Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies And Recent Accounting Pronouncements (Policy)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies And Recent Accounting Pronouncements [Abstract]

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) (ASU 2014-09), which supersedes previous revenue recognition guidance. Leasing revenue recognition is specifically excluded, and therefore, the new standard is only applicable to the Company’s logistics services agreements, management services agreements, and the sale of used rental equipment. The new standard defines a five-step process to achieve the core principle of ASU 2014-09, which is to recognize revenue when promised goods or services are transferred to customers in amounts that reflect the consideration the Company expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services. The Company adopted ASU 2014-09 effective January 1, 2018, which did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. See Note 2(l) for further details. 

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments (ASU 2016-15), which clarifies the classification of certain cash receipts and cash payments in the statement of cash flows, including debt prepayment or extinguishment costs, settlement of contingent consideration arising from a business combination and insurance settlement proceeds. The Company adopted ASU 2016-15 effective January 1, 2018, which did not result in any changes to the presentation of amounts shown on the Company’s consolidated statements of cash flows for all periods presented.

In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash (ASU 2016-18), that requires the inclusion of restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning-of-period and end-of-period total amounts shown on the statement of cash flows. The Company adopted ASU 2016-18 effective January 1, 2018, which resulted in the inclusion of the Company’s restricted cash balances along with cash in the Company’s consolidated statements of cash flows and separate line items showing changes in restricted cash balances were eliminated from the Company’s consolidated statements of cash flows. ASU 2016-18 was applied retrospectively to all periods presented.

Principles Of Consolidation

(a)   Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of CAI International, Inc., its wholly-owned subsidiaries, and its previously 80%-owned subsidiary, CAIJ, Inc., up to its date of disposal in April 2016. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

The Company regularly performs a review of its container fund arrangements with investors to determine whether or not it has a variable interest in the fund and if the fund is a variable interest entity (VIE). If it is determined that the Company does not have a variable interest in the fund, further analysis is not required and the Company does not consolidate the fund. If it is determined that the Company does have a variable interest in the fund and the fund is a VIE, further analysis is performed to determine if the Company is a primary beneficiary of the VIE and meets both of the following criteria under Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 810, Consolidation:

it has the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance; and

it has the obligation to absorb losses of the VIE that could be potentially significant to the VIE or the right to receive benefits from the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE.

If in the Company’s judgment both of the above criteria are met, the VIE’s financial statements are included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements as required under FASB ASC Topic 810, Consolidation (see Note 3).

Use Of Estimates

(b)   Use of Estimates

Certain estimates and assumptions were made by the Company’s management that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting periods. Significant items subject to such estimates and assumptions include revenue recognition, allowances for receivables, the carrying amount of rental equipment, the residual values and lives of rental equipment, and income tax uncertainties. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Rental Equipment

(c)   Rental equipment

Container

The Company purchases new container equipment from manufacturers to lease to its customers. The Company also purchases used container equipment through sale-leaseback transactions with its customers, or equipment that was previously owned by one of the Company's third-party investors. Used equipment is typically purchased with an existing lease in place.

Container rental equipment is recorded at original cost and depreciated to an estimated residual value on a straight-line basis over its estimated useful life. The estimated useful lives and residual values of the Company’s container equipment are based on historical disposal experience and the Company’s expectations for future used container sale prices. Depreciation estimates are reviewed on a regular basis to determine whether sustained changes have taken place in the useful lives of equipment or the assigned residual values, which would suggest that a change in depreciation estimates is warranted.

The estimated useful lives and residual values for the majority of the Company's container equipment purchased new from the factory are as follows:

			Depreciable
	Residual Value		Life in Years
20-ft. standard dry van container	$	1,050		13.0
40-ft. standard dry van container	$	1,300		13.0
40-ft. high cube dry van container	$	1,400		13.0
20-ft. refrigerated container	$	2,750		12.0
40-ft. high cube refrigerated container	$	3,500		12.0

Other specialized equipment is depreciated to its estimated residual value, which ranges from $1,000 to $3,500, over its estimated useful life of between 12.5 years and 15 years.

For used container equipment acquired through sale-leaseback transactions, the Company often adjustsits estimates for remaining useful life and residual values based on current conditions in the sale market for older containers and its expectations for how long the equipment will remain on-hire to the current lessee.

Rail

Railcar equipment is recorded at original cost and depreciated over its estimated useful life of 43 years to its estimated residual value of $8,700 using the straight-line method. The useful life is based on an estimate of the period over which the asset will generate revenue for the Company. Residual value is based on the average estimated scrap value of the Company’s railcars. The Company periodically reviews the appropriateness of its estimates of useful life and residual value based on changes in economic circumstances and other factors.

