MILESTONE SCIENTIFIC INC. Revenue Disclosure
3. Revenue Recognition
The Company recognizes revenue when its customer obtains control of promised goods or services, in an amount that reflects the consideration which the Company expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services. To perform revenue recognition, the Company performs the following five steps:
| i. | identification of the promised goods or services in the contract; |
| ii. | determination of whether the promised goods or services are performance obligations including whether they are distinct in the context of the contract; |
| iii. | measurement of the transaction price, including the constraint on variable consideration; |
| iv. | allocation of the transaction price to the performance obligations based on estimated selling prices; and |
| v. | recognition of revenue when (or as) the Company satisfies each performance obligation. A performance obligation is a promise in a contract to transfer a distinct good or service to the customer and is the unit of account in ASC 606. |
The Company derives its revenues from the sale of its products, primarily dental and medical instruments, handpieces, and other related products. The Company sells its products directly to consumers in the United States and through a global distribution network that includes both exclusive and non-exclusive distribution agreements international.
Revenue is recognized at the point of shipment for all sales. The Company has no obligation to product sales for any installation, set-up, or maintenance, these being the responsibility of the buyer. Milestone Scientific's only obligation after sale is the normal commercial warranty against manufacturing defects if the alleged defective unit is returned within the warranty period.
E-Commerce
The Company sells its STA Single Tooth Anesthesia Systems® (STA) and handpieces directly to dental offices and dental groups within the United States via an online portal. The Company's E-Commerce portal accepts online payments via credit and debit cards. The cost of delivery is charged to the customer along with appropriate sales tax. The Company recognizes revenue from product sales at the time the product ships to a customer via a third party carrier.
Sales Returns
The Company records allowances for product returns as a reduction of revenue at the time product sales are recorded. Several factors are considered in determining whether an allowance for product returns is required, including the customers’ return rights and the Company’s historical experience with returns and the amount of product in the distribution channel not consumed by end users and subject to return. The Company relies on historical return rates to estimate returns.
Financing and Payment
The Company's payment terms differ by geography and customer, but payments from distributors are required within 90 days or less from the date of shipment. The E-Commerce portal sells directly to end users and accepts online payments via credit and debit cards via a third-party. These payments from the third party are typically settled within two business days.
Disaggregation of Revenue
The Company operates in two operating segments: Dental, and Medical. The Company evaluates each of two segments based on performance, using segment financial information compiled utilizing the accounting policies listed in Note B of this Form 10-K.
The profitability of the segment helps the Company evaluate staffing levels, assess available cash for allocation to projects and resources, and make informed decisions on whether the segment's activities should be modified to align with the Company’s overall near- and long-term strategies. See Note K for revenues by geographical market, based on the customer’s location, and product category for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 respectively.
About Revenue Disclosures
Revenue disclosures under ASC 606 explain how a company identifies performance obligations, allocates transaction prices, and determines when revenue is recognized. This section is essential for understanding whether reported revenue reflects genuine economic activity or aggressive accounting choices. Analysts examine the mix of point-in-time versus over-time recognition, which directly affects revenue timing and comparability.
Key signals: rising contract liabilities (deferred revenue) suggest strong future revenue visibility, while declining contract assets may indicate slowing project milestones. Watch for variable consideration estimates — rebates, returns, and performance bonuses that require management judgment. Significant changes in disaggregated revenue by geography or product line can reveal shifting business mix before it appears in headline numbers. Compare revenue growth against contract liability growth to assess sustainability, and scrutinize any changes in the timing of recognition that coincide with earnings pressure.