20-3-4291 U.S. purchasers' questionnaire

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

US purchaser questionnaire

4th tier cigarettes from Korea (Inv. no. 731-TA-1465) Final

OMB: 3117-0016

⚠️ Notice: This form may be outdated. More recent filings and information on OMB 3117-0016 can be found here:

2023-04-18 - Extension without change of a currently approved collection

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OMB No. 3117-0016/USITC No. 20-3-4291; Expiration Date: 6/30/2023
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U.S. PURCHASERS’ QUESTIONNAIRE
4TH TIER CIGARETTES FROM KOREA
This questionnaire must be received by the Commission by August 28, 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 antidumping investigation concerning 4th tier cigarettes from Korea (inv. No. 731-TA-1465 (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 James Horne (202-205-2722, [email protected]).

Name of firm
Address
City

State

Zip Code

Website
Has your firm purchased, or imported for retail sale, 4th tier cigarettes (as defined on next page) or any other
type of cigarette (as defined on pages 2-3) from any source (domestic or foreign) at any time since January 1,
2017?

(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: CIGS)
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 - 4th tier cigarettes (Final)

Page 2

PART I.—GENERAL INFORMATION
Background.-- This proceeding was instituted in response to a petition filed on December 18, 2019, by
the Coalition Against Korean Cigarettes (“CAKC”), the coalition members are Xcaliber International,
Pryor, Oklahoma and Cheyenne International, Grover, North Carolina. 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 dumping. Questionnaires and other information
pertinent to this proceeding are available at
https://www.usitc.gov/investigations/701731/2019/4th_tier_cigarettes_korea/preliminary.htm.
4th tier cigarettes covered by these investigations are certain tobacco cigarettes, commonly referred to
as "4th tier cigarettes." The subject cigarettes are composed of tobacco rolled in paper, have a nominal
minimum total length of 7.0 cm but do not exceed 12.0 cm in total nominal length, and have a nominal
diameter of less than 1.3 cm. These sizes of cigarettes are frequently referred to as "Kings" and"100's,"
but subject merchandise that meets the physical description of the scope is included regardless of the
marketing description of the size of the cigarettes. Subject merchandise typically has a tobacco blend
that consists of 10 percent to 40 percent tobacco stems.
Subject merchandise is typically sold in packs of 20 cigarettes per pack which generally includes the
marking "20 Class A Cigarettes" but are included regardless of packaging. 4th Tier cigarette packages are
typically sold in boxes without a rounded internal comer and without embossed aluminum foil inside the
pack.
Both menthol and non-menthol cigarettes and cigarettes with or without a filter attached are covered
by the scope of this investigation. Excluded from the scope of this investigation are cigarettes that
legally bear the valid and enforceable brand and/or trademark of a company who is a participating
member of the Master Settlement Agreement ("MSA") of November 1998.
Merchandise covered by this investigation is currently classified in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the
United States ("HTSUS") under subheading 2402.20.8000. This HTSUS subheading is provided for
convenience and customs purposes; the written description of the scope of the investigation is
dispositive.
All other cigarettes. –any cigarettes that are not designated as 4th tier cigarettes based on the scope.
Carton.--contains 10 packs or 200 cigarettes.
Purchaser.--Any firm engaged, either directly or through a parent company or subsidiary, in purchasing
4th tier cigarettes from another firm that produces, imports, or otherwise distributes 4th tier cigarettes.
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.

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - 4th tier cigarettes (Final)

Page 3

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. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - 4th tier cigarettes (Final)
I-1a.

Page 4

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 4th tier cigarettes, including
auxiliary facilities operated in conjunction with (whether or not physically separate from) such
facilities.

I-1b.

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

I-1c.

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-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, 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, which import 4th tier cigarettes into the United States or which export 4th tier
cigarettes to the United States?
No
Firm name

Yes--List the following information.
Country

Affiliation

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - 4th tier cigarettes (Final)
I-4.

