20-2-4270 U.S. importers' questionnaire

OMB No. 3117-0016/USITC No. 20-2-4270; Expiration Date: 6/30/2023
(No response is required if currently valid OMB control number is not displayed)

U.S. IMPORTERS’ QUESTIONNAIRE
STANDARD STEEL WELDED WIRE MESH FROM MEXICO
This questionnaire must be received by the Commission by July 14, 2020
See last page for filing instructions.
The information called for in this questionnaire is for use by the United States International Trade Commission in
connection with its countervailing duty and antidumping investigations concerning standard steel welded wire mesh
(“wire mesh”) from Mexico (Inv. Nos. 701-TA-653 and 731-TA-1527 (Preliminary)). The information requested in the
questionnaire is requested under the authority of the Tariff Act of 1930, title VII. This report is mandatory and failure to
reply as directed can result in a subpoena or other order to compel the submission of records or information in your
firm’s possession (19 U.S.C. § 1333(a)).

Name of firm
Address
City

State

Zip Code

Website
Has your firm imported wire mesh (as defined on next page) from any country at any time since January 1, 2017?

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: MESH)

CERTIFICATION
I certify that the information herein supplied in response to this questionnaire is complete and correct to the best of my
knowledge and belief and understand that the information submitted is subject to audit and verification by the Commission. By
means of this certification I also grant consent for the Commission, and its employees and contract personnel, to use the
information provided in this questionnaire and throughout this proceeding in any other import-injury proceedings conducted by
the Commission on the same or similar merchandise.
I, the undersigned, acknowledge that information submitted in response to this request for information and throughout this
proceeding or other proceedings may be disclosed to and used: (i) by the Commission, its employees and Offices, and contract
personnel (a) for developing or maintaining the records of this or a related proceeding, or (b) in internal investigations, audits,
reviews, and evaluations relating to the programs, personnel, and operations of the Commission including under 5 U.S.C.
Appendix 3; or (ii) by U.S. government employees and contract personnel, solely for cybersecurity purposes. I understand that all
contract personnel will sign appropriate nondisclosure agreements.
Name of Authorized Official

Signature

Title of Authorized Official

Phone

Date

Email address

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Standard Steel Welded Wire Mesh (Preliminary)

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PART I.—GENERAL INFORMATION
Background.--This proceeding was instituted in response to a petition filed on June 30, 2020, by Insteel
Industries Inc., Mount Airy, North Carolina; Mid South Wire Company, Nashville, Tennessee; National
Wire LLC, Conroe, Texas; Oklahoma Steel & Wire Co., Madill, Oklahoma; and Wire Mesh Corp., Houston,
Texas. Countervailing and antidumping duties may be assessed on the subject imports as a result of
these proceedings if the Commission makes an affirmative determination of injury, threat, or material
retardation, and if the U.S. Department of Commerce (“Commerce”) makes an affirmative
determination of subsidization and dumping. Questionnaires and other information pertinent to this
proceeding are available at
https://www.usitc.gov/investigations/701731/2020/standard_steel_welded_wire_mesh_mexico/prelim
inary.htm.
Standard steel welded wire mesh.--The product covered by this definition is uncoated standard welded
steel reinforcement wire mesh (“wire mesh”) produced from smooth or deformed wire. Subject wire
mesh is produced in square and rectangular grids of uniformly spaced steel wires that are welded at all
intersections. Sizes are specified by combining the spacing of the wires in inches or millimeters and the
wire cross-sectional area in hundredths of square inch or millimeters squared. Subject wire mesh may
be packaged and sold in rolls or in sheets.
Subject wire mesh is currently produced to ASTM specification A1064/A1064M, which covers carbonsteel wire and welded wire reinforcement, smooth and deformed, for concrete in the following seven
styles:
1. 6X6 W1.4/W1.4 or D1.4/D1.4
2. 6X6 W2.1/W2.1 or D2.1/D2.1
3. 6X6 W2.9/W2.9 or D2.9/D2.9
4. 6X6 W4/W4 or D4/D4
5. 6X12 W4/W4 or D4/D4
6. 4X4 W2.9/W2.9 or D2.9/D2.9
7. 4X4 W4/W4 or D4/D4
The first number in the style denotes the spacing between the longitudinal wires and the second
number denotes the spacing between the transverse wires. In the first style listed above, for example,
“6X6” denotes a grid size of six inches by six inches. “W” denotes the use of smooth wire, and “D”
denotes the use of deformed wire in making the mesh. The number following the W or D denotes the
cross-sectional area of the transverse and longitudinal wires in hundredths of a square inch (i.e., W1.4 or
D1.4 is .014 square inches).
Smooth wire is wire that has a uniform cross-sectional diameter throughout the length of the wire.
Deformed wire is wire with indentations or raised transverse ribs, which results in wire that does not
have a uniform cross-sectional diameter throughout the length of the wire.
Rolls of subject wire mesh are currently produced in the following styles and actual width and length
combinations:

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Style: 6X6 W1.4/W1.4 or D1.4/D1.4 (i.e., 10 gauge)
Roll Sizes: 5’ X 50’
5’ X 150’
6’ X 150’
5’ X 200’
7’ X 200’
7.5’ X 200’
Style: 6X6 W2.1/W2.1 or D2.1/D2.1 (i.e., 8 gauge)
Roll Sizes: 5’ X 150’
Style: 6X6 W2.9/W2.9 or D2.9/D2.9 (i.e., 6 gauge)
Roll Sizes: 5’ X 150’
7’ X 200’
All rolled wire mesh is included in scope regardless of length.
Sheets of subject standard welded wire mesh are currently produced in the following styles and actual
width and length combinations:
Style: 6X6 W1.4/W1.4 or D1.4/D1.4 (i.e., 10 gauge)
Sheet Size: 3’6” X 7’
4’ X 7’
X 7’6”
5’ X 10’
7’ X 20’
7’6” X 20’
8’ X 12’6”
8’ X 15’
8’ X 20’
Style: 6X6 W2.1/W2.1 or D2.1/D2.1 (i.e., 8 gauge)
Sheet Size: 5’ X 10’
7’ X 20’
7’6” X 20’
8’ X 12’6”
8’ X 15’
8’ X 20’
Style: 6X6 W2.9/W2.9 or D2.9/D2.9 (i.e., 6 gauge)
Sheet Size: 3’6” X 20’
5’ X 10’
7’ X 20’
7’6” X 20’
8’ X 12’6”
8’ X 15’
8’ X 20’

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Standard Steel Welded Wire Mesh (Preliminary)

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Style: 6X12 W4/W4 or D4/D4 (i.e., 4 gauge)
Sheet Size: 8’ X 20’
Style: 4X4 W2.9/W2.9 or D2.9/D2.9 (i.e., 6 gauge)
Sheet Size: 5’ X 10’
7’ X 20’
7’6” X 20’
8’ X 12’6”
8’ X 12’8”
8’ X 15’
8’ X 20’
Style: 4X4 W4/W4 or D4/D4 (i.e., 4 gauge)
Sheet Size: 5’ X 10’
8’ X 12’6”
8’ X 12’8”
8’ X 15’
8’ X 20’
Any product imported, sold, or invoiced in one of these size combinations is included in this definition.
ASTM specification A1064/A1064M provides for permissible variations in wire gauges, the spacing
between transverse and longitudinal wires, and the length and width combinations. To the extent a roll
or sheet of welded wire mesh falls within these permissible variations, it is included in this definition.
ASTM specification A1064/A1064M also defines permissible oversteeling, which is the use of a heavier
gauge wire with a larger cross-sectional area than nominally specified. It also permits a wire diameter
tolerance of + 0.003 inches for products up to W5/D5 and + 0.004 for sizes over W5/D5. A producer may
oversteel by increasing smooth or deformed wire diameter up to two whole number size increments on
Table 1 of A1064. Subject wire mesh has the following wire diameter ranges, which account for both
oversteeling and diameter tolerance:
W/D No.
1.4
2.1
2.9
4.0

Maximum Oversteeling No.
(i.e., 10 gauge)
(i.e., 8 gauge)
(i.e., 6 gauge)
(i.e., 4 gauge)

Diameter Range (inch)
3.4 0.093 to 0.211
4.1 0.161 to 0.231
4.9 0.189 to 0.253
6.0 0.223 to 0.280

To the extent a roll or sheet of wire mesh falls within the permissible variations provided above, it is
within this scope.
In addition to the tolerances permitted in ASTM specification A1064/A1064M, wire mesh in this
definition includes combinations where:
1. A width and/or length combination varies by + one grid size in any direction, i.e., + 6 inches in length
or width where the wire mesh’s grid size is “6X6”; and/or
2. The center-to-center spacing between individual wires may vary by up to one quarter of an inch from
the nominal grid size specified.

