C.H. Robinson Worldwide (CHRW) 10-Q 4 Nov 19 2019 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Cover Page

Cover Page - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Oct. 31, 2019
Cover page.
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2019
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	000-23189
Entity Registrant Name	C.H. ROBINSON WORLDWIDE, INC.
Entity Central Index Key	0001043277
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2019
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	41-1883630
Entity Address, Address Line One	14701 Charlson Road
Entity Address, City or Town	Eden Prairie
Entity Address, State or Province	MN
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	55347
City Area Code	952
Local Phone Number	937-8500
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, $0.10 par value
Trading Symbol	CHRW
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		135,250,422

Condensed Consolidated Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 384,424	$ 378,615
Receivables, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $34,057 and $41,131	2,074,449	2,162,438
Contract assets	150,569	159,635
Prepaid expenses and other	73,724	52,386
Total current assets	2,683,166	2,753,074
Property and equipment, net	209,521	228,301
Goodwill	1,285,891	1,258,922
Other intangible assets, net	98,683	108,822
Right-of-use lease assets	263,833
Deferred tax assets	11,563	9,993
Other assets	83,892	68,300
Total assets	4,636,549	4,427,412
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	1,019,280	971,023
Outstanding checks	57,317	92,084
Accrued expenses:
Compensation	107,659	153,626
Transportation expense	114,498	119,820
Income taxes	19,470	28,360
Other accrued liabilities	60,069	63,410
Current lease liabilities	55,847
Current portion of debt	0	5,000
Total current liabilities	1,434,140	1,433,323
Long-term debt	1,253,091	1,341,352
Noncurrent lease liabilities	216,610
Noncurrent income taxes payable	22,149	21,463
Deferred tax liabilities	37,206	35,757
Other long-term liabilities	257	430
Total liabilities	2,963,453	2,832,325
Stockholders’ investment:
Preferred stock, $0.10 par value, 20,000 shares authorized; no shares issued or outstanding	0	0
Common stock, $0.10 par value, 480,000 shares authorized; 179,429 and 179,400 shares issued, 135,152 and 137,284 outstanding	13,515	13,728
Additional paid-in capital	549,378	521,486
Retained earnings	4,115,649	3,845,593
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(90,902)	(71,935)
Treasury stock at cost (44,277 and 42,116 shares)	(2,914,544)	(2,713,785)
Total stockholders’ investment	1,673,096	1,595,087
Total liabilities and stockholders’ investment	$ 4,636,549	$ 4,427,412

Condensed Consolidated Balanc_2

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Receivables, allowance for doubtful accounts	$ 34,057	$ 41,131
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.10	$ 0.10
Preferred stock, shares authorized (shares)	20,000,000	20,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued (shares)	0	0
Preferred stock, shares outstanding (shares)	0	0
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.10	$ 0.10
Common stock, shares authorized (shares)	480,000,000	480,000,000
Common stock, shares issued (shares)	179,429,000	179,400,000
Common stock shares outstanding (shares)	135,152,000	137,284,000
Treasury stock (shares)	44,277,000	42,116,000

Condensed Consolidated Statemen

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Revenues:
Total revenues	$ 3,856,132	$ 4,291,900	$ 11,516,182	$ 12,493,264
Costs and expenses:
Personnel expenses	320,563	335,299	999,547	1,004,226
Other selling, general, and administrative expenses	111,783	112,772	354,730	330,660
Total costs and expenses	3,655,047	4,045,927	10,863,012	11,836,698
Income from operations	201,085	245,973	653,170	656,566
Interest and other expense	(13,180)	(6,526)	(36,935)	(22,354)
Income before provision for income taxes	187,905	239,447	616,235	634,212
Provision for income taxes	41,011	63,552	138,373	156,857
Net income	146,894	175,895	477,862	477,355
Other comprehensive loss	(18,576)	(10,877)	(18,967)	(38,954)
Comprehensive income	$ 128,318	$ 165,018	$ 458,895	$ 438,401
Basic net income per share (in dollars per share)	$ 1.08	$ 1.27	$ 3.48	$ 3.42
Diluted net income per share (in dollars per share)	$ 1.07	$ 1.25	$ 3.45	$ 3.39
Basic weighted average shares outstanding (shares)	136,380	138,797	137,274	139,425
Dilutive effect of outstanding stock awards (shares)	1,096	1,363	1,099	1,295
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding (shares)	137,476	140,160	138,373	140,720
Transportation
Revenues:
Total revenues	$ 3,608,346	$ 4,028,392	$ 10,751,890	$ 11,619,171
Costs and expenses:
Purchased products and services	2,999,979	3,359,520	8,826,233	9,714,318
Sourcing
Revenues:
Total revenues	247,786	263,508	764,292	874,093
Costs and expenses:
Purchased products and services	$ 222,722	$ 238,336	$ 682,502	$ 787,494

Consolidated Statements of Stoc

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Investment - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended						9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Jan. 01, 2018
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	$ 1,659,311	$ 1,652,561	$ 1,595,087	$ 1,518,159	$ 1,484,672	$ 1,425,745	$ 1,595,087	$ 1,425,745
Net income	146,894	169,180	161,788	175,895	159,163	142,297	477,862	477,355
Cumulative effect change - revenue recognition									$ 9,239
Foreign currency translation	(18,576)	(5,688)	5,297	(10,877)	(27,512)	(565)
Dividends declared	(68,855)	(69,268)	(69,683)	(64,716)	(65,084)	(65,384)
Stock issued for employee benefit plans	10,818	7,699	7,573	8,868	10,547	6,406
Issuance of restricted stock, net of forfeitures	0	0	0	0	0	0
Stock-based compensation expense	8,850	14,684	17,123	23,771	26,570	18,134
Repurchase of common stock	(65,346)	(109,857)	(64,624)	(84,497)	(70,197)	(51,200)
Ending balance	$ 1,673,096	$ 1,659,311	$ 1,652,561	$ 1,566,603	$ 1,518,159	$ 1,484,672	$ 1,673,096	$ 1,566,603
Common Stock
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance (in shares)	135,731	136,889	137,284	138,744	139,353	139,542	137,284	139,542
Beginning balance	$ 13,573	$ 13,689	$ 13,728	$ 13,874	$ 13,935	$ 13,954	$ 13,728	$ 13,954
Stock issued for employee benefit plans (in shares)	194	129	342	144	174	370
Stock issued for employee benefit plans	$ 20	$ 13	$ 34	$ 15	$ 17	$ 37
Issuance of restricted stock, net of forfeitures (in shares)			(3)			(2)
Issuance of restricted stock, net of forfeitures (in shares)	9	23		2	1
Issuance of restricted stock, net of forfeitures	$ 1	$ 2	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0
Stock-based compensation expense (in shares)	0	0	0	0	0	0
Stock-based compensation expense	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0
Repurchase of common stock (in shares)	(782)	(1,310)	(734)	(890)	(784)	(557)
Repurchase of common stock	$ (79)	$ (131)	$ (73)	$ (89)	$ (78)	$ (56)
Ending balance (in shares)	135,152	135,731	136,889	138,000	138,744	139,353	135,152	138,000
Ending balance	$ 13,515	$ 13,573	$ 13,689	$ 13,800	$ 13,874	$ 13,935	$ 13,515	$ 13,800
Additional Paid-in Capital
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	541,090	527,089	521,486	478,451	451,966	444,280	521,486	444,280
Stock issued for employee benefit plans	(561)	(681)	(11,520)	217	(85)	(10,441)
Issuance of restricted stock, net of forfeitures	(1)	(2)	0	0	0	0
Stock-based compensation expense	8,850	14,684	17,123	23,771	26,570	18,127
Ending balance	549,378	541,090	527,089	502,439	478,451	451,966	549,378	502,439
Retained Earnings
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	4,037,610	3,937,698	3,845,593	3,617,324	3,523,245	3,437,093	3,845,593	3,437,093
Net income	146,894	169,180	161,788	175,895	159,163	142,297
Cumulative effect change - revenue recognition									$ 9,239
Dividends declared	(68,855)	(69,268)	(69,683)	(64,716)	(65,084)	(65,384)
Ending balance	4,115,649	4,037,610	3,937,698	3,728,503	3,617,324	3,523,245	4,115,649	3,728,503
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	(72,326)	(66,638)	(71,935)	(46,537)	(19,025)	(18,460)	(71,935)	(18,460)
Foreign currency translation	(18,576)	(5,688)	5,297	(10,877)	(27,512)	(565)
Ending balance	(90,902)	(72,326)	(66,638)	(57,414)	(46,537)	(19,025)	(90,902)	(57,414)
Treasury Stock
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	(2,860,636)	(2,759,277)	(2,713,785)	(2,544,953)	(2,485,449)	(2,451,122)	(2,713,785)	(2,451,122)
Stock issued for employee benefit plans	11,359	8,367	19,059	8,636	10,615	16,810
Stock-based compensation expense	0	0	0	0	0	7
Repurchase of common stock	(65,267)	(109,726)	(64,551)	(84,408)	(70,119)	(51,144)
Ending balance	$ (2,914,544)	$ (2,860,636)	$ (2,759,277)	$ (2,620,725)	$ (2,544,953)	$ (2,485,449)	$ (2,914,544)	$ (2,620,725)

