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pdfOMB No. 3117‐0016/USITC No. 20‐1‐4345; Expiration Date: : 6/30/2023
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U.S. PRODUCERS’ QUESTIONNAIRE
THERMAL PAPER FROM GERMANY, JAPAN, KOREA, AND SPAIN
This questionnaire must be received by the Commission by October 21, 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 duty investigations concerning thermal paper from Germany, Japan, Korea, and Spain
(Inv. Nos. 731‐TA‐1546‐1549 (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 produced and/or converted thermal paper (as defined on next page) 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: PAPER)
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 Title of Authorized Official
Date
Signature
Phone
Email address
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Thermal paper (Preliminary)
Page 2
PART I.—GENERAL INFORMATION
Background.‐‐This proceeding was instituted in response to a petition filed on October 7, 2020, by
Appvion Operations, Inc. (Appleton, Wisconsin) and Domtar Corporation (Fort Mill, South 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/701731/2020/thermal_paper_germany_japan_korea_and_spain/
preliminary.htm.
Thermal paper covered by these investigations is thermal paper in the form of “jumbo rolls” and certain
“converted rolls.” Jumbo rolls are defined as rolls with a nominal width of 4.5 inches (11.43 centimeters)
or more, a nominal weight of 65 pounds (29.4835 kg) or more, and a nominal diameter of 20 inches
(50.8 centimeters) or more (“jumbo rolls”). All jumbo rolls are included in the scope regardless of the
basis weight of the paper. Also included in the scope are “converted rolls” with a width of less than 4.5
inches (11.43 centimeters), and with a basis weight of 70 grams per square meter (“g/m2”) or less. The
scope covers jumbo rolls and converted rolls of thermal paper with or without a base coat (typically
made of clay and/or latex, and/or like materials) on one or both sides; with thermal active coating(s)
(typically made of sensitizer, dye, and co‐reactant, and/or like materials) on one or both sides; with or
without a top coat (typically made of pigments, polyvinyl alcohol, and/or like materials). The scope of
these investigations covers imports of converted rolls from third countries that are manufactured from
jumbo rolls produced in the subject countries.
Thermal paper is currently imported under statistical reporting numbers 4811.90.8030 (jumbo rolls) and
4811.90.9030 (converted rolls) 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.
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.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Thermal paper (Preliminary)
Page 3
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. In addition, if your firm is a U.S. producer, the information you
provide on your production and imports of thermal paper and your responses to the questions in Part I
of the producer questionnaire will be provided to the U.S. Department of Commerce, upon its request,
for use in connection with (and only in connection with) its requirement pursuant to section
702(c)(4)/732(c)(4) of the Act (19 U.S.C. § 1671a(c)(4)/1673a(c)(4)) to make a determination concerning
the extent of industry support for the petition requesting this proceeding. Any information provided to
Commerce will be transmitted under the confidentiality and release guidelines set forth above. Your
response to these questions constitutes your consent that such information be provided to Commerce
under the conditions described above.
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 macro‐
enabled 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.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Thermal paper (Preliminary)
I‐1a.
Page 4
OMB statistics.‐‐Please report below the actual number of hours required and the cost to your
firm of completing this questionnaire.
Hours
Dollars
The questions in this questionnaire have been reviewed with market participants to ensure that
issues of concern are adequately addressed and that data requests are sufficient, meaningful,
and as limited as possible. Public reporting burden for this questionnaire is estimated to average
50 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‐1b.
TAA information release.‐‐In the event that the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC)
makes an affirmative final determination in this proceeding, do you consent to the USITC's
release of your contact information (company name, address, contact person, contact person’s
title, telephone number, email address) appearing on the front page of this questionnaire to the
Departments of Commerce, Labor, and Agriculture, as applicable, so that your firm and its
workers can be made eligible for benefits under the Trade Adjustment Assistance program?
Yes
No
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Thermal paper (Preliminary)
I‐2a.
Page 5
Establishments covered.‐‐Provide the city, state, zip code, and brief description of each
establishment covered by this questionnaire. Firms operating more than one establishment
should combine the data for all establishments into a single report.
“Establishment”‐‐Each facility of a firm involved in the production of thermal paper, including
auxiliary facilities operated in conjunction with (whether or not physically separate from) such
facilities.
Establishments
City, State
Zip (5 digit)
Description
covered1
1
I‐2b.
I‐2c.
1
2
3
4
5
6
Additional discussion on establishments consolidated in this questionnaire: .
Stock symbol information.‐‐ If your firm or parent firm is publicly traded, please specify the
stock exchange and trading symbol: .
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).
I‐3.
Law firm:
Lead attorney(s):
Petitioner status.‐‐Is your firm a petitioner in this proceeding or a member firm of the
petitioning entity?
No
Yes
I‐4.
Petition support.‐‐Does your firm support or oppose the petition?
Country
Germany
Investigation type
Antidumping duty
Japan
Support
Oppose
Take no position
Antidumping duty
Korea
Antidumping duty
Spain
Antidumping duty
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Thermal paper (Preliminary)
I‐5.
I‐6.
Ownership.‐‐Is your firm owned, in whole or in part, by any other firm?
No
Yes‐‐List the following information, relating to the ultimate parent/owner.
Extent of
ownership
(percent)
Firm name
Country
Related importers/exporters.‐‐Does your firm have any related firms, either domestic or
foreign, that are engaged in importing thermal paper from Germany, Japan, Korea, and Spain
into the United States or that are engaged in exporting thermal paper from Germany, Japan,
Korea, and Spain to the United States?
No
Yes‐‐List the following information.
Page 6
Firm name
Country
Affiliation
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Thermal paper (Preliminary)
I‐7.
Page 7
Related producers.‐‐Does your firm have any related firms, either domestic or foreign, that are
engaged in the production of thermal paper?
No
Yes‐‐List the following information.
Firm name
Country
Affiliation
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Thermal paper (Preliminary)
Page 8
PART II.‐‐TRADE AND RELATED INFORMATION
Further information on this part of the questionnaire can be obtained from Ahdia Bavari (202‐205‐3191,
[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‐2a. Changes in operations.‐‐Please indicate whether your firm has experienced any of the following
changes in relation to the production of thermal paper since January 1, 2017.
(check as many as appropriate)
(If checked, please describe the nature, date(s), and
significance of any such reported changes as well as the
business reasons for them; leave completely blank if not
applicable)
plant openings
plant closings
relocations
expansions
acquisitions
consolidations
prolonged shutdowns or
production curtailments
revised labor agreements
other (e.g., technology)
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Thermal paper (Preliminary)
Page 9
II‐2b. COVID‐19 pandemic.—Since January 1, 2020, has the COVID‐19 pandemic or have any
government actions taken to contain the spread of the COVID‐19 virus resulted in changes in
relation to your firm’s supply chain arrangements, production, employment, and sales relating
to thermal paper?
No
Yes
If yes, describe these changes including a separate discussion of the (a)
supply chain impact, (b) production and sales impact, and (c)
employment impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Thermal paper (Preliminary)
Page 10
II‐3a. Production using same machinery.‐‐Please report your firm’s production of products using the
same equipment, machinery, or employees as used to produce jumbo rolls of thermal paper,
and the combined production capacity on this shared equipment, machinery, or employees in
the periods indicated.
“Overall production capacity” or “capacity” – The level of production that your
establishment(s) could reasonably have expected to attain during the specified periods. Assume
normal operating conditions (i.e., using equipment and machinery in place and ready to
operate; normal operating levels (hours per week/weeks per year) and time for downtime,
maintenance, repair, and cleanup).
Note.‐‐If your firm does not produce any out‐of‐scope merchandise on the same machinery and
equipment as scope merchandise then the "overall production capacity" numbers reported in
this question should be exactly equal to the "average production capacity" numbers reported in
question II‐8. If, however, your firm does produce out‐of‐scope merchandise using the same
machinery and equipment as scope merchandise, then the "average production capacity"
reported in question II‐8 should exclude the portion of "overall production capacity" that was
used to produce this out‐of‐scope merchandise.
“Production” – All production in your U.S. establishment(s), including production consumed
internally within your firm and production for another firm under a toll agreement.
Jumbo roll machinery
Quantity (in short tons)
Calendar years
Item
Overall production capacity on
coating/jumbo roll machinery1
2017
2018
January‐June
2019
2019
2020
Production of:
Thermal paper2
0
0
0
0
0
Other products3
0
0
0
0
0
Total production using
same machinery or workers
1
Data reported for capacity (first line) should be greater than data reported for total production (last line).
Data entered for production of thermal paper will populate here once reported in question II‐8.
3
Please identify these products: .
2
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Thermal paper (Preliminary)
Page 11
II‐3b. Operating parameters.‐‐The jumbo roll production capacity reported in II‐3a is based on the
following operating paramaters:
Hours per week
Weeks per year
II‐3c.
