CAI International (CAI) 10-Q 5 Nov 14 2014 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Oct. 31, 2014
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'CAI International, Inc.	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0001388430	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'
Entity Filer Category	'Accelerated Filer	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	20,782,776
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2014	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q3	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Document Period End Date	30-Sep-14	'

CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE_SHEETS

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets	'		'
Cash	$19,048		$31,141
Cash attributable to variable interest entities	31,402		14,600
Accounts receivable (owned fleet), net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $504 and $503 at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively	46,220		41,226
Accounts receivable (managed fleet)	8,619		10,646
Current portion of direct finance leases	17,466		12,998
Prepaid expenses	14,712		14,803
Other current assets	555		5,553
Total current assets	138,022		130,967
Restricted cash	8,488		9,253
Rental equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $260,290 and $210,165 at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively	1,565,149		1,465,092
Net investment in direct finance leases	79,890		68,210
Furniture, fixtures and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $1,987 and $1,697 at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively	1,058		1,390
Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $4,797 and $4,638 at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively	368		677
Total assets	1,792,975	[1]	1,675,589	[1]
Current liabilities	'		'
Accounts payable	6,785		8,002
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	8,641		6,230
Due to container investors	13,815		14,815
Unearned revenue	8,199		6,862
Current portion of debt	183,216		74,080
Current portion of capital lease obligations	1,215		1,921
Rental equipment payable	44,792		45,181
Total current liabilities	266,663		157,091
Debt	1,055,335		1,058,628
Deferred income tax liability	41,751		41,378
Capital lease obligations	1,817		3,366
Total liabilities	1,365,566	[2]	1,260,463	[2]
Stockholders' equity	'		'
Common stock: par value $.0001 per share; authorized 84,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 20,782,776 and 22,240,673 shares at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively	2		2
Additional paid-in capital	154,265		184,263
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-4,317		-2,356
Retained earnings	276,735		232,623
Total CAI stockholders' equity	426,685		414,532
Non-controlling interest	724		594
Total stockholders' equity	427,409		415,126
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$1,792,975		$1,675,589
[1]	Total assets at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 include the following assets of certain variable interest entities (VIEs) that can only be used to settle the liabilities of those VIEs: Cash, $31,402 and $14,600; Net investment in direct finance leases, $154 and $137; and Rental equipment net of accumulated depreciation, $101,893 and $84,107, respectively.
[2]	Total liabilities at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 include the following VIE liabilities for which the VIE creditors do not have recourse to CAI International, Inc.: Debt, $132,082 and $101,269, respectively.

CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE_SHEETS_Pa

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Current assets	'	'
Allowance for doubtful accounts (owned fleet)	$504	$503
Accumulated depreciation on container rental equipment	260,290	210,165
Accumulated depreciation on furniture, fixtures and equipment	1,987	1,697
Accumulated amortization on intangible assets	4,797	4,638
Cash attributable to variable interest entities	31,402	14,600
Net investment in direct financial leases	154	137
Rental equipment attributable to variable interest entities, net of accumulated depreciation	101,893	84,107
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity	'	'
Collateralized financing obligations	$132,082	$101,269
Stockholders' equity	'	'
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$0.00	$0.00
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)	84,000,000	84,000,000
Common stock, shares issued (in shares)	20,782,776	22,240,673
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	20,782,776	22,240,673

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_INC

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Revenue	'	'	'	'
Rental revenue	$55,380	$50,711	$157,557	$145,721
Management fee revenue	1,561	1,503	4,681	6,027
Finance lease income	2,262	1,684	6,541	6,096
Total revenue	59,203	53,898	168,779	157,844
Operating expenses	'	'	'	'
Depreciation of rental equipment	19,888	17,389	57,607	49,007
Amortization of intangible assets	95	227	293	681
Gain on disposition of used rental equipment	-1,237	-1,329	-4,561	-5,822
Storage, handling and other expenses	6,532	4,979	19,322	13,611
Marketing, general and administrative expenses	6,676	6,055	19,779	18,274
Loss on foreign exchange	70	374	387	199
Total operating expenses	32,024	27,695	92,827	75,950
Operating income	27,179	26,203	75,952	81,894
Interest expense	9,265	9,546	26,943	26,905
Write-off of deferred financing costs	'	'	'	1,108
Interest income	-1	'	-6	-4
Net interest expense	9,264	9,546	26,937	28,009
Net income before income taxes and non-controlling interest	17,915	16,657	49,015	53,885
Income tax expense	1,482	1,320	4,857	5,550
Net income	16,433	15,337	44,158	48,335
Net income attributable to non-controlling interest	-38	'	-46	'
Net income attributable to CAI common stockholders	$16,395	$15,337	$44,112	$48,335
Net income per share attributable to CAI common stockholders	'	'	'	'
Basic (in dollars per share)	$0.78	$0.69	$2.08	$2.18
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$0.77	$0.68	$2.04	$2.13
Weighted average shares outstanding	'	'	'	'
Basic (in shares)	20,936	22,186	21,193	22,139
Diluted (in shares)	21,329	22,645	21,622	22,674

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_COM

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Net income	$16,433	$15,337	$44,158	$48,335
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:	'	'	'	'
Foreign currency translation adjustments	-1,950	1,208	-1,961	218
Comprehensive income	14,483	16,545	42,197	48,553
Comprehensive loss attributable to non-controlling interest	-38	'	-46	'
Comprehensive income attributable to CAI common stockholders	$14,445	$16,545	$42,151	$48,553

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_CAS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Cash flows from operating activities	'	'
Net income	$44,158	$48,335
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:	'	'
Depreciation	57,972	49,400
Amortization of debt issuance costs	2,236	3,090
Amortization of intangible assets	293	681
Stock-based compensation expense	1,364	1,111
Loss (gain) on foreign exchange	114	-20
Gain on disposition of used rental equipment	-4,561	-5,822
Deferred income taxes	373	42
Bad debt expense	47	120
Changes in other operating assets and liabilities:	'	'
Accounts receivable	-3,723	788
Prepaid expenses and other assets	4,399	-24
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other current liabilities	1,779	-1,284
Due to container investors	-1,000	-5,374
Unearned revenue	1,383	-1,252
Net cash provided by operating activities	104,834	89,791
Cash flows from investing activities	'	'
Purchase of rental equipment	-226,118	-287,959
Net proceeds from disposition of used rental equipment	43,014	22,512
Purchase of furniture, fixtures and equipment	-31	-59
Receipt of principal payments from direct financing leases	11,602	9,142
Net cash used in investing activities	-171,533	-256,364
Cash flows from financing activities	'	'
Proceeds from debt	316,853	536,170
Principal payments on debt	-212,783	-340,154
Debt issuance costs	-1,546	-6,529
Decrease (increase) in restricted cash	510	-5,132
Repurchase of stock	-31,390	'
Stock issuance costs	'	-155
Exercise of stock options	28	1,500
Net cash provided by financing activities	71,672	185,700
Effect on cash of foreign currency translation	-264	-1,180
Net increase in cash	4,709	17,947
Cash at beginning of the period	45,741	17,671
Cash at end of the period	50,450	35,618
Cash paid during the period for:	'	'
Income taxes	959	4,791
Interest	25,767	25,173
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and financing activity	'	'
Transfer of rental equipment to direct finance lease	27,826	29,091
Transfer of direct finance lease to rental equipment	'	$30,118

The_Company_And_Nature_Of_Oper

The Company And Nature Of Operations	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
The Company And Nature Of Operations [Abstract]	'
The Company And Nature Of Operations	'
	CAI INTERNATIONAL, INC.
	NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
	(1)The Company and Nature of Operations
	Organization
	CAI International, Inc. and its subsidiaries (collectively, CAI or the Company) operate primarily in the international intermodal marine cargo container leasing business. The Company purchases and leases containers principally to international container shipping lines located throughout the world. The Company also owns a fleet of railcars, which it leases in North America. The Company generates revenue from two reportable segments: equipment leasing and equipment management. The equipment leasing segment specializes in the ownership and leasing of intermodal containers and rail cars. The equipment management segment purchases and sells equipment to third-party investor groups, and provides management services to those investors in return for a management fee.
	The Company’s common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “CAP”. The Company’s corporate headquarters are located in San Francisco, California.
	Basis of Presentation
	The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of the Company, its wholly-owned subsidiaries, and its 80% owned subsidiary, CAIJ, Inc. (CAIJ). The equity attributable to the minority interest in CAIJ is shown as a non-controlling interest on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, and the related net income is presented as net income attributable to non-controlling interest on the Company’s consolidated statement of income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014. The non-controlling interest in CAIJ was immaterial and not included in the consolidated statements of income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
	In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments necessary to present fairly the Company’s financial position as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the Company’s results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, and the Company’s cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013.  The results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations or cash flows which may be reported for the remainder of 2014 or in any future period. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America have been condensed or omitted.  The accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto for the year ended December 31, 2013, included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on February 28, 2014.