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Standard Steel Welded Wire Mesh (Preliminary)

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Length is measured from the ends of any wire and width is measured between the center-line of end
longitudinal wires.
Additionally, although the subject wire mesh typically meets ASTM A1064/A1064M, the failure to
include certifications, test reports or other documentation establishing that the product meets this
specification does not remove the product from the scope. Wire mesh made to comparable foreign
specifications (e.g., DIN, JIS, etc.) or proprietary specifications is included in the scope.
Excluded from the scope is wire mesh that is galvanized (i.e., coated with zinc) or coated with an epoxy
coating. In order to be excluded as galvanized, the excluded welded wire mesh must have a zinc coating
thickness meeting the requirements of ASTM specification A641/A641M. Epoxy coating is a mix of epoxy
resin and hardener that can be applied to the surface of steel wire.
Wire mesh is currently imported under statistical reporting numbers 7314.20.0000 and 7314.39.0000. of
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.
Importer.--Any person or firm engaged, either directly or through a parent company or subsidiary, in
importing wire mesh (as defined above) into the United States from a foreign manufacturer or through
its selling agent.
Reporting of information.--If information is not readily available from your records, provide carefully
prepared estimates. If your firm is completing more than one questionnaire (i.e., a producer, importer,
and/or purchaser questionnaire), you need not respond to duplicated questions.
Confidentiality.--The commercial and financial data furnished in response to this questionnaire that
reveal the individual operations of your firm will be treated as confidential by the Commission to the
extent that such data are not otherwise available to the public and will not be disclosed except as may
be required by law (see 19 U.S.C. § 1677f). Such confidential information will not be published in a
manner that will reveal the individual operations of your firm; however, general characterizations of
numerical business proprietary information (such as discussion of trends) will be treated as confidential
business information only at the request of the submitter for good cause shown.
Verification.--The information submitted in this questionnaire is subject to audit and verification by the
Commission. To facilitate possible verification of data, please keep all files, worksheets, and supporting
documents used in the preparation of the questionnaire response. Please also retain a copy of the final
document that you submit.
Release of information.--The information provided by your firm in response to this questionnaire, as
well as any other business proprietary information submitted by your firm to the Commission in
connection with this proceeding, may become subject to, and released under, the administrative
protective order provisions of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. § 1677f) and section 207.7 of the
Commission’s Rules of Practice and Procedure (19 CFR § 207.7). This means that certain lawyers and
other authorized individuals may temporarily be given access to the information for use in connection
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.

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Standard Steel Welded Wire Mesh (Preliminary)

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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 Julie
Duffy (202-708-2579, [email protected]).
D-GRIDS tool.--The Commission has a tool that firms can use to move data from their own MS Excel
compilation files into self-contained data tables within this MS Word questionnaire, thereby reducing
the amount of cell-by-cell data entry that would be required to complete this form. This tool is a macroenabled MS Excel file available for download from the Commission's generic questionnaires webpage
(https://www.usitc.gov/trade_remedy/question.htm) called the "D-GRIDs tool." Use of this tool to help
your firm complete this questionnaire is optional. Firms opting to use the D-GRIDs tool to populate their
data into this questionnaire will need the D-GRIDs specification sheet PDF file specific to this proceeding
(available on the case page which is linked under the "Background" above) which includes the necessary
references relating to this questionnaire, as well as the macro-enable MS Excel D-GRIDs tool itself from
the generic questionnaires page. More detailed instructions on how to use the D-GRIDs tool are
available within the D-GRIDs tool itself.
I-1.

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-2a.

Establishments covered.--Provide the name and address of establishment(s) covered by this
questionnaire.
“Establishment”--Each facility of a firm involved in the importation of wire mesh, including
auxiliary facilities operated in conjunction with (whether or not physically separate from) such
facilities.

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I-2b.

Stock symbol information.-- If your firm or parent firm is publicly traded, please specify the
stock exchange and trading symbol:
.

I-2c.

External counsel.-- If your firm or parent firm is represented by external counsel in relation to
this proceeding, please specify the name of the law firm and the lead attorney(s).
Law firm:
Lead attorney(s):

I-3.

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

Firm name

I-4.

Yes--List the following information, relating to the ultimate parent/owner.

Country

Extent of
ownership
(percent)

Related importers/exporters.--Does your firm have any related firms, either domestic or
foreign, that are engaged in importing wire mesh from Mexico into the United States or that are
engaged in exporting wire mesh from Mexico to the United States?
No
Firm name

Yes--List the following information.
Country

Affiliation

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Standard Steel Welded Wire Mesh (Preliminary)
I-5.

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

Yes--List the following information.

Firm name

I-6.

Country

Affiliation

Importing operations.--Please indicate the nature of your firm’s importing operations of wire
mesh. More than one answer may be applicable.
Importer of record

I-7.

Page 8

Takes title to the
imported product(s)

Consignee of the
imported products(s)

Customs broker or
freight forwarder

Consignee.--If your firm is an importer of record of wire mesh but is not the consignee, please
list the consignees below (firm name, address, telephone number, and individual to contact).

Firm name

Address

Contact person
and phone
number

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Standard Steel Welded Wire Mesh (Preliminary)
I-8.

Page 9

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

No

Yes

Foreign trade zones
Bonded warehouses
Temporary importation under bond
I-9.

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

Yes

If yes, Yes–Please specify.

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PART II.--TRADE AND RELATED INFORMATION
Further information on this part of the questionnaire can be obtained from Julie Duffy (202-708-2579,
[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 wire mesh since January 1, 2017.
(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)

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Standard Steel Welded Wire Mesh (Preliminary)
II-3.

Page 11

Arranged imports.--Has your firm imported or arranged for the importation of wire mesh for
delivery after March 31, 2020?
“Arranged imports” are imports for which your firm has placed an order with a foreign supplier
for subject merchandise, but delivery of those imports is not scheduled to occur until after the
date listed above.
No

Yes

If yes, fill out the table below.

Period
Source

Apr-Jun 2020

(1)

Jul-Sept 2020

Oct-Dec 2020

Jan-Mar 2021

Quantity (in short tons)
Mexico

0

Nonsubject sources

0

1

II-4.

Data for April-June 2020 will auto populate when entered into questions II-5d and II-6e.

Reasons for importing if producer.--If your firm also produces wire mesh in the United States,
please indicate the reasons for importing this product. If your firm’s reasons differ by source,
please elaborate.

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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).
“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).
“Commercial U.S. 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 firms. Such transactions are valued at
fair market value.
“Related firm” –A firm that your firm solely or jointly owned, managed, or otherwise controlled;
a firm that solely or jointly owned, managed, or otherwise controlled your firm; and/or a firm
that was solely or jointly owned, managed, or otherwise controlled by a firm that also solely or
jointly owned, managed, or otherwise controlled your firm.
“Export shipments”— Shipments to destinations outside the United States, including shipments
to related firms.
“Inventories” --Finished goods inventory, not raw materials or work in progress.
Note: As requested in Part I of this questionnaire, please keep all supporting documents/records
used in the preparation of the trade data, as Commission staff may contact your firm regarding
questions on the trade data. The Commission may also request that your company submit copies
of the supporting documents/records (such as production and sales schedules, inventory records,
etc.) used to compile these data.

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Standard Steel Welded Wire Mesh (Preliminary)
II-5a.

Page 13

U.S. imports from Mexico.–Report your firm’s imports and your firm’s shipments and
inventories of wire mesh imported from Mexico by your firm during the specified periods.

Mexico
Quantity (in short tons), value (in $1,000)
Calendar years
Item

2017

2018

January-March
2019

2019

2020

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)
Value4 (I)
Export shipments:3
Quantity (J)
Value (K)
End-of-period inventories
(quantity) (L)
Please identify the foreign producers, if known:
.
Internal consumption and transfers to related firms must be valued at fair market value. If your firm uses a different
basis for valuing these transactions in your records, please specify that basis (e.g., cost, cost plus, etc.):
. However,
the data provided above in this table should be based on fair market value.
3
Identify your firm’s principal export markets:
.
1
2

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II-5a.

Page 14

U.S. imports from Mexico.–Continued

RECONCILIATION OF SHIPMENTS, IMPORTS, AND INVENTORIES.--Generally, the data reported for the
end-of-period inventories (i.e., line L) should be equal to the beginning-of-period inventories (i.e., line
A), plus imports (i.e., line B), less total shipments (i.e., lines D, F, H, and J). Please ensure that any
differences are not due to data entry errors in completing this form, but rather actually reflect your
firm’s records; and also provide any likely explanations for any differences (e.g., theft, loss, damage,
record systems issues, etc.) if they exist.
Calendar years
Reconciliation

2017

2018

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

January-March
2019

0

0

2019
0

2020
0

0

Explanation if the calculated fields above are returning values other than zero (i.e., “0”) but are nonetheless
accurate:
.
1

II-5b.

Channels of distribution: Mexico.--Report your firm’s U.S. shipments (i.e. inclusive of
commercial U.S. shipments, internal consumption, and transfers to related firms) of imports
from Mexico by channel of distribution during the specified periods.

Mexico
Calendar years
Item

2017

2018

January-March
2019

2019

2020

Quantity (in short tons)
Channels of distribution:
U.S. shipments:
To distributors (M)
To end users (N)
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., line D, F, H)
in each time period. If the calculated fields below return values other than zero (i.e., “0”), the data
reported must be revised prior to submission to the Commission.
Calendar years
Reconciliation item
M + N – D – F – H = zero ("0"), if not
revise.

2017

2018
0

January-March
2019

0

2019
0

2020
0

0

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Standard Steel Welded Wire Mesh (Preliminary)
II-5c.

Page 15

U.S. shipments by product types: Mexico.--Report your firm's U.S. shipments (i.e., inclusive of
commercial U.S. shipments, internal consumption, and transfers to related firms) of imports
from Mexico in 2019 by the following characteristics.

Mexico

Quantity (short tons)
Calendar year 2019
Item

Smooth wire

Deformed wire

U.S. shipments.-Sold in sheets (O)
Sold in rolls (P)
RECONCILIATION OF US SHIPMENTS BY PRODUCT TYPE.--Please ensure that the quantities reported for
U.S. shipments by product types (i.e., lines O and P) across both columns equal the quantities reported for
U.S. shipments (i.e., line D, F, H) in 2019 from part a. If the calculated fields below return values other
than zero (i.e., “0”), the data reported must be revised prior to submission to the Commission.
Reconciliation
O + P – D - F- H = zero ("0"), if not revise.

Calendar year 2019
0

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Standard Steel Welded Wire Mesh (Preliminary)
II-5d.

Page 16

Monthly U.S. imports: Mexico.--Report your firm's U.S. imports of wire mesh imported from
Mexico in the specified months.

Mexico

Month
2019.—
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
2020.—
January
February
March
April
May
June

Quantity (in short tons)
Monthly U.S. imports from Mexico

Item
Aggregation of monthly imports

Full year 2019

0

Jan-Mar 2019
0

Jan-Mar 2020
0

RECONCILIATION OF MONTHLY IMPORTS.—Please ensure that the total imports reported for full year
2019 and for the two partial periods (e.g., January-March 2019 and January-March 2020) reported in
question II-5a matches the monthly data reported here. If the calculated fields below return values other
than zero (i.e., “0”), the data reported must be revised prior to submission to the Commission.
Reconciliation for
Aggregated monthly data minus U.S. imports
from Mexico (II-5a), revise if not returning zero
(“0”)

Full year 2019

Jan-Mar 2019
0

0

Jan-Mar 2020
0

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Standard Steel Welded Wire Mesh (Preliminary)
II-6a.

Page 17

Imports from nonsubject sources.–Report your firm’s imports and your firm’s shipments and
inventories of wire mesh imported from nonsubject sources (i.e., all import sources except
Mexico) by your firm during the specified periods.

Nonsubject sources
Quantity (in short tons), value (in $1,000)
Calendar years
Item

2017

2018

January-March
2019

2019

2020

Beginning-of-period inventories
(quantity) (A)
Imports:1 2
Quantity (B)

0

0

0

0

0

Value (C)

0

0

0

0

0

U.S. shipments:
Commercial shipments:
Quantity (D)
Value (E)
Internal consumption:3
Quantity (F)
Value3 (G)
Transfers to related firms:3
Quantity (H)
Value4 (I)
Export shipments:4
Quantity (J)
Value (K)
End-of-period inventories
(quantity) (L)
Please identify the foreign producers, if known:
.
Data for lines B and C will auto populate from data reported in question II-6d.
3
Internal consumption and transfers to related firms must be valued at fair market value. If your firm uses a different
basis for valuing these transactions in your records, please specify that basis (e.g., cost, cost plus, etc.):
. However,
the data provided above in this table should be based on fair market value.
4
Identify your firm’s principal export markets:
.
1
2

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Standard Steel Welded Wire Mesh (Preliminary)
II-6a.

Page 18

Imports from nonsubject sources.–Continued

RECONCILIATION OF SHIPMENTS, IMPORTS, AND INVENTORIES.--Generally, the data reported for the
end-of-period inventories (i.e., line L) should be equal to the beginning-of-period inventories (i.e., line
A), plus imports (i.e., line B), less total shipments (i.e., lines D, F, H, and J). Please ensure that any
differences are not due to data entry errors in completing this form, but rather actually reflect your
firm’s records; and also provide any likely explanations for any differences (e.g., theft, loss, damage,
record systems issues, etc.) if they exist.
Calendar years
Reconciliation

2017

January-March

2018

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

2019

0

0

2019
0

2020
0

0

Explanation if the calculated fields above are returning values other than zero (i.e., “0”) but are nonetheless
accurate:
.
1

II-6b.

Channels of distribution: nonsubject.-- Report your firm’s U.S. shipments (i.e. inclusive of
commercial U.S. shipments, internal consumption, and transfers to related firms) of imports
from nonsubject sources by channel of distribution during the specified periods.

Nonsubject sources
Calendar years
Item

2017

2018

January-March
2019

2019

2020

Quantity (in short tons)
Channels of distribution:
U.S. shipments:
To distributors (M)
To end users (N)
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., line D, F, H)
in each time period. If the calculated fields below return values other than zero (i.e., “0”), the data
reported must be revised prior to submission to the Commission.
Calendar years
Reconciliation item
M + N - D – F – H= zero ("0"), if not
revise.

2017

2018
0

January-March
2019

0

2019
0

2020
0

0

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Standard Steel Welded Wire Mesh (Preliminary)

Page 19

U.S. shipments by product types.--Report your firm's U.S. shipments (i.e., inclusive of
commercial U.S. shipments, internal consumption, and transfers to related firms) of imports
from nonsubject sources in 2019 by the following characteristics.

II-6c.

