M3 Survey Seeks OMB Nod for Inventory Tracking Marathon
Published Date: 7/20/2026
Notice
Summary
The Census Bureau wants to keep collecting monthly info from U.S. manufacturers about their shipments, inventories, and orders through the M3 survey. They’re asking the public to share thoughts by September 18, 2026, before they get final approval. This helps keep the data flowing without adding extra hassle or cost to businesses.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
Monthly M3 Survey Continues
The Census Bureau will continue the monthly Manufacturers' Shipments, Inventories and Orders (M3) survey collecting shipments, new and unfilled orders, and inventory details. The collection covers about 5,000 manufacturing respondents filing roughly 60,000 reports per year, with an estimated 20 minutes per response and a total annual burden of 20,000 hours; comments are requested by September 18, 2026.
Earlier Release of Total Manufacturing Data
The M3 clearance now includes early release of total manufacturing shipments, inventories, and orders so preliminary Advance Report data can be published roughly 18 working days after each month (with the full report about 23 working days after each month). The advance publications have included added nondurable industry detail in 2024 and expanded detailed nondurable shipments and inventories in July 2025.
Paper Reporting Phased Out
Paper collection for the M3 survey was phased out effective January 2026; the Census Bureau now collects responses primarily by internet or email, with initial contact by email and a small subset receiving mailed letters. Respondents may submit data via the internet or email; reminder emails and phone calls are used.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-18176, Current Mandatory Business Surveys
The Bureau of the Census (Census Bureau) will conduct the following current three mandatory business surveys in 2026: (1) Annual Integrated Economic Survey; (2) Annual Business Survey; and (3) Business and Professional Classification Report. We have determined that data collected from these surveys are needed to aid the efficient performance of essential governmental functions and have significant application to the needs of the public and industry. The data derived from these surveys, most of which have been conducted for many years, are not publicly available from nongovernmental or other governmental sources.
2026-14554, Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Generic Clearance for Internet Panel Pretesting and Qualitative Survey Methods Testing
The Census Bureau wants to keep testing online surveys and internet panels to make sure their questions work well and don’t waste your time. They’re asking for your thoughts by September 18, 2026, before getting final approval. This helps keep surveys smart, quick, and less annoying for everyone involved, with no extra cost or big time changes.
2026-14512, Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Survey of Housing Starts, Sales, and Completions
The Census Bureau wants to keep running its Survey of Housing Starts, Sales, and Completions for three more years and is asking the public to share their thoughts by September 18, 2026. This survey helps track new home building and sales, affecting builders, buyers, and policymakers. No big changes or costs are planned, just a smooth continuation to keep housing data fresh and useful.
2026-13801, Age Search Fee Structure
Starting August 7, 2026, the Census Bureau is raising the Age Search fee from $65 to $155 and the rush fee from $20 to $50. This service helps people get official proof of their age from old census records, especially if they don’t have a birth certificate. These changes cover the real costs of processing requests, which haven’t been updated since 2004.
2026-11886, Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; DOC-Census Workforce Development Collection
The Census Bureau wants your thoughts on a new survey about workforce training programs run by the Department of Commerce. This survey will help improve how they track and support people in these programs, with no cost to participants. You’ve got until August 11, 2026, to share your feedback before the survey gets the green light from the Office of Management and Budget.
2026-11293, Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Housing Vacancy Survey (HVS)
The Census Bureau is asking to keep collecting housing vacancy info every month without changes. About 59,000 landlords, rental agents, and neighbors help by sharing quick updates on empty homes, which helps everyone understand the housing market better. This survey keeps running smoothly with no extra cost or time burden, and you’ve got 30 days to share your thoughts!
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-14512, Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Survey of Housing Starts, Sales, and Completions
The Census Bureau wants to keep running its Survey of Housing Starts, Sales, and Completions for three more years and is asking the public to share their thoughts by September 18, 2026. This survey helps track new home building and sales, affecting builders, buyers, and policymakers. No big changes or costs are planned, just a smooth continuation to keep housing data fresh and useful.
Next: 2026-14514, Notice of OFAC Sanctions Action
The U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) just added new people to its blacklist, called the SDN List, on July 15, 2026. This means any money or property they have in the U.S. is frozen, and Americans can’t do business with them. It’s a big move to stop bad actors from using U.S. resources.