Accounting_Policies_And_Recent

Accounting Policies And Recent Accounting Pronouncements	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Accounting Policies And Recent Accounting Pronouncements [Abstract]	'
Accounting Policies And Recent Accounting Pronouncements	'
	(2)Accounting Policies and Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	(a)Accounting Policies
	There were no changes to the Company’s accounting policies during the nine months ended September 30, 2014. See Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013, filed with the SEC on February 28, 2014, for a description of the Company’s significant accounting policies.
	(b)Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) (ASU No. 2014-09). This new standard will replace all current U.S. GAAP guidance on this topic and eliminate industry-specific guidance. Leasing revenue recognition is specifically excluded from this ASU, and therefore, the new standard will only apply to sales of equipment portfolios and dispositions of used equipment. The guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, with early application prohibited. Adoption of the guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Consolidation_Of_Variable_Inte

Consolidation Of Variable Interest Entities As A Non-Controlling Interest	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Consolidation Of Variable Interest Entities As A Non-Controlling Interest [Abstract]	'
Consolidation Of Variable Interest Entities As A Non-Controlling Interest	'
	CAI INTERNATIONAL, INC.
	NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
	(3)Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities as a Non-Controlling Interest
	The Company regularly performs a review of its container fund arrangements with investors to determine whether a fund is a variable interest entity (VIE) and whether the Company has a variable interest that provides it with a controlling financial interest and is the primary beneficiary of the VIE in accordance with ASC 810, Consolidation. If the fund is determined to be a VIE, a further analysis is performed to determine if the Company is a primary beneficiary of the VIE and meets both of the following criteria under Paragraph 14A of ASC 810:
		·	It has power to direct the activities of a VIE that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance; and
		·	It has the obligation to absorb losses of the entity that could be potentially significant to the VIE or the right to receive benefits from the entity that could potentially be significant to the VIE.
	If in the Company’s judgment both of the above criteria are met, the VIE’s financial statements are included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements as required under ASC 810. The equity attributable to the VIE is shown as a non-controlling interest on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet and the after tax result attributable to its operations is shown as a net income or loss attributable to non-controlling interest on the Company’s consolidated statement of income.
	The Company currently enters into two types of container fund arrangements with investors which are reviewed under ASC 810,  Consolidation. These arrangements include container funds that the Company manages for investors and container funds that have entered into financing arrangements with investors. Several of the funds that the Company manages, and all of the funds under financing arrangements, are Japanese container funds that were established by a related party under separate investment agreements allowed under Japanese commercial laws (see Note 11). Each of the funds is financed by unrelated Japanese third party investors.
	Managed Container Funds
	All container funds under management by the Company are considered VIEs because as manager of the funds, the Company has the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance including the leasing and managing of containers owned by the funds. The fees earned for arranging, managing and establishing the funds are not significant to the expected returns of the funds so the Company does not have a variable interest in the funds. The rights to receive benefits and obligations to absorb losses that could potentially be significant to the funds belong to the third party investors, so the Company concluded that it is not the primary beneficiary of the funds. The Company recognizes gain on sale of containers to the unconsolidated VIEs as sales in the ordinary course of business. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, the Company sold no container portfolios to the Japanese VIEs.
	Collateralized Financing Obligations
	As of September 30, 2014, the Company has transferred containers with a total net book value of $130.8  million at the time of transfer to Japanese investor funds while concurrently entering into lease agreements for the same containers, under which the Company leases the containers back from the Japanese investors.  In accordance with ASC 840, Sale-Leaseback Transactions, the Company concluded these were financing transactions under which sale-leaseback accounting was not applicable.
	The container funds under financing arrangements are considered VIEs under ASC 810 because as lessee of the funds, the Company has the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact each entity’s economic performance including the leasing and managing of containers owned by the funds. The terms of the transactions include options for the Company to purchase the containers from the funds at a fixed price. As a result of the residual interest resulting from the fixed price call option, the Company concluded that it may absorb a significant amount of the variability associated with the funds’ anticipated economic performance and, as a result, the Company has a variable interest in the funds. As the Company has the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of the VIEs and the variable interest provides the Company with the right to receive benefits from the entity that could potentially be significant to the funds, the Company determined that it is the primary beneficiary of these VIEs and included the VIEs assets and liabilities as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the results of the VIEs’ operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 and cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, in the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
	CAI INTERNATIONAL, INC.
	NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
	The containers that were transferred to the Japanese investor funds had a net book value of  $102.0  million as of September 30, 2014.  The container equipment, together with $31.4 million of cash held by the investor funds, has been included on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet with the offsetting liability related to the funds presented in the debt section of the Company’s consolidated balance sheet as collateralized financing obligations of $121.8 million and term loan held by VIE of $10.3  million.  See Note 6(e) and 6(f) for additional information. No gain or loss was recognized by the Company on the initial consolidation of the VIEs.

Net_Investment_In_Direct_Finan

Net Investment In Direct Finance Leases	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Net Investment In Direct Finance Leases [Abstract]	'
Net Investment In Direct Finance Leases	'
	(4)Net Investment in Direct Finance Leases
	The following table represents the components of the Company’s net investment in direct finance leases (in thousands):
			September 30,			December 31,
			2014			2013
	Gross finance lease receivables (1)		$	121,141		$	103,887
	Unearned income (2)			-23,785			-22,679
	Net investment in direct finance leases		$	97,356		$	81,208
		-1		At the inception of the lease, the Company records the total minimum lease payments, executory costs, if any, and unguaranteed residual value as gross finance lease receivables. The gross finance lease receivables are reduced as customer payments are received.  There was no unguaranteed residual value at September 30, 2014 and approximately $0.1 million at December 31, 2013 included in gross finance lease receivables. There were no executory costs included in gross finance lease receivables as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013.
		-2		The difference between the gross finance lease receivables and the cost of the equipment or carrying amount at the lease inception is recorded as unearned income. Unearned income together with initial direct costs, are amortized to income over the lease term so as to produce a constant periodic rate of return. There were no unamortized initial direct costs as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013.
	In order to estimate the allowance for losses contained in the gross finance lease receivables, the Company reviews the credit worthiness of its customers on an ongoing basis. The review includes monitoring credit quality indicators, the aging of customer receivables and general economic conditions.
	The categories of gross finance lease receivables based on the Company's internal customer credit ratings can be described as follows:
	Tier 1— These customers are typically large international shipping lines that have been in business for many years and have world-class operating capabilities and significant financial resources. In most cases, the Company has had a long commercial relationship with these customers and currently maintains regular communication with them at several levels of management, which provides the Company with insight into the customer's current operating and financial performance. In the Company's view, these customers have the greatest ability to withstand cyclical down turns and would likely have greater access to needed capital than lower-rated customers. The Company views the risk of default for Tier 1 customers to range from minimal to modest.
	Tier 2— These customers are typically either smaller shipping lines or freight forwarders with less operating scale or with a high degree of financial leverage, and accordingly the Company views these customers as subject to higher volatility in financial performance over the business cycle. The Company generally expects these customers to have less access to capital markets or other sources of financing during cyclical down turns. The Company views the risk of default for Tier 2 customers as moderate.
	Tier 3— Customers in this category exhibit volatility in payments on a regular basis.
	CAI INTERNATIONAL, INC.
	NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
	Based on the above categories, the Company's gross finance lease receivables were as follows (in thousands):
			September 30,			December 31,
			2014			2013
	Tier 1		$	92,968		$	85,990
	Tier 2			28,173			17,897
	Tier 3			-			-
			$	121,141		$	103,887
	Contractual maturities of the Company's gross finance lease receivables subsequent to and as of September 30, 2014 for the years ending September 30 were as follows (in thousands):
	2015				$	25,802
	2016					24,336
	2017					31,408
	2018					21,756
	2019					11,369
	2020 and thereafter					6,470
					$	121,141

Intangible_Assets

Intangible Assets	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Intangible Assets [Abstract]	'
Intangible Assets	'
	(5)Intangible Assets
	The Company amortizes intangible assets on a straight line basis over their estimated useful lives as follows:
	Trademarks	1-10 years
	Contracts – owned equipment	5-7 years
	Total amortization expense was $0.1 million and $0.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and $0.3 million and $0.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
	Intangible assets as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 were as follows (in thousands):
		Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization		Net Carrying Amount
	30-Sep-14
	Trademarks	$	1,278	$	-1,055	$	223
	Contracts- owned equipment		3,887		-3,742		145
		$	5,165	$	-4,797	$	368
	31-Dec-13
	Trademarks	$	1,278	$	-962	$	316
	Contracts- owned equipment		4,037		-3,676		361
		$	5,315	$	-4,638	$	677