Nonsubject sources
Quantity (short tons)

Calendar year 2019
Item

Smooth wire

Deformed wire

U.S. shipments.-Sold in sheets (O)
Sold in rolls (P)
RECONCILIATION OF US SHIPMENTS BY PRODUCT TYPE.--Please ensure that the quantities reported for
U.S. shipments by product types (i.e., lines O and P) across both columns equal the quantities reported for
U.S. shipments (i.e., line D, F, H) in 2019 from part a of this question. 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 2019

Reconciliation

0

O + P – D - F- H = zero ("0"), if not revise.
II-6d.

U.S. imports by source: Nonsubject sources.-- Report your firm’s U.S. imports from all other
sources by source during the specified time periods.

Nonsubject sources

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

2017

2018

January-March
2019

2019

2020

U.S. imports:
Canada:
Quantity
Value
Turkey:
Quantity
Value
All other sources:1
Quantity
Value
Total imports from
nonsubject sources:
Quantity
Value
1

Please identify other sources:

.

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Standard Steel Welded Wire Mesh (Preliminary)
II-6e.

Page 20

Monthly U.S. imports: Nonsubject sources.--Report your firm's U.S. imports of wire mesh
imported from nonsubject sources in the specified months.

Nonsubject sources
Month
2019.—
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
2020.—
January
February
March
April
May
June

Quantity (in short tons)
Monthly U.S. imports from nonsubject sources

Item
Aggregation of monthly imports

Full year 2019

0

Jan-Mar 2019

0

Jan-Mar 2020
0

RECONCILIATION OF MONTHLY IMPORTS.—Please ensure that imports reported for full year 2019 and
for the two partial periods (e.g., January-March 2019 and January-March 2020) reported in question II5a matches the monthly data reported here. If the calculated fields below return values other than zero
(i.e., “0”), the data reported must be revised prior to submission to the Commission.
Reconciliation for
Aggregated monthly data minus U.S. imports
from Mexico (II-5a), revise if not returning
zero (“0”)

Full year 2019

Jan-Mar 2019
0

0

Jan-Mar 2020
0

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Standard Steel Welded Wire Mesh (Preliminary)

Page 21

II-7.

Transfers to related firms.--If your firm reported transfers to related firms in any of the data
tables in part II, please identify the firm(s) and indicate the nature of the relationship between
your firm and the related firms (e.g., joint venture, wholly owned subsidiary) and whether the
transfers were priced at market value or by a non-market formula.

II-8.

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

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Standard Steel Welded Wire Mesh (Preliminary)

Page 22

PART III.--PRICING AND MARKET FACTORS
Further information on this part of the questionnaire can be obtained from Pamela Davis (202-2052218, [email protected]).
III-1.

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

PRICE DATA
III-2.

This question requests quarterly quantity and value data for your firm’s commercial shipments
to unrelated U.S. customers since January 1, 2017 of the following products your firm imported
from Mexico:
Product 1.-- 6x6, 10 gauge, W/D1.4 W/D1.4, 5’ x 150’ rolls
Product 2.-- 6x6, 10 gauge, W/D1.4 W/D1.4, 8’ x 20’ sheets
Product 3.-- 6x6, 6 gauge, W/D2.9 W/D2.9, 8’ x 20’ sheets
Product 4.-- 6x6, 8 gauge, W/D2.1 W/D2.1, 8’ x 20’ sheets

Please note that values should be f.o.b., U.S. point of shipment and should not include U.S.-inland
transportation costs. Values should reflect the final net amount paid to your firm (i.e., should be net
of all deductions for discounts or rebates).
During January 2017-March 2020, did your firm import from Mexico and sell to unrelated U.S.
customers any of the above listed products (or any products that were competitive with these
products)?
Yes.--Please complete the following pricing data table as appropriate.
No.--Skip to question III-3.

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Standard Steel Welded Wire Mesh (Preliminary)

Page 23

III-2a. Price data.--Report below the quarterly price data1 for pricing products2 imported from Mexico
and sold by your firm.

Mexico

Report data in short tons and actual dollars (not 1,000s).

Period of shipment
2017:
January-March
April-June
July-September
October-December
2018:
January-March
April-June
July-September
October-December
2019:
January-March
April-June
July-September
October-December
2020:
January-March

(Quantity in short tons, value in dollars)
Product 1
Product 2
Product 3
Quantity
Value
Quantity
Value
Quantity
Value

Product 4
Quantity Value

1 Net values (i.e., gross sales values less all discounts, allowances, rebates, prepaid freight, and the value of returned goods), f.o.b. your
firm’s U.S. point of shipment.
2 Pricing product definitions are provided on the first page of Part III.

