Manufacturers' Shipments, Inventories, and Orders Survey

M3-L1

A Message from the Director, U.S. Census Bureau:
We are requesting your cooperation with the Manufacturers’ Shipments, Inventories, and
Orders survey. The purpose of this survey is to provide broad-based monthly statistical data on
current economic conditions and indications of future production commitments in the
manufacturing sector. It provides some of the Nation’s most widely used, timely information on
the manufacturing sector of the economy.
Use the enclosed form as a worksheet prior to reporting online, or return the completed form in
the enclosed envelope. Online reporting is encouraged due to cost savings and reduced
processing times. Website and log in information can be found on the front page of the form.
YOUR RESPONSE WILL BE KEPT STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL. We estimate this
survey will take an average of 20 minutes to complete. Additional information about the
authority, confidentiality, and burden of this data collection can be found on the back of this
letter.
For assistance with completing this survey, please call us on 301-763-4832, Monday through
Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern time.
Thank you in advance for your time and cooperation, and for helping the U.S. Census Bureau
measure America’s people, places, and economy. Your response makes a difference.
Enclosures

M3-L1
(Draft)

OMB Number
This collection has been approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). The eightdigit OMB approval number is 0607-0008 and appears at the upper right of the survey
form/login screen. Without this approval, we could not conduct this survey.

Authority and Confidentiality
Title 13, United States Code, Sections 131, 182, and 193, authorize the Census Bureau to
conduct this collection and to request your voluntary assistance. 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. Per the Federal
Cybersecurity Enhancement Act of 2015, your data are protected from cybersecurity risks
through screening of the systems that transmit your data.

Burden Estimate Statement
We estimate this survey will take an average of 20 minutes to complete, including the time for
reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data
needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information.