Document And Entity Information [Abstract] Document and Entity Information Statement [Table] Statement [Line Items] Document Type Amendment Flag Document Period End Date Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Trading Symbol Entity Registrant Name Entity Central Index Key Current Fiscal Year End Date Entity Filer Category Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer Entity Voluntary Filers Entity Public Float Entity Current Reporting Status Consolidated Balance Sheets Assets: Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents Cash and cash equivalents, at end of period Cash and cash equivalents, at beginning of period Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value, Total Short Term Investments Short-term investments Short-term Investments, Total Accounts receivable, net Accounts Receivable, Net, Current, Total Inventories Inventory, Net, Total Prepaid Expense Prepaid expenses Prepaid Expense, Current, Total Carrying amount due within one year of the balance sheet date (or one operating cycle, if longer) from tax authorities as of the balance sheet date representing refunds for VAT, GST, excise and other fuel taxes paid in conjunction with fuel purchases and sales. Transaction Taxes Receivable Transaction taxes receivable Short-term derivative assets, net Other Assets Current Other current assets Total current assets Total current assets Property and equipment, net Property, Plant and Equipment, Net, Ending Balance Property, Plant and Equipment, Net, Beginning Balance Property, Plant and Equipment, Net, Total Goodwill Goodwill, Ending Balance Goodwill, Beginning Balance Identifiable intangible assets, net Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill), Total Non-current other assets Other Assets, Noncurrent, Total Total assets Total assets Liabilities and equity: Liabilities: Current liabilities: Short-term debt Debt, Current, Total Accounts payable Accounts Payable, Current, Total Accounts payable Customer deposits Customer deposits Carrying amount due within one year of the balance sheet date (or one operating cycle, if longer) to tax authorities as of the balance sheet date representing refunds for VAT, GST, excise and other fuel taxes paid in conjunction with fuel purchases and sales. Transaction Taxes Payable Transaction taxes payable Derivative Liabilities, Current Short-term derivative liabilities, net Accrued expenses and other current liabilities not separately disclosed in the balance sheet due to materiality considerations. Accrued expenses and other current liabilities Total current liabilities Total current liabilities Long-term debt Long-term Debt, Excluding Current Maturities, Total Non-current income tax liabilities, net Aggregate carrying value as of the balance sheet date of the liabilities for all deferred compensation arrangements payable beyond one year (or the operating cycle, if longer). Also includes the aggregate carrying amount, as of the balance sheet date, of noncurrent obligations not separately disclosed in the balance sheet due to materiality considerations. Noncurrent liabilities are expected to be paid after one year (or the normal operating cycle, if longer). Deferred Compensation Liability Classified And Other Liabilities Noncurrent Other long-term liabilities Total liabilities Total liabilities Commitments and Contingencies 2009 Commitments and contingencies Equity: World Fuel shareholders' equity: Preferred stock, $1.00 par value; shares of 100 authorized, none issued Preferred Stock, Value, Issued, Ending Balance Preferred Stock, Value, Issued, Beginning Balance Preferred Stock, Value, Issued, Total Common stock, $0.01 par value; shares of 100,000 authorized, shares of 69,-- and 58,385 issued and outstanding at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively Common Stock, Value, Issued, Ending Balance Common Stock, Value, Issued, Beginning Balance Common stock, $0.01 par value; shares of 100,000 authorized, shares of 69,602 and 59,385 issued and outstanding at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively Common Stock, Value, Issued, Total Additional Paid in Capital Additional Paid in Capital, Ending Balance Additional Paid in Capital, Beginning Balance Additional Paid in Capital, Total Capital in excess of par value Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit) Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit), Ending Balance Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit), Beginning Balance Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit), Total Retained earnings Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Net Of Tax Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Ending Balance Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Beginning Balance Accumulated other comprehensive income Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Total Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent, Ending Balance Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent, Beginning Balance Total World Fuel shareholders' equity Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Ending Balance Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Beginning Balance Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Total Noncontrolling interest (deficit) equity Total equity Balance Balance Total equity Total liabilities and equity Total liabilities and equity Preferred stock, par value Preferred stock, shares authorized Preferred stock, shares issued Preferred Stock, Shares Issued, Total Common stock, par value Common stock, shares authorized Common stock, shares issued Common Stock, Shares, Issued, Total Common stock, outstanding Balance (in shares) Balance (in shares) Common stock, shares outstanding Consolidated Statements of Income Revenue Revenues, Total Cost of revenue Cost of Revenue, Total Gross Profit Gross profit Operating expenses: Compensation and employee benefits Labor and Related Expense, Total Provision for bad debt Provision for bad