Capacity calculation.‐‐Please describe the methodology used to calculate overall jumbo roll
production capacity reported in II‐3a, and explain any changes in reported capacity.
II‐3d. Production constraints.‐‐Please describe the constraint(s) that set the limit(s) on your firm’s jumbo
roll production capacity.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Thermal paper (Preliminary)
Page 12
II‐4a. Production using same machinery.‐‐Please report your firm’s production of products using the
same equipment, machinery, or employees as used to produce converted rolls of thermal paper,
and the combined production capacity on this shared equipment, machinery, or employees in
the periods indicated.
“Overall production capacity” or “capacity” – The level of production that your
establishment(s) could reasonably have expected to attain during the specified periods. Assume
normal operating conditions (i.e., using equipment and machinery in place and ready to
operate; normal operating levels (hours per week/weeks per year) and time for downtime,
maintenance, repair, and cleanup).
“Production” – All production in your U.S. establishment(s), including production consumed
internally within your firm and production for another firm under a toll agreement.
Conversion (cutting, slitting) machinery
Quantity (in short tons)
Calendar years
Item
Overall production capacity on
conversion (cutting, slitting)
machinery1
Conversion (cutting/slitting) of:
Thermal paper with a width of
less than 4.5 inches and <70 g/m2
Thermal paper with a width of
greater than 4.5 inches and/or >
or equal to 70 g/m2
3
Other products
Total production using
same machinery or workers
1
2017
2018
January‐June
2019
2019
2020
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Data reported for capacity (first line) should be greater than data reported for total production (last line).
If your firm is an independent converter, the data reported in this line should exactly equal the data
reported for production in question II‐13. If your firm is a jumbo roll manufacturer and converter, the data
reported in this line should be equal or less than the total production reported in question II‐8.
3
Please identify these products: .
2
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Thermal paper (Preliminary)
Page 13
II‐4b. Operating parameters.‐‐The jumbo roll conversion (slitting, cutting) capacity reported in II‐4a is
based on the following operating paramaters:
Hours per week
Weeks per year
II‐4c.
Capacity calculation.‐‐Please describe the methodology used to calculate overall jumbo roll
conversion (slitting, cutting) capacity reported in II‐4a, and explain any changes in reported capacity.
II‐4d. Jumbo roll conversion (slitting, cutting) constraints.‐‐Please describe the constraint(s) that set the
limit(s) on your firm’s jumbo roll conversion (slitting, cutting) capacity.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Thermal paper (Preliminary)
II‐5.
Page 14
Product shifting.—
(a)
Is your firm able to switch production (capacity) between thermal paper and other products
using the same equipment and/or labor?
No
Yes
If yes—(i.e., have produced other products or are able to produce other
products) Please identify other actual or potential products.
(b)
Please describe the factors that affect your firm’s ability to shift production capacity
between products (e.g., time, cost, relative price change, etc.), and the degree to which
these factors enhance or constrain such shifts.
II‐6.
Tolling.‐‐Since January 1, 2017, has your firm been involved in a toll agreement regarding the
production of thermal paper?
“Toll agreement”‐‐Agreement between two firms whereby the first firm furnishes the raw
materials and the second firm uses the raw materials to produce a product that it then returns
to the first firm with a charge for processing costs, overhead, etc.
No
Yes
If yes‐‐Please describe the toll arrangement(s) and name the firm(s)
involved.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Thermal paper (Preliminary)
II‐7.
Page 15
Foreign trade zones.‐‐
(a)
Firm's FTZ operations.‐‐Does your firm produce thermal paper in and/or admit thermal
paper into a foreign trade zone (FTZ)?
“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. A foreign trade zone must be designated as such pursuant to the rules and
procedures set forth in the Foreign‐Trade Zones Act.
No
Yes
If yes‐‐Describe the nature of your firm’s operations in FTZs and identify
the specific FTZ site(s).
(b)
Other firms' FTZ operations.‐‐To your knowledge, do any firms in the United States
import thermal paper into a foreign trade zone (FTZ) for use in distribution of thermal
paper and/or the production of downstream articles?
No
Yes
If yes‐‐Identify the firms and the FTZs.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Thermal paper (Preliminary)
II‐8.
Page 16
Production, shipment, and inventory data .‐‐Report your firm’s production capacity,
production, shipments, and inventories related to the production of thermal paper in its U.S.
establishment(s) during the specified periods.
“Average production capacity” or “capacity” – The level of production that your
establishment(s) could reasonably have expected to attain during the specified periods. Assume
normal operating conditions (i.e., using equipment and machinery in place and ready to
operate; normal operating levels (hours per week/weeks per year) and time for downtime,
maintenance, repair, and cleanup; and a typical or representative product mix).
“Production” – All production in your U.S. establishment(s), including production consumed
internally within your firm and production for another firm under a toll agreement.
“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.
“Converted rolls” — Converted rolls have a width of less than 4.5 inches with a basis weight of
70 g/m2 or less.
Note: As requested in Part I of this questionnaire, please keep all supporting documents/records used in
the preparation of the trade data, as Commission staff may contact your firm regarding
questions on the trade data. The Commission may also request that your company submit copies
of the supporting documents/records (such as production and sales schedules, inventory records,
etc.) used to compile these data.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Thermal paper (Preliminary)
II‐8.
Page 17
Production, shipment, and inventory data (Jumbo roll producers).‐‐Continued.
Report your firm’s production capacity, production, shipments, and inventory data related to
the production of jumbo rolls of thermal paper in your firm’s U.S. establishment(s) during the
specified periods. U.S. producers of jumbo rolls are producers who conduct coating operations
in the United States. Coaters that also perform conversion operations, such as converting and
packaging, on the jumbo rolls that they produce in the United States should report data for all
operations (both coating and conversion) in this table, and should NOT complete table II‐9.
Table II‐9 is reserved for those firms who exclusively converted and package jumbo rolls that
are purchased or imported.
Jumbo roll producers
Quantity (in short tons) and value (in $1,000)
Calendar years
Item
2017
2018
January‐June
2019
2019
2020
Average production capacity1 (quantity)
(A)
Beginning‐of‐period inventories
(quantity) (B)
Production (quantity) (C)
U.S. shipments:
Commercial shipments:
Quantity (D)
Value (E)
Internal consumption:
Quantity (F)
2
Value2 (G)
Transfers to related firms:
Quantity (H)
2
2
Value (I)
Export shipments:3
Quantity (J)
Value (K)
End‐of‐period inventories (quantity) (L)
1
The production capacity reported is based on operating hours per week, weeks per year. Please
describe the methodology used to calculate production capacity, and explain any changes in reported capacity
.
2
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: .
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Thermal paper (Preliminary)
II‐8.
Page 18
Production, shipment, and inventory data (Jumbo roll producers).‐‐Continued.
RECONCILIATION OF SHIPMENTS, PRODUCTION, AND INVENTORY.‐‐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 B), plus
production (i.e., line C), 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 reflect your firm’s actual records; and, also provide
explanations for any differences (e.g., theft, loss, damage, record systems issues, etc.) if they exist.
Calendar years
Reconciliation
B + C – D – F – H – J – L = should equal
zero ("0") or provide an explanation.1
1
2017
0
2018
0
January‐June
2019
0
2019
0
Explanation if the calculated fields above are returning values other than zero (i.e., “0”) but are
nonetheless accurate: .
2020
0
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Thermal paper (Preliminary)
II‐9.
Page 19
Channels of distribution (Jumbo roll producers).‐‐Report your firm’s U.S. shipments (i.e.
inclusive of commercial U.S. shipments, internal consumption, and transfers to related firms) of
thermal paper by channel of distribution.
Quantity (in short tons)
Calendar years
Item
Channels of distribution:
U.S. shipments:
To distributors (M)
2017
2018
January‐June
2019
2019
2020
To converters (N)
To end users (O)
RECONCILIATION OF CHANNELS.‐‐Please ensure that the quantities of jumbo rolls reported for channels of
distribution (i.e., lines M through O) in each time period equal the quantity reported for U.S. shipments (i.e.,
lines D through H) in each time period in question II‐8. 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
M + N + O – D – F – H = zero ("0"), if
not revise.
2017
2018
0
January‐June
2019
0
2019
0
0
2020
0
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Thermal paper (Preliminary)
Page 20
II‐10. U.S. shipments by basis weight (Jumbo roll producers).‐‐Report your firm’s U.S. shipments (i.e.
inclusive of commercial U.S. shipments, internal consumption, and transfers to related firms) of
thermal paper in 2019 by specified basis weights.