Debt_Short_Term_Line_Of_Credit

Debt, Short Term Line Of Credit And Capital Lease Obligations	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Debt, Short Term Line Of Credit And Capital Lease Obligations [Abstract]	'
Debt, Short Term Line Of Credit And Capital Lease Obligations	'
	CAI INTERNATIONAL, INC.
	NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
	(6)  Debt, Short Term Line of Credit and Capital Lease Obligations
	Debt
	Details of the Company’s debt as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 were as follows (dollars in thousands):
			30-Sep-14					31-Dec-13
			Outstanding				Average	Outstanding				Average	Agreement
	Reference		Current		Long-term		Interest	Current		Long-term		Interest	Terminates
	(a)(i)	Revolving credit facility	$	-	$	287,000	1.90%	$	-	$	235,000	1.90%	Mar-18
	(a)(ii)	Revolving credit facility - Rail		-		61,769	1.90%		-		54,469	2.40%	Jul-19
	(b)(i)	Term loan		1,800		25,950	2.20%		8,400		27,300	2.30%	Apr-18
	(b)(ii)	Term loan		7,500		106,250	2.50%		7,500		111,875	2.50%	Dec-16
	(b)(iii)	Term loan		9,940		111,865	1.90%		9,940		119,320	2.20%	Apr-17
	(c)	Senior secured notes		8,240		78,280	4.90%		8,240		86,520	4.90%	Sep-22
	(d)	Asset backed notes		40,000		292,875	3.40%		40,000		322,875	3.40%	Mar-28
	(e)	Collateralized financing obligations		38,907		82,872	1.00%		-		101,269	1.00%	Jun-19
	(f)	Term loans held by VIE		1,829		8,474	2.60%		-		-	-	Jun-19
	(g)	Short term line of credit		75,000		-	1.50%		-		-	-	May-15
		Total Debt	$	183,216	$	1,055,335		$	74,080	$	1,058,628
	(a)Revolving Credit Facilities
	Revolving credit facilities consist of the following:
	(i) On March 15, 2013, the Company entered into a Third Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Agreement with a syndicate of banks to finance the acquisition of container rental equipment and for general working capital purposes.  As of September 30, 2014, the maximum commitment under the revolving credit facility was $760.0 million.  The revolving credit facility may be increased up to a maximum of $960.0 million, in accordance with the terms of the agreement, so long as no default or event of default exists either before or immediately after giving effect to the increase. There is a commitment fee on the unused amount of the total commitment, payable quarterly in arrears. The revolving credit facility provides that swing line loans (short-term borrowings of up to $10.0 million in the aggregate that are payable within 10 business days or at maturity date, whichever comes earlier) and standby letters of credit (up to $15.0 million in the aggregate) will be available to the Company. These credit commitments are part of, and not in addition to, the total commitment provided under the revolving credit facility. The interest rates vary depending upon whether the loans are characterized as Base Rate loans or Eurodollar rate loans, as defined in the revolving credit agreement.  In addition to various financial and other covenants, the Company’s revolving credit facility also includes certain restrictions on the Company’s ability to incur other indebtedness or pay dividends to stockholders.  As of September 30, 2014, the Company was in compliance with the terms of the revolving credit facility.
	As of September 30, 2014, the Company had  $472.9 million in availability under the revolving credit facility (net of $0.1 million in letters of credit) subject to its ability to meet the collateral requirements under the agreement governing borrowing under the facility. The entire amount of the facility drawn at any time plus accrued interest and fees is callable on demand in the event of certain specified events of default.
	The revolving credit facility, including any amounts drawn on the facility, is secured by substantially all of the assets of the Company (not otherwise used as security for its other credit facilities) including the equipment owned by the Company, the underlying leases thereon and the Company’s interest in any money received under such contracts.
	(ii) On July 25, 2014, the Company and CAI Rail Inc. (CAI Rail), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, entered into an Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Agreement with a consortium of banks to finance the acquisition of railcars.  As of September 30, 2014, the maximum credit commitment under the revolving credit facility was $250.0 million. CAI Rail’s revolving credit facility may be increased up to a maximum of $325.0 million, in accordance with the terms of the agreement, subject to certain conditions.
	CAI INTERNATIONAL, INC.
	NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
	Borrowings under the credit facility bear interest at a variable rate. The interest rates vary depending upon whether the loans are characterized as Base Rate loans or Eurodollar rate loans, as defined in the revolving credit agreement.  For domestic base rate loans, the interest rate is equal to the highest of (i) the daily federal funds open rate as published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and (ii) the administrative agent’s published “Reference Rate”, in each case plus a margin based on certain conditions.
	As of September 30, 2014, CAI Rail had $188.2 million in availability under the revolving credit facility, subject to its ability to meet the collateral requirements under the agreement governing the facility. The entire amount of the facility drawn at any time plus accrued interest and fees is callable on demand in the event of certain specified events of default.
	The agreement governing CAI Rail’s revolving credit facility contains various financial and other covenants.  As of September 30, 2014, CAI Rail was in compliance with the terms of the revolving credit facility.  CAI Rail’s revolving credit facility, including any amounts drawn on the facility, is secured by all of the assets of CAI Rail and is guaranteed by the Company.
	(b)Term Loans
	Term loans consist of the following:
	(i)  On March 22, 2013, the Company entered into a $30.0 million five-year loan agreement with Development Bank of Japan (DBJ). The loan is payable in 19 quarterly installments of $0.5 million starting July 31, 2013 and a final payment of $21.5 million on April 30, 2018. The loan bears interest at a variable rate based on LIBOR. As of September 30, 2014, the loan had a balance of  $27.8 million.
	(ii)  On December 20, 2010, the Company entered into a term loan agreement with a consortium of banks. Under this loan agreement, the Company was eligible to borrow up to $300.0 million, subject to certain borrowing conditions, which amount is secured by certain assets of the Company’s wholly-owned foreign subsidiaries.  The loan agreement is an amortizing facility with a term of six years. The interest rates vary depending upon whether the loans are characterized as Base Rate loans or Eurodollar rate loans, as defined in the term loan agreement. The loan bears a variable interest rate based on LIBOR for Eurodollar loans, and Base Rate for base rate loans.  The Base Rate is defined as the highest of (i) the federal funds rate plus 1/2 of 1.0%, (ii) the prime rate (as published in The Wall Street Journal), and (iii) the Eurodollar rate (for three-month loans) plus 1.0%.
	On March 28, 2013, the term loan agreement was amended to: (a) reduce the principal balance of the loan from $249.4 million to $125.0 million through payment of $124.4 million from the proceeds of the $229.0 million fixed-rate asset-backed notes issued by the Company’s indirect wholly-owned subsidiary, CAL Funding II Limited (see Note 6(d) below); (b) reduce the interest rate on the remaining loan balance; and (c) revise certain covenants under the term loan agreement to provide increased flexibility to the Company. Quarterly payments of principal have been reduced to $1.9 million with the balance of the unpaid principal due on December 20, 2016. As of September 30, 2014, the term loan had a balance of $113.8  million.
	On October 1, 2014, the Company entered into an Amended and Restated Term Loan Agreement with a consortium of banks, pursuant to which the prior loan agreement was refinanced. The amended and restated term loan agreement, which contains similar terms to the prior loan agreement, was amended to, among other things: (a) reduce the borrowing rates from LIBOR plus 2.25% to LIBOR plus 1.6% (per annum) for Eurodollar loans, (b) increase the outstanding loan commitment from $115.0 million to $150.0 million, (c) extend the maturity date to October 1, 2019, and (d) revise certain of the covenants and restrictions under the prior loan agreement to provide the Company with additional flexibility.
	(iii) On April 11, 2012, the Company entered into a term loan agreement with a consortium of banks. The agreement, which was amended on August 31, 2012, May 30, 2013, and July 25, 2014, provides for a five year term loan of up to $142.0 million, subject to certain borrowing conditions, which amount is secured by certain assets of the Company. The commitment under the loan may be increased to a maximum of $200.0 million under certain conditions described in the agreement. The outstanding principal amounts under the term loan bear interest based on LIBOR, amortized quarterly, and require quarterly payments equal to 1.75% multiplied by the outstanding principal amount at such time. The facility contains various financial and other covenants. The full $142.0 million has been drawn and was primarily used to repay outstanding amounts under the Company’s senior revolving credit facility. All unpaid amounts then outstanding are due and payable on April 11, 2017.  As of September 30, 2014, the loan had a balance of  $121.8 million.
	(c)Senior Secured Notes
	On September 13, 2012, Container Applications Limited (CAL), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, entered into a Note Purchase Agreement with certain institutional investors, pursuant to which CAL issued $103.0 million of its 4.90% Senior Secured Notes due September 13, 2022 (the Notes) to the investors. The Notes are guaranteed by the Company and secured by certain assets of CAL and the Company.
	CAI INTERNATIONAL, INC.
	NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
	The Notes bear interest at 4.9% per annum, due and payable semiannually on March 13 and September 13 of each year, commencing on March 13, 2013.  In addition, CAL is required to make certain principal payments on March 13 and September 13 of each year, commencing on March 13, 2013.  Any unpaid principal and interest is due and payable on September 13, 2022. The Note Purchase Agreement provides that CAL may prepay at any time all or any part of the Notes in an amount not less than 10% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding. As of September 30, 2014, the Notes had a balance of  $86.5  million.
	(d)Asset-Backed Notes
	On October 18, 2012, CAL Funding II Limited (CAL II), a wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of CAI, issued $171.0 million of 3.47% fixed rate asset-backed notes (Series 2012-1 Asset-Backed Notes).  Principal and interest on the Series 2012-1 Asset-Backed Notes is payable monthly commencing on November 26, 2012, and the Series 2012-1 Asset-Backed Notes mature in October 2027.  The proceeds from the Series 2012-1 Asset-Backed Notes were used to repay part of the Company’s borrowings under its senior revolving credit facility. As of September 30, 2014, the Series 2012-1 Asset-Backed Notes had a balance of  $138.2 million.
	On March 28, 2013, CAL II issued $229.0 million of 3.35% fixed rate asset-backed notes (Series 2013-1 Asset-Backed Notes). Principal and interest on the Series 2013-1 Asset-Backed Notes is payable monthly commencing on April 25, 2013, and the Series 2013-1 Asset-Backed Notes mature in March 2028. The proceeds from the Series 2013-1 Asset-Backed Notes were used partly to reduce the balance of the Company’s term loan as described in Note 6 (b)(ii) above, and to partially pay down the Company’s senior revolving credit facility. The Series 2013-1 Asset-Backed Notes had a balance of  $194.7 million as of September 30, 2014.
	The agreements under each of the asset-backed notes described above require the Company to maintain a restricted cash account to cover payment of the obligations. As of September 30, 2014, the restricted cash account had a balance of $8.5 million.
	(e)Collateralized Financing Obligations
	As of September 30, 2014, the Company had collateralized financing obligations of $121.8  million (see Note 3). The obligations had an average interest rate of  1.0% as of September 30, 2014 with maturity dates between June 2015 and June 2019. The debt is secured by a pool of containers covered under the financing arrangements.
	(f)Term Loans Held by VIE
	On June 25, 2014, one of the Japanese investor funds that is consolidated by the Company as a VIE (see Note 3) entered into a term loan agreement with a bank.   Under the terms of the agreement, the Japanese investor fund entered into two loans; a five year, amortizing loan of $9.2 million at a fixed interest rate of 2.7%, and a five year, non-amortizing loan of $1.6 million at a variable interest rate based on LIBOR.  The debt is secured by assets of the Japanese investor fund, and is subject to certain borrowing conditions set out in the loan agreement.   As of September 30, 2014, the term loans held by the Japanese investor fund totaled $10.3 million and had an average interest rate of 2.6%.
	The Company's term loans, senior secured notes, asset-backed notes, collateralized financing obligations and term loans held by VIEs are each secured by specific pools of rental equipment and other assets owned by the Company, the underlying leases thereon and the Company’s interest in any money received under such contracts. The agreements relating to all of the Company’s debt contain various financial and other covenants. As of September 30, 2014, the Company was in compliance with all of its debt covenants.
	(g)Short Term Line of Credit
	On May 8, 2014, CAL entered into a short term uncommitted line of credit agreement.  Under this credit agreement, CAL is eligible to borrow up to $75.0 million, subject to certain borrowing conditions.  Loans made under the line of credit are repayable on the earlier of (a) 3 months after the loan is made, and (b) the facility termination date of May 8, 2015. Outstanding loans bear a variable interest rate based on LIBOR.  The full $75.0 million has been drawn and was primarily used to repay outstanding amounts under the Company’s senior revolving credit facility. As of September 30, 2014, the loan had a balance of $75.0 million, which is due and payable on December 24, 2014.  The Company intends to renew the loan upon its maturity dates. Interest is charged on the outstanding loan at an annual rate of 1.5%.
	Capital Lease Obligations
	As of September 30, 2014, the Company had capital lease obligations of $3.0 million. The underlying obligations are denominated in U.S. Dollars and Euros at floating interest rates averaging 2.4% as of September 30, 2014 with maturity dates between December 2014 and June 2019. The loans are secured by containers covered by the lease obligations.

StockBased_Compensation_Plan

Stock-Based Compensation Plan	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Stock-Based Compensation Plan [Abstract]	'
Stock-Based Compensation Plan	'
	CAI INTERNATIONAL, INC.
	NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
	(7) Stock–Based Compensation Plan
	Stock Options
	The following table summarizes the Company’s stock option activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013:
		Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2014					2013
				Weighted					Weighted
				Average					Average
		Number of		Exercise			Number of		Exercise
		Shares		Price			Shares		Price
	Options outstanding at January 1	1,263,485		$	14.84		1,335,680		$	13.41
	Options granted - employees	120,000		$	22.09		51,300		$	26.41
	Options granted - directors	50,000		$	22.09		40,000		$	26.41
	Options forfeited - employees	-5,417		$	22.55		-834		$	5.60
	Options exercised - employees	-1,583		$	17.77		-158,661		$	9.46
	Options outstanding at September 30	1,426,485		$	15.67		1,267,485		$	14.85
	Options exercisable	1,154,844		$	14.13		1,033,498		$	12.93
	Weighted average remaining term	4.8 years					5.5 years
	Stock options granted to employees have a vesting period of four years from grant date, with 25% vesting after one year, and 1/48th vesting each month thereafter until fully vested. Stock options granted to independent directors vest in one year.
	The Company recorded stock-based compensation expense of  $0.4 million for each of the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, and $1.2 million and $1.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.  As of September 30, 2014, the remaining unamortized stock-based compensation cost relating to stock options granted to the Company’s employees and independent directors was approximately $2.8 million which is to be recognized over the remaining weighted average vesting period of approximately 2.6 years.
	The aggregate intrinsic value of stock options exercised during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 was less than $0.1 million. The aggregate intrinsic value of all options outstanding as of September 30, 2014 was  $7.4 million based on the closing price of the Company’s common stock of $19.35 per share on September 30, 2014, the last trading day of the quarter.
	CAI INTERNATIONAL, INC.
	NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
	The fair value of the stock options granted to the Company’s employees and independent directors was estimated using the Black-Scholes-Merton pricing model using the following weighted average assumption:
		Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2014				2013
	Stock price	$	22.09			$	26.41
	Exercise price	$	22.09			$	26.41
	Expected term:
	Employees		6.25 years				6.25 years
	Directors		5.5 years				5.5 years
	Expected volatility:
	Employees		53.50	%			56.70	%
	Directors		44.80	%			58.60	%
	Dividend yield		-	%			-	%
	Risk free rate:
	Employees		1.98	%			1.35	%
	Directors		1.79	%			1.16	%
	The expected option term is calculated using the simplified method in accordance with SEC guidance. The expected volatility was derived from the average volatility of the Company’s stock over a period approximating the expected term of the options. The risk-free rate is based on daily U.S. Treasury yield curve with a term approximating the expected term of the options. No forfeiture rate was estimated on all options granted during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 as management believes that none of the grantees will leave the Company within the option vesting period.
	Restricted Stock
	During 2013, the Company granted 28,150 shares of restricted common stock valued at $0.7 million to certain employees. During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, the Company granted an additional 23,500 shares of restricted common stock valued at $0.5 million to certain employees. The restricted stock was valued based on the closing price of the Company’s stock on the date of grant. The restricted stock has a vesting period of 4 years.
	During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, 7,224 shares with a weighted average grant date fair value of $26.11 per share were vested while 1,500 shares with a weighted average grant date fair value of $26.41  per share were forfeited, leaving a balance of 42,926  unvested shares as of September 30, 2014.
	The Company recognized $0.1 million and less than  $0.1 million of stock compensation expense relating to restricted stock for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and $0.2 and $0.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. As of September 30, 2014, unamortized stock compensation expense relating to restricted stock was $0.9 million to be recognized over the remaining average vesting period of 3.1  years.
	Stock-based compensation expense is recorded as a component of marketing, general and administrative expense in the Company’s consolidated statements of income with a corresponding credit to additional paid-in capital in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Income Taxes [Abstract]	'
Income Taxes	'
	CAI INTERNATIONAL, INC.
	NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
	(8)Income Taxes
	The consolidated income tax expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 was determined based upon estimates of the Company’s consolidated effective income tax rates for the years ending December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The difference between the consolidated effective income tax rate and the U.S. federal statutory rate is primarily attributable to foreign income taxes, state income taxes and the effect of certain permanent differences.
	The Company’s estimated full year effective tax rate, before certain non-recurring discrete items, was  9.0% at September 30, 2014 compared to 10.5% at September 30, 2013. The lower effective tax rate for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 was due primarily to higher pretax income from foreign operations where statutory rates are lower than the U.S. income tax rates.
	The Company recognizes in the financial statements a liability for tax uncertainty if it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained on audit, based on the technical merits of the position. As of September 30, 2014, the Company had unrecognized tax benefits of $0.2 million, which if recognized, would reduce the Company’s effective tax rate. Total accrued interest relating to unrecognized tax benefits was less than $0.1 million as of September 30, 2014. The Company does not believe the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits as of September 30, 2014 will increase or decrease for the remainder of 2014.

Fair_Value_Of_Financial_Instru

Fair Value Of Financial Instruments	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Fair Value Of Financial Instruments [Abstract]	'
Fair Value Of Financial Instruments	'
	(9)Fair Value of Financial Instruments
	The carrying amounts reported in the consolidated balance sheets for cash, accounts receivable, accounts payable and short term line of credit approximate fair value because of the immediate or short-term maturity of these financial instruments. The Company’s collateralized financing obligations of $121.8 million as of September 30, 2014 were estimated to have a fair value of approximately $118.7 million based on the fair value of estimated future payments calculated using prevailing interest rates. The fair value of these financial instruments would be categorized as Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.  Management believes that the balances of the Company’s revolving credit facilities of $348.8 million, term loans totaling $263.3 million, senior secured notes of $86.5 million, asset-backed notes of $332.9 million, term loans held by VIE of $10.3 million, net investment in direct finance leases of $97.4 million and capital lease obligations of $3.0 million approximate their fair values as of September 30, 2014. The fair value of these financial instruments would be categorized as Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.

Commitments_And_Contingencies

Commitments And Contingencies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Commitments And Contingencies [Abstract]	'
Commitments And Contingencies	'
	(10)Commitments and Contingencies
	In addition to its debt obligations described in Note 6 above, the Company had commitments to purchase approximately $121.7 million of rental equipment as of September 30, 2014. The Company also utilizes certain office facilities and equipment under long-term non-cancellable operating lease agreements with total future minimum lease payments of approximately $3.8 million as of September 30, 2014.

