Significant Accounting Policies Advances to Tobacco Suppliers (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Markup and capitalized interest on tobacco advances	$ 14,464	$ 21,139
Unrecoverable advances and other capitalized costs	13,347	13,746
Current	109,520	89,378
Noncurrent	6,421	5,613
Advances to tobacco suppliers, total	115,941	94,991
Unrecoverable advances and other capitalized costs, expense	$ 1,750	$ 0	$ 1,350