Final USITC Report on Chinese Quartz Imports June 2019 | Page 168
Of the 45 responding purchasers, 24 reported that they had purchased imported quartz
surface products from China instead of U.S.‐produced quartz surface products since 2015. 15 16
Seventeen of these purchasers reported that subject import prices were lower than domestic
quartz surface products, and 12 of these purchasers reported that price was a primary reason
for the decision to purchase imported product rather than domestic quartz surface products.
Ten purchasers estimated the quantity of quartz surface products from China purchased
instead of domestic product; quantities ranged from *** square feet to *** square feet, and
totaled approximately 2.7 million square feet (table V‐19). Purchasers identified design‐related
aspects such as color and aesthetics as non‐price reasons for purchasing imported rather than
U.S.‐produced product. Purchasers also stated reliability of supply chain, consistency, delivery,
and availability as additional factors.
15
One purchaser, ***, did not respond to sections III‐29 and III‐32 in its U.S. purchaser questionnaire
response.
16
Thirteen purchasers purchased imported quartz surface products from China since 2015 but
indicated that they did not do so instead of purchasing U.S.‐produced quartz surface products. Staff
contacted all 13 purchasers for a clarification and 10 responded. *** stated that the specificity,
exclusivity, and cost of Cambria make it a product with very limited use and therefore not viable for the
majority of homes. *** responded that it wanted to use its brand name with the product but that no
domestic producers would allow this, making it unable to use domestic product. It also stated that
Cambria only sells to customers that are specified or recognized partners, and would therefore not sell
to ***. *** replied that it used the less expensive import costs in its sales price and therefore had to use
imported product or else suffer a loss. *** responded that it represents only one supplier and all of its
products are imported. *** stated that it simply added Chinese product as an additional product line to
existing stock and did not replace domestic product with imported product.
V‐42