Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Revenue (Policies)

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Revenue (Policies)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Revenue [Abstract]  
Revenue recognition policy
(j) Revenue recognition
Revenue is recognized at the time of shipment to customers. The Company's general policy is to allow customers the right to return merchandise. An allowance for returned merchandise is provided at the time revenue is recorded as a percentage of sales based on historical experience. Refer to note 10 for further explanation.
Revenue Recognition

On January 1, 2018, the Company adopted ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, and all related amendments to all contracts using the modified retrospective method. The Company recognized the cumulative effect of initially applying the new revenue standard as an adjustment to retained earnings.

Revenue is recognized when obligations with the Company's customers are satisfied; generally this occurs at the time of shipment to its customers consistent with when control of the shipped product passes. The recognized revenue reflects the consideration the Company expects to receive in exchange for transferring goods, net of allowances for returns.

The Company generally recognizes revenue related to the PLCC over time as the PLCC is used by QVC's customers.

Sales, value add, use and other taxes the Company collects concurrent with revenue-producing activities are excluded from revenue.

The Company has elected to treat shipping and handling activities that occur after the customer obtains control of the goods as a fulfillment cost and not as a promised good or service. Accordingly, the Company accrues the related shipping costs and recognizes revenue upon delivery of the goods to the shipping carrier. In electing this accounting policy, all shipping and handling activities are treated as fulfillment costs.

The Company generally extends payment terms with its customers of one year or less and does not consider the time value of money when recognizing revenue.

Significant Judgments
Our products are generally sold with a right of return and we may provide other credits or incentives, which are accounted for as variable consideration when estimating the amount of revenue to recognize. Returns and credits are estimated at contract inception and updated at the end of each reporting period as additional information becomes available. The Company has determined that it is generally the principal in vendor arrangements as the Company can establish control over the goods prior to shipment. Accordingly, the Company records revenue for these arrangements on a gross basis.

The total reduction in net revenue due to returns for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 aggregated to $1,976 million, $2,138 million and $2,213 million, respectively.
A summary of activity in the allowance for sales returns, recorded on a gross basis for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 was as follows:
(in millions) Balance
beginning
of year
Additions-
charged
to earnings
Deductions Balance
end of
year
2020 $ 238  1,976  (1,947) 267 
2019 242  2,138  (2,142) 238 
2018 243  2,213  (2,214) 242