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REVENUE (Notes)
 9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2021
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]  
Revenue from Contract with Customer
3. REVENUE
WESCO distributes products and provides services to customers globally in various end markets within its business segments. The segments, which consist of EES, CSS and UBS, operate in the United States, Canada and various other international countries.
The following tables disaggregate WESCO’s net sales by segment and geography for the periods presented:
Three Months EndedNine Months Ended
 September 30September 30
(In thousands)2021202020212020
EES$1,982,485 $1,653,726 $5,626,309 $3,811,498 
CSS1,488,689 1,388,791 4,200,424 1,953,967 
UBS1,257,151 1,099,284 3,538,859 2,431,689 
Total by segment$4,728,325 $4,141,801 $13,365,592 $8,197,154 
Three Months EndedNine Months Ended
 September 30September 30
(In thousands)2021202020212020
United States$3,407,437 $3,033,101 $9,656,183 $6,100,877 
Canada 709,507 582,700 2,020,395 1,311,724 
Other International(1)
611,381 526,000 1,689,014 784,553 
Total by geography$4,728,325 $4,141,801 $13,365,592 $8,197,154 
(1)    No individual country's net sales are greater than 10% of total net sales.
In accordance with certain contractual arrangements, WESCO receives payment from certain of its customers in advance and recognizes such payment as deferred revenue. Revenue for advance payment is recognized when the performance obligation has been satisfied and control has transferred to the customer, which is generally upon shipment. Deferred revenue is usually recognized within a year or less from the date of the customer’s advance payment. At September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, $44.5 million and $24.3 million, respectively, of deferred revenue was recorded as a component of other current liabilities in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.
WESCO’s revenues are adjusted for variable consideration, which includes customer volume rebates, returns, and discounts. WESCO measures variable consideration by estimating expected outcomes using analysis and inputs based upon historical data as well as current and forecasted information. Variable consideration is reviewed by management on a monthly basis and revenue is adjusted accordingly. Variable consideration reduced revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020 by approximately $95.5 million and $75.4 million, respectively, and by approximately $274.7 million and $129.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively. As of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the Company's estimated product return obligation was $37.8 million and $38.9 million, respectively.Shipping and handling activities are recognized in net sales when they are billed to the customer. WESCO has elected to recognize shipping and handling costs as a fulfillment cost. Shipping and handling costs recorded as a component of selling, general and administrative expenses totaled $63.5 million and $55.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively, and $179.5 million and $94.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively