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pdfOMB No. 3117‐0016/USITC No. 20‐2‐4338; Expiration Date: 6/30/2023
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U.S. IMPORTERS’ QUESTIONNAIRE
FRESH, CHILLED, OR FROZEN BLUEBERRIES
This questionnaire must be received by the Commission by November 16, 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 Inv. No. 201‐TA‐77, fresh, chilled, and frozen blueberries (“blueberries”), under section 202 of the Trade
Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C. § 2252). The information requested in the questionnaire is needed to supplement data available
to the Commission from other sources and is requested under the authority of section 202 of the Trade Act of 1974.
This report is mandatory and failure to reply as directed can result in a subpoena or other order to compel the
submission of records or information in your possession (19 U.S.C. § 1333(a)).
Name of firm
Address
City
State
Zip Code
Website
Has your firm imported blueberries (as defined on the next page) from any country at any time since
January 1, 2015?
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 Commission Drop Box by clicking on the following link:
https://dropbox.usitc.gov/oinv/. (PIN: BLUE)
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 investigations
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. I understand that the confidential business information that is
furnished may be transmitted to the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) and may be included in a
confidential version of the report that the Commission transmits to the President and USTR for use in decision‐making related to
this proceeding.
Name of Authorized Official Title of Authorized Official
Date
Phone:
Signature
Email address
Confidential Business Information
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Blueberries (Safeguard)
Page 2
PART I.—GENERAL INFORMATION
Background.‐‐This proceeding was instituted in response to a filed on September 29, 2020, by the
United States Trade Representative (“USTR”). Import relief may be imposed by the President on U.S.
imports of blueberries as a result of this investigation if the Commission makes an affirmative injury
determination and recommends to the President that he impose relief. The President may impose relief
in the form of increased duties and/or other restrictions on imports of blueberries that are the subject
of an affirmative injury determination.
Questionnaires and other information pertinent to this proceeding are available at: LINK
Blueberries.—The blueberries covered by this proceeding are fresh, chilled, or frozen blueberries.
Fresh or chilled blueberries are currently imported under the following statistical reporting
numbers of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS): 0810.40.0029
(cultivated blueberries, including highbush, fresh or chilled); 0810.40.0026 (certified organic
blueberries, fresh or chilled); and 0810.40.0024 (wild blueberries, fresh or chilled).
Frozen blueberries are currently imported under HTS statistical reporting numbers
0811.90.2024 (wild blueberry, uncooked or cooked by steaming or boiling in water, frozen);
0811.90.2030 (blueberries, certified organic, cultivated (including highbush), uncooked or
cooked by steaming or boiling in water, frozen); and 0811.90.2040 (blueberries, cultivated
(including highbush), uncooked or cooked by steaming or boiling in water, NESOI, frozen).
Before July 1, 2018, frozen blueberries imported under HTS statistical reporting numbers
0811.90.2030 and 0811.90.2040 were imported under a single HTS statistical reporting number,
0811.90.2028 (blueberries, cultivated (including highbush), uncooked or cooked by steaming or
boiling in water, frozen). For purposes of this questionnaire, frozen blueberries refers to frozen
whole blueberries, and does not include frozen further processed blueberries (e.g., frozen
puree).
The HTSUS provisions are for convenience and customs purposes; the written description of the
scope is dispositive.
Importer.‐‐Any person or firm engaged, either directly or through a parent company or subsidiary,
in importing blueberries (as defined above) into the United States from a foreign manufacturer or
through its selling agent.
Reporting of information.‐‐If information is not readily available from your records in exactly the form
requested, furnish carefully prepared estimates. If your firm is completing more than one questionnaire
in connection with this proceeding (i.e., a producer, importer, and/or purchaser questionnaire), you
need not respond to duplicated questions in the questionnaires.
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. § 2252(i)). 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 of your files, worksheets, and
Confidential Business Information
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Blueberries (Safeguard)
Page 3
supporting documents used in the preparation of the questionnaire response. Please also retain a copy
of the final document that you submit.
Release of information.‐‐The information provided by your firm in response to this questionnaire, as
well as any other confidential business 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 Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C. § 2252(i)) and section 206.17 of the
Commission’s Rules of Practice and Procedure (19 CFR § 206.17). 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.
Valid number error messages.‐‐If you are completing this form in a country that uses periods (“.”) to
delineate multiples of 1000 (e.g., one million would appear as $1.000.000 rather than $1,000,000), you
may be unable to enter in numbers greater than 999 in numeric form fields. The solution to this data
entry issue is to temporarily change your operating system’s number formatting to be consistent with
the U.S. number formatting system while you complete this form. Detailed instructions on how to
resolve this issue is provided at the end of this questionnaire and is available upon request from Jason
Duncan (202‐205‐3432, [email protected]).
I‐1.
OMB statistics.‐‐Please report below the actual number of hours required and the cost to your
firm of completing this questionnaire.
Hours
Dollars
Public reporting burden for this questionnaire is estimated to average 40 hours per response,
including the time for reviewing instructions, gathering data, and completing and reviewing the
questionnaire.
We welcome comments regarding the accuracy of this burden estimate, suggestions for
reducing the burden, and any suggestions for improving this questionnaire. Please attach such
comments to your response or send to the Office of Investigations, USITC, 500 E St. SW,
Washington, DC 20436.
I‐2.
Establishments covered.‐‐Provide the name and address of establishment(s) covered by this
questionnaire. If your firm is publicly traded, please specify the stock exchange and trading
symbol.
“Establishment”‐‐Each facility of a firm involved in the importation of blueberries, including
auxiliary facilities operated in conjunction with (whether or not physically separate from) such
facilities.
Confidential Business Information
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Blueberries (Safeguard)
I‐3.
Ownership.‐‐Is your firm owned, in whole or in part, by any other firm?
No
Yes‐‐List the following information.
I‐4.
Page 4
Firm name
Address
Extent of
ownership
(percent)
Related importers/exporters.‐‐Does your firm have any related firms, either domestic or
foreign, that are engaged in importing blueberries into the United States or that are engaged in
exporting blueberries to the United States?
No
Yes‐‐List the following information.
Firm name
Address
Affiliation
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I‐5.
Related producers.‐‐Does your firm have any related firms, either domestic or foreign, that are
engaged in the production of blueberries?
No
Yes‐‐List the following information.
Firm name
Country
Affiliation
I‐6.
Importing operations.‐‐Please indicate the nature of your firm’s importing operations on
blueberries. More than one answer may be applicable.
Importer of record
Takes title to the
imported product(s)
Consignee of the
imported products(s)
Customs broker or
freight forwarder
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I‐7.
Consignees.‐‐If your firm is an importer of record of blueberries but is not the consignee, please
list the consignees below (firm name, address, telephone number, and individual to contact).
I‐8.