debt General and administrative General and Administrative Expense, Total Total operating expenses Total operating expenses Income from operations Income from operations Non-operating expenses, net: Amount of net interest income or expense, financial costs related to a receivables purchase agreement and revolving credit facilities. Interest Income Expense And Other Financial Costs Net Interest expense and other financing costs, net Interest expense and other financing costs, net InterestIncomeExpenseAndOtherFinancialCostsNet Interest expense and other financing costs, net Interest expense and other financing costs, net Other income (expense), net Other income (expense), net Other Nonoperating Income (Expense), Total Total non-operating expenses, net Total non-operating expenses, net Total non-operating expenses, net Income before income taxes Income before income taxes Provision for income taxes Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Total Net income Net income including noncontrolling interest Net income including noncontrolling interest Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest Net (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling interest Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Total Net income attributable to World Fuel Net income attributable to World Fuel Basic earnings per share Earnings Per Share, Basic, Total Basic weighted average common shares Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic, Total Diluted earnings per share Earnings Per Share, Diluted, Total Diluted weighted average common shares Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted, Total Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity and Comprehensive Income Statement, Equity Components [Axis] Equity Component [Domain] Common Stock Capital in Excess of Par Value Retained Earnings Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income World Fuel Shareholders' Equity Noncontrolling Interest (Deficit) Equity Comprehensive income: Foreign currency translation adjustment Change in effective portion of cash flow hedges, net of income tax provision (benefit) Comprehensive income Comprehensive income Cash dividends declared Cash dividends declared Dividends, Cash, Total Noncontrolling Interest, Decrease from Distributions to Noncontrolling Interest Holders Distribution of noncontrolling interest Amortization of share-based payment awards Issuance of shares related to share-based payment awards including income tax benefit, shares Issuance of shares related to share-based payment awards (in shares) Issuance of shares related to share-based payment awards including income tax benefit, value Issuance of shares related to share-based payment awards Public offering of shares (in shares) Public offering of shares Issuance of shares related to acquisitions (in shares) Issuance of shares related to acquisitions Number of shares of common stock that relate to the purchase of stock tendered by employees to exercise share-based payment awards and satisfy the required withholding taxes related to share-based payment awards. Share Repurchases Related To Employee Stock Based Compensation Awards Shares Purchases of stock tendered by employees to satisfy the required withholding taxes related to share-based payment awards (in shares) Cost of common stock that relate to the purchase of stock tendered by employees to exercise share-based payment awards and satisfy the required withholding taxes related to share-based payment awards. Share Repurchases Related To Employee Stock Based Compensation Awards Value Purchases of stock tendered by employees to satisfy the required withholding taxes related to share-based payment awards Purchases of stock tendered by employees to satisfy the required withholding taxes related to share-based payment awards Cumulative adjustment for the adoption of accounting standard on fair value measurements Other (in shares) Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Period Increase (Decrease), Total Other Change in effective portion of cash flow hedges, income tax provision (benefit) Issuance of shares related to share-based payment awards, income tax benefit Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows Cash flows from operating activities: Adjustments to reconcile net income including noncontrolling interest to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities - Depreciation and amortization Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Nonproduction, Total Gain on short-term investments Gain on short-term investment Gain (Loss) on Investments, Total Deferred income tax (benefit) provision Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Total Share-based payment award compensation costs Share-based Compensation, Total Foreign currency losses (gains), net Foreign currency losses (gains), net Adjustments, Noncash Items To Reconcile Net Income Loss To Cash Provided By, Used In Operating Activities, Other Other Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions: Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Receivable Accounts receivable, net Increase (Decrease) in Inventories Inventories Increase (Decrease) in Inventories, Total Increase Decrease In Prepaid Expense Prepaid expenses Prepaid expenses The change in the reporting period in the Carrying amount due within one year of the balance sheet date (or one operating cycle, if longer) from tax authorities as of the balance sheet date representing refunds for VAT, GST, excise and other fuel taxes paid in conjunction with fuel purchases and sales. Increase Decrease In Transaction Taxes Receivable Transaction taxes receivable Other current assets Other current assets The net change during the reporting period in the aggregate fair value of all assets resulting from contracts that meet the criteria of being accounted for as derivative instruments and which are expected to be converted into cash or otherwise disposed of within a year or the normal operating