Related_Party_Transactions

Related Party Transactions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]	'
Related Party Transactions	'
	(11)Related Party Transactions
	The Company has transferred legal ownership of certain containers to Japanese container funds which were established by Japan Investment Adviser Co., Ltd. (JIA) and CAIJ, Inc. (CAIJ). CAIJ is an 80%-owned subsidiary of CAI with the remaining 20% owned by JIA. Prior to September 30, 2013, JIA was owned and controlled by the Managing Director of CAIJ.  Prior to the transfer of containers from the Company, the container funds received contributions from unrelated Japanese investors, under separate Japanese investment agreements allowed under Japanese commercial laws. The contributions were used to purchase container equipment from the Company. Under the terms of the agreements, the CAI-related Japanese entities manage the activities of certain Japanese entities but may outsource the whole or part of each operation to a third party. Pursuant to its services agreements with investors, the Japanese container funds have outsourced the general management of their operations to CAIJ. The Japanese container funds have also entered into equipment management service agreements and financing arrangements whereby the Company manages the leasing activity of containers owned by the Japanese container funds.
	As described in Note 3, the Japanese managed container funds and financing arrangements are considered VIEs. However, with the exception of the financing arrangements described in Note 3, the Company does not consider its interest in the managed Japanese container funds to be a variable interest. As such, the Company did not consolidate the assets and liabilities, results of operations or cash flows of these funds in its consolidated financial statements.  The sale of containers to the unconsolidated Japanese VIEs has been recorded on the Company’s books as a sale in the ordinary course of business.
	CAI INTERNATIONAL, INC.
	NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
	As described in Note 3, the Company has included in its consolidated financial statements, the assets and liabilities, results of operations, and cash flows of the financing arrangements, in accordance with ASC 810, Consolidation.
	During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, the Company purchased, and subsequently cancelled, 400,000 shares of the Company’s common stock from Mr. Hiromitsu Ogawa, the Chairman of the Board of Directors, pursuant to the Company’s share repurchase plan authorized by the Board of Directors on February 27, 2014.  The shares were purchased for proceeds totaling $8.8 million, at an average price of $21.92, which represented a modest discount to the closing share price on the dates of purchase.

Segment_Information

Segment Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Segment Information [Abstract]	'
Segment Information	'
	(12)Segment Information
	The Company operates in one industry segment, equipment leasing, but has two reportable business segments: equipment leasing and equipment management. The equipment leasing segment derives its revenue primarily from the ownership and leasing of containers to container shipping lines and freight forwarders. The equipment management segment derives its revenue from management fees earned from portfolios of equipment and associated leases which are managed on behalf of third-party investors. The Company also derives revenue from the sale of equipment to third-party investors who in turn enter into management agreements with the Company. There are no inter-segment revenues.
	With the exception of amortization of intangible assets and marketing, general and administrative expenses (MG&A), operating expenses are directly attributable to the equipment leasing segment. Amortization of intangible assets relating to owned and third party contracts is charged directly to the equipment leasing segment and equipment management segment, respectively. The amortization of remaining intangible assets relating to the trademark is allocated to the segments based on the average number of twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) of containers in each segment during the year.
	MG&A expenses are allocated to each segment based on either revenue or the number of TEUs in each segment, depending on the function of the department which incurred the expense, after directly assigning MG&A expenses relating to CAI Consent Sweden AB (Consent) and CAI Rail to the equipment leasing segment and MG&A expenses relating to CAIJ and CAI Deutschland GmbH to the equipment management segment.
	The Company does not allocate interest income and income tax expense to its segments.
	Total assets of the equipment management segment consist of managed accounts receivable and a portion of the intangible asset relating to trademarks (determined based on the percentage of average TEUs of managed containers to total average TEUs). The remaining balance of total assets is allocated to the equipment leasing business.
	CAI INTERNATIONAL, INC.
	NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
	The following tables show condensed segment information for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, reconciled to the Company’s net income before income taxes and non-controlling interest as shown in its consolidated statements of income (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended September 30, 2014
		Equipment Leasing		Equipment Management		Unallocated		Total
	Total revenue	$	57,642	$	1,561	$	-	$	59,203
	Total operating expenses		31,350		674		-		32,024
	Operating income		26,292		887		-		27,179
	Net interest expense		9,265		-		-1		9,264
	Net income before income taxes and non-controlling interest	$	17,027	$	887	$	1	$	17,915
	Total assets	$	1,784,305	$	8,670	$	-	$	1,792,975
		Three Months Ended September 30, 2013
		Equipment Leasing		Equipment Management		Unallocated		Total
	Total revenue	$	52,395	$	1,503	$	-	$	53,898
	Total operating expenses		26,345		1,350		-		27,695
	Operating income		26,050		153		-		26,203
	Net interest expense		9,546		-		-		9,546
	Net income before income taxes and non-controlling interest	$	16,504	$	153	$	-	$	16,657
	Total assets	$	1,618,009	$	10,714	$	-	$	1,628,723
		Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014
		Equipment Leasing		Equipment Management		Unallocated		Total
	Total revenue	$	164,098	$	4,681	$	-	$	168,779
	Total operating expenses		90,827		2,000		-		92,827
	Operating income		73,271		2,681		-		75,952
	Net interest expense		26,943		-		-6		26,937
	Net income before income taxes and non-controlling interest	$	46,328	$	2,681	$	6	$	49,015
		Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
		Equipment Leasing		Equipment Management		Unallocated		Total
	Total revenue	$	151,817	$	6,027	$	-	$	157,844
	Total operating expenses		71,877		4,073		-		75,950
	Operating income		79,940		1,954		-		81,894
	Net interest expense		28,013		-		-4		28,009
	Net income before income taxes and non-controlling interest	$	51,927	$	1,954	$	4	$	53,885
	CAI INTERNATIONAL, INC.
	NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
	Geographic Data
	The Company’s container lessees use containers for their global trade utilizing many worldwide trade routes. The Company earns its revenue primarily from international carriers when the containers are in use and carrying cargo around the world. Most of the Company’s leasing related revenue is denominated in U.S. dollars. Since all of the Company’s containers are used internationally and typically no container is domiciled in one particular place for a prolonged period of time, all of the Company’s long-lived container assets are considered to be international with no single country of use.
	The Company’s railcars, with a net book value of $78.3  million as of September 30, 2014, are used primarily to transport cargo within North America.

Earnings_Per_Share

Earnings Per Share	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Earnings Per Share	'
	(13)Earnings Per Share
	Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing income available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted earnings per share reflects the potential dilution that would occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock; however, potential common equivalent shares are excluded if their effect is anti-dilutive.
	The following table sets forth the reconciliation of basic and diluted net income per share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 (in thousands, except per share data):
		Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2014		2013		2014		2013
	Numerator
	Net income attributable to CAI common stockholders used
	in the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share	$	16,395	$	15,337	$	44,112	$	48,335
	Denominator
	Weighted-average shares used in the calculation of basic earnings per share		20,936		22,186		21,193		22,139
	Effect of dilutive securities:
	Stock options and restricted stock		393		459		429		535
	Weighted-average shares used in the calculation of diluted earnings per share		21,329		22,645		21,622		22,674
	Net income per share attributable to CAI common stockholders:
	Basic	$	0.78	$	0.69	$	2.08	$	2.18
	Diluted	$	0.77	$	0.68	$	2.04	$	2.13
	The calculation of diluted earnings per share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 excluded from the denominator  573,300 and 536,300, respectively,  shares of common stock options because their effect would have been anti-dilutive. The calculation of diluted earnings per share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 excluded from the denominator 399,950 and 296,950 shares, respectively, of common stock options, because their effect would have been anti-dilutive.

Accounting_Policies_And_Recent1

Accounting Policies And Recent Accounting Pronouncements (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Accounting Policies And Recent Accounting Pronouncements [Abstract]	'
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	'
	(b)Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) (ASU No. 2014-09). This new standard will replace all current U.S. GAAP guidance on this topic and eliminate industry-specific guidance. Leasing revenue recognition is specifically excluded from this ASU, and therefore, the new standard will only apply to sales of equipment portfolios and dispositions of used equipment. The guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, with early application prohibited. Adoption of the guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Net_Investment_In_Direct_Finan1

Net Investment In Direct Finance Leases (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Net Investment In Direct Finance Leases [Abstract]	'
Components Of Entity's Net Investment In Finance Leases	'
			September 30,			December 31,
			2014			2013
	Gross finance lease receivables (1)		$	121,141		$	103,887
	Unearned income (2)			-23,785			-22,679
	Net investment in direct finance leases		$	97,356		$	81,208
		-1		At the inception of the lease, the Company records the total minimum lease payments, executory costs, if any, and unguaranteed residual value as gross finance lease receivables. The gross finance lease receivables are reduced as customer payments are received.  There was no unguaranteed residual value at September 30, 2014 and approximately $0.1 million at December 31, 2013 included in gross finance lease receivables. There were no executory costs included in gross finance lease receivables as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013.
		-2		The difference between the gross finance lease receivables and the cost of the equipment or carrying amount at the lease inception is recorded as unearned income. Unearned income together with initial direct costs, are amortized to income over the lease term so as to produce a constant periodic rate of return. There were no unamortized initial direct costs as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013.
Gross Finance Lease Receivables By Categories Of Customers	'
			September 30,			December 31,
			2014			2013
	Tier 1		$	92,968		$	85,990
	Tier 2			28,173			17,897
	Tier 3			-			-
			$	121,141		$	103,887
Contractual Maturities Of Gross Finance Lease Receivables	'
	2015				$	25,802
	2016					24,336
	2017					31,408
	2018					21,756
	2019					11,369
	2020 and thereafter					6,470
					$	121,141

Intangible_Assets_Tables

Intangible Assets (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Intangible Assets [Abstract]	'
Useful Life Of Finite-lived Intangible Assets	'
	Trademarks	1-10 years
	Contracts – owned equipment	5-7 years
Intangible Assets	'
		Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization		Net Carrying Amount
	30-Sep-14
	Trademarks	$	1,278	$	-1,055	$	223
	Contracts- owned equipment		3,887		-3,742		145
		$	5,165	$	-4,797	$	368
	31-Dec-13
	Trademarks	$	1,278	$	-962	$	316
	Contracts- owned equipment		4,037		-3,676		361
		$	5,315	$	-4,638	$	677