Page 5

Related producers.--Does your firm have any related firms, either domestic or foreign, which
produce 4th tier cigarettes?
No
Firm name

Yes--List the following information.
Country

Affiliation

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - 4th tier cigarettes (Final)

Page 6

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 4th
tier cigarettes.
“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.
2017

2018

Item

Jan-Jun 2020

2019

Quantity (in cartons)

Purchases of 4th tier cigarettes
produced in-United States
Korea
All other countries1
Sources unknown2
Total purchases

Imports of 4th tier cigarettes
from-Korea
All other countries1
Total imports3
1

Please identify these countries:
.
Please indicate the firm(s) from which you purchased this merchandise:
.
3
If your firm imported 4th tier cigarettes at any time since January 1, 2017, please also complete and
return a U.S. importers' questionnaire in this proceeding.
2

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - 4th tier cigarettes (Final)
II-2.

Page 7

Changes in purchasing patterns.--Please indicate how the shares of your firm’s purchases of 4th
tier cigarettes from different sources have changed since January 1, 2017.

Source of
purchases

Did not
purchase Decreased Increased Constant Fluctuated

Explanation for trend

United States
Korea
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 4th tier cigarettes market.
United
States

II-4.

Korea

Other
countries

Other countries (specify)

Supplier identification.--Please list your firm’s FIVE largest suppliers for 4th tier cigarettes since
January 1, 2017. Also, provide the share of the quantity of your firm’s total purchases of 4th tier
cigarettes that each of these suppliers accounted for in 2019.

No.

Supplier’s name

City and state

Share of quantity of
2019 purchases

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - 4th tier cigarettes (Final)

Page 8

PART III.--MARKET CHARACTERISTICS AND PURCHASING PRACTICES
III-1.

Firm type.--Which of the following best describes your firm as a purchaser of 4th tier cigarettes
(check all that apply)?
Distributor

Retailer

Other

Describe other

If your firm is a distributor of 4th tier cigarettes, 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 4th tier cigarettes?
No

Yes

If yes, please describe.

III-3.

Types of customers.--What are the major types of consumers to which your firm sells 4th tier
cigarettes?

III-4.

Demand.-(a)

Has the demand for 4th tier cigarettes changed since January 1, 2017?
Increased

(b)

No change

Decreased

Fluctuated

Has this had any effect on your firm’s demand for 4th tier cigarettes?
No

Yes

Explain

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - 4th tier cigarettes (Final)
III-5.

Page 9

Substitutes.--Can other products be substituted for 4th tier cigarettes?
No

Yes--Please fill out the table.
Are these
considered
Have changes in the price of this
substitutes in the substitute affected the price for 4th tier
market?
cigarettes?

Broad category

Specific product

Yes

Explanation

Premium
Branded

All other cigarettes

Sub-generic/
private label

Other products

III-6.

Competition.-- Do 4th tier cigarettes compete for sales to consumers with other types (non-4th
tier) of cigarettes?
No

III-7.

If yes, please describe.

Price competition.—Have you ever purchased non-4th tier cigarettes that were priced
comparably to or lower than 4th tier cigarettes?
No

III-8.

Yes

If yes, please describe.

Demand trends.--Indicate how demand within the United States and outside of the United
States (if known) for 4th tier cigarettes 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
change

Fluctuate
Overall
with no
decrease clear trend

Explanation and factors

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - 4th tier cigarettes (Final)
III-9.

Page 10

Smoking alternatives.--Have electronic cigarettes (e-cigs) or vaporizers (vapes) affected the
demand for 4th tier cigarettes?
No

Yes

If yes, please describe.

III-10. Country preferences.--Do you or your customers ever specifically order 4th tier cigarettes from
one country in particular over other possible sources of supply?
No

Yes

If yes, identify the countries and explain.

III-11. Regulations—
(a) Have changes to regulations or taxes changed your firms desire or ability to sell 4th tier
cigarettes in the United States?
Source

Yes

If yes, please describe.

United States
All other
countries
Sources
unknown
(b) Have differences in state or local regulations or taxes caused a divergence in regional
demand for 4th tier cigarettes in the United States?
No

Yes

If yes, please describe.

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - 4th tier cigarettes (Final)

Page 11

III-12. Brand loyalty.-(a) Do you consumers of 4th tier cigarettes purchase 4th tier cigarettes based on the brand?
No

Yes

If Yes, explain the role of branding in the 4th tier cigarette market.

(b) Do consumers of 4th tier cigarettes change brands of 4th tier cigarette based on price?
No

Yes

If Yes, explain the role of branding in the 4th tier cigarette market.

Yes

If Yes, explain the different role of brand loyalty for 4th tier cigarettes.

III-13. Importance of purchasing domestic product.--Please fill out the table below, estimating the
percentage of your firm’s total 2019 purchases of 4th tier cigarettes that required 4th tier
cigarettes produced in the United States.
Estimated percentage of
your firm’s total 2019
purchases of 4th tier
cigarettes
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%)

0.0 %

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Page 12

III-14. Conditions of competition.-(a)

Is the 4th tier cigarettes market subject to business cycles (other than general economywide conditions) and/or other conditions of competition distinctive to 4th tier
cigarettes?

Check all that apply.

Please describe.

Skip to question III-11.

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 4th
tier cigarettes since January 1, 2017?
No

Yes

If yes, describe.

III-15. Decisions based on producer and country-of-origin.--How often does your firm, and if known,
do your customers, make purchasing decisions involving 4th tier cigarettes based on its
producer or country of origin?
Item

Always

Usually

Sometimes

Never

If at least sometimes, explain.

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

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Page 13

III-16. Availability of supply.--Has the availability of 4th tier cigarettes in the U.S. market changed since
January 1, 2017?
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-17. Supply constraints.--Has any firm refused, declined, or been unable to supply your firm with 4th
tier cigarettes 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.

III-18. Availability of specific product types.--Are certain grades/types/sizes of 4th tier cigarettes only
available from certain country sources?
No

Yes

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

III-19. Purchasing frequency.-(a)

How frequently does your firm make purchases of 4th tier cigarettes (check one)?
Daily

(b)

Weekly

Monthly

Quarterly

Annually

Other

Has this purchasing frequency changed since January 1, 2017?
No

Yes

If yes, please describe.

If other, specify

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - 4th tier cigarettes (Final)

Page 14

III-20. Raw material prices.—
(a)

Is your firm familiar with the prices for raw materials used in the production of 4th tier
cigarettes?
No

(b)

Yes – please answer (b)

Has information on raw material prices affected your firm’s negotiations or contracts to
purchase 4th tier cigarettes since 2017?
No

Yes Explain

III-21. Number of suppliers contacted.--How many suppliers does your firm generally contact before
making a purchase? Between
and
firms
III-22. Supplier negotiations.--Do your firm’s purchases of 4th tier cigarettes usually involve
negotiations between supplier and purchaser?

Yes

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

III-23. Change in suppliers.--Has your firm changed suppliers since January 1, 2017?

Yes

If yes, please list the supplier(s), whether the firm was added or dropped,
and the reasons for the change.

III-24. New suppliers.--Are you aware of any new suppliers, either foreign or domestic, that have
entered the market since January 1, 2017?
No

Yes

If yes, please identify the firms.

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - 4th tier cigarettes (Final)

Page 15

III-25. Supplier qualification.--Do you require your suppliers to be or to become certified or qualified
to sell 4th tier cigarettes 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.).

Yes

Number
of days Process and factors

III-26. Failure to certify.--Since January 1, 2017, have any domestic or foreign producers failed in their
attempts to certify or qualify their 4th tier cigarettes with your firm or have any producers lost
their approved status?

Yes

If yes, please identify these firms, the countries where they are located,
and the reasons why they failed the certification/qualification.

III-27. Major purchasing factors.--Please list, in order of their importance, the main factors your firm
considers in deciding from whom to purchase 4th tier cigarettes (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:

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Page 16

III-28. Purchasing factors.--Please rate the importance of the following factors in your firm’s
purchasing decisions for 4th tier cigarettes.
Very
important

Factor

Somewhat
important

Not
important

Availability
Branding
Delivery terms
Delivery time
Discounts offered
Minimum quantity requirements
Packaging
Payment terms
Price
Product consistency
Product range
Quality meets industry standards
Quality exceeds industry standards
Reliability of supply
Technical support/service
U.S. transportation costs
III-29. Quality characteristics.--What characteristics does your firm consider when determining the
quality of 4th tier cigarettes?

III-30. Minimum quality.--How often does 4th tier cigarettes from the following countries meet
minimum quality specifications for your uses or your customers’ uses?