Note.--If your firm’s product does not exactly meet the product specifications but is competitive with the specified product, provide a
description of your firm’s product. Also, please explain any anomalies in your firm’s reported pricing data.
Product 1:
Product 2:
Product 3:
Product 4:

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Standard Steel Welded Wire Mesh (Preliminary)
III-2b.

Page 24

Price data checklist.--Please check that the pricing data in question III-2(a) has been correctly
reported.
Are the price data reported above:

√ if Yes

In actual dollars (not $1,000) and short tons?
F.o.b. U.S. point of shipment (i.e., does not include U.S. transport costs)?
Net of all discounts and rebates?
Have returns credited to the quarter in which the sale occurred?
Quantities do not exceed commercial shipments in question II-7 in each year?
III-2c.

Pricing data methodology.--Please describe the method and the kinds of documents/records
that were used to compile your price data.

Note: As requested in Part I of this questionnaire, please keep all supporting documents/records used in
the preparation of the price data, as Commission staff may contact your firm regarding questions on the
price data. The Commission may also request that your company submit copies of the supporting
documents/records (such as sales journal, invoices, etc.) used to compile these data.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Standard Steel Welded Wire Mesh (Preliminary)
III-3.

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

III-4.

Contracts

Annual
total
volume
discounts

Other

If other, describe

No
discount
policy

Other

Describe

Pricing terms.--On what basis are your firm’s prices of imported wire mesh from Mexico usually
quoted (check one)?
Delivered

III-6.

Set
price
lists

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

Quantity
discounts

III-5.

Page 25

F.o.b.

If f.o.b., specify point

Contract versus spot.--Approximately what share of your firm’s sales of wire mesh imported
from Mexico in 2019 was on a (1) short-term contract basis, (2) annual contract basis, (3) longterm contract basis, and (4) spot sales basis?

Item
Share of 2019
sales

Type of sale
Long-term
Annual
contracts
contracts
(multiple
(multiple
deliveries for
deliveries for 12
more than 12
months)
months)

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

%

%

Total
(should
sum to
100.0%)

Spot sales
(for a single
delivery)
%

0.0

%

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Standard Steel Welded Wire Mesh (Preliminary)
III-7.

Page 26

Contract provisions.--Please fill out the table regarding your firm’s typical sales contracts for
wire mesh imported from Mexico (or check “not applicable” if your firm does not sell on a shortterm, annual and/or long-term contract basis).
Short-term contracts
(multiple deliveries
for less than 12
months)

Typical sales
contract provisions

Item

Average contract
duration

No. of
days

Price renegotiation
(during contract
period)

Yes

Fixed quantity
and/or price

Annual contracts
(multiple
deliveries for 12
months)

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

365

No
Quantity

Indexed to raw
material costs1

Price
Both
Yes
No

Not applicable
1

Please identify the indexes used:

III-8.

.

Lead times.--What is your firm’s share of sales of wire mesh imported from Mexico 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 wire mesh?

Source

Lead time
(Average number
Share of 2019 sales
of days)

From your firm’s U.S. inventory

%

From foreign manufacturers’ inventory

%

Produced to order

%

Total (should sum to 100.0%)

0.0 %

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Standard Steel Welded Wire Mesh (Preliminary)
III-9.

Page 27

Shipping information.—
(a)

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

(b)

When your firm sells wire mesh imported from Mexico, from where is it shipped?
Point of importation
Storage facility (check one)

(c)

Indicate the approximate percentage of your firm’s sales of wire mesh imported from
Mexico that are delivered the following distances from your firm’s U.S. point of
shipment.
Distance from your firm’s U.S. point of shipment

Share

Within 100 miles

%

101 to 1,000 miles

%

Over 1,000 miles

%

Total (should sum to 100.0%)

0.0

%

III-10. Geographical shipments.--In which U.S. geographic market area(s) has your firm sold wire mesh
imported from subject countries since January 1, 2017 (check all that apply)?
Geographic area

Mexico

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. Inland transportation costs.—What is the approximate percentage of the cost of wire mesh
imported from Mexico that is accounted for by U.S. inland transportation costs?
percent.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Standard Steel Welded Wire Mesh (Preliminary)

Page 28

III-12. End uses.--List the end uses of the wire mesh that your firm imports. For each end-use product,
what percentage of the total cost is accounted for by wire mesh and other inputs?
Share of total cost of end-use product
accounted for by
End-use product

Wire Mesh

Other inputs

Total
(should sum to
100.0% across)

%

%

0.0 %

%

%

0.0 %

%

%

0.0 %

III-13. Substitutes.--Can other products be substituted for wire mesh?
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 wire mesh?
No Yes

Explanation

1.
2.
3.
III-14. Demand trends.--Indicate how demand within the United States and outside of the United
States (if known) for wire mesh has changed since January 1, 2017. Explain any trends and
describe the principal factors that have affected these changes in demand.