Firm name
Address
Contact person and
phone number
Other trade actions.‐‐To your knowledge, have the products subject to this proceeding been the
subject of any other import relief proceedings in the United States or in any other countries?
No
Yes
If yes‐‐ Please specify.
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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Blueberries (Safeguard)
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PART II.‐‐TRADE AND RELATED INFORMATION
Further information on this part of the questionnaire can be obtained from Jason Duncan (202‐205‐
3432, [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. Cultivated and wild blueberries.‐‐Please indicate which type of blueberry accounted for the
majority of your firm’s imports in 2019 (check one):
Cultivated
Wild
II‐2b. Organic and non‐organic blueberries.‐‐Please indicate which classification of blueberry
accounted for the majority of your firm’s imports in 2019 (check one):
Organic
Non‐organic
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II‐3a. Changes in operations.‐‐Please indicate whether your firm has experienced any of the following
changes in relation to the importation of blueberries since January 1, 2015.
Check as many as appropriate.
If checked, please describe; leave blank if not applicable.
Office/warehouse openings
Office/warehouse closings
Relocations
Expansions
Acquisitions
Consolidations
Prolonged shutdowns or
importation curtailments
Revised labor agreements
Weather related events
Other (e.g., technology)
II‐3b. 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, importation, shipments, and employment
relating to blueberries?
No
Yes
If yes, describe these changes including a separate discussion of the (a)
supply chain impact, (b) importation and shipment impact, and (c)
employment impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic.
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II‐4. Arranged imports.‐‐Has your firm imported or arranged for the importation of blueberries for
delivery after September 30, 2020?
“Arranged imports” are imports for which your firm has placed an order with a foreign supplier
for subject merchandise, but delivery of those imports is not scheduled to occur until after the
date listed above.
No
Yes–Fill out the table below.
Quantity (in pounds)
Period/Source
Oct‐Dec 2020
Jan‐Mar 2021
Apr‐Jun 2021
Jul‐Sept 2021
Argentina
Canada
Chile
Mexico
Peru
All other countries
II‐5. Reasons for importing if producer.‐‐If your firm also produces blueberries in the United States,
please indicate the reasons for importing this product. If your firm’s reasons differ by source,
please elaborate.
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Definitions
“Imports” –Those products identified for Customs purposes as imports for consumption for
which your firm was the importer of record (i.e., was responsible for paying any import duty) or
consignee (i.e., to which the merchandise was first delivered).
“Import quantities” –Quantities reported should be net of returns.
“Import values”—Values reported should be landed, duty‐paid values at the U.S. port of entry,
including ocean freight and insurance costs, brokerage charges, and import duties (i.e., all
charges except inland freight in the United States).
“U.S. commercial 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 domestic firms. Such transactions are
valued at fair market value.
“Related firm” –A firm that your firm solely or jointly owns, manages, or otherwise controls.
“Export shipments”— Shipments to destinations outside the United States, including shipments
to related firms.
“Inventories” ‐‐Finished goods inventory, not raw materials or work in progress.
Note: As requested in Part I of this questionnaire, please keep all supporting documents/records
used in the preparation of the trade data, as Commission staff may contact your firm regarding
questions on the trade data. The Commission may also request that your company submit copies
of the supporting documents/records (such as production and sales schedules, inventory records,
etc.) used to compile these data.
Confidential Business Information
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Blueberries (Safeguard)
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II‐6a. U.S. imports from Argentina.‐‐ Report your firm’s imports and your firm’s shipments and
inventories of blueberries imported from Argentina by your firm during the specified periods.
Argentina
Quantity (in pounds), value (in U.S. dollars)
Calendar year
Item
2015
2016
2017
January‐September
2018
2019
2019
2020
Beginning‐of‐period inventories
(quantity) (A)
Imports
Fresh or chilled blueberries:1
Quantity (B)
Value (C)
Frozen blueberries:
Quantity (D)
Value (E)
U.S. shipments:
Commercial shipments:
Quantity (F)
Value (G)
Internal consumption:
Quantity (H)
2
Value (I)
Transfers to related firms:
Quantity (J)
2
Value (K)
3
Export shipments:
Quantity (L)
Value (M)
4
End‐of‐period inventories
(quantity) (N)
1
Please identify the foreign producers, if known: .
Internal consumption and transfers to related firms must be valued at fair market value. In the event that your firm uses a different
basis for valuing these transactions, please specify that basis (e.g., cost, cost plus, etc.) and provide value data using that basis for each of
the periods noted above: .
3
Identify your firm’s principal export markets: .
4
Approximate the share of end‐of‐period inventories that are fresh or chilled blueberries: percent.
2
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II‐6a. U.S. imports from Argentina.–Continued
Page 12
RECONCILIATION OF SHIPMENTS, IMPORTS, AND INVENTORIES.‐‐Generally, the data reported for the
end‐of‐period inventories (i.e., line N) should be equal to the beginning‐of‐period inventories (i.e., line
A), plus imports (i.e., lines B and D), less total shipments (i.e., lines F, H, J, and L). Please ensure that any
differences are not due to data entry errors in completing this form, but rather actually reflect your
firm’s records; and also provide any likely explanations for any differences (e.g., spoilage, theft, loss,
damage, record systems issues, etc.) if they exist.
Calendar year
January‐September
Reconciliation
A + B + D – F – H – J – L – N =
should equal zero ("0") or provide
an explanation.1
1
2015
2016
0
0
2017
0
2018
0
2019
0
2019
2020
0
Explanation if the calculated fields above are returning values other than zero (i.e., “0”) but are nonetheless accurate: .
0
Confidential Business Information
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Blueberries (Safeguard)
Page 13
II‐6b. Channels of distribution: Argentina..‐‐Report your firm’s U.S. shipments (i.e. inclusive of
commercial U.S. shipments, internal consumption, and transfers to related firms) of imports
from Argentina by channel of distribution.
Argentina
Quantity (in pounds)
Calendar years
Item
U.S. shipments.‐‐
Fresh or chilled blueberries:
to Distributors, handlers,
marketers, or terminal
market actors (O)
2015
2016
2017
January‐September
2018
2019
2019
2020
to Re‐packagers, sorters,
graders, freezers, and
processors (P)
Q
to Retailers (Q)
Frozen blueberries:
to Distributors, handlers,
marketers, or terminal
market actors (R)
to Re‐packagers, sorters,
graders, freezers, and
processors (S)
to Retailers (T)
RECONCILIATION OF CHANNELS.‐‐Please ensure that the quantities reported for channels of distribution
(i.e., lines O through T) in each time period equal the quantity reported for U.S. shipments (i.e., line D, F,
H) in part "a" of this question in each time period. If the calculated fields below return values other than
zero (i.e., “0”), the data reported must be revised prior to submission to the Commission.
Calendar years
January‐September
Item
O + P + Q + R + S + T – D – F – H =
zero ("0"), if not revise.