Quantity (in short tons) and value in ($1,000)
Item
Calendar year 2019
U.S. shipments:
Less than 49.9 g/m2
Quantity (P)
Value (Q)
49.9 g/m2 to 60 g/m2
Quantity (R)
Value (S)
2
2
Over 60 g/m to 70 g/m
Quantity (T)
Value (U)
2
Over 70 g/m
Quantity (V)
Value (W)
RECONCILIATION OF US SHIPMENTS BY BASIS WEIGHT.‐‐Please ensure that the quantities and
value reported for U.S. shipments by basis weight of jumbo rolls (i.e., lines P through W) equal
the quantities and values reported for U.S. shipments (i.e., lines D through I) in 2019 in question
II‐8. 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 item
Calendar year 2019
Quantity: P + R + T + V – D – F – H = zero ("0"), if not
revise.
0
Value: Q + S + U + W – E – G – I = zero ("0"), if not revise.
0
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Thermal paper (Preliminary)
Page 21
II‐11. Employment data (Jumbo roll producers).‐‐Report your firm’s employment‐related data related
to the production of thermal paper and provide an explanation for any trends in these data.
“Production and Related Workers” (PRWs) includes working supervisors and all nonsupervisory
workers (including group leaders and trainees) engaged in fabricating, processing, assembling,
inspecting, receiving, storage, handling, packing, warehousing, shipping, trucking, hauling,
maintenance, repair, janitorial and guard services, product development, auxiliary production
for plant’s own use (e.g., power plant), recordkeeping, and other services closely associated with
the above production operations.
Average number employed may be computed by adding the number of employees, both full
time and part time, for the 12 pay periods ending closest to the 15th of the month and divide
that total by 12. For the January to June periods, calculate similarly and divide by 6.
If your firm had the same number of PRWs in all calendar years and had not experienced
any changes in PRWs in the most recent interim period, you would have the same
number of PRWs for the interim periods, regardless of whether the interim periods are
Jan‐Mar (Q1), Jan‐June (Q1+Q2), or Jan‐Sept (Q1+Q2+Q3).”
“Hours worked” includes time paid for sick leave, holidays, and vacation time. Include overtime
hours actually worked; do not convert overtime pay to its equivalent in straight time hours.
“Wages paid” –Total wages paid before deductions of any kind (e.g., withholding taxes, old‐age
and unemployment insurance, group insurance, union dues, bonds, etc.). Include wages paid
directly by your firm for overtime, holidays, vacations, and sick leave.
Calendar years
January‐June
2017
2018
2019
Item
2019
2020
Jumbo rolls
Average number of PRWs (number)
Hours worked by PRWs relating to
Jumbo roll production (1,000 hours)
Hours worked by PRWs relating to
Conversion operations (1,000 hours)
0
0
0
0
0
Overall hours worked by jumbo
roll producers (1,000 hours)
Wages paid to PRWs ($1,000)
Explanation of trends:
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Thermal paper (Preliminary)
Page 22
II‐12a. Conversion‐only operations.‐‐Since January 1, 2017, has your firm only produced converted
rolls from jumbo rolls (i.e., your firm does not produce jumbo rolls in the United States)?
No
Yes
If yes—Please describe the nature and extent of the following items in
relation to your firm's conversion operations in the United States.
Capital investments
Technical expertise
Value added
Employment
Quantity, type and source
of parts
Costs and activities
II‐12b. Conversion ‐only operations' complexity and importance.‐‐On a scale of 1 to 5, please provide
your firm's subjective opinion as to the complexity, intensity, and importance of converting
activities. 1 is considered minimally complex, intense or important, while 5 is considered
extremely complex, intense, and important.
1:
Minimally complex,
intense, and
important
2
3
4
Please describe the reason for your rating.
5:
Extremely complex,
intense, and
important
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Thermal paper (Preliminary)
Page 23
II‐12c. Capital investments: Jumbo roll producers.‐‐Please describe and quantify the amount of capital
investments (from a greenfield investment standpoint) that would be needed to recreate your
firm’s current production capabilities today.
Value (in dollars)
Description
II‐12d. Capital investments: Independent converters.‐‐Please describe and quantify the amount of
capital investments (from a greenfield investment standpoint) that would be needed to recreate
your firm’s current production capabilities today.
Value (in dollars)
Description
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Thermal paper (Preliminary)
Page 24
II‐13. Production, shipment, and inventory data (Independent converters).‐‐ Report your firm’s
production capacity, production, shipments, and inventory data related to the conversion of
jumbo rolls only into thermal paper in your firm’s U.S. establishment(s) during the specified
periods. This table is for those firms who exclusively convert and package jumbo rolls that are
purchased or imported. Coaters that also perform converting and packaging operations on
jumbo rolls they produce in the United States should only complete table II‐8 (i.e., not this
table). The data should only include converted rolls as defined on page 2 of this questionnaire.
Independent converters
Quantity (in short tons) and value (in $1,000)
Calendar years
Item
2017
2018
January‐June
2019
2019
2020
Average production capacity1 (quantity) (X)
Beginning‐of‐period inventories (quantity) (Y)
Production:
Using U.S.‐produced jumbo rolls (quantity) (Z)
Using purchased/imported jumbo rolls from
subject countries (quantity) (AA)
Using purchased/imported jumbo rolls from
nonsubject countries (quantity) (AB)
U.S. shipments:
Commercial shipments:
Quantity (AC)
Quantity (AG)
Value2 (AH)
Quantity (AI)
Value (AJ)
Value (AD)
Internal consumption:2
Quantity (AE)
Value2 (AF)
Transfers to related firms:2
Export shipments:3
End‐of‐period inventories (quantity) (AK)
1 The production capacity reported is based on operating
hours per week, weeks per year. Please describe the methodology
used to calculate production capacity, and explain any changes in reported capacity .
2 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: .
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Thermal paper (Preliminary)
Page 25
RECONCILIATION OF SHIPMENTS, PRODUCTION, AND INVENTORY.‐‐Generally, the data reported for the end‐of‐
period inventories (i.e., line AK) should be equal to the beginning‐of‐period inventories (i.e., line Y), plus
production (i.e., lines Z through AB), less total shipments (i.e., lines AC, AE, AG, and AI). Please ensure that any
differences are not due to data entry errors in completing this form, but rather reflect your firm’s actual
records; and, also provide explanations for any differences (e.g., theft, loss, damage, record systems issues, etc.)
if they exist.
January‐June
Calendar years
Reconciliation
Y + Z + AA + AB – AC – AE – AG – AI – AK = should
equal zero ("0") or provide an explanation.1
1
2017
2018
0
2019
2019
0
0
2020
0
Explanation if the calculated fields above are returning values other than zero (i.e., “0”) but are
nonetheless accurate: .
0
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Thermal paper (Preliminary)
Page 26
II‐14. Channels of distribution (Independent converters).‐‐Report your firm’s U.S. shipments (i.e.
inclusive of commercial U.S. shipments, internal consumption, and transfers to related firms) of
thermal paper by channel of distribution.
Quantity (in short tons)
Calendar years
Item
2017
2018
January‐June
2019
2019
2020
Channels of distribution:
U.S. shipments:
To distributors (AM)
To converters (AN)
To end users (AO)
RECONCILIATION OF CHANNELS.‐‐Please ensure that the quantities reported for channels of distribution (i.e.,
lines AM through AO) in each time period equal the quantity reported for U.S. shipments (i.e., lines AC through
AG) in each time period in question II‐13. 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
Converted rolls: AM + AN + AO – AC
– AE – AG = zero ("0"), if not revise.
2017
2018
0
January‐June
2019
0
2019
0
0
2020
0
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Thermal paper (Preliminary)
Page 27
II‐15. U.S. shipments by basis weight (Independent converters).‐‐Report your firm’s U.S. shipments
(i.e. inclusive of commercial U.S. shipments, internal consumption, and transfers to related
firms) of thermal paper in 2019 by specified basis weights.
Quantity (in short tons) and value in ($1,000)
Item
Calendar year 2019
U.S. shipments:
Less than 49.9 g/m2
Quantity (AP)
Value (AQ)
49.9 g/m2 to 60 g/m2
Quantity (AR)
Value (AS)
2
2
Over 60 g/m to 70 g/m
Quantity (AT)
Value (AU)
RECONCILIATION OF US SHIPMENTS BY BASIS WEIGHT.‐‐Please ensure that the quantities and
value reported for U.S. shipments by basis weight (i.e., lines AP through AU) equal the quantities
and values reported for U.S. shipments (i.e., lines AC through AH) in 2019 in question II‐13. 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 item
Calendar year 2019
Quantity: AP + AR + AT – AC – AE – AG = zero ("0"), if
not revise.
0
Value: AQ + AS + AU – AD – AF – AH = zero ("0"), if not
revise.
0
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Thermal paper (Preliminary)
Page 28
II‐16. Employment data (Independent converters).‐‐Report your firm’s employment‐related data
related to the conversion of thermal paper and provide an explanation for any trends in these
data.
