Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 291,793	$ 463,388
Short-term investments	270,027	457,685
Accounts Receivable, Net	383,471	398,739
Inventories:
Raw materials	105,246	93,009
Work in process	132,111	124,737
Finished goods	286,146	237,374
Total inventories	523,503	455,120
Prepaid Expenses	131,357	92,489
Other current assets	74,392	69,261
Total current assets	1,674,543	1,936,682
Property, plant and equipment, at cost	1,065,684	1,012,034
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization	(640,608)	(595,096)
Property, plant and equipment, net	425,076	416,938
Goodwill, net	513,705	495,418
Purchased intangibles, net	276,054	260,939
Other investments	354,733	293,613
Other assets	36,297	39,913
Total assets	3,280,408	3,443,503
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Accounts payable	131,899	130,867
Accrued payroll and employee benefits	133,218	135,955
Notes payable and current maturities of long-term debt	1,705	1,750
Income and other taxes payable	32,424	34,779
Accrued royalties	19,860	29,718
Other current liabilities	143,779	139,331
Total current liabilities	462,885	472,400
Long-term debt, net of current maturities	435,541	732,414
Other long-term liabilities	257,742	223,149
Total liabilities	1,156,168	1,427,963
Bio-Rad stockholders' equity:
Additional paid-in capital	232,031	212,244
Retained earnings	1,575,981	1,528,327
Accumulated other comprehensive income	316,326	274,532
Total Bio-Rad stockholders' equity	2,124,240	2,015,005
Noncontrolling interests	0	535
Total stockholders' equity	2,124,240	2,015,540
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	3,280,408	3,443,503
Common Class A [Member]
Bio-Rad stockholders' equity:
Common stock	2	2
Common Class B [Member]
Bio-Rad stockholders' equity:
Common stock	1	1
Treasury Class A [Member]
Bio-Rad stockholders' equity:
Treasury Stock, Value	(12)	(12)
Treasury Class B [Member]
Bio-Rad stockholders' equity:
Treasury Stock, Value	$ (89)	$ (89)

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Carrying value as of the balance sheet date of liabilities incurred (and for which invoices have typically been received) and payable to vendors for goods and services received that are used in an entity's business. Used to reflect the current portion of the liabilities (due within one year or within the normal operating cycle if longer).