Document and Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
Document and Entity Information - shares	Sep. 30, 2018	Nov. 06, 2018
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	C H ROBINSON WORLDWIDE INC
Entity Central Index Key	0001043277
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2018
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2018
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Amendment Flag	false
Trading Symbol	CHRW
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		137,504,393

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 297,801	$ 333,890
Receivables, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $40,856 and $42,409	2,251,944	2,113,930
Contract assets	201,411	0
Prepaid expenses and other	53,909	63,116
Total current assets	2,805,065	2,510,936
Property and equipment, net	231,962	230,326
Goodwill	1,265,226	1,275,816
Other intangible assets, net	120,216	151,585
Deferred tax asset	9,270	6,870
Other assets	60,983	60,301
Total assets	4,492,722	4,235,834
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	1,077,780	1,000,305
Outstanding checks	74,853	96,359
Accrued expenses:
Transportation expense	156,810	0
Compensation	121,813	105,316
Income taxes	15,213	12,240
Other accrued liabilities	68,863	58,229
Current portion of debt	0	715,000
Total current liabilities	1,515,332	1,987,449
Long-term debt	1,341,303	750,000
Noncurrent income taxes payable	23,903	26,684
Deferred tax liabilities	44,555	45,355
Other long-term liabilities	1,026	601
Total liabilities	2,926,119	2,810,089
Stockholders’ investment:
Preferred stock, $ .10 par value, 20,000 shares authorized; no shares issued or outstanding	0	0
Common stock, $ .10 par value, 480,000 shares authorized; 179,103 and 179,103 shares issued, 138,000 and 139,542 outstanding	13,800	13,954
Additional paid-in capital	502,439	444,280
Retained earnings	3,728,503	3,437,093
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(57,414)	(18,460)
Treasury stock at cost (41,103 and 39,561 shares)	(2,620,725)	(2,451,122)
Total stockholders’ investment	1,566,603	1,425,745
Total liabilities and stockholders’ investment	$ 4,492,722	$ 4,235,834

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Receivables, allowance for doubtful accounts	$ 40,856	$ 42,409
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.10	$ 0.10
Preferred stock, shares authorized (shares)	20,000,000	20,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued (shares)	0	0
Preferred stock, shares outstanding (shares)	0	0
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.10	$ 0.10
Common stock, shares authorized (shares)	480,000,000	480,000,000
Common stock, shares issued (shares)	179,103,000	179,103,000
Common stock shares outstanding (shares)	138,000,000	139,542,000
Treasury stock (shares)	41,103,000	39,561,000

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Revenues:
Total revenues	$ 4,291,900	$ 3,784,451	$ 12,493,264	$ 10,909,594
Costs and expenses:
Personnel expenses	335,299	293,204	1,004,226	867,928
Other selling, general, and administrative expenses	112,772	106,177	330,660	304,030
Total costs and expenses	4,045,927	3,589,986	11,836,698	10,345,351
Income from operations	245,973	194,465	656,566	564,243
Interest and other expense	(6,526)	(10,484)	(22,354)	(29,154)
Income before provision for income taxes	239,447	183,981	634,212	535,089
Provision for income taxes	63,552	64,795	156,857	182,752
Net income	175,895	119,186	477,355	352,337
Other comprehensive (loss) income	(10,877)	14,426	(38,954)	38,562
Comprehensive income	$ 165,018	$ 133,612	$ 438,401	$ 390,899
Basic net income per share (in dollars per share)	$ 1.27	$ 0.85	$ 3.42	$ 2.50
Diluted net income per share (in dollars per share)	$ 1.25	$ 0.85	$ 3.39	$ 2.49
Basic weighted average shares outstanding (shares)	138,797	140,422	139,425	140,962
Dilutive effect of outstanding stock awards (shares)	1,363	600	1,295	441
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding (shares)	140,160	141,022	140,720	141,403
Dividends declared, per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.46	$ 0.45	$ 1.38	$ 1.35
Transportation
Revenues:
Total revenues	$ 4,028,392	$ 3,433,701	$ 11,619,171	$ 9,855,739
Costs and expenses:
Purchased products and services	3,359,520	2,869,616	9,714,318	8,214,856
Sourcing
Revenues:
Total revenues	263,508	350,750	874,093	1,053,855
Costs and expenses:
Purchased products and services	$ 238,336	$ 320,989	$ 787,494	$ 958,537

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income	$ 477,355	$ 352,337
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Stock-based compensation	68,475	24,509
Depreciation and amortization	72,402	69,340
Provision for doubtful accounts	12,333	11,176
Deferred income taxes	(5,794)	(6,779)
Excess tax benefit on stock-based compensation	(9,345)	(11,908)
Other	1,350	1,352
Changes in operating elements (net of acquisitions):
Receivables	(268,252)	(377,280)
Contract assets	(53,647)	0
Prepaid expenses and other	14,740	677
Other non-current assets	2,105	(2,220)
Accounts payable and outstanding checks	120,652	166,152
Accrued transportation expense	62,165	0
Accrued compensation	15,153	(6,102)
Accrued income taxes	9,247	7,873
Other accrued liabilities	9,944	(10,778)
Net cash provided by operating activities	528,883	218,349
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Purchases of property and equipment	(35,794)	(32,132)
Purchases and development of software	(13,793)	(14,286)
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(1,315)	(48,446)
Other	(1,605)	204
Net cash used for investing activities	(52,507)	(94,660)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds from long-term borrowings	591,012	250,000
Proceeds from short-term borrowings	2,588,000	6,448,000
Payments on short-term borrowings	(3,303,000)	(6,469,000)
Repurchase of common stock	(202,094)	(129,991)
Proceeds from stock issued for employee benefit plans	46,424	23,270
Stock tendered for payment of withholding taxes	(20,603)	(20,746)
Cash dividends	(195,158)	(192,765)
Net cash used for financing activities	(495,419)	(91,232)
Effect of exchange rates on cash	(17,046)	17,184
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	(36,089)	49,641
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	333,890	247,666
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	297,801	297,307
Noncash transactions from investing and financing activities:
Accrued share repurchases held in other accrued liabilities	4,300	4,000
Accrued purchases of property and equipment	$ 1,104	$ 800

BASIS OF PRESENTATION	9 Months Ended
BASIS OF PRESENTATION	Sep. 30, 2018
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
BASIS OF PRESENTATION	BASIS OF PRESENTATION C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc. and our subsidiaries (“the company,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) are a global provider of transportation services and logistics solutions operating through a network of offices located in North America, Europe, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, and South America. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc. and our majority owned and controlled subsidiaries. Our minority interests in subsidiaries are not significant. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in the consolidated financial statements. Our reportable segments are North American Surface Transportation (“NAST”), Global Forwarding, Robinson Fresh, and All Other and Corporate. The All Other and Corporate segment includes Managed Services, Other Surface Transportation outside of North America, and other miscellaneous revenues and unallocated corporate expenses. We group offices primarily by services they provide to our customers. For financial information concerning our reportable segments, refer to Note 9. The condensed consolidated financial statements, which are unaudited, have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). In our opinion, these financial statements include all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) necessary for a fair presentation of the financial statements for the interim periods presented. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of results for a full year. Consistent with SEC rules and regulations, we have condensed or omitted certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. You should read the condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017. RECENTLY ADOPTED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, and in August 2015 issued ASU 2015-14, which amended the standard as to its effective date. The new comprehensive revenue recognition standard supersedes all existing revenue recognition guidance under U.S. GAAP. The standard’s core principle is that a company will recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to a customer in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The standard requires more detailed disclosures to enable users of financial statements to understand the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. We adopted this new standard effective January 1, 2018 under the modified retrospective transition method applied to contracts that were not completed as of the date of initial application resulting in a $9.2 million cumulative adjustment to retained earnings. We have updated our revenue recognition critical accounting policy due to the adoption of this standard and expanded the summary of significant accounting policies included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 below. The adoption of this standard changed the timing of revenue recognition for our transportation businesses from at delivery to over the transit period as our performance obligations are completed. Due to the short transit period of many of our performance obligations, this change did not have a material impact on our results of operations or cash flows. The new standard expanded our existing revenue recognition disclosures upon adoption. In addition, we have identified certain customer contracts in our sourcing business that changed from a principal to an agent relationship under the new standard. This change resulted in these contracts being recognized at the net amount we charge our customers but had no impact on income from operations. See Note 10 to our consolidated financial statements which includes the expanded disclosures required by ASU 2014-09. In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-09, Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Scope of Modification Accounting. This update amends the scope of modification accounting for share-based payment arrangements. The ASU provides guidance on the types of changes to the terms or conditions of share-based payment awards to which an entity would be required to apply modification accounting under Topic 718. We adopted this new standard effective January 1, 2018. The amendments in this update will be applied prospectively to awards modified on or after January 1, 2018. The future impact of ASU 2017-09 will depend on the nature of future stock award modifications. In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-15, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other - Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40). This update aligns the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a cloud computing arrangement that is a service contract with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software. We adopted this update in the third quarter of 2018, using a prospective approach. The adoption did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). This update requires a lessee to recognize on the balance sheet a liability to make lease payments and a corresponding right-of-use asset. The guidance also requires certain qualitative and quantitative disclosures about the amount, timing, and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leases. This update is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2018, which will require us to adopt these provisions in the first quarter of 2019. Early adoption is permitted, although we do not plan to adopt early. In July 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-11, Leases (Topic 842): Targeted Improvements, which provides another transition method no longer requiring application to previously reported periods. We plan to adopt Topic 842 by applying the new standard on January 1, 2019 and recognizing a cumulative adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings. Prior period balances will not be restated. We have obligations under lease agreements for facilities and equipment, which are classified as operating leases under the existing lease standard. While we are still evaluating the impact ASU 2016-02 will have on our consolidated results of operations, financial condition, and cash flows, our financial statements will reflect an increase in both assets and liabilities due to the requirement to recognize right-of-use assets and lease liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets for our facility and equipment leases. We are in the final stages of implementing a global lease accounting software and designing necessary internal controls to facilitate the adoption of the new standard. As of December 31, 2017, we had $282.7 million of minimum future lease commitments under noncancelable lease agreements which will be subject to ASU 2016-02 once adopted. In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-02, Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, which amends existing guidance for reporting comprehensive income to reflect changes resulting from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 ("Tax Act"). The amendment provides the option to reclassify stranded tax effects resulting from the Tax Act within accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI) to retained earnings. New disclosures will be required upon adoption, including the accounting policy for releasing income tax effects from AOCI, whether reclassification of stranded income tax effects is elected, and information about other income tax effect reclassifications. The amendment will become effective for us on January 1, 2019, although early adoption is permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact of adopting this standard on our consolidated financial statements and disclosures. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Note 1 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, includes a summary of the significant accounting policies and methods used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements. We have expanded these policies below to effect the adoption of ASU 2014-09 in the first quarter of 2018. CONTRACT ASSETS. Contract assets represent amounts for which we have the right to consideration for the services we have provided while a shipment is still in-transit but for which we have not yet completed our performance obligation or have not yet invoiced our customer. Upon completion of our performance obligations, which can vary in duration based upon the method of transport, and billing our customer these amounts become classified within accounts receivable and are then typically due within 30 days. ACCRUED TRANSPORTATION EXPENSE. Accrued transportation expense represents amounts we owe to vendors, primarily transportation providers, for the services they have provided while a shipment is still in-transit as of the reporting date.

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS

The change in carrying amount of goodwill is as follows (in thousands):



	NAST			Global Forwarding			Robinson Fresh			All Other and Corporate			Total
December 31, 2017 balance	$	921,486		$	185,873		$	141,185		$	27,272		$	1,275,816
Acquisitions	—			301			—			—			301
Adjustments	(40		)	(268		)	—			—			(308		)
Translation	(7,312		)	(1,948		)	(1,109		)	(214		)	(10,583		)
September 30, 2018 balance	$	914,134		$	183,958		$	140,076		$	27,058		$	1,265,226

Goodwill is tested at least annually for impairment on November 30, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. We first perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of our reporting units is less than their respective carrying value (“Step Zero Analysis”). If the Step Zero Analysis indicates it is more likely than not that the fair value of our reporting units is less than their respective carrying value, an additional impairment assessment is performed (“Step One Analysis”). Refer to Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates.

Identifiable intangible assets consisted of the following (in thousands):



	September 30, 2018							December 31, 2017
	Cost		Accumulated Amortization			Net		Cost		Accumulated Amortization			Net
Finite-lived intangibles
Customer relationships	$	261,662	$	(151,996	)	$	109,666	$	263,093	$	(122,103	)	$	140,990
Non-competition agreements	300		(225		)	75		300		(180		)	120
Total finite-lived intangibles	261,962		(152,221		)	109,741		263,393		(122,283		)	141,110

Indefinite-lived intangibles
Trademarks	10,475		—			10,475		10,475		—			10,475
Total intangibles	$	272,437	$	(152,221	)	$	120,216	$	273,868	$	(122,283	)	$	151,585

Amortization expense for other intangible assets is as follows (in thousands):



	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018		2017		2018		2017
Amortization expense	$	9,201	$	9,157	$	27,796	$	26,875

Definite-lived intangible assets, by reportable segment, as of September 30, 2018, will be amortized over their remaining lives as follows (in thousands):



	NAST		Global Forwarding		Robinson Fresh		All Other and Corporate		Total
Remainder of 2018	$	1,953	$	7,455	$	—	$	—	$	9,408
2019	7,820		29,445		—		—		37,265
2020	260		26,741		—		—		27,001
2021	260		13,220		—		—		13,480
2022	260		13,220		—		—		13,480
Thereafter	461		8,646		—		—		9,107
Total									$	109,741

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT

Accounting guidance on fair value measurements for certain financial assets and liabilities requires that assets and liabilities carried at fair value be classified and disclosed in one of the following three categories:


•	Level 1 — Quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.


•	Level 2 — Observable market-based inputs or unobservable inputs that are corroborated by market data.


•	Level 3 — Unobservable inputs reflecting the reporting entity’s own assumptions or external inputs from inactive markets.

A financial asset or liability’s classification within the hierarchy is determined based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.

We had no Level 3 assets or liabilities as of and during the periods ended September 30, 2018, and December 31, 2017. There were no transfers between levels during the period.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for the fair value of financial instruments (as defined), including financial assets and financial liabilities (collectively, as defined), and the measurements of those instruments as well as disclosures related to the fair value of non-financial assets and liabilities. Such disclosures about the financial instruments, assets, and liabilities would include: (1) the fair value of the required items together with their carrying amounts (as appropriate); (2) for items for which it is not practicable to estimate fair value, disclosure would include: (a) information pertinent to estimating fair value (including, carrying amount, effective interest rate, and maturity, and (b) the reasons why it is not practicable to estimate fair value; (3) significant concentrations of credit risk including: (a) information about the activity, region, or economic characteristics identifying a concentration, (b) the maximum amount of loss the entity is exposed to based on the gross fair value of the related item, (c) policy for requiring collateral or other security and information as to accessing such collateral or security, and (d) the nature and brief description of such collateral or security; (4) quantitative information about market risks and how such risks are managed; (5) for items measured on both a recurring and nonrecurring basis information regarding the inputs used to develop the fair value measurement; and (6) for items presented in the financial statement for which fair value measurement is elected: (a) information necessary to understand the reasons for the election, (b) discussion of the effect of fair value changes on earnings, (c) a description of [similar groups] items for which the election is made and the relation thereof to the balance sheet, the aggregate carrying value of items included in the balance sheet that are not eligible for the election; (7) all other required (as defined) and desired information.

+ References + Details

FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS

The components of our short-term and long-term debt and the associated interest rates were as follows (dollars in thousands):



	Average interest rate as of					Carrying value as of
	September 30, 2018		December 31, 2017		Maturity	September 30, 2018		December 31, 2017
Revolving credit facility ⁽¹⁾	—	%	2.70	%	December 2019	$	—	$	715,000
Senior Notes, Series A	3.97	%	3.97	%	August 2023	175,000		175,000
Senior Notes, Series B	4.26	%	4.26	%	August 2028	150,000		150,000
Senior Notes, Series C	4.60	%	4.60	%	August 2033	175,000		175,000
Receivables securitization facility ⁽²⁾	2.96	%	2.00	%	April 2019	249,898		250,000
Senior Notes ⁽²⁾	4.20	%	N/A		April 2028	591,405		—
Total debt						1,341,303		1,465,000
Less: Current maturities and short-term borrowing						—		(715,000		)
Long-term debt						$	1,341,303	$	750,000

⁽¹⁾ There was no outstanding balance on the credit facility as of September 30, 2018. The average borrowing rate on the credit facility during the third quarter was 3.58 percent. The revolving credit facility was amended on October 24, 2018. The Amendment increases the amount of our revolving credit facility from $900 million to $1 billion and also extends the maturity date of the facility from December 31, 2019 to October 24, 2023.

⁽²⁾Net of unamortized discounts and issuance costs.

SENIOR UNSECURED REVOLVING CREDIT FACILITY

We have a senior unsecured revolving credit facility (the "Credit Agreement"). Borrowings under the Credit Agreement generally bear interest at a variable rate determined by a pricing schedule or the base rate (which is the highest of (a) the administrative agent's prime rate, (b) the federal funds rate plus 0.50 percent, or (c) the sum of one-month LIBOR plus a specified margin). As of September 30, 2018, the variable rate equaled LIBOR plus 1.13 percent. In addition, there is a commitment fee on the average daily undrawn stated amount under each letter of credit issued under the facility. The recorded amount of borrowings outstanding approximates fair value because of the short maturity period of the debt; therefore, we consider these borrowings to be a Level 2 financial liability.

The Credit Agreement contains various restrictions and covenants that require us to maintain certain financial ratios, including a maximum leverage ratio of 3.00 to 1.00. The Credit Agreement also contains customary events of default. If an event of default under the Credit Agreement occurs and is continuing, then the administrative agent may declare any outstanding obligations under the Credit Agreement to be immediately due and payable. In addition, if we become the subject of voluntary or involuntary proceedings under any bankruptcy, insolvency, or similar law, then any outstanding obligations under the Credit Agreement will automatically become immediately due and payable.

On October 24, 2018, the Credit Agreement was amended to increase the total availability from $900 million to $1 billion and extend the maturity date from December 31, 2019 to October 24, 2023. The range of interest rate margins stated within the amendment are unchanged although the prescribed range will be determined based on our S&P rating and Moody's rating rather than a ratio of consolidated funded debt to consolidated EBITDA. In addition, the commitment fees were reduced to a range of 0.075 percent to 0.200 percent and will also be determined based on our S&P rating and Moody's rating rather than a ratio of consolidated funded debt to consolidated EBITDA. The amendments also provide that, if the holders of our Senior Notes (as defined below) agree to substantially the same change, the maximum leverage ratio will increase to 3.50 to 1.00.

NOTE PURCHASE AGREEMENT

On August 23, 2013, we entered into a Note Purchase Agreement with certain institutional investors (the “Purchasers”). On August 27, 2013, the Purchasers purchased an aggregate principal amount of $500 million of our Senior Notes, Series A, Senior Notes Series B, and Senior Notes Series C, collectively (the “Notes”). Interest on the Notes is payable semi-annually in arrears. The fair value of the Notes approximated $484.7 million at September 30, 2018. We estimate the fair value of the Notes primarily using an expected present value technique, which is based on observable market inputs using interest rates currently available to companies of similar credit standing for similar terms and remaining maturities, and considering our own risk. If the Notes were recorded at fair value, they would be classified as Level 2.

The Note Purchase Agreement contains various restrictions and covenants that require us to maintain certain financial ratios, including a maximum leverage ratio of 3.00 to 1.00, a minimum interest coverage ratio of 2.00 to 1.00, and a maximum consolidated priority debt to consolidated total asset ratio of 15 percent.

The Note Purchase Agreement provides for customary events of default. The occurrence of an event of default would permit certain Purchasers to declare certain Notes then outstanding to be immediately due and payable. Under the terms of the Note Purchase Agreement, the Notes are redeemable, in whole or in part, at 100 percent of the principal amount being redeemed together with a “make-whole amount” (as defined in the Note Purchase Agreement), and accrued and unpaid interest with respect to each Note. The obligations of the company under the Note Purchase Agreement and the Notes are guaranteed by C.H. Robinson Company, a Delaware corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of the company, and by C.H. Robinson Company, Inc., a Minnesota corporation and an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of the company.

U.S. TRADE ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE SECURITIZATION

On April 26, 2017, we entered into a receivables purchase agreement and related transaction documents with The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd., New York Branch and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association to provide a receivables securitization facility (the “Receivables Securitization Facility”). The Receivables Securitization Facility is based on the securitization of our U.S. trade accounts receivable and provides funding of up to $250 million. The interest rate on borrowings under the Receivables Securitization Facility is based on the asset-backed commercial paper rate plus a margin or 30 day LIBOR plus a margin. There is also a commitment fee we are required to pay on any unused portion of the facility. The Receivables Securitization Facility expires on April 26, 2019 unless extended by the parties. The recorded amount of borrowings outstanding on the Receivables Securitization Facility approximates fair value because it can be redeemed on short notice and the interest rate floats, therefore, we consider these borrowings to be a Level 2 financial liability.

The Receivables Securitization Facility contains various customary affirmative and negative covenants, and it also contains customary default and termination provisions which provide for acceleration of amounts owed under the Receivables Securitization Facility upon the occurrence of certain specified events.

SENIOR NOTES

On April 9, 2018, we issued senior unsecured notes ("Senior Notes") through a public offering. The Senior Notes bear an annual interest rate of 4.20 percent payable semi-annually on April 15 and October 15, until maturity on April 15, 2028. The proceeds from the Senior Notes were utilized to pay down the balance on our Credit Agreement. Taking into effect the amortization of the original issue discount and all underwriting and issuance expenses, the Senior Notes have an effective yield to maturity of approximately 4.39 percent per annum. The fair value of the Senior Notes, excluding debt discounts and issuance costs, approximated $593.5 million as of September 30, 2018, based primarily on the market prices quoted from external sources. The carrying value of the Senior Notes was $591.4 million as of September 30, 2018. If the Senior Notes were measured at fair value in the financial statements, they would be classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

We may redeem the Senior Notes, in whole or in part, at any time and from time to time prior to their maturity at the applicable redemption prices described in the Senior Notes. Upon the occurrence of a “change of control triggering event” as defined in the Senior Notes (generally, a change of control of us accompanied by a reduction in the credit rating for the Senior Notes), we will generally be required to make an offer to repurchase the Senior Notes from holders at 101 percent of their principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest to the date of repurchase.

The Senior Notes were issued under an indenture that contains covenants imposing certain limitations on our ability to incur liens, enter into sales and leaseback transactions and consolidate, merge or transfer substantial all of our assets and those of our subsidiaries on a consolidated basis. It also provides for customary events of default (subject in certain cases to customary grace and cure periods), which include among other things nonpayment, breach of covenants in the indenture and certain events of bankruptcy and insolvency. If an event of default occurs and is continuing with respect to the Senior Notes, the trustee or holders of at least 25 percent in principal amount outstanding of the Senior Notes may declare the principal and the accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on all of the outstanding Senior Notes to be due and payable. These covenants and events of default are subject to a number of important qualifications, limitations and exceptions that are described in the indenture. The indenture does not contain any financial ratios or specified levels of net worth or liquidity to which we must adhere.

As of September 30, 2018, we were in compliance with all of the covenants under the Credit Agreement, Note Purchase Agreement, Receivables Securitization Facility, and Senior Notes.