“Production and Related Workers” (PRWs) includes working supervisors and all nonsupervisory
workers (including group leaders and trainees) engaged in fabricating, processing, assembling,
inspecting, receiving, storage, handling, packing, warehousing, shipping, trucking, hauling,
maintenance, repair, janitorial and guard services, product development, auxiliary production
for plant’s own use (e.g., power plant), recordkeeping, and other services closely associated with
the above production operations.
Average number employed may be computed by adding the number of employees, both full
time and part time, for the 12 pay periods ending closest to the 15th of the month and divide
that total by 12. For the January to June periods, calculate similarly and divide by 6.
If your firm had the same number of PRWs in all calendar years and had not experienced
any changes in PRWs in the most recent interim period, you would have the same
number of PRWs for the interim periods, regardless of whether the interim periods are
Jan‐Mar (Q1), Jan‐June (Q1+Q2), or Jan‐Sept (Q1+Q2+Q3).”
“Hours worked” includes time paid for sick leave, holidays, and vacation time. Include overtime
hours actually worked; do not convert overtime pay to its equivalent in straight time hours.
“Wages paid” –Total wages paid before deductions of any kind (e.g., withholding taxes, old‐age
and unemployment insurance, group insurance, union dues, bonds, etc.). Include wages paid
directly by your firm for overtime, holidays, vacations, and sick leave.
Calendar years
January‐June
Item
2017
2018
2019
2019
2020
Average number of PRWs (number)
Hours worked by PRWs (1,000 hours)
Wages paid to PRWs ($1,000)
Explanation of trends:
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Thermal paper (Preliminary)
Page 29
II‐17. Related firms.‐‐If your firm reported transfers to related firms in question II‐8 or II‐13, 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), whether the transfers were priced at
market value or by a non‐market formula, whether your firm retained marketing rights to all
transfers, and whether the related firms also processed inputs from sources other than your
firm.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Thermal paper (Preliminary)
Page 30
II‐18a. Purchases of jumbo rolls.‐‐Has your firm purchased jumbo rolls of thermal paper produced in
the United States or in other countries since January 1, 2017? (Do not include imports for which
your firm was the importer of record. These should be reported in an importer questionnaire.)
“Purchase” – A transaction to buy product from a U.S. corporate entity such as another U.S.
producer, a U.S. distributor, or a U.S. firm that has directly imported the product.
“Import” –A transaction to buy from a foreign supplier where your firm is the importer of
record.
No
Yes
If yes‐‐Report such purchases in the table below and explain the reasons
for your firms' purchases.
Note: If your firm served as the importer of record for any purchases from foreign suppliers,
either for your own account or as a service for another entity, those purchases are to be
considered "imports" not "purchases" and should not be included in the table below.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Thermal paper (Preliminary)
Page 31
II‐18a. Purchases of jumbo rolls. ‐‐Continued.
Jumbo Rolls
Jumbo rolls
Calendar years
2017
Item
2018
January‐June
2019
2019
2020
Quantity (in short tons) and value (in $1,000)
Purchases from U.S. importers1 of
thermal paper from—
Germany
Quantity
Value
Japan
Quantity
Value
Korea
Quantity
Value
Spain
Quantity
Value
All other sources
Quantity
Value
Purchases from domestic
producers2
Quantity
Value
3
Purchases from other sources
Quantity
Value
1
Please list the name of the importer(s) from which your firm purchased this product. If your firm’s import
suppliers differ by source, please identify the source for each listed supplier: .
2
Please list the name of the U.S. producer(s) from which your firm purchased this product: .
3
Please list the name of the firm(s) from which your firm purchased this product: .
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Thermal paper (Preliminary)
Page 32
II‐18b. Purchases of converted rolls.‐‐Has your firm purchased converted rolls of thermal paper
produced in the United States or in other countries since January 1, 2017? (Do not include
imports for which your firm was the importer of record. These should be reported in an
importer questionnaire.)
“Purchase” – A transaction to buy product from a U.S. corporate entity such as another U.S.
producer, a U.S. distributor, or a U.S. firm that has directly imported the product.
“Import” –A transaction to buy from a foreign supplier where your firm is the importer of
record.
No
Yes
If yes‐‐Report such purchases in the table below and explain the reasons
for your firms' purchases. Purchases should be reported based on the
country of manufacture of the jumbo rolls.
Note: If your firm served as the importer of record for any purchases from foreign suppliers,
either for your own account or as a service for another entity, those purchases are to be
considered "imports" not "purchases" and should not be included in the table below.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Thermal paper (Preliminary)
Page 33
II‐18b. Purchases of converted rolls. ‐‐Continued.
Converted Rolls
Converted rolls
Calendar years
2017
Item
2018
January‐June
2019
2019
2020
Quantity (in short tons) and value (in $1,000)
Purchases from U.S. importers1 of
thermal paper from—
Germany
Quantity
Value
Japan
Quantity
Value
Korea
Quantity
Value
Spain
Quantity
Value
All other sources
Quantity
Value
Purchases from domestic
producers2
Quantity
Value
3
Purchases from other sources
Quantity
Value
1
Please list the name of the importer(s) from which your firm purchased this product. If your firm’s import
suppliers differ by source, please identify the source for each listed supplier: .
2
Please list the name of the U.S. producer(s) from which your firm purchased this product: .
3
Please list the name of the firm(s) from which your firm purchased this product: .
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Thermal paper (Preliminary)
Page 34
II‐19. Imports.‐‐Since January 1, 2017, has your firm imported thermal paper?
No
Yes
If yes‐‐COMPLETE AND RETURN A U.S. IMPORTERS’ QUESTIONNAIRE
II‐20. Semi‐finished product analysis.‐‐Please answer the following questions regarding the
differences and similarities in unfinished product(s) and finished product(s) in this proceeding as
defined below:
“Unfinished product(s)” – Jumbo rolls
“Finished product(s)” – In‐scope converted rolls
(a) Are there uses for the unfinished product(s) other than for the production of the finished
product(s)
No
Yes
If yes‐‐Please describe these uses.
(b) Is the market for unfinished product(s) separate and distinct from the market for finished
product(s)?
No
Yes
If yes‐‐Please describe how they are
separate and distinct.
(c) Are there differences in the physical characteristics and functions of the unfinished
product(s) and finished products(s)?
No
Yes
If yes‐‐Please describe these differences.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Thermal paper (Preliminary)
Page 35
(d) Is there a significant difference in the cost or value between unfinished product(s) and
finished product(s)?
No
Yes
If yes‐‐Please describe these differences.
(e) Would you describe the processes used to transform the unfinished product(s) into the
finished product(s) as significant and particularly labor or capital intensive?
No
Yes
If yes‐‐Please describe the labor or capital
intensively of the conversion process.
II‐21. Range of AUVs.‐‐What is the range of per gross unit value for the different thermal paper types
produced by your firm since January 1, 2017? In addition to a general identifying description of
each product, please include the basis weight.
Unit value (dollars
Type
per short ton)1
Description of the product.
Highest per unit value
thermal paper product
produced by your firm
Highest volume thermal
paper product produced
by your firm
Lowest per unit value
thermal paper product
produced by your firm
1
Please confirm that the unit value is reported in dollars per short ton (check to confirm):
II‐22. Other explanations.‐‐If your firm would like to further explain a response to a question in Part II
for which a narrative 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. Producers’ Questionnaire – Thermal paper (Preliminary)
Page 36
PART III.‐‐FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Address questions on this part of the questionnaire to Zahra Bekkal (202‐205‐2684,
[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
III‐2. Accounting system.—Please provide the following information on your firm’s financial
accounting system.
A.
When does your firm’s fiscal year end (month and day)?
If your firm’s fiscal year changed during the data‐collection period, explain
below:
Note.—Please report all financial data in part III on a calendar year basis.
B.1. Describe the lowest level of operations (e.g., plant, division, company‐wide) for
which financial statements are prepared that include thermal paper:
2. Does your firm prepare profit/loss statements for thermal paper:
Yes
No
3. How often did your firm (or parent company) prepare financial statements
(including annual reports, 10Ks)? Please check relevant items below.
audited, unaudited, annual reports, 10Ks, 10 Qs,
monthly, quarterly, semi‐annually, annually
4. Accounting basis: U.S. GAAP, IFRS, cash, tax, or other
comprehensive basis of accounting (specify)
Note: As requested in Part I of this questionnaire, please keep all supporting documents/records
used in the preparation of the financial data, as Commission staff may contact your firm
regarding questions on the financial data. The Commission may also request that your company
submit copies of the supporting documents/records (financial statements, including internal
profit‐and‐loss statements for the division or product group that includes thermal paper, as well
as specific statements and worksheets) used to compile these data.
III‐3.
