| Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block] | NOTE 2 SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Presentation and Principles of Consolidation The accompanying consolidated financial statements and related notes have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United Stated of America. All inter-company transactions and balances have been eliminated upon consolidation. Entity Name Registered Location Background Ownership as of the September 30, 2017 ZK International BVI • Incorporated on May 13, 2015 • Registered capital of USD 50,000, not paid • A holding company with no operation activities itself for the years then ended 31.0% by HUANG Jian Cong 13.8% by WANG Ming Jie 13.8% by WANG Guo Lin 6.9% by WANG Jian Di 3.4% by WANG Yang Ming ZK Pipe Hong Kong • Incorporated on May 28, 2015 • Registered capital of HKD 1,000,000, not paid • Have not commenced operations 100% by ZK International Wenzhou Weijia Wenzhou • Incorporated on June 17, 2015 • Registered capital of USD 20,000,000, not paid • Have not commenced operations 100% by ZK Pipe Zhejiang Zhengkang Wenzhou • Incorporated on December 4, 2001 • Registered capital of RMB100,000,000, RMB30,000,000 paid • Principally operated in manufacturing and sales of steel strip, steel pipe and fittings 99% by Wenzhou Weijia 1% by HUANG Jian Cong Wenzhou Zhengfeng Wenzhou • Incorporated on December 24, 1999 • Registered capital of RMB 2,880,000, fully paid • Principally operated in trading of steel strip, mainly purchased from Zhejiang Zhengkang 100% by Zhejiang Zhengkang Use of Estimates The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (US GAAP) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Such estimates include, but are not limited to, allowances of trade receivable, inventory valuation, useful life of property, plant and equipment and income taxes related to realization of deferred tax assets and uncertain tax position. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Foreign Currency Translation The financial records of the Company’s PRC subsidiaries are maintained in their local currencies which are RMB and ZK Pipe in Hong Kong also use RMB as functional currency. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in currencies other than their local currencies are translated into local currencies at the rates of exchange in effect at the balance sheet dates. Transactions denominated in currencies other than their local currencies during the year are converted into local currencies at the applicable rates of exchange prevailing when the transactions occur. Transaction gains and losses are recorded in other income/ (expense), net in the statements of operations and comprehensive income. ZK International maintained its financial record using the United States dollar (“US dollar”) as the functional currency, while the subsidiaries of the Company in Hong Kong and mainland China maintained their financial records using RMB as the functional currencies. The reporting currency of the Company is US dollar. When translating local financial reports of the Company’s subsidiaries into US dollar, assets and liabilities are translated at the exchange rates at the balance sheet date, equity accounts are translated at historical exchange rates and revenue, expenses, gains and losses are translated at the average rate for the period. Translation adjustments are reported as cumulative translation adjustments and are shown as a separate component of other comprehensive income in the statements of operations and comprehensive income. The relevant exchange rates are listed below: For the Fiscal Years Ended September 30 2017 2016 2015 Period Ended RMB: USD exchange rate 6.6545 6.6711 6.3668 Period Average RMB: USD exchange rate 6.8126 6.5333 6.1746 Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash and cash equivalents primarily consist of cash and deposits with financial institutions which are unrestricted as to withdrawal and use. Cash equivalents consist of highly liquid investments that are readily convertible to cash generally with maturities of three months or less when purchased. Restricted Cash Cash that is restricted as to withdrawal or usage is reported as restricted cash in the consolidated balance sheets and is not included in the beginning or ending balance of cash and cash equivalents in the consolidated statements of cash flows. Restricted cash of $529,837 and $3,236,482 as of September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively, consisted of cash and cash equivalents used as collateral to secure note payable and used as guarantee deposit to secure bank acceptance. A note payable is a draft issued by a bank for payments in future, which defers the payment until the due date for redeeming the note. According to the notes payable agreement with the bank, certain percentage of the amount is required to be deposited at the bank as security for the notes payable. Guarantee deposit is the deposit in bank to secure the bank acceptance issued by the bank. As of September 30, 2017 and 2016, no cash is restricted to assure future credit availability. Accounts Receivable, net Trade accounts receivable arise from the product sales in the normal course of business. Based on management’s assessment of the customer’s credit history and current relationships with them, management makes conclusions whether any balances outstanding at the end of the period will be deemed uncollectible on an individual basis and aging analysis basis. The Company reserves 4% of accounts receivable balances that have been outstanding less than 1 year, reserves 10% of accounts receivable balances that have been outstanding between 1 year and 2 years, reserves 27% of accounts receivable balances that have been outstanding between 2 years and 3 years, and reserves 67% to 100% of receivable balances that have been outstanding more than 3 years. The allowance for doubtful accounts recognized as of September 30, 2017 and 2016 was $1,817,050 and $1,648,178, respectively. Inventories Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market value. Cost of inventories is calculated using the weighted-average method. In addition to cost of raw materials, work in progress and finished goods include direct labor costs and overhead. The Company