like to further explain a response to any question that
for which a narrative response box was not provided, please note the question number and the
explanation in the space provided below.

V-2.

OMB statistics.--Please report 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
25 hours per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, gathering data, and
completing and reviewing the questionnaire.
We welcome comments regarding the accuracy of this burden estimate, suggestions for
reducing the burden, and any suggestions for improving this questionnaire. Please attach such
comments to your response or send to the Office of Investigations, USITC, 500 E St. SW,
Washington, DC 20436.

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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/refillable_stainless_steel_kegs_chin
a_germany_and/final.htm
Please do not attempt to modify the format or permissions of the questionnaire
document. Please submit the completed questionnaire using one of the methods noted
below. If your firm is unable to complete the MS Word questionnaire or cannot use one
of the electronic methods of submission, please contact the Commission for further
instructions.
• Upload via Secure Drop Box.—Upload the MS Word questionnaire along with a scanned copy of the
signed certification page (page 1) through the Commission’s secure upload facility:
Web address: https://dropbox.usitc.gov/oinv/
Investigation: Select “refillable stainless steel kegs” in the drop down menu
Pin: KEGS
• 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 purchase 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 your firm submits (see
19 CFR § 207.7). Service of the questionnaire must be made in paper form.