2015
0
2016
0
2017
0
2018
0
2019
0
2019
0
2020
0
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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Blueberries (Safeguard)
Page 14
II‐7a. U.S. imports from Canada.‐‐ Report your firm’s imports and your firm’s shipments and
inventories of blueberries imported from Canada by your firm during the specified periods.
Canada
Quantity (in pounds), value (in U.S. dollars)
Calendar year
Item
2015
2016
2017
January‐September
2018
2019
2019
2020
Beginning‐of‐period inventories
(quantity) (A)
Imports
Fresh or chilled blueberries:1
Quantity (B)
Value (C)
Frozen blueberries:
Quantity (D)
Value (E)
U.S. shipments:
Commercial shipments:
Quantity (F)
Value (G)
Internal consumption:
Quantity (H)
2
Value (I)
Transfers to related firms:
Quantity (J)
2
Value (K)
3
Export shipments:
Quantity (L)
Value (M)
4
End‐of‐period inventories
(quantity) (N)
1
Please identify the foreign producers, if known: .
Internal consumption and transfers to related firms must be valued at fair market value. In the event that your firm uses a different
basis for valuing these transactions, please specify that basis (e.g., cost, cost plus, etc.) and provide value data using that basis for each of
the periods noted above: .
3
Identify your firm’s principal export markets: .
4
Approximate the share of end‐of‐period inventories that are fresh or chilled blueberries: percent.
2
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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Blueberries (Safeguard)
II‐7a. U.S. imports from Canada.–Continued
Page 15
RECONCILIATION OF SHIPMENTS, IMPORTS, AND INVENTORIES.‐‐Generally, the data reported for the
end‐of‐period inventories (i.e., line N) should be equal to the beginning‐of‐period inventories (i.e., line
A), plus imports (i.e., lines B and D), less total shipments (i.e., lines F, H, J, and L). Please ensure that any
differences are not due to data entry errors in completing this form, but rather actually reflect your
firm’s records; and also provide any likely explanations for any differences (e.g., spoilage, theft, loss,
damage, record systems issues, etc.) if they exist.
Calendar year
January‐September
Reconciliation
A + B + D – F – H – J – L – N =
should equal zero ("0") or provide
an explanation.1
1
2015
2016
0
0
2017
0
2018
0
2019
0
2019
2020
0
Explanation if the calculated fields above are returning values other than zero (i.e., “0”) but are nonetheless accurate: .
0
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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Blueberries (Safeguard)
Page 16
II‐7b. Channels of distribution: Canada..‐‐Report your firm’s U.S. shipments (i.e. inclusive of
commercial U.S. shipments, internal consumption, and transfers to related firms) of imports
from Canada by channel of distribution.
Canada
Quantity (in pounds)
Calendar years
Item
U.S. shipments.‐‐
Fresh or chilled blueberries:
to Distributors, handlers,
marketers, or terminal
market actors (O)
2015
2016
2017
January‐September
2018
2019
2019
2020
to Re‐packagers, sorters,
graders, freezers, and
processors (P)
to Retailers (Q)
Frozen blueberries:
to Distributors, handlers,
marketers, or terminal
market actors (R)
to Re‐packagers, sorters,
graders, freezers, and
processors (S)
to Retailers (T)
RECONCILIATION OF CHANNELS.‐‐Please ensure that the quantities reported for channels of distribution
(i.e., lines O through T) in each time period equal the quantity reported for U.S. shipments (i.e., line D, F,
H) in part "a" of this question in each time period. If the calculated fields below return values other than
zero (i.e., “0”), the data reported must be revised prior to submission to the Commission.
Calendar years
January‐September
Item
O + P + Q + R + S + T – D – F – H =
zero ("0"), if not revise.
2015
0
2016
0
2017
0
2018
0
2019
0
2019
0
2020
0
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Page 17
II‐8a. U.S. imports from Chile.‐‐ Report your firm’s imports and your firm’s shipments and
inventories of blueberries imported from Chile by your firm during the specified periods.
Chile
Quantity (in pounds), value (in U.S. dollars)
Calendar year
Item
2015
2016
2017
January‐September
2018
2019
2019
2020
Beginning‐of‐period inventories
(quantity) (A)
Imports
Fresh or chilled blueberries:1
Quantity (B)
Value (C)
Frozen blueberries:
Quantity (D)
Value (E)
U.S. shipments:
Commercial shipments:
Quantity (F)
Value (G)
Internal consumption:
Quantity (H)
2
Value (I)
Transfers to related firms:
Quantity (J)
2
Value (K)
3
Export shipments:
Quantity (L)
Value (M)
4
End‐of‐period inventories
(quantity) (N)
1
Please identify the foreign producers, if known: .
Internal consumption and transfers to related firms must be valued at fair market value. In the event that your firm uses a different
basis for valuing these transactions, please specify that basis (e.g., cost, cost plus, etc.) and provide value data using that basis for each of
the periods noted above: .
3
Identify your firm’s principal export markets: .
4
Approximate the share of end‐of‐period inventories that are fresh or chilled blueberries: percent.
2
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II‐8a. U.S. imports from Chile.–Continued
Page 18
RECONCILIATION OF SHIPMENTS, IMPORTS, AND INVENTORIES.‐‐Generally, the data reported for the
end‐of‐period inventories (i.e., line N) should be equal to the beginning‐of‐period inventories (i.e., line
A), plus imports (i.e., lines B and D), less total shipments (i.e., lines F, H, J, and L). Please ensure that any
differences are not due to data entry errors in completing this form, but rather actually reflect your
firm’s records; and also provide any likely explanations for any differences (e.g., spoilage, theft, loss,
damage, record systems issues, etc.) if they exist.
Calendar year
January‐September
Reconciliation
A + B + D – F – H – J – L – N =
should equal zero ("0") or provide
an explanation.1
1
2015
2016
0
0
2017
0
2018
0
2019
0
2019
2020
0
Explanation if the calculated fields above are returning values other than zero (i.e., “0”) but are nonetheless accurate: .
0
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Page 19
II‐8b. Channels of distribution: Chile..‐‐Report your firm’s U.S. shipments (i.e. inclusive of commercial
U.S. shipments, internal consumption, and transfers to related firms) of imports from Chile by
channel of distribution.
Chile
Quantity (in pounds)
Calendar years
Item
U.S. shipments.‐‐
Fresh or chilled blueberries:
to Distributors, handlers,
marketers, or terminal
market actors (O)
2015
2016
2017
January‐September
2018
2019
2019
2020
to Re‐packagers, sorters,
graders, freezers, and
processors (P)
to Retailers (Q)
Frozen blueberries:
to Distributors, handlers,
marketers, or terminal
market actors (R)
to Re‐packagers, sorters,
graders, freezers, and
processors (S)
to Retailers (T)
RECONCILIATION OF CHANNELS.‐‐Please ensure that the quantities reported for channels of distribution
(i.e., lines O through T) in each time period equal the quantity reported for U.S. shipments (i.e., line D, F,
H) in part "a" of this question in each time period. If the calculated fields below return values other than
zero (i.e., “0”), the data reported must be revised prior to submission to the Commission.
