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COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Details 2) |  |  | 12 Months Ended | 0 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | 1 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended |  | 0 Months Ended | 1 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended |  |  |  | 1 Months Ended |  | 1 Months Ended |
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Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2013 USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2010 Class Action Lawsuits Filed in New York item | Jan. 21, 2015 Countervailing and anti-dumping duties | Nov. 07, 2012 Countervailing and anti-dumping duties | Dec. 31, 2014 Countervailing and anti-dumping duties USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2011 Purchase commitment Deutsche Solar AG EUR (€) | Dec. 31, 2011 Purchase commitment Deutsche Solar AG USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2007 Purchase commitment Deutsche Solar AG | Dec. 31, 2010 Purchase commitment Deutsche Solar AG USD ($) | Nov. 29, 2013 Purchase commitment LDK CNY | Mar. 31, 2014 Purchase commitment LDK CNY | Dec. 31, 2012 Purchase commitment LDK USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2012 Purchase commitment LDK CNY | Oct. 31, 2010 Purchase commitment LDK CNY item | Apr. 30, 2010 Purchase commitment LDK item | Jun. 30, 2008 Purchase commitment LDK item | Dec. 31, 2014 Purchase commitment LDK USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2013 Purchase commitment LDK USD ($) | Nov. 29, 2013 Purchase commitment LDK CNY | Mar. 31, 2013 Purchase commitment LDK USD ($) | Oct. 31, 2010 Purchase commitment LDK Maximum CNY | Oct. 31, 2007 Purchase commitment LDK Supply contract 2007 CNY item | Oct. 18, 2013 Purchase commitment LDK Supply contract 2007 CNY | Mar. 31, 2014 Purchase commitment LDK Supply contract 2008 CNY | Jun. 30, 2008 Purchase commitment LDK Supply contract 2008 CNY item | Oct. 18, 2013 Purchase commitment LDK Supply contract 2008 CNY
Contingencies |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Period of supply agreement |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 12 years |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 3 years |  |  | 10 years |
Amount not accrued due to take-or-pay provision of agreement which are void under the German law |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 21,143,853 csiq_LossContingencyAmountNotAccruedDueToTakeOrPayProvisionOfAgreementWhichAreVoidUnderGermanLaw / us-gaap_LitigationCaseAxis = csiq_DeutscheSolarAGMember / us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis = us-gaap_LossOnLongTermPurchaseCommitmentMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Amount of damages that plaintiff can claim |  |  |  |  |  |  | 148,600,000 us-gaap_LossContingencyDamagesSoughtValue / us-gaap_LitigationCaseAxis = csiq_DeutscheSolarAGMember / us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis = us-gaap_LossOnLongTermPurchaseCommitmentMember |  |  |  | 248,900,000 us-gaap_LossContingencyDamagesSoughtValue / us-gaap_LitigationCaseAxis = csiq_JiangxiLDKSolarHiTechCoLtdMember / us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis = us-gaap_LossOnLongTermPurchaseCommitmentMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Reclassification of provision for accrued losses on firm purchase commitments reserve to loss contingency accrual |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 27,862,017 csiq_AccruedLossOnFirmPurchaseCommitmentReserveAdjustment / us-gaap_LitigationCaseAxis = csiq_DeutscheSolarAGMember / us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis = us-gaap_LossOnLongTermPurchaseCommitmentMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Amount of bad debts allowance against the balance of advance payments |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 17,408,593 csiq_LossContingencyBadDebtAllowanceAgainstBalanceOfAdvancePayments / us-gaap_LitigationCaseAxis = csiq_DeutscheSolarAGMember / us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis = us-gaap_LossOnLongTermPurchaseCommitmentMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 9,797,708 csiq_LossContingencyBadDebtAllowanceAgainstBalanceOfAdvancePayments / us-gaap_LitigationCaseAxis = csiq_JiangxiLDKSolarHiTechCoLtdMember / us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis = us-gaap_LossOnLongTermPurchaseCommitmentMember | 9,840,223 csiq_LossContingencyBadDebtAllowanceAgainstBalanceOfAdvancePayments / us-gaap_LitigationCaseAxis = csiq_JiangxiLDKSolarHiTechCoLtdMember / us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis = us-gaap_LossOnLongTermPurchaseCommitmentMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss contingency accruals | 26,205,679 us-gaap_LossContingencyAccrualAtCarryingValue | 29,698,844 us-gaap_LossContingencyAccrualAtCarryingValue |  |  |  |  |  | 26,205,679 us-gaap_LossContingencyAccrualAtCarryingValue / us-gaap_LitigationCaseAxis = csiq_DeutscheSolarAGMember / us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis = us-gaap_LossOnLongTermPurchaseCommitmentMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of long-term supply purchase agreements entered into by the Company |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 2 csiq_NumberOfLongTermSupplyPurchaseAgreementsEntered / us-gaap_LitigationCaseAxis = csiq_JiangxiLDKSolarHiTechCoLtdMember / us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis = us-gaap_LossOnLongTermPurchaseCommitmentMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of long-term supply purchase agreements terminated by the Company |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 2 csiq_NumberOfLongTermSupplyPurchaseAgreementsTerminated / us-gaap_LitigationCaseAxis = csiq_JiangxiLDKSolarHiTechCoLtdMember / us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis = us-gaap_LossOnLongTermPurchaseCommitmentMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Refund amount of advances asked by the Company under arbitration request |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 25,000,000 csiq_LossContingencyRefundAmountOfAdvancesAskedByEntityUnderArbitrationRequest / us-gaap_LitigationCaseAxis = csiq_JiangxiLDKSolarHiTechCoLtdMember / us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis = us-gaap_LossOnLongTermPurchaseCommitmentMember / csiq_TypeOfSupplyContractAxis = csiq_SupplyContract2007Member |  |  | 35,000,000 csiq_LossContingencyRefundAmountOfAdvancesAskedByEntityUnderArbitrationRequest / us-gaap_LitigationCaseAxis = csiq_JiangxiLDKSolarHiTechCoLtdMember / us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis = us-gaap_LossOnLongTermPurchaseCommitmentMember / csiq_TypeOfSupplyContractAxis = csiq_SupplyContract2008Member
Forfeiture of advance claimed by counterparty |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 60,000,000 csiq_LossContingencyForfeitureOfAdvanceClaimedByCounterparty / us-gaap_LitigationCaseAxis = csiq_JiangxiLDKSolarHiTechCoLtdMember / us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis = us-gaap_LossOnLongTermPurchaseCommitmentMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Compensation claimed by counterparty for losses due to the alleged breach of the agreements |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 530,000,000 csiq_LossContingencyCompensationClaimedByCounterpartyForLossesDueToAllegedBreachOfAgreements / us-gaap_LitigationCaseAxis = csiq_JiangxiLDKSolarHiTechCoLtdMember / us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis = us-gaap_LossOnLongTermPurchaseCommitmentMember |  | 248,900,000 csiq_LossContingencyCompensationClaimedByCounterpartyForLossesDueToAllegedBreachOfAgreements / us-gaap_LitigationCaseAxis = csiq_JiangxiLDKSolarHiTechCoLtdMember / us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis = us-gaap_LossOnLongTermPurchaseCommitmentMember | 377,000,000 csiq_LossContingencyCompensationClaimedByCounterpartyForLossesDueToAllegedBreachOfAgreements / us-gaap_LitigationCaseAxis = csiq_JiangxiLDKSolarHiTechCoLtdMember / us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis = us-gaap_LossOnLongTermPurchaseCommitmentMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Penalty claimed by counterparty |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 15,200,000 csiq_LossContingencyPenaltyClaimedByCounterparty / us-gaap_LitigationCaseAxis = csiq_JiangxiLDKSolarHiTechCoLtdMember / us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis = us-gaap_LossOnLongTermPurchaseCommitmentMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Arbitration expenses claimed by counterparty |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 2,200,000 csiq_LossContingencyArbitrationExpensesClaimedByCounterparty / us-gaap_LitigationCaseAxis = csiq_JiangxiLDKSolarHiTechCoLtdMember / us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis = us-gaap_LossOnLongTermPurchaseCommitmentMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 4,700,000 csiq_LossContingencyArbitrationExpensesClaimedByCounterparty / us-gaap_LitigationCaseAxis = csiq_JiangxiLDKSolarHiTechCoLtdMember / us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis = us-gaap_LossOnLongTermPurchaseCommitmentMember / us-gaap_RangeAxis = us-gaap_MaximumMember |  |  |  |  |