Source
United States
Korea
Other:

Always

Usually

Sometimes

Rarely or
never

Don’t
know

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Page 17

III-31. Frequency of decisions based on price.--How often does your firm purchase the 4th tier
cigarettes that is offered at the lowest price?
Always

Usually

Sometimes

Never

III-32. 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 the names of any firms you considered price leaders in the 4th tier cigarettes market
since January 1, 2017.
Firm(s)

Describe how the firm(s) exhibited price leadership

III-33. Purchasing subject imports rather than domestic products.—
(a)

Since January 2017, did your firm import and/or purchase imports of 4th tier cigarettes
from Korea instead of purchasing U.S.-produced 4th tier cigarettes?
Source

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

No
(If “No”, skip to next question)

Korea
(b)

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

Yes

Korea
(c)

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

Source

Korea

Yes

If Yes, estimate the quantity
of imports purchased and/or
imported instead of domestic
product since January 2017
(in cartons)

If No, please indicate the
reason your firm imported
and/or purchased imports
instead of domestic product

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - 4th tier cigarettes (Final)

Page 18

III-34. U.S. producers and import competition.—
(a)

Since January 1, 2017, in connection with a sale or offer to sell 4th tier cigarettes to your
firm, did U.S. producers reduce their prices of domestically produced 4th tier cigarettes
in order to compete with lower-priced imports of 4th tier cigarettes from the subject
countries?
Source

Yes (also respond to
question part (b))

No (If “No”, skip to next
question)

Don’t know

Korea
(b)

If your firm responded “yes”, 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
Korea

Estimated
reduction in U.S.
prices
(percent)
%

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

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - 4th tier cigarettes (Final)

Page 19

PART IV.—PRODUCT COMPARISONS
IV-1.

Interchangeability.--Is 4th tier cigarettes 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

Korea

Other countries

United States
Korea
For any country-pair producing 4th tier cigarettes which is sometimes or never
interchangeable, please identify the country-pair and explain the factors that limit or preclude
interchangeable use:

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - 4th tier cigarettes (Final)
IV-2.

Page 20

Factors other than price.--Are differences other than price (e.g., quality, availability,
transportation network, product range, technical support, etc.) between 4th tier cigarettes
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

Korea

Other countries

United States
Korea
For any country-pair for which factors other than price always or frequently are a significant
factor in your firm’s purchases of 4th tier cigarettes, identify the country-pair and report the
advantages or disadvantages imparted by such factors:

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - 4th tier cigarettes (Final)
IV-3.

Page 21

Factor country comparisons.--For the factors listed below, please rate how 4th tier cigarettes
produced in each country you identified in your response to the first question in Part IV
compares with 4th tier cigarettes produced in each of the other countries you identified.

Inferior

Comparable

Superior

Inferior

Comparable

Superior

Inferior

Comparable

Factor

Superior

If you are unfamiliar with the product from a particular country, please leave the boxes for those
country comparisons blank.
Product from
Product from
Product from
United States
United States
Korea compared to
compared to product
compared to
product from
from
product from
Nonsubject
Korea
Nonsubject
countries
countries

Availability
Branding
Delivery terms
Delivery time
Discounts offered
Minimum quantity
requirements
Packaging
Payment terms
Price1
Product consistency
Product range
Quality meets industry
standards
Quality exceeds industry
standards
Reliability of supply
Technical support/service
U.S. transportation costs1
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.

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - 4th tier cigarettes (Final)

Page 22

PART V.—ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
V-1.

Comparability of types of cigarettes.--For each of the following indicate whether listed products
are: fully comparable or the same, i.e., have no differentiation between them; mostly
comparable or similar; somewhat comparable or similar; never or not-at-all comparable or
similar; or no familiarity with products.
F: fully comparable or the same, i.e., have no differentiation between them;
M: mostly comparable or similar;
S: somewhat comparable or similar;
N: never or not-at-all comparable or similar; or
0: no familiarity with products.
(a) Physical Characteristics and End Uses.--The differences and similarities in the physical
characteristics and end uses.

Product-pair
In-scope 4th tier cigarettes vs out-ofscope “premium” other cigarettes
In-scope 4th tier cigarettes vs out-ofscope “branded” other cigarettes
In-scope 4th tier cigarettes vs out-ofscope “sub-generic/ private label”
other cigarettes
In-scope 4th tier cigarettes vs out-ofscope all other cigarettes (all three
tiers combined)

Please provide a narrative discussion for the
comparability ratings you provided in terms of their
Comparison physical characteristics and uses:

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - 4th tier cigarettes (Final)
V-1.