periodically assesses the recoverability of all inventories to determine whether adjustments are required to record inventories at the lower of cost or market value. Inventories that the Company determines to be obsolete or in excess of forecasted usage are reduced to its estimated realizable value based on assumptions about future demand and market conditions. If actual demand is lower than the forecasted demand, additional inventory write-downs may be required. There were no write-downs recognized of inventories as of September 30, 2017 and 2016. Advance to Suppliers and Advance from Customers Advance to suppliers refer to advances for purchase of materials or other service agreements, which are applied against trade accounts payable when the materials or services are received. Advance from customers refer to advances received from customers regarding product sales, which are applied against trade accounts receivable when products are sold. The Company reviews a supplier's credit history and background information before advancing a payment. If the financial condition of its suppliers were to deteriorate, resulting in an impairment of their ability to deliver goods or provide services, the Company would recognize expense in the period they are considered unlikely to be collected. There was no such expense recognized during the years ended September 30, 2017 and 2016. Changes of advances to suppliers for the years ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 are as follow: Beginning balance $ 3,251,295 $ 2,549,418 Less: products or services received (31,770,719 ) (20,841,688 ) Add: payment to suppliers 38,149,942 21,543,565 Ending balance $ 9,630,518 $ 3,251,295 Changes of advances from customers for the years ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 are as follow: Beginning balance $ 1,618,216 $ 333,476 Less: products or services delivered (9,261,841 ) (4,253,173 ) Add: payment from customers 9,627,338 5,537,913 Ending balance $ 1,983,713 $ 1,618,216 Fair Value of Financial Instruments For the Company’s financial instruments, including cash and equivalents, restricted cash, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and accrued expenses, the carrying amounts approximate their fair values due to their short maturities. ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, requires disclosure of the fair value of financial instruments held by the Company. ASC Topic 825, Financial Instruments, defines fair value, and establishes a three-level valuation hierarchy for disclosures of fair value measurement that enhances disclosure requirements for fair value measures. The carrying amounts reported in the consolidated balance sheets for receivables and current liabilities each qualify as financial instruments and are a reasonable estimate of their fair values because of the short period of time between the origination of such instruments and their expected realization and their current market rate of interest. The three levels of valuation hierarchy are defined as follows: • Level 1 inputs to the valuation methodology are quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets. • Level 2 inputs to the valuation methodology include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets in inactive markets, and inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the financial instrument. • Level 3 inputs to the valuation methodology use one or more unobservable inputs which are significant to the fair value measurement. The Company analyzes all financial instruments with features of both liabilities and equity under ASC Topic 480, Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity, and ASC Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging. As of September 30, 2017 and 2016, the Company did not identify any assets and liabilities required to be presented on the balance sheet at fair value other than cash and cash equivalents. Property and Equipment, net Property, plant, and equipment are recorded at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation commences upon placing the asset in usage and is recognized on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets, as follows: Useful lives Buildings 40 years Machinery 8-20 years Furniture, fixtures, and equipment 3-10 years Motor vehicles 5-10 years Upon retirement or disposition, the asset cost and related accumulated depreciation are removed with any gain or loss recognized in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income. Repair and maintenance costs that do not extend the economic life of the underlying assets are expensed as incurred. Costs incurred in constructing new facilities, including progress payments and other costs related to construction, are capitalized, and transferred to property, plant and equipment on completion, at which time depreciation commences. Intangible Assets Intangible assets consist primarily of land use rights and software. Under the PRC law, all land in the PRC is owned by the government and cannot be sold to an individual or company. The government grants individuals and companies the right to use parcels of land for specified periods of time. These land use rights are sometimes referred to informally as “ownership.” Land use rights are stated at cost less accumulated amortization. Intangible assets are amortized using the straight-line method with the following estimated useful lives: Useful lives Land use rights 46 years Software 5 years Impairment of Long-lived Assets The Company management review the carrying values of long-lived assets whenever events and circumstances, such as a significant decline in the asset’s market value, obsolescence or physical damage affecting the asset, significant adverse changes in the assets use, deterioration in the expected level of the assets performance, cash flows for maintaining the asset are higher than forecast, indicate that the net book value of an asset may not be recovered through expected future cash flows from its use and eventual disposition. If the estimated cash flows from the use of the asset and its eventual disposition are below the asset’s carrying value, then the asset is deemed to be impaired and written down to its fair value. There was no impairment charge recognized for long-lived assets as of September 