INCOME TAXES	9 Months Ended
INCOME TAXES	Sep. 30, 2018
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
INCOME TAXES	INCOME TAXES C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc. and its 80 percent (or more) owned U.S. subsidiaries file a consolidated federal return. We file unitary or separate state returns based on state filing requirements. With few exceptions, we are no longer subject to audits of U.S. federal, state and local, or non-U.S. income tax returns before 2011. We are currently under an Internal Revenue Service audit for the 2015 tax year. Our effective tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 was 26.5 percent and 35.2 percent, respectively, and our effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 was 24.7 percent and 34.2 percent, respectively. The effective income tax rate for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 was higher than the statutory federal income tax rate due to state income taxes, net of federal benefit, and foreign income taxes, but was partially offset by the tax impact of share-based payment awards. The tax impact of share-based payment awards resulted in a decrease in our provision for income taxes for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 of $9.3 million and $11.9 million, respectively. We have asserted that we will indefinitely reinvest earnings of foreign subsidiaries to support expansion of our international business. If we repatriated all foreign earnings, the estimated effect on income taxes payable would be an increase of approximately $14.5 million as of September 30, 2018. In connection with our initial analysis of the impact of the Tax Act, we recorded a discrete net tax benefit of $12.1 million in the year ended December 31, 2017. We have not yet completed our accounting for the income tax effects of certain elements of the Tax Act, but we were able to make reasonable estimates for elements in which our analysis is not complete and have therefore recorded provisional adjustments. During the nine months ended September 30, 2018, we revised our analysis and recorded an additional net tax expense of $3.6 million related to an increase in 2017 transition taxes, resulting in a revised estimated net tax benefit of $8.5 million. Further, per FASB guidance, we are allowed to make an accounting policy election of either (1) treating taxes due on future U.S. inclusions in taxable income related to Global Intangible Low-Taxed Income (“GILTI”) as a current-period expense when incurred or (2) factoring such amounts into our measurement of our deferred taxes. We have elected to recognize the tax on GILTI as a current-period expense in the period the tax is incurred. As of September 30, 2018, we have $37.7 million of unrecognized tax benefits and related interest and penalties. It is possible the amount of unrecognized tax benefit could change in the next 12 months as a result of a lapse of the statute of limitations and settlements with taxing authorities. The total liability for unrecognized tax benefits is expected to decrease by approximately $1.8 million in the next 12 months due to lapsing of statutes.

STOCK AWARD PLANS

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]

STOCK AWARD PLANS

Stock-based compensation cost is measured at the grant date based on the value of the award and is recognized as expense as it vests. A summary of our total compensation expense recognized in our condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income for stock-based compensation is as follows (in thousands):



	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018		2017		2018		2017
Stock options	$	5,666	$	1,715	$	17,931	$	5,341
Stock awards	17,539		5,427		48,443		17,149
Company expense on ESPP discount	566		525		2,101		2,019
Total stock-based compensation expense	$	23,771	$	7,667	$	68,475	$	24,509

On May 12, 2016, our shareholders approved an amendment to and restatement of our 2013 Equity Incentive Plan, which allows us to grant certain stock awards, including stock options at fair market value and performance shares and restricted stock units, to our key employees and outside directors. A maximum of 13,041,803 shares can be granted under this plan. Approximately 3,199,688 shares were available for stock awards under the plan as of September 30, 2018. Shares subject to awards that expire or are canceled without delivery of shares or that are settled in cash generally become available again for issuance under the plan.

Stock Options - We have awarded time-based and performance-based stock options to certain key employees. These options are subject to certain vesting requirements over a five-year period based on the company’s earnings growth or on the employees continued employment. Any options remaining unvested at the end of the five-year vesting period are forfeited to the company. Although participants can exercise options via a stock swap exercise, we do not issue reloads (restoration options) on the grants.

The fair value of these options is established based on the market price on the date of grant, discounted for post-vesting holding restrictions, calculated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. Changes in measured stock price volatility and interest rates are the primary reasons for changes in the discount. These grants are being expensed based on the terms of the awards. As of September 30, 2018, unrecognized compensation expense related to stock options was $40.3 million. The amount of future expense to be recognized will be based on the passage of time, the company’s earnings growth, and certain other conditions.

Full Value Awards - We have awarded performance-based shares and restricted stock units to certain key employees and non-employee directors. These awards are subject to certain vesting requirements over a five-year period, based on our earnings growth. The awards also contain restrictions on the awardees’ ability to sell or transfer vested awards for a specified period of time. The fair value of these awards is established based on the market price on the date of grant, discounted for post-vesting holding restrictions. The discounts on outstanding grants vary from 15 percent to 21 percent and are calculated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model-protective put method. Changes in measured stock price volatility and interest rates are the primary reasons for changes in the discount. These grants are being expensed based on the terms of the awards.

We have also awarded time-based restricted shares and restricted stock units to certain key employees that vest primarily based on their continued employment. The value of these awards is established by the market price on the date of the grant, discounted for post-vesting holding restrictions and is being expensed over the vesting period of the award.

We have also issued to certain key employees and non-employee directors restricted stock units which are fully vested upon issuance. These units contain restrictions on the awardees’ ability to sell or transfer vested units for a specified period of time. The fair value of these units is established using the same method discussed above. These grants have been expensed during the year they were earned.

As of September 30, 2018, there was unrecognized compensation expense of $88.5 million related to previously granted full value awards. The amount of future expense to be recognized will be based on the passage of time, the company’s earnings growth, and certain other conditions.

Employee Stock Purchase Plan - Our 1997 Employee Stock Purchase Plan ("ESPP") allows our employees to contribute up to $10,000 of their annual cash compensation to purchase company stock. Purchase price is determined using the closing price on the last day of each quarter discounted by 15 percent. Shares vest immediately. The following is a summary of the employee stock purchase plan activity:



Three Months Ended September 30, 2018
Shares purchased by employees	Aggregate cost to employees		Expense recognized by the company
38,538	$	3,207,903	$	566,101

LITIGATION	9 Months Ended
LITIGATION	Sep. 30, 2018
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
LITIGATION	LITIGATION We are not subject to any pending or threatened litigation other than routine litigation arising in the ordinary course of our business operations, including 15 contingent auto liability cases. For some legal proceedings, we have accrued an amount that reflects the aggregate liability deemed probable and estimable, but this amount is not material to our condensed consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows. Because of the preliminary nature of many of these proceedings, the difficulty in ascertaining the applicable facts relating to many of these proceedings, the inconsistent treatment of claims made in many of these proceedings, and the difficulty of predicting the settlement value of many of these proceedings, we are often unable to estimate an amount or range of any reasonably possible additional losses. However, based upon our historical experience, the resolution of these proceedings is not expected to have a material effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.

ACQUISITIONS

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

Business Combinations [Abstract]

ACQUISITIONS

On August 31, 2017, we acquired the outstanding shares of Milgram & Company Ltd. ("Milgram") for the purpose of expanding our global presence and bringing additional capabilities and expertise to our portfolio. Total purchase consideration, net of cash acquired, was $47.3 million, which was paid in cash. We used advances under the Credit Agreement to fund part of the cash consideration.

Identifiable intangible assets and estimated useful lives are as follows (dollars in thousands):



	Estimated Life (years)
Customer relationships	7	$	14,004

There was $28.3 million of goodwill recorded related to the acquisition of Milgram. The Milgram goodwill is a result of acquiring and retaining the Milgram existing workforce and expected synergies from integrating its business into ours. Purchase accounting is considered final. The goodwill is not deductible for tax purposes. The results of operations of Milgram have been included in our consolidated financial statements since September 1, 2017.

SEGMENT REPORTING

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

SEGMENT REPORTING

Our reportable segments are based on our method of internal reporting, which generally segregates the segments by service line and the primary services they provide to our customers. We identify three reportable segments as follows:


•	North American Surface Transportation-NAST provides freight transportation services across North America through a network of offices in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The primary services provided by NAST include truckload, LTL, and intermodal.


•	Global Forwarding-Global Forwarding provides global logistics services through an international network of offices in North America, Asia, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and South America and also contracts with independent agents worldwide. The primary services provided by Global Forwarding include ocean freight services, airfreight services, and customs brokerage.

•

Robinson Fresh-Robinson Fresh provides sourcing services under the trade name of Robinson Fresh. Our sourcing services primarily include the buying, selling, and marketing of fresh fruits, vegetables, and other perishable items. Robinson Fresh sources products from around the world and has a physical presence in North America, Europe, Asia, and South America. This segment often provides the logistics and transportation of the products they sell, in addition to temperature controlled transportation services for its customers.

•

All Other and Corporate-All Other and Corporate includes our Managed Services segment, as well as Other Surface Transportation outside of North America and other miscellaneous revenues and unallocated corporate expenses. Managed Services provides Transportation Management Services, or Managed TMS^®. Other Surface Transportation revenues are primarily earned by Europe Surface Transportation. Europe Surface Transportation provides services similar to NAST across Europe.

The internal reporting of segments is defined, based in part, on the reporting and review process used by our chief operating decision maker, our Chief Executive Officer. The accounting policies of our reporting segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies. Segment information as of, and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, is as follows (dollars in thousands):



	NAST		Global Forwarding		Robinson Fresh		All Other and Corporate			Eliminations			Consolidated
Three Months Ended September 30, 2018
Revenues	$	2,931,461	$	639,268	$	565,590	$	155,581		$	—		$	4,291,900
Intersegment revenues⁽¹⁾	147,104		12,626		56,425		3,756			(219,911		)	—
Total revenues	3,078,565		651,894		622,015		159,337			(219,911		)	4,291,900
Net revenues	465,522		134,101		60,340		34,081			—			694,044
Income from operations	204,158		23,835		21,411		(3,431		)	—			245,973
Depreciation and amortization	6,096		8,735		1,092		8,000			—			23,923
Total assets⁽²⁾	2,515,823		944,928		411,309		620,662			—			4,492,722
Average headcount	7,007		4,684		914		2,686			—			15,291



	NAST		Global Forwarding		Robinson Fresh		All Other and Corporate			Eliminations			Consolidated
Three Months Ended September 30, 2017
Revenues	$	2,469,420	$	552,134	$	613,646	$	149,251		$	—		$	3,784,451
Intersegment revenues⁽¹⁾	115,796		7,873		43,272		3,228			(170,169		)	—
Total revenues	2,585,216		560,007		656,918		152,479			(170,169		)	3,784,451
Net revenues	377,403		129,842		54,253		32,348			—			593,846
Income from operations	151,392		31,125		11,586		362			—			194,465
Depreciation and amortization	5,808		8,455		1,190		8,510			—			23,963
Total assets⁽²⁾	2,297,980		840,762		413,520		623,326			—			4,175,588
Average headcount	6,998		4,301		970		2,634			—			14,903



	NAST		Global Forwarding		Robinson Fresh		All Other and Corporate			Eliminations			Consolidated
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018
Revenues	$	8,473,376	$	1,810,619	$	1,737,083	$	472,186		$	—		$	12,493,264
Intersegment revenues⁽¹⁾	405,966		36,865		154,902		13,946			(611,679		)	—
Total Revenues	8,879,342		1,847,484		1,891,985		486,132			(611,679		)	12,493,264
Net Revenues	1,317,104		401,169		169,747		103,432			—			1,991,452
Income from Operations	562,802		61,844		39,950		(8,030		)	—			656,566
Depreciation and amortization	18,314		26,397		3,409		24,282			—			72,402
Total assets⁽²⁾	2,515,823		944,928		411,309		620,662			—			4,492,722
Average headcount	6,931		4,725		910		2,623			—			15,189



	NAST		Global Forwarding		Robinson Fresh		All Other and Corporate			Eliminations			Consolidated
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017
Revenues	$	7,110,223	$	1,549,742	$	1,821,094	$	428,535		$	—		$	10,909,594
Intersegment revenues⁽¹⁾	329,193		23,456		116,281		13,776			(482,706		)	—
Total Revenues	7,439,416		1,573,198		1,937,375		442,311			(482,706		)	10,909,594
Net Revenues	1,109,749		357,411		171,936		97,105			—			1,736,201
Income from Operations	447,553		75,006		40,487		1,197			—			564,243
Depreciation and amortization	17,104		24,574		3,534		24,128			—			69,340
Total assets⁽²⁾	2,297,980		840,762		413,520		623,326			—			4,175,588
Average headcount	6,921		4,113		966		2,590			—			14,590

(1) Intersegment revenues represent the sales between our segments and are eliminated to reconcile to our consolidated results.

