2.2.0.25truefalse41001 - Disclosure - INCOME TAXES (Narrative) (Details)truefalsefalse1falsefalseUSDfalsefalse10/1/2010 - 12/31/2010
USD ($)
USD ($) / shares
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USD ($)
USD ($) / shares
$Duration_1_1_2010_To_12_31_2010http://www.sec.gov/CIK0000014272duration2010-01-01T00:00:002010-12-31T00:00:00Unit1Standardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170Unit13Standardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepurexbrli0Unit12Divide<
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USD ($)
USD ($) / shares
$Duration_1_1_2009_To_12_31_2009http://www.sec.gov/CIK0000014272duration2009-01-01T00:00:002009-12-31T00:00:00Unit1Standardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170Unit15Standardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0Unit12Dividehttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso4217http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0Unit13Standardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepurexbrli0USDUSD$4falsefalseUSDfalsefalse1/1/2008 - 12/31/2008
USD ($)
USD ($) / shares
$Duration_1_1_2008_To_12_31_20083http://www.sec.gov/CIK0000014272duration2008-01-01T00:00:002008-12-31T00:00:00Unit1Standardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170Unit15Standardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0Unit13Standardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepurexbrli0Unit12Dividehttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso4217http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0USDUSD$2false0us-gaap_IncomeTaxReconciliationRepatria
tionOfForeignEarningsus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1truefalsefalse207000000207000000falsetruefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse207000000207000000falsetruefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00<
CurrencySymbol />falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe portion of the difference between total income tax expense (benefit) as reported in the Inc
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0-30000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse-67000000-67000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe amount the liability recorded for the income tax examination increased or decreased in the current year/accounting period.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse4false0us-gaap_IncomeTaxReconciliationTaxContingenciesus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetruenegated1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse131000000131000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse6400000064000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4truefalsefalse4000000040000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe sum of the differences between total income t
ax expense (benefit) as reported in the Income Statement and the expected income tax expense (benefit) computed by applying the domestic federal statutory income tax rates to pretax income from continuing operations attributable to changes in all income tax contingencies, whether recorded or adjusted, during the period.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse5false0us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsDecreasesResultingFromPriorPeriodTaxPositionsus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse-1960
00000-196000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse-180000000-180000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4truefalsefalse-131000000-131000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe gross amount of decreases in unrecognized tax benefits resulting from tax positions taken in prior period tax returns, excluding amounts pertaining to examined tax returns.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name FASB Interpretation (FIN)
-Number 48
-Paragraph 21
-Subparagraph a(1)
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efalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe amount of the valuation allowance recorded as of the balance sheet date pertaining to the specified deferred tax asset for which an assessment was made that it is more likely than not that all or a portion of such deferred tax asset will not be realized through related deductions on future tax returns.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 109
-Paragraph 43
-Subparagraph c
falsefalse7false0us-gaap_IncomeTaxesPaidNetus-gaaptruecreditdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse672000000672000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse885000000885000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4truefalsefalse636000000636000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe amount of cash paid during the current period to foreign, federal, state, and local authorities as taxes on income, net of any cash received during the current period as refunds for the overpayment of taxes.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 95
-Paragraph 29
Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 95
-Paragraph 27
-Subparagraph f
falsefalse8false0us-gaap_ProceedsFromIncomeTaxRefundsus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4truefalsefalse432000000432000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe amount of cash received during the period as refunds for the overpayment of taxes.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 95
-Paragraph 29
falsefalse9false0us-gaap_TaxBenefitFromStockOptionsExercisedus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse80000008000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse50000005000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryReductions in the entity's income taxes that arise when compensation cost (from non-qualified stock options) recognized on the entity's tax return exceeds compensation cost from non-qualified stock options recognized on the income statement. This element increases net cash provided by operating activities.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 123R