Consolidated Statements of St_2

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Investment (Parenthetical) - $ / shares	3 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018
Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract]
Dividends declared, per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.50	$ 0.50	$ 0.50	$ 0.46	$ 0.46	$ 0.46

Condensed Consolidated Statem_2

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income	$ 477,862	$ 477,355
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	75,122	72,402
Provision for doubtful accounts	642	12,333
Stock-based compensation	40,657	68,475
Deferred income taxes	(3,360)	(5,794)
Excess tax benefit on stock-based compensation	(6,908)	(9,345)
Other operating activities	(4,471)	1,350
Changes in operating elements (net of acquisitions):
Receivables	104,108	(268,252)
Contract assets	9,067	(53,647)
Prepaid expenses and other	(18,940)	14,740
Accounts payable and outstanding checks	3,871	120,652
Accrued compensation	(45,319)	15,153
Accrued transportation expense	(5,323)	62,165
Accrued income taxes	(7,042)	9,247
Other accrued liabilities	5,210	9,944
Other assets and liabilities	(1,318)	2,105
Net cash provided by operating activities	623,858	528,883
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Purchases of property and equipment	(26,661)	(35,794)
Purchases and development of software	(24,282)	(13,793)
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(59,188)	(1,315)
Other investing activities	16,625	(1,605)
Net cash used for investing activities	(93,506)	(52,507)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds from stock issued for employee benefit plans	40,442	46,424
Stock tendered for payment of withholding taxes	(14,352)	(20,603)
Repurchase of common stock	(241,303)	(202,094)
Cash dividends	(207,865)	(195,158)
Proceeds from long-term borrowings	929,000	591,012
Payments on long-term borrowings	(1,018,000)	0
Proceeds from short-term borrowings	14,000	2,588,000
Payments on short-term borrowings	(19,000)	(3,303,000)
Net cash used for financing activities	(517,078)	(495,419)
Effect of exchange rates on cash	(7,465)	(17,046)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	5,809	(36,089)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	378,615	333,890
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	384,424	297,801
Noncash transactions from financing activities:
Accrued share repurchases held in other accrued liabilities	$ 1,522	$ 4,300

BASIS OF PRESENTATION

BASIS OF PRESENTATION	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
BASIS OF PRESENTATION	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 operating through a network of offices located in North America, Europe, Asia, Oceania, and South America. 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. On January 1, 2019, we reorganized our enterprise transportation services structure to combine our North American Surface Transportation (“NAST”) and Robinson Fresh transportation networks. The newly combined transportation network will be managed by and reported under the NAST reportable segment. Our reportable segments are NAST and Global Forwarding with all other segments included in All Other and Corporate. We have determined that the remaining Robinson Fresh segment no longer meets the requirements of a reportable segment. Robinson Fresh will be included in the All Other and Corporate reportable segment with Managed Services, Other Surface Transportation outside of North America, and other miscellaneous revenues and unallocated corporate expenses. Prior period information has been reclassified to conform with this presentation. For financial information concerning our reportable segments, refer to Note 9, Segment Reporting . 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 annual 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, 2018. RECENTLY ADOPTED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) . This update requires a lessee to recognize on the balance sheet a liability to make lease payments and a corresponding right-of-use lease asset. The guidance also requires certain qualitative and quantitative disclosures about the amount, timing, and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leases. In July 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-11, Leases (Topic 842) : Targeted Improvements, which provides another transition method no longer requiring application to previously reported periods. Therefore, prior period balances will not be restated. We adopted Topic 842 during the first quarter of 2019 by recognizing right-of-use lease assets and lease liabilities of $265.4 million and $273.3 million , respectively, on January 1, 2019. The adoption of this standard did not have a significant impact on our consolidated results of operations or consolidated statements of cash flows. Refer to Note 11, Leases , for further information. In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-02, Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income , which amends existing guidance for reporting comprehensive income to reflect changes resulting from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (“Tax Act”). The amendment provides the option to reclassify stranded tax effects resulting from the Tax Act within accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”) to retained earnings. This amendment became effective for us on January 1, 2019. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements and disclosures. RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments , and in November 2018 issued a subsequent amendment, ASU 2018-19, Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses . This update significantly changes how entities will measure credit losses for most financial assets and certain other instruments that are not measured at fair value through net income. The update will replace today’s “incurred loss” approach with an “expected loss” model for instruments measured at amortized cost. The update will affect loans, debt securities, trade receivables, net investments in leases, off balance sheet credit exposures, reinsurance receivables, and any other financial assets not excluded from the scope of this amendment that have the contractual right to receive cash. This update is effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2019, and is effective for our fiscal year beginning January 1, 2020. The adoption of this standard will impact our accounting policy for allowance for doubtful accounts, which is a significant accounting policy, but we do not expect the impact to be material to our consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Note 1 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 , includes a summary of the significant accounting policies and methods used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements. We have expanded these policies below to effect the adoption of Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 842 in the first quarter of 2019. RIGHT-OF-USE LEASE ASSETS. Right-of-use lease assets are recognized upon lease commencement and represent our right to use an underlying asset for the lease term. LEASE LIABILITIES.

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE A

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS	GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS The change in carrying amount of goodwill is as follows (in thousands): NAST Global Forwarding All Other and Corporate Total Balance December 31, 2018 (1) $ 1,016,784 $ 182,029 $ 60,109 $ 1,258,922 Acquisitions — 25,892 7,771 33,663 Translation (5,270 ) (895 ) (529 ) (6,694 ) Balance September 30, 2019 $ 1,011,514 $ 207,026 $ 67,351 $ 1,285,891 ____________________________________________ (1) Amounts have been reclassified related to the reorganization of the NAST and Robinson Fresh transportation networks discussed in Note 9, Segment Reporting . Goodwill is tested at least annually for impairment on November 30, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. We first perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of our reporting units is less than their respective carrying value (“Step Zero Analysis”). If the Step Zero Analysis indicates it is more likely than not that the fair value of our reporting units is less than their respective carrying value, an additional impairment assessment is performed (“Step One Analysis”). As a result of the segment reorganization discussed in Note 9, Segment Reporting , we determined the fair value of each of our reporting units to further support our qualitative assessment and determined the more likely than not criteria had not been met, and therefore a Step One Analysis was not required as of September 30, 2019 . Identifiable intangible assets consisted of the following (in thousands): September 30, 2019 December 31, 2018 Cost Accumulated Amortization Net Cost Accumulated Amortization Net Finite-lived intangibles Customer relationships $ 271,636 $ (183,443 ) $ 88,193 $ 254,293 $ (156,006 ) $ 98,287 Non-competition agreements 300 (285 ) 15 300 (240 ) 60 Total finite-lived intangibles 271,936 (183,728 ) 88,208 254,593 (156,246 ) 98,347 Indefinite-lived intangibles Trademarks 10,475 — 10,475 10,475 — 10,475 Total intangibles $ 282,411 $ (183,728 ) $ 98,683 $ 265,068 $ (156,246 ) $ 108,822 Amortization expense for other intangible assets is as follows (in thousands): Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019 2018 2019 2018 Amortization expense $ 9,731 $ 9,201 $ 28,699 $ 27,796 Definite-lived intangible assets, by reportable segment, as of September 30, 2019 , will be amortized over their remaining lives as follows (in thousands): NAST Global Forwarding All Other and Corporate Total Remainder of 2019 $ 1,952 $ 7,543 $ 67 $ 9,562 2020 247 27,584 595 28,426 2021 247 14,063 595 14,905 2022 247 14,063 595 14,905 2023 247 11,493 595 12,335 Thereafter 164 6,391 1,520 8,075 Total $ 88,208

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019
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. We had no Level 3 assets or liabilities as of and during the periods ended September 30, 2019 , and December 31, 2018

FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS

FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS	FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS The components of our short-term and long-term debt and the associated interest rates were as follows (dollars in thousands): Average interest rate as of Carrying value as of September 30, 2019 December 31, 2018 Maturity September 30, 2019 December 31, 2018 Revolving credit facility — % 3.64 % October 2023 $ — $ 5,000 Senior Notes, Series A 3.97 % 3.97 % August 2023 175,000 175,000 Senior Notes, Series B 4.26 % 4.26 % August 2028 150,000 150,000 Senior Notes, Series C 4.60 % 4.60 % August 2033 175,000 175,000 Receivables securitization facility (1) 2.67 % 3.15 % December 2020 160,854 249,744 Senior Notes (1) 4.20 % 4.20 % April 2028 592,237 591,608 Total debt 1,253,091 1,346,352 Less: Current maturities and short-term borrowing — (5,000 ) Long-term debt $ 1,253,091 $ 1,341,352 ____________________________________________ (1) Net of unamortized discounts and issuance costs. SENIOR UNSECURED REVOLVING CREDIT FACILITY We have a senior unsecured revolving credit facility (the "Credit Agreement"). On October 24, 2018, the Credit Agreement was amended to increase the total availability from $900 million to $1 billion and extend the maturity date from December 31, 2019, to October 24, 2023. Borrowings under the Credit Agreement generally bear interest at a variable rate determined by a pricing schedule or the base rate (which is the highest of (a) the administrative agent's prime rate, (b) the federal funds rate plus 0.50 percent , or (c) the sum of one-month LIBOR plus a specified margin). As of September 30, 2019 , the variable rate equaled LIBOR plus 1.13 percent . In addition, there is a commitment fee on the average daily undrawn stated amount under each letter of credit issued under the facility ranging from 0.075 percent to 0.200 percent . The recorded amount of borrowings outstanding approximates fair value because of the short maturity period of the debt; therefore, we consider these borrowings to be a Level 2 financial liability. The Credit Agreement contains various restrictions and covenants that require us to maintain certain financial ratios, including a maximum leverage ratio of 3.50 to 1.00 . 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. NOTE PURCHASE AGREEMENT On August 23, 2013, we entered into a Note Purchase Agreement with certain institutional investors (the “Purchasers”). On August 27, 2013, the Purchasers purchased an aggregate principal amount of $500 million of our Senior Notes, Series A, Senior Notes Series B, and Senior Notes Series C, collectively (the “Notes”). Interest on the Notes is payable semi-annually in arrears. The fair value of the Notes approximated $539.3 million at September 30, 2019 . We estimate the fair value of the Notes primarily using an expected present value technique, which is based on observable market inputs using interest rates currently available to companies of similar credit standing for similar terms and remaining maturities, and considering our own risk. If the Notes were recorded at fair value, they would be classified as Level 2. The Note Purchase Agreement contains various restrictions and covenants that require us to maintain certain financial ratios, including a maximum leverage ratio of 3.00 to 1.00 , a minimum interest coverage ratio of 2.00 to 1.00 , and a maximum consolidated priority debt to consolidated total asset ratio of 15 percent . The Note Purchase Agreement provides for customary events of default. 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 percent of the principal amount being redeemed together with a “make-whole amount” (as defined in the Note Purchase Agreement), and accrued and unpaid interest 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. U.S. TRADE ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE SECURITIZATION On April 26, 2017, we entered into a receivables purchase agreement and related transaction documents with The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd., New York Branch and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. to provide a receivables securitization facility (the “Receivables Securitization Facility”). On December 17, 2018, we entered into an amended Receivables Securitization Facility with Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. and Bank of America, N.A. to extend the maturity date from April 26, 2019, to December 17, 2020. The Receivables Securitization Facility is based on the securitization of our U.S. trade accounts receivable and provides funding of up to $250 million . The interest rate on borrowings under the Receivables Securitization Facility is based on 30-day LIBOR plus a margin. There is also a commitment fee we are required to pay on any unused portion of the facility. The Receivables Securitization Facility expires on December 17, 2020, unless extended by the parties. The recorded amount of borrowings outstanding on the Receivables Securitization Facility approximates fair value because it can be redeemed on short notice and the interest rate floats, therefore, we consider these borrowings to be a Level 2 financial liability. The Receivables Securitization Facility contains various customary affirmative and negative covenants, and it also contains customary default and termination provisions which provide for acceleration of amounts owed under the Receivables Securitization Facility upon the occurrence of certain specified events. SENIOR NOTES On April 9, 2018, we issued senior unsecured notes ("Senior Notes") through a public offering. The Senior Notes bear an annual interest rate of 4.20 percent payable semi-annually on April 15 and October 15, until maturity on April 15, 2028. The proceeds from the Senior Notes were utilized to pay down the balance on our Credit Agreement. Taking into effect the amortization of the original issue discount and all underwriting and issuance expenses, the Senior Notes have an effective yield to maturity of approximately 4.39 percent per annum. The fair value of the Senior Notes, excluding debt discounts and issuance costs, approximated $662.0 million as of September 30, 2019 , based primarily on the market prices quoted from external sources. The carrying value of the Senior Notes was $592.2 million as of September 30, 2019 . If the Senior Notes were measured at fair value in the financial statements, they would be classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy. We may redeem the Senior Notes, in whole or in part, at any time and from time to time prior to their maturity at the applicable redemption prices described in the Senior Notes. Upon the occurrence of a “change of control triggering event” as defined in the Senior Notes (generally, a change of control of us accompanied by a reduction in the credit rating for the Senior Notes), we will generally be required to make an offer to repurchase the Senior Notes from holders at 101 percent of their principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest to the date of repurchase. The Senior Notes were issued under an indenture that contains covenants imposing certain limitations on our ability to incur liens, enter into sales and leaseback transactions and consolidate, or merge or transfer substantially all of our assets and those of our subsidiaries on a consolidated basis. It also provides for customary events of default (subject in certain cases to customary grace and cure periods), which include among other things nonpayment, breach of covenants in the indenture, and certain events of bankruptcy and insolvency. If an event of default occurs and is continuing with respect to the Senior Notes, the trustee or holders of at least 25 percent in principal amount outstanding of the Senior Notes may declare the principal and the accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on all of the outstanding Senior Notes to be due and payable. These covenants and events of default are subject to a number of important qualifications, limitations, and exceptions that are described in the indenture. The indenture does not contain any financial ratios or specified levels of net worth or liquidity to which we must adhere. As of September 30, 2019

INCOME TAXES

INCOME TAXES	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019
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 income tax 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 2012. We are currently under an Internal Revenue Service audit for the 2015, 2016 and 2017 tax years. Our effective tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2019 , and 2018 was 21.8 percent and 26.5 percent , respectively, and our effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 , and 2018 was 22.5 percent and 24.7 percent , respectively. The effective income tax rate for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 , was higher than the statutory federal income tax rate due to state income taxes, net of federal benefit, and foreign income taxes, but was partially offset by the tax impact of share-based payment awards and the combined tax impact of Global Intangible Low-tax income ("GILTI") and Foreign Derived Intangible Income ("FDII"). Additionally, the nine months ended September 30, 2018 , included net income tax expense of $3.6 million related to adjustments to the one-time transition tax required as part of the Tax Act. We have asserted that we will indefinitely reinvest earnings of foreign subsidiaries to support expansion of our international business. If we repatriated all unremitted foreign earnings, the estimated effect on income taxes payable would be an increase of approximately $18.6 million as of September 30, 2019 . GILTI and FDII were enacted as part of the Tax Act on December 22, 2017. Although enacted more than a year ago, regulatory guidance on the application of FDII has not been finalized. We have included the tax impact of both GILTI and FDII in our income tax expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 , based on our understanding of the rules available at the time of this filing. However, our calculations could be impacted by future regulations as guidance is finalized. We will continue to monitor any new guidance related to FDII and determine any impact it may have on our calculations. As of September 30, 2019 , we have $39.7 million of unrecognized tax benefits and related interest and penalties. It is possible the amount of unrecognized tax benefit could change in the next 12 months as a result of a lapse of the statute of limitations and settlements with taxing authorities. The total liability for unrecognized tax benefits is expected to decrease by approximately $3.0 million in the next 12 months due to lapsing of statutes.

