Saccharin from China - USITC

Figure V-1Exchange rates: Index of the nominal exchange rates of the currency of China in relation to theU.S. dollar, by quarters, 2003-08Source: International Monetary Fund, International Financial Statistics, December 2008 and earlier issues.PRICING PRACTICESQuestionnaire responses show that prices of saccharin are determined in several ways.PMC reported that most of its pricing was determined by *** during 2007 and 2008. During earlier yearsof the 2003-08 period, it also made use of *** and ***. Among importers of saccharin from China,methods reported included transaction-by-transaction negotiations and contracts. One firm reported thatit gives quotations based on the current market supply and demand situations of saccharin.PMC reported that it ***, while discounts of importers of saccharin from China vary bycompany. Among the eight importers, four reported that they do not offer discounts and four reportedthat they provide discounts based on quantity or volume. Neither PMC nor any of the importers give ***.Saccharin prices are commonly quoted on *** by PMC and on either an f.o.b or delivered basisby importers of saccharin from China. Among the eight responding importers, three quote on an f.o.bbasis, three quote on a delivered basis, and two quote both ways. None of the firms reported internetsales.All sales of saccharin by PMC are on a *** basis, while imports from China are sold on both aspot and contract basis. Among importers of Chinese product, four firms reported that all sales are on aspot basis, and the other four reported a mixture of spot and contract sales. Contract periods reportedranged from two months to one year, with quantities and prices typically fixed during the contract period.None of the importers reported the use of meet or release provisions.V-2