-Paragraph A132
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alseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis element represents the amount of interest expense accrued as of the date of the statement of financial position for an underpayment of income taxes computed by applying the applicable statutory rate of interest to the difference between a tax position recognized for financial reporting purposes and the amount previously taken or expected to be taken in a tax return of the entity.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name FASB Interpretation (FIN)
-Number 48
-Paragraph 21
-Subparagraph c
Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name FASB Interpretation (FIN)
-Number 48
-Paragraph 15
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alseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis element represents the amount of statutory penalties accrued as of the date of the statement of financial position for a tax position claimed or expected to be claimed by the entity, in its tax return, that does not meet the minimum statutory threshold to avoid payment of penalties.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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-Name FASB Interpretation (FIN)
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-Paragraph 16
Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name FASB Interpretation (FIN)
-Number 48
-Paragraph 21
-Subparagraph c
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/Id>falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse1200000012000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse2500000025000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4truefalsefalse1700000017000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis element represents interest expense recognized for an underpayment of income taxes computed by applying the applicable statutory rate of interest to the difference between a tax position recognized for financial reporting purposes and the amount previously taken or expected to be taken in a tax return of the entity.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name FASB Interpretation (FIN)
-Number 48
-Paragraph 21
-Subparagraph c
Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name FASB Interpretation (FIN)
-Number 48
-Paragraph 15
falsefalse13false0us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIncomeTaxPenaltiesExpenseus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse40000004000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse10000001000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4truefalsefalse70000007000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis element represents the recognized expense for the amount of statutory penalties in the period in which the entity claims or expects to claim a tax position, in its tax return, that does not meet the minimum statutory threshold to avoid payment of penalties or, if not recognizing the expense in the period in which the tax return was initially filed, the expense shall be recognized in the period in which the enterprise's judgment about meeting the minimum statutory threshold changes.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name FASB Interpretation (FIN)
-Number 48
-Paragraph 16
Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name FASB Interpretation (FIN)
-Number 48
-Paragraph 21
-Subparagraph c
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Cells>1truefalsefalse818000000818000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse818000000818000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse964000000964000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4truefalsefalse675000000675000000falsefalsefalsefals
efalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe total amount of unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would affect the effective tax rate.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name FASB Interpretation (FIN)
-Number 48
-Paragraph 21
-Subparagraph b
falsefalse15false0bmy_OutOfPeriodTaxAdjustmentNetDeferredTaxAssetsbmyfalsecreditdurationOut of period tax adjustment net deferred tax assets.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse5900000059000000falsefalsefalsefalse<
hasScenarios>false3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryOut of period tax adjustment net deferred tax assets.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse16false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.bms.com/taxonomy/role/disclosureincometaxesnarrativedetails1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_ValuationAllowanceByDeferredTaxAssetAxis} : Foreign Net Operating Loss And Tax Credit Carryforwards [Member]
12/31/2010
USD ($)
$As_Of_12_31_20102224http://www.sec.gov/CIK0000014272instant2010-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseForeign Net Operating Loss And Tax Credit Carryforwards [Member]us-gaap_ValuationAllowanceByDeferredTaxAssetAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldibmy_ForeignNetOperatingLossAndTaxCreditCarryforwardsMemberus-gaap_ValuationAllowanceByDeferredTaxAssetAxisexplicitMemberUnit1Standardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse17false0us-gaap_ValuationAllowanceAmountus-gaaptruecreditinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse14930000001493000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse14930000001493000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00fals
efalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe amount of the valuation allowance recorded as of the balance sheet date pertaining to the specified deferred tax asset for which an ass