STOCK AWARD PLANS

STOCK AWARD PLANS	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019
Share-based Payment Arrangement [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 condensed 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, 2019 2018 2019 2018 Stock options $ 4,829 $ 5,666 $ 13,539 $ 17,931 Stock awards 3,470 17,539 24,798 48,443 Company expense on ESPP discount 551 566 2,320 2,101 Total stock-based compensation expense $ 8,850 $ 23,771 $ 40,657 $ 68,475 On May 9, 2019, our shareholders approved an amendment and restatement of our 2013 Equity Incentive Plan (“the Plan”) to increase the number of shares authorized for award by 4,000,000 shares. The Plan allows us to grant certain stock awards, including stock options at fair market value and performance shares and restricted stock units, to our key employees and outside directors. A maximum of 17,041,803 shares can be granted under this plan following the amendment and restatement. Approximately 5,283,926 shares were available for stock awards under the plan as of September 30, 2019 . Shares subject to awards that expire or are canceled without delivery of shares or that are settled in cash generally become available again for issuance under the plan. Stock Options - We have awarded time-based and performance-based stock options to certain key employees. These options are subject to certain vesting requirements over a five -year period based on the employee's continued employment or 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. 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, 2019 , unrecognized compensation expense related to stock options was $45.0 million . The amount of future expense to be recognized will be based on the passage of time, the company’s earnings growth, and certain other conditions. Stock Awards - We have awarded performance-based restricted shares and restricted stock units and time-based restricted stock units to certain key employees and non-employee directors. Performance-based awards are subject to certain vesting requirements over a five -year period, based on our earnings growth. Time-based awards vest primarily based on the employee's continued employment. The awards also contain restrictions on the awardees’ ability to sell or transfer vested awards for a specified period of time. The fair value of these awards is established based on the market price on the date of grant, discounted for post-vesting holding restrictions. The discounts on outstanding grants vary from 15 percent to 21 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 issued restricted stock units to certain key employees and non-employee directors, which are fully vested upon issuance. These units contain restrictions on the awardees’ ability to sell or transfer vested units for a specified period of time. The fair value of these units is established using the same method discussed above. These grants have been expensed during the year they were earned. As of September 30, 2019 , there was unrecognized compensation expense of $97.1 million related to previously granted full value awards. The amount of future expense to be recognized will be based on the passage of time, the company’s earnings growth, and certain other conditions. Employee Stock Purchase Plan - Our 1997 Employee Stock Purchase Plan ("ESPP") 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 each quarter discounted by 15 percent . Shares vest immediately. The following is a summary of the employee stock purchase plan activity: Three Months Ended September 30, 2019 Shares purchased by employees Aggregate cost to employees Expense recognized by the company 45,098 $ 3,121,126 $ 550,787

LITIGATION

LITIGATION	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [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 certain contingent auto liability cases. For some legal proceedings, we have accrued an amount that reflects the aggregate liability deemed probable and estimable, but this amount is not material to our condensed 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 often unable 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.

ACQUISITIONS

ACQUISITIONS	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019
Business Combinations [Abstract]
ACQUISITIONS	ACQUISITIONS On May 22, 2019, we acquired all of the outstanding shares of Dema Service S.p.A. (“Dema Service”) to strengthen our existing footprint in Italy. Total purchase consideration, net of cash acquired was $14.2 million , which was paid in cash. Identifiable intangible assets and estimated useful lives are as follows (dollars in thousands): Estimated Life (years) Customer relationships 7 $ 4,252 There was $7.8 million of goodwill recorded related to the acquisition of Dema Service. The Dema Service goodwill is a result of acquiring and retaining the Dema Service workforce and expected synergies from integrating its business into ours. Purchase accounting is considered substantially complete. No goodwill was recognized for Italian tax purposes from the acquisition. Th e results of operations of Dema Service have been included as part of the All Other and Corporate segment in our consolidated financial statements since May 23, 2019. On February 28, 2019, we acquired all of the outstanding shares of The Space Cargo Group (“Space Cargo”) for the purpose of expanding our presence and capabilities in Spain and Colombia. Total purchase consideration, net of cash acquired, was $45.0 million , which was paid in cash. Identifiable intangible assets and estimated useful lives are as follows (dollars in thousands): Estimated Life (years) Customer relationships 7 $ 16,439 There was $25.9 million

SEGMENT REPORTING

SEGMENT REPORTING	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
SEGMENT REPORTING	SEGMENT REPORTING On January 1, 2019, we reorganized our enterprise transportation services structure to combine our NAST and Robinson Fresh transportation networks. The newly combined transportation network will be managed by and reported under the NAST reportable segment. We have determined that the remaining Robinson Fresh segment no longer meets the requirements of a reportable segment and will be included in the All Other and Corporate reportable segment. Prior period information has been reclassified to conform with this presentation. Our reportable segments are based on our method of internal reporting, which generally segregates the segments by service line and the primary services they provide to our customers. We identify two reportable segments in addition to All Other and Corporate as summarized below: • North American Surface Transportation— NAST provides freight transportation services across North America through a network of offices in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The primary services provided by NAST include truckload, temperature-controlled transportation, less than truckload (“LTL”), and intermodal. • Global Forwarding— Global Forwarding provides global logistics services through an international network of offices in North America, Asia, Europe, Oceania, and South America and also contracts with independent agents worldwide. The primary services provided by Global Forwarding include ocean freight services, air freight services, and customs brokerage. • All Other and Corporate— All Other and Corporate includes our Robinson Fresh and Managed Services segments, as well as Other Surface Transportation outside of North America and other miscellaneous revenues and unallocated corporate expenses. Robinson Fresh provides sourcing services including the buying, selling, and marketing of fresh fruits, vegetables, and other perishable items. Managed Services provides Transportation Management Services, or Managed TMS ® . Other Surface Transportation revenues are primarily earned by Europe Surface Transportation. Europe Surface Transportation provides services similar to NAST across Europe. The internal reporting of segments is defined, based in part, on the reporting and review process used by our chief operating decision maker (“CODM”), our Chief Executive Officer. The accounting policies of our reportable segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies. We do not report our intersegment revenues by reportable segment to our CODM and do not believe they are a meaningful metric for evaluating the performance of our reportable segments. Reportable segment information as of, and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 , and 2018 , is as follows (dollars in thousands): NAST Global Forwarding All Other and Corporate Consolidated Three Months Ended September 30, 2019 Total revenues $ 2,826,308 $ 597,695 $ 432,129 $ 3,856,132 Net revenues 433,760 135,815 63,856 633,431 Income from operations 176,200 24,676 209 201,085 Depreciation and amortization 5,734 9,186 10,560 25,480 Total assets (1) 2,649,259 995,137 992,153 4,636,549 Average headcount 7,448 4,790 3,544 15,782 NAST Global Forwarding All Other and Corporate Consolidated Three Months Ended September 30, 2018 (2) Total revenues $ 3,224,906 $ 639,268 $ 427,726 $ 4,291,900 Net revenues 499,463 134,101 60,480 694,044 Income (loss) from operations 223,893 23,835 (1,755 ) 245,973 Depreciation and amortization 6,286 8,735 8,902 23,923 Total assets (1) 2,739,569 944,928 808,225 4,492,722 Average headcount 7,454 4,684 3,153 15,291 NAST Global Forwarding All Other and Corporate Consolidated Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019 Total revenues $ 8,495,145 $ 1,727,745 $ 1,293,292 $ 11,516,182 Net revenues 1,406,728 404,987 195,732 2,007,447 Income (loss) from operations 592,215 65,497 (4,542 ) 653,170 Depreciation and amortization 18,124 27,427 29,571 75,122 Total assets (1) 2,649,259 995,137 992,153 4,636,549 Average headcount 7,436 4,748 3,398 15,582 NAST Global Forwarding All Other and Corporate Consolidated Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 (2) Total revenues $ 9,296,510 $ 1,810,619 $ 1,386,135 $ 12,493,264 Net revenues 1,397,571 401,169 192,712 1,991,452 Income from operations 591,774 61,844 2,948 656,566 Depreciation and amortization 18,905 26,397 27,100 72,402 Total assets (1) 2,739,569 944,928 808,225 4,492,722 Average headcount 7,375 4,725 3,089 15,189 ____________________________________________ (1) All cash and cash equivalents are included in All Other and Corporate. (2) Amounts have been reclassified to reflect the segment reorganization announced in the first quarter of 2019.

REVENUE FROM CONTRACTS WITH CUS

REVENUE FROM CONTRACTS WITH CUSTOMERS	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
REVENUE FROM CONTRACTS WITH CUSTOMERS	REVENUE FROM CONTRACTS WITH CUSTOMERS A summary of our total revenues disaggregated by major service line and timing of revenue recognition is presented below for each of our reportable segments for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 , and 2018 (in thousands): Three Months Ended September 30, 2019 NAST Global Forwarding All Other and Corporate Total Major Service Lines Transportation and logistics services (1) $ 2,826,308 $ 597,695 $ 184,343 $ 3,608,346 Sourcing (2) — — 247,786 247,786 Total $ 2,826,308 $ 597,695 $ 432,129 $ 3,856,132 Three Months Ended September 30, 2018 NAST Global Forwarding All Other and Corporate Total Major Service Lines Transportation and logistics services (1) $ 3,224,906 $ 639,268 $ 164,218 $ 4,028,392 Sourcing (2) — — 263,508 263,508 Total $ 3,224,906 $ 639,268 $ 427,726 $ 4,291,900 ____________________________________________ (1) Transportation and logistics services performance obligations are completed over time (2) Sourcing performance obligations are completed at a point in time Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019 NAST Global Forwarding All Other and Corporate Total Major Service Lines Transportation and logistics services (1) $ 8,495,145 $ 1,727,745 $ 529,000 $ 10,751,890 Sourcing (2) — — 764,292 764,292 Total $ 8,495,145 $ 1,727,745 $ 1,293,292 $ 11,516,182 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 NAST Global Forwarding All Other and Corporate Total Major Service Lines Transportation and logistics services (1) $ 9,296,510 $ 1,810,619 $ 512,042 $ 11,619,171 Sourcing (2) — — 874,093 874,093 Total $ 9,296,510 $ 1,810,619 $ 1,386,135 $ 12,493,264 ____________________________________________ (1) Transportation and logistics services performance obligations are completed over time (2) Sourcing performance obligations are completed at a point in time We typically do not receive consideration and amounts are not due from our customer prior to the completion of our performance obligation and as such contract liabilities as of September 30, 2019 , and revenue recognized in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018 resulting from contract liabilities was not significant. Contract assets and accrued expenses-transportation expense fluctuate from period to period primarily based upon shipments in-transit at period end.