30, 2017, 2016 and 2015. Value-added Tax Value-added taxes (“VAT”) collected from customers relating to product sales and remitted to governmental authorities are presented on a net basis. VAT collected from customers is excluded from revenue. The Company is subject to a VAT rate of 17%. Revenue Recognition The Company recognizes revenue in accordance with ASC 605, Revenue Recognition, regarding revenue recognition which specifies that revenue is realized or realizable and earned. Sales revenue is recognized when: 1) Persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists; 2) Delivery has occurred or services have been rendered (the risks, rewards and ownership of the products are transferred to customers); and 3) The seller’s price to the buyer is fixed or determinable; and 4) Collectability is reasonably assured. Government Grant Government grants are recognized when received and all the conditions for their receipt have been met. Government grants as the compensation for expenses or losses already incurred or for the purpose of giving immediate financial support to the Company with no future related cost are recognized in profit or loss in the period in which they become receivable. During the period ended as of September 30, 2017, 2016 and 2015, $87,250, $138,219 and $159,197, respectively, government grants were recognized as other income for financial support to the Company. Research and Development Costs Research and development costs are expensed as incurred. Research and development reimbursements and grants received from government are recorded by the Company as a reduction of research and development costs. Income Taxes The Company accounts for income taxes using the asset and liability method whereby it calculates deferred tax assets or liabilities for temporary differences between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and their reported amounts in the financial statements, net operating loss carry forwards and credits by applying enacted tax rates applicable to future years. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance when, in the opinion of management, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Current income taxes are provided for in accordance with the laws of the relevant taxing authorities. The components of the deferred tax assets and liabilities are individually classified as current and non-current based on the characteristics of the underlying assets and liabilities, or the expected timing of their use when they do not relate to a specific asset or liability. We record uncertain tax positions in accordance with ASC 740 on the basis of a two-step process whereby (1) we determine whether it is more likely than not that the tax positions will be sustained on the basis of the technical merits of the position and (2) for those tax positions that meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold, we recognize the largest amount of tax benefit that is more than 50 percent likely to be realized upon ultimate settlement with the related tax authority. There were no tax benefits recorded as of September 30, 2017 and 2016. Advertising costs Advertising costs are expensed as incurred in accordance with ASC 720-35 Other Expense-Advertising costs. Advertising costs were $69,535 and $21,715 for years ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Earnings Per Share Earnings (loss) per share is calculated in accordance with ASC 260 Earnings per Share. Basic earnings (loss) per share is computed by dividing the net income (loss) attributable to shareholders of the Company by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the year. Diluted earnings per share is computed in accordance with the treasury stock method and based on the weighted average number of common shares and dilutive common share equivalents. Dilutive common share equivalents are excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share if their effects would be anti-dilutive. Concentration of Risks Exchange Rate Risks The Company operates in China, which may give rise to significant foreign currency risks from fluctuations and the degree of volatility of foreign exchange rates between the US$ and the RMB. As at September 30, 2017, cash and cash equivalents of $7,107,387 (RMB 47,296,107) is denominated in RMB and $4,171,033 denominated in US$ are held in PRC (September 30, 2016 - $123,649 (RMB 824,870) denominated in RMB). Currency Convertibility Risks Substantially all of the Company’s operating activities are transacted in RMB, which is not freely convertible into foreign currencies. All foreign exchange transactions take place either through the People’s Bank of China or other banks authorized to buy and sell foreign currencies at the exchange rates quoted by the People’s Bank of China. Approval of foreign currency payments by the People’s Bank of China or other regulatory institutions requires submitting a payment application form together with other information such as suppliers’ invoices, shipping documents and signed contracts. Concentration of Credit Risks Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentration of credit risks consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash and accounts receivable, the balances of which are stated on the consolidated balance sheets which represent the Company’s maximum exposure. The Company places its cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash in good credit quality financial institutions in Hong Kong and China. Concentration of credit risks with respect to accounts receivables is linked to the concentration of revenue. To manage credit risk, the Company performs ongoing credit evaluations of customers’ financial condition. Interest Rate Risks The Company is subject to interest rate risk. The Company has bank interest bearing loans charged at variable interest rates. And although some bank interest bearing loans are charged at fixed interest rates within the reporting period, the Company is still subject to the risk of adverse changes in the interest rates charged by the banks when these loans are refinanced. Subsequent Events The Company’s management reviewed all material events through the date of the consolidated financial statements were issued for subsequent event disclosure consideration. Recent