(2) All cash and cash equivalents are included in All Other and Corporate.

REVENUE FROM CONTRACTS WITH CUSTOMERS

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]

REVENUE FROM CONTRACTS WITH CUSTOMERS

In 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which we adopted in the first quarter of 2018. The standard outlines a five-step model whereby revenue is recognized as performance obligations within a customer contract are satisfied. The standard also requires new and expanded disclosures regarding revenue recognition. We adopted the new standard on January 1, 2018, using the modified retrospective transition method. We recognized the cumulative effect of initially applying the new revenue standard as an adjustment to the January 1, 2018 opening balance of retained earnings. The comparative information for previous periods has not been restated and continues to be reported under the accounting standards in effect for those periods.

The cumulative effect of the changes made to our consolidated January 1, 2018 balance sheet for the adoption of ASU 2014-09 were as follows:



	Balance at December 31, 2017		Adjustments			Balance at January 1, 2018
Balance Sheet
Assets
Receivables, net of allowance for doubtful accounts	$	2,113,930	$	(101,718	)	$	2,012,212
Contract assets	—		147,764			147,764
Prepaid expenses and other	63,116		4,021			67,137

Liabilities
Accounts payable	1,000,305		(56,493		)	943,812
Accrued expenses - transportation expense	—		94,811			94,811
Accrued expenses - compensation	105,316		1,964			107,280
Accrued expenses - other accrued liabilities	58,229		(2,752		)	55,477
Deferred tax liabilities	45,355		3,298			48,653

Equity
Retained earnings	3,437,093		9,239			3,446,332

The impact of adoption of ASU 2014-09 on our consolidated statements of operations and consolidated balance sheets were as follows. The adoption of ASU 2014-09 did not have a material impact upon our consolidated statements of cash flows.



	Three Months Ended September 30, 2018
	As reported			Balances without adoption of ASU 2014-09			Effect of Change Higher / (Lower)
Income Statement
Revenues
Transportation	$	4,028,392		$	4,018,151		$	10,241
Sourcing ⁽¹⁾	263,508			292,090			(28,582		)
Total Revenues	$	4,291,900		$	4,310,241		$	(18,341	)
Costs and expenses
Purchased transportation and related services	$	3,359,520		$	3,350,085		$	9,435
Purchased products sourced for resale ⁽¹⁾	238,336			266,918			(28,582		)
Personnel expenses	335,299			335,198			101
Other selling, general, and administrative expenses	112,772			112,772			—
Total Costs and Expenses	4,045,927			4,064,973			(19,046		)
Income from operations	245,973			245,268			705
Interest and other expense	(6,526		)	(6,526		)	—
Income before provision for income taxes	239,447			238,742			705
Provision for income taxes	63,552			63,300			252
Net income	$	175,895		$	175,442		$	453



	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018
	As reported			Balances without adoption of ASU 2014-09			Effect of Change Higher / (Lower)
Income Statement
Revenues
Transportation	$	11,619,171		$	11,537,467		$	81,704
Sourcing ⁽¹⁾	874,093			957,889			(83,796		)
Total Revenues	$	12,493,264		$	12,495,356		$	(2,092	)
Costs and expenses
Purchased transportation and related services	$	9,714,318		$	9,642,888		$	71,430
Purchased products sourced for resale ⁽¹⁾	787,494			871,290			(83,796		)
Personnel expenses	1,004,226			1,003,575			651
Other selling, general, and administrative expenses	330,660			330,660			—
Total Costs and Expenses	11,836,698			11,848,413			(11,715		)
Income from operations	656,566			646,943			9,623
Interest and other expense	(22,354		)	(22,354		)	—
Income before provision for income taxes	634,212			624,589			9,623
Provision for income taxes	156,857			154,332			2,525
Net income	$	477,355		$	470,257		$	7,098

(1) We have identified certain customer contracts in our sourcing managed procurement business that changed from a principal to an agent relationship under the new standard. This change resulted in these contracts being recognized at the net amount we charge our customers but had no impact on income from operations.



	As of September 30, 2018
	As reported		Balances without adoption of ASU 2014-09		Effect of Change Higher / (Lower)
Balance Sheet
Assets
Receivables, net of allowance for doubtful accounts	$	2,251,944	$	2,327,352	$	(75,408	)
Contract assets	201,411		—		201,411
Prepaid expenses and other	53,909		52,518		1,391

Liabilities
Accounts payable	$	1,077,780	$	1,128,878	$	(51,098	)
Accrued expenses - transportation expense	156,810		—		156,810
Accrued expenses - compensation	121,813		119,197		2,616
Accrued expenses - other accrued liabilities	68,863		71,929		(3,066		)
Deferred tax liabilities	44,555		38,760		5,795

Equity
Retained earnings	$	3,728,503	$	3,712,166	$	16,337

We typically do not receive consideration and amounts are not due from our customer prior to the completion of our performance obligation and as such contract liabilities as of September 30, 2018 and revenue recognized in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 resulting from contract liabilities were not significant. Contract assets and accrued expenses - transportation expense fluctuate from period to period primarily based upon shipments in-transit at period end.

A summary of our total revenues disaggregated by major service line and timing of revenue recognition is presented below for each of our reportable segments for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 as follows:



	Three Months Ended September 30, 2018
	NAST		Global Forwarding		Robinson Fresh		All Other and Corporate		Total
Major Service Lines
Transportation and logistics services	$	2,931,461	$	639,268	$	302,082	$	155,581	$	4,028,392
Sourcing	—		—		263,508		—		263,508
Total	$	2,931,461	$	639,268	$	565,590	$	155,581	$	4,291,900

Timing of Revenue Recognition
Performance obligations completed over time	$	2,931,461	$	639,268	$	302,082	$	155,581	$	4,028,392
Performance obligations completed at a point in time	—		—		263,508		—		263,508
Total	$	2,931,461	$	639,268	$	565,590	$	155,581	$	4,291,900



	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018
	NAST		Global Forwarding		Robinson Fresh		All Other and Corporate		Total
Major Service Lines
Transportation and logistics services	$	8,473,376	$	1,810,619	$	862,990	$	472,186	$	11,619,171
Sourcing	—		—		874,093		—		874,093
Total	$	8,473,376	$	1,810,619	$	1,737,083	$	472,186	$	12,493,264

Timing of Revenue Recognition
Performance obligations completed over time	$	8,473,376	$	1,810,619	$	862,990	$	472,186	$	11,619,171
Performance obligations completed at a point in time	—		—		874,093		—		874,093
Total	$	8,473,376	$	1,810,619	$	1,737,083	$	472,186	$	12,493,264

Approximately 92 percent of our total revenues for both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 are attributable to arranging for the transportation of our customer’s freight for which we transfer control and satisfy our performance obligation over the requisite transit period. A days in transit output method is used to measure the progress of our performance as of the reporting date. We determine the transit period based upon the departure date and the delivery date, which may be estimated if delivery has not occurred as of the reporting date. Determining the transit period and how much of it has been completed as of the reporting date may require management to make judgments that affect the timing of revenue recognized. We have determined that revenue recognition over the transit period provides a faithful depiction of the transfer of goods and services to our customer as our obligation is performed over the transit period. The transaction price for our performance obligation under these arrangements is generally fixed and readily determinable upon contract inception and is not contingent upon the occurrence or non-occurrence of another event.

Approximately six percent and seven percent, respectively, of our total revenues for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 are attributable to buying, selling, and/or marketing of produce including fresh fruits, vegetables, and other value-added perishable items. Of these transactions, nearly all of our gross revenues are recognized at a point in time upon completion of our performance obligation, which is generally when the produce is received by our customer. The transaction price for our performance obligation under these arrangements is generally fixed and readily determinable upon contract inception and is not contingent upon the occurrence or non-occurrence of another event.

Approximately two percent and one percent, respectively, of our total revenues for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 are attributable to value-added logistics services, such as customs brokerage, fee-based managed services, warehousing services, small parcel, and supply chain consulting and optimization services. Of these services, nearly all are recognized over time as we complete our performance obligation. Transaction price is determined and allocated to these performance obligations at their fixed fee or agreed upon rate multiplied by their associated measure of progress, which may be transactional volumes, labor hours, or time elapsed.

Practical Expedients - Upon the adoption of ASU 2014-09, we have determined that we qualify for certain practical expedients to facilitate the adoption of the standard. We have elected to expense incremental costs of obtaining customer contracts (i.e. sales commissions) due to the short duration of our arrangements as the amortization period of such amounts is expected to be less than one year. These amounts are included within personnel expenses in our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income. In addition, we do not disclose the aggregate amount of transaction price allocated to performance obligations that are unsatisfied as of the end of the period as our contracts have an expected length of one year or less. Finally, for certain of our performance obligations such as fee-based managed services, supply chain consulting and optimization services, and warehousing services we have recognized revenue in the amount for which we have the right to invoice our customer as we have determined this amount corresponds directly with the value provided to the customer for our performance completed to date.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates - We have updated our revenue recognition critical accounting policy to reflect the adoption of ASU 2014-09 below.

REVENUE RECOGNITION. At contract inception, we assess the goods and services promised in our contracts with customers and identify our performance obligations to provide distinct goods and services to our customers. We have determined that the following distinct goods and services represent our primary performance obligations.

Transportation and Logistics Services - As a third party logistics provider, our primary performance obligation under our customer contracts is to utilize our relationships with a wide variety of transportation companies to efficiently and cost-effectively transport our customer’s freight. Revenue is recognized for these performance obligations as they are satisfied over the contract term, which generally represents the transit period. The transit period can vary based upon the method of transport, generally a couple days for over-the-road, rail and air transportation, or several weeks in the case of an ocean shipment. When the customer’s freight reaches its intended destination our performance obligation is complete. Pricing for our services is generally a fixed amount and is typically due within 30 days upon completion of our performance obligation.

We also provide certain value-added logistics services, such as customs brokerage, fee-based managed services, warehousing services, small parcel, and supply chain consulting and optimization services. These services may include one or more performance obligations which are generally satisfied over the service period as we perform our obligations. The service period may be a very short duration, in the case of customs brokerage, or it may be longer in the case of managed services and supply chain consulting and optimization services. Pricing for our services is established in the customer contract and is dependent upon the specific needs of the customer but may be agreed upon at a fixed fee per transaction, labor hour, or service period. Payment is typically due within 30 days upon completion of our performance obligation.

Sourcing services - We contract with grocery retailers, restaurants, foodservice distributors, and produce wholesalers to provide sourcing services under the trade name Robinson Fresh. Our primary service obligation under these contracts is the buying, selling, and/or marketing of produce including fresh fruits, vegetables, and other value-added perishable items. Revenue is recognized when our performance obligations under these contracts is satisfied at a point in time, generally when the produce is received by our customer. Pricing under these contracts is generally a fixed amount and is typically due within 30 days upon completion of our performance obligation.

In many cases, as additional performance obligations, we contract to arrange logistics and transportation of the products we buy, sell, and/or market. These performance obligations are satisfied over the contract term consistent with our other transportation and logistics services. The contract period is typically less than one year. Pricing for our services is generally a fixed amount and is typically due within 30 days upon completion of our performance obligation.