Cost accounting system.‐‐Briefly describe your firm’s cost accounting system (e.g., standard
cost, job order cost, etc.).
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Thermal paper (Preliminary)
III‐4.
Page 37
Allocation basis.‐‐Briefly describe your firm’s allocation basis, if any, for COGS, SG&A, and
interest expense and other income and expenses.
III‐5.
Product listing.‐‐Please list the products your firm produced in the facilities in which your firm
produced thermal paper and provide the share of net sales accounted for by these products in
your firm’s most recent fiscal year.
Products
Share of sales
Thermal paper
%
%
%
%
%
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Thermal paper (Preliminary)
III‐6.
Page 38
Inputs from related suppliers.‐‐Does your firm purchase inputs (raw materials, labor, energy, or
any services) used in the production of thermal paper from any related suppliers (e.g., inclusive
of transactions between related firms, divisions and/or other components within the same
company)?
Yes‐‐Continue to question III‐7
III‐7.
No—Skip to question III‐9a or III‐10a
Inputs from related suppliers detailed.‐‐Please identify the inputs used in the production of
thermal paper that your firm purchases from related suppliers and that are reflected in question
III‐9a or III10‐a. For “Share of total COGS” please report this information by relevant input on the
basis of your most recently completed fiscal year. For “Input valuation” please describe the
basis, as recorded in your company’s own accounting system, of the purchase cost from the
related supplier; e.g., the related supplier’s actual cost, cost plus, negotiated transfer price to
approximate fair market value.
Input
Related supplier
Share of total COGS
Input valuation as recorded in the firm’s accounting books and records
III‐8.
Inputs purchased from related suppliers.‐‐Please confirm that the inputs purchased from
related suppliers, as identified in III‐7, are reported in III‐9a or III‐10a (financial results on
thermal paper) in a manner consistent with your firm’s accounting books and records.
Yes
No
If no‐‐In the space below, please report the valuation basis of inputs
purchased from related suppliers as reported in question III‐9a or III‐10a.
Note: For the two tables that follow, III‐9a and III‐10a, operations on thermal paper by jumbo roll
producers/coaters and converters/slitters, respectively, do not report resales of purchased products.
Note that internal consumption and transfers to related firms must be valued at fair market value and
that input purchases from related suppliers should be consistent with and based on information in the
firm’s accounting books and records.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Thermal paper (Preliminary)
III‐9a.
Page 39
Operations on thermal paper: Jumbo roll producers. ‐‐ Report the revenue and related cost
information requested below on the thermal paper operations of your firm’s U.S.
establishment(s).1 U.S. producers of jumbo rolls are producers who conduct coating operations
in the United States. Coaters that also perform conversion operations, such as slitting and
packaging, on the jumbo rolls that they produce in the United States should report data for all
operations (both coating and conversion) in this table and should not complete table III‐9b.
III‐10a is reserved for those firms who exclusively slit and package jumbo rolls that are
purchased or imported.
Quantity (in short tons) and value (in $1,000)
Calendar year
Item
2017
2018
January‐June
2019
2019
2020
2
Net sales quantities:
Commercial sales (“CS”)
Internal consumption (“IC”)
Transfers to related firms (“Transfers”)
0
0
0
0
0
Internal consumption
Transfers to related firms
Total net sales values
0
0
0
0
0
Direct labor
Other factory costs
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Other expenses and income:
Interest expense
All other expense items
All other income items
0
0
0
0
0
Total net sales quantities
Net sales values:2
Commercial sales
Cost of goods sold (COGS):
Raw materials
3
Less: by‐product revenue
Total COGS
Gross profit or (loss)
Selling, general, and administrative (SG&A)
expenses
Operating income (loss)
Net income or (loss) before income taxes
Depreciation/amortization included above
1 Include only sales (whether domestic or export) and costs related to your U.S. manufacturing operations.
2 Less discounts, returns, allowances, and prepaid freight. The quantities and values should approximate the corresponding shipment
quantities and values reported in Part II of this questionnaire.
3 COGS (whether for domestic or export sales) should include costs associated with CS, IC, and Transfers.
Note ‐‐The table above contains calculations that will appear when you have entered data in the MS
Word form fields.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Thermal paper (Preliminary)
Page 40
III‐9b. Financial data reconciliation.‐‐The calculable line items from question III‐9a (i.e., total net sales
quantities and values, total COGS, gross profit (or loss), total SG&A, and net income (or loss))
have been calculated from the data submitted in the other line items. Do the calculated fields
return the correct data according to your firm's financial records ignoring non‐material
differences that may arise due to rounding?
Yes
No
If no‐‐If the calculated fields do not show the correct data, please double
check the feeder data for data entry errors and revise. Also, check signs
accorded to the post operating income line items; the two expense line
items should report positive numbers (i.e., expenses are positive and
incomes or reversals are negative‐‐instances of the latter should be rare in
those lines) while the income line item also in most instances should have
its value be a positive number (i.e., income is positive, expenses or reversals
are negative). If after reviewing and potentially revising the feeder data
your firm has provided, the differences between your records and the
calculated fields persist please identify and discuss the differences in the
space below.
III‐9c. Raw materials for jumbo roll producers ‐‐ Please report the share of total raw material costs in
2019 (reported in III‐9a) for the following raw material inputs:
Procurement method
Input
Share of total raw
material costs
(percent)
Primarily
produced by
your firm
Primarily
purchased by
your firm
Pulp processed to make base paper
Base paper
Coating materials
Other material inputs1
Converting/Packaging
Total (should sum to 100 percent)
1
0.0
Please indicate any other notable "other" raw materials not expressly identified above and provide
the share of the total raw material costs that they account for: .
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Thermal paper (Preliminary)
Page 41
III‐9d. Nonrecurring items (charges and gains) included in the subject product financial results.‐‐For
each annual and interim period for which financial results are reported in question III‐9a, please
specify all material (significant) nonrecurring items (charges and gains) in the schedule below,
the specific question III‐9a line item where the nonrecurring items are included, a brief
description of the relevant nonrecurring items, and the associated values (in $1,000), as
reflected in question III‐9a; i.e., if an aggregate nonrecurring item has been allocated to question
III‐9a, only the allocated value amount included in question III‐9a should be reported in the
schedule below. Note: The Commission’s objective here is to gather information only on
material (significant) nonrecurring items which impacted the reported financial results of the
subject product in question III‐9a.
Calendar year
January‐June
Item
2017
2018
2019
2019
2020
Value ($1,000)
Nonrecurring item 1
Nonrecurring item 2
Nonrecurring item 3
Nonrecurring item 4
Nonrecurring item 5
Nonrecurring item 6
Nonrecurring item 7
Nonrecurring item: In this table please provide a brief description of each nonrecurring item reported
above and indicate the specific line item in table III‐9a where the nonrecurring item is classified.
Description of the
Income statement classification of the
nonrecurring item
nonrecurring item
Nonrecurring item 1
Nonrecurring item 2
Nonrecurring item 3
Nonrecurring item 4
Nonrecurring item 5
Nonrecurring item 6
Nonrecurring item 7
III‐9e. Classification of identified nonrecurring items (charges and gains) in the accounting books and
records of the company.‐‐If non‐recurring items were reported in question III‐9d above, please
identify where your company recorded these items in your accounting books and records in the
normal course of business; i.e., just as responses to question III‐9d identify where these items
are reported in question III‐9a.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Thermal paper (Preliminary)
Page 42
III‐9f. Asset values.‐‐Report the total assets (i.e., both current and long‐term assets) associated with
the production, warehousing, and sale of thermal paper. If your firm does not maintain some or
all of the specific asset information necessary to calculate total assets for thermal paper in the
normal course of business, please estimate this information based upon a method (such as
production, sales, or costs) that is consistent with relevant cost allocations in question III‐9a.
Provide data as of the end of your firm’s three most recently completed fiscal years.
Note: Total assets should reflect net assets after any accumulated depreciation and allowances
deducted.
Total assets should be allocated to the subject products if these assets are also related to other
products. Please provide a brief explanation if there are any substantial changes in total asset
value during the period; e.g., due to asset write‐offs, revaluation, and major purchases.
Value (in $1,000)
Calendar year
Item
2019
Conversion activity
Total assets (net)
1
2018
Coating / jumbo roll manufacturing
1
2017
Describe .
Business Proprietary
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III‐10a. Operations on thermal paper: Independent converters.‐‐ Report the revenue and related cost
information requested below on the conversion of jumbo rolls into thermal paper of your firm’s
U.S. establishment(s).1 This table is for those firms who exclusively convert and package
jumbo rolls that are purchased or imported and produce slit rolls with a basis weight of 70
grams per square meter (“g/m2”) or less. Coaters that also perform converting and packaging
operations on jumbo rolls they produce in the United States should only complete table III‐9a.
The data should only include converted rolls as defined on page 2 of this questionnaire.