Calendar years
January‐September
Item
O + P + Q + R + S + T – D – F – H =
zero ("0"), if not revise.
2015
0
2016
0
2017
0
2018
0
2019
0
2019
0
2020
0
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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Blueberries (Safeguard)
Page 20
II‐9a. U.S. imports from Mexico.‐‐ Report your firm’s imports and your firm’s shipments and
inventories of blueberries imported from Mexico by your firm during the specified periods.
Mexico
Quantity (in pounds), value (in U.S. dollars)
Calendar year
Item
2015
2016
2017
January‐September
2018
2019
2019
2020
Beginning‐of‐period inventories
(quantity) (A)
Imports
Fresh or chilled blueberries:1
Quantity (B)
Value (C)
Frozen blueberries:
Quantity (D)
Value (E)
U.S. shipments:
Commercial shipments:
Quantity (F)
Value (G)
Internal consumption:
Quantity (H)
2
Value (I)
Transfers to related firms:
Quantity (J)
2
Value (K)
3
Export shipments:
Quantity (L)
Value (M)
4
End‐of‐period inventories
(quantity) (N)
1
Please identify the foreign producers, if known: .
Internal consumption and transfers to related firms must be valued at fair market value. In the event that your firm uses a different
basis for valuing these transactions, please specify that basis (e.g., cost, cost plus, etc.) and provide value data using that basis for each of
the periods noted above: .
3
Identify your firm’s principal export markets: .
4
Approximate the share of end‐of‐period inventories that are fresh or chilled blueberries: percent.
2
Confidential Business Information
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Blueberries (Safeguard)
II‐9a. U.S. imports from Mexico.–Continued
Page 21
RECONCILIATION OF SHIPMENTS, IMPORTS, AND INVENTORIES.‐‐Generally, the data reported for the
end‐of‐period inventories (i.e., line N) should be equal to the beginning‐of‐period inventories (i.e., line
A), plus imports (i.e., lines B and D), less total shipments (i.e., lines F, H, J, and L). Please ensure that any
differences are not due to data entry errors in completing this form, but rather actually reflect your
firm’s records; and also provide any likely explanations for any differences (e.g., spoilage, theft, loss,
damage, record systems issues, etc.) if they exist.
Calendar year
January‐September
Reconciliation
A + B + D – F – H – J – L – N =
should equal zero ("0") or provide
an explanation.1
1
2015
2016
0
0
2017
0
2018
0
2019
0
2019
2020
0
Explanation if the calculated fields above are returning values other than zero (i.e., “0”) but are nonetheless accurate: .
0
Confidential Business Information
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Blueberries (Safeguard)
Page 22
II‐9b. Channels of distribution: Mexico..‐‐Report your firm’s U.S. shipments (i.e. inclusive of
commercial U.S. shipments, internal consumption, and transfers to related firms) of imports
from Mexico by channel of distribution.
Mexico
Quantity (in pounds)
Calendar years
Item
U.S. shipments.‐‐
Fresh or chilled blueberries:
to Distributors, handlers,
marketers, or terminal
market actors (O)
2015
2016
2017
January‐September
2018
2019
2019
2020
to Re‐packagers, sorters,
graders, freezers, and
processors (P)
to Retailers (Q)
Frozen blueberries:
to Distributors, handlers,
marketers, or terminal
market actors (R)
to Re‐packagers, sorters,
graders, freezers, and
processors (S)
to Retailers (T)
RECONCILIATION OF CHANNELS.‐‐Please ensure that the quantities reported for channels of distribution
(i.e., lines O through T) in each time period equal the quantity reported for U.S. shipments (i.e., line D, F,
H) in part "a" of this question in each time period. If the calculated fields below return values other than
zero (i.e., “0”), the data reported must be revised prior to submission to the Commission.
Calendar years
January‐September
Item
O + P + Q + R + S + T – D – F – H =
zero ("0"), if not revise.
2015
0
2016
0
2017
0
2018
0
2019
0
2019
0
2020
0
Confidential Business Information
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Blueberries (Safeguard)
Page 23
II‐10a. U.S. imports from Peru.‐‐ Report your firm’s imports and your firm’s shipments and
inventories of blueberries imported from Peru by your firm during the specified periods.
Peru
Quantity (in pounds), value (in U.S. dollars)
Calendar year
Item
2015
2016
2017
January‐September
2018
2019
2019
2020
Beginning‐of‐period inventories
(quantity) (A)
Imports
Fresh or chilled blueberries:1
Quantity (B)
Value (C)
Frozen blueberries:
Quantity (D)
Value (E)
U.S. shipments:
Commercial shipments:
Quantity (F)
Value (G)
Internal consumption:
Quantity (H)
2
Value (I)
Transfers to related firms:
Quantity (J)
2
Value (K)
3
Export shipments:
Quantity (L)
Value (M)
4
End‐of‐period inventories
(quantity) (N)
1
Please identify the foreign producers, if known: .
Internal consumption and transfers to related firms must be valued at fair market value. In the event that your firm uses a different
basis for valuing these transactions, please specify that basis (e.g., cost, cost plus, etc.) and provide value data using that basis for each of
the periods noted above: .
3
Identify your firm’s principal export markets: .
4
Approximate the share of end‐of‐period inventories that are fresh or chilled blueberries: percent.
2
Confidential Business Information
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Blueberries (Safeguard)
II‐10a. U.S. imports from Peru.–Continued
Page 24
RECONCILIATION OF SHIPMENTS, IMPORTS, AND INVENTORIES.‐‐Generally, the data reported for the
end‐of‐period inventories (i.e., line N) should be equal to the beginning‐of‐period inventories (i.e., line
A), plus imports (i.e., lines B and D), less total shipments (i.e., lines F, H, J, and L). Please ensure that any
differences are not due to data entry errors in completing this form, but rather actually reflect your
firm’s records; and also provide any likely explanations for any differences (e.g., spoilage, theft, loss,
damage, record systems issues, etc.) if they exist.
Calendar year
January‐September
Reconciliation
A + B + D – F – H – J – L – N =
should equal zero ("0") or provide
an explanation.1
1
2015
2016
0
0
2017
0
2018
0
2019
0
2019
2020
0
Explanation if the calculated fields above are returning values other than zero (i.e., “0”) but are nonetheless accurate: .
0
Confidential Business Information
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Blueberries (Safeguard)
Page 25
II‐10b. Channels of distribution: Peru..‐‐Report your firm’s U.S. shipments (i.e. inclusive of commercial
U.S. shipments, internal consumption, and transfers to related firms) of imports from Peru by
channel of distribution.
