C.H. Robinson Worldwide (CHRW) 10-Q 8 Nov 13 2013 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Nov. 05, 2013
Document Documentand Entity Information [Abstract]	'	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Document Period End Date	30-Sep-13	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2013	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q3	'
Trading Symbol	'CHRW	'
Entity Registrant Name	'C H ROBINSON WORLDWIDE INC	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0001043277	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'
Entity Filer Category	'Large Accelerated Filer	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	151,635,057

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$129,723	$210,019
Receivables, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $39,230 and $34,560	1,564,997	1,412,136
Deferred tax asset	8,889	11,780
Prepaid expenses and other	49,832	38,355
Total current assets	1,753,441	1,672,290
Property and equipment, net	155,693	149,851
Goodwill	828,214	822,215
Other intangible assets, net	122,340	137,411
Other assets	31,880	22,458
Total assets	2,891,568	2,804,225
Current liabilities:	'	'
Accounts payable	757,558	639,460
Outstanding checks	53,184	68,016
Accrued expenses:	'	'
Compensation and profit-sharing contribution	79,770	103,343
Income taxes	23,899	121,581
Other accrued liabilities	41,820	46,171
Current portion of debt	350,000	253,646
Total current liabilities	1,306,231	1,232,217
Long-term debt	500,000	0
Noncurrent income taxes payable	21,196	20,590
Deferred tax liabilities	74,691	45,113
Other long term liabilities	887	1,933
Total liabilities	1,903,005	1,299,853
Commitments and contingencies	'	'
Stockholders’ investment:	'	'
Preferred stock, $ .10 par value, 20,000 shares authorized; no shares issued or outstanding	0	0
Common stock, $ .10 par value, 480,000 shares authorized; 178,663 and 178,695 shares issued, 152,507 and 161,327 outstanding	15,251	16,133
Additional paid-in capital	145,287	303,479
Retained earnings	2,374,011	2,218,229
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-11,895	-9,345
Treasury stock at cost (26,156 and 17,368 shares)	-1,534,091	-1,024,124
Total stockholders’ investment	988,563	1,504,372
Total liabilities and stockholders’ investment	$2,891,568	$2,804,225

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE1

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]	'	'
Receivables, allowance for doubtful accounts	$39,230	$34,560
Preferred stock, par value	$0.10	$0.10
Preferred stock, shares authorized	20,000	20,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	0	0
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	0	0
Common stock, par value	$0.10	$0.10
Common stock, shares authorized	480,000	480,000
Common stock, shares issued	178,663	178,695
Common stock, shares outstanding	152,507	161,327
Treasury stock, shares	26,156	17,368

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Revenues:	'	'	'	'
Transportation	$2,880,901	$2,445,883	$8,302,160	$7,099,485
Sourcing	432,373	418,377	1,287,036	1,240,704
Payment Services	3,391	16,149	9,998	48,048
Total revenues	3,316,665	2,880,409	9,599,194	8,388,237
Costs and expenses:	'	'	'	'
Purchased transportation and related services	2,450,923	2,063,109	7,019,785	5,980,489
Purchased products sourced for resale	401,820	384,630	1,185,885	1,134,809
Purchased payment services	616	0	1,894	0
Personnel expenses	204,388	179,342	623,042	539,964
Selling, general, and administrative expenses	82,563	66,071	241,051	191,259
Total costs and expenses	3,140,310	2,693,152	9,071,657	7,846,521
Income from operations	176,355	187,257	527,537	541,716
Investment, interest, and other (expense) income	-2,635	76	-3,284	976
Income before provision for income taxes	173,720	187,333	524,253	542,692
Provision for income taxes	65,983	71,003	201,301	205,280
Net income	107,737	116,330	322,952	337,412
Other comprehensive income (loss)	3,084	1,867	-2,550	-763
Comprehensive income	$110,821	$118,197	$320,402	$336,649
Basic net income per share (in dollars per share)	$0.69	$0.72	$2.03	$2.09
Diluted net income per share (in dollars per share)	$0.69	$0.72	$2.03	$2.08
Basic weighted average shares outstanding (in shares)	156,924	160,782	158,820	161,784
Dilutive effect of outstanding stock awards (in shares)	120	221	64	258
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding (in shares)	157,044	161,003	158,884	162,042

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME1

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
OPERATING ACTIVITIES	'	'
Net income	$322,952	$337,412
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:	'	'
Depreciation and amortization	42,052	26,081
Provision for doubtful accounts	10,323	8,143
Stock-based compensation	10,856	21,077
Deferred income taxes	28,696	3,856
Loss on sale/disposal of assets	227	2,397
Other long-term liabilities	5	93
Changes in operating elements, net of effects of acquisitions:	'	'
Receivables	-197,468	-203,361
Prepaid expenses and other	-10,465	-2,042
Accounts payable and outstanding checks	103,226	111,628
Accrued compensation and profit-sharing contribution	-23,023	-28,230
Accrued income taxes	-94,027	689
Other accrued liabilities	-10,425	-10,587
Net cash provided by operating activities	182,929	267,156
INVESTING ACTIVITIES	'	'
Purchases of property and equipment	-27,861	-28,096
Purchases and development of software	-6,375	-10,795
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	19,126	0
Other	221	206
Net cash used for investing activities	-14,889	-38,685
FINANCING ACTIVITIES	'	'
Proceeds from stock issued for employee benefit plans	12,897	13,840
Stock tendered for payment of withholding taxes	-50,158	-10,148
Payment of contingent purchase price	-927	-11,613
Repurchase of common stock	-663,370	-167,104
Cash dividends	-167,130	-163,273
Excess tax benefit on stock-based compensation	26,180	9,831
Proceeds from short-term borrowings	3,054,023	0
Payments on short-term borrowings	-2,957,669	0
Proceeds from long-term borrowings	500,000	0
Net cash used for financing activities	-246,154	-328,467
Effect of exchange rates on cash	-2,182	-718
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	-80,296	-100,714
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	210,019	373,669
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$129,723	$272,955

GENERAL

GENERAL	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
GENERAL	'
	GENERAL
	Basis of Presentation - C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc. and our subsidiaries (“the company,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) are a global provider of transportation services and logistics solutions through a network of 285 branch offices operating in North America, Europe, Asia, South America, and Australia. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc. and our majority owned and controlled subsidiaries. Our minority interests in subsidiaries are not significant. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in the consolidated financial statements.
	The condensed consolidated financial statements, which are unaudited, have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). In our opinion, these financial statements include all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) necessary for a fair presentation of the financial statements for the interim periods presented. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of results for a full year.
	Consistent with SEC rules and regulations, we have condensed or omitted certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. You should read the condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012.

GOODWILL_AND_OTHER_INTANGIBLE_

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS	'
	GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS
	The change in the carrying amount of goodwill is as follows (in thousands):
	Balance, December 31, 2012	$	822,215
	Phoenix acquisition - measurement period adjustment	5,331
	Foreign currency translation	668
	Balance, September 30, 2013	$	828,214
	A summary of our other intangible assets, with finite lives, which include primarily customer relationships and non-competition agreements, is as follows (in thousands):
		September 30, 2013			31-Dec-12
	Gross	$	149,644		$	149,644
	Accumulated amortization	(29,179		)	(14,108		)
	Net	$	120,465		$	135,536
	Other intangible assets, with indefinite lives, are as follows (in thousands):
		September 30, 2013			December 31, 2012
	Trademarks	$	1,875		$	1,875
	Amortization expense for other intangible assets was (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2013			2012			2013		2012
	Amortization expense	$	5,040		$	959		$	15,113	$	2,637
	Intangible assets at September 30, 2013 will be amortized over the next eight years, and that expense is as follows (in thousands):
	Remainder of 2013	$	5,087
	2014	18,719
	2015	16,939
	2016	16,922
	2017	16,827
	Thereafter	45,971
	Total	$	120,465

FAIR_VALUE_MEASUREMENT

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT	'
	FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT
	Accounting guidance on fair value measurements for certain financial assets and liabilities requires that assets and liabilities carried at fair value be classified and disclosed in one of the following three categories:
	•	Level 1 — Quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
	•	Level 2 — Observable market-based inputs or unobservable inputs that are corroborated by market data.
	•	Level 3 — Unobservable inputs reflecting the reporting entity’s own assumptions or external inputs from inactive markets.
	A financial asset or liability’s classification within the hierarchy is determined based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.
	The following table presents information as of December 31, 2012, about our financial assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis, according to the valuation techniques we used to determine their fair values (in thousands).
			Level 1			Level 2		Level 3		Total Fair
										Value
	December 31, 2012
	Contingent purchase price related to acquisitions		—			—		922		922
	Total liabilities at fair value		$	—		$	—	$	922	$	922
	In measuring the fair value of the contingent payment liability, we used an income approach that considers the expected future earnings of the acquired businesses and the resulting contingent payments, discounted at a risk-adjusted rate.
	The table below sets forth a reconciliation of our beginning and ending Level 3 financial liability balance (in thousands). We had no Level 3 liabilities as of September 30, 2013.
		Three Months Ended September 30,
		2013			2012
	Balance, beginning of period	$	—		$	1,474
	Payments of contingent purchase price	—			—
	Total unrealized losses included in earnings	—			76
	Balance, end of period	$	—		$	1,550

FINANCING_ARRANGEMENTS

FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS	'
	FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS
	On October 29, 2012, we entered into a senior unsecured revolving credit facility for up to $500 million with a $500 million accordion feature (the "Credit Agreement"), with a syndicate of financial institutions led by U. S. Bank. The purpose of this facility was to partially fund the acquisition of Phoenix International Freight Services, Ltd. ("Phoenix") and to allow us to continue to fund working capital, capital expenditures, dividends, and share repurchases. The Credit Agreement expires on October 29, 2017.
	As of September 30, 2013, we had $350.0 million in borrowings outstanding under the Credit Agreement which is classified as a current liability on the consolidated balance sheet. We consider these borrowings to be a Level 2 financial liability and therefore, the recorded amount of borrowings outstanding approximates fair value because of the short maturity period of the debt.
	Borrowings under the Credit Agreement generally bear interest at a variable rate equal to (i) LIBOR plus 1.00%, or (ii) the base rate (which is the highest of (a) the administrative agent's prime rate, (b) the federal funds rate plus 0.50%, or (c) the sum of 1.00% plus one-month LIBOR plus a specified margin). In addition, there is a commitment fee on the average daily undrawn stated amount under each letter of credit issued under the facility. The weighted average interest rate incurred on borrowings during the quarter ended September 30, 2013 was approximately 1.3% and at September 30, 2013 was approximately 1.2%.
	The Credit Agreement contains various restrictions and covenants. Among other requirements, we may not permit our leverage ratio, as of the end of each of our fiscal quarters, of (i) Consolidated Funded Indebtedness to (ii) Consolidated Total Capitalization, to be greater than 0.65 to 1.00. We were in compliance with the debt covenants as of September 30, 2013.
	The Credit Agreement also contains customary events of default. If an event of default under the Credit Agreement occurs and is continuing, then the administrative agent may declare any outstanding obligations under the Credit Agreement to be immediately due and payable. In addition, if we become the subject of voluntary or involuntary proceedings under any bankruptcy, insolvency or similar law, then any outstanding obligations under the Credit Agreement will automatically become immediately due and payable.
	On August 23, 2013, we entered into a Note Purchase Agreement with certain institutional investors (the “Purchasers”) named therein (the “Note Purchase Agreement”). Pursuant to the Note Purchase Agreement, the Purchasers purchased, on August 27, 2013, (i) $175,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 3.97% Senior Notes, Series A, due August 27, 2023 (the “Series A Notes”), (ii) $150,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 4.26% Senior Notes, Series B, due August 27, 2028 (the “Series B Notes”) and (iii) $175,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 4.60% Senior Notes, Series C, due August 27, 2033 (the “Series C Notes” and, together with the Series A Notes and the Series B Notes, the “Notes”). Interest on the fixed-rate notes is payable semi-annually in arrears. We applied the proceeds of the sale of the Notes for share repurchases, see Note 6, Accelerated Share Repurchase.
	The Note Purchase Agreement contains customary provisions for transactions of this type, including representations and warranties regarding the Company and its subsidiaries and various covenants, including covenants that require us to maintain specified financial ratios. The Note Purchase Agreement includes the following financial covenants: we will not permit our leverage ratio, as of the end of each of our fiscal quarters, of (i) Consolidated Funded Indebtedness to (ii) Consolidated Total Capitalization to be greater than 0.65 to 1.00; we will not permit the interest coverage ratio, as of the end of each of our fiscal quarters and for the twelve-month period ending, of (i) Consolidated EBIT (earnings before income taxes) to (ii) Consolidated Interest Expense to be less than 2.00 to 1.00; we will not permit, as of the end of each of our fiscal quarters, Consolidated Priority Debt to exceed 15% of Consolidated Total Assets. We were in compliance with all of the debt covenants as of September 30, 2013.
	The Note Purchase Agreement provides for customary events of default, generally with corresponding grace periods, including, without limitation, payment defaults with respect to the Notes, covenant defaults, cross-defaults to other agreements evidencing indebtedness of the Company or its subsidiaries, certain judgments against the Company or its subsidiaries and events of bankruptcy involving the Company or its material subsidiaries. The occurrence of an event of default would permit certain Purchasers to declare certain Notes then outstanding to be immediately due and payable.
	Under the terms of the Note Purchase Agreement, the Notes are redeemable, in whole or in part, at 100% of the principal amount being redeemed together with a “make-whole amount”, and accrued and unpaid interest (as defined in the Note Purchase Agreement) with respect to each Note. The obligations of the Company under the Note Purchase Agreement and the Notes are guaranteed by C.H. Robinson Company, a Delaware corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, and by C.H. Robinson Company, Inc., a Minnesota corporation and an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company.
	The Notes were issued by the Company to such initial purchasers in a private placement in reliance on Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). The Notes will not be or have not been registered under the Securities Act and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from registration requirements.

INCOME_TAXES

INCOME TAXES	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
INCOME TAXES	'
	INCOME TAXES
	C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc. and its 80 percent (or more) owned U.S. subsidiaries file a consolidated federal income tax return. We file unitary or separate state returns based on state filing requirements. With few exceptions, we are no longer subject to audits of U.S. federal, state and local, or non-U.S. income tax returns before 2006.
	Our effective tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 were 38.0% and 37.9%, respectively. The effective income tax rate for both periods is greater than the statutory federal income tax rate primarily due to state income taxes, net of federal benefit.

ACCELERATED_SHARE_REPURCHASE

ACCELERATED SHARE REPURCHASE	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
CAPITAL STOCK [Abstract]	'
ACCELERATED SHARE REPURCHASE	'
	ACCELERATED SHARE REPURCHASE
	On August 24, 2013, we entered into two letter agreements with unrelated third party financial institutions to repurchase an aggregate of $500.0 million of our outstanding common stock (the "ASR Agreements"). The total aggregate number of shares to be repurchased pursuant to these agreements will be determined based on the volume-weighted average price of our common stock during the purchase period, less a fixed discount of 0.94%. Under the ASR Agreements, we paid $500.0 million to the financial institutions and received 6.1 million shares of common stock with a fair value of $350.0 million during the third quarter of 2013, which represents approximately 70 percent of the total shares expected to be repurchased under the agreements. We will settle the remaining shares upon the completion of the ASR Agreements. We recorded this transaction as an increase in treasury stock of $350.0 million, and recorded the remaining $150.0 million as a decrease to additional paid in capital on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of September 30, 2013. We will reclassify the $150.0 million recorded in additional paid in capital to treasury stock at completion of the ASR Agreements. In accordance with the terms of the ASR Agreements, we have the option to settle our delivery obligation, if any, in cash or shares and we may be required to settle in cash in very limited circumstances. We accounted for the variable component of shares to be delivered under the ASR Agreements as a forward contract indexed to our common stock which met all of the applicable criteria for equity classification, and therefore, was not accounted for as a derivative instrument, but instead was also accounted for as a component of equity. The ASR Agreements continued to meet those requirements for equity clasification as of September 30, 2013, and we expect they will continue to meet those requirements through the settlement dates, which will be between December 11, 2013 and April 16, 2014.
	The initial delivery of 6.1 million shares of our common stock reduced our outstanding shares used to determine our weighted average shares outstanding for purposes of calculating basic and diluted earnings per share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013. We have also evaluated the ASR Agreements for the potential dilutive effects of any shares remaining to be received upon settlement and determined that the additional shares would be anti-dilutive and therefore were not included in our EPS calculation for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013.

