SA-42A Annual Wholesale Trade Report - Wholesale Distributors

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Economics and Statistics Administration

U.S. CENSUS BUREAU

SA-42A

2017 ANNUAL WHOLESALE TRADE REPORT
WHOLESALE DISTRIBUTORS

FORM
(DRAFT)

DUE DATE

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YOUR RESPONSE IS REQUIRED
BY LAW. Title 13 United States
Code (U.S.C.), Sections 131 and
182 authorizes this collection.
Sections 224 and 225 require your
response. The U.S. Census Bureau
is required by Section 9 of the
same law to keep your information
CONFIDENTIAL and can use your
responses only to produce statistics.
The Census Bureau is not permitted
to publicly release your responses
in a way that could identify your
business, organization, or institution.
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are protected from cybersecurity
risks through screening of the
systems that transmit your data.
This collection has been approved
by the Office of Management and
Budget (OMB). The eight-digit OMB
approval number is 0607-0195 and
appears at the upper right of this
page. Without this approval we
could not conduct this survey.

(Please correct any errors in name, address, and ZIP Code.)

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GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS
• Include data for auxiliary facilities primarily engaged in supporting services to this firm's establishment(s) such
as warehouses, garages, and central administrative offices.
• Any significant change in this firm's operations should be noted in 19 on page 8.
• For establishments sold or acquired in 2017, report data only for the period the establishments were operated by
this firm.
• Estimates are acceptable if book figures are not available.
• Enter "0" where applicable.

42001016

ANNOUNCEMENTS AND SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS

CONTINUE ON PAGE 2

Form SA-42A

Page 2

(DRAFT)

1

Not Applicable.

2

ORGANIZATIONAL CHANGE
A. Did this firm experience any acquisitions, sales, mergers, and/or divestitures in 2017?
Yes
No - Go to

3

B. Which of the following organizational changes occurred in 2017?
Check all that apply. If more than one organizational change occurred during the reporting period, explain in
page 8.
Month

Acquisition
Sale
Merger

Day

19

on

Year

Date of organizational change . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
AND
Enter detailed information below

Divestiture
Name of company

EIN (9 digits)

Address (Number and street, P.O. Box, etc.)

City, town, village, etc.

State

ZIP Code

3

REPORTING PERIOD
NOTE: Calendar year data is preferred. If it is not available, please report for the fiscal year
that includes at least six months of data for the 2017 calendar year.
What time period is covered by the data provided in this report?
Calendar year - Go to

4

2017
Beginning Date
Month Day
Year

Fiscal or partial year - Report beginning and ending dates . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Month

4

Ending Date
Day
Year

NUMBER OF ESTABLISHMENTS
2017
Number

42001024

How many wholesale establishments (including auxiliary facilities primarily engaged in
supporting services such as warehouses, garages, and central administrative offices) did this
firm operate in 2017?
The remainder of this report refers to the establishments reported here. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

CONTINUE ON PAGE 3

Form SA-42A
5

Page 3

(DRAFT)

SALES, RECEIPTS, OR REVENUE
INCLUDE
• Sales of products that are shipped on this firm's
orders directly to customers
• Retail sales made by wholesale establishments
covered by this report
• Gross value of sales made on a commission basis
(not your actual commissions)
• Receipts from freight, installations, rentals,
maintenance, repairs, alterations, storage, and other
such services
• Excise taxes (such as those on gasoline, liquor, and
tobacco) that are levied on the manufacturer and
included in the cost of products purchased by this
firm

EXCLUDE
• Sales from establishments that are primarily selling
products manufactured or mined in the United
States by this firm
• Foreign sale of good which never entered the
United States or its Foreign Trade Zones
• Nonoperating receipts (such as interest income,
income from investments, and receipts from the
rental or sale of real estate)
• Commissions earned for the sale of products
• Receipts from customers for carrying or other credit
charges

Mark "X"
if None

$ Bil.

Mil.

2017
Thou.

Dol.

$ Bil.

Mil.

2017
Thou.

Dol.

A. What were this firm's sales and other operating receipts in
2017?
B. Did this firm collect any sales taxes in 2017?
Yes
No - Go to

6

C. What were the total sales taxes collected in 2017? . . . . . . . . . . . .
6

E-COMMERCE, INCLUDING EDI
E-commerce is the sale of goods and services where the buyer places an order, or the price and terms of the sale
are negotiated, over an Electronic Data Interchange (EDI), the Internet, mobile device (M-Commerce), or any other
online system. Payment may or may not be made online.
A. Did this firm have any e-commerce sales in 2017?
Yes
No - Go to

9

on the next page
Mark "X"
if None

B. What were the total e-commerce sales in 2017?
This amount should equal the sum of 6 B1 and 6 B2 shown below.

$ Bil.