Peru
Quantity (in pounds)
Calendar years
Item
U.S. shipments.‐‐
Fresh or chilled blueberries:
to Distributors, handlers,
marketers, or terminal
market actors (O)
2015
2016
2017
January‐September
2018
2019
2019
2020
to Re‐packagers, sorters,
graders, freezers, and
processors (P)
to Retailers (Q)
Frozen blueberries:
to Distributors, handlers,
marketers, or terminal
market actors (R)
to Re‐packagers, sorters,
graders, freezers, and
processors (S)
to Retailers (T)
RECONCILIATION OF CHANNELS.‐‐Please ensure that the quantities reported for channels of distribution
(i.e., lines O through T) in each time period equal the quantity reported for U.S. shipments (i.e., line D, F,
H) in part "a" of this question in each time period. If the calculated fields below return values other than
zero (i.e., “0”), the data reported must be revised prior to submission to the Commission.
Calendar years
January‐September
Item
O + P + Q + R + S + T – D – F – H =
zero ("0"), if not revise.
2015
0
2016
0
2017
0
2018
0
2019
0
2019
0
2020
0
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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Blueberries (Safeguard)
Page 26
II‐11a U.S. imports from all other Free Trade Agreement sources.‐‐ Report your firm’s imports,
inventories, and shipments of blueberries imported from all other countries with which the
United States has a free trade agreement (identified as Australia, Colombia, Israel, Jordan,
Korea, Panama, Singapore and CAFTA‐DR countries (i.e., Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, El
Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua)) by your firm during the specified periods.
All Other Free Trade Agreement Sources
(list sources: )
Quantity (in pounds), value (in U.S. dollars)
Calendar year
Item
2015
2016
2017
January‐September
2018
2019
2019
2020
Beginning‐of‐period inventories
(quantity) (A)
Imports
Fresh or chilled blueberries:1
Quantity (B)
Value (C)
Frozen blueberries:
Quantity (D)
Value (E)
U.S. shipments:
Commercial shipments:
Quantity (F)
Value (G)
Internal consumption:
Quantity (H)
2
Value (I)
Transfers to related firms:
Quantity (J)
2
Value (K)
3
Export shipments:
Quantity (L)
Value (M)
End‐of‐period inventories4
(quantity) (N)
1
Please identify the foreign producers, if known: .
Internal consumption and transfers to related firms must be valued at fair market value. In the event that your firm uses a different
basis for valuing these transactions, please specify that basis (e.g., cost, cost plus, etc.) and provide value data using that basis for each of
the periods noted above: .
3
Identify your firm’s principal export markets: .
4
Approximate the share of end‐of‐period inventories that are fresh or chilled blueberries: percent.
2
Confidential Business Information
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Blueberries (Safeguard)
II‐11a U.S. imports from all other Free Trade Agreement sources.–Continued
Page 27
RECONCILIATION OF SHIPMENTS, IMPORTS, AND INVENTORIES.‐‐Generally, the data reported for the
end‐of‐period inventories (i.e., line N) should be equal to the beginning‐of‐period inventories (i.e., line
A), plus imports (i.e., lines B and D), less total shipments (i.e., lines F, H, J, and L). Please ensure that any
differences are not due to data entry errors in completing this form, but rather actually reflect your
firm’s records; and also provide any likely explanations for any differences (e.g., spoilage, theft, loss,
damage, record systems issues, etc.) if they exist.
Calendar year
January‐September
Reconciliation
A + B + D – F – H – J – L – N =
should equal zero ("0") or provide
an explanation.1
1
2015
2016
0
0
2017
0
2018
0
2019
0
2019
2020
0
Explanation if the calculated fields above are returning values other than zero (i.e., “0”) but are nonetheless accurate: .
0
Confidential Business Information
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Blueberries (Safeguard)
Page 28
II‐11b. Channels of distribution: all other Free Trade Agreement sources..‐‐Report your firm’s U.S.
shipments (i.e. inclusive of commercial U.S. shipments, internal consumption, and transfers to
related firms) of imports from all other Free Trade Agreement sources by channel of
distribution.
All other Free Trade Agreement sources
Quantity (in pounds)
Calendar years
Item
U.S. shipments.‐‐
Fresh or chilled blueberries:
to Distributors, handlers,
marketers, or terminal
market actors (O)
2015
2016
2017
January‐September
2018
2019
2019
2020
to Re‐packagers, sorters,
graders, freezers, and
processors (P)
to Retailers (Q)
Frozen blueberries:
to Distributors, handlers,
marketers, or terminal
market actors (R)
to Re‐packagers, sorters,
graders, freezers, and
processors (S)
to Retailers (T)
RECONCILIATION OF CHANNELS.‐‐Please ensure that the quantities reported for channels of distribution
(i.e., lines O through T) in each time period equal the quantity reported for U.S. shipments (i.e., line D, F,
H) in part "a" of this question in each time period. If the calculated fields below return values other than
zero (i.e., “0”), the data reported must be revised prior to submission to the Commission.
Calendar years
January‐September
Item
O + P + Q + R + S + T – D – F – H =
zero ("0"), if not revise.
2015
0
2016
0
2017
0
2018
0
2019
0
2019
0
2020
0
Confidential Business Information
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Blueberries (Safeguard)
Page 29
II‐12a. U.S. imports from all other sources.‐‐ Report your firm’s imports and your firm’s shipments and
inventories of blueberries imported from all other sources by your firm during the specified
periods.
All other sources
(list countries:
)
Quantity (in pounds), value (in U.S. dollars)
Calendar year
Item
2015
2016
2017
January‐September
2018
2019
2019
2020
Beginning‐of‐period inventories
(quantity) (A)
Imports
Fresh or chilled blueberries:1
Quantity (B)
Value (C)
Frozen blueberries:
Quantity (D)
Value (E)
U.S. shipments:
Commercial shipments:
Quantity (F)
Value (G)
Internal consumption:
Quantity (H)
2
Value (I)
Transfers to related firms:
Quantity (J)
Value2 (K)
3
Export shipments:
Quantity (L)
Value (M)
End‐of‐period inventories4
(quantity) (N)
1
Please identify the foreign producers, if known: .
Internal consumption and transfers to related firms must be valued at fair market value. In the event that your firm uses a different
basis for valuing these transactions, please specify that basis (e.g., cost, cost plus, etc.) and provide value data using that basis for each of
the periods noted above: .
3
Identify your firm’s principal export markets: .
4
Approximate the share of end‐of‐period inventories that are fresh or chilled blueberries: percent.
2
Confidential Business Information
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Blueberries (Safeguard)
II‐12a. U.S. imports from all other sources.–Continued
Page 30
RECONCILIATION OF SHIPMENTS, IMPORTS, AND INVENTORIES.‐‐Generally, the data reported for the
end‐of‐period inventories (i.e., line N) should be equal to the beginning‐of‐period inventories (i.e., line
A), plus imports (i.e., lines B and D), less total shipments (i.e., lines F, H, J, and L). Please ensure that any
differences are not due to data entry errors in completing this form, but rather actually reflect your
firm’s records; and also provide any likely explanations for any differences (e.g., spoilage, theft, loss,
damage, record systems issues, etc.) if they exist.