STOCK_AWARD_PLANS

STOCK AWARD PLANS	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Notes To Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
STOCK AWARD PLANS	'
	STOCK AWARD PLANS
	Stock-based compensation cost is measured at the grant date based on the value of the award and is recognized as expense as it vests. A summary of our total compensation expense recognized in our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income for stock-based compensation is as follows (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended September 30,								Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2013				2012				2013		2012
	Stock options	$	(144	)		$	210			$	476	$	1,207
	Stock awards	657				3,862				8,499		17,969
	Company expense on ESPP discount	458				446				1,881		1,901
	Total stock based compensation expense	$	971			$	4,518			$	10,856	$	21,077
	On May 9, 2013 our shareholders approved our 2013 Equity Incentive Plan which allows us to grant certain stock awards, including stock options at fair market value and restricted shares and units, to our key employees and outside directors. A maximum of 3,400,000 shares plus the shares remaining available for future grants under the 1997 Plan as of May 9, 2013, can be granted under this plan. Approximately 7,104,000 shares were available for stock awards under the new plan as of September 30, 2013. Awards that expire or are canceled without delivery of shares generally become available for issuance under the plan.
	Stock Options - We have awarded performance-based stock options to certain key employees. These options are subject to certain vesting requirements over a five-year period, based on the company’s earnings growth. Any options remaining unvested at the end of the five-year vesting period are forfeited to the company. Although participants can exercise options via a stock swap exercise, we do not issue reloads (restoration options) on the grants from 2011 and 2012.
	The fair value of these options is established based on the market price on the date of grant, discounted for post-vesting holding restrictions, calculated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. Changes in measured stock price volatility and interest rates are the primary reasons for changes in the discount. These grants are being expensed based on the terms of the awards. As of September 30, 2013, unrecognized compensation expense related to stock options was $25.6 million. The amount of future expense to be recognized will be based on the company’s earnings growth and certain other conditions.
	Restricted Stock Awards - We have awarded performance-based restricted shares and restricted units to certain key employees and non-employee directors. These restricted shares and restricted units are subject to certain vesting requirements over a five-year period, based on the company’s earnings growth and continued employment. The awards also contain restrictions on the awardees’ ability to sell or transfer vested shares or units for a specified period of time. The fair value of these shares is established based on the market price on the date of grant, discounted for post-vesting holding restrictions. The discounts have varied from 12 percent to 22 percent and are calculated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model - protective put method. Changes in measured stock price volatility and interest rates are the primary reasons for changes in the discount. These grants are being expensed based on the terms of the awards.
	We have also awarded restricted shares and units to certain key employees that vest primarily based on their continued employment. The value of these awards is established using the same method for performance-based awards discussed above. These grants are being expensed over the vesting period of the award.
	We have also issued to certain key employees and non-employee directors restricted units which are fully vested upon issuance. These shares and units contain restrictions on the awardees’ ability to sell or transfer vested shares or units for a specified period of time. The fair value of these shares is established using the same method discussed above. These grants have been expensed during the year they were earned.
	As of September 30, 2013, there is unrecognized compensation expense of $136.2 million related to previously granted restricted shares and units. The amount of future expense to be recognized will be based on the company’s earnings growth and certain other conditions.
	Employee Stock Purchase Plan - Our 1997 Employee Stock Purchase Plan allows our employees to contribute up to $10,000 of their annual cash compensation to purchase company stock. Purchase price is determined using the closing price on the last day of the quarter discounted by 15 percent. Shares are vested immediately. The following is a summary of the employee stock purchase plan activity (dollar amounts in thousands):
	Three Months Ended September 30, 2013
	Shares purchased			Aggregate cost				Expense recognized
	by employees			to employees				by the company
	51,285			$	2,598			$	458

LITIGATION

LITIGATION	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Litigation [Abstract]	'
LITIGATION	'
	LITIGATION
	We are not subject to any pending or threatened litigation other than routine litigation arising in the ordinary course of our business operations, including fifteen contingent auto liability cases. For such legal proceedings, we have accrued an amount that reflects the aggregate liability deemed probable and estimable, but this amount is not material to our consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows. Because of the preliminary nature of many of these proceedings, the difficulty in ascertaining the applicable facts relating to many of these proceedings, the inconsistent treatment of claims made in many of these proceedings, and the difficulty of predicting the settlement value of many of these proceedings, we are not able to estimate an amount or range of any reasonably possible additional losses. However, based upon our historical experience, the resolution of these proceedings is not expected to have a material effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.
	During the second quarter of 2013, we recorded a $5.0 million charge related to the settlement of a contingent auto liability claim, which was paid in the third quarter of 2013. The $5.0 million represents the amount of our retained risk under the terms of our contingent auto liability insurance policy.

