Document and Entity Information	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	20-F
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2013
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2013
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Trading Symbol	NTE
Entity Registrant Name	NAM TAI ELECTRONICS INC.
Entity Central Index Key	0000829365
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	45,272,735