Quantity (in short tons) and value (in $1,000)
Calendar year
Item
2017
2018
January‐June
2019
2019
2020
2
Net sales quantities:
Commercial sales (“CS”)
Internal consumption (“IC”)
Transfers to related firms (“Transfers”)
0
0
0
0
0
Internal consumption
Transfers to related firms
Total net sales values
0
0
0
0
0
Direct labor
Other factory costs
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Other expenses and income:
Interest expense
All other expense items
All other income items
0
0
0
0
0
Total net sales quantities
2
Net sales values:
Commercial sales
Cost of goods sold (COGS):
Raw materials
3
Less: by‐product revenue
Total COGS
Gross profit or (loss)
Selling, general, and administrative (SG&A)
expenses
Operating income (loss)
Net income or (loss) before income taxes
Depreciation/amortization included above
1 Include only sales (whether domestic or export) and costs related to your U.S. manufacturing operations.
2 Less discounts, returns, allowances, and prepaid freight. The quantities and values should approximate the corresponding shipment
quantities and values reported in Part II of this questionnaire.
3 COGS (whether for domestic or export sales) should include costs associated with CS, IC, and Transfers.
Note ‐‐The table above contains calculations that will appear when you have entered data in the MS
Word form fields.
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III‐10b. Financial data reconciliation.‐‐The calculable line items from question III‐10a (i.e., total net sales
quantities and values, total COGS, gross profit (or loss), total SG&A, and net income (or loss))
have been calculated from the data submitted in the other line items. Do the calculated fields
return the correct data according to your firm's financial records ignoring non‐material
differences that may arise due to rounding?
Yes
No
If no‐‐If the calculated fields do not show the correct data, please double
check the feeder data for data entry errors and revise. Also, check signs
accorded to the post operating income line items; the two expense line
items should report positive numbers (i.e., expenses are positive and
incomes or reversals are negative‐‐instances of the latter should be rare in
those lines) while the income line item also in most instances should have
its value be a positive number (i.e., income is positive, expenses or reversals
are negative). If after reviewing and potentially revising the feeder data
your firm has provided, the differences between your records and the
calculated fields persist please identify and discuss the differences in the
space below.
III‐10c. Raw materials for independent converters‐‐ Please report the share of total raw material costs
in 2019 (reported in III‐10a) for the following raw material inputs:
Input
Share of total raw material costs (percent)
Domestically produced jumbo rolls
Imported non‐subject jumbo rolls
Imported subject jumbo rolls
Other material inputs1
Total (should sum to 100 percent)
1
0.0
Please indicate any other notable "other" raw materials not expressly identified above and provide
the share of the total raw material costs that they account for: .
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III‐10d. Nonrecurring items (charges and gains) included in the subject product financial results.‐‐For
each annual and interim period for which financial results are reported in question III‐10a,
please specify all material (significant) nonrecurring items (charges and gains) in the schedule
below, the specific question III‐10a line item where the nonrecurring items are included, a brief
description of the relevant nonrecurring items, and the associated values (in $1,000), as
reflected in question III‐10a; i.e., if an aggregate nonrecurring item has been allocated to
question III‐10a, only the allocated value amount included in question III‐10a should be reported
in the schedule below. Note: The Commission’s objective here is to gather information only on
material (significant) nonrecurring items which impacted the reported financial results of the
subject product in question III‐10a.
Calendar year
January‐June
Item
2017
2018
2019
2019
2020
Value ($1,000)
Nonrecurring item 1
Nonrecurring item 2
Nonrecurring item 3
Nonrecurring item 4
Nonrecurring item 5
Nonrecurring item 6
Nonrecurring item 7
Nonrecurring item: In this table please provide a brief description of each nonrecurring item reported
above and indicate the specific line item in table III‐10a where the nonrecurring item is classified.
Description of the
Income statement classification of the
nonrecurring item
nonrecurring item
Nonrecurring item 1
Nonrecurring item 2
Nonrecurring item 3
Nonrecurring item 4
Nonrecurring item 5
Nonrecurring item 6
Nonrecurring item 7
III‐10e. Classification of identified nonrecurring items (charges and gains) in the accounting books and
records of the company.‐‐If non‐recurring items were reported in question III‐10d above, please
identify where your company recorded these items in your accounting books and records in the
normal course of business; i.e., just as responses to question III‐10d identify where these items
are reported in question III‐10a.
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III‐10f. Asset values. ‐‐Report the total assets (i.e., both current and long‐term assets) associated with
the production, warehousing, and sale of thermal paper. If your firm does not maintain some or
all of the specific asset information necessary to calculate total assets for thermal paper in the
normal course of business, please estimate this information based upon a method (such as
production, sales, or costs) that is consistent with relevant cost allocations in question III‐10a.
Provide data as of the end of your firm’s three most recently completed fiscal years.
Note: Total assets should reflect net assets after any accumulated depreciation and allowances
deducted.
Total assets should be allocated to the subject products if these assets are also related to other
products. Please provide a brief explanation if there are any substantial changes in total asset
value during the period; e.g., due to asset write‐offs, revaluation, and major purchases.
Value (in $1,000)
Calendar year
Item
2017
1
Total assets (net)
1
2018
2019
Describe .
III‐11a. Capital expenditures and research and development expenses: Jumbo rolls producers. ‐‐
Report your firm’s capital expenditures and research and development expenses for thermal
paper. Provide data for your firm’s three most recently completed calendar years, and for the
specified interim periods.
Value (in $1,000)
Calendar year
Item
Capital expenditures
Research and development
expenses
2017
2018
January‐June
2019
2019
III‐11b. Description of reported capital expenditures: Jumbo rolls producers.‐‐ Please describe the
nature, focus, and significance of your firm’s reported capital expenditures in the above
response. If no capital expenditure data were reported, please explain the reason.
III‐11c. Description of reported R&D expenses: Jumbo rolls producers.‐‐ Please describe the nature,
focus, and significance of your firm’s reported R&D expenses in the response above. If no R&D
expenses were reported, please explain the reason.
2020
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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Thermal paper (Preliminary)
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III‐12a. Capital expenditures and research and development expenses: Independent converters. ‐‐
Report your firm’s capital expenditures and research and development expenses for Thermal
Paper. Provide data for your firm’s three most recently completed calendar years, and for the
specified interim periods.
Value (in $1,000)
Calendar year
Item
Capital expenditures
2017
2018
January‐June
2019
2019
Research and development
expenses
III‐12b. Description of reported capital expenditures: Independent converters. ‐‐ Please describe the
nature, focus, and significance of your firm’s reported capital expenditures in the above
response. If no capital expenditure data were reported, please explain the reason.
III‐12c. Description of reported R&D expenses: Independent converters. ‐‐ Please describe the nature,
focus, and significance of your firm’s reported R&D expenses in the response above. If no R&D
expenses were reported, please explain the reason.
2020
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III‐13a. Data consistency and reconciliation: Jumbo roll producers‐‐Please note that we are requesting
your firm’s financial data for questions III‐9a, III‐10f, and III‐11a on a calendar year basis. Please
confirm that your firm reported these data on a calendar‐year basis:
Yes
No
If no, please explain.
Please note the quantities and values reported in question III‐9a should reconcile with the data
reported in question II‐8 (including export shipments) as long as they are reported on the same
calendar year basis.
RECONCILIATION OF TRADE VS FINANCIAL DATA.‐‐Please ensure that the quantities and values reported
for total shipments in Part II equal the quantities and values reported for total net sales in Part III of this
questionnaire in each time period unless the financial data from Part III are reported on a fiscal year
basis, in which case only the interim periods must reconcile. If the calculated fields below return values
other than zero (i.e., “0”) and both are being reported on a calendar basis, please explain the discrepancy
below.
Calendar year
January‐June
Reconciliation
2017
Quantity: Trade data from question
II‐8 (lines D, F, H, and J) less financial
total net sales quantity data from
question III‐9a, = zero ("0").
2018
0
2019
0
2019
0
Value: Trade data from question II‐8
(lines E, G, I, and K) less financial
total net sales value data from
question III‐9a, = zero ("0").
0
0
0
Do these data in question III‐9a reconcile with data in question II‐8?
Yes
No
If no, please explain.
2020
0
0
0
0
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III‐13b. Data consistency and reconciliation: Independent converters‐‐Please note that we are
requesting your firm’s financial data for questions III‐10a, III‐10f, and III‐12a on a calendar year
basis. Please confirm that your firm reported these data on a calendar‐year basis:
Yes
No
If no, please explain.
Please note the quantities and values reported in question III‐9b should reconcile with the data
reported in question II‐13 (including export shipments) as long as they are reported on the same
calendar year basis.