Total revenues represent the total dollar value of revenue recognized from contracts with customers for the goods and services we provide. Substantially all of our revenue is attributable to contracts with our customers. Our net revenues are our total revenues less purchased transportation and related services, including contracted motor carrier, rail, ocean, air, and other costs, and the purchase price and services related to the products we source. Most transactions in our transportation and sourcing businesses are recorded at the gross amount we charge our customers for the service we provide and goods we sell. In these transactions, we are primarily responsible for fulfilling the promise to provide the specified good or service to our customer and we have discretion in establishing the price for the specified good or service. Additionally, in our sourcing business, in some cases we take inventory risk before the specified good has been transferred to our customer. Customs brokerage, managed services, freight forwarding, and sourcing managed procurement transactions are recorded at the net amount we charge our customers for the service we provide because many of the factors stated above are not present.

CHANGES IN ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS	9 Months Ended
CHANGES IN ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS	Sep. 30, 2018
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]
CHANGES IN ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS	CHANGES IN ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS Accumulated other comprehensive loss is included in Stockholders' investment on our condensed consolidated balance sheets. The recorded balance, at September 30, 2018, and December 31, 2017, was $57.4 million and $18.5 million, respectively. Accumulated other comprehensive loss is comprised solely of foreign currency adjustments at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017.

BASIS OF PRESENTATION (Policies)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Basis of Presentation

BASIS OF PRESENTATION

C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc. and our subsidiaries (“the company,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) are a global provider of transportation services and logistics solutions operating through a network of offices located in North America, Europe, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, and South America. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc. and our majority owned and controlled subsidiaries. Our minority interests in subsidiaries are not significant. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in the consolidated financial statements.

Our reportable segments are North American Surface Transportation (“NAST”), Global Forwarding, Robinson Fresh, and All Other and Corporate. The All Other and Corporate segment includes Managed Services, Other Surface Transportation outside of North America, and other miscellaneous revenues and unallocated corporate expenses. We group offices primarily by services they provide to our customers. For financial information concerning our reportable segments, refer to Note 9.

The condensed consolidated financial statements, which are unaudited, have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). In our opinion, these financial statements include all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) necessary for a fair presentation of the financial statements for the interim periods presented. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of results for a full year.

Consistent with SEC rules and regulations, we have condensed or omitted certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. You should read the condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017.

Recently Adopted and Issued Accounting Standards

RECENTLY ADOPTED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, and in August 2015 issued ASU 2015-14, which amended the standard as to its effective date. The new comprehensive revenue recognition standard supersedes all existing revenue recognition guidance under U.S. GAAP. The standard’s core principle is that a company will recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to a customer in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The standard requires more detailed disclosures to enable users of financial statements to understand the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. We adopted this new standard effective January 1, 2018 under the modified retrospective transition method applied to contracts that were not completed as of the date of initial application resulting in a $9.2 million cumulative adjustment to retained earnings.

We have updated our revenue recognition critical accounting policy due to the adoption of this standard and expanded the summary of significant accounting policies included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 below. The adoption of this standard changed the timing of revenue recognition for our transportation businesses from at delivery to over the transit period as our performance obligations are completed. Due to the short transit period of many of our performance obligations, this change did not have a material impact on our results of operations or cash flows.

The new standard expanded our existing revenue recognition disclosures upon adoption. In addition, we have identified certain customer contracts in our sourcing business that changed from a principal to an agent relationship under the new standard. This change resulted in these contracts being recognized at the net amount we charge our customers but had no impact on income from operations. See Note 10 to our consolidated financial statements which includes the expanded disclosures required by ASU 2014-09.

In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-09, Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Scope of Modification Accounting. This update amends the scope of modification accounting for share-based payment arrangements. The ASU provides guidance on the types of changes to the terms or conditions of share-based payment awards to which an entity would be required to apply modification accounting under Topic 718. We adopted this new standard effective January 1, 2018. The amendments in this update will be applied prospectively to awards modified on or after January 1, 2018. The future impact of ASU 2017-09 will depend on the nature of future stock award modifications.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-15, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other - Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40). This update aligns the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a cloud computing arrangement that is a service contract with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software. We adopted this update in the third quarter of 2018, using a prospective approach. The adoption did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). This update requires a lessee to recognize on the balance sheet a liability to make lease payments and a corresponding right-of-use asset. The guidance also requires certain qualitative and quantitative disclosures about the amount, timing, and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leases. This update is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2018, which will require us to adopt these provisions in the first quarter of 2019. Early adoption is permitted, although we do not plan to adopt early. In July 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-11, Leases (Topic 842): Targeted Improvements, which provides another transition method no longer requiring application to previously reported periods. We plan to adopt Topic 842 by applying the new standard on January 1, 2019 and recognizing a cumulative adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings. Prior period balances will not be restated.

We have obligations under lease agreements for facilities and equipment, which are classified as operating leases under the existing lease standard. While we are still evaluating the impact ASU 2016-02 will have on our consolidated results of operations, financial condition, and cash flows, our financial statements will reflect an increase in both assets and liabilities due to the requirement to recognize right-of-use assets and lease liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets for our facility and equipment leases. We are in the final stages of implementing a global lease accounting software and designing necessary internal controls to facilitate the adoption of the new standard. As of December 31, 2017, we had $282.7 million of minimum future lease commitments under noncancelable lease agreements which will be subject to ASU 2016-02 once adopted.

In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-02, Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, which amends existing guidance for reporting comprehensive income to reflect changes resulting from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 ("Tax Act"). The amendment provides the option to reclassify stranded tax effects resulting from the Tax Act within accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI) to retained earnings. New disclosures will be required upon adoption, including the accounting policy for releasing income tax effects from AOCI, whether reclassification of stranded income tax effects is elected, and information about other income tax effect reclassifications. The amendment will become effective for us on January 1, 2019, although early adoption is permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact of adopting this standard on our consolidated financial statements and disclosures.

Contract Assets

CONTRACT ASSETS. Contract assets represent amounts for which we have the right to consideration for the services we have provided while a shipment is still in-transit but for which we have not yet completed our performance obligation or have not yet invoiced our customer. Upon completion of our performance obligations, which can vary in duration based upon the method of transport, and billing our customer these amounts become classified within accounts receivable and are then typically due within 30 days.

ACCRUED TRANSPORTATION EXPENSE. Accrued transportation expense represents amounts we owe to vendors, primarily transportation providers, for the services they have provided while a shipment is still in-transit as of the reporting date.

REVENUE RECOGNITION. At contract inception, we assess the goods and services promised in our contracts with customers and identify our performance obligations to provide distinct goods and services to our customers. We have determined that the following distinct goods and services represent our primary performance obligations.

Transportation and Logistics Services - As a third party logistics provider, our primary performance obligation under our customer contracts is to utilize our relationships with a wide variety of transportation companies to efficiently and cost-effectively transport our customer’s freight. Revenue is recognized for these performance obligations as they are satisfied over the contract term, which generally represents the transit period. The transit period can vary based upon the method of transport, generally a couple days for over-the-road, rail and air transportation, or several weeks in the case of an ocean shipment. When the customer’s freight reaches its intended destination our performance obligation is complete. Pricing for our services is generally a fixed amount and is typically due within 30 days upon completion of our performance obligation.

We also provide certain value-added logistics services, such as customs brokerage, fee-based managed services, warehousing services, small parcel, and supply chain consulting and optimization services. These services may include one or more performance obligations which are generally satisfied over the service period as we perform our obligations. The service period may be a very short duration, in the case of customs brokerage, or it may be longer in the case of managed services and supply chain consulting and optimization services. Pricing for our services is established in the customer contract and is dependent upon the specific needs of the customer but may be agreed upon at a fixed fee per transaction, labor hour, or service period. Payment is typically due within 30 days upon completion of our performance obligation.

Sourcing services - We contract with grocery retailers, restaurants, foodservice distributors, and produce wholesalers to provide sourcing services under the trade name Robinson Fresh. Our primary service obligation under these contracts is the buying, selling, and/or marketing of produce including fresh fruits, vegetables, and other value-added perishable items. Revenue is recognized when our performance obligations under these contracts is satisfied at a point in time, generally when the produce is received by our customer. Pricing under these contracts is generally a fixed amount and is typically due within 30 days upon completion of our performance obligation.

In many cases, as additional performance obligations, we contract to arrange logistics and transportation of the products we buy, sell, and/or market. These performance obligations are satisfied over the contract term consistent with our other transportation and logistics services. The contract period is typically less than one year. Pricing for our services is generally a fixed amount and is typically due within 30 days upon completion of our performance obligation.

Total revenues represent the total dollar value of revenue recognized from contracts with customers for the goods and services we provide. Substantially all of our revenue is attributable to contracts with our customers. Our net revenues are our total revenues less purchased transportation and related services, including contracted motor carrier, rail, ocean, air, and other costs, and the purchase price and services related to the products we source. Most transactions in our transportation and sourcing businesses are recorded at the gross amount we charge our customers for the service we provide and goods we sell. In these transactions, we are primarily responsible for fulfilling the promise to provide the specified good or service to our customer and we have discretion in establishing the price for the specified good or service. Additionally, in our sourcing business, in some cases we take inventory risk before the specified good has been transferred to our customer. Customs brokerage, managed services, freight forwarding, and sourcing managed procurement transactions are recorded at the net amount we charge our customers for the service we provide because many of the factors stated above are not present.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Goodwill is tested at least annually for impairment on November 30, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. We first perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of our reporting units is less than their respective carrying value (“Step Zero Analysis”). If the Step Zero Analysis indicates it is more likely than not that the fair value of our reporting units is less than their respective carrying value, an additional impairment assessment is performed (“Step One Analysis”). Refer to Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates.

Fair Value Measurement

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT

Accounting guidance on fair value measurements for certain financial assets and liabilities requires that assets and liabilities carried at fair value be classified and disclosed in one of the following three categories:


•	Level 1 — Quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.


•	Level 2 — Observable market-based inputs or unobservable inputs that are corroborated by market data.


•	Level 3 — Unobservable inputs reflecting the reporting entity’s own assumptions or external inputs from inactive markets.

A financial asset or liability’s classification within the hierarchy is determined based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Goodwill

The change in carrying amount of goodwill is as follows (in thousands):



	NAST			Global Forwarding			Robinson Fresh			All Other and Corporate			Total
December 31, 2017 balance	$	921,486		$	185,873		$	141,185		$	27,272		$	1,275,816
Acquisitions	—			301			—			—			301
Adjustments	(40		)	(268		)	—			—			(308		)
Translation	(7,312		)	(1,948		)	(1,109		)	(214		)	(10,583		)
September 30, 2018 balance	$	914,134		$	183,958		$	140,076		$	27,058		$	1,265,226

Schedule of Intangible Assets

Identifiable intangible assets consisted of the following (in thousands):



	September 30, 2018							December 31, 2017
	Cost		Accumulated Amortization			Net		Cost		Accumulated Amortization			Net
Finite-lived intangibles
Customer relationships	$	261,662	$	(151,996	)	$	109,666	$	263,093	$	(122,103	)	$	140,990
Non-competition agreements	300		(225		)	75		300		(180		)	120
Total finite-lived intangibles	261,962		(152,221		)	109,741		263,393		(122,283		)	141,110

Indefinite-lived intangibles
Trademarks	10,475		—			10,475		10,475		—			10,475
Total intangibles	$	272,437	$	(152,221	)	$	120,216	$	273,868	$	(122,283	)	$	151,585

Schedule of Amortization Expense

Amortization expense for other intangible assets is as follows (in thousands):



	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018		2017		2018		2017
Amortization expense	$	9,201	$	9,157	$	27,796	$	26,875

Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Future Amortization Expense

Definite-lived intangible assets, by reportable segment, as of September 30, 2018, will be amortized over their remaining lives as follows (in thousands):



	NAST		Global Forwarding		Robinson Fresh		All Other and Corporate		Total
Remainder of 2018	$	1,953	$	7,455	$	—	$	—	$	9,408
2019	7,820		29,445		—		—		37,265
2020	260		26,741		—		—		27,001
2021	260		13,220		—		—		13,480
2022	260		13,220		—		—		13,480
Thereafter	461		8,646		—		—		9,107
Total									$	109,741

FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

Components of Short-term and Long-term Debt

The components of our short-term and long-term debt and the associated interest rates were as follows (dollars in thousands):



	Average interest rate as of					Carrying value as of
	September 30, 2018		December 31, 2017		Maturity	September 30, 2018		December 31, 2017
Revolving credit facility ⁽¹⁾	—	%	2.70	%	December 2019	$	—	$	715,000
Senior Notes, Series A	3.97	%	3.97	%	August 2023	175,000		175,000
Senior Notes, Series B	4.26	%	4.26	%	August 2028	150,000		150,000
Senior Notes, Series C	4.60	%	4.60	%	August 2033	175,000		175,000
Receivables securitization facility ⁽²⁾	2.96	%	2.00	%	April 2019	249,898		250,000
Senior Notes ⁽²⁾	4.20	%	N/A		April 2028	591,405		—
Total debt						1,341,303		1,465,000
Less: Current maturities and short-term borrowing						—		(715,000		)
Long-term debt						$	1,341,303	$	750,000

⁽¹⁾ There was no outstanding balance on the credit facility as of September 30, 2018. The average borrowing rate on the credit facility during the third quarter was 3.58 percent. The revolving credit facility was amended on October 24, 2018. The Amendment increases the amount of our revolving credit facility from $900 million to $1 billion and also extends the maturity date of the facility from December 31, 2019 to October 24, 2023.

