Launch offer — 25% off with code LAUNCH-25 See plans →
Microlesson · 5-min read

AS 9 – Bill and Hold Arrangements

## Bill and Hold Arrangements

### What is Bill and Hold?

A situation where the buyer requests the seller to hold delivery (e.g., due to lack of storage space, transportation delays) but billing is done and the buyer takes title to the goods.

> Normally, revenue is recognised on delivery. In bill and hold, revenue can be recognised on the date of billing even though physical delivery has not occurred — but only if specific conditions are met.

### Conditions to Recognise Revenue in Bill and Hold:

1. Buyer's request — delivery is delayed at the buyer's specific request

2. Goods are identified — goods cannot be sold to another customer

3. Ready for delivery — goods are complete and ready to be delivered

4. Usual payment terms apply

> If any condition is not met, revenue must wait until actual delivery.

### Illustration:

```

Customer (e.g., a hospital) orders a CT scanner from a manufacturer.

Hospital under renovation — requests seller to hold for 2 months.

Goods are earmarked for this buyer, ready to ship.

→ Revenue can be recognised on date of billing.

```

Worked example

### Example 1

Croma orders 500 HP laptops. Croma's warehouse is under renovation and requests HP to hold delivery for 30 days. Goods are packed, labelled for Croma, and cannot be sold to anyone else.

  • All Bill & Hold conditions are met.
  • HP recognises revenue on the date of billing, even though physical delivery happens 30 days later.

### Example 2

A supplier bills a customer for raw materials but holds them in a common warehouse, available for sale to anyone. Goods are NOT specifically identified for the buyer.

  • Bill & Hold conditions are NOT met.
  • Revenue is recognised only on actual delivery.

⚠️ Common exam mistakes

  • Recognising revenue on billing date in every bill-and-hold situation without checking whether all four conditions are met.
  • Forgetting the condition that goods must be specifically identified and unavailable for sale to other customers.
  • Applying bill and hold when it is the seller's (not buyer's) request to delay delivery — the delay must be at the buyer's request.
Reference:
Now that you've read this — what's next?
Move from understanding → mastery in 3 clicks. Each option below picks up from this lesson's topic.
Start 15-min diagnostic