Line item coding in NetSuite for importers

Why it matters for importers

Import GST and duty are paid at the border and must be coded separately from the supplier invoice.
Landed cost per shipment is only right if every related bill reaches the same shipment.

For importers in NetSuite

Create landed cost items such as Freight under Lists > Accounting > Items and name them for the charge type. Tick Track Landed Cost on each imported item. Pick a landed cost category such as Shipping or Duty on every bill line.
On the Landed Cost subtab pick Weight, Quantity or Value. Oracle suggests Weight for freight and Value for insurance. One transaction uses one method at a time.
Turn on the Landed Cost Allocation per Line preference (Setup > Accounting > Preferences > Accounting Preferences, Order Management subtab) to enter duty and freight line by line. The values then feed inventory valuation reports.

What NetSuite does on its own

Account, department, class, location and customer or project on each bill line, plus a tax code on the vendor and transaction.

Percentage splits need Transaction Line Distribution and certain roles.

A default Expense Account and Tax Code can be set on the vendor.

What you need and the setup steps: Line item coding for NetSuite.

Example

Example Overseas Supplier Ltd sends a USD invoice for goods. A forwarder and a customs broker bill the same shipment.

Line	Amount	What the check finds
Goods, USD 12,000 at 1.50	$18,000.00	Converted to AUD, foreign currency, no GST on supplier bill
Customs duty and import GST paid by broker	$2,700.00	Duty to cost, import GST to GST receivable
Cartage to warehouse	$480.00	Taxable domestic, 10% GST, same shipment code

All three go to shipment SHP-0412. Duty is added to stock cost and import GST goes to the GST credit line.

Common mistakes

Putting import GST in the cost of the goods.
Coding forwarder and broker bills to overheads instead of the shipment.

Step-by-step guides for NetSuite

What Pulsify adds

Pulsify reads each line and suggests its account and tax code from how that vendor was coded before. Pulsify connects to NetSuite. We set up the connection for you. More about line item coding in Pulsify or Pulsify for importers.

More help

Sources

Last checked 2026-10-19.

Common questions

How do I code freight and duty on an import in NetSuite?

Create landed cost items such as Freight and tick Track Landed Cost on the imported items. On the Landed Cost subtab of the receipt or bill, split each cost by weight, quantity or value. Per-line allocation is also available as a preference.

How do importers code an overseas supplier invoice?

Convert the amount to AUD at the rate you use for the shipment and code it to the shipment and stock account. There is no Australian GST on the supplier bill. Import GST is paid at the border.

Can I split one NetSuite bill line across departments by percentage?

Yes, with Transaction Line Distribution. Pick a Default Distribution Template or a Line Dist. Template. Oracle says only the Custom CFO and Custom A/P Clerk roles can apply templates on bills. Weight percentages must total 100%.

Pulsify setup guides

What the checks mean

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