Non-cash provision related to arbitration decision |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 30,000,000 us-gaap_LossContingencyAccrualProvision / us-gaap_LitigationCaseAxis = csiq_JiangxiLDKSolarHiTechCoLtdMember / us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis = us-gaap_LossOnLongTermPurchaseCommitmentMember |  |  |  |  | 0 us-gaap_LossContingencyAccrualProvision / us-gaap_LitigationCaseAxis = csiq_JiangxiLDKSolarHiTechCoLtdMember / us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis = us-gaap_LossOnLongTermPurchaseCommitmentMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Amount of provision reversed |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 30,000,000 csiq_LossContingencyProvisionReversed / us-gaap_LitigationCaseAxis = csiq_JiangxiLDKSolarHiTechCoLtdMember / us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis = us-gaap_LossOnLongTermPurchaseCommitmentMember |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of lawsuits filed |  |  | 6 us-gaap_LossContingencyNewClaimsFiledNumber / us-gaap_LitigationCaseAxis = csiq_ClassActionLawsuitsFiledInNewYorkMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Cash deposit rate for anti-dumping duty on CSPV cells imported from China (as a percent) |  |  |  | 30.06%csiq_LossContingencyCashDepositRateAntiDumpingDutyOnCSPVCellsImportedFromChinaOnOrAfterSpecificDate / us-gaap_LitigationCaseAxis = csiq_USCountervailingAndAntiDumpingDutiesMember | 13.94%csiq_LossContingencyCashDepositRateAntiDumpingDutyOnCSPVCellsImportedFromChinaOnOrAfterSpecificDate / us-gaap_LitigationCaseAxis = csiq_USCountervailingAndAntiDumpingDutiesMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Cash deposit rate for countervailing duty on CSPV cells imported from China (as a percent) |  |  |  | 38.43%csiq_LossContingencyCashDepositRateCountervailingDutyOnCSPVCellsImportedFromChinaOnOrAfterSpecificDate / us-gaap_LitigationCaseAxis = csiq_USCountervailingAndAntiDumpingDutiesMember | 15.24%csiq_LossContingencyCashDepositRateCountervailingDutyOnCSPVCellsImportedFromChinaOnOrAfterSpecificDate / us-gaap_LitigationCaseAxis = csiq_USCountervailingAndAntiDumpingDutiesMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Cash deposits for module imported from China |  |  |  |  |  | 39,100,000 csiq_PaymentsForCashDepositsForModuleImportedFromChina / us-gaap_LitigationCaseAxis = csiq_USCountervailingAndAntiDumpingDutiesMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Cash deposit charged into cost of sales |  |  |  |  |  | 36,000,000 csiq_CostOfSalesChargeRecordedForCashDepositModuleImportedFromChina / us-gaap_LitigationCaseAxis = csiq_USCountervailingAndAntiDumpingDutiesMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Cash deposit charged into inventories |  |  |  |  |  | 3,100,000 csiq_InventoriesRecordedForCashDepositModuleImportedFromChina / us-gaap_LitigationCaseAxis = csiq_USCountervailingAndAntiDumpingDutiesMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Refund of advance payments |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 10,000,000 csiq_LossContingencyRefundOfAdvancePayment / us-gaap_LitigationCaseAxis = csiq_JiangxiLDKSolarHiTechCoLtdMember / us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis = us-gaap_LossOnLongTermPurchaseCommitmentMember / csiq_TypeOfSupplyContractAxis = csiq_SupplyContract2007Member |  | 35,000,000 csiq_LossContingencyRefundOfAdvancePayment / us-gaap_LitigationCaseAxis = csiq_JiangxiLDKSolarHiTechCoLtdMember / us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis = us-gaap_LossOnLongTermPurchaseCommitmentMember / csiq_TypeOfSupplyContractAxis = csiq_SupplyContract2008Member | 50,000,000 csiq_LossContingencyRefundOfAdvancePayment / us-gaap_LitigationCaseAxis = csiq_JiangxiLDKSolarHiTechCoLtdMember / us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis = us-gaap_LossOnLongTermPurchaseCommitmentMember / csiq_TypeOfSupplyContractAxis = csiq_SupplyContract2008Member |
Attorney fees |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 1,000,000 us-gaap_ProfessionalFees / us-gaap_LitigationCaseAxis = csiq_JiangxiLDKSolarHiTechCoLtdMember / us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis = us-gaap_LossOnLongTermPurchaseCommitmentMember / csiq_TypeOfSupplyContractAxis = csiq_SupplyContract2008Member |  |
Number of advance payments |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 2 csiq_LossContingencyNumberOfAdvancePayments / us-gaap_LitigationCaseAxis = csiq_JiangxiLDKSolarHiTechCoLtdMember / us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis = us-gaap_LossOnLongTermPurchaseCommitmentMember / csiq_TypeOfSupplyContractAxis = csiq_SupplyContract2007Member |  |  | 2 csiq_LossContingencyNumberOfAdvancePayments / us-gaap_LitigationCaseAxis = csiq_JiangxiLDKSolarHiTechCoLtdMember / us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis = us-gaap_LossOnLongTermPurchaseCommitmentMember / csiq_TypeOfSupplyContractAxis = csiq_SupplyContract2008Member |