Market
Within the United States
Outside the United States

Overall
increase

No
Overall Fluctuate with
change decrease no clear trend

Explanation and factors

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Standard Steel Welded Wire Mesh (Preliminary)

Page 29

III-15. Product changes.--Have there been any significant changes in the product range, product mix or
marketing of wire mesh since January 1, 2017?
No

Yes

If yes, please describe.

III-16. Conditions of competition.—
(a) Is the wire mesh market subject to business cycles (other than general economy-wide
conditions) and/or other conditions of competition distinctive to wire mesh?
Check all that apply.

Please describe.

No

Skip to question III-16.

Yes-Business cycles (e.g.
seasonal business)
Yes-Other distinctive
conditions of competition
(b) If yes, have there been any changes in the business cycles or conditions of competition for
wire mesh since January 1, 2017?
No

Yes

If yes, describe.

III-17. Supply constraints.--Has your firm refused, declined, or been unable to supply wire mesh since
January 1, 2017 (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.

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Standard Steel Welded Wire Mesh (Preliminary)

Page 30

III-18. Raw materials.--How have wire mesh raw material prices changed since January 1, 2017?
Fluctuate
Overall
No
Overall
with no
increase change decrease clear trend

Explain, noting how raw material price changes
have affected your firm’s selling prices for wire
mesh.

III-19. Interchangeability.--Is wire mesh 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

Mexico

Other countries

United States
Mexico
For any country-pair producing wire mesh that is sometimes or never interchangeable, identify the
country-pair and explain the factors that limit or preclude interchangeable use:

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Standard Steel Welded Wire Mesh (Preliminary)

Page 31

III-20. Factors other than price.--Are differences other than price (e.g., quality, availability,
transportation network, product range, technical support, etc.) between wire mesh 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

Mexico

Other countries

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

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III-21. Section 232 Tariffs.—
(a) How did the imposition of tariffs under section 232 on imported steel/aluminum products
impact raw material costs for wire mesh?

Factor

Overall increase

No change

Overall decrease

Fluctuate with
no clear trend

Cost of raw materials after
section 232 tariffs imposed
(b) How did the imposition of tariffs under section 232 on imported steel/aluminum products
impact your firm’s sales price for wire mesh?

Factor
Prices for Wire Mesh

Overall
Increase

No change

Fluctuate
Overall
with no
Decrease clear trend

Explanation

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Standard Steel Welded Wire Mesh (Preliminary)

Page 33

III-21. Customer identification.--List the names and contact information for your firm’s 10 largest U.S.
customers for wire mesh since January 1, 2017. Indicate the share of the quantity of your firm’s
total shipments of wire mesh that each of these customers accounted for in 2019.

Customer’s name

Contact person

Email

Telephone

City

State

Share
of
2019
sales
(%)

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
III-22. Other explanations.--If your firm would like to further explain a response to a question in Part III
for which a narrative response box was not provided, please note the question number and the
explanation in the space provided below. Please also use this space to highlight any issues your
firm had in providing the data in this section, including but not limited to technical issues with
the MS Word questionnaire.

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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Standard Steel Welded Wire Mesh (Preliminary)

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 U.S. 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.

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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/701731/2020/standard_steel_welded_wire_mesh
_mexico/preliminary.htm
Please do not attempt to modify the format or permissions of the questionnaire
document. Please submit the completed questionnaire using one of the methods noted
below. If your firm is unable to complete the MS Word questionnaire or cannot use one
of the electronic methods of submission, please contact the Commission for further
instructions.
• Upload via Secure Drop Box.—Upload the MS Word questionnaire along with a scanned copy of the
signed certification page (page 1) through the Commission’s secure upload facility:
Web address: https://dropbox.usitc.gov/oinv/

Pin: MESH

• E-mail.—E-mail the MS Word questionnaire to [email protected]; include a scanned copy of the
signed certification page (page 1). Submitters are strongly encouraged to encrypt nonpublic documents
that are electronically transmitted to the Commission to protect your sensitive information from
unauthorized disclosure. The USITC secure drop-box system and the Electronic Document Information
System (EDIS) use Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS) 140-2 cryptographic algorithms to
encrypt data in transit. Submitting your nonpublic documents by a means that does not use these
encryption algorithms (such as by email) may subject your firm’s nonpublic information to unauthorized
disclosure during transmission. If you choose a non-encrypted method of electronic transmission, the
Commission warns you that the risk of such possible unauthorized disclosure is assumed by you and not
by the Commission.
If your firm did not import this product, please fill out page 1, print, sign, and submit a scanned copy to
the Commission.
Parties to this proceeding.—If your firm is a party to this proceeding, it is required to serve a copy of the
completed questionnaire on parties to the proceeding that are subject to administrative protective
order (see 19 CFR § 207.7). A list of such parties may be obtained from the Commission’s Secretary (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.