ACQUISITIONS_AND_DIVESTITURES

ACQUISITIONS AND DIVESTITURES	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Business Combinations [Abstract]	'
ACQUISITIONS AND DIVESTITURES	'
	ACQUISITIONS AND DIVESTITURES
	On November 1, 2012, we acquired all of the outstanding stock of Phoenix International Freight Services, Ltd. for the purpose of expanding our current market presence and service offerings in international freight forwarding. Total purchase consideration was $677.3 million, net of estimated post-closing cash and working capital adjustments, in accordance with the purchase agreement. The acquisition price was financed with $60.2 million in newly-issued common stock (representing 1.1 million shares), borrowings under the revolving credit facility of approximately $173.0 million discussed in Note 4, and the remainder with cash on-hand.
	The following is a preliminary summary of the allocation of purchase consideration to the estimated fair value of net assets for the acquisition of Phoenix (in thousands):
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	75,372
	Receivables	125,595
	Other current assets	7,209
	Property and equipment	12,160
	Identifiable intangible assets	130,000
	Goodwill	453,208
	Other noncurrent assets	13,542
	Total assets	$	817,086
	Accounts payable	$	(45,367	)
	Accrued expenses	(14,340		)
	Other liabilities	(80,106		)
	Estimated net assets acquired	$	677,273
	Identifiable intangible assets and estimated useful lives are as follows (dollars in thousands):
					Estimated Life (years)
	Customer relationships	$	129,800		8
	Noncompete agreements	200			5
	Total identifiable intangible assets	$	130,000
	The Phoenix goodwill is a result of acquiring and retaining the Phoenix existing workforce and expected synergies from integrating their business into C.H. Robinson. The goodwill is not deductible for tax purposes. Purchase accounting is considered preliminary, subject to revision, mainly with respect to taxes and goodwill, as final information was not available as of September 30, 2013. We do not expect any revisions to the preliminary allocation of purchase price to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
	The measurement period adjustments during the first nine months of 2013 to the previously recorded opening balances relate primarily to changes in the allocation of purchase consideration to certain accounts based on continued resolution of certain working capital adjustments with the selling shareholders. The adjustments during 2013 resulted in a $1.5 million increase in receivables, a $5.3 million increase in goodwill, a $1.7 million decrease in current deferred taxes, a $2.1 million decrease in non-current deferred assets, a $3.0 million decrease in taxes payable, and a $10.6 million increase in other assets. The offset to these adjustments was a reduction in the estimated receivable amount from the selling shareholders. The measurement period adjustments were recorded prospectively as they are not considered material to the financial statements for the nine months ended September 30, 2013.
	On October 16, 2012, we sold substantially all of the operations of our subsidiary, T-Chek Systems, Inc. ("T-Chek"), which represented a majority of our Payment Services business, to Electronic Funds Source, LLC ("EFS") for $302.5 million in cash. EFS acquired the assets and assumed certain liabilities of T-Chek.
	We recorded a gain on the sale of the assets and liabilities of approximately $281.6 million during the fourth quarter of 2012. In conjunction with the sale, we entered into two ten-year agreements with EFS: a money transfer services agreement and a MasterCard services agreement. These agreements for ongoing activities between us and EFS are expected to result in significant continuing cash outflows. Consequently, the sale of T-Chek's assets and liabilities did not result in the operating results of T-Chek being accounted for as a discontinued operation.
	For the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2012, on an unaudited pro forma basis, assuming the T-Chek divestiture and the Phoenix acquisition had closed on January 1, 2012, the results of C.H. Robinson excluding T-Chek and including Phoenix would have resulted in the following (in thousands).
		Three Months Ended September 30, 2012
		C.H. Robinson			T-Chek			Phoenix		Combined
		As Reported			Operations			Operations		Pro Forma
	Total revenues	$	2,880,409		$	(13,204	)	$	216,219	$	3,083,424
	Income from operations	187,257			(6,879		)	9,855		190,233
	Net income	116,330			(4,271		)	5,529		117,588
		Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012
		C.H. Robinson			T-Chek			Phoenix		Combined
		As Reported			Operations			Operations		Pro Forma
	Total revenues	$	8,388,237		$	(39,333	)	$	622,827	$	8,971,731
	Income from operations	541,716			(19,376		)	24,792		547,132
	Net income	337,412			(12,083		)	13,257		338,586
	For the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2012, Phoenix pro forma financial information includes the following adjustments (in thousands).
		Three Months Ended September 30, 2012			Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012
	Eliminate personnel costs from purchased transportation and related services	$	(7,292	)	$	(21,904	)
	Eliminate personnel costs from selling, general and administrative services	(13,507		)	(45,075		)
	Reclassify costs to personnel expenses	20,799			66,979
	Contractual changes in compensation	—			(5,080		)
	Additional amortization expense on identifiable intangible assets	4,067			12,200
	Rent expense for new lease agreements	84			252
	Depreciation on acquired building	37			111
	Incremental interest expense	638			1,914
	Tax effect	(262		)	(786		)
	The pro forma consolidated financial information was prepared for comparative purposes only and includes certain adjustments, as noted above. The adjustments are estimates based on currently available information and actual amounts may have differed materially from these estimates. They do not reflect the effect of costs or synergies that would have been expected to result from the integration of the acquisition. The pro forma information does not purport to be indicative of the results of operations that actually would have resulted had the acquisition occurred at the beginning of each period presented or of future results of the consolidated entity. The results of operations and financial condition of Phoenix has been included in our consolidated financial statements since the acquisition date of November 1, 2012.
	On October 1, 2012, we acquired all of the outstanding stock of the operating subsidiaries of Apreo Logistics S.A. ("Apreo"), a leading freight forwarder based in Warsaw, Poland, for the purpose of expanding our current market presence and service offerings in Europe. The total purchase price of Apreo was approximately $26.5 million, which was paid in cash and is subject to post-closing adjustments. We recorded $17.4 million of goodwill and other intangible assets related to this acquisition. The goodwill is not deductible for tax purposes. The results of operations and financial condition of Apreo have been included in our consolidated financial statements since its acquisition date. The results of our operations for 2012 were not materially impacted by this acquisition.

CHANGES_IN_ACCUMULATED_OTHER_C

CHANGES IN ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Accumulated other comprehensive loss [Abstract]	'
CHANGES IN ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS	'
	CHANGES IN ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
	Accumulated other comprehensive loss is included in the Stockholders' investment on our condensed consolidated balance sheet. The recorded balance, net of taxes, at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 was $11.9 million and $9.3 million, respectively. Accumulated other comprehensive loss is comprised solely of foreign currency translation adjustment at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012.
	In February 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued guidance on the reporting of amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). This guidance requires an entity to report the effect of significant reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income on the respective line items in net income if the amount being reclassified is required to be reclassified in its entirety to net income. Entities may present this information either on the face of the statement where net income is presented or in the notes. This guidance was effective for the Company on January 1, 2013, and is to be applied prospectively. The guidance required additional disclosures, however it did not impact our results of operations, financial position or cash flows. During the quarter ended September 30, 2013, no amounts of accumulated other comprehensive loss were reclassified into net income.