Mil.

2017
Thou.

Dol.

1. What were the EDI network sales in 2017, if any?
• EDI is the exchange of documents in standardized electronic form
between organizations in an automated manner directly from
a computer application in one organization to an application in
another. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

42001032

2. What were the online system sales in 2017, if any?
• Online systems include the Internet, mobile device (M-commerce),
extranets, e-mail, and instant messaging. . . . . . . . . . . . .
7 and 8

Not Applicable.

CONTINUE ON PAGE 4

Form SA-42A
9

Page 4

(DRAFT)

VALUE OF INVENTORIES
INCLUDE
• All inventories of products covered by this report,
including auxiliary locations (such as warehouses,
garages, and central administrative offices)
servicing these establishments, regardless of where
held
• Inventory held in Foreign Trade Zones or in bond
warehouses in the United States
• Report at cost or market value as of December 31
(or the end of the period for which you are
reporting)

EXCLUDE
• Items such as fixtures, equipment, and supplies not
held for resale
• Products owned by others that are being held on
consignment

A. Did this firm own inventories, regardless of where held, at the end of 2017 (or the end of the period
for which you are reporting)?
Yes
No - Go to

15

on the next page

B. What was the value of inventories as of December 31 in 2017?

Mark "X"
if None

$ Bil.

Mil.

2017
Thou.

Dol.

1. Total inventories (if applicable, before Last-in, First-out (LIFO)
adjustment) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2. LIFO reserve (if applicable) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3. Total inventories after LIFO adjustment
9 B1 minus 9 B2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
C. Were inventories reported as of December 31?
Yes - Go to

9

E

No
Month

D. If not December 31, inventories were reported as of what date?
E. Were any of the inventories reported in
District of Columbia in 2017?

9

2017
Day

Year

. . . . . . . . .

B1 stored outside, or en route to, the 50 states and the

Yes
No - Go to

10

F. What was the value of the inventories stored outside, or en route to,
the 50 states and the District of Columbia in 2017?
Exclude inventory held in Foreign Trade Zones or in bond warehouses in
the U.S. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$ Bil.

Mil.

2017
Thou.

Dol.

2017
Thou.

Dol.

10 INVENTORY VALUATION METHOD

42001040

A. Were any of the inventories reported in

9

B1 subject to the LIFO valuation method?

9

B1 was subject to:

Yes
No - Go to

15

on the next page

B. How much of the inventory reported in

Mark "X"
if None

$ Bil.

Mil.

1. LIFO valuation method before adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2. Any other valuation method . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3. Verify Total
Sum of 10 B1 and

10 B2.

Total must equal

9

B1.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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Form SA-42A

Page 5

(DRAFT)

11 – 14 Not Applicable.
15 PURCHASES OF PRODUCTS
INCLUDE
• Amounts allowed for trade-ins
• Both raw and finished goods
• Products in transit to you for which you have taken
title
• Freight, delivery, and other transportation costs
included in product cost
• Import duties (if paid separately)
• Value of goods shipped from any foreign
manufacturing plants
• The cost of services resold without processing
• Parts and supplies used in repair work or other
service type activities

EXCLUDE
• Returns, allowances, and trade and cash discounts
• Purchases of containers, wrapping, packaging, and
selling supplies
• Expenditures for supplies, equipment, and parts
purchased for this company's use
• Taxes (sales, excise, and other) collected directly
from customers and paid directly to a local, State,
or Federal tax agency
• Intra-company purchases between establishments
of this reporting unit

Mark "X"
What was the total cost of all products purchased for resale for
if None $ Bil.
which this firm took title, whether or not payment was made,
in 2017?
If purchases are greater than sales, please explain in 19 on page 8. . . . .

Mil.

2017
Thou.

Dol.

16 OPERATING EXPENSES
INCLUDE
• Expenses arising from the normal course of
business, including payroll

EXCLUDE
• Bad debt/customer related loss
• Interest expense
• Purchases of goods for resale or cost of goods sold
• Income taxes
• Impairment (reduction in value of long-lived assets
due to reappraisal)
• Transfers made within the company
Mark "X"
if None

What were the total operating expenses for this firm in 2017?

