The Alliance for Free Choice and Jobs in Flooring (AFCJF), the band of importers, distributors and dealers opposing the ongoing federal trade dispute involving engineered wood flooring from China, has reminded industry stakeholders that completion and return of investigation questionnaires is mandatory.
"If you receive an ITC questionnaire," said AFCJF President Jonathan Train, "you are required by law to complete and return it by August 10."
At the heart of the matter, according to an AFCJF release, is that non-returned questionnaires could suggest a lack of interest in the investigation on behalf of the wood floor industry.
The AFCJF advised that importers contact their manufacturers to accurately complete the questionnaires. According to the release, "The ITC requires information on total purchases of all Chinese products, received both directly from China (as an importer, consignee or other direct delivery) and indirectly. Since many U.S. companies such as Mannington, Armstrong, etc., sell both imported and domestically produced product under their brands, customers will need to ask for a breakdown of product origin, and [whether] the product came from a mandatory respondent in order to accurately complete the questionnaire." Mandatory respondents are the largest Chinese manufacturers by volume that sell engineered wood flooring to U.S. importers.
Train said that questionnaires should be sent to stakeholders this week, and that failure to comply could result in subpoena. All answers will be kept confidential.
