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Microlesson · 5-min read

AS 10 – Initial Measurement of PPE Acquired by Exchange

## PPE Acquired by Exchange of Assets

When an entity acquires a new asset by giving up an existing asset (exchange/swap), the cost of the incoming asset is determined based on whether the transaction has commercial substance.

---

## Step 1: Does the Transaction Have Commercial Substance?

A transaction has commercial substance if the cash flows of the entity are expected to change as a result of the exchange (i.e., the economic reality changes).

---

## Step 2: Apply the Preference Order

### If Transaction Has Commercial Substance → Record at FAIR VALUE

Use the following preference order:

PreferenceBasisUse When
1stFair Value of Asset Given Up (outgoing)Available
2ndFair Value of Asset Acquired (incoming)FV of given-up not available
3rdCarrying Amount of Asset Given UpNeither FV is available

> The outgoing asset is always de-recognised at its carrying amount (book value).

> Any difference between the recorded value of the incoming asset and the carrying amount of the outgoing asset is recognised as Profit or Loss on Exchange in P&L.

### If Transaction Has NO Commercial Substance

Record the incoming asset at the carrying amount of the asset given up. No profit or loss is recognised.

---

## Journal Entry Structure

```

Incoming Asset A/c Dr [Value as per preference above]

To Outgoing Asset A/c [Carrying Amount of outgoing asset]

To Profit on Exchange (P&L) [Balancing figure — if gain]

```

If a loss arises:

```

Incoming Asset A/c Dr [Value]

Loss on Exchange (P&L) Dr [Balancing figure]

To Outgoing Asset A/c [Carrying Amount]

```

Worked example

### Example 1

Example 1 (1st Preference — FV of asset given up):

Raj Ltd acquires iPhone 16 (FV ₹1,00,000) by giving up a Calculator (FV ₹90,000; Carrying Amount ₹60,000). Transaction has commercial substance.

→ Use 1st preference: FV of asset given up = ₹90,000

```

iPhone 16 A/c Dr 90,000

To Calculator A/c 60,000 [Carrying Amount]

To Profit on Exchange 30,000 [P&L]

```

### Example 2

Example 2 (2nd Preference — FV of asset acquired):

Raj Ltd acquires iPhone 16 (FV ₹1,00,000) by giving up a Calculator (FV: Not Available; Carrying Amount ₹60,000).

→ FV of given-up asset not available → use 2nd preference: FV of asset acquired = ₹1,00,000

```

iPhone 16 A/c Dr 1,00,000

To Calculator A/c 60,000 [Carrying Amount]

To Profit on Exchange 40,000 [P&L]

```

⚠️ Common exam mistakes

  • Recording the outgoing asset at its fair value instead of its carrying amount — the outgoing asset is ALWAYS de-recognised at carrying amount.
  • Skipping the profit/loss recognition — any difference between the incoming asset's recorded value and the outgoing asset's carrying amount must go to P&L.
  • Using the 2nd preference (FV of asset acquired) when the 1st preference (FV of asset given up) is available — always follow the preference order.
  • Recognising profit on exchange even when the transaction lacks commercial substance — no gain/loss is recognised in that case; record at carrying amount of asset given up.
Bare-Act text Paragraph 24 – Measurement at Recognition (Exchange of Assets) · AS 10 – Property, Plant and Equipment (ICAI) · click to expand
The cost of such an item of property, plant and equipment is measured at fair value unless (a) the exchange transaction lacks commercial substance or (b) the fair value of neither the asset received nor the asset given up is reliably measurable. The acquired item is measured in this way even if an entity cannot immediately derecognise the asset given up. If the acquired item is not measured at fair value, its cost is measured at the carrying amount of the asset given up.
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