22. Trade accounts receivable

Trade accounts receivable less write-downs amounted to €5,953 million on the reporting date (2007: €5,830 million), including €5,936 million (2007: €5,775 million) maturing within one year and €17 million (2007: €55 million) maturing after one year. Write-downs in 2008 amounted to €256 million (2007: €295 million).

The following unimpaired trade accounts receivable were overdue on the reporting date:

		Of which neither impaired nor overdue at the balance sheet date	Of which not impaired but overdue at the balance sheet date
	Carrying amount		up to 3 months*	3–6 months	6–12 months	more than 12 months
	€ million	€ million	€ million	€ million	€ million	€ million
December 31, 2008	5,953	4,699	739	156	142	100
December 31, 2007	5,830	4,493	638	119	84	103
* The figures in the column “up to three months” also include receivables due immediately.

Trade accounts receivable not yet due as of the reporting date are deemed to be collectible on the basis of established credit management processes such as regular analyses of the creditworthiness of our customers and selective use of credit insurance.

back to overview