GOODWILL_AND_OTHER_INTANGIBLE_1

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Goodwill	'
	The change in the carrying amount of goodwill is as follows (in thousands):
	Balance, December 31, 2012	$	822,215
	Phoenix acquisition - measurement period adjustment	5,331
	Foreign currency translation	668
	Balance, September 30, 2013	$	828,214
Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets by Major Class	'
	A summary of our other intangible assets, with finite lives, which include primarily customer relationships and non-competition agreements, is as follows (in thousands):
		September 30, 2013			31-Dec-12
	Gross	$	149,644		$	149,644
	Accumulated amortization	(29,179		)	(14,108		)
	Net	$	120,465		$	135,536
Schedule of Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets by Major Class	'
	Other intangible assets, with indefinite lives, are as follows (in thousands):
		September 30, 2013			December 31, 2012
	Trademarks	$	1,875		$	1,875
Schedule of Amortization Expense	'
	Amortization expense for other intangible assets was (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2013			2012			2013		2012
	Amortization expense	$	5,040		$	959		$	15,113	$	2,637
Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Future Amortization Expense	'
	Intangible assets at September 30, 2013 will be amortized over the next eight years, and that expense is as follows (in thousands):
	Remainder of 2013	$	5,087
	2014	18,719
	2015	16,939
	2016	16,922
	2017	16,827
	Thereafter	45,971
	Total	$	120,465

FAIR_VALUE_MEASUREMENT_Tables

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Fair Value, by Balance Sheet Grouping	'
	The following table presents information as of December 31, 2012, about our financial assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis, according to the valuation techniques we used to determine their fair values (in thousands).
			Level 1			Level 2		Level 3		Total Fair
										Value
	December 31, 2012
	Contingent purchase price related to acquisitions		—			—		922		922
	Total liabilities at fair value		$	—		$	—	$	922	$	922
Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation	'
	The table below sets forth a reconciliation of our beginning and ending Level 3 financial liability balance (in thousands). We had no Level 3 liabilities as of September 30, 2013.
		Three Months Ended September 30,
		2013			2012
	Balance, beginning of period	$	—		$	1,474
	Payments of contingent purchase price	—			—
	Total unrealized losses included in earnings	—			76
	Balance, end of period	$	—		$	1,550

STOCK_AWARD_PLANS_Tables

STOCK AWARD PLANS (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Notes To Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs	'
	A summary of our total compensation expense recognized in our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income for stock-based compensation is as follows (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended September 30,								Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2013				2012				2013		2012
	Stock options	$	(144	)		$	210			$	476	$	1,207
	Stock awards	657				3,862				8,499		17,969
	Company expense on ESPP discount	458				446				1,881		1,901
	Total stock based compensation expense	$	971			$	4,518			$	10,856	$	21,077
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Employee Stock Purchase Plan, Activity	'
	The following is a summary of the employee stock purchase plan activity (dollar amounts in thousands):
	Three Months Ended September 30, 2013
	Shares purchased			Aggregate cost				Expense recognized
	by employees			to employees				by the company
	51,285			$	2,598			$	458

ACQUISITIONS_AND_DIVESTITURES_

ACQUISITIONS AND DIVESTITURES (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Business Combinations [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Recognized Identified Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed	'
	The following is a preliminary summary of the allocation of purchase consideration to the estimated fair value of net assets for the acquisition of Phoenix (in thousands):
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	75,372
	Receivables	125,595
	Other current assets	7,209
	Property and equipment	12,160
	Identifiable intangible assets	130,000
	Goodwill	453,208
	Other noncurrent assets	13,542
	Total assets	$	817,086
	Accounts payable	$	(45,367	)
	Accrued expenses	(14,340		)
	Other liabilities	(80,106		)
	Estimated net assets acquired	$	677,273
	Identifiable intangible assets and estimated useful lives are as follows (dollars in thousands):
					Estimated Life (years)
	Customer relationships	$	129,800		8
	Noncompete agreements	200			5
	Total identifiable intangible assets	$	130,000
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information	'
	For the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2012, on an unaudited pro forma basis, assuming the T-Chek divestiture and the Phoenix acquisition had closed on January 1, 2012, the results of C.H. Robinson excluding T-Chek and including Phoenix would have resulted in the following (in thousands).
		Three Months Ended September 30, 2012
		C.H. Robinson			T-Chek			Phoenix		Combined
		As Reported			Operations			Operations		Pro Forma
	Total revenues	$	2,880,409		$	(13,204	)	$	216,219	$	3,083,424
	Income from operations	187,257			(6,879		)	9,855		190,233
	Net income	116,330			(4,271		)	5,529		117,588
		Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012
		C.H. Robinson			T-Chek			Phoenix		Combined
		As Reported			Operations			Operations		Pro Forma
	Total revenues	$	8,388,237		$	(39,333	)	$	622,827	$	8,971,731
	Income from operations	541,716			(19,376		)	24,792		547,132
	Net income	337,412			(12,083		)	13,257		338,586
	For the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2012, Phoenix pro forma financial information includes the following adjustments (in thousands).
		Three Months Ended September 30, 2012			Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012
	Eliminate personnel costs from purchased transportation and related services	$	(7,292	)	$	(21,904	)
	Eliminate personnel costs from selling, general and administrative services	(13,507		)	(45,075		)
	Reclassify costs to personnel expenses	20,799			66,979
	Contractual changes in compensation	—			(5,080		)
	Additional amortization expense on identifiable intangible assets	4,067			12,200
	Rent expense for new lease agreements	84			252
	Depreciation on acquired building	37			111
	Incremental interest expense	638			1,914
	Tax effect	(262		)	(786		)

GENERAL_Details

GENERAL (Details)	Sep. 30, 2013
	Location
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Branch Offices	285

