Freight expense
Encyclopedia
In accounting, the concept of a freight expense account can be generalized as a payment for sending out a product to a customer. It falls under the umbrella category of expenses and is treated like other expense accounts in relation to the accounting equation
, however, under generally accepted accounting rules, if the freight is considered part of the cost of an asset
it is recorded as part of the value of the asset on the balance sheet
as laid down cost. Freight expense has a normal debit
balance. Increases are recorded as debits while decreases are recorded as credits. In relation to other accounts, the Freight Expense account is similar to the "Cost of Sales-Freight" account, but are two totally different entities. While the Freight Expense account is increased for payments towards outgoing goods, the Cost of Sales-Freight account is increased for payments towards incoming goods.
For example, suppose you have a business that imports and exports a type of product. When you deliver goods to customers and you pay for the delivery costs, you increase the Freight Expense account with a debit and the Cost of Sales-Freight is unaffected. However, when you purchase goods from a supplier and you pay for the delivery costs, you increase the Cost of Sales-Freight account and the Freight Expense account is unaffected.
Accounting equation
The basic accounting equation' is the foundation for the double-entry bookkeeping system. For each transaction, the total debits equal the total credits.In a corporation, capital represents the stockholders' equity.-In practice:...
, however, under generally accepted accounting rules, if the freight is considered part of the cost of an asset
Asset
In financial accounting, assets are economic resources. Anything tangible or intangible that is capable of being owned or controlled to produce value and that is held to have positive economic value is considered an asset...
it is recorded as part of the value of the asset on the balance sheet
Balance sheet
In financial accounting, a balance sheet or statement of financial position is a summary of the financial balances of a sole proprietorship, a business partnership or a company. Assets, liabilities and ownership equity are listed as of a specific date, such as the end of its financial year. A...
as laid down cost. Freight expense has a normal debit
Debit
Debit and credit are the two aspects of every financial transaction. Their use and implication is the fundamental concept in the double-entry bookkeeping system, in which every debit transaction must have a corresponding credit transaction and vice versa.Debits and credits are a system of notation...
balance. Increases are recorded as debits while decreases are recorded as credits. In relation to other accounts, the Freight Expense account is similar to the "Cost of Sales-Freight" account, but are two totally different entities. While the Freight Expense account is increased for payments towards outgoing goods, the Cost of Sales-Freight account is increased for payments towards incoming goods.
For example, suppose you have a business that imports and exports a type of product. When you deliver goods to customers and you pay for the delivery costs, you increase the Freight Expense account with a debit and the Cost of Sales-Freight is unaffected. However, when you purchase goods from a supplier and you pay for the delivery costs, you increase the Cost of Sales-Freight account and the Freight Expense account is unaffected.