LEASES

LEASES	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019
Leases [Abstract]
LEASES	LEASES We adopted ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), as of January 1, 2019. Prior period information was not restated and continues to be presented under ASC 840, Leases . We elected the package of practical expedients permitted under the transition guidance within the new standard, which among other things, allowed us to not reassess existing contracts to determine if they contain a lease and to carry forward their historical lease classification upon transition. In addition, we have made a policy election to not apply the guidance of ASC 842 to leases with a term of 12 months or less as allowed by the standard. These leases are recognized as expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Adoption of the new standard resulted in the recording of right-of-use lease assets and lease liabilities of $265.4 million and $273.3 million , respectively, as of January 1, 2019. The adoption of this standard did not materially impact our consolidated statements of operations or consolidated statements of cash flows. We determine if our contractual agreements contain a lease at inception. A lease is identified when a contract allows us the right to control an identified asset for a period of time in exchange for consideration. Our lease agreements consist primarily of operating leases for office space, warehouses, office equipment, and a small number of intermodal containers. We do not have material financing leases. Frequently, we enter into contractual relationships with a wide variety of transportation companies for freight capacity, and utilize those relationships to efficiently and cost-effectively arrange the transport of our customers’ freight. These contracts typically have a term of 12 months or less and do not allow us to direct the use or obtain substantially all of the economic benefits of a specifically identified asset. Accordingly, these agreements are not considered leases. Our operating leases are included on the consolidated balance sheets as right-of-use lease assets and lease liabilities. A right-of-use lease asset represents our right to use an underlying asset over the term of a lease while a lease liability represents our obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. Current and noncurrent lease liabilities are recognized at commencement date at the present value of lease payments, including non-lease components, which consist primarily of common area maintenance charges. Right-of-use lease assets are also recognized at commencement date as the total lease liability plus prepaid rents and less any deferred rent liability that existed under ASC 840, Leases, upon transition. As most of our leases do not provide an implicit rate, we use our fully collateralized incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at commencement date in determining the present value of lease payments. The incremental borrowing rate is influenced by our credit rating and lease term and as such may differ for individual leases. Our lease agreements typically do not contain variable lease payments, residual value guarantees, purchase options, or restrictive covenants. Many of our leases include the option to renew for a period of months to several years. The term of our leases may include the option to renew when it is reasonably certain that we will exercise that option although these occurrences are seldom. We have lease agreements with lease components (e.g., payments for rent) and non-lease components (e.g., payments for common area maintenance and parking), which are all accounted for as a single lease component. We do not have material lease agreements that have not yet commenced that are expected to create significant rights or obligations as of September 30, 2019 . Information regarding lease expense, remaining lease term, discount rate, and other select lease information is presented below as of September 30, 2019 , and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 (dollars in thousands): Lease Costs Three Months Ended September 30, 2019 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019 Operating lease expense $ 16,905 $ 50,684 Short-term lease expense 2,605 8,022 Total lease expense $ 19,510 $ 58,706 Other Lease Information Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019 Operating cash flows from operating leases $ 49,925 Right-of-use lease assets obtained in exchange for new lease liabilities 42,387 Lease Term and Discount Rate As of September 30, 2019 Weighted average remaining lease term (in years) (1) 7.8 Weighted average discount rate 3.6 % ____________________________________________ (1) The weighted average remaining lease term is significantly impacted by a 15 -year lease related to office space in Chicago, IL, that commenced in 2018. Excluding this lease, the weighted average remaining lease term of our agreements is 4.5 years . The maturity of lease liabilities as of September 30, 2019 , were as follows (in thousands): Maturity of Lease Liabilities Operating Leases Remaining 2019 $ 16,100 2020 64,029 2021 51,773 2022 38,443 2023 27,705 Thereafter 117,921 Total lease payments 315,971 Less: Interest (43,514 ) Present value of lease liabilities $ 272,457 Minimum future lease commitments under noncancelable lease agreements in excess of one year as of December 31, 2018 , are as follows (in thousands): 2019 $ 53,675 2020 47,680 2021 36,832 2022 27,644 2023 19,406 Thereafter 81,465 Total lease payments $ 266,702

CHANGES IN ACCUMULATED OTHER CO

CHANGES IN ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]
CHANGES IN ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS	CHANGES IN ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS Accumulated other comprehensive loss is included in Stockholders' investment on our condensed consolidated balance sheets. The recorded balance at September 30, 2019 , and December 31, 2018 , was $90.9 million and $71.9 million , respectively. Accumulated other comprehensive loss is comprised solely of foreign currency adjustments at September 30, 2019 , and December 31, 2018 .

BASIS OF PRESENTATION (Policies

BASIS OF PRESENTATION (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
BASIS OF PRESENTATION	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 operating through a network of offices located in North America, Europe, Asia, Oceania, and South America. 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. On January 1, 2019, we reorganized our enterprise transportation services structure to combine our North American Surface Transportation (“NAST”) and Robinson Fresh transportation networks. The newly combined transportation network will be managed by and reported under the NAST reportable segment. Our reportable segments are NAST and Global Forwarding with all other segments included in All Other and Corporate. We have determined that the remaining Robinson Fresh segment no longer meets the requirements of a reportable segment. Robinson Fresh will be included in the All Other and Corporate reportable segment with Managed Services, Other Surface Transportation outside of North America, and other miscellaneous revenues and unallocated corporate expenses. Prior period information has been reclassified to conform with this presentation. For financial information concerning our reportable segments, refer to Note 9, Segment Reporting . 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 annual 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, 2018.
RECENTLY ADOPTED AND ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS	RECENTLY ADOPTED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) . This update requires a lessee to recognize on the balance sheet a liability to make lease payments and a corresponding right-of-use lease asset. The guidance also requires certain qualitative and quantitative disclosures about the amount, timing, and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leases. In July 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-11, Leases (Topic 842) : Targeted Improvements, which provides another transition method no longer requiring application to previously reported periods. Therefore, prior period balances will not be restated. We adopted Topic 842 during the first quarter of 2019 by recognizing right-of-use lease assets and lease liabilities of $265.4 million and $273.3 million , respectively, on January 1, 2019. The adoption of this standard did not have a significant impact on our consolidated results of operations or consolidated statements of cash flows. Refer to Note 11, Leases , for further information. In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-02, Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income , which amends existing guidance for reporting comprehensive income to reflect changes resulting from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (“Tax Act”). The amendment provides the option to reclassify stranded tax effects resulting from the Tax Act within accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”) to retained earnings. This amendment became effective for us on January 1, 2019. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements and disclosures. RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments , and in November 2018 issued a subsequent amendment, ASU 2018-19, Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses . This update significantly changes how entities will measure credit losses for most financial assets and certain other instruments that are not measured at fair value through net income. The update will replace today’s “incurred loss” approach with an “expected loss” model for instruments measured at amortized cost. The update will affect loans, debt securities, trade receivables, net investments in leases, off balance sheet credit exposures, reinsurance receivables, and any other financial assets not excluded from the scope of this amendment that have the contractual right to receive cash. This update is effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2019, and is effective for our fiscal year beginning January 1, 2020. The adoption of this standard will impact our accounting policy for allowance for doubtful accounts, which is a significant accounting policy, but we do not expect the impact to be material to our consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.
RIGHT-OF-USE LEASE ASSETS AND LIABILITIES	RIGHT-OF-USE LEASE ASSETS. Right-of-use lease assets are recognized upon lease commencement and represent our right to use an underlying asset for the lease term. LEASE LIABILITIES.
GOODWILL	Goodwill is tested at least annually for impairment on November 30, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. We first perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of our reporting units is less than their respective carrying value (“Step Zero Analysis”). If the Step Zero Analysis indicates it is more likely than not that the fair value of our reporting units is less than their respective carrying value, an additional impairment assessment is performed (“Step One Analysis”).
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.