Debt_Short_Term_Line_Of_Credit1

Debt, Short Term Line Of Credit And Capital Lease Obligations (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Debt, Short Term Line Of Credit And Capital Lease Obligations [Abstract]	'
Details Of Debt	'
			30-Sep-14					31-Dec-13
			Outstanding				Average	Outstanding				Average	Agreement
	Reference		Current		Long-term		Interest	Current		Long-term		Interest	Terminates
	(a)(i)	Revolving credit facility	$	-	$	287,000	1.90%	$	-	$	235,000	1.90%	Mar-18
	(a)(ii)	Revolving credit facility - Rail		-		61,769	1.90%		-		54,469	2.40%	Jul-19
	(b)(i)	Term loan		1,800		25,950	2.20%		8,400		27,300	2.30%	Apr-18
	(b)(ii)	Term loan		7,500		106,250	2.50%		7,500		111,875	2.50%	Dec-16
	(b)(iii)	Term loan		9,940		111,865	1.90%		9,940		119,320	2.20%	Apr-17
	(c)	Senior secured notes		8,240		78,280	4.90%		8,240		86,520	4.90%	Sep-22
	(d)	Asset backed notes		40,000		292,875	3.40%		40,000		322,875	3.40%	Mar-28
	(e)	Collateralized financing obligations		38,907		82,872	1.00%		-		101,269	1.00%	Jun-19
	(f)	Term loans held by VIE		1,829		8,474	2.60%		-		-	-	Jun-19
	(g)	Short term line of credit		75,000		-	1.50%		-		-	-	May-15
		Total Debt	$	183,216	$	1,055,335		$	74,080	$	1,058,628

StockBased_Compensation_Plan_T

Stock-Based Compensation Plan (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Stock-Based Compensation Plan [Abstract]	'
Summary Of Stock Option Plan Activity	'
		Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2014					2013
				Weighted					Weighted
				Average					Average
		Number of		Exercise			Number of		Exercise
		Shares		Price			Shares		Price
	Options outstanding at January 1	1,263,485		$	14.84		1,335,680		$	13.41
	Options granted - employees	120,000		$	22.09		51,300		$	26.41
	Options granted - directors	50,000		$	22.09		40,000		$	26.41
	Options forfeited - employees	-5,417		$	22.55		-834		$	5.60
	Options exercised - employees	-1,583		$	17.77		-158,661		$	9.46
	Options outstanding at September 30	1,426,485		$	15.67		1,267,485		$	14.85
	Options exercisable	1,154,844		$	14.13		1,033,498		$	12.93
	Weighted average remaining term	4.8 years					5.5 years
Summary Of Fair Value Assumptions	'
		Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2014				2013
	Stock price	$	22.09			$	26.41
	Exercise price	$	22.09			$	26.41
	Expected term:
	Employees		6.25 years				6.25 years
	Directors		5.5 years				5.5 years
	Expected volatility:
	Employees		53.50	%			56.70	%
	Directors		44.80	%			58.60	%
	Dividend yield		-	%			-	%
	Risk free rate:
	Employees		1.98	%			1.35	%
	Directors		1.79	%			1.16	%

Segment_Information_Tables

Segment Information (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Segment Information [Abstract]	'
Segment Reporting Information By Container Leasing And Container Management Segments	'
		Three Months Ended September 30, 2014
		Equipment Leasing		Equipment Management		Unallocated		Total
	Total revenue	$	57,642	$	1,561	$	-	$	59,203
	Total operating expenses		31,350		674		-		32,024
	Operating income		26,292		887		-		27,179
	Net interest expense		9,265		-		-1		9,264
	Net income before income taxes and non-controlling interest	$	17,027	$	887	$	1	$	17,915
	Total assets	$	1,784,305	$	8,670	$	-	$	1,792,975
		Three Months Ended September 30, 2013
		Equipment Leasing		Equipment Management		Unallocated		Total
	Total revenue	$	52,395	$	1,503	$	-	$	53,898
	Total operating expenses		26,345		1,350		-		27,695
	Operating income		26,050		153		-		26,203
	Net interest expense		9,546		-		-		9,546
	Net income before income taxes and non-controlling interest	$	16,504	$	153	$	-	$	16,657
	Total assets	$	1,618,009	$	10,714	$	-	$	1,628,723
		Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014
		Equipment Leasing		Equipment Management		Unallocated		Total
	Total revenue	$	164,098	$	4,681	$	-	$	168,779
	Total operating expenses		90,827		2,000		-		92,827
	Operating income		73,271		2,681		-		75,952
	Net interest expense		26,943		-		-6		26,937
	Net income before income taxes and non-controlling interest	$	46,328	$	2,681	$	6	$	49,015
		Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
		Equipment Leasing		Equipment Management		Unallocated		Total
	Total revenue	$	151,817	$	6,027	$	-	$	157,844
	Total operating expenses		71,877		4,073		-		75,950
	Operating income		79,940		1,954		-		81,894
	Net interest expense		28,013		-		-4		28,009
	Net income before income taxes and non-controlling interest	$	51,927	$	1,954	$	4	$	53,885

Earnings_Per_Share_Tables

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Reconciliation Of Basic And Diluted Net Income Per Share	'
		Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2014		2013		2014		2013
	Numerator
	Net income attributable to CAI common stockholders used
	in the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share	$	16,395	$	15,337	$	44,112	$	48,335
	Denominator
	Weighted-average shares used in the calculation of basic earnings per share		20,936		22,186		21,193		22,139
	Effect of dilutive securities:
	Stock options and restricted stock		393		459		429		535
	Weighted-average shares used in the calculation of diluted earnings per share		21,329		22,645		21,622		22,674
	Net income per share attributable to CAI common stockholders:
	Basic	$	0.78	$	0.69	$	2.08	$	2.18
	Diluted	$	0.77	$	0.68	$	2.04	$	2.13

The_Company_And_Nature_Of_Oper1

The Company And Nature Of Operations (Details)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
	segment
The Company And Nature Of Operations [Abstract]	'
Number of reportable segments	2
Ownership interest in subsidiary (in percentage)	80.00%

Consolidation_Of_Variable_Inte1

Consolidation Of Variable Interest Entities As A Non-Controlling Interest (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended		36 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014
				Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary [Member]	Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary [Member]	Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary [Member]
					Collateralized Financing Obligation [Member]	Term Loan [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Cash	$19,048,000	$19,048,000	$31,141,000	'	'	'
Contribution of cash and other assets	138,022,000	138,022,000	130,967,000	'	'	'
Non-controlling interest	724,000	724,000	594,000	'	'	'
Net income attributable to non-controlling interest	38,000	46,000	'	'	'	'
Net book value of equipment transfered	'	'	'	130,800,000	'	'
Net book value of containers transferred	1,058,000	1,058,000	1,390,000	102,000,000	'	'
Cash held by investor funds	'	'	'	31,400,000	'	'
Long-term debt	$1,055,335,000	$1,055,335,000	$1,058,628,000	'	$121,800,000	$10,300,000

Net_Investment_In_Direct_Finan2

Net Investment In Direct Finance Leases (Components Of Entity's Net Investment In Finance Leases) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013
Net Investment In Direct Finance Leases [Abstract]	'		'
Gross finance lease receivables	$121,141,000	[1]	$103,887,000	[1]
Unearned income	-23,785,000	[2]	-22,679,000	[2]
Net investment in finance leases	97,356,000		81,208,000
Unguaranteed residual value	0		100,000
Executory costs	0		0
Unamortized initial direct costs	$0		$0
[1]	At the inception of the lease, the Company records the total minimum lease payments, executory costs, if any, and unguaranteed residual value as gross finance lease receivables. The gross finance lease receivables are reduced as customer payments are received.B B There was no unguaranteed residual value at September 30, 2014 and approximately $0.1 million at December 31, 2013 included in gross finance lease receivables. There were no executory costs included in gross finance lease receivables as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013.
[2]	The difference between the gross finance lease receivables and the cost of the equipment or carrying amount at the lease inception is recorded as unearned income. Unearned income together with initial direct costs, are amortized to income over the lease term so as to produce a constant periodic rate of return. There were no unamortized initial direct costs as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013.

Net_Investment_In_Direct_Finan3

Net Investment In Direct Finance Leases (Gross Finance Lease Receivables By Categories Of Customers) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Gross Finance Lease Receivables [Line Items]	'		'
Gross finance lease receivables	$121,141	[1]	$103,887	[1]
Tier 1 [Member]	'		'
Gross Finance Lease Receivables [Line Items]	'		'
Gross finance lease receivables	92,968		85,990
Tier 2 [Member]	'		'
Gross Finance Lease Receivables [Line Items]	'		'
Gross finance lease receivables	$28,173		$17,897
[1]	At the inception of the lease, the Company records the total minimum lease payments, executory costs, if any, and unguaranteed residual value as gross finance lease receivables. The gross finance lease receivables are reduced as customer payments are received.B B There was no unguaranteed residual value at September 30, 2014 and approximately $0.1 million at December 31, 2013 included in gross finance lease receivables. There were no executory costs included in gross finance lease receivables as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013.

