SUMMARY OF PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

12 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2012

Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block]

2.	SUMMARY OF PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of presentation and consolidation

The consolidated financial statements for China-Biotics, Inc. and its subsidiaries for the years ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and include the accounts of SGI, Shining, Growing, GSL, KTG, BDH and Growing Yangling. Intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Because of the use of estimates inherent in the financial reporting process, actual results could differ from those estimates. Those estimates and assumptions include estimates for allowance for doubtful accounts, inventory valuation, impairment consideration, and assumptions used in the valuation of derivative liabilities.

Revenue Recognition

Revenues of the Company are from the sale of our probiotics products. We recognize revenue from the sale of goods when all of the following criteria are met: (1) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists; (2) delivery has occurred; (3) the sales price is fixed or determinable; and (4) collectability is reasonably assured. Revenues are presented net of value added tax (VAT”). In our revenue arrangements, physical delivery is the point in time when customer acceptance occurs since title and risk of loss are transferred to the customer.

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less.

Accounts receivable

Accounts receivable are recognized and carried at the original invoiced amount less an allowance for any uncollectible accounts. The Company uses the aging method to estimate the valuation allowance for anticipated uncollectible receivable balances. Under the aging method, bad debts determined by management are based on historical experience as well as the current economic climate and are applied to customers’ balances categorized by the number of months the underlying invoices have remained outstanding. The valuation allowance balance is adjusted to the amount computed as a result of the aging method. When facts subsequently become available to indicate that an adjustment to the bad debt allowance should be made, this is recorded as a change in estimate in the current year. As of March 31, 2012, allowance for doubtful accounts was $1,665,188. As of March 31, 2011, no allowance for doubtful accounts was provided.

Inventories

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. Cost, which is calculated using the weighted average method, comprises all costs of purchases, costs of conversion, and other costs incurred in bringing the inventories to their present location and condition. Market value is determined by reference to the sales proceeds of items sold in the ordinary course of business after the balance sheet date.

Property, plant and equipment

Property, plant and equipment, and land use rights are recorded at cost and are stated net of accumulated depreciation. Gains or losses on disposals are reflected as gain or loss in the year of disposal. The cost of improvements that extend the life of plant and equipment are capitalized. These capitalized costs may include structural improvements, equipment, and fixtures. All ordinary repair and maintenance costs are expensed as incurred.

Plant and equipment are depreciated at rates sufficient to write off their cost over their estimated useful lives on a straight-line basis. Leasehold improvements are depreciated over the lease term of the related leased properties. Depreciation relating to property, plant, and equipment used in production is used in our determination of gross profit. The estimated useful lives of the assets are as follows:

Land use right		Terms defined in related legal documents
Building		20 years
Plant and machinery		10 years
Office equipment		5 years
Motor vehicles		5 years
Leasehold improvements		The shorter of 5 years or lease term of related leased properties

Construction in progress includes project costs paid to third parties that are clearly associated with the acquisition, development, and construction of an asset and are capitalized as a cost of that project prior to the use of the assets. Such costs include the costs of construction, equipment, interest and direct labor costs. These capitalized project costs are not subject to depreciation until the assets to which they are related are placed into service.

Land use rights

According to the law of China, the government owns all the land in China. Companies or individuals are authorized to possess and use the land only through land use rights granted by the Chinese government. Land use rights are amortized using the straight-line method over the related lease terms.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

The Company's policy is to record an impairment loss against the balance of a long-lived asset in the period when it is determined that the carrying amount of the asset may not be recoverable. This determination is based on an evaluation of such factors as the occurrence of a significant event, a significant change in the environment in which the business assets operate or if the expected future non-discounted cash flows of the business is determined to be less than the carrying value of the assets. If impairment is deemed to exist, the assets will be written down to fair value. Management also evaluates events and circumstances to determine whether revised estimates of useful lives are warranted. Based upon management’s assessment, there were no indicators of impairment of the Company’s long lived assets as of March 31, 2012 or 2011.

Foreign Currency Translations and Transactions

The accompanying consolidated financial statements are presented in United States dollars. The functional currency of the Company is the Renminbi (“RMB”). Capital accounts of the consolidated financial statements are translated into United States dollars from RMB at their historical exchange rates when the capital transactions occurred. Assets and liabilities are translated at the exchange rate as of the balance sheet date. Income and expenditures are translated at the average exchange rate for the period presented.