$ Bil.

Mil.

2017
Thou.

Dol.

Mil.

2017
Thou.

Dol.

. . .

17 DETAILED OPERATING EXPENSES

42001057

A. What personnel costs were incurred by this firm in 2017?
1. Annual payroll before deductions - Total annual Medicare
salaries and wages for all employees as reported on this firm's
IRS Form 941, Employer's Quarterly Federal Tax Return, line 5(c).
Include payments to temporary employees on this firm's payroll,
"X"
and to commissioned employees on this firm's payroll. Also include Mark
if None $ Bil.
the spread on stock options that are taxable to employees as
wages. Exclude payments for contracted temporary help (report in
line A3); and commissions paid to contractors (report in line C1). . .
2. Employer's cost for fringe benefits - Employer's cost for legally
required programs and programs not required by law:
a. Health Insurance - Insurance premiums or hospital plans,
medical plans, and single service plans such as dental, vision,
and prescription drugs. Include premium equivalents for selfinsured plans and fees paid to third-party administrators (TPAs).
Exclude employee contributions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
b. Pension plans:
i. Defined contribution plans - Costs under defined
contribution plans. Include pension plans that define the
employer contributions to a separate account provided
for each employee. The employee "benefit" at retirement
depends on the amount contributed and the results of the
account's activity. Examples include profit sharing plans,
money purchase (e.g., 401k, 403b) and stock bonus plans
(e.g., ESOPs). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
CONTINUE WITH

17

ON PAGE 6

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Form SA-42A

Page 6

(DRAFT)

17 DETAILED OPERATING EXPENSES - Continued
ii. Defined benefit pension plans - Costs for both qualified
and unqualified defined pension plans. Include pension
plans that specify the benefits to be paid to employees
upon retirement, generally either a specific amount or a
Mark "X"
percentage of compensation. Employer contributions are
if None $ Bil.
based on actuarial computations that include the employee's
compensation and years of service and are not allocated to
specific accounts maintained for employees. . . . . . . . .

Mil.

2017
Thou.

Dol.

c. Payroll taxes, employer paid insurance premiums
(except health), and other employer benefits - Include
legally-required fringe benefits (e.g., Social Security, workers'
compensation insurance, unemployment tax, state disability
insurance programs, Medicare). Also include benefits for life
insurance, "quality of life" benefits (e.g., childcare assistance,
subsidized commuting), employer contributions to pre-tax
benefits not specified above. Exclude disbursements from trusts
or funds to satisfy health insurance claims. . . . . . . . . . . .
3. Contract temporary staff and leased employee expense Total costs paid to Professional Employer Organizations (PEOs) and
staffing agencies for personnel. Include all associated charges for
payroll, benefits, and services. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
B. What were the expensed equipment, materials, parts, and
supplies, not for resale, incurred by this firm in 2017?
1. Expensed equipment - Expensed computer hardware and other
equipment (e.g., copiers, fax machines, telephones, shop and
lab equipment, CPUs, monitors). Exclude capitalized equipment;
software (report in line C2; leased and rented equipment (report
in line C7; and depreciation for capitalized equipment (report in
line C15). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2. Purchasing of packaging materials and containers - Include
the cost of bags, boxes, wrapping, and sealing materials. Exclude
office supplies (report in line B3); and cost of shipping to customers
(report in line C12). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3. Purchases of other materials, parts, and supplies (not for
resale) - Materials and supplies used in providing services to
others; materials and parts used in repairs; office and janitorial
supplies; small tools; and motor fuels. Exclude office postage and
package delivery expenses (report in line C12). . . . . . . . . . .
C. What other operating expenses were incurred by this firm
in 2017?
1. Commission expense - Include commission paid to other firms
for sale of products owned by this firm. Exclude commission paid
to your own employees (reported in line A1). . . . . . . . . . . .