RECONCILIATION OF TRADE VS FINANCIAL DATA.‐‐Please ensure that the quantities and values reported
for total shipments in Part II equal the quantities and values reported for total net sales in Part III of this
questionnaire in each time period unless the financial data from Part III are reported on a fiscal year
basis, in which case only the interim periods must reconcile. If the calculated fields below return values
other than zero (i.e., “0”) and both are being reported on a calendar basis, please explain the discrepancy
below.
Calendar year
January‐June
Reconciliation
2017
Quantity: Trade data from question
II‐13 (lines D, F, H, and J) less
financial total net sales quantity data
from question III‐10a, = zero ("0").
2018
0
2019
0
2019
0
Value: Trade data from question II‐
13 (lines E, G, I, and K) less financial
total net sales value data from
question III‐10a, = zero ("0").
0
0
0
Do these data in question III‐10a reconcile with data in question II‐13?
Yes
No
2020
0
0
0
0
If no, please explain.
III‐14. Effects on financial performance of COVID‐19.‐‐Since January 1, 2020, has the COVID‐19
pandemic or have any government actions taken to contain the spread of the COVID‐19 virus
affected the financial performance of your firm’s operations on Thermal Paper as reported in III‐
9a or III‐10a?
No
Yes
If yes, please describe these effects.
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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Thermal paper (Preliminary)
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If your responses to any of the items in questions III‐15, III‐16, and III‐17 differ by country, please
describe these differences and, as applicable, indicate which country or countries your response refers
to in the relevant form fields.
III‐15. Effects of imports on investment.‐‐Since January 1, 2017, has your firm experienced any actual
negative effects on its return on investment or the scale of capital investments as a result of
imports of thermal paper from Germany, Japan, Korea, and Spain?
No
Yes
If yes, my firm has experienced actual negative effects as follows.
(check as many as appropriate)
(please describe)
Cancellation,
postponement, or
rejection of expansion
projects
Denial or rejection of
investment proposal
Reduction in the size of
capital investments
Return on specific
investments negatively
impacted
Other
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III‐16. Effects of imports on growth and development.‐‐Since January 1, 2017, has your firm
experienced any actual negative effects on its growth, ability to raise capital, or existing
development and production efforts (including efforts to develop a derivative or more advanced
version of the product) as a result of imports of thermal paper from Germany, Japan, Korea, and
Spain?
No
Yes
If yes, my firm has experienced actual negative effects as follows.
(check as many as appropriate)
(please describe)
Rejection of bank loans
Lowering of credit rating
Problem related to the
issue of stocks or bonds
Ability to service debt
Other
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III‐17. Anticipated effects of imports.‐‐Does your firm anticipate any negative effects due to imports of
thermal paper from Germany, Japan, Korea, and Spain?
No
Yes
If yes, my firm anticipates negative effects as follows.
III‐18. Other explanations.‐‐If your firm would like to further explain a response to a question in Part III
for which a narrative 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. Producers’ Questionnaire – Thermal paper (Preliminary)
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PART IV.‐‐PRICING AND MARKET FACTORS
Further information on this part of the questionnaire can be obtained from Carlos David Payan (202‐
205‐2771, [email protected]).
IV‐1. Contact information.‐‐Please identify the individual that Commission staff may contact
regarding the confidential information submitted in Part IV.
Name
Title
Email
Telephone
PRICE DATA
IV‐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 produced by your
firm.
Product 1.‐‐ Thermal paper in jumbo rolls, with a target caliper of less than 2.2 mils (less than
55.9 microns), with a target basis weight of less than 49.9 g/m2, not top‐coated,
white/non‐colored paper, black image color, not printed on the non‐thermal
coated side, standard sensitivity.
Product 2.‐‐ Thermal paper in jumbo rolls, with a target caliper of 2.2 to 2.5 mils (55.9 to 63.5
microns), with a target basis weight of at least 49.9 g/m2 and up to 60 g/m2, not
top‐coated, white/non‐colored paper, black image color, not printed on the non‐
thermal coated side, standard sensitivity.
Product 3.‐‐ Thermal paper in jumbo rolls, with a target caliper of 2.9 to 3.4 mils (76.0 to 84.0
microns), with a target basis weight of at least 67.5 g/m2 and up to 80 g/m2, not
top‐coated, white/non‐colored paper, black image color, not printed on the non‐
thermal coated side, standard sensitivity.
Product 4.‐‐ Thermal paper in jumbo rolls, with a target caliper of 2.9 to 3.4 mils (76.0 to 84.0
microns), with a target basis weight of at least 67.5 g/m2 and up to 80 g/m2, top‐
coated, white/non‐colored paper, black image color, not printed on the non‐
thermal coated side, standard sensitivity.
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).
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IV‐2a. During January 2017‐June 2020, did your firm produce 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 tables as appropriate.
No.‐‐Skip to question IV‐3.
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IV‐2b. Price data.‐‐Report below the quarterly price data1 for pricing products2 produced and sold by
your firm.
Report data in thousands of square feet (msf) (not short tons) and actual dollars (not 1,000s).
(Quantity in thousands of square feet, value in dollars)
Product 1
Product 2
Product 3
Product 4
Period of shipment Quantity
Value
Quantity
Value
Quantity
Value
Quantity
Value
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
April‐June
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. Please subtract any discounts, rebates, and returns from the quarter in which the sale occurred.
2 Pricing product definitions are provided on the first page of Part IV.
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:
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Please indicate in the most appropriate narrative field in the questions in this section if your firm’s
responses would be different based on jumbo rolls vs converted rolls.
IV‐2c. Price data checklist.‐‐Please check that the pricing data in question IV‐2(b) has been correctly
reported.
Are the price data reported above:
√ if Yes
In actual dollars (not $1,000)?
In thousands of square feet (msf) (not 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 discounts, rebates, and returns been credited to the quarter in which the
sale occurred?
Quantities do not exceed commercial shipments in your responses in part II in
each year?
Explanation(s) for any boxes not checked:
IV‐2d. 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.
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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Thermal paper (Preliminary)
IV‐3.
Page 57
Price setting.‐‐How does your firm determine the prices that it charges for sales of thermal
paper (check all that apply)? If your firm issues price lists, please submit sample pages of a
recent list.
Transaction
by
transaction
Contracts
IV‐4.
Other
If other, describe
Discount policy.‐‐Please indicate and describe your firm’s discount policies (check all that apply).
Annual
total
volume
discounts
Quantity
discounts
IV‐5.
Set
price
lists
No
discount
policy
Other
Describe
Pricing terms.‐‐On what basis are your firm’s prices of domestic thermal paper usually quoted
(check one)?
Delivered
F.o.b.
IV‐6.
If f.o.b., specify point
Contract versus spot.‐‐Approximately what share of your firm’s sales of its U.S.‐produced
thermal paper in 2019 was on a (1) short‐term contract basis, (2) annual contract basis, (3) long‐
term contract basis, and (4) spot sales basis?
Item
Share of 2019
sales
Short‐term
contracts
(multiple
deliveries for
less than 12
months)
%
Type of sale
Long‐term
Annual
contracts
contracts
(multiple
(multiple
deliveries for
deliveries for 12
more than 12
months)
months)
%
%
Spot sales
(for a single
delivery)
%
Total
(should
sum to
100.0%)
0.0
%
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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Thermal paper (Preliminary)
IV‐7.
Page 58
Contract provisions.‐‐Please fill out the table regarding your firm’s typical sales contracts for
U.S.‐produced thermal paper (or check “not applicable” if your firm does not sell on a short‐
term, annual and/or long‐term contract basis).
Short‐term contracts Annual contracts
(multiple
(multiple deliveries
deliveries for 12
for less than 12
months)
months)
Long‐term contracts
(multiple deliveries
for more than 12
months)
Typical sales
contract provisions
Item
Average contract
duration
No. of
days
Price renegotiation
(during contract
period)
Yes
No
Quantity
Price
Both
Yes
No
Fixed quantity
and/or price
Indexed to raw
material costs1
Not applicable
365
1
Please identify the indexes used: .
IV‐8.
Lead times.‐‐What share of your firm’s sales is 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 its U.S.‐produced thermal paper?
Lead time (Average
Source
Share of 2019 sales number of days)
From inventory
%
Produced to order
%
Total (should sum to 100.0%)
0.0 %
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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Thermal paper (Preliminary)
IV‐9.
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Shipping information.‐‐
(a)
(b)
Who generally arranges the transportation to your firm’s customers’ locations?
Your firm Purchaser (check one)
Indicate the approximate percentage of your firm’s sales of thermal paper that are
delivered the following distances from its production facility.
Distance from production facility
Share
Within 100 miles
%
101 to 500 miles
%
501 to 1,000 miles
%
Over 1,000 miles
%
Total (should sum to 100.0%)
0.0 %
IV‐10. Geographical shipments.‐‐In which U.S. geographic market area(s) has your firm sold its U.S.‐
produced thermal paper since January 1, 2017 (check all that apply)?