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE_2

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Goodwill	The change in carrying amount of goodwill is as follows (in thousands): NAST Global Forwarding All Other and Corporate Total Balance December 31, 2018 (1) $ 1,016,784 $ 182,029 $ 60,109 $ 1,258,922 Acquisitions — 25,892 7,771 33,663 Translation (5,270 ) (895 ) (529 ) (6,694 ) Balance September 30, 2019 $ 1,011,514 $ 207,026 $ 67,351 $ 1,285,891 ____________________________________________ (1) Amounts have been reclassified related to the reorganization of the NAST and Robinson Fresh transportation networks discussed in Note 9, Segment Reporting .
Schedule of Identifiable Intangible Assets	Identifiable intangible assets consisted of the following (in thousands): September 30, 2019 December 31, 2018 Cost Accumulated Amortization Net Cost Accumulated Amortization Net Finite-lived intangibles Customer relationships $ 271,636 $ (183,443 ) $ 88,193 $ 254,293 $ (156,006 ) $ 98,287 Non-competition agreements 300 (285 ) 15 300 (240 ) 60 Total finite-lived intangibles 271,936 (183,728 ) 88,208 254,593 (156,246 ) 98,347 Indefinite-lived intangibles Trademarks 10,475 — 10,475 10,475 — 10,475 Total intangibles $ 282,411 $ (183,728 ) $ 98,683 $ 265,068 $ (156,246 ) $ 108,822
Schedule of Amortization Expense of Intangible Assets	Amortization expense for other intangible assets is as follows (in thousands): Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019 2018 2019 2018 Amortization expense $ 9,731 $ 9,201 $ 28,699 $ 27,796
Schedule of Future Amortization of Definite-Lived Intangible Assets	Definite-lived intangible assets, by reportable segment, as of September 30, 2019 , will be amortized over their remaining lives as follows (in thousands): NAST Global Forwarding All Other and Corporate Total Remainder of 2019 $ 1,952 $ 7,543 $ 67 $ 9,562 2020 247 27,584 595 28,426 2021 247 14,063 595 14,905 2022 247 14,063 595 14,905 2023 247 11,493 595 12,335 Thereafter 164 6,391 1,520 8,075 Total $ 88,208

FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS (Tables)

FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Components of Short-term and Long-term Debt	The components of our short-term and long-term debt and the associated interest rates were as follows (dollars in thousands): Average interest rate as of Carrying value as of September 30, 2019 December 31, 2018 Maturity September 30, 2019 December 31, 2018 Revolving credit facility — % 3.64 % October 2023 $ — $ 5,000 Senior Notes, Series A 3.97 % 3.97 % August 2023 175,000 175,000 Senior Notes, Series B 4.26 % 4.26 % August 2028 150,000 150,000 Senior Notes, Series C 4.60 % 4.60 % August 2033 175,000 175,000 Receivables securitization facility (1) 2.67 % 3.15 % December 2020 160,854 249,744 Senior Notes (1) 4.20 % 4.20 % April 2028 592,237 591,608 Total debt 1,253,091 1,346,352 Less: Current maturities and short-term borrowing — (5,000 ) Long-term debt $ 1,253,091 $ 1,341,352 ____________________________________________ (1) Net of unamortized discounts and issuance costs.

STOCK AWARD PLANS (Tables)

STOCK AWARD PLANS (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019
Share-based Payment Arrangement [Abstract]
Schedule of Stock-based Compensation	A summary of our total compensation expense recognized in our condensed 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, 2019 2018 2019 2018 Stock options $ 4,829 $ 5,666 $ 13,539 $ 17,931 Stock awards 3,470 17,539 24,798 48,443 Company expense on ESPP discount 551 566 2,320 2,101 Total stock-based compensation expense $ 8,850 $ 23,771 $ 40,657 $ 68,475
Schedule Employee Stock Purchase Plan Activity	The following is a summary of the employee stock purchase plan activity: Three Months Ended September 30, 2019 Shares purchased by employees Aggregate cost to employees Expense recognized by the company 45,098 $ 3,121,126 $ 550,787

ACQUISITIONS (Tables)

ACQUISITIONS (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Schedule of Identifiable Intangible Assets and Estimated Useful Lives	Identifiable intangible assets and estimated useful lives are as follows (dollars in thousands): Estimated Life (years) Customer relationships 7 $ 4,252 Identifiable intangible assets and estimated useful lives are as follows (dollars in thousands): Estimated Life (years) Customer relationships 7 $ 16,439

SEGMENT REPORTING (Tables)

SEGMENT REPORTING (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Summary of Segment Information	Reportable segment information as of, and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 , and 2018 , is as follows (dollars in thousands): NAST Global Forwarding All Other and Corporate Consolidated Three Months Ended September 30, 2019 Total revenues $ 2,826,308 $ 597,695 $ 432,129 $ 3,856,132 Net revenues 433,760 135,815 63,856 633,431 Income from operations 176,200 24,676 209 201,085 Depreciation and amortization 5,734 9,186 10,560 25,480 Total assets (1) 2,649,259 995,137 992,153 4,636,549 Average headcount 7,448 4,790 3,544 15,782 NAST Global Forwarding All Other and Corporate Consolidated Three Months Ended September 30, 2018 (2) Total revenues $ 3,224,906 $ 639,268 $ 427,726 $ 4,291,900 Net revenues 499,463 134,101 60,480 694,044 Income (loss) from operations 223,893 23,835 (1,755 ) 245,973 Depreciation and amortization 6,286 8,735 8,902 23,923 Total assets (1) 2,739,569 944,928 808,225 4,492,722 Average headcount 7,454 4,684 3,153 15,291 NAST Global Forwarding All Other and Corporate Consolidated Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019 Total revenues $ 8,495,145 $ 1,727,745 $ 1,293,292 $ 11,516,182 Net revenues 1,406,728 404,987 195,732 2,007,447 Income (loss) from operations 592,215 65,497 (4,542 ) 653,170 Depreciation and amortization 18,124 27,427 29,571 75,122 Total assets (1) 2,649,259 995,137 992,153 4,636,549 Average headcount 7,436 4,748 3,398 15,582 NAST Global Forwarding All Other and Corporate Consolidated Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 (2) Total revenues $ 9,296,510 $ 1,810,619 $ 1,386,135 $ 12,493,264 Net revenues 1,397,571 401,169 192,712 1,991,452 Income from operations 591,774 61,844 2,948 656,566 Depreciation and amortization 18,905 26,397 27,100 72,402 Total assets (1) 2,739,569 944,928 808,225 4,492,722 Average headcount 7,375 4,725 3,089 15,189 ____________________________________________ (1) All cash and cash equivalents are included in All Other and Corporate. (2) Amounts have been reclassified to reflect the segment reorganization announced in the first quarter of 2019.

REVENUE FROM CONTRACTS WITH C_2

REVENUE FROM CONTRACTS WITH CUSTOMERS (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Summary of Total Revenues Disaggregated by Major Service Line and Timing of Revenue Recognition	A summary of our total revenues disaggregated by major service line and timing of revenue recognition is presented below for each of our reportable segments for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 , and 2018 (in thousands): Three Months Ended September 30, 2019 NAST Global Forwarding All Other and Corporate Total Major Service Lines Transportation and logistics services (1) $ 2,826,308 $ 597,695 $ 184,343 $ 3,608,346 Sourcing (2) — — 247,786 247,786 Total $ 2,826,308 $ 597,695 $ 432,129 $ 3,856,132 Three Months Ended September 30, 2018 NAST Global Forwarding All Other and Corporate Total Major Service Lines Transportation and logistics services (1) $ 3,224,906 $ 639,268 $ 164,218 $ 4,028,392 Sourcing (2) — — 263,508 263,508 Total $ 3,224,906 $ 639,268 $ 427,726 $ 4,291,900 ____________________________________________ (1) Transportation and logistics services performance obligations are completed over time (2) Sourcing performance obligations are completed at a point in time Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019 NAST Global Forwarding All Other and Corporate Total Major Service Lines Transportation and logistics services (1) $ 8,495,145 $ 1,727,745 $ 529,000 $ 10,751,890 Sourcing (2) — — 764,292 764,292 Total $ 8,495,145 $ 1,727,745 $ 1,293,292 $ 11,516,182 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 NAST Global Forwarding All Other and Corporate Total Major Service Lines Transportation and logistics services (1) $ 9,296,510 $ 1,810,619 $ 512,042 $ 11,619,171 Sourcing (2) — — 874,093 874,093 Total $ 9,296,510 $ 1,810,619 $ 1,386,135 $ 12,493,264 ____________________________________________ (1) Transportation and logistics services performance obligations are completed over time (2) Sourcing performance obligations are completed at a point in time