The RMB is the functional currency of Shining, Growing, and Yangling Growing (the “Operating Subsidiaries”) as it is the currency of the People’s Republic of China, which is the primary economic environment the Operating Subsidiaries operate in and the environment in which the Company primarily generates and expends cash. RMB is not freely convertible into foreign currency and all foreign exchange transactions must take place through authorized institutions. No representation is made that the RMB amounts could have been, or could be, converted into US dollars at the rates used in translation.

Comprehensive Income

Under authoritative guidance of the FASB on reporting comprehensive income, disclosure of all components of comprehensive income and loss on an annual and interim basis is required. Comprehensive income is defined to include all changes in equity which for the Company principally compose foreign currency translations.

Fair value of financial instruments

Fair value measurements are determined using authoritative guidance issued by the FASB, with the exception of the application of the guidance to non-recurring, non-financial assets and liabilities as permitted. Fair value is defined in the authoritative guidance as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. A fair value hierarchy was established, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value into three broad levels as follows:

Level 1-Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2-Inputs, other than the quoted prices in active markets, are observable either directly or indirectly.

Level 3-Unobservable inputs based on the Company’s assumptions

The Company is required to use observable market data if available without undue cost and effort. The following table presents certain investments and liabilities of the Company’s financial assets measured and recorded at fair value on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets on a recurring basis and their level within the fair value hierarchy as of March 31, 2012 and 2011:

	Fair Value Measurements as at March 31, 2012
	Balance at March 31, 2012		Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Loan receivable	$	20,753,343	$	-	$	20,753,343	$	-

The changes in level 3 liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis are summarized as follows:

	Embedded derivatives – conversion right
Balance at April 1, 2010	$	14,797,000
Gain on extinguishment of derivative liability related to of convertible note payable		(14,797,000	)
Balance at March 31, 2011 and 2012	$	-

Derivative financial instruments

On December 11, 2007, the Company issued a 4% Senior Convertible Promissory Note in an amount of $25,000,000 (the “Note”), which was due on December 11, 2010. Pursuant to ASC Topic 815, “Derivatives and Hedging” (Formerly, SFAS No. 133 “Accounting For Derivatives Instruments And Hedging Activities” and EITF Issue No. 00-19 “Accounting For Derivatives Financial Instruments Indexed To And Potentially Settled In A Company’s Own Stock”), the Company bifurcated the conversion options with a mandatory conversion feature (“embedded derivatives”) from the Note as the embedded derivatives were determined to be not clearly and closely related to the host contract. The embedded derivatives were recorded at fair value, mark-to-market at each reporting period, and were reflected on a separate line in the balance sheet. On December 9, 2010, the Note was repaid and the derivative liability was extinguished resulting in a gain of $14,797,000 during the year ended March 31, 2011.

Stock based compensation

The Company periodically issues stock options and warrants to employees and non-employees in non-capital raising transactions for services and for financing costs. The Company accounts for stock option and warrant grants issued and vesting to employees based on the authoritative guidance provided by the Financial Accounting Standards Board, whereas the value of the award is measured on the date of grant and recognized over the vesting period. The Company accounts for stock option and warrant grants issued and vesting to non-employees in accordance with the authoritative guidance of the Financial Accounting Standards Board, whereas the value of the stock compensation is based upon the measurement date as determined at either a) the date at which a performance commitment is reached, or b) at the date at which the necessary performance to earn the equity instruments is complete. Non-employee stock-based compensation charges generally are amortized over the vesting period on a straight-line basis. In certain circumstances where there are no future performance requirements by the non-employee, option grants are immediately vested and the total stock-based compensation charge is recorded in the period of the measurement date.

The fair value of the Company’s common stock option grant is estimated using the Black-Scholes-Merton option pricing model, which uses certain assumptions related to risk-free interest rates, expected volatility, expected life of the common stock options, and future dividends. Compensation expense is recorded based upon vesting schedule of these options using the value derived from the Black-Scholes-Merton option pricing model, and based on actual experience. The assumptions used in the Black-Scholes-Merton option pricing model could materially affect compensation expense recorded in future periods.

