v3.20.1

Document and Entity Information	Mar. 18, 2020
Cover [Abstract]
Document Type	8-K
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Mar. 18, 2020
Entity Registrant Name	ANIXTER INTERNATIONAL INC.
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity File Number	001-10212
Entity Tax Identification Number	94-1658138
Entity Address, Address Line One	2301 Patriot Blvd.
Entity Address, City or Town	Glenview
Entity Address, State or Province	IL
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	60026
City Area Code	224
Local Phone Number	521-8000
Written Communications	true
Soliciting Material	false
Pre-commencement Tender Offer	false
Pre-commencement Issuer Tender Offer	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Central Index Key	0000052795
Title of 12(b) Security	Common stock, $1 par value
Trading Symbol	AXE
Security Exchange Name	NYSE

Boolean flag that is true when the XBRL content amends previously-filed or accepted submission.

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No definition available.

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- Definition

Area code of city

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- Definition

Cover page.

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- Definition

The end date of the period reflected on the cover page if a periodic report. For all other reports and registration statements containing historical data, it is the date up through which that historical data is presented. If there is no historical data in the report, use the filing date. The format of the date is CCYY-MM-DD.

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No definition available.

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- Definition

The type of document being provided (such as 10-K, 10-Q, 485BPOS, etc). The document type is limited to the same value as the supporting SEC submission type, or the word 'Other'.

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No definition available.

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- Definition

Address Line 1 such as Attn, Building Name, Street Name

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No definition available.

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Name of the City or Town

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No definition available.

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Code for the postal or zip code

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No definition available.

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Name of the state or province.

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No definition available.

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- Definition

A unique 10-digit SEC-issued value to identify entities that have filed disclosures with the SEC. It is commonly abbreviated as CIK.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
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- Definition

Indicate if registrant meets the emerging growth company criteria.

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Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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- Definition

Commission file number. The field allows up to 17 characters. The prefix may contain 1-3 digits, the sequence number may contain 1-8 digits, the optional suffix may contain 1-4 characters, and the fields are separated with a hyphen.

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No definition available.

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Two-character EDGAR code representing the state or country of incorporation.

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No definition available.

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- Definition

The exact name of the entity filing the report as specified in its charter, which is required by forms filed with the SEC.

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Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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-Name Regulation 12B
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-Section 12
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The Tax Identification Number (TIN), also known as an Employer Identification Number (EIN), is a unique 9-digit value assigned by the IRS.

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Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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- Definition

Local phone number for entity.

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No definition available.

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- Definition

Boolean flag that is true when the Form 8-K filing is intended to satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant as pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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Boolean flag that is true when the Form 8-K filing is intended to satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant as pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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Title of a 12(b) registered security.

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Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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Name of the Exchange on which a security is registered.

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Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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Boolean flag that is true when the Form 8-K filing is intended to satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant as soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Exchange Act
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-Subsection 12

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Trading symbol of an instrument as listed on an exchange.

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No definition available.

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- Definition

Boolean flag that is true when the Form 8-K filing is intended to satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant as written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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-Name Securities Act
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-Section 425

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ANIXTER INTERNATIONAL INC 8-K