Calendar year
January‐September
Reconciliation
A + B + D – F – H – J – L – N =
should equal zero ("0") or provide
an explanation.1
1
2015
2016
0
0
2017
0
2018
0
2019
0
2019
2020
0
Explanation if the calculated fields above are returning values other than zero (i.e., “0”) but are nonetheless accurate: .
0
Confidential Business Information
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Blueberries (Safeguard)
Page 31
II‐12b. Channels of distribution: all other sources..‐‐Report your firm’s U.S. shipments (i.e. inclusive of
commercial U.S. shipments, internal consumption, and transfers to related firms) of imports
from all other sources by channel of distribution.
All other sources
Quantity (in pounds)
Calendar years
Item
U.S. shipments.‐‐
Fresh or chilled blueberries:
to Distributors, handlers,
marketers, or terminal
market actors (O)
2015
2016
2017
January‐September
2018
2019
2019
2020
to Re‐packagers, sorters,
graders, freezers, and
processors (P)
to Retailers (Q)
Frozen blueberries:
to Distributors, handlers,
marketers, or terminal
market actors (R)
to Re‐packagers, sorters,
graders, freezers, and
processors (S)
to Retailers (T)
RECONCILIATION OF CHANNELS.‐‐Please ensure that the quantities reported for channels of distribution
(i.e., lines O through T) in each time period equal the quantity reported for U.S. shipments (i.e., line D, F,
H) in part "a" of this question in each time period. If the calculated fields below return values other than
zero (i.e., “0”), the data reported must be revised prior to submission to the Commission.
Calendar years
January‐September
Item
O + P + Q + R + S + T – D – F – H =
zero ("0"), if not revise.
2015
0
2016
0
2017
0
2018
0
2019
0
2019
0
2020
0
Confidential Business Information
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Blueberries (Safeguard)
Page 32
II‐13. Other explanations.‐‐If your firm would like to further explain a response to a question in Part II
that did not provide a narrative response box, 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.
Confidential Business Information
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Blueberries (Safeguard)
Page 33
PART III.‐‐PRICING AND MARKET FACTORS
Further information on this part of the questionnaire can be obtained from Kyle Westmoreland (202‐
205‐2184, [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
Note.—Unless the questions in Part III below specifically break out types of blueberries, please
explain if your answers differ for fresh and frozen, or wild and cultivated, or organic and non‐organic
blueberries.
III‐2. Price setting.‐‐How does your firm determine the prices that it charges for sales of blueberries
(check all that apply)? If your firm issues price lists, please submit sample pages of a recent list.
Transaction
by
transaction
Contracts
III‐3.
Other
If other, describe
Discount policy.‐‐Please indicate and describe your firm’s discount policies (check all that apply).
Quantity
discounts
Annual
total
volume
discounts
III‐4.
Set
price
lists
No
discount
policy
Other
Describe
Pricing terms.‐‐On what basis are your firm’s prices of imported blueberries usually quoted
(check one)?
Delivered
F.o.b.
If f.o.b., specify point
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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Blueberries (Safeguard)
Page 34
III‐5. Contract versus spot.—
a. Approximately what share of your firm’s sales of imported blueberries in 2019 was on a (1) long‐
term contract basis, (2) annual contract basis, (3) short‐term contract basis, and (4) spot sales
basis?
Type of sale
Long‐term
Short‐term
Annual
Total
contracts
Spot sales
contracts
contracts
(should
(multiple
(for a single
(multiple
(multiple
sum to
deliveries for
delivery)
deliveries for 12 deliveries for less
100.0%)
more than 12
than 12 months)
months)
months)
Share of your
%
%
%
% 0.0 %
2019 sales
b.Provide any volume commitments with retailers in 2019.
III‐6.
Contract provisions.‐‐Please fill out the table regarding your firm’s typical sales contracts for
imported blueberries (or check “not applicable” if your firm does not sell on a short‐term,
annual and/or long‐term contract basis).
Typical sales
contract
provisions
Item
Short‐term
contracts
(multiple
deliveries for less
than 12 months)
Average contract
duration
No. of
days
Program sales
(volume‐
based
agreement)
365
No
Quantity
Price
Both
Fixed quantity
and/or price
Not applicable
Long‐term
contracts
(multiple
deliveries for
more than 12
months)
Yes
Market price
Annual
contracts
(multiple
deliveries for
12 months)
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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Blueberries (Safeguard)
Page 35
III‐7.
Lead times.‐‐What is your firm’s share of sales of imported blueberries 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 blueberries?
Fresh/chilled
Lead time (average number
Source
Share of 2019 sales
of days)
From fresh and chilled inventory
%
Shipped directly from harvest
%
Total (should sum to 100.0%)
0.0 %
Frozen
Lead time (average number
Source
Share of 2019 sales
of days)
From inventory
%
Shipped directly from freezing
%
Total (should sum to 100.0%)
0.0 %
III‐8. Shipping information.—
(a)
Who generally arranges the transportation to your firm’s customers’ locations?
Your firm Purchaser (check one)
(b)
When your firm sells imported blueberries from where is it shipped?
Point of importation Storage facility (check one)
(c)
Indicate the approximate percentage of your firm’s sales of imported blueberries that
are delivered the following distances from your firm’s U.S. point of shipment.
Distance from your firm’s U.S. point of shipment
Within 100 miles
%
101 to 1,000 miles
%
Over 1,000 miles
%
Total (should sum to 100.0%)
Share
0.0 %
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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Blueberries (Safeguard)
Page 36
III‐9. Geographical shipments.‐‐In which U.S. geographic market area(s) has your firm sold its
imported blueberries since January 1, 2015 (check all that apply)?
Geographic area
Fresh
Frozen
Northeast.–CT, ME, MA, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, and VT.
Midwest.–IL, IN, IA, KS, MI, MN, MO, NE, ND, OH, SD, and
WI.
Southeast.–AL, DE, DC, FL, GA, KY, MD, MS, NC, SC, TN, VA,
and WV.
Central Southwest.–AR, LA, OK, and TX.
Mountains.–AZ, CO, ID, MT, NV, NM, UT, and WY.
Pacific Coast.–CA, OR, and WA.
Other.–All other markets in the United States not previously
listed, including AK, HI, PR, and VI.
III‐10. Inland transportation costs.—What is the approximate percentage of the cost of imported
blueberries that is accounted for by U.S. inland transportation costs? percent.
III‐11. Substitutes.‐‐Can other products be substituted for blueberries?
No
Yes‐‐Please fill out the table.
Substitute
End use in which this
substitute is used
Have changes in the price of this substitute
affected the price for blueberries?