Change_in_the_Carrying_Amount_

Change in the Carrying Amount of Goodwill (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013
Goodwill [Roll Forward]	'
Balance, December 31, 2012	$822,215
Phoenix acquisition - measurement period adjustment	5,331
Foreign currency translation	668
Balance, September 30, 2013	$828,214

Summary_of_Other_Intangible_As

Summary of Other Intangible Assets, with Finite Lives (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Net	$120,465	'
Other Intangible Assets	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Gross	149,644	149,644
Accumulated amortization	-29,179	-14,108
Net	$120,465	$135,536

Other_Intangible_Assets_with_I

Other Intangible Assets, with Indefinite Lives (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Trademarks	$1,875	$1,875

Amortization_Expense_of_Other_

Amortization Expense of Other Intangible Assets (Detail) (Other Intangible Assets, USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Other Intangible Assets	'	'	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Amortization expense	$5,040	$959	$15,113	$2,637

Estimated_Amortization_Expense

Estimated Amortization Expense on Intangible Assets (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Estimated amortization expense	'
Remainder of 2013	$5,087
2014	18,719
2015	16,939
2016	16,922
2017	16,827
Thereafter	45,971
Net	$120,465

Financial_Assets_and_Liabiliti

Financial Assets and Liabilities at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis (Detail) (Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring, USD $)	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'
Contingent purchase price related to acquisitions	$922
Total liabilities at fair value	922
Level 1	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'
Contingent purchase price related to acquisitions	0
Total liabilities at fair value	0
Level 2	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'
Contingent purchase price related to acquisitions	0
Total liabilities at fair value	0
Level 3	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'
Contingent purchase price related to acquisitions	922
Total liabilities at fair value	$922

Reconciliation_of_Beginning_an

Reconciliation of Beginning and Ending Level 3 Financial Liability Balances (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]	'	'
Balance, beginning of period	$0	$1,474
Payments of contingent purchase price	0	0
Total unrealized losses included in earnings	0	76
Balance, end of period	$0	$1,550

FINANCING_ARRANGEMENTS_Details

FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended					0 Months Ended		3 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Oct. 29, 2012	Aug. 23, 2013	Aug. 23, 2013	Aug. 23, 2013	Aug. 23, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013
	Unsecured Debt	Unsecured Debt	Senior Notes	Senior Notes	Senior Notes	Senior Notes	Current Liability	London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR)	Federal Funds Rate	LIBOR Rate Option
	Senior Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility 2017 Term Loan	Senior Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility 2017 Term Loan	Series A Notes	Series B Notes	Series C Notes	Note Purchase Agreement	Unsecured Debt	Unsecured Debt	Unsecured Debt	Unsecured Debt
							Senior Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility 2017 Term Loan	Senior Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility 2017 Term Loan	Senior Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility 2017 Term Loan	Senior Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility 2017 Term Loan
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Line of credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity	'	$500,000,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Additional borrowing capacity credit facility	'	500,000,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Borrowing outstanding	'	'	'	'	'	'	350,000,000	'	'	'
Debt instrument, basis spread on variable rate	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1.00%	0.50%	1.00%
Debt instrument, description of variable rate basis	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'One-month LIBOR
Debt instrument, interest rate during period	1.30%	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Debt, weighted average interest rate	1.20%	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Debt instrument, covenant, leverage ratio, minimum	0.65	'	'	'	'	0.65	'	'	'	'
Debt instrument, covenant, leverage ratio, maximum	1	'	'	'	'	1	'	'	'	'
Debt instrument, covenant, interest expense ratio, maximum	'	'	'	'	'	2	'	'	'	'
Debt instrument, covenant, interest expense ratio, minimum	'	'	'	'	'	1	'	'	'	'
Debt instrument, covenant, priority debt, percentage	'	'	'	'	'	15.00%	'	'	'	'
Debt instrument, face amount	'	'	$175,000,000	$150,000,000	$175,000,000	'	'	'	'	'
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage	'	'	3.97%	4.26%	4.60%	'	'	'	'	'
Debt instrument, redemption price, percentage	'	'	'	'	'	100.00%	'	'	'	'

Effective_Income_Tax_Rate_Deta

Effective Income Tax Rate (Detail)	3 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Effective income tax	38.00%	37.90%

ACCELERATED_SHARE_REPURCHASE_D

ACCELERATED SHARE REPURCHASE (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Aug. 24, 2013
CAPITAL STOCK [Abstract]	'	'
Accelerated Share Repurchases, Settlement (Payment) or Receipt	'	$500
Accelerated Share Repurchases, Pursuant Discount Percentage	'	0.94%
Treasury Stock, Shares, Acquired	6.1	'
Treasury Stock, Value, Acquired, Cost Method	350	'
Value of Stock Repurchased As Percentage of Total Amount of Shares Estimated Under Accelerated Share Repurchase Agreement	70.00%	'
Accelerated Share Repurchase Program, Adjustment	$150	'

Summary_of_Total_Compensation_

Summary of Total Compensation Expense Recognized in Statements of Operations for Stock-Based Compensation (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation expense	$971	$4,518	$10,856	$21,077
Stock options	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation expense	-144	210	476	1,207
Stock awards	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation expense	657	3,862	8,499	17,969
Company expense on ESPP discount	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation expense	$458	$446	$1,881	$1,901

STOCK_AWARD_PLANS_Additional_I

STOCK AWARD PLANS - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Compensation Related Costs Share Based Payments Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'
Maximum shares that can be granted under stock plan	3,400,000	'
Shares available for stock awards	7,104,000	'
Stock award, vesting period	'5 years	'
Restricted stock awards, discount for post-vesting holding restriction, lower limit	12.00%	'
Restricted stock awards, discount for post-vesting holding restriction, upper limit	22.00%	'
Maximum employee contribution to purchase company stock	$10,000	'
Discount rate used to determine the purchase price	'	15.00%
Restricted Stock Awards	'	'
Compensation Related Costs Share Based Payments Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'
Stock award, vesting period	'5 years	'
Unrecognized compensation expense	136,200,000	'
Stock Option	'	'
Compensation Related Costs Share Based Payments Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'
Unrecognized compensation expense	$25,600,000	'