⁽²⁾Net of unamortized discounts and issuance costs.

STOCK AWARD PLANS (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]

Schedule of Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs

A summary of our total compensation expense recognized in our condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income for stock-based compensation is as follows (in thousands):



	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018		2017		2018		2017
Stock options	$	5,666	$	1,715	$	17,931	$	5,341
Stock awards	17,539		5,427		48,443		17,149
Company expense on ESPP discount	566		525		2,101		2,019
Total stock-based compensation expense	$	23,771	$	7,667	$	68,475	$	24,509

Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Employee Stock Purchase Plan, Activity

The following is a summary of the employee stock purchase plan activity:



Three Months Ended September 30, 2018
Shares purchased by employees	Aggregate cost to employees		Expense recognized by the company
38,538	$	3,207,903	$	566,101

ACQUISITIONS (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

Business Combinations [Abstract]

Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets by Major Class

Identifiable intangible assets and estimated useful lives are as follows (dollars in thousands):



	Estimated Life (years)
Customer relationships	7	$	14,004

SEGMENT REPORTING (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Summary of Segment Information

Segment information as of, and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, is as follows (dollars in thousands):



	NAST		Global Forwarding		Robinson Fresh		All Other and Corporate			Eliminations			Consolidated
Three Months Ended September 30, 2018
Revenues	$	2,931,461	$	639,268	$	565,590	$	155,581		$	—		$	4,291,900
Intersegment revenues⁽¹⁾	147,104		12,626		56,425		3,756			(219,911		)	—
Total revenues	3,078,565		651,894		622,015		159,337			(219,911		)	4,291,900
Net revenues	465,522		134,101		60,340		34,081			—			694,044
Income from operations	204,158		23,835		21,411		(3,431		)	—			245,973
Depreciation and amortization	6,096		8,735		1,092		8,000			—			23,923
Total assets⁽²⁾	2,515,823		944,928		411,309		620,662			—			4,492,722
Average headcount	7,007		4,684		914		2,686			—			15,291



	NAST		Global Forwarding		Robinson Fresh		All Other and Corporate			Eliminations			Consolidated
Three Months Ended September 30, 2017
Revenues	$	2,469,420	$	552,134	$	613,646	$	149,251		$	—		$	3,784,451
Intersegment revenues⁽¹⁾	115,796		7,873		43,272		3,228			(170,169		)	—
Total revenues	2,585,216		560,007		656,918		152,479			(170,169		)	3,784,451
Net revenues	377,403		129,842		54,253		32,348			—			593,846
Income from operations	151,392		31,125		11,586		362			—			194,465
Depreciation and amortization	5,808		8,455		1,190		8,510			—			23,963
Total assets⁽²⁾	2,297,980		840,762		413,520		623,326			—			4,175,588
Average headcount	6,998		4,301		970		2,634			—			14,903



	NAST		Global Forwarding		Robinson Fresh		All Other and Corporate			Eliminations			Consolidated
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018
Revenues	$	8,473,376	$	1,810,619	$	1,737,083	$	472,186		$	—		$	12,493,264
Intersegment revenues⁽¹⁾	405,966		36,865		154,902		13,946			(611,679		)	—
Total Revenues	8,879,342		1,847,484		1,891,985		486,132			(611,679		)	12,493,264
Net Revenues	1,317,104		401,169		169,747		103,432			—			1,991,452
Income from Operations	562,802		61,844		39,950		(8,030		)	—			656,566
Depreciation and amortization	18,314		26,397		3,409		24,282			—			72,402
Total assets⁽²⁾	2,515,823		944,928		411,309		620,662			—			4,492,722
Average headcount	6,931		4,725		910		2,623			—			15,189



	NAST		Global Forwarding		Robinson Fresh		All Other and Corporate			Eliminations			Consolidated
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017
Revenues	$	7,110,223	$	1,549,742	$	1,821,094	$	428,535		$	—		$	10,909,594
Intersegment revenues⁽¹⁾	329,193		23,456		116,281		13,776			(482,706		)	—
Total Revenues	7,439,416		1,573,198		1,937,375		442,311			(482,706		)	10,909,594
Net Revenues	1,109,749		357,411		171,936		97,105			—			1,736,201
Income from Operations	447,553		75,006		40,487		1,197			—			564,243
Depreciation and amortization	17,104		24,574		3,534		24,128			—			69,340
Total assets⁽²⁾	2,297,980		840,762		413,520		623,326			—			4,175,588
Average headcount	6,921		4,113		966		2,590			—			14,590

(1) Intersegment revenues represent the sales between our segments and are eliminated to reconcile to our consolidated results.

(2) All cash and cash equivalents are included in All Other and Corporate.

REVENUE FROM CONTRACTS WITH CUSTOMERS (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]

Schedule of New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles

The cumulative effect of the changes made to our consolidated January 1, 2018 balance sheet for the adoption of ASU 2014-09 were as follows:



	Balance at December 31, 2017		Adjustments			Balance at January 1, 2018
Balance Sheet
Assets
Receivables, net of allowance for doubtful accounts	$	2,113,930	$	(101,718	)	$	2,012,212
Contract assets	—		147,764			147,764
Prepaid expenses and other	63,116		4,021			67,137

Liabilities
Accounts payable	1,000,305		(56,493		)	943,812
Accrued expenses - transportation expense	—		94,811			94,811
Accrued expenses - compensation	105,316		1,964			107,280
Accrued expenses - other accrued liabilities	58,229		(2,752		)	55,477
Deferred tax liabilities	45,355		3,298			48,653

Equity
Retained earnings	3,437,093		9,239			3,446,332

The impact of adoption of ASU 2014-09 on our consolidated statements of operations and consolidated balance sheets were as follows. The adoption of ASU 2014-09 did not have a material impact upon our consolidated statements of cash flows.



	Three Months Ended September 30, 2018
	As reported			Balances without adoption of ASU 2014-09			Effect of Change Higher / (Lower)
Income Statement
Revenues
Transportation	$	4,028,392		$	4,018,151		$	10,241
Sourcing ⁽¹⁾	263,508			292,090			(28,582		)
Total Revenues	$	4,291,900		$	4,310,241		$	(18,341	)
Costs and expenses
Purchased transportation and related services	$	3,359,520		$	3,350,085		$	9,435
Purchased products sourced for resale ⁽¹⁾	238,336			266,918			(28,582		)
Personnel expenses	335,299			335,198			101
Other selling, general, and administrative expenses	112,772			112,772			—
Total Costs and Expenses	4,045,927			4,064,973			(19,046		)
Income from operations	245,973			245,268			705
Interest and other expense	(6,526		)	(6,526		)	—
Income before provision for income taxes	239,447			238,742			705
Provision for income taxes	63,552			63,300			252
Net income	$	175,895		$	175,442		$	453



	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018
	As reported			Balances without adoption of ASU 2014-09			Effect of Change Higher / (Lower)
Income Statement
Revenues
Transportation	$	11,619,171		$	11,537,467		$	81,704
Sourcing ⁽¹⁾	874,093			957,889			(83,796		)
Total Revenues	$	12,493,264		$	12,495,356		$	(2,092	)
Costs and expenses
Purchased transportation and related services	$	9,714,318		$	9,642,888		$	71,430
Purchased products sourced for resale ⁽¹⁾	787,494			871,290			(83,796		)
Personnel expenses	1,004,226			1,003,575			651
Other selling, general, and administrative expenses	330,660			330,660			—
Total Costs and Expenses	11,836,698			11,848,413			(11,715		)
Income from operations	656,566			646,943			9,623
Interest and other expense	(22,354		)	(22,354		)	—
Income before provision for income taxes	634,212			624,589			9,623
Provision for income taxes	156,857			154,332			2,525
Net income	$	477,355		$	470,257		$	7,098

(1) We have identified certain customer contracts in our sourcing managed procurement business that changed from a principal to an agent relationship under the new standard. This change resulted in these contracts being recognized at the net amount we charge our customers but had no impact on income from operations.



	As of September 30, 2018
	As reported		Balances without adoption of ASU 2014-09		Effect of Change Higher / (Lower)
Balance Sheet
Assets
Receivables, net of allowance for doubtful accounts	$	2,251,944	$	2,327,352	$	(75,408	)
Contract assets	201,411		—		201,411
Prepaid expenses and other	53,909		52,518		1,391

Liabilities
Accounts payable	$	1,077,780	$	1,128,878	$	(51,098	)
Accrued expenses - transportation expense	156,810		—		156,810
Accrued expenses - compensation	121,813		119,197		2,616
Accrued expenses - other accrued liabilities	68,863		71,929		(3,066		)
Deferred tax liabilities	44,555		38,760		5,795

Equity
Retained earnings	$	3,728,503	$	3,712,166	$	16,337

Summary of Gross Revenue Disaggregated by Major Service Line and Timing of Revenue Recognition

A summary of our total revenues disaggregated by major service line and timing of revenue recognition is presented below for each of our reportable segments for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 as follows:



	Three Months Ended September 30, 2018
	NAST		Global Forwarding		Robinson Fresh		All Other and Corporate		Total
Major Service Lines
Transportation and logistics services	$	2,931,461	$	639,268	$	302,082	$	155,581	$	4,028,392
Sourcing	—		—		263,508		—		263,508
Total	$	2,931,461	$	639,268	$	565,590	$	155,581	$	4,291,900

Timing of Revenue Recognition
Performance obligations completed over time	$	2,931,461	$	639,268	$	302,082	$	155,581	$	4,028,392
Performance obligations completed at a point in time	—		—		263,508		—		263,508
Total	$	2,931,461	$	639,268	$	565,590	$	155,581	$	4,291,900



	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018
	NAST		Global Forwarding		Robinson Fresh		All Other and Corporate		Total
Major Service Lines
Transportation and logistics services	$	8,473,376	$	1,810,619	$	862,990	$	472,186	$	11,619,171
Sourcing	—		—		874,093		—		874,093
Total	$	8,473,376	$	1,810,619	$	1,737,083	$	472,186	$	12,493,264

Timing of Revenue Recognition
Performance obligations completed over time	$	8,473,376	$	1,810,619	$	862,990	$	472,186	$	11,619,171
Performance obligations completed at a point in time	—		—		874,093		—		874,093
Total	$	8,473,376	$	1,810,619	$	1,737,083	$	472,186	$	12,493,264

BASIS OF PRESENTATION (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2018	Jan. 01, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Cumulative adjustment to retained earnings	$ 3,728,503	$ 3,446,332	$ 3,437,093
Minimum future lease commitments			$ 282,700
Difference between Revenue Guidance in Effect before and after Topic 606 \| Accounting Standards Update 2014-09
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Cumulative adjustment to retained earnings	$ 16,337	$ 9,239