Accounting Pronouncements In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers", which contains new accounting literature relating to how and when a company recognizes revenue. Under ASU 2014-09, a company recognizes revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods and services. In July 2015, the FASB decided to delay the effective date of the new standard by one year; as a result, the new standard will be effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption will be permitted, but no earlier than 2017 for calendar year-end entities. The standard allows for two transition methods - retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented or retrospectively with the cumulative effect of initially applying the standard recognized at the date of initial adoption. The Company evaluates the impact of this new standard and believes there is no impact on its consolidated financial statements. In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-11, “Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory”, which requires entities to measure most inventories at the lower of cost and net realizable value, thereby simplifying the current guidance under which an entity must measure inventory at the lower of cost or market. The update is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods therein. Early application is permitted. Management is currently evaluating the impact that this guidance will have on the Company's consolidated financial statements, if any. In November 2015, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2015-17, "Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes," which is intended to simplify the balance sheet presentation of deferred income taxes. Current accounting principles require an entity to separate deferred income tax liabilities and assets into current and noncurrent amounts in its balance sheet. The amendments require that deferred tax liabilities and assets be classified as noncurrent in its balance sheet. The amendments are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2016. Companies may apply the new provisions either retrospectively or on a prospective basis, and early adoption is permitted. We have not yet determined our method of transition. In January 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2016-01, "Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities." The amendments require equity investments (except those accounted for under the equity method of accounting or those that result in consolidation of the investee) to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income, and separate presentation of financial assets and financial liabilities by measurement category and form of financial asset. Additionally, the amendments eliminate the requirement to disclose the methods and significant assumptions used to estimate the fair value of financial instruments. The amendments are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2017. Other than an amendment relating to presenting in comprehensive income the portion of the total change in the fair value of a liability resulting from a change in instrument-specific credit risk (if the entity has elected to measure the liability at fair value), early adoption is not permitted. The Company does not anticipate the amendment will have any impact on our financial statements. In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-01, “Financial Instruments Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities”. The new guidance is intended to improve the recognition and measurement of financial instruments. The new guidance makes targeted improvements to existing U.S. GAAP by: (1) Requiring equity investments (except those accounted for under the equity method of accounting, or those that result in consolidation of the investee) to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income. Requiring public business entities to use the exit price notion when measuring the fair value of financial instruments for disclosure purposes; (2) Requiring separate presentation of financial assets and financial liabilities by measurement category and form of financial asset (i.e., securities or loans and receivables) on the balance sheet or the accompanying notes to the financial statements; (3) Eliminating the requirement for public business entities to disclose the method(s) and significant assumptions used to estimate the fair value that is required to be disclosed for financial instruments measured at amortized cost on the balance sheet; and. (4) Requiring a reporting organization to present separately in other comprehensive income the portion of the total change in the fair value of a liability resulting from a change in the instrument-specific credit risk (also referred to as “own credit”) when the organization has elected to measure the liability at fair value in accordance with the fair value option for financial instruments. The new guidance is effective for public companies for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company evaluates the impact of this new standard and believes there is no material impact on its consolidated financial statements. In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02,"Leases" to provide a new comprehensive model for lease accounting. Under this guidance, lessees and lessors should apply a "right-of-use" model in accounting for all leases (including subleases) and eliminate the concept of operating leases and off-balance sheet leases. This guidance is effective for annual periods and interim periods within those annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018. Early adoption is permitted. There is no impact on the Company but there could be if the Company enters into leases in the future. In April 2016, FASB issued ASU No. 2016-10, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing. The amendments clarify the following two aspects of Topic 606: (a) identifying performance obligations; and (b) the licensing implementation guidance. The amendments do not change the core principle of the guidance in Topic 606. The effective date and transition requirements for the amendments are the same as the effective date and transition requirements in Topic 606. Public entities should apply the amendments