Treasury Stock

The Company treats common stock repurchased, but not yet canceled, as treasury stock. Treasury stock is accounted for by the cost method, with par value charged to common stock, and any excess charged against additional paid-in capital or retained earnings.

Advertising costs

All advertising costs incurred in the promotion of the Company’s products are expensed as incurred. Advertising costs, which are included in selling expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations and other comprehensive income, amounted to $582,028 and $2,973,683 for the years ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

Income Taxes

The Company uses an asset and liability approach for financial accounting and reporting for income taxes that allows recognition and measurement of deferred tax assets based upon the likelihood of realization of tax benefits in future years. Under the asset and liability approach, deferred taxes are provided for the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. A valuation allowance is provided for deferred tax assets if it is more likely than not these items will either expire before the Company is able to realize their benefits, or that future deductibility is uncertain. The Company’s policy is to recognize interest and/or penalties related to income tax matters in income tax expense.

Research and Development Costs

Research and development costs are expensed as incurred. For the years ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, there were $5,084,949 and $6,730,514 of research and development expenses recorded and are included in general and administrative expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of income and other comprehensive income.

Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per share is computed in accordance with ASC Topic 260 “Earnings Per Share” (Formerly, SFAS No.128, “Earnings Per Share”), by dividing the net income by the weighted average number of shares of outstanding common stock during the period. The diluted earnings per share calculation includes the impact of dilutive convertible securities, if applicable. The weighted average number of shares of outstanding common stock is determined by relating the portion of time within a reporting period that a particular number of shares of common stock has been outstanding to the total time in that period (see Note 3).

Segment Reporting

ASC Topic 280 “Segment Reporting” (Formerly, SFAS No. 131, “Disclosure about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information”), requires use of the “management approach” model for segment reporting. The management approach model is based on the way a company’s management organizes segments within the Company for making operating decisions and assessing performance. Reportable segments are based on one of the followings: (a) products and services, (b) geographical areas, (c) legal structure, (d) management structure, or (e) any other manner in which management disaggregates a company. The Company’s management has adopted the “products and services” approach for segment reporting.

The Company operates its business on the basis of two reportable segments — retail products and bulk additive products.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2011-04, “Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRSs”. ASU No. 2011-4 does not require additional fair value measurements and is not intended to establish valuation standards or affect valuation practices outside of financial reporting. The ASU is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011. The Company adopted ASU No. 2011-04 effective January 1, 2012 and it did not affect the Company’s results of operations, financial condition or liquidity.

In June 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-05, “Presentation of Comprehensive Income”. The ASU eliminates the option to present the components of other comprehensive income as part of the statement of changes in shareholders’ equity, and instead requires consecutive presentation of the statement of net income and other comprehensive income either in a continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. ASU No. 2011-5 is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011. The Company adopted ASU 2011-05 effective January 1, 2012 and it did not affect the Company’s results of operations, financial condition or liquidity.

In September 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-08, “Testing Goodwill for Impairment”, an update to existing guidance on the assessment of goodwill impairment. This update simplifies the assessment of goodwill for impairment by allowing companies to consider qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount before performing the two step impairment review process. It also amends the examples of events or circumstances that would be considered in a goodwill impairment evaluation. The amendments are effective for annual and interim goodwill impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011. The Company adopted ASU 2011-08 effective January 1, 2012. We do not believe that the adoption of this new accounting guidance will have a significant effect on our goodwill impairment assessments in the future.

In December 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-11, “Balance Sheet (Topic 210): Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities.” This ASU requires an entity to disclose information about offsetting and related arrangements to enable users of its financial statements to understand the effect of those arrangements on its financial position. ASU No. 2011-11 will be applied retrospectively and is effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2013. The Company does not expect adoption of this standard to have a material impact on its consolidated results of operations, financial condition, or liquidity.

Other recent accounting pronouncements issued by the FASB (including its Emerging Issues Task Force), the AICPA, and the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) did not or are not believed by management to have a material impact on the Company's present or future consolidated financial statements.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for all significant accounting policies of the reporting entity.

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CHINA-BIOTICS, INC 10-K