Page 23

Comparability of types of cigarettes.--Continued
F: fully comparable or the same, i.e., have no differentiation between them;
M: mostly comparable or similar;
S: somewhat comparable or similar;
N: never or not-at-all comparable or similar; or
0: no familiarity with products.
(b) Interchangeability.--The ability to substitute the products in the same application.

Product-pair
In-scope 4th tier cigarettes vs
out-of-scope “premium” other
cigarettes
In-scope 4th tier cigarettes vs
out-of-scope “branded” other
cigarettes
In-scope 4th tier cigarettes vs
out-of-scope “sub-generic/
private label” other cigarettes
In-scope 4th tier cigarettes vs
out-of-scope all other cigarettes
(all three tiers combined)

Comparison

Please provide a narrative discussion for the
comparability ratings you provided in terms of their
interchangeability:

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - 4th tier cigarettes (Final)
V-1.

Page 24

Comparability of types of cigarettes.--Continued
F: fully comparable or the same, i.e., have no differentiation between them;
M: mostly comparable or similar;
S: somewhat comparable or similar;
N: never or not-at-all comparable or similar; or
0: no familiarity with products.
(c) Manufacturing facilities, production processes, and production employees.--Whether
manufactured in the same facilities, from the same inputs, on the same machinery and
equipment, and using the same employees.

Product-pair
In-scope 4th tier cigarettes vs outof-scope “premium” other
cigarettes
In-scope 4th tier cigarettes vs outof-scope “branded” other cigarettes
In-scope 4th tier cigarettes vs outof-scope “sub-generic/ private
label” other cigarettes
In-scope 4th tier cigarettes vs outof-scope all other cigarettes (all
three tiers combined)

Comparison

Please provide a narrative discussion for the
comparability ratings you provided in terms of their
manufacturing facilities, production processes, and
production employees:

Contains Business Proprietary Information
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - 4th tier cigarettes (Final)
V-1.

Page 25

Comparability of types of cigarettes.--Continued
F: fully comparable or the same, i.e., have no differentiation between them;
M: mostly comparable or similar;
S: somewhat comparable or similar;
N: never or not-at-all comparable or similar; or
0: no familiarity with products.
(d) Channels of distribution.--Channels of distribution/market situation through which the
products are sold (i.e., sold direct to end users, through wholesaler/distributors, etc.).

Comparison

Please provide a narrative discussion for the
comparability ratings you provided in terms of their
channels of distribution:

Contains Business Proprietary Information
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - 4th tier cigarettes (Final)
V-1.

Page 26

Comparability of types of cigarettes.--Continued
F: fully comparable or the same, i.e., have no differentiation between them;
M: mostly comparable or similar;
S: somewhat comparable or similar;
N: never or not-at-all comparable or similar; or
0: no familiarity with products.
(e) Customer and producer perceptions.--Perceptions as to the differences and/or
similarities in the market (e.g., sales/marketing practices).

Comparison

Please provide a narrative discussion for the
comparability ratings you provided in terms of their
customer and product perceptions:

Contains Business Proprietary Information
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - 4th tier cigarettes (Final)
V-1.

Page 27

Comparability of types of cigarettes.--Continued
F: fully comparable or the same, i.e., have no differentiation between them;
M: mostly comparable or similar;
S: somewhat comparable or similar;
N: never or not-at-all comparable or similar; or
0: no familiarity with products.
(f) Price.--Whether prices are comparable or differ between the products.

Product-pair

Comparison

Please provide a narrative discussion for the
comparability ratings you provided in terms of their
price:

In-scope 4th tier cigarettes vs outof-scope “premium” other
cigarettes
In-scope 4th tier cigarettes vs outof-scope “branded” other
cigarettes
In-scope 4th tier cigarettes vs outof-scope “sub-generic/ private
label” other cigarettes
In-scope 4th tier cigarettes vs outof-scope all other cigarettes (all
three tiers combined)

V-2.

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.

Contains Business Proprietary Information
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - 4th tier cigarettes (Final)
V-3.

Page 28

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.

Contains Business Proprietary Information
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - 4th tier cigarettes (Final)

Page 29

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/701731/2019/4th_tier_cigarettes_korea/prelimin
ary.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: CIGS

• 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.

File Type	application/pdf
File Title	Microsoft Word - US purchaser questionnaire
Author	lawrence.jones
File Modified	2020-07-17
File Created	2020-07-17