LEASES (Tables)

LEASES (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019
Leases [Abstract]
Schedule of Lease Expense, Remaining Lease Terms, Discount Rate and Other Information	Information regarding lease expense, remaining lease term, discount rate, and other select lease information is presented below as of September 30, 2019 , and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 (dollars in thousands): Lease Costs Three Months Ended September 30, 2019 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019 Operating lease expense $ 16,905 $ 50,684 Short-term lease expense 2,605 8,022 Total lease expense $ 19,510 $ 58,706 Other Lease Information Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019 Operating cash flows from operating leases $ 49,925 Right-of-use lease assets obtained in exchange for new lease liabilities 42,387 Lease Term and Discount Rate As of September 30, 2019 Weighted average remaining lease term (in years) (1) 7.8 Weighted average discount rate 3.6 % ____________________________________________ (1) The weighted average remaining lease term is significantly impacted by a 15 -year lease related to office space in Chicago, IL, that commenced in 2018. Excluding this lease, the weighted average remaining lease term of our agreements is 4.5 years .
Schedule of Maturity of Lease Liabilities	The maturity of lease liabilities as of September 30, 2019 , were as follows (in thousands): Maturity of Lease Liabilities Operating Leases Remaining 2019 $ 16,100 2020 64,029 2021 51,773 2022 38,443 2023 27,705 Thereafter 117,921 Total lease payments 315,971 Less: Interest (43,514 ) Present value of lease liabilities $ 272,457
Schedule of Minimum Future Lase Commitments Under Noncancelable Lease Agreements at Prior Year End	Minimum future lease commitments under noncancelable lease agreements in excess of one year as of December 31, 2018 , are as follows (in thousands): 2019 $ 53,675 2020 47,680 2021 36,832 2022 27,644 2023 19,406 Thereafter 81,465 Total lease payments $ 266,702

BASIS OF PRESENTATION (Details)

BASIS OF PRESENTATION (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2019	Jan. 01, 2019
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Right-of-use lease assets	$ 263,833
Right-of-use lease liabilities	$ 272,457
ASU No. 2016-02
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Right-of-use lease assets		$ 265,400
Right-of-use lease liabilities		$ 273,300

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE_3

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS - Change in the Carrying Amount of Goodwill (Details) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019USD ($)
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of period	$ 1,258,922
Acquisitions	33,663
Translation	(6,694)
Balance, end of period	1,285,891
NAST
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of period	1,016,784
Acquisitions	0
Translation	(5,270)
Balance, end of period	1,011,514
Global Forwarding
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of period	182,029
Acquisitions	25,892
Translation	(895)
Balance, end of period	207,026
All Other and Corporate
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of period	60,109
Acquisitions	7,771
Translation	(529)
Balance, end of period	$ 67,351

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE_4

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS - Summary of Intangible Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Finite-lived intangibles
Finite-lived intangibles, Cost	$ 271,936	$ 254,593
Accumulated Amortization	(183,728)	(156,246)
Total	88,208	98,347
Indefinite-lived intangibles
Indefinite-lived intangibles	10,475	10,475
Total intangibles, Cost	282,411	265,068
Total intangibles, Net	98,683	108,822
Trademarks
Indefinite-lived intangibles
Indefinite-lived intangibles	10,475	10,475
Customer relationships
Finite-lived intangibles
Finite-lived intangibles, Cost	271,636	254,293
Accumulated Amortization	(183,443)	(156,006)
Total	88,193	98,287
Non-competition agreements
Finite-lived intangibles
Finite-lived intangibles, Cost	300	300
Accumulated Amortization	(285)	(240)
Total	$ 15	$ 60

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE_5

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS - Amortization Expense and Future Amortization (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2018
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortization expense	$ 9,731	$ 9,201	$ 28,699	$ 27,796
Estimated amortization expense
Remainder of 2019	9,562		9,562
2020	28,426		28,426
2021	14,905		14,905
2022	14,905		14,905
2023	12,335		12,335
Thereafter	8,075		8,075
Total	88,208		88,208		$ 98,347
NAST
Estimated amortization expense
Remainder of 2019	1,952		1,952
2020	247		247
2021	247		247
2022	247		247
2023	247		247
Thereafter	164		164
Global Forwarding
Estimated amortization expense
Remainder of 2019	7,543		7,543
2020	27,584		27,584
2021	14,063		14,063
2022	14,063		14,063
2023	11,493		11,493
Thereafter	6,391		6,391
All Other and Corporate
Estimated amortization expense
Remainder of 2019	67		67
2020	595		595
2021	595		595
2022	595		595
2023	595		595
Thereafter	$ 1,520		$ 1,520

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT (Details

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT (Details) - Level 3 - USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Level 3 Fair Value
Assets at fair value	$ 0	$ 0
Liabilities at fair value	$ 0	$ 0

FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS - Compon

FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS - Components of Short-term and Long-term Debt (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt	$ 1,253,091	$ 1,346,352
Less: Current maturities and short-term borrowing	0	(5,000)
Long-term debt	$ 1,253,091	$ 1,341,352
Line of Credit | Revolving credit facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Average interest rate as of	0.00%	3.64%
Total debt	$ 0	$ 5,000
Senior Notes | Senior Notes, Series A
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Average interest rate as of	3.97%	3.97%
Total debt	$ 175,000	$ 175,000
Senior Notes | Senior Notes, Series B
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Average interest rate as of	4.26%	4.26%
Total debt	$ 150,000	$ 150,000
Senior Notes | Senior Notes, Series C
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Average interest rate as of	4.60%	4.60%
Total debt	$ 175,000	$ 175,000
Secured Debt | Receivables securitization facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Average interest rate as of	2.67%	3.15%
Total debt	$ 160,854	$ 249,744
Unsecured Debt | Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Average interest rate as of	4.20%	4.20%
Total debt	$ 592,237	$ 591,608

FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS - Narrat

FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS - Narrative (Details)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2018USD ($)	Dec. 17, 2018USD ($)	Oct. 24, 2018USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)	Aug. 27, 2013USD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, fair value	$ 539,300,000
Long-term debt	1,253,091,000	$ 1,346,352,000
Line of Credit | Revolving credit facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt	$ 0	5,000,000
Line of Credit | Revolving credit facility | Original Credit Agreement Due 2019
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity					$ 900,000,000
Line of Credit | Revolving credit facility | Amended Credit Agreement Due 2023
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity				$ 1,000,000,000
Maximum leverage ratio	3.50
Line of Credit | Revolving credit facility | Amended Credit Agreement Due 2023 | Federal Funds Rate
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate (percent)	0.50%
Line of Credit | Revolving credit facility | Amended Credit Agreement Due 2023 | LIBOR
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate (percent)	1.13%
Line of Credit | Revolving credit facility | Amended Credit Agreement Due 2023 | Minimum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Commitment fee (percent)	0.075%
Line of Credit | Revolving credit facility | Amended Credit Agreement Due 2023 | Maximum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Commitment fee (percent)	0.20%
Unsecured Debt | Senior Notes Due 2028
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, fair value	$ 662,000,000
Debt instrument, redemption price (percent)	101.00%
Debt instrument, annual interest rate (percent)	4.20%
Debt instrument, effective yield (percent)	4.39%
Long-term debt	$ 592,237,000	591,608,000
Threshold for holders of principal outstanding to declare principal and unpaid interest payable (percent)	25.00%
Senior Notes | Note Purchase Agreement
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum leverage ratio	3
Minimum interest coverage ratio	2
Debt instrument principal amount						$ 500,000,000
Maximum priority debt to total assets ratio (percent)	15.00%
Debt instrument, redemption price (percent)	100.00%
Secured Debt | Receivables securitization facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt	$ 160,854,000	$ 249,744,000
Secured Debt | Receivables securitization facility | Wells Fargo Bank N.A. and Bank Of America N.A.
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity			$ 250,000,000

INCOME TAXES (Details)

INCOME TAXES (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Effective income tax (percent)	21.80%	26.50%	22.50%	24.70%
Tax expense related to adjustments to the one-time transition tax required as part of Tax Act				$ 3.6
Estimated effect on income taxes payable from foreign earnings repatriated			$ 18.6
Unrecognized tax benefits and related interest and penalties, all of which would affect our effective tax rate if recognized	$ 39.7		39.7
Decrease in unrecognized tax benefits due to lapse of statute of limitations	$ 3		$ 3

STOCK AWARD PLANS - Summary of

STOCK AWARD PLANS - Summary of Total Compensation Expense Recognized in Statements of Operations for Stock-Based Compensation (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	$ 8,850,000	$ 23,771,000	$ 40,657,000	$ 68,475,000
Stock options
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	4,829,000	5,666,000	13,539,000	17,931,000
Stock awards
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	3,470,000	17,539,000	24,798,000	48,443,000
Company expense on ESPP discount
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	$ 550,787	$ 566,000	$ 2,320,000	$ 2,101,000