The Company’s railcars may undergo refurbishment and upgrade programs to, for example, extend their useful life, meet higher car classification grades, enter new product or service segments, increase the tonnage carried, or to achieve higher utilization. The costs for these programs are capitalized.

Normal repairs and maintenance associated with the Company’s railcar assets are expensed as incurred.

Impairment Of Long-Lived Assets

(d)   Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

On at least an annual basis, the Company evaluates its rental equipment fleet to determine whether there have been any events or changes in circumstances indicating that the carrying amount of all, or part, of its fleet may not be recoverable. Events which would trigger an impairment review include, among others, a significant decrease in the long-term average market value of rental equipment, a significant decrease in the utilization rate of rental equipment resulting in an inability to generate income from operations and positive cash flow in future periods, or a change in market conditions resulting in a significant decrease in lease rates.

When testing for impairment, equipment is generally grouped by equipment type, and is tested separately from other groups of assets and liabilities. Potential impairment exists when the estimated future undiscounted cash flows generated by an asset group, comprised of lease proceeds and residual values, less related operating expenses, are less than the carrying value of that asset group. If potential impairment exists, the equipment is written down to its fair value. In determining the fair value of an asset group, the Company considers market trends, published value for similar assets, recent transactions of similar assets and in certain cases, quotes from third party appraisers. No impairment charges were recorded in 2018, 2017 and 2016.

Intangible Assets

(e)   Intangible Assets

Intangible assets with definite useful lives are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate an asset’s carrying value may not be recoverable. The Company amortizes intangible assets on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives as follows:

Trademarks and tradenames	2-3 years
Customer relationships	5-8 years

Goodwill

(f)  Goodwill

In connection with acquisitions made in 2015 and 2016, the Company recorded $15.8 million of goodwill. Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net assets acquired in a business combination. Goodwill is not amortized but is evaluated for impairment at the reporting unit level annually, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that impairment may exist.

The Company assesses qualitative factors such as industry and market considerations, overall financial performance and other relevant events and factors affecting a reporting unit to determine if it is more likely than not that impairment may exist and whether it is necessary to perform the quantitative goodwill impairment test. This involves comparing the fair value to the carrying value of each reporting unit that has goodwill assigned to it. The Company recognizes an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying value of the reporting unit exceeds the fair value. The Company performed the annual impairment test during the fourth quarter of 2018 and concluded that there was no impairment of goodwill.

Direct Finance Leases

(g)   Direct Finance Leases

Interest on finance leases is recognized using the effective interest method. Lease income is recorded in decreasing amounts over the term of the contract, resulting in a level rate of return on the net investment in direct finance leases.

Debt Issuance Costs

(h)   Debt Issuance Costs

To the extent that the Company is required to pay issuance fees or direct costs relating to its debt and credit facilities, such fees are amortized over the lives of the related debt using the effective interest method and reflected in interest expense. Unamortized debt issuance costs of $20.4 million and $11.7 million are presented as a reduction of debt on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

Foreign Currency Translation

(i)   Foreign Currency Translation

The accounts of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries have been converted at rates of exchange in effect at year-end for balance sheet accounts and average exchange rates for the year for income statement accounts. The effects of changes in exchange rates in translating foreign subsidiaries’ financial statements are included in stockholders’ equity as accumulated other comprehensive income.

Accounts Receivable

(j)   Accounts Receivable

Amounts billed under leases for equipment owned by the Company, as well as amounts due from customers for the provision of logistics services, are recorded in accounts receivable. The Company estimates an allowance for doubtful accounts for accounts receivable it does not consider fully collectible. The allowance for doubtful accounts is developed based on two components: (1) specific reserves for receivables for which management believes full collection is doubtful; and (2) a general reserve for estimated losses inherent in the receivables. The general reserve is estimated by applying certain percentages to receivables that have not been specifically reserved, ranging from 1.0% on accounts that are one to thirty days overdue, to 100% on accounts that are one year or more overdue. The allowance for doubtful accounts is reviewed regularly by management and is based on the risk profile of the receivables, credit quality indicators such as the level of past due amounts and non-performing accounts and economic conditions. Changes in economic conditions or other events may necessitate additions or deductions to the allowance for doubtful accounts. The allowance is intended to provide for losses inherent in the company’s accounts receivable, and requires the application of estimates and judgments as to the outcome of collection efforts and the realization of collateral, among other things.

Income Taxes

(k)   Income Taxes

Income taxes are accounted for using the asset-and-liability method. Under this method, deferred income taxes are recognized for the future tax consequences of differences between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their financial reporting amounts at each year-end. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. Valuation allowances are established when it is more likely than not that deferred tax assets will not be recovered.

The Company recognizes the effect of income tax positions only if those positions are more likely than not of being sustained. Recognized income tax positions are measured at the largest amount that is greater than 50% likely of being realized. Changes in recognition or measurement are reflected in the period in which the change in judgment occurs. The Company records penalties and interest related to unrecognized tax benefits within income tax expense (see Note 10).

Revenue Recognition

(l)   Revenue Recognition

The Company provides a range of services to its customers incorporating the rental, sale and management of equipment and the provision of logistics services. Revenue for all forms of service is recognized when earned following the guidelines under FASB ASC Topic 606, Revenue Recognition and FASB ASC Topic 840, Leases. Revenue is reported net of any related sales tax.

Container and Rail Lease Revenue

The Company recognizes revenue from operating leases of its owned equipment as earned over the term of the lease. Where minimum lease payments vary over the lease term, revenue is recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease. The Company recognizes revenue on a cash basis for certain railcar leases that are billed on an hourly or mileage basis through a third-party railcar manager. Early termination of the rental contracts subjects the lessee to a penalty, which is included in lease revenue upon such termination. Finance lease income is recognized using the effective interest method, which generates a constant rate of interest over the period of the lease.

Included in lease revenue is revenue consisting primarily of fees charged to the lessee for handling, delivery, and repairs, which are recognized as earned.

Also included in lease revenue is revenue from management fees earned under equipment management agreements. Management fees are generally calculated as a percentage of the monthly net operating income for an investor’s portfolio and recognized as revenue in the month of service.

Logistics Revenue

The Company’s logistics business derives its revenue from three principal sources: (1) truck brokerage services, (2) intermodal transportation services, and (3) international ocean freight and freight forwarding services. For truck brokerage services, which typically involve a short transit time, revenue is recognized when delivery has been completed due to lack of reliable information to reasonably measure progress toward complete satisfaction of the performance obligation. For intermodal transportation services, which can take a longer time to complete, revenue is recognized over time by measuring progress toward complete satisfaction of the performance obligation, utilizing input methods. For any such services not completed as of the end of a reporting period, a percentage of completion method based on costs incurred to date is used to allocate the appropriate revenue to each separate reporting period.  The Company provides international freight forwarding services as an indirect carrier, sometimes referred to as a Non-Vessel Operating Common Carrier. Due to the lack of reliable information to reasonably measure progress toward complete satisfaction of the performance obligation, revenue for these shipments is recognized at the time the freight departs the terminal of origin, which is when the customer is billed and the Company has no further obligation to the customer.

The Company reports logistics revenue on a gross basis as it is primarily responsible for fulfilling the promise to provide the specified service desired by the customers and has discretion in establishing the price for the specified service.

Unearned Revenue

The Company records unearned revenue when cash payments are received in advance of the Company satisfying its performance obligations.

Payment terms vary by customer and type of service. The term between invoicing and when payment is due is not significant. For certain customers or services, the Company may require payment before the services are delivered or performed for the customer.

Practical Expedients

The Company expenses sales commissions when incurred because the period of amortization would have been one year or less. These costs are recorded within administrative expenses.

The Company does not disclose the value of unsatisfied performance obligations for (i) contracts with an original expected length of one year or less and (ii) contracts with variable consideration for a distinct good or service that forms part of a single performance obligation.

Stock-Based Compensation

(m)   Stock-Based Compensation

The Company has granted stock options and restricted stock to certain directors and employees under its 2007 Equity Incentive Plan. The Company accounts for stock-based compensation in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718, Compensation – Stock Compensation, which requires that compensation cost related to stock-based compensation be recognized in the financial statements. The cost is measured at the date the award is granted based on the fair value of the award. The fair value of stock options is calculated using the Black-Scholes-Merton option pricing model. The stock-based compensation expense is recognized over the vesting period of the grant on a straight-line basis (see Note 11). The company accounts for forfeitures as they occur.

Repairs And Maintenance

(n)   Repairs and Maintenance

The Company’s leases generally require the lessee to pay for any damage to the equipment beyond normal wear and tear at the end of the lease term. The Company accounts for repairs and maintenance expense on an accrual basis when an obligation to pay has been incurred.