Net_Investment_In_Direct_Finan4

Net Investment In Direct Finance Leases (Contractual Maturities Of Gross Finance Lease Receivables) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Net Investment In Direct Finance Leases [Abstract]	'		'
2015	$25,802		'
2016	24,336		'
2017	31,408		'
2018	21,756		'
2019	11,369		'
2020 and thereafter	6,470		'
Gross finance lease receivables	$121,141	[1]	$103,887	[1]
[1]	At the inception of the lease, the Company records the total minimum lease payments, executory costs, if any, and unguaranteed residual value as gross finance lease receivables. The gross finance lease receivables are reduced as customer payments are received.B B There was no unguaranteed residual value at September 30, 2014 and approximately $0.1 million at December 31, 2013 included in gross finance lease receivables. There were no executory costs included in gross finance lease receivables as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013.

Intangible_Assets_Narrative_De

Intangible Assets (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Intangible Assets [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Amortization expense	$95	$227	$293	$681

Intangible_Assets_Useful_Life_

Intangible Assets (Useful Life Of Finite-lived Intangible Assets) (Details)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Trademarks [Member] | Minimum [Member]	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'
Estimated useful life of intangible assets	'1 year
Trademarks [Member] | Maximum [Member]	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'
Estimated useful life of intangible assets	'10 years
Contracts Owned Equipment [Member] | Minimum [Member]	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'
Estimated useful life of intangible assets	'5 years
Contracts Owned Equipment [Member] | Maximum [Member]	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'
Estimated useful life of intangible assets	'7 years

Intangible_Assets_Intangible_A

Intangible Assets (Intangible Assets) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Gross Carrying Amount	$5,165	$5,315
Accumulated Amortization	-4,797	-4,638
Net Carrying Amount	368	677
Trademarks [Member]	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Gross Carrying Amount	1,278	1,278
Accumulated Amortization	-1,055	-962
Net Carrying Amount	223	316
Contracts Owned Equipment [Member]	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Gross Carrying Amount	3,887	4,037
Accumulated Amortization	-3,742	-3,676
Net Carrying Amount	$145	$361

Debt_Short_Term_Line_Of_Credit2

Debt, Short Term Line Of Credit And Capital Lease Obligations (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)

9 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jul. 25, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Revolving Credit Facility [Member]

Revolving Credit Facility [Member]

Revolving Credit Facility [Member]

Revolving Credit Facility [Member]

Revolving Credit Facility [Member]

Term Loan [Member]

Term Loan [Member]

Term Loan [Member]

Term Loan [Member]

Term Loan [Member]

Term Loan [Member]

Term Loan [Member]

Term Loan [Member]

Term Loan [Member]

Term Loan [Member]

Term Loan [Member]

Term Loan [Member]

Senior Secured Notes [Member]

Senior Secured Notes [Member]

Asset Backed Warehouse Facility [Member]

Asset-backed Securities [Member]

Asset-backed Securities [Member]

Collateralized Financing Obligation [Member]

Collateralized Financing Obligation [Member]

Swing Line Loans [Member]

Standby Letters of Credit [Member]

Letter of Credit [Member]

Term Loan II [Member]

Term Loan II [Member]

Capital Lease Obligations [Member]

Short Term Line Of Credit [Member]

Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary [Member]

Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary [Member]

Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary [Member]

CAI Rail Inc [Member]

CAI Rail Inc [Member]

Consortium of Banks [Member]

Development Bank of Japan [Member]

Development Bank of Japan [Member]

Consortium of Banks [Member]

Consortium of Banks [Member]

Consortium of Banks, Note Dated April 11, 2012 [Member]

Consortium of Banks, Note Dated April 11, 2012 [Member]

Consortium of Banks, Note Dated October 1, 2014 [Member]

Consortium of Banks, Note Dated October 1, 2014 [Member]

Eurodollar [Member]

London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]

London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]

Development Bank of Japan [Member]

Term Loan [Member]

Amortizing Term Loan [Member]

Non-Amortizing Term Loan [Member]

Subsequent Event [Member]

Consortium of Banks [Member]

Consortium of Banks, Note Dated October 1, 2014 [Member]

Consortium of Banks, Note Dated October 1, 2014 [Member]

item

loan

Subsequent Event [Member]

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Maximum credit commitment

'

'

$760,000,000

'

$250,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

$300,000,000

'

$142,000,000

'

$115,000,000

$150,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$10,000,000

$15,000,000

'

'

'

'

$75,000,000

'

'

'

Maximum amount credit facility might be increased

'

'

960,000,000

'

'

'

325,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

200,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Percentage of aggregate principal to prepay, minimum (in hundredths)

10.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Principal amount of loan

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

171,000,000

229,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

30,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

Average Interest (in hundredths)

'

'

1.90%

1.90%

1.90%

2.40%

'

'

2.20%

2.30%

2.50%

2.50%

1.90%

2.20%

'

'

'

'

'

4.90%

4.90%

'

3.40%

3.40%

1.00%

1.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

1.50%

2.60%

'

'

Fixed interest rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3.47%

3.35%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1.50%

'

2.70%

'

Revolving Credit Facility [Abstract]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of business days short term borrowings payable, Maximum

'10 days

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Availability borrowing capacity

'

'

472,900,000

'

188,200,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Letters of credit outstanding

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Term Loans [Abstract]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Term of loan

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'5 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'5 years

'

'

'

'5 years

'5 years

Number of quarterly installments

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

19

'

'

'

'

'

Quarterly payments of principal

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,900,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

500,000

'

'

'

'

'

Debt instrument final payment

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

21,500,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

Proceeds used to repay credit facility

124,400,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Proceeds used for working capital purposes

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

229,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Amount outstanding under the facility

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

113,800,000

27,800,000

'

249,400,000

'

121,800,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

86,500,000

'

138,200,000

194,700,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Periodic payment of principal balance

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

125,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Amortization term of facility

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'6 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Terms

'The Base Rate is defined as the highest of (i) the federal funds rate plus 1/2 of 1.0%, (ii) the prime rate (as published in The Wall Street Journal), and (iii) the Eurodollar rate (for three-month loans) plus 1.0%.

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Basis spread on variable rate (in hundredths)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0.50%

'

'

'

'

'

1.00%

2.25%

1.60%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Periodic payments specified as percentage of drawn amount (in hundredths)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1.75%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of loans

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2

'

'

Long term debt maturity [Abstract]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Long-term debt

1,055,335,000

1,058,628,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

103,000,000

'

'

'

'

121,800,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

10,300,000

9,200,000

1,600,000

Restricted cash

8,488,000

9,253,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

8,500,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Capital Lease Obligations [Abstract]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Average fixed and floating interest rates

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

2.40%

'

'

'

'

Maturity date range start

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1-Jun-15

'

'

'

'

'

'

1-Dec-14

'

'

'

'

Maturity date range end

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1-Jun-19

'

'

'

'

'

'

1-Jun-19

'

'

'

'

Estimated future principal and interest payments under capital lease obligations [Abstract]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Capital lease obligation

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3,000,000

'

'

'

'

Short term line of credit

$75,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

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'

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'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt_Short_Term_Line_Of_Credit3

Debt, Short Term Line Of Credit And Capital Lease Obligations (Details Of Debt) (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Current Outstanding	$183,216	$74,080
Long-term Outstanding	1,055,335	1,058,628
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Long-term Outstanding	287,000	235,000
Average Interest (in hundredths)	1.90%	1.90%
Agreement Terminates	1-Mar-18	'
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | CAI Rail Inc [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Long-term Outstanding	61,769	54,469
Average Interest (in hundredths)	1.90%	2.40%
Agreement Terminates	1-Jul-19	'
Term Loan [Member] | Development Bank of Japan [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Current Outstanding	1,800	8,400
Long-term Outstanding	25,950	27,300
Average Interest (in hundredths)	2.20%	2.30%
Agreement Terminates	1-Apr-18	'
Term Loan [Member] | Consortium of Banks [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Current Outstanding	7,500	7,500
Long-term Outstanding	106,250	111,875
Average Interest (in hundredths)	2.50%	2.50%
Agreement Terminates	1-Dec-16	'
Term Loan [Member] | Consortium of Banks, Note Dated April 11, 2012 [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Current Outstanding	9,940	9,940
Long-term Outstanding	111,865	119,320
Average Interest (in hundredths)	1.90%	2.20%
Agreement Terminates	1-Apr-17	'
Senior Secured Notes [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Current Outstanding	8,240	8,240
Long-term Outstanding	78,280	86,520
Average Interest (in hundredths)	4.90%	4.90%
Agreement Terminates	1-Sep-22	'
Asset-backed Securities [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Current Outstanding	40,000	40,000
Long-term Outstanding	292,875	322,875
Average Interest (in hundredths)	3.40%	3.40%
Agreement Terminates	1-Mar-28	'
Collateralized Financing Obligation [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Current Outstanding	38,907	'
Long-term Outstanding	82,872	101,269
Average Interest (in hundredths)	1.00%	1.00%
Agreement Terminates	1-Jun-19	'
Short Term Line Of Credit [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Current Outstanding	75,000	'
Average Interest (in hundredths)	1.50%	'
Agreement Terminates	1-May-15	'
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary [Member] | Term Loan [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Current Outstanding	1,829	'
Long-term Outstanding	$8,474	'
Average Interest (in hundredths)	2.60%	'
Agreement Terminates	1-Jun-19	'