essment was made that it is more likely than not that all or a portion of such deferred tax asset will not be realized through related deductions on future tax returns.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 109
-Paragraph 43
-Subparagraph c
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sefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_ValuationAllowanceByDeferredTaxAssetAxis} : State Net Operating Loss And Tax Credit Carryforwards [Member]
12/31/2010
USD ($)
$As_Of_12_31_20103188http://www.sec.gov/CIK0000014272instant2010-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseState Net Operating Loss And Tax Credit Carryforwards [Member]us-gaap_ValuationAllowanceByDeferredTaxAssetAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldibmy_StateNetOperatingLossAndTaxCreditCarryforwardsMemberus-gaap_ValuationAllowanceByDeferredTaxAssetAxisexplicitMemberUnit1Standardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse19false0us-gaap_ValuationAllowanceAmountus-gaa
ptruecreditinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse356000000356000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse356000000356000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe amount of the valuation allowance recorded as of the balance sheet date pertaining to the specified deferred tax asset for which an assessment was
made that it is more likely than not that all or a portion of such deferred tax asset will not be realized through related deductions on future tax returns.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 109
-Paragraph 43
-Subparagraph c
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sefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_ValuationAllowanceByDeferredTaxAssetAxis} : U.S. Federal Net Operating Loss [Member]
12/31/2010
USD ($)
$As_Of_12_31_20102225http://www.sec.gov/CIK0000014272instant2010-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseU.S. Federal Net Operating Loss [Member]us-gaap_ValuationAllowanceByDeferredTaxAssetAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldibmy_USFederalNetOperatingLossMemberus-gaap_ValuationAllowanceByDeferredTaxAssetAxisexplicitMemberUnit1Standardhttp://www
.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse21false0us-gaap_ValuationAllowanceAmountus-gaaptruecredit
instantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse1400000014000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse1400000014000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe amount of the valuation allowance recorded as of the balance sheet date pertaining to the specified deferred tax asset for which an assessment was made that it is more likely than not that all or a portion of such deferred tax asset will
not be realized through related deductions on future tax returns.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 109
-Paragraph 43
-Subparagraph c
falsefalse
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12/31/2010
USD ($)
$As_Of_12_31_20103186http://www.sec.gov/CIK0000014272instant2010-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseMaximum [Member]us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldibmy_MaximumMemberus-gaap_StatementScenarioAxisexplicitMemberUnit1Standardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse23false0us-gaap_SignificantChangeInUnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIsReasonablyPossibleEstimatedRangeOfChangeus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition availabl
e.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse275000000275000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse275000000275000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryFor a tax position taken for which it is reasonably possible that the total amount of unrecognized tax benefit will significantly increase or decrease within twelve months of the balance sheet date, provide an estimate of the range of the reasonably possible change.Re
ference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name FASB Interpretation (FIN)
-Number 48
-Paragraph 21
-Subparagraph d(3)
falsefalse24false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.bms.com/taxonomy/role/disclosureincometaxesnarrativedetails1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis} : Minimum [Member]
12/31/2010
USD ($)
$As_Of_12_31_20103187http://www.sec.gov/CIK0000014272instant2010-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseMinimum [Member]us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldibmy_MinimumMemberus-gaap_StatementScenarioAxisexplicitMemberUnit1Standardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse25false0us-gaap_SignificantChangeInUnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIsReasonablyPossibleEstimatedRangeOfChangeus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition availabl
e.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse245000000245000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse245000000245000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryFor a tax position taken for which it is reasonably possible that the total amount of unrecognized tax benefit will significantly increase or decrease within twelve months of the balance sheet date, provide an estimate of the range of the reasonably possible change.Re
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-Publisher FASB
-Name FASB Interpretation (FIN)
-Number 48
-Paragraph 21
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falsefalse26false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.bms.com/taxonomy/role/disclosureincometaxesnarrativedetails1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10falsefalseUSDtruefalse{dei_LegalEntityAxis} : Mead Johnson [Member]
{us-gaap_ReasonablyPossibleSignificantChangeInUnrecognizedTaxBenefitsByItemAxis} : Unrecognized Federal, State and Foreign Tax Benefits [Member]
