XML 48 R22.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v2.4.1.9
Legal Proceedings
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2015
Legal Proceedings [Abstract]  
Legal Proceedings

15. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

 

We are currently subject to an audit by U.S. Customs & Border Protection (“CBP”) in respect of the period from 2006 to 2010. In October 2013, CBP issued the final audit report. In that report CBP projects that unpaid duties totaling approximately $12.4 million are due for the period under review and recommended collection of the duties due. We responded that these projections are erroneous and provided arguments that demonstrate the amount due in connection with this matter is considerably less than the projection. Additionally, on December 12, 2014, we made an offer to settle CBP’s potential claims and tendered $3.5 million. At this time, it is not possible to determine how long it will take CBP to evaluate our offer or to predict whether our offer will be accepted. Likewise, if a settlement cannot be reached, it is not possible to predict with any certainty whether CBP will seek to assert a claim for penalties in addition to any unpaid duties, but such an assertion is a possibility.

 

Mexico’s Federal Tax Authority (“SAT”) has audited our records regarding imports and exports during the period from January 2006 to July 2011. There were two phases to the audit, the first for capital equipment and finished goods and the second for raw materials. The first phase was completed and no major discrepancies were noted by the SAT. On January 9, 2013, Crocs received a notice for the second phase in which the SAT issued a tax assessment (taxes and penalties) of roughly 280.0 million pesos (approximately $22.0 million) based on the value of all of Crocs’ imported raw materials during the audit period. We believe that the proposed penalty amount is unfounded and without merit. With the help of local counsel we filed an appeal by the deadline of March 15, 2013. We have argued that the amount due in connection with the matter, if any, is substantially less than that proposed by the SAT. In connection with the appeal, the SAT required us to post an appeal surety bond in the amount of roughly 321.0 million pesos (approximately $26.0 million), which amount reflects estimated additional penalties and interest if we are not successful on our appeal.  This amount will be adjusted on an annual basis. On November 27, 2014, the Superior Chamber of the Federal Tax Court ruled in favor of Crocs and annulled the tax assessment and the corresponding penalty. The SAT filed its appeal of the decision in Crocs’ favor on February 25, 2015. The parties are currently awaiting a ruling on the appeal.  It is not possible at this time to predict the outcome of this matter or reasonably estimate any potential loss.

 

Crocs is currently subject to an audit by the Brazilian Federal Tax Authorities related to imports of footwear from China between 2010-2014. On January 13, 2015 Crocs was notified about the issuance of assessments totaling roughly $5.25 million for the period January 2010 through May 2011. Crocs has disputed these assessments and asserted defenses to the claims. On February 25, 2015, Crocs received additional assessments totaling roughly $11.54 million related to the remainder of the audit period.  Crocs has also disputed these assessments and asserted defenses to these claims.  It is not possible at this time to predict the outcome of this matter, therefore, we have no accrual for this matter as of March 31, 2015.

 

On August 8, 2014, a purported class action lawsuit was filed in California state court against our subsidiary, Crocs Retail, LLC, Zaydenberg v. Crocs Retail, LLC, Case No. BC554214. The lawsuit alleges various employment law violations related to overtime, meal and break periods, minimum wage, timely payment of wages, wage statements, payroll records and business expenses. We filed an answer on February 6, 2015, denying the allegations and asserting several defenses. The parties are exchanging documents and information relevant to the issue of class certification and plan to participate in mediation in June 2015. It is not possible at this time to predict the outcome of this matter or reasonably estimate any potential loss.

 

As of March 31, 2015, we have accrued a total of $4.2 million relating to these litigation matters and other disputes. We estimate that the ultimate resolution of these litigation matters and other disputes could result in a loss that is reasonably possible between $0.0 million and $9.8 million in the aggregate, in excess of the amount accrued.

 

Although we are subject to other litigation from time to time in the ordinary course of business, including employment, intellectual property and product liability claims, we are not party to any other pending legal proceedings that we believe would reasonably have a material adverse impact on our business, financial position, results of operations or cash flows.