No Yes
1.
2.
3.
Explanation
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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Blueberries (Safeguard)
Page 37
III‐12. Availability of supply.
(a) Fresh/chilled.—Has the availability of fresh/chilled blueberries in the U.S. market changed since
January 1, 2015?
Availability in the U.S.
Please explain, noting the countries and reasons for the
market
No Yes changes.
Changes since January 1, 2015:
U.S.‐produced product—
Cultivated
Wild
Cultivated
Wild
Cultivated
Wild
Cultivated
Wild
Imports from other
countries—
Anticipated changes:
U.S.‐produced product—
Imports from other
countries—
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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Blueberries (Safeguard)
Page 38
(b) Frozen.‐‐Has the availability of frozen blueberrries in the U.S. market changed since January 1,
2015?
Availability in the U.S.
Please explain, noting the countries and reasons for the
market
No Yes changes.
Changes since January 1, 2015:
U.S.‐produced product—
Cultivated
Wild
Cultivated
Wild
Cultivated
Wild
Cultivated
Wild
Imports from other
countries—
Anticipated changes:
U.S.‐produced product—
Imports from other
countries—
Confidential Business Information
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Blueberries (Safeguard)
Page 39
III‐13. Demand trends.‐‐Indicate how demand within the United States and outside of the United
States (if known) for blueberries has changed since January 1, 2015. Explain any trends and
describe the principal factors that have affected these changes in demand.
Fluctuate
Overall
No
Overall
with no
increase change decrease clear trend
Market
Explanation and factors
Demand since January 1, 2015
Within the United States
Fresh—
Cultivated
Wild
Frozen—
Cultivated
Wild
Overall
Outside the United
States
Fresh—
Cultivated
Wild
Frozen—
Cultivated
Wild
Overall
III‐14. Product changes.‐‐Have there been any significant changes in the product range, product mix,
or marketing of blueberries since January 1, 2015?
No Yes
Explain
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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Blueberries (Safeguard)
Page 40
III‐15. Conditions of competition.‐‐
(a) Is the blueberries market subject to seasonality, business cycles, and/or other conditions of
competition distinctive to blueberries?
Check all that apply.
Please describe.
No
Skip to question III‐16.
Yes‐Seasonality (e.g.
weather and timing of
harvests)
Yes‐Business cycles of the
general economy
Yes‐Other distinctive
conditions of competition
Yes‐Preference for organic
products
(b) If yes, have there been any changes in the seasonality, business cycles, or conditions of
competition for blueberries since January 1, 2015?
No
Yes
If yes, describe.
III‐16. Impact of weather on blueberry importation.‐‐
(a) Drought impact.‐‐Did drought conditions and/or wildfires impact your firm's blueberry import
operations or the general market conditions for blueberries any time since January 1, 2015?
No
Yes
If yes, describe
(b) Storm impact.‐‐Did any hurricane and/or other large rain‐related natural disasters impact your
firm's blueberry import operations or the general market conditions for blueberries any time
since January 1, 2015?
No
Yes
If yes, describe
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Page 41
(c) Freeze impact.‐‐Did any weather‐related freeze impact your firm’s blueberry import operations
or the general market conditions for blueberries any time since January 1, 2015?
No
Yes
If yes, describe
III‐17. Supply constraints.‐‐Has your firm refused, declined, or been unable to supply blueberries since
January 1, 2015 (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, been unable to meet timely shipment commitments, reduced availability
because of seasonality, etc.)?
Item
No
Yes
If yes, please describe.
Cultivated
Wild
Cultivated
Wild
Fresh/chilled—
Frozen—
III‐18. Raw materials.‐‐How have the prices for raw materials for blueberries changed since January 1,
2015 and what impacts have they had on your firm’s importing operations?
Raw
Materials
No
change
Overall
decrease
Seeds/plants
Fertilizer
Pesticides
and
herbicides
Costs of
packing
materials
All other
raw material
costs
Overall
increase
Explain, noting how raw
material price changes
have affected your
Fluctuate
firm’s selling prices for
with no
blueberries.
clear trend
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U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Blueberries (Safeguard)
Page 42
III‐19. Organic vs. non‐organic blueberry variety.
(a) Has there been an increase in customer awareness of organic vs non‐organic growing
methods and/or any shift in customer preference relating to organic vs non‐organic
products since January 1, 2015?
No
Yes
If yes, please explain.
(b) Have organic raw material supplies impacted the market or your firm’s operations since
January 1, 2015?
No
Yes
If yes, please explain.
III‐20. Interchangeability.‐‐ Are blueberries produced in the United States and in other countries
interchangeable (i.e., can they physically be used in the same applications)?
Type
No
Yes
If no, please explain.
Fresh
Frozen
III‐21. Factors other than price.‐‐ Are differences other than price (e.g., quality, availability,
transportation network, product range, technical support, etc.) between blueberries produced
in the United States and in other countries a significant factor in your firm’s sales of the
products?
Type
No
Yes
If yes, please explain.
Fresh
Frozen
Confidential Business Information
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Blueberries (Safeguard)
Page 43
III‐22. Other explanations.‐‐If your firm would like to further explain a response to a question in Part III
that did not provide a narrative response box, 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.
III‐23. Customer identification.‐‐List the names and contact information for your firm’s 5 largest U.S.
customers for each of fresh/chilled and frozen blueberries since January 1, 2015. Indicate the
share of the quantity of your firm’s total shipments of blueberries that each of these customers
accounted for in 2019.
Customer’s name
Contact person
Email
Telephone
City
State
Share of
2019
sales (%)
Fresh/chilled
1
2
3
4
5
Frozen
1
2
3
4
5
Confidential Business Information
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Blueberries (Safeguard)
Page 44
PART IV.--PRICING OF FROZEN BLUEBERRIES
Further information on this part of the questionnaire can be obtained from Kyle Westmoreland (202‐
205‐2184, [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
FROZEN BLUEBERRY 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, 2015 of the following products imported by your
firm.
Product 1.‐‐ Individual quick frozen (IQF), cultivated, Grade A, certified organic, sold in 30 pound
boxes
Product 2.‐‐ Individual quick frozen (IQF), cultivated, Grade A, non‐organic, sold in 30 pound
boxes
Product 3.‐‐ Individual quick frozen (IQF), wild, Grade A, certified organic, sold in 30 pound
boxes
Product 4.‐‐ Individual quick frozen (IQF), wild, Grade A, non‐organic, sold in 30 pound boxes
Note: Grade A is defined by the U.S. standards for grades of frozen blueberries to be the quality of
frozen blueberries that possess similar varietal characteristics; that are practically free from defects; that
possess a good character, normal flavor and odor; and are of such quality with respect to color as to
score not less than 90 points when scored in accordance with USDA’s U.S. standards.
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).