Summary_of_Employee_Stock_Purc

Summary of Employee Stock Purchase Plan Activity (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Shares purchased by employees	51,285	'	'	'
Aggregate cost to employees	$2,598	'	'	'
Expense recognized by the company	971	4,518	10,856	21,077
Company expense on ESPP discount	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Expense recognized by the company	$458	$446	$1,881	$1,901

LITIGATION_Litigation_Details

LITIGATION Litigation (Details) (Contingent Auto Liability Claim, USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013
	case
Contingent Auto Liability Claim	'
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]	'
Contingency auto liability cases	15
Settlement contingent liability	$5
Retained risk terms under policy	$5

Recovered_Sheet1

Acquisitions and Divestitures - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

Share data in Millions, unless otherwise specified

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Nov. 01, 2012

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Oct. 02, 2012

Oct. 16, 2012

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Phoenix

Phoenix

Phoenix

Phoenix

Apreo

T-Chek

T-Chek

T-Chek

T-Chek

Goodwill

Current Deferred Taxes

Non-Current Deferred Taxes

Taxes Payable

agreement

Phoenix

Phoenix

Phoenix

Phoenix

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Business acquisition, purchase price

'

'

'

'

$677,273,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Business acquisition, equity interest issued or issuable, value assigned

'

'

'

'

60,200,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Business acquisition, equity interest issued or issuable, number of shares

'

'

'

'

1.1

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Business acquisition, acquisition price financed with debt

'

'

'

'

173,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Business Combination, Provisional Information, Initial Accounting Incomplete, Adjustment, Financial Assets

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,500,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

5,300,000

'

'

'

Business Combination, Provisional Information, Initial Accounting Incomplete, Adjustment, Financial Liabilities

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,700,000

2,100,000

3,000,000

Business Combination, Provisional Information, Initial Accounting Incomplete, Adjustment, Intangibles

'

'

'

'

'

'

10,600,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Long lived assets held-for-sale, proceeds from sale

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

302,500,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Gain on sale of T-Chek

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

281,600,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of Ten Year Agreements with EFS

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2

'

'

'

'

'

'

Agreements with Third Party, Period

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'10 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

Revenues

3,316,665,000

2,880,409,000

9,599,194,000

8,388,237,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Operating Income (Loss)

176,355,000

187,257,000

527,537,000

541,716,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Net income

107,737,000

116,330,000

322,952,000

337,412,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Business Divestiture, Pro Forma Revenue

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-13,204,000

-39,333,000

'

'

'

'

Business Divestiture, Pro Forma Operating Income (Loss)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-6,879,000

-19,376,000

'

'

'

'

Business Divestiture, Pro Forma Net Income (Loss)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-4,271,000

-12,083,000

'

'

'

'

Business acquisition, pro forma revenue

'

3,083,424,000

'

8,971,731,000

'

216,219,000

'

622,827,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Business acquisition, pro forma operating income

'

190,233,000

'

547,132,000

'

9,855,000

'

24,792,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Business acquisition, pro forma net income

'

117,588,000

'

338,586,000

'

5,529,000

'

13,257,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Business acquisition, pro forma elimination personnel costs from purchased transportation and related services

'

'

'

'

'

-7,292,000

'

-21,904,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Business acquisition, pro forma elimination personnel costs from selling, general and administrative services

'

'

'

'

'

-13,507,000

'

-45,075,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Business acquisition, pro forma reclassify costs to personnel expenses

'

'

'

'

'

20,799,000

'

66,979,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Business acquisition, pro forma changes in compensation

'

'

'

'

'

0

'

-5,080,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Business acquisition, pro forma amortization expense

'

'

'

'

'

4,067,000

'

12,200,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Business acquisition, pro forma rent expense

'

'

'

'

'

84,000

'

252,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Business acquisition, pro forma depreciation expense

'

'

'

'

'

37,000

'

111,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Business acquisition, pro forma interest expense

'

'

'

'

'

638,000

'

1,914,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Business acquisition, tax impact on pro forma adjustments

'

'

'

'

'

-262,000

'

-786,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Business acquisition, cash paid

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

26,500,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Business acquisition, goodwill and other intangible assets

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$17,400,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Acquisitions_and_Divestitures_1

Acquisitions and Divestitures - Business Combination (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Nov. 01, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified			Phoenix
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	'	'	$75,372
Receivables	'	'	125,595
Other current assets	'	'	7,209
Property and equipment	'	'	12,160
Identifiable intangible assets	'	'	130,000
Goodwill	828,214	822,215	453,208
Other noncurrent assets	'	'	13,542
Total assets	'	'	817,086
Accounts payable	'	'	-45,367
Accrued expenses	'	'	-14,340
Other liabilities	'	'	-80,106
Estimated net assets acquired	'	'	$677,273

Acquisitions_and_Divestitures_2

Acquisitions and Divestitures - Identifiable Intangible Assets and Estimated Useful Lives (Details) (Phoenix, USD $)	0 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Nov. 01, 2012
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'
Identifiable intangible assets	$130,000
Customer Relationships [Member]	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'
Estimated Life (years)	'8 years
Identifiable intangible assets	129,800
Noncompete Agreements [Member]	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'
Estimated Life (years)	'5 years
Identifiable intangible assets	$200

CHANGES_IN_ACCUMULATED_OTHER_C1

CHANGES IN ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Accumulated other comprehensive loss [Abstract]	'	'
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	($11,895)	($9,345)