Number of advance payments forfeited |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 3 csiq_LossContingencyNumberOfAdvancePaymentsForfeited / us-gaap_LitigationCaseAxis = csiq_JiangxiLDKSolarHiTechCoLtdMember / us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis = us-gaap_LossOnLongTermPurchaseCommitmentMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Liability for payment for reversal of decision by court |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 191,200,000 csiq_LossContingencyLiabilityForReversalOfOrderByCourt / us-gaap_LitigationCaseAxis = csiq_JiangxiLDKSolarHiTechCoLtdMember / us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis = us-gaap_LossOnLongTermPurchaseCommitmentMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Attorney expenses claimed by counterparty |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 1,200,000 csiq_LossContingencyAttorneyExpensesClaimedByCounterparty / us-gaap_LitigationCaseAxis = csiq_JiangxiLDKSolarHiTechCoLtdMember / us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis = us-gaap_LossOnLongTermPurchaseCommitmentMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of subpoenas |  |  | 2 csiq_NumberOfSubpoenasReceived / us-gaap_LitigationCaseAxis = csiq_ClassActionLawsuitsFiledInNewYorkMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |

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- Definition Represents the amount of adjustment made to the reserve for accrued losses on firm purchase commitment. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Represents the total cost of sales charge recorded for cash deposit for module imported from China. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Cash deposit charged into inventories + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Represents the amount not accrued due to take-or-pay provision of agreement which are void under the German law. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Represents the amount of arbitration expenses claimed by counterparty. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Represents the amount of attorney expenses claimed by counterparty. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Represents the amount of bad debt allowances against the balance of advance payments as a result of the termination of the long-term supply contract. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Represents the cash deposit rate for anti-dumping duty on CSPV cells imported from China on or after a specified date. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Represents the cash deposit rate for countervailing duty on CSPV cells imported from China on or after a specified date. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Represents the amount of compensation claimed by counterparty for losses due to the alleged breach of the agreements. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Represents the forfeiture of advance claimed by the counterparty. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Represents the amount of liability in case of reversal of orders by court. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Represents the number of advance payments. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Represents the number of advance payments forfeited. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Represents the amount of provision for loss contingency reversed. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Represents the refund amount of advances asked by the entity under arbitration request. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Represents the refund of advance payment. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Represents the number of long-term supply purchase agreements entered into by the entity during the reporting period. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Represents the number of long-term supply purchase agreements terminated by the entity during the reporting period. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Represents the payments for cash deposit on module imported from China by using the preliminary deposits rate determined by USITC (China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission). + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Represents the period of supply agreement entered into by the entity. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Details
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- Definition Amount of loss contingency liability. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 450 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25496072&loc=d3e14326-108349 + Details
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- Definition Amount charged against operating income increasing loss contingency liability, after adjustments to reduce previously estimated charges. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 450 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25496072&loc=d3e14326-108349 + Details
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