for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim reporting periods therein (i.e., January 1, 2018, for a calendar year entity). Early application for public entities is permitted only as of annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim reporting periods within that reporting period. The Company evaluates the impact of this new standard and believes there is no impact on its consolidated financial statements. In May 2016, FASB issued ASU No. 2016-12, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Narrow-Scope Improvements and Practical Expedient. The standard (1) allows an entity to recognize revenue in the amount of consideration received when the entity has transferred control of the goods or services, the entity has stopped transferring goods or services (if applicable) and has no obligation under the contract to transfer additional goods or services, and the consideration received from the customer is nonrefundable; (2) Permits an entity, as an accounting policy election, to exclude amounts collected from customers for all sales (and other similar) taxes from the transaction price. (3) Specifies that the measurement date for noncash consideration is contract inception and clarifies that the variable consideration guidance applies only to variability resulting from reasons other than the form of the consideration (4) clarifies that a completed contract for the purposes of transition is a contract for which all (or substantially all) of the revenue was recognized under legacy U.S. generally accepted accounting principles before the date of initial application. (5)Permits an entity to apply the modified retrospective transition method either to all contracts or only to contracts that are not completed contracts; (6)Clarifies that an entity that retrospectively applies the guidance in the standard to each prior reporting period is not required to disclose the effect of the accounting change for the periods of adoption. But an entity still is required to disclose the effect of the changes on any prior periods retrospectively adjusted. Public business entities, certain not-for-profit entities and certain employee benefit plans should apply the guidance in ASU 2014-09 to annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. All other entities should apply the guidance in ASU 2014-09 to annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018. Earlier application is permitted only as of annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim reporting periods within that reporting period. The Company evaluates the impact of this new standard and believes there is no impact on its consolidated financial statements. In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016 15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments, to provide guidance on the presentation and classification of certain cash receipts and cash payments on the statement of cash flows. The guidance specifically addresses cash flow issues with the objective of reducing the diversity in practice. The guidance will be effective for the Company in fiscal year 2018, but early adoption is permitted. The Company evaluates the impact of this new standard and believes there is no impact on its consolidated financial statements. In October 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-17, Consolidation (Topic 810): Interest Held through Related Parties That Are under Common Control, to provide guidance on the evaluation of whether a reporting entity is the primary beneficiary of a VIE by amending how a reporting entity, that is a single decision maker of a VIE, treats indirect interests in that entity held through related parties that are under common control. The amendments are effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within those fiscal years. For all other entities, the amendments are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in an interim period. The Company evaluates the impact of this new standard and believes there is no impact on its consolidated financial statements. In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-18, "Statement of Cash Flows: Restricted Cash". The amendments address diversity in practice that exists in the classification and presentation of changes in restricted cash on the statement of cash flows. The amendment is effective for public companies for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company evaluates the impact of this new standard and believes there is no material impact on its consolidated financial statements. In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-01, "Business Combinations (Topic 805): Clarifying the Definition of a Business". The amendments in this ASU clarify the definition of a business with the objective of adding guidance to assist entities with evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions (or disposals) of assets or businesses. These amendments take effect for public businesses for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017 and interim periods within those periods, and all other entities should apply these amendments for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019. The Company does not expect this update will have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows. In February 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-05 (“ASU 2017-05”) to provide guidance for recognizing gains and losses from the transfer of nonfinancial assets and in-substance nonfinancial assets in contracts with non-customers, unless other specific guidance applies. The standard requires a company to derecognize nonfinancial assets once it transfers control of a distinct nonfinancial asset or distinct in substance nonfinancial asset. Additionally, when a company transfers its controlling interest in a nonfinancial asset, but retains a noncontrolling ownership interest, the company is required to measure any noncontrolling interest it receives or retains at fair value. The guidance requires companies to recognize a full gain or loss on the transaction. ASU 2017-05 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within that reporting period. The effective date of this guidance coincides with revenue recognition guidance. The Company does not expect this updat |
