v2.4.0.6
INCOME TAXES (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2012
Dec. 31, 2011
Dec. 31, 2010
Dec. 31, 2009
Dec. 31, 2008
Income Tax [Line Items]          
Enterprise income tax rate 25.00%        
Foreign enterprise income tax rate 25.00%        
Dividend withholding tax rate 5.00%        
Dividend withholding tax expense 3,189 2,840      
Valuation allowance 3,535 1,912 1,002    
Tax savings from exemption and preferential tax status 911 1,081 473    
Effect of tax savings on earnings per share 0.002 (0.002) (0.001)    
Tax loss carryforward expiring 2013 [Member]
         
Income Tax [Line Items]          
Tax loss carryforwards 197        
Tax loss carryforward expiration year 2013        
Tax loss carryforward expiring 2014 [Member]
         
Income Tax [Line Items]          
Tax loss carryforwards 1,453        
Tax loss carryforward expiration year 2014        
Tax loss carryforward expiring 2015 [Member]
         
Income Tax [Line Items]          
Tax loss carryforwards 2,409        
Tax loss carryforward expiration year 2015        
Tax loss carryforward expiring 2016 [Member]
         
Income Tax [Line Items]          
Tax loss carryforwards 3,101        
Tax loss carryforward expiration year 2016        
Tax loss carryforward expiring 2017 [Member]
         
Income Tax [Line Items]          
Tax loss carryforwards 7,562        
Tax loss carryforward expiration year 2017        
Tax loss carryforward, indefinite life [Member]
         
Income Tax [Line Items]          
Tax loss carryforwards 1,793        
High New Tech Enterprise [Member]
         
Income Tax [Line Items]          
Enterprise income tax rate 15.00%        
Foreign enterprise income tax rate 15.00%        
Current Preferential Tax Rate [Member]
         
Income Tax [Line Items]          
Enterprise income tax rate 25.00% 24.00% 22.00% 18.00% 18.00%
Foreign enterprise income tax rate 25.00% 24.00% 22.00% 18.00% 18.00%
Actions Semiconductor Co., Ltd. ("Actions Semiconductor Zhuhai") [Member]
         
Income Tax [Line Items]          
Tax loss carryforwards 4,418        
Actions Semiconductor Co., Ltd. ("Actions Semiconductor Zhuhai") [Member] | High New Tech Enterprise [Member]
         
Income Tax [Line Items]          
Enterprise income tax rate 15.00% 15.00%      
Artek Microelectronics Co., Ltd. ("Artek Microelectronics Shenzhen") [Member] | High New Tech Enterprise [Member]
         
Income Tax [Line Items]          
Foreign enterprise income tax rate 15.00%        
Artek Microelectronics Co., Ltd. ("Artek Microelectronics Shenzhen") [Member] | Current Preferential Tax Rate [Member]
         
Income Tax [Line Items]          
Foreign enterprise income tax rate   12.00% 11.00% 10.00%  
Income tax rate reduction, percentage   50.00% 50.00% 50.00%  
Actions Technology (HK) Company Limited ("Actions Hong Kong") [Member]
         
Income Tax [Line Items]          
Hong Kong profits tax rate 16.50% 16.50% 16.50%    
Tax loss carryforwards 1,793        
Artek Microelectronics (HK) Co., Limited [Member]
         
Income Tax [Line Items]          
Hong Kong profits tax rate 16.50% 16.50% 16.50%    
Shanghai Actions Semiconductor Co., Ltd. ("Actions Semiconductor Shanghai ") [Member]
         
Income Tax [Line Items]          
Tax loss carryforwards 10,304