Geographic area
√ if applicable
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.
IV‐11. Inland transportation costs.—What is the approximate percentage of the cost of U.S.‐produced
thermal paper that is accounted for by U.S. inland transportation costs? percent
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IV‐12. End uses.‐‐List the end uses of the thermal paper that your firm manufactures. For each end‐use
product, what percentage of the total cost is accounted for by thermal paper and other inputs?
Share of total cost of end use product
accounted for by
Total
(should sum to
100.0% across)
Thermal paper
Other inputs
End‐use product
%
%
0.0 %
%
%
0.0 %
%
%
0.0 %
IV‐13. Substitutes.‐‐Can other products be substituted for thermal paper?
No
Yes‐‐Please fill out the table.
End use in which this
substitute is used
Substitute
Have changes in the price of this substitute
affected the price for thermal paper?
No Yes
Explanation
1.
2.
3.
IV‐14. Demand trends.‐‐Indicate how demand within the United States and outside of the United
States (if known) for thermal paper has changed since January 1, 2017. Explain any trends and
describe the principal factors that have affected these changes in demand.
Fluctuate
with no
Overall
No
Overall
increase change decrease clear trend
Market
Explanation and factors
Within the United States
Outside the United States
IV‐15. Product changes.‐‐Have there been any significant changes in the product range, product mix,
or marketing of thermal paper since January 1, 2017?
No
Yes
If yes, please describe and quantify if possible.
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IV‐16. Conditions of competition.‐‐
(a) Is the thermal paper market subject to business cycles and/or other conditions of
competition distinctive to thermal paper? If yes, describe.
Check all that apply.
Please describe.
No
Skip to question IV‐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
thermal paper since January 1, 2017?
No
Yes
If yes, describe.
IV‐17. Supply constraints.‐‐Has your firm refused, declined, or been unable to supply thermal paper
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.
IV‐18. Raw materials.‐‐How have thermal paper raw material prices changed since January 1, 2017?
Fluctuate
with no
Overall
No
Overall
increase change decrease clear trend
Explain, noting how raw material price changes
have affected your firm’s selling prices for
thermal paper.
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IV‐19. Interchangeability.‐‐Is thermal paper 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
United States
Germany
Japan
Korea
Spain
Other countries
Germany
Japan
Korea
Spain
For any country‐pair producing thermal paper that is sometimes or never interchangeable, identify
the country‐pair and explain the factors that limit or preclude interchangeable use:
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IV‐20. Factors other than price.‐‐Are differences other than price (e.g., quality, availability,
transportation network, product range, technical support, etc.) between thermal paper
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
United States
Germany
Japan
Korea
Spain
Other countries
Germany
Japan
Korea
Spain
For any country‐pair for which factors other than price always or frequently are a significant factor in
your firm’s sales of thermal paper, identify the country‐pair and report the advantages or
disadvantages imparted by such factors:
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Thermal paper (Preliminary)
Page 64
IV‐21. Customer identification.‐‐List the names and contact information for your firm’s 10 largest U.S.
customers for thermal paper since January 1, 2017. Indicate the share of the quantity of your
firm’s total shipments of thermal paper 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
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Thermal paper (Preliminary)
Page 65
IV‐22. Competition from imports.‐‐
(a)
Lost revenue.‐‐Since January 1, 2017: To avoid losing sales to competitors selling
thermal paper from Germany, Japan, Korea, and Spain, did your firm:
Item
No
Yes
(b)
Reduce prices
Roll back announced price increases
Lost sales.‐‐Since January 1, 2017: Did your firm lose sales of thermal paper to imports
of this product from Germany, Japan, Korea, and Spain?
No
Yes
(c)
The submission of lost sales/lost revenue allegations is to be completed only by NON‐
PETITIONERS.
If your firm indicated “yes” to any of the above, your firm can provide the Commission
with additional information by downloading and completing the lost sales/lost revenues
worksheet at http://usitc.gov/trade_remedy/question.htm. Note that the Commission
may contact the firms named to verify the allegations reported.
Is your firm submitting the lost sales/lost revenues worksheet?
No—Please explain.
Yes—Please complete the worksheet and submit via the Commission dropbox.
https://dropbox.usitc.gov/oinv/. (PIN: PAPER)
IV‐23. Other explanations.‐‐If your firm would like to further explain a response to a question in Part
IV 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. Producers’ Questionnaire – Thermal paper (Preliminary)
Page 66
PART V.‐‐ALTERNATIVE PRODUCT INFORMATION
Further information on this part of the questionnaire can be obtained from Ahdia Bavari (202‐205‐3191,
[email protected]).
V‐1. Comparability of converted thermal paper rolls with a width of less than 4.5 inches and with a
basis weight of 70 g/m2 or less with converted thermal paper rolls with a width of greater than
or equal to 4.5 inches and/or with a basis weight greater than 70 g/m2.‐‐ For each of the
following indicate whether listed thermal paper 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
Comparison
In‐scope converted thermal paper
rolls with a width of less than 4.5
inches and with a basis weight of
70 g/m2 or less vs Out‐of‐scope
converted rolls with a width
greater than or equal to 4.5 inches
and/or with a basis weight greater
than 70 g/m2
Please provide a narrative discussion for the
comparability ratings you provided in terms of their
physical characteristics and uses:
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Thermal paper (Preliminary)
Page 67
V‐1. Comparability of converted thermal paper rolls with a width of less than 4.5 inches and with
a basis weight of 70 g/m2 or less with converted thermal paper rolls with a width of greater than or
equal to 4.5 inches and/or with a basis weight greater than 70 g/m2.‐‐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
Comparison
In‐scope converted thermal paper
rolls with a width of less than 4.5
inches and with a basis weight of
70 g/m2 or less vs Out‐of‐scope
converted rolls with a width
greater than or equal to 4.5 inches
and/or with a basis weight greater
than 70 g/m2
Please provide a narrative discussion for the
comparability ratings you provided in terms of their
interchangeability:
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Thermal paper (Preliminary)
Page 68
V‐1. Comparability of converted thermal paper rolls with a width of less than 4.5 inches and with
a basis weight of 70 g/m2 or less with converted thermal paper rolls with a width of greater than or
equal to 4.5 inches and/or with a basis weight greater than 70 g/m2.‐‐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) 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.).
Product‐pair
Comparison
In‐scope converted thermal paper
rolls with a width of less than 4.5
inches and with a basis weight of
70 g/m2 or less vs Out‐of‐scope
converted rolls with a width
greater than or equal to 4.5 inches
and/or with a basis weight greater
than 70 g/m2
Please provide a narrative discussion for the
comparability ratings you provided in terms of their
channels of distribution:
(d) 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
Comparison
In‐scope converted thermal paper
rolls with a width of less than 4.5
inches and with a basis weight of
70 g/m2 or less vs Out‐of‐scope
converted rolls with a width
greater than or equal to 4.5 inches
and/or with a basis weight greater
than 70 g/m2
Please provide a narrative discussion for the
comparability ratings you provided in terms of their
manufacturing facilities, production processes, and
production employees:
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Thermal paper (Preliminary)
Page 69
V‐1. Comparability of converted thermal paper rolls with a width of less than 4.5 inches and with
a basis weight of 70 g/m2 or less with converted thermal paper rolls with a width of greater than or
equal to 4.5 inches and/or with a basis weight greater than 70 g/m2.‐‐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).
Product‐pair
Comparison
In‐scope converted thermal paper
rolls with a width of less than 4.5
inches and with a basis weight of
70 g/m2 or less vs Out‐of‐scope
converted rolls with a width
greater than or equal to 4.5 inches
and/or with a basis weight greater
than 70 g/m2
Please provide a narrative discussion for the
comparability ratings you provided in terms of their
customer and product perceptions:
(f) Price.‐‐Whether prices are comparable or differ between the products.
Product‐pair
Comparison
In‐scope converted thermal paper
rolls with a width of less than 4.5
inches and with a basis weight of
70 g/m2 or less vs Out‐of‐scope
converted rolls with a width
greater than or equal to 4.5 inches
and/or with a basis weight greater
than 70 g/m2
Please provide a narrative discussion for the
comparability ratings you provided in terms of their
price:
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Thermal paper (Preliminary)
Page 70
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/thermal_paper_germany_japan_ko
rea_and_spain/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: PAPER
• 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 produce 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 (202‐
205‐1803). A certificate of service must accompany the completed questionnaire you submit (see 19 CFR
§ 207.7). Service of the questionnaire must be made in paper form.
| File Type | application/pdf |
| File Title | Microsoft Word - Thermal Paper (P) -- US producer questionnaire |
| Author | ahdia.bavari |
| File Modified | 2020-10-08 |
| File Created | 2020-10-08 |