Income taxes (Additional Information) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands |
12 Months Ended | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Dec. 31, 2018 |
Dec. 31, 2017 |
Dec. 31, 2016 |
Dec. 31, 2015 |
|
| Income Tax Disclosure [Line Items] | ||||
| Withholding Income Tax Dividend Distribution | 10.00% | |||
| Other tax expense | $ 900 | $ 3,100 | $ 1,400 | |
| Tax rate | 34.00% | 34.00% | 34.00% | |
| Enterprise Income Tax [Member] | ||||
| Income Tax Disclosure [Line Items] | ||||
| Tax rate | 25.00% | |||
| Scenario, Plan [Member] | ||||
| Income Tax Disclosure [Line Items] | ||||
| Tax rate | 21.00% | |||
| SGOCO International [Member] | Hong Kong [Member] | ||||
| Income Tax Disclosure [Line Items] | ||||
| Net tax loss carry forwards | $ 11,458 | $ 3,176 | ||
| Tax rate | 16.50% | 16.50% | 16.50% | |
| PRC Entities [Member] | ||||
| Income Tax Disclosure [Line Items] | ||||
| Net tax loss carry forwards | $ 2,277 | $ 2,304 | ||
| SGO [Member] | U.S. [Member] | ||||
| Income Tax Disclosure [Line Items] | ||||
| Net tax loss carry forwards | $ 609 | $ 609 | ||