cycle. Increase (Decrease) In Short Term Derivative Assets Short-term derivative assets, net Increase Decrease In Other Assets Noncurrent Increase Decrease In Other Assets Noncurrent Non-current other assets Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Payable Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Payable, Total Accounts payable Increase (Decrease) in Customer Deposits Customer deposits The change in the reporting period in the Carrying amount due within one year of the balance sheet date (or one operating cycle, if longer) to tax authorities as of the balance sheet date representing refunds for VAT, GST, excise and other fuel taxes paid in conjunction with fuel purchases and sales. Increase Decrease In Transaction Taxes Payable Transaction taxes payable Transaction taxes payable The net change during the reporting period in Accrued expenses and other current liabilities not separately disclosed in the balance sheet due to materiality considerations. Increase (Decrease) in Accrued expenses and other liabilities Accrued expenses and other current liabilities The net change during the reporting period in the aggregate fair value of all liabilities resulting from contracts that meet the criteria of being accounted for as derivative instruments and which are expected to be extinguished or otherwise disposed of within a year or the normal operating cycle. Increase (Decrease) In Short Term Derivative Liabilities Short-term derivative liabilities, net Definition: The net change during the reporting period in amount due for income taxes, deferred compensation and other long-term liabilities not separately disclosed in the balance sheet. Increase Decrease In Income Tax And Other Liabilities Noncurrent Non-current income tax and other long-term liabilities Total adjustments Total adjustments Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities Cash flows from investing activities: Capital expenditures Capital expenditures Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment, Total Funding Arrangement To Service Provider Funding arrangement to service provider Funding arrangement to service provider Purchases of short-term investments Purchase of short-term investments Proceeds from the sale of short-term investments Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired, Total Net cash used in investing activities Net cash used in investing activities Cash flows from financing activities: Dividends paid on common stock Dividends paid on common stock Distribution of noncontrolling interest Distribution of noncontrolling interest Borrowings under senior revolving credit facility Proceeds from Lines of Credit, Total Repayments under senior revolving credit facility Repayments under senior revolving credit facility Payments of senior revolving credit facility loan costs Payment of senior revolving credit facility loan costs Borrowings of debt other than senior revolving credit facility Repayments of debt other than senior revolving credit facility Repayments of debt other than senior revolving credit facility Proceeds from exercise of stock options Federal and state tax benefits resulting from tax deductions in excess of the compensation cost recognized for share-based payment awards Proceeds from sale of equity shares, net of expenses Cost of common stock that relate to the purchase of stock tendered by employees to exercise share-based payment awards and satisfy the required withholding taxes related to share-based payment awards. Payments for Repurchase of Common Stock to Satisfy Employee Tax Withholding Obligations Purchases of stock tendered by employees to satisfy the required withholding taxes related to share-based payment awards Payment Of Pension Fund Exit Fee Payment Of Pension Fund Exit Fee Payment of assumed pension fund exit fee Payment of assumed pension fund exit fee Restricted cash Proceeds From Payments For Other Financing Activities Other Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents Effect of Exchange Rate on Cash and Cash Equivalents, Total Net increase in cash and cash equivalents Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information Interest, net of capitalized interest Interest Paid, Net, Total Income Taxes Paid Net Income taxes Income Taxes Paid, Net, Total Supplemental Schedule of Noncash Investing and Financing Activities Cash Flow, Supplemental Disclosures [Text Block] Supplemental Schedule of Noncash Investing and Financing Activities Acquisitions and Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract] Nature of Business, Acquisitions, Significant Accounting Policies and Recent Accounting Pronouncements This element may be used to describe acquisitions and significant accounting policies of the reporting entity. Acquisitions And Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block] Nature of Business, Acquisitions, Significant Accounting Policies and Recent Accounting Pronouncements Short-Term Investments Investments in Debt and Marketable Equity Securities (and Certain Trading Assets) Disclosure [Text Block] Short-Term Investments Short-Term Investments Accounts Receivable Loans, Notes, Trade and Other Receivables Disclosure [Text Block] Accounts Receivable Accounts Receivable Derivatives Derivatives Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Text Block] Derivatives Property and Equipment Property, Plant and Equipment Disclosure [Text Block] Property and Equipment Goodwill and Identifiable Intangible Assets Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Text Block] Goodwill and Identifiable Intangible Assets Debt Debt Disclosure [Text Block] Debt Shareholders' Equity Stockholders Equity Note Disclosure Text Block Shareholders' Equity Income Taxes Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block] Income Taxes Commitments and Contingencies [Abstract] Commitments and Contingencies Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block] Commitments and Contingencies Commitments and Contingencies