17-3-3779 US purchasers' questionnaire

OMB No. 3117-0016/USITC No. 17-3-3779; Expiration Date: 6/30/2020
(No response is required if currently valid OMB control number is not displayed)

LOST SALES AND LOST REVENUE SURVEY
FORGED STEEL FITTINGS FROM CHINA, ITALY, AND TAIWAN
This survey must be received by the Commission by October 19, 2017
See last page for filing instructions.
The information called for in this survey is for use by the United States International Trade Commission in connection
with its countervailing duty and antidumping duty investigations concerning forged steel fittings from China, Italy, and
Taiwan (inv. No. 701-TA-589 and 731-TA-1394-1396 (Preliminary)). The information requested in the survey 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 survey can be obtained from Tamara Gurevich (202-205-3403,
[email protected]).

Name of firm
Address
City

State

Zip Code

Website
Has your firm purchased forged steel fittings (as defined on next page) at any time since January 1, 2014?

NO

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

YES

(Complete all parts of the survey, and return the entire survey 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: FSF)
CERTIFICATION
I certify that the information herein supplied in this survey 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 survey
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
investigation or other proceeding 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
Lost Sales and Lost Revenue Survey- Forged Steel Fittings

Page 2

GENERAL INFORMATION
Background. --This proceeding was instituted in response to a petition filed on October 5, 2017, by
Bonney Forge Corporation, Mount Union, PA; and United Steel Workers , Pittsburgh, PA. Countervailing
and/or antidumping duties may be assessed on the subject imports as a result of these proceedings if
the Commission makes an affirmative determination of injury, threat, or material retardation, and if the
U.S. Department of Commerce (“Commerce”) makes an affirmative determination of subsidization
and/or dumping. Questionnaires and other information pertinent to this proceeding are available at
https://www.usitc.gov/investigations/title_7/2017/forged_steel_fittings_china_italy_and_taiwan/preliminary.htm

Forged steel fittings covered by these investigations are carbon and alloy forged steel fittings, whether
unfinished (commonly known as blanks or rough forgings) or finished. Such fittings are made in a variety
of shapes including, but not limited to, elbows, tees, crosses, laterals, couplings, reducers, caps, plugs,
bushings and unions. Forged steel fittings are covered regardless of end finish, whether threaded,
socket-weld or other end connections.
While these fittings are generally manufactured to specifications ASME B16.11, MSS SP-79, and MSS SP83, ASTM A105, ASTM A350, and ASTM A182, the scope is not limited to fittings made to these
specifications.
The term forged is an industry term used to describe a class of products included in applicable
standards, and does not reference an exclusive manufacturing process. Forged steel fittings are not
manufactured from casting. Pursuant to the applicable standards fittings may also be machined from
bar stock or machined from seamless pipe and tube.
All types of fittings are included in the scope regardless of nominal pipe size (which may or may not be
expressed in inches of nominal pipe size), pressure rating (usually, but not necessarily expressed in
pounds of pressure, e.g., 2,000 or 2M; 3,000 or 3M; 6,000 or 6M; 9,000 or 9M), wall thickness, and
whether or not heat treated.
Excluded from this scope are all fittings entirely made of stainless steel. Also excluded are flanges and
butt weld fittings.
Forged steel fittings are currently imported under statistical reporting numbers 7307.99.5045,
7307.99.5060, 7307.99.1000, and 7307.99.3000 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States
(HTSUS). They may also be imported under HTSUS statistical reporting numbers 7307.92.3010,
7307.92.3030, 7307.92.9000, or 7326.19.0010. 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.

Business Proprietary
Lost Sales and Lost Revenue Survey- Forged Steel Fittings

Page 3

Confidentiality.--The data furnished in response to this survey 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.
Release of information.--The information provided by your firm in response to this survey, 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. Please also retain a copy of the final document that you submit.
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 survey. This
may or may not be the person whose signature is at the bottom of page 1.
Name
Title
Email
Telephone
Firms operating more than one establishment should combine the data for all establishments into a
single response.

Business Proprietary
Lost Sales and Lost Revenue Survey- Forged Steel Fittings

Page 4

PURCHASE INFORMATION
Purchases and imports.--Report your firm’s total domestic purchases and direct imports of
forged steel fittings. Please report separately your domestic purchases and your direct imports
(i.e., where your firm was the importer of record).