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS - Change in the Carrying Amount of Goodwill (Details) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018 USD ($)
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of period	$ 1,275,816
Acquisitions	301
Adjustments	(308)
Translation	(10,583)
Balance, end of period	1,265,226
NAST
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of period	921,486
Acquisitions	0
Adjustments	(40)
Translation	(7,312)
Balance, end of period	914,134
Global Forwarding
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of period	185,873
Acquisitions	301
Adjustments	(268)
Translation	(1,948)
Balance, end of period	183,958
Robinson Fresh
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of period	141,185
Acquisitions	0
Adjustments	0
Translation	(1,109)
Balance, end of period	140,076
All Other and Corporate
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of period	27,272
Acquisitions	0
Adjustments	0
Translation	(214)
Balance, end of period	$ 27,058

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS - Summary of Intangible Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Finite-lived intangibles
Finite-lived intangibles	$ 261,962	$ 263,393
Accumulated amortization	(152,221)	(122,283)
Net	109,741	141,110
Indefinite-lived intangibles
Total intangibles, Cost	272,437	273,868
Total intangibles, Net	120,216	151,585
Trademarks
Indefinite-lived intangibles
Indefinite-lived intangibles	10,475	10,475
Customer relationships
Finite-lived intangibles
Finite-lived intangibles	261,662	263,093
Accumulated amortization	(151,996)	(122,103)
Net	109,666	140,990
Non-competition agreements
Finite-lived intangibles
Finite-lived intangibles	300	300
Accumulated amortization	(225)	(180)
Net	$ 75	$ 120

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS - Estimated Amortization Expense on Intangible Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017
Goodwill [Line Items]
Amortization expense	$ 9,201	$ 9,157	$ 27,796	$ 26,875
Estimated amortization expense
Remainder of 2018	9,408		9,408
2019	37,265		37,265
2020	27,001		27,001
2021	13,480		13,480
2022	13,480		13,480
Thereafter	9,107		9,107
Net	109,741		109,741		$ 141,110
NAST
Estimated amortization expense
Remainder of 2018	1,953		1,953
2019	7,820		7,820
2020	260		260
2021	260		260
2022	260		260
Thereafter	461		461
Global Forwarding
Estimated amortization expense
Remainder of 2018	7,455		7,455
2019	29,445		29,445
2020	26,741		26,741
2021	13,220		13,220
2022	13,220		13,220
Thereafter	8,646		8,646
Robinson Fresh
Estimated amortization expense
Remainder of 2018	0		0
2019	0		0
2020	0		0
2021	0		0
2022	0		0
Thereafter	0		0
All Other and Corporate
Estimated amortization expense
Remainder of 2018	0		0
2019	0		0
2020	0		0
2021	0		0
2022	0		0
Thereafter	$ 0		$ 0

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT (Details) - USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Liabilities and assets at fair value	$ 0	$ 0

FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS - Components of Short-term and Long-term Debt (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Oct. 24, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt	$ 1,341,303,000		$ 1,465,000,000
Less: Current maturities and short-term borrowing	0		(715,000,000)
Long-term debt	$ 1,341,303,000		$ 750,000,000
Line of Credit \| Revolving credit facility \| Senior Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility 2019 Term Loan
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Average interest rate as of	0.00%		2.70%
Total debt	$ 0		$ 715,000,000
Interest rate during period	3.58%
Senior Notes \| Series A Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Average interest rate as of	3.97%		3.97%
Total debt	$ 175,000,000		$ 175,000,000
Senior Notes \| Series B Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Average interest rate as of	4.26%		4.26%
Total debt	$ 150,000,000		$ 150,000,000
Senior Notes \| Series C Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Average interest rate as of	4.60%		4.60%
Total debt	$ 175,000,000		$ 175,000,000
Secured Debt \| Receivables securitization facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Average interest rate as of	2.96%		2.00%
Total debt	$ 249,898,000		$ 250,000,000
Unsecured Debt \| Senior Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility 2019 Term Loan
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity	$ 900,000,000
Unsecured Debt \| Amended Credit Agreement Due 2023 \| Subsequent Event
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity		$ 1,000,000,000
Unsecured Debt \| Senior Notes Due 2028
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Average interest rate as of	4.20%
Total debt	$ 591,405,000		$ 0

FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS - Additional Information (Details)				9 Months Ended
	Oct. 24, 2018 USD ($)	Apr. 09, 2018	Aug. 23, 2013 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2018 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($)	Apr. 26, 2017 USD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, fair value				$ 484,700,000
Long-term debt				$ 1,341,303,000	$ 1,465,000,000
Receivables securitization facility \| The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd., New York Branch and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association \| Secured Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity						$ 250,000,000
Unsecured Debt \| Senior Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility 2019 Term Loan
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, covenant, leverage ratio, maximum				3.00
Line of credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity				$ 900,000,000
Unsecured Debt \| Senior Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility 2019 Term Loan \| Federal Funds Rate
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, basis spread on variable rate				0.50%
Unsecured Debt \| Senior Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility 2019 Term Loan \| London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, basis spread on variable rate				1.13%
Unsecured Debt \| Amended Credit Agreement Due 2023 \| Subsequent Event
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, covenant, leverage ratio, maximum	3.50
Line of credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity	$ 1,000,000,000
Unsecured Debt \| Amended Credit Agreement Due 2023 \| Subsequent Event \| Minimum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Commitment fee percentage	0.075%
Unsecured Debt \| Amended Credit Agreement Due 2023 \| Subsequent Event \| Maximum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Commitment fee percentage	0.20%
Unsecured Debt \| Senior Notes Due 2028
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, fair value				$ 593,500,000
Debt instrument, redemption price, percentage		101.00%
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage		4.20%
Debt instrument, effective yield		4.39%
Long-term debt				$ 591,405,000	$ 0
Percent of principal amount outstanding held by trustee or holders		25.00%
Senior Notes \| Note Purchase Agreement
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, covenant, leverage ratio, maximum			3.00
Debt instrument, face amount			$ 500,000,000
Debt instrument, covenant, interest expense ratio, maximum			2.00
Debt instrument, covenant, priority debt, percentage			15.00%
Debt instrument, redemption price, percentage			100.00%

INCOME TAXES (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
INCOME TAXES (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Effective income tax	26.50%	35.20%	24.70%	34.20%
Estimated effect on income taxes payable from foreign earnings repatriated			$ 14.5
Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, provisional income tax benefit			8.5		$ 12.1
Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, transition tax, income tax expense			3.6
Unrecognized tax benefits and related interest and penalties, all of which would affect our effective tax rate if recognized	$ 37.7		37.7
Decrease in unrecognized tax benefits due to lapse of statute of limitations	$ 1.8		1.8
Accounting Standards Update 2016-09
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Effective income tax rate reconciliation, share-based compensation, excess tax benefit amount			$ 9.3	$ 11.9

STOCK AWARD PLANS - Summary of Total Compensation Expense Recognized in Statements of Operations for Stock-Based Compensation (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	$ 23,771,000	$ 7,667,000	$ 68,475,000	$ 24,509,000
Stock options
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	5,666,000	1,715,000	17,931,000	5,341,000
Stock awards
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	17,539,000	5,427,000	48,443,000	17,149,000
Company expense on ESPP discount
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	$ 566,101	$ 525,000	$ 2,101,000	$ 2,019,000

STOCK AWARD PLANS - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	May 12, 2016
Compensation Related Costs Share Based Payments Disclosure [Line Items]
Maximum employee contribution to purchase company stock	$ 10,000
Discount rate used to determine the purchase price	15.00%
Stock Option
Compensation Related Costs Share Based Payments Disclosure [Line Items]
Maximum shares that can be granted under stock plan (shares)		13,041,803
Shares available for stock awards (shares)	3,199,688
Stock award, vesting period	5 years
Unrecognized compensation expense	$ 40,300,000
Restricted Stock Awards
Compensation Related Costs Share Based Payments Disclosure [Line Items]
Stock award, vesting period	5 years
Unrecognized compensation expense	$ 88,500,000
Restricted Stock Awards \| Minimum
Compensation Related Costs Share Based Payments Disclosure [Line Items]
Discount on outstanding grants	15.00%
Restricted Stock Awards \| Maximum
Compensation Related Costs Share Based Payments Disclosure [Line Items]
Discount on outstanding grants	21.00%

STOCK AWARD PLANS - Summary of Employee Stock Purchase Plan Activity (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares purchased by employees (shares)	38,538
Aggregate cost to employees	$ 3,208,000
Expense recognized by the company	23,771,000	$ 7,667,000	$ 68,475,000	$ 24,509,000
Company expense on ESPP discount
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Expense recognized by the company	$ 566,101	$ 525,000	$ 2,101,000	$ 2,019,000

LITIGATION (Details)	9 Months Ended
LITIGATION (Details)	Sep. 30, 2018 case
Contingent Auto Liability Claim
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Contingency auto liability cases (case)	15

ACQUISITIONS - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		9 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Total purchase consideration. net of cash acquired		$ 1,315	$ 48,446
Goodwill		$ 1,265,226		$ 1,275,816
Milgram & Company Ltd.
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Total purchase consideration. net of cash acquired	$ 47,300
Goodwill	$ 28,300

ACQUISITIONS - Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets by Major Class (Details) - Customer relationships - Milgram & Company Ltd. $ in Thousands	Aug. 31, 2017 USD ($)
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Estimated Life (years)	7 years
Identifiable intangible assets	$ 14,004

SEGMENT REPORTING - Additional Information (Details)	9 Months Ended
SEGMENT REPORTING - Additional Information (Details)	Sep. 30, 2018 segment
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Number of reportable segments (segment)	3

SEGMENT REPORTING - Summary of Segment Information (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018 USD ($) employee	Sep. 30, 2017 USD ($) employee	Sep. 30, 2018 USD ($) employee	Sep. 30, 2017 USD ($) employee	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($)
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	$ 4,291,900	$ 3,784,451	$ 12,493,264	$ 10,909,594
Net revenues	694,044	593,846	1,991,452	1,736,201
Income from operations	245,973	194,465	656,566	564,243
Depreciation and amortization	23,923	23,963	72,402	69,340
Total assets	$ 4,492,722	$ 4,175,588	$ 4,492,722	$ 4,175,588	$ 4,235,834
Average headcount (employee) \| employee	15,291	14,903	15,189	14,590
NAST
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	$ 3,078,565	$ 2,585,216	$ 8,879,342	$ 7,439,416
Net revenues	465,522	377,403	1,317,104	1,109,749
Income from operations	204,158	151,392	562,802	447,553
Depreciation and amortization	6,096	5,808	18,314	17,104
Total assets	$ 2,515,823	$ 2,297,980	$ 2,515,823	$ 2,297,980
Average headcount (employee) \| employee	7,007	6,998	6,931	6,921
Global Forwarding
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	$ 651,894	$ 560,007	$ 1,847,484	$ 1,573,198
Net revenues	134,101	129,842	401,169	357,411
Income from operations	23,835	31,125	61,844	75,006
Depreciation and amortization	8,735	8,455	26,397	24,574
Total assets	$ 944,928	$ 840,762	$ 944,928	$ 840,762
Average headcount (employee) \| employee	4,684	4,301	4,725	4,113
Robinson Fresh
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	$ 622,015	$ 656,918	$ 1,891,985	$ 1,937,375
Net revenues	60,340	54,253	169,747	171,936
Income from operations	21,411	11,586	39,950	40,487
Depreciation and amortization	1,092	1,190	3,409	3,534
Total assets	$ 411,309	$ 413,520	$ 411,309	$ 413,520
Average headcount (employee) \| employee	914	970	910	966
All Other and Corporate
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	$ 159,337	$ 152,479	$ 486,132	$ 442,311
Net revenues	34,081	32,348	103,432	97,105
Income from operations	(3,431)	362	(8,030)	1,197
Depreciation and amortization	8,000	8,510	24,282	24,128
Total assets	$ 620,662	$ 623,326	$ 620,662	$ 623,326
Average headcount (employee) \| employee	2,686	2,634	2,623	2,590
Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	$ 4,291,900	$ 3,784,451	$ 12,493,264	$ 10,909,594
Operating Segments \| NAST
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	2,931,461	2,469,420	8,473,376	7,110,223
Operating Segments \| Global Forwarding
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	639,268	552,134	1,810,619	1,549,742
Operating Segments \| Robinson Fresh
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	565,590	613,646	1,737,083	1,821,094
Operating Segments \| All Other and Corporate
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	155,581	149,251	472,186	428,535
Intersegment revenues
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	(219,911)	(170,169)	(611,679)	(482,706)
Intersegment revenues \| NAST
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	147,104	115,796	405,966	329,193
Intersegment revenues \| Global Forwarding
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	12,626	7,873	36,865	23,456
Intersegment revenues \| Robinson Fresh
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	56,425	43,272	154,902	116,281
Intersegment revenues \| All Other and Corporate
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	$ 3,756	$ 3,228	$ 13,946	$ 13,776