IV‐2a. During January 2015‐September 2020, did your firm import and sell to unrelated U.S. customers
any of the above listed products (or any products that were competitive with these products)?
Yes.‐‐Please complete the following pricing data table as appropriate.
No.‐‐Skip to the end of the questionnaire.
Confidential Business Information
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Blueberries (Safeguard)
Page 45
IV‐2b. Price data: Argentina.‐‐Report below the quarterly price data1 for pricing products2 imported
from Argentina and sold by your firm.
(Quantity in pounds, value in dollars)
Product 1
Product 2
Product 3
Product 4
Period of shipment Quantity
Value
Quantity
Value
Quantity
Value
Quantity
Value
2015:
January‐March
April‐June
July‐September
October‐December
2016:
January‐March
April‐June
July‐September
October‐December
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
July‐September
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:
Confidential Business Information
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Blueberries (Safeguard)
Page 46
IV‐2c. Price data: Canada.‐‐Report below the quarterly price data1 for pricing products2 imported from
Canada and sold by your firm.
(Quantity in pounds, value in dollars)
Product 1
Product 2
Product 3
Product 4
Period of shipment Quantity
Value
Quantity
Value
Quantity
Value
Quantity
Value
2015:
January‐March
April‐June
July‐September
October‐December
2016:
January‐March
April‐June
July‐September
October‐December
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
July‐September
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:
Confidential Business Information
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Blueberries (Safeguard)
Page 47
IV‐2d. Price data: Chile.‐‐Report below the quarterly price data1 for pricing products2 imported from
Chile and sold by your firm.
(Quantity in pounds, value in dollars)
Product 1
Product 2
Product 3
Product 4
Period of shipment Quantity
Value
Quantity
Value
Quantity
Value
Quantity
Value
2015:
January‐March
April‐June
July‐September
October‐December
2016:
January‐March
April‐June
July‐September
October‐December
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
July‐September
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:
Confidential Business Information
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Blueberries (Safeguard)
Page 48
IV‐2e. Price data: Mexico.‐‐Report below the quarterly price data1 for pricing products2 imported from
Mexico and sold by your firm.
(Quantity in pounds, value in dollars)
Product 1
Product 2
Product 3
Product 4
Period of shipment Quantity
Value
Quantity
Value
Quantity
Value
Quantity
Value
2015:
January‐March
April‐June
July‐September
October‐December
2016:
January‐March
April‐June
July‐September
October‐December
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
July‐September
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:
Confidential Business Information
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Blueberries (Safeguard)
Page 49
IV‐2f. Price data: Peru.‐‐Report below the quarterly price data1 for pricing products2 imported from
Peru and sold by your firm.
(Quantity in pounds, value in dollars)
Product 1
Product 2
Product 3
Product 4
Period of shipment Quantity
Value
Quantity
Value
Quantity
Value
Quantity
Value
2015:
January‐March
April‐June
July‐September
October‐December
2016:
January‐March
April‐June
July‐September
October‐December
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
July‐September
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:
Confidential Business Information
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Blueberries (Safeguard)
Page 50
IV‐2g. Price data for all other FTA countries (see II‐10).‐‐Report below the quarterly price data1 for
pricing products2 imported from all other FTA countries and sold by your firm.
(Quantity in pounds, value in dollars)
Product 1
Product 2
Product 3
Product 4
Period of shipment Quantity
Value
Quantity
Value
Quantity
Value
Quantity
Value
2015:
January‐March
April‐June
July‐September
October‐December
2016:
January‐March
April‐June
July‐September
October‐December
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
July‐September
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:
Confidential Business Information
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Blueberries (Safeguard)
Page 51
IV‐2h. Price data for all other countries (see II‐11).‐‐Report below the quarterly price data1 for pricing
products2 imported from all other countries and sold by your firm.
(Quantity in pounds, value in dollars)
Product 1
Product 2
Product 3
Product 4
Period of shipment Quantity
Value
Quantity
Value
Quantity
Value
Quantity
Value
2015:
January‐March
April‐June
July‐September
October‐December
2016:
January‐March
April‐June
July‐September
October‐December
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
July‐September
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:
Confidential Business Information
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Blueberries (Safeguard)
Page 52
IV‐2i. Price data checklist.‐‐Please check that the pricing data in question IV‐2(b)‐(h) has been
correctly reported.
Are the price data reported above:
√ if Yes
In actual dollars (not $1,000) and pounds?
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 question II‐5‐II‐11 in each
year?
Explanation(s) for any boxes not checked:
IV‐2j. 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.
Confidential Business Information
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Blueberries (Safeguard)
Page 53
Correcting Valid number error messages.‐‐If you are completing a Commission questionnaire in a
country that uses periods (“.”) to delineate multiples of 1000 (e.g., one million would appear as
$1.000.000 instead of as $1,000,000), you may be unable to enter in numbers greater than 999 in
numeric form fields. This issues stem from your computer number formatting setting (e.g., not the MS
Word document itself, but the computer from which you are opening up the document). In the United
States commas (,) delineate multiples of 1000 and periods (.) delineate fractions less than one. Many EU
countries use the reverse where multiples of 1000 are delineated with periods (.) and fractions less than
one are delineated with commas (,). The US International Trade Commission’s questionnaires are set‐up
in the United States with the U.S. number formatting. When this formatting interacts with a computer
set to EU number formatting, we believe this may cause this issue.
The solution to this data entry issue is to temporarily change your operating system’s number
formatting to be consistent with the U.S. number formatting system while you complete the
questionnaire.
To temporarily change your computer’s number settings to U.S. settings, please do the following (for
Microsoft Windows Operating system):
START
Control Panel
Region and Language (under Clock, Language, and Region category)
Format tab
Change the Format from your existing one (e.g. “Italian (Italy)”) to “English (United States)” (see
screen shots below)
When you do this the number “twelve million dollars and thirty five cents” would change from
$12.000.000,35 (Italy format) to $12,000,000.35 (U.S. format), and then there will be no conflict with
the questionnaire. When you finish reporting the data then you can close the questionnaire and switch
back to Italy settings.
Confidential Business Information
U.S. Importers’ Questionnaire – Blueberries (Safeguard)
Page 54
HOW TO FILE YOUR QUESTIONNAIRE RESPONSE
This questionnaire is available as a “fillable” form in MS Word format on the
Commission’s website at: LINK
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: BLUE
• 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 import this product, please fill out page 1, print, sign, and submit a scanned copy
to the Commission.
Parties to this proceeding.—If your firm is a party to this proceeding, it is required to serve a copy of the
completed questionnaire on parties to the proceeding that are subject to administrative protective
order (see 19 CFR § 206.17). 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 § 206.17). Service of the questionnaire must be made in paper form.
| File Type | application/pdf |
| File Title | Microsoft Word - US importer--Blueberries (201) |
| Author | jordan.harriman |
| File Modified | 2020-10-14 |
| File Created | 2020-10-14 |