II-1.

“Domestic Purchase” – Purchase from a U.S. entity such as a U.S. producer, a U.S. distributor, or
a U.S. firm.
“Direct Import” – Purchase directly from a foreign supplier and your firm is the importer of
record.
2014

2015

Item

2016

Quantity (in pounds)

Purchases of forged steel fittings
produced in—
United States
China
Italy
Taiwan
All other countries:1
Sources unknown
Total purchases

0

0

0

0

0

0

Imports of forged steel fittings from—
China
Italy
Taiwan
All other countries:1
Total imports
1

Please identify these countries:

Business Proprietary
Lost Sales and Lost Revenue Survey- Forged Steel Fittings

Page 5

2. Changes in purchasing patterns.--Please indicate how the shares of your firm’s purchases of forged
steel fittings from different sources have changed since January 1, 2014.
Source of purchases

Did not
purchase

Decreased Increased

Constant

Fluctuated

Explanation for trend

United States

China

Italy

Taiwan

All other countries

Sources unknown

3. Major purchasing factors.--Please list, in order of their importance, the main factors your firm
considers in deciding from whom to purchase forged steel fittings.
1.
2.
3.
Please list any other factors that are very important in your purchase decisions:

Business Proprietary
Lost Sales and Lost Revenue Survey- Forged Steel Fittings

Page 6

4. Purchasing subject imports rather than domestic products.—
(a)

Since January 2014, did your firm purchase imports of forged steel fittings from China,
Italy, and Taiwan instead of U.S.-produced forged steel fittings? 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
Italy
Taiwan
(b)

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

Yes

No

China
Italy
Taiwan
(c)

If you responded “Yes” to part (a), was price a primary reason for purchasing subject
imports rather than domestic product?
Please identify the country(ies) in your explanation if it differs by source.

Source

China
Italy
Taiwan

Yes

If Yes, estimate the quantity
of imports purchased instead
of domestic product since
January 2014
(in pounds)

No

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

Business Proprietary
Lost Sales and Lost Revenue Survey- Forged Steel Fittings
5.

Page 7

U.S. producers and import competition.—
(a)

Since January 1, 2014, in connection with a sale or offer to sell forged steel fittings to
your firm, did U.S. producers reduce their prices of domestically produced forged steel
fittings in order to compete with lower-priced imports of forged steel fittings 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
Italy
Taiwan
(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.
Please identify the country(ies) in your explanation if it differs by source.

Source

Estimated
reduction in U.S.
prices
(percent)

China

%

Italy

%

Taiwan

%

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

6. Method of purchase--Please provide a general description of your firm’s method(s) of purchase
(e.g., individual purchase, contract, bids, Internet purchases, etc.) for forged steel fittings.

7. Other explanations--Please provide any additional comments in this box.

Business Proprietary
Lost Sales and Lost Revenue Survey- Forged Steel Fittings

Page 8

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

Dollars

The questions in this survey 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 survey is estimated to average 4 hours per response,
including the time for reviewing instructions, gathering data, and completing and reviewing the
survey.
We welcome comments regarding the accuracy of this burden estimate, suggestions for reducing
the burden, and any suggestions for improving this survey. Please attach such comments to your
response or send to the Office of Investigations, USITC, 500 E St. SW, Washington, DC 20436.

HOW TO FILE YOUR SURVEY RESPONSE
Please do not attempt to modify the format or permissions of the survey document.
Please submit the completed survey using one of the methods noted below. If your firm
is unable to complete the MS Word survey 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 survey along with a scanned copy of the signed
certification page (page 1) through the Commission’s secure upload facility:
o
o
o

Web address: https://dropbox.usitc.gov/oinv/
Enter Investigation: Select “INVESTIGATION- Forged Steel Fittings from China, Italy, and Taiwan”
in the drop down menu
Pin: FSF

• E-mail.—E-mail the MS Word survey 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.

Business Proprietary
Lost Sales and Lost Revenue Survey- Forged Steel Fittings

Page 9

If your firm did not purchase this product, please fill out page 1, print, sign, and submit a scanned copy
to the Commission.