42001065

2. Expensed purchases of software - Purchases of prepackaged,
custom coded, or vendor customized software. Include software
developed or customized by others, web design, services and
purchases, licensing agreements, upgrades of software; and
maintenance fees related to software upgrades and alterations.
Exclude depreciation for capitalized software reported in line C15. .
3. Data processing and other purchased computer services Include computer facilities management services, computer input
preparation, data storage, computer time rental, optical scanning
services, and other computer-related advice and services, including
training. Exclude expenses for integrated systems, repair, and
maintenance of computer equipment, payroll processing and credit
card transaction fees, and expenses for telecommunication services
(e.g., Internet, connectivity, telephone). . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4. Purchased communication services - Telephone, cellular, and
fax services; computer-related communications (e.g., Internet,
connectivity, online); and other wired and wireless communication
services. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5. Purchased repairs and maintenance to machinery and
equipment - Include expensed repair and maintenance services to
machinery, vehicles, equipment, and computer hardware. Exclude
materials, parts, and supplies used for repairs and maintenance
performed by this firm's employees (reported in line B3). . . . . .
CONTINUE WITH

17

ON PAGE 7
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Form SA-42A

Page 7

(DRAFT)

17 DETAILED OPERATING EXPENSES - Continued
6. Purchased repairs and maintenance to buildings, structures,
and offices - Include repair and maintenance to integral parts
Mark "X"
of buildings (e.g., elevators, heating systems). Exclude materials,
if None $ Bil.
parts, and supplies, used for repairs and maintenance performed by
this firm's employees (reported in line B3). Purchased janitorial and
grounds maintenance services (report in line C17). . . . . . . . .

Mil.

2017
Thou.

Dol.

Mil.

2017
Thou.

Dol.

7. Lease and rental payments for machinery, equipment, and
other tangible items - Include lease and rental of transportation
equipment without operators; and penalties incurred for broken
leases. Exclude payments for capital and financing lease
agreements and licensing/leasing of software. . . . . . . . . . . .
8. Lease and rental payments for land, buildings, structures,
store space, and offices - Include penalties incurred for broken
leases. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
9. Purchased electricity - Include the cost of electricity paid directly
to the utility company. Exclude the cost of electricity within lease or
rental payments (reported in line C8). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
10. Purchased fuels (except motor fuels) - Include fuel for heating,
power, or generating electricity (e.g., natural gas, propane, oil, coal).
Exclude the cost of motor fuels (reported in line B3); and the cost
of fuels within lease or rental payments (reported in line C8). . . . .
11. Water, sewer, refuse removal, and other utility payments Include the cost of hazardous waste removal. Exclude the cost of
these utilities within lease or rental payments (reported in line C8). .
12. Purchased transportation, shipping, and warehousing
services - Include the cost of postage, delivery expenses, and
packaging and containers provided as part of the purchased
service. Exclude the cost of shipping using this firm's vehicles or
employees. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
13. Purchased advertising and promotional services - Include
marketing and public relations services. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
14. Purchased professional and technical services - Include
management consulting, accounting, auditing, bookkeeping, legal,
actuarial, payroll processing, architectural, engineering, and other
professional services. Exclude salaries paid to your own employees
for these services. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

42001073

15. Depreciation and amortization charges - Include depreciation
charges taken against tangible assets owned and used by this
firm, tangible assets and improvements owned by this firm
within leaseholds, tangible assets obtained through capital lease
agreements, and amortization charges against intangible assets
(e.g., patents, copyrights). Exclude impairment (reduction in value
of long-lived assets due to reappraisals). . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
16. Governmental taxes and license fees - Payments to government
agencies for taxes and licenses. Include business and property
taxes. Exclude income taxes and sales and excise taxes collected
from customers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
17. All other operating expenses - Include operating expenses
not reported elsewhere, unless excluded by the following list.
Exclude purchase of products for resale (cost of goods sold); bad
debt; transfers made within the company; capitalized expenses;
interest; impairment; income, sales, and excise taxes; and other
non-operating expenses. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
D. TOTAL OPERATING EXPENSES
Total of 17 A1- 17 C17 must equal 16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
18 INTEREST EXPENSE
Mark "X"
What was the total interest expense for this firm in 2017?
if None $ Bil.
Interest expense - expenses incurred in the financing of operations and
long lived assets used in continuing operations. Exclude transfers made
within the company and capitalized interest. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

CONTINUE ON PAGE 8

Form SA-42A

Page 8

(DRAFT)

42001081

19 REMARKS - Please use this space to explain any significant year-to-year changes, to clarify responses, or indicate where
data were estimated.

20 CONTACT INFORMATION
Name of person to contact regarding this report (Please print)

Area code
Telephone
E-mail address

Number

Title

Extension

Area code
Fax

Website
www.

THANK YOU for completing your Annual Wholesale Trade Report.
We suggest you keep a copy for your records.

Number

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