REVENUE FROM CONTRACTS WITH CUSTOMERS - Cumulative Effect of Changes to Consolidated Balance Sheet (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2018	Jan. 01, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Assets
Receivables, net of allowance for doubtful accounts	$ 2,251,944	$ 2,012,212	$ 2,113,930
Contract assets	201,411	147,764	0
Prepaid expenses and other	53,909	67,137	63,116
Liabilities
Accounts payable	1,077,780	943,812	1,000,305
Accrued expenses - transportation expense	156,810	94,811	0
Accrued expenses - compensation	121,813	107,280	105,316
Accrued expenses - other accrued liabilities	68,863	55,477	58,229
Deferred tax liabilities	44,555	48,653
Equity
Retained earnings	3,728,503	3,446,332	3,437,093
Calculated under Revenue Guidance in Effect before Topic 606
Assets
Receivables, net of allowance for doubtful accounts	2,327,352		2,113,930
Contract assets	0		0
Prepaid expenses and other	52,518		63,116
Liabilities
Accounts payable	1,128,878		1,000,305
Accrued expenses - transportation expense	0		0
Accrued expenses - compensation	119,197		105,316
Accrued expenses - other accrued liabilities	71,929		58,229
Deferred tax liabilities	38,760		45,355
Equity
Retained earnings	3,712,166		$ 3,437,093
Difference between Revenue Guidance in Effect before and after Topic 606 \| Accounting Standards Update 2014-09
Assets
Receivables, net of allowance for doubtful accounts	(75,408)	(101,718)
Contract assets	201,411	147,764
Prepaid expenses and other	1,391	4,021
Liabilities
Accounts payable	(51,098)	(56,493)
Accrued expenses - transportation expense	156,810	94,811
Accrued expenses - compensation	2,616	1,964
Accrued expenses - other accrued liabilities	(3,066)	(2,752)
Deferred tax liabilities	5,795	3,298
Equity
Retained earnings	$ 16,337	$ 9,239

REVENUE FROM CONTRACTS WITH CUSTOMERS - Impact on Consolidated Statements of Operations (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Revenues
Total revenues	$ 4,291,900	$ 3,784,451	$ 12,493,264	$ 10,909,594
Costs and expenses
Personnel expenses	335,299	293,204	1,004,226	867,928
Other selling, general, and administrative expenses	112,772	106,177	330,660	304,030
Total costs and expenses	4,045,927	3,589,986	11,836,698	10,345,351
Income from operations	245,973	194,465	656,566	564,243
Interest and other expense	(6,526)	(10,484)	(22,354)	(29,154)
Income before provision for income taxes	239,447	183,981	634,212	535,089
Provision for income taxes	63,552	64,795	156,857	182,752
Net income	175,895	119,186	477,355	352,337
Calculated under Revenue Guidance in Effect before Topic 606
Revenues
Total revenues	4,310,241		12,495,356
Costs and expenses
Personnel expenses	335,198		1,003,575
Other selling, general, and administrative expenses	112,772		330,660
Total costs and expenses	4,064,973		11,848,413
Income from operations	245,268		646,943
Interest and other expense	(6,526)		(22,354)
Income before provision for income taxes	238,742		624,589
Provision for income taxes	63,300		154,332
Net income	175,442		470,257
Difference between Revenue Guidance in Effect before and after Topic 606 \| Accounting Standards Update 2014-09
Revenues
Total revenues	(18,341)		(2,092)
Costs and expenses
Personnel expenses	101		651
Other selling, general, and administrative expenses	0		0
Total costs and expenses	(19,046)		(11,715)
Income from operations	705		9,623
Interest and other expense	0		0
Income before provision for income taxes	705		9,623
Provision for income taxes	252		2,525
Net income	453		7,098
Transportation and logistics services
Revenues
Total revenues	4,028,392	3,433,701	11,619,171	9,855,739
Costs and expenses
Purchased products and services	3,359,520	2,869,616	9,714,318	8,214,856
Transportation and logistics services \| Calculated under Revenue Guidance in Effect before Topic 606
Revenues
Total revenues	4,018,151		11,537,467
Costs and expenses
Purchased products and services	3,350,085		9,642,888
Transportation and logistics services \| Difference between Revenue Guidance in Effect before and after Topic 606 \| Accounting Standards Update 2014-09
Revenues
Total revenues	10,241		81,704
Costs and expenses
Purchased products and services	9,435		71,430
Sourcing
Revenues
Total revenues	263,508	350,750	874,093	1,053,855
Costs and expenses
Purchased products and services	238,336	$ 320,989	787,494	$ 958,537
Sourcing \| Calculated under Revenue Guidance in Effect before Topic 606
Revenues
Total revenues	292,090		957,889
Costs and expenses
Purchased products and services	266,918		871,290
Sourcing \| Difference between Revenue Guidance in Effect before and after Topic 606 \| Accounting Standards Update 2014-09
Revenues
Total revenues	(28,582)		(83,796)
Costs and expenses
Purchased products and services	$ (28,582)		$ (83,796)

REVENUE FROM CONTRACTS WITH CUSTOMERS - Impact on Consolidated Balance Sheet (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2018	Jan. 01, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Assets
Receivables, net of allowance for doubtful accounts	$ 2,251,944	$ 2,012,212	$ 2,113,930
Contract assets	201,411	147,764	0
Prepaid expenses and other	53,909	67,137	63,116
Liabilities
Accounts payable	1,077,780	943,812	1,000,305
Accrued expenses - transportation expense	156,810	94,811	0
Accrued expenses - compensation	121,813	107,280	105,316
Accrued expenses - other accrued liabilities	68,863	55,477	58,229
Deferred tax liabilities	44,555	48,653
Equity
Retained earnings	3,728,503	3,446,332	3,437,093
Calculated under Revenue Guidance in Effect before Topic 606
Assets
Receivables, net of allowance for doubtful accounts	2,327,352		2,113,930
Contract assets	0		0
Prepaid expenses and other	52,518		63,116
Liabilities
Accounts payable	1,128,878		1,000,305
Accrued expenses - transportation expense	0		0
Accrued expenses - compensation	119,197		105,316
Accrued expenses - other accrued liabilities	71,929		58,229
Deferred tax liabilities	38,760		45,355
Equity
Retained earnings	3,712,166		$ 3,437,093
Difference between Revenue Guidance in Effect before and after Topic 606 \| Accounting Standards Update 2014-09
Assets
Receivables, net of allowance for doubtful accounts	(75,408)	(101,718)
Contract assets	201,411	147,764
Prepaid expenses and other	1,391	4,021
Liabilities
Accounts payable	(51,098)	(56,493)
Accrued expenses - transportation expense	156,810	94,811
Accrued expenses - compensation	2,616	1,964
Accrued expenses - other accrued liabilities	(3,066)	(2,752)
Deferred tax liabilities	5,795	3,298
Equity
Retained earnings	$ 16,337	$ 9,239

REVENUE FROM CONTRACTS WITH CUSTOMERS - Summary of Gross Revenues Disaggregated by Major Service Line and Timing of Revenue (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Total revenues	$ 4,291,900	$ 3,784,451	$ 12,493,264	$ 10,909,594
NAST
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Total revenues	3,078,565	2,585,216	8,879,342	7,439,416
Global Forwarding
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Total revenues	651,894	560,007	1,847,484	1,573,198
Robinson Fresh
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Total revenues	622,015	656,918	1,891,985	1,937,375
All Other and Corporate
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Total revenues	159,337	152,479	486,132	442,311
Transportation and logistics services
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Total revenues	4,028,392	3,433,701	11,619,171	9,855,739
Sourcing
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Total revenues	263,508	350,750	874,093	1,053,855
Operating Segments
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Total revenues	4,291,900	3,784,451	12,493,264	10,909,594
Operating Segments \| NAST
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Total revenues	2,931,461	2,469,420	8,473,376	7,110,223
Operating Segments \| Global Forwarding
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Total revenues	639,268	552,134	1,810,619	1,549,742
Operating Segments \| Robinson Fresh
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Total revenues	565,590	613,646	1,737,083	1,821,094
Operating Segments \| All Other and Corporate
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Total revenues	155,581	$ 149,251	472,186	$ 428,535
Operating Segments \| Transportation and logistics services
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Total revenues	4,028,392		11,619,171
Operating Segments \| Transportation and logistics services \| Performance obligations completed over time
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Total revenues	4,028,392		11,619,171
Operating Segments \| Transportation and logistics services \| NAST
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Total revenues	2,931,461		8,473,376
Operating Segments \| Transportation and logistics services \| NAST \| Performance obligations completed over time
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Total revenues	2,931,461		8,473,376
Operating Segments \| Transportation and logistics services \| Global Forwarding
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Total revenues	639,268		1,810,619
Operating Segments \| Transportation and logistics services \| Global Forwarding \| Performance obligations completed over time
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Total revenues	639,268		1,810,619
Operating Segments \| Transportation and logistics services \| Robinson Fresh
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Total revenues	302,082		862,990
Operating Segments \| Transportation and logistics services \| Robinson Fresh \| Performance obligations completed over time
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Total revenues	302,082		862,990
Operating Segments \| Transportation and logistics services \| All Other and Corporate
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Total revenues	155,581		472,186
Operating Segments \| Transportation and logistics services \| All Other and Corporate \| Performance obligations completed over time
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Total revenues	155,581		472,186
Operating Segments \| Sourcing
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Total revenues	263,508		874,093
Operating Segments \| Sourcing \| Performance obligations completed at a point in time
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Total revenues	263,508		874,093
Operating Segments \| Sourcing \| NAST
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Total revenues	0		0
Operating Segments \| Sourcing \| NAST \| Performance obligations completed at a point in time
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Total revenues	0		0
Operating Segments \| Sourcing \| Global Forwarding
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Total revenues	0		0
Operating Segments \| Sourcing \| Global Forwarding \| Performance obligations completed at a point in time
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Total revenues	0		0
Operating Segments \| Sourcing \| Robinson Fresh
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Total revenues	263,508		874,093
Operating Segments \| Sourcing \| Robinson Fresh \| Performance obligations completed at a point in time
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Total revenues	263,508		874,093
Operating Segments \| Sourcing \| All Other and Corporate
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Total revenues	0		0
Operating Segments \| Sourcing \| All Other and Corporate \| Performance obligations completed at a point in time
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Total revenues	$ 0		$ 0

REVENUE FROM CONTRACTS WITH CUSTOMERS - Additional Information (Details) - Product Concentration Risk - Sales Revenue, Net	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018
Transportation and logistics services
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Percentage of gross revenue attributable to services	92.00%	92.00%
Buying, Selling, and Marketing of Produce Items
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Percentage of gross revenue attributable to services	6.00%	7.00%
Value-added Logistics Services
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Percentage of gross revenue attributable to services	2.00%	1.00%

CHANGES IN ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	$ (57,414)	$ (18,460)