Revenues from Contracts with Customers
We disaggregate net revenues based on product type. For further discussion, see Note 17. Segment Reporting.
Prior to 2024, substantially all cash discounts, offered in contracts with our customers for prompt payment, were based on a flat rate per unit based on agreed-upon payment terms. Beginning in the first quarter of 2024 for PM USA and USSTC, cash discounts in contracts with our customers were based on a percentage of the list price based on agreed-upon payment terms. We record receivables net of the cash discounts on our consolidated balance sheets.
Receivables and deferred revenue associated with contracts with customers were as follows at December 31:
| | | | | | | | |
| (in millions) | 2024 | 2023 |
| Receivables | $ | 177 | | $ | 71 | |
| Deferred revenue | 215 | | 258 | |
At December 31, 2024 and 2023, we did not expect differences between amounts recorded as receivables and amounts that would be subsequently received; therefore, we did not record an allowance for credit losses against these receivables.
We record deferred revenue when our businesses receive payment in advance of product shipment. These payments are included in other accrued liabilities on our consolidated balance sheets until control of such products is obtained by the customer. When cash is received in advance of product shipment, our companies satisfy their performance obligations within three days of receiving payment. At December 31, 2024 and 2023, there were no differences between amounts recorded as deferred revenue from contracts with customers and amounts subsequently recognized as revenue.
We record an allowance for returned goods, which is included in other accrued liabilities on our consolidated balance sheets. It is USSTC’s policy to accept authorized sales returns from its customers for products that have passed the freshness date printed on product
packaging due to the limited shelf life of USSTC’s MST products. We record estimated sales returns, which are based principally on historical volume and return rates, as a reduction to revenues. Actual sales returns will differ from estimated sales returns to the extent actual results differ from estimated assumptions. We reflect differences between actual and estimated sales returns in the period in which the actual amounts become known. These differences, if any, have not had a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. All returned goods are destroyed upon return and not included in inventory. Consequently, we do not record an asset for USSTC’s right to recover goods from customers upon return.
Sales incentives include variable payments related to goods sold by our businesses. We include estimates of variable consideration as a reduction to revenues upon shipment of goods to customers. The sales incentives that require significant estimates and judgments are as follows:
▪Price promotion payments - We make price promotion payments, substantially all of which are made to our retail partners to incent the promotion of certain product offerings in select geographic areas.
▪Wholesale and retail participation payments - We make payments to our wholesale and retail partners to incent merchandising and sharing of sales data in accordance with our trade agreements.
These estimates primarily include estimated wholesale to retail sales volume and historical acceptance rates. Actual payments will differ from estimated payments to the extent actual results differ from estimated assumptions. Differences between actual and estimated payments are reflected in the period such information becomes available. These differences, if any, have not had a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.