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Glossary

The glossary below may define terms not included in the main Glossary on census.gov

The main Glossary on census.gov provides official definitions covering all topics, censuses, surveys and programs.

To begin a search, enter a term or acronym in the search bar or click the letter to see all the terms that begin with that letter. Click view to see the definition for a term. You may select one or more terms to place them in the Selected Terms box for downloading or printing. Click on Printable View to preview the page.

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Consumption

Materials used in producing or processing a product or otherwise removing the product from the inventory.

Exports

Includes all types of products shipped to foreign countries, or to agents or exporters for reshipment to foreign countries.

Inventories

The quantity or value of finished goods, work in progress, and materials on hand.

Quantity and value of new orders

The sales value of orders received during the current reporting period for products and services to be delivered immediately or at some future date. Also represents the net sales value of contract change documents that increase or decrease the sales value of the orders to which they are related, when the parties concerned are in substantial agreement as to the amount involved. Included as orders are only those that are supported by binding legal documents such as signed contracts or letter contracts.

Quantity and value of shipments

The figures on quantity and value of shipments represent physical shipments of all products sold, transferred to other establishments of the same company, or shipped on consignment, whether for domestic or export sale. The value represents the net sales price, f.o.b. plant, to the customer or branch to which the products are shipped, net of discounts, allowances, freight charges, and returns. Shipments to a company's own branches are assigned the same value as comparable appropriate allocation of company overhead and profit. Products bought and resold without further manufacture are excluded.

Unfilled orders (backlog)

Calculated by adding net new orders and subtracting net sales from the backlog at the end of the preceding year.

Page Last Revised - December 16, 2021
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