1/1/2009 - 12/31/2009
USD ($)
$Duration_1_1_2009_To_12_31_200922123http://www.sec.gov/CIK0000014272duration2009-01-01T00:00:002009-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseMead Johnson [Member]dei_LegalEntityAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldibmy_MeadJohnsonMemberdei_LegalEntityAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseUnrecognized Federal, State and Foreign Tax Benefits [Member]us
- -gaap_ReasonablyPossibleSignificantChangeInUnrecognizedTaxBenefitsByItemAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldibmy_UnrecognizedFederalStateAndForeignTaxBenefitsMemberus-gaap_ReasonablyPossibleSignificantChangeInUnrecognizedTaxBenefitsByItemAxisexplicitMemberUnit1Standardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$<
/Labels>OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse27false0us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsDecreasesResultingFromPriorPeriodTaxPositionsus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse1000000010000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe gross amount of decreases in unrecognized tax benefits resulting from tax positions taken in prior period tax returns, excluding amounts pertaining to examined tax returns.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name FASB Interpretation (FIN)
-Number 48
-Paragraph 21
-Subparagraph a(1)
falsefalse28false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.bms.com/taxonomy/role/disclosureincometaxesnarrativedetails1falsefalse
false00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_ReasonablyPossibleSignificantChangeInUnrecognizedTaxBenefitsByItemAxis} : Undistributed Earnings of Foreign Subsidiaries [Member]
12/31/2010
USD ($)
$As_Of_12_31_2010380http://www.sec.gov/CIK0000014272instant2010-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseUndistributed Earnings of Foreign Subsidiaries [Member]us-gaap_ReasonablyPossibleSignificantChangeInUnrecognizedTaxBenefitsByItemAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldibmy_UndistributedEarningsOfForeignSubsidiariesMemberus-gaap_ReasonablyPossibleSignificantChangeInUnrecognizedTaxBenefitsByItemAxisexplicitMemberUnit1Standardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse29false0us-gaap_DeferredTaxLiabilityNotRe
cognizedCumulativeAmountOfTemporaryDifferenceus-gaaptruecreditinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse1640000000016400000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse1640000000016400000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe cumulative amount of the temporary difference for which a d
eferred tax liability has not been provided because of the exceptions to comprehensive recognition of deferred taxes.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 109
-Paragraph 44
-Subparagraph b
falsefalse30false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.bms.com/taxonomy/role/disclosureincometaxesnarrativedetails1fa
lsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse12falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_ReasonablyPossibleSignificantChangeInUnrecognizedTaxBenefitsByItemAxis} : Certain U S And International Uncertain Tax Positions [Member]
1/1/2010 - 12/31/2010
USD ($)
$Duration_1_1_2010_To_12_31_2010914http://www.sec.gov/CIK0000014272duration2010-01-01T00:00:002010-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseCertain U S And International Uncertain Tax Positions [Member]us-gaap_ReasonablyPossibleSignificantChangeInUnrecognizedTaxBenefitsByItemAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldibmy_CertainUSAndInternationalUncertainTaxPositionsMemberus-gaap_ReasonablyPossibleSignificantChangeInUnrecognizedTaxBenefitsByItemAxisexplicitMemberUnit1Standardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$13falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_ReasonablyPossibleSignificantChangeInUnrecognizedTaxBenefitsByItemAxis} : Certain U S And International Uncertain Tax Positions [Member]
1/1/2009 - 12/31/2009
USD ($)
$Duration_1_1_2009_To_12_31_200922122http://www.sec.gov/CIK0000014272duration2009-01-01T00:00:002009-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseCertain U S And International Uncertain Tax Positions [Member]us-gaap_ReasonablyPossibleSignificantChangeInUnrecognizedTaxBenefitsByItemAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldibmy_CertainUSAndInternationalUncertainTaxPositionsMemberus-gaap_ReasonablyPossibleSignificantChangeInUnrecognizedTaxBenefitsByItemAxisexplicitMemberUnit1Standardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse31false0
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t of decreases in unrecognized tax benefits resulting from tax positions taken in prior period tax returns, excluding amounts pertaining to examined tax returns.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name FASB Interpretation (FIN)
-Number 48
-Paragraph 21
-Subparagraph a(1)
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1/1/2008 - 12/31/2008
USD ($)
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/contextRef>Unit1Standardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse33false0u
s-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsDecreasesResultingFromPriorPeriodTaxPositionsus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4truefalsefalse9100000091000000falsetruefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe gross amount of decreases in unrecognized tax benefit
s resulting from tax positions taken in prior period tax returns, excluding amounts pertaining to examined tax returns.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name FASB Interpretation (FIN)
-Number 48
-Paragraph 21
-Subparagraph a(1)
falsefalse432INCOME TAXES (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)NoRoundingUnKnownUnKnownUnKnownfalsetrue