StockBased_Compensation_Plan_N

Stock-Based Compensation Plan (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation expense recorded	'	'	$1.20	$1.10	'
Aggregate Intrinsic Value [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'
Closing stock price (in dollars per share)	$19.35	'	$19.35	'	'
Directors [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Vesting period of stock options (in years)	'	'	'1 year	'	'
Restricted Stock Grant [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'
Vesting period of stock options (in years)	'	'	'1 year	'	'
Employees [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Vesting period of stock options (in years)	'	'	'4 years	'	'
Percentage of stock options vesting after one year (in hundredths)	'	'	25.00%	'	'
Percentage of stock options vesting each month following first year (in hundredths)	'	'	2.08%	'	'
Restricted Stock Grant [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'
Vesting period of stock options (in years)	'	'	'4 years	'	'
Stock Options [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation expense recorded	0.4	0.4	'	'	'
Remaining unamortized stock-based compensation cost	2.8	'	2.8	'	'
Stock-based compensation cost recognition period	'	'	'2 years 7 months 6 days	'	'
Aggregate Intrinsic Value [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'
Aggregate intrinsic value of options exercised	0.1	'	0.1	'	'
Aggregate intrinsic value of options outstanding	7.4	'	7.4	'	'
Restricted Stock [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Vesting period of stock options (in years)	'	'	'	'	'4 years
Stock-based compensation expense recorded	0.1	0.1	0.2	0.1	'
Remaining unamortized stock-based compensation cost	0.9	'	0.9	'	'
Stock-based compensation cost recognition period	'	'	'3 years 1 month 6 days	'	'
Restricted Stock Grant [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'
Restricted stock granted (in shares)	'	'	23,500	'	28,150
Restricted common stock value	'	'	$0.50	'	$0.70
Vesting period of stock options (in years)	'	'	'	'	'4 years
Restricted shares, vested	'	'	7,224	'	'
Restricted shares, vested, value per share	'	'	$26.11	'	'
Restricted shares, forfeited	'	'	1,500	'	'
Restricted shares, forfeited, value per share	'	'	$26.41	'	'
Restricted shares, balance	42,926	'	42,926	'	'

StockBased_Compensation_Plan_S

Stock-Based Compensation Plan (Summary Of Stock Option Plan Activity) (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Stock Options Activity [Roll Forward]	'	'
Options outstanding at beginning of period (in shares)	1,263,485	1,335,680
Options outstanding at end of period (in shares)	1,426,485	1,267,485
Options exercisable at end of period (in shares)	1,154,844	1,033,498
Weighted Average Exercise Price [Roll Forward]	'	'
Outstanding at beginning of period (in dollars per share)	$14.84	$13.41
Outstanding at end of period (in dollars per share)	$15.67	$14.85
Exercisable at end of period (in dollars per share)	$14.13	$12.93
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term [Abstract]	'	'
Weighted average remaining term of the stock options exercisable (in years)	'4 years 9 months 18 days	'5 years 6 months
Employees [Member]	'	'
Stock Options Activity [Roll Forward]	'	'
Options granted - directors and employees (in shares)	120,000	51,300
Options forfeited - employees (in shares)	-5,417	-834
Options exercised - employees (in shares)	-1,583	-158,661
Weighted Average Exercise Price [Roll Forward]	'	'
Granted - directors and employees (in dollars per share)	$22.09	$26.41
Forfeited - employees (in dollars per share)	$22.55	$5.60
Options exercised - employees (in dollars per share)	$17.77	$9.46
Directors [Member]	'	'
Stock Options Activity [Roll Forward]	'	'
Options granted - directors and employees (in shares)	50,000	40,000
Weighted Average Exercise Price [Roll Forward]	'	'
Granted - directors and employees (in dollars per share)	$22.09	$26.41

StockBased_Compensation_Plan_S1

Stock-Based Compensation Plan (Summary Of Fair Value Assumptions) (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'
Stock price (in dollars per share)	22.09	26.41
Exercise price (in dollars per share)	22.09	26.41
Employees [Member]	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'
Expected term	'6 years 3 months	'6 years 3 months
Expected Volatility (in hundredths)	53.50%	56.70%
Rrisk free rate (in hundredths)	1.98%	1.35%
Directors [Member]	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'
Expected term	'5 years 6 months	'5 years 6 months
Expected Volatility (in hundredths)	44.80%	58.60%
Rrisk free rate (in hundredths)	1.79%	1.16%

Income_Taxes_Details

Income Taxes (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Income Taxes [Abstract]	'	'
Effective tax rate (in hundredths)	9.00%	10.50%
Unrecognized tax benefits	$0.20	'
Accrued interest relating to unrecognized tax benefits, maximum	$0.10	'

Fair_Value_Of_Financial_Instru1

Fair Value Of Financial Instruments (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Asset backed warehouse facility	$332,900,000	'
Collateralized financing obligations, at carrying value	121,800,000	'
Long-term debt	1,055,335,000	1,058,628,000
Fair Value [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of collateralized financing obligations	118,700,000	'
Fair Value [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Senior secured notes	86,500,000	'
Fair value of revolving credit facility	348,800,000	'
Fair value of term loan	263,300,000	'
Net investment in direct finance leases	97,400,000	'
Net Investment in Capital Lease Obligations	3,000,000	'
Term Loan [Member] | Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of term loan	10,300,000	'
Long-term debt	$10,300,000	'

Commitments_And_Contingencies_

Commitments And Contingencies (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014
Commitments And Contingencies [Abstract]	'
Commitments to purchase container rental equipment	$121.70
Future minimum lease payments under operating lease agreements	$3.80

Related_Party_Transactions_Det

Related Party Transactions (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]	'
Ownership percentage by parent in CAIJ (in hundredths)	80.00%
Ownership percentage by JIA in CAIJ (in hundredths)	20.00%
Payments for repurchase of common stock	$31,390
Board of Directors Chairman [Member]	'
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]	'
Shares of common stock cancelled	400,000
Payments for repurchase of common stock	$8,800
Repurchase of common stock, average price per share	$21.92

Segment_Information_Narrative_

Segment Information (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
			segment
			ft
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Number of operating industry segments	'	'	1	'	'
Number of reportable segments	'	'	2	'	'
Revenues	$59,203,000	$53,898,000	$168,779,000	$157,844,000	'
Size of containers (in feet)	'	'	20	'	'
Net book value	1,058,000	'	1,058,000	'	1,390,000
Inter-Segment [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues	'	'	0	'	'
Railcar Equipment [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Net book value	$78,300,000	'	$78,300,000	'	'

Segment_Information_Segment_Re

Segment Information (Segment Reporting Information By Container Leasing And Container Management Segments ) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'		'	'		'	'
Total revenue	$59,203,000		$53,898,000	$168,779,000		$157,844,000	'
Total operating expenses	32,024,000		27,695,000	92,827,000		75,950,000	'
Operating income	27,179,000		26,203,000	75,952,000		81,894,000	'
Net interest expense	9,264,000		9,546,000	26,937,000		28,009,000	'
Net income before income taxes and non-controlling interest	17,915,000		16,657,000	49,015,000		53,885,000	'
Total assets	1,792,975,000	[1]	1,628,723,000	1,792,975,000	[1]	1,628,723,000	1,675,589,000	[1]
Equipment Leasing [Member]	'		'	'		'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'		'	'		'	'
Total revenue	57,642,000		52,395,000	164,098,000		151,817,000	'
Total operating expenses	31,350,000		26,345,000	90,827,000		71,877,000	'
Operating income	26,292,000		26,050,000	73,271,000		79,940,000	'
Net interest expense	9,265,000		9,546,000	26,943,000		28,013,000	'
Net income before income taxes and non-controlling interest	17,027,000		16,504,000	46,328,000		51,927,000	'
Total assets	1,784,305,000		1,618,009,000	1,784,305,000		1,618,009,000	'
Equipment Management [Member]	'		'	'		'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'		'	'		'	'
Total revenue	1,561,000		1,503,000	4,681,000		6,027,000	'
Total operating expenses	674,000		1,350,000	2,000,000		4,073,000	'
Operating income	887,000		153,000	2,681,000		1,954,000	'
Net income before income taxes and non-controlling interest	887,000		153,000	2,681,000		1,954,000	'
Total assets	8,670,000		10,714,000	8,670,000		10,714,000	'
Unallocated [Member]	'		'	'		'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'		'	'		'	'
Net interest expense	-1,000		'	-6,000		-4,000	'
Net income before income taxes and non-controlling interest	$1,000		'	$6,000		$4,000	'
[1]	Total assets at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 include the following assets of certain variable interest entities (VIEs) that can only be used to settle the liabilities of those VIEs: Cash, $31,402 and $14,600; Net investment in direct finance leases, $154 and $137; and Rental equipment net of accumulated depreciation, $101,893 and $84,107, respectively.

Earnings_Per_Share_Narrative_D

Earnings Per Share (Narrative) (Details) (Stock Options [Member])	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Stock Options [Member]	'	'	'	'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Securities having antidilutive effect (in shares)	573,300	399,950	536,300	296,950

Earnings_Per_Share_Reconciliat

Earnings Per Share (Reconciliation Of Basic And Diluted Net Income Per Share) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Numerator [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Net income attributable to CAI common stockholders used in the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share	$16,395	$15,337	$44,112	$48,335
Denominator [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Weighted average shares used in the calculation of basic earnings per share (in shares)	20,936	22,186	21,193	22,139
Effect of dilutive securities, Stock options and restricted stock (in shares)	393	459	429	535
Weighted average shares used in the calculation of diluted earnings per share (in shares)	21,329	22,645	21,622	22,674
Net income per share attributable to CAI common stockholders [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Basic (in dollars per share)	$0.78	$0.69	$2.08	$2.18
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$0.77	$0.68	$2.04	$2.13