2.2.0.25truefalse1074 - Disclosure - SHAREOWNERS' EQUITY - Additional Information (Detail)truefalsefalse1falsefalseUSDfalsefalse1/1/2010 - 12/31/2010 USD ($) USD ($) / shares $eol_PE10216---1010-K0013_STD_365_20101231_0http://www.sec.gov/CIK0001090727duration2010-01-01T00:00:002010-12-31T00:00:00pureStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepure0iso4217_USDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170iso4217_USD_per_sharesDividehttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso4217http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instanceshares0sharesStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instanceshares0YearStandardhttp://www.ups.com/20101231Yearups0PersonStandardhttp://www.ups.com/20101231Personups0CreditFacilityStandardhttp://www.ups.com/20101231CreditFacilityups0VoteStandardhttp://www.ups.com/20101231Voteups0USDUSD$2falsefalseUSDfalsefalse1/1/2009 - 12/31/2009 USD ($) / shares USD ($) $eol_PE10216---1010-K0013_STD_365_20091231_0http://www.sec.gov/CIK0001090727duration2009-01-01T00:00:002009-12-31T00:00:00iso4217_USD_per_sharesDividehttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso4217http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instanceshares0iso4217_USDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 USDiso42170pureStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepure0sharesStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instanceshares0YearStandardhttp://www.ups.com/20101231Yearups0USDUSD$3falsefalseUSDfalsefalse1/1/2008 - 12/31/2008 USD ($) USD ($) / shares $eol_PE10216---1010-K0013_STD_366_20081231_0http://www.sec.gov/CIK0001090727duration2008-01-01T00:00:002008-12-31T00:00:00iso4217_USDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170iso4217_USD_per_sharesDividehttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso4217http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instanceshares0pureStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepure0sharesStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instanceshares0YearStandardhttp://www.ups.com/20101231Yearups0USDUSD$2true0ups_StockholdersEquityNoteLineItemsupsfalsenadurationStockholders Equity Note [Line Items]falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringStockholders Equity Note [Line Items]falsefalse3false0us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesAuthorizedus-gaaptruenainstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1truefalsefalse200000000200000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseSharesxbrli:sharesItemTypesharesThe maximum number of nonredeemable preferred shares (or preferred stock redeemable solely at the option of the issuer) permitted to be issued by an entity's charter and bylaws.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 29 -Article 5 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 129 -Paragraph 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 falsefalse4false0us-gaap_PreferredStockParOrStatedValuePerShareus-gaaptruenainstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1truefalsefalse0.010.01falsetruefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseEPSus-types:perShareItemTypedecimalFace amount or stated value per share of nonredeemable preferred stock (or preferred stock redeemable solely at the option of the issuer); generally not indicative of the fair market value per share.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB) -Number 12 -Paragraph 10 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 29 -Article 5 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 129 -Paragraph 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 falsetrue5false0us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesIssuedus-gaaptruenainstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1truefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseSharesxbrli:sharesItemTypesharesTotal number of nonredeemable preferred shares (or preferred stock redeemable solely at the option of the issuer) issued to shareholders (includes related preferred shares that were issued, repurchased and remain in the treasury). May be all or portion of the number of preferred shares authorized. Excludes preferred shares that are classified as debt.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentation Ref -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 29 -Article 5 falsefalse6false0us-gaap_EffectOnRetainedEarningsAccumulatedDeficitDueToChangeInMeasurementDateNetOfTaxus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse4400000044000000falsetruefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryAdjustment decreasing (increasing) retained earnings due to a change in the measurement date for a defined benefit pension and other postretirement plan in the initial application of the measurement provision of FAS 158.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 158 -Paragraph 21 falsefalse7false0ups_EffectOnRetainedEarningsAccumulatedDeficitDueToFairValueOptionAndMeasurementupsfalsedebitdurationFair value option and measurement.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse1600000016000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryFair value option and measurement.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse8false0us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodSharesus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse1240000012400000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse1090000010900000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse5360000053600000falsefalsefalsefalsefalseSharesxbrli:sharesItemTypesharesNumber of shares that have been repurchased during the period and have not been retired and are not held in treasury. Some state laws may govern the circumstances under which an entity may acquire its own stock and prescribe the accounting treatment therefore. This element is used when state law does not recognize treasury stock.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 29, 30 -Article 5 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB) -Number 12 -Paragraph 10 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 04 -Article 3 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 43 -Chapter 1 -Section B -Paragraph 11A falsefalse9false0us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodValueus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1true falsefalse809000000809000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse569000000569000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3 truefalsefalse35580000003558000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis element represents the value of stock that has been repurchased during the period and has not been retired and is not held in treasury. Some state laws may mandate the circumstances under which an entity may acquire its own stock and prescribe the accounting treatment therefore. This element is used when state law does not recognize treas ury stock.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 29, 30, 31 -Article 5 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB) -Number 12 -Paragraph 10 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 04 -Article 3 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 43 -Chapter 1 -Section B -Paragraph 11A falsefalse10false0ups_StockRepurchaseProgramAuthorizedAmountupsfalsecreditdurationStock repurchase program, authorized amountfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1truefalsefalse1000000000010000000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryStock repurchase program, authorized amountNo authoritative reference available.falsefalse11false0ups_StockRep urchaseProgramRemainingAuthorizedRepurchaseAmountupsfalsecreditinstantStock repurchase program, remaining authorized repurchase amountfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1truefalsefalse51940000005194000000falsetruefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryStock repurchase program, remaining authorized repurchase amountNo authoritative reference available.falsefalse12false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.ups.com/taxonomy/role/disclosureshareownersequityadditionalinformation1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsef alse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse< /hasScenarios>4falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis} : Class A common stock 1/1/2010 - 12/31/2010 USD ($) $eol_PE10216---1010-K0013_STD_365_20101231_0_411810x401074http://www.sec.gov/CIK0001090727duration2010-01-01T00:00:002010-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseClass A common stockus-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_CommonClassAMemberus-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxisexplicitMemberiso4217_USDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.o rg/2003/iso4217USDiso42170sharesStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instanceshares0VoteStandardhttp://www.ups.com/20101231Voteups0iso4217_USD_per_sharesDividehttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso4217http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instances hares0USDUSD$5falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis} : Class A common stock 1/1/2009 - 12/31/2009 USD ($) $eol_PE10216---1010-K0013_STD_365_20091231_0_411810x401074http://www.sec.gov/CIK0001090727duration2009-01-01T00:00:002009-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseClass A common stockus-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_CommonClassAMemberus-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxisexplicitMembersharesStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/20 03/instanceshares0iso4217_USDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$6falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis} : Class A common stock 1/1/2008 - 12/31/2008 USD ($) $eol_PE10216---1010-K0013_STD_366_20081231_0_411810x401074http://www.sec.gov/CIK0001090727duration2008-01-01T00:00:002008-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseClass A common stockus-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_CommonClassAMemberus-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxisexplicitMembersharesStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/20 03/instanceshares0iso4217_USDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse13true0ups_StockholdersEquityNoteLineItemsupsfalsenadurationStockholders Equity Note [Line