STOCK AWARD PLANS - Narrative (

STOCK AWARD PLANS - Narrative (Details) - USD ($)	May 09, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019
Compensation Related Costs Share Based Payments Disclosure [Line Items]
Number of additional shares authorized (shares)	4,000,000
Maximum shares that can be granted under stock plan (shares)		17,041,803
Shares available for stock awards (shares)		5,283,926
Maximum employee contribution to purchase company stock		$ 10,000
Discount rate used to determine the purchase price		15.00%
Stock options
Compensation Related Costs Share Based Payments Disclosure [Line Items]
Stock award, vesting period		5 years
Unrecognized compensation expense		$ 45,000,000
Stock awards
Compensation Related Costs Share Based Payments Disclosure [Line Items]
Stock award, vesting period		5 years
Stock awards | Minimum
Compensation Related Costs Share Based Payments Disclosure [Line Items]
Discount on outstanding grants (percent)		15.00%
Stock awards | Maximum
Compensation Related Costs Share Based Payments Disclosure [Line Items]
Discount on outstanding grants (percent)		21.00%
Full value awards
Compensation Related Costs Share Based Payments Disclosure [Line Items]
Unrecognized compensation expense		$ 97,100,000

STOCK AWARD PLANS - Summary o_2

STOCK AWARD PLANS - Summary of Employee Stock Purchase Plan Activity (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares purchased by employees (shares)	45,098
Aggregate cost to employees	$ 3,121,126
Expense recognized by the company	8,850,000	$ 23,771,000	$ 40,657,000	$ 68,475,000
Employee Stock Purchase Plan
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Expense recognized by the company	$ 550,787	$ 566,000	$ 2,320,000	$ 2,101,000

ACQUISITIONS - Narrative (Detai

ACQUISITIONS - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	May 22, 2019	Feb. 28, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Total purchase consideration net of cash acquired			$ 59,188	$ 1,315
Goodwill recorded in acquisition			$ 33,663
Dema Service
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Total purchase consideration net of cash acquired	$ 14,200
Goodwill recorded in acquisition	$ 7,800
Space Cargo
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Total purchase consideration net of cash acquired		$ 45,000
Goodwill recorded in acquisition		$ 25,900

ACQUISITIONS - Identifiable Int

ACQUISITIONS - Identifiable Intangible Assets and Estimated Useful Lives (Details) - Customer relationships - USD ($) $ in Thousands	May 22, 2019	Feb. 28, 2019
Dema Service
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Estimated Life (years)	7 years
Identifiable intangible assets	$ 4,252
Space Cargo
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Estimated Life (years)		7 years
Identifiable intangible assets		$ 16,439

SEGMENT REPORTING - Narrative (

SEGMENT REPORTING - Narrative (Details)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019segment
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Number of reportable segments (segment)	2

SEGMENT REPORTING - Reportable

SEGMENT REPORTING - Reportable Segment Information (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019USD ($)employee	Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)employee	Sep. 30, 2019USD ($)employee	Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)employee	Dec. 31, 2018USD ($)
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	$ 3,856,132	$ 4,291,900	$ 11,516,182	$ 12,493,264
Net revenues	633,431	694,044	2,007,447	1,991,452
Income (loss) from operations	201,085	245,973	653,170	656,566
Depreciation and amortization	25,480	23,923	75,122	72,402
Total assets	$ 4,636,549	$ 4,492,722	$ 4,636,549	$ 4,492,722	$ 4,427,412
Average headcount (employee) | employee	15,782	15,291	15,582	15,189
Operating Segments | NAST
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	$ 2,826,308	$ 3,224,906	$ 8,495,145	$ 9,296,510
Net revenues	433,760	499,463	1,406,728	1,397,571
Income (loss) from operations	176,200	223,893	592,215	591,774
Depreciation and amortization	5,734	6,286	18,124	18,905
Total assets	$ 2,649,259	$ 2,739,569	$ 2,649,259	$ 2,739,569
Average headcount (employee) | employee	7,448	7,454	7,436	7,375
Operating Segments | Global Forwarding
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	$ 597,695	$ 639,268	$ 1,727,745	$ 1,810,619
Net revenues	135,815	134,101	404,987	401,169
Income (loss) from operations	24,676	23,835	65,497	61,844
Depreciation and amortization	9,186	8,735	27,427	26,397
Total assets	$ 995,137	$ 944,928	$ 995,137	$ 944,928
Average headcount (employee) | employee	4,790	4,684	4,748	4,725
Operating Segments | All Other and Corporate
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	$ 432,129	$ 427,726	$ 1,293,292	$ 1,386,135
Net revenues	63,856	60,480	195,732	192,712
Income (loss) from operations	209	(1,755)	(4,542)	2,948
Depreciation and amortization	10,560	8,902	29,571	27,100
Total assets	$ 992,153	$ 808,225	$ 992,153	$ 808,225
Average headcount (employee) | employee	3,544	3,153	3,398	3,089

REVENUE FROM CONTRACTS WITH C_3

REVENUE FROM CONTRACTS WITH CUSTOMERS - Total Revenues Disaggregated by Major Service Line and Timing of Revenue (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	$ 3,856,132	$ 4,291,900	$ 11,516,182	$ 12,493,264
Transportation and logistics services
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	3,608,346	4,028,392	10,751,890	11,619,171
Transportation and logistics services | Performance obligations completed over time
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	3,608,346	4,028,392	10,751,890	11,619,171
Sourcing
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	247,786	263,508	764,292	874,093
Sourcing | Performance obligations completed at a point in time
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	247,786	263,508	764,292	874,093
NAST | Operating Segments
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	2,826,308	3,224,906	8,495,145	9,296,510
NAST | Transportation and logistics services | Performance obligations completed over time | Operating Segments
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	2,826,308	3,224,906	8,495,145	9,296,510
NAST | Sourcing | Performance obligations completed at a point in time | Operating Segments
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	0	0	0	0
Global Forwarding | Operating Segments
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	597,695	639,268	1,727,745	1,810,619
Global Forwarding | Transportation and logistics services | Performance obligations completed over time | Operating Segments
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	597,695	639,268	1,727,745	1,810,619
Global Forwarding | Sourcing | Performance obligations completed at a point in time | Operating Segments
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	0	0	0	0
All Other and Corporate | Operating Segments
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	432,129	427,726	1,293,292	1,386,135
All Other and Corporate | Transportation and logistics services | Performance obligations completed over time | Operating Segments
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	184,343	164,218	529,000	512,042
All Other and Corporate | Sourcing | Performance obligations completed at a point in time | Operating Segments
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	$ 247,786	$ 263,508	$ 764,292	$ 874,093

LEASES - Narrative (Details)

LEASES - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2019	Jan. 01, 2019
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]
Right-of-use lease assets	$ 263,833
Right-of-use lease liabilities	$ 272,457
ASU No. 2016-02
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]
Right-of-use lease assets		$ 265,400
Right-of-use lease liabilities		$ 273,300

LEASES - Lease Data (Details)

LEASES - Lease Data (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Lease Costs
Operating lease expense	$ 16,905	$ 50,684
Short-term lease expense	2,605	8,022
Total lease expense	$ 19,510	58,706
Other Lease Information
Operating cash flows from operating leases		49,925
Right-of-use lease assets obtained in exchange for new lease liabilities		$ 42,387
Lease Term and Discount Rate
Weighted average remaining lease term (in years)	7 years 9 months 18 days	7 years 9 months 18 days
Weighted average discount rate (percent)	3.60%	3.60%
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]
Weighted average remaining lease term, excluding Chicago office space (in years)		4 years 6 months
Chicago Office Space
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]
Lease term (in years)			15 years

LEASES - Maturity of Lease Liab

LEASES - Maturity of Lease Liabilities (Details) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2019USD ($)
Maturity of Lease Liabilities
Remaining 2019	$ 16,100
2020	64,029
2021	51,773
2022	38,443
2023	27,705
Thereafter	117,921
Total lease payments	315,971
Less: Interest	(43,514)
Present value of lease liabilities	$ 272,457

LEASES - Minimum Future Lease C

LEASES - Minimum Future Lease Commitments Under Noncancelable Lease Agreements (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2018USD ($)
Minimum Future Lease Commitments Payments Under Noncancelable Lease Agreements
2019	$ 53,675
2020	47,680
2021	36,832
2022	27,644
2023	19,406
Thereafter	81,465
Total lease payments	$ 266,702

CHANGES IN ACCUMULATED OTHER _2

CHANGES IN ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	$ 90,902	$ 71,935