Consolidated Statements of Earnings (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Revenues:
Airfreight services	$ 2,600,916	$ 2,893,474	$ 2,821,828
Ocean freight and ocean services	1,974,891	1,878,595	1,955,400
Customs brokerage and other services	1,405,136	1,378,429	1,190,345
Total revenues	5,980,943	6,150,498	5,967,573
Operating Expenses:
Airfreight consolidation	1,983,696	2,193,122	2,181,598
Ocean freight consolidation	1,542,170	1,443,170	1,569,877
Customs brokerage and other services	630,979	617,729	523,312
Salaries and related costs	995,052	993,358	894,132
Rent and occupancy costs	88,044	84,665	77,209
Depreciation and amortization	39,940	36,776	36,900
Selling and promotion	34,184	38,974	32,055
Other	136,080	124,377	105,260
Total operating expenses	5,450,145	5,532,171	5,420,343
Operating income	530,798	618,327	547,230
Other Income (Expense):
Interest income	12,763	10,235	7,002
Interest expense	(1,251)	(970)	(576)
Other, net	8,083	10,436	10,412
Other income, net	19,595	19,701	16,838
Earnings before income taxes	550,393	638,028	564,068
Income tax expense	217,424	251,785	219,863
Net earnings	332,969	386,243	344,205
Less net (losses) earnings attributable to the noncontrolling interest	(391)	564	33
Net earnings attributable to shareholders	$ 333,360	$ 385,679	$ 344,172
Diluted earnings attributable to shareholders per share	$ 1.57	$ 1.79	$ 1.59
Basic earnings attributable to shareholders per share	$ 1.58	$ 1.82	$ 1.62
Weighted average diluted shares outstanding	211,935,171	215,033,580	216,446,656
Weighted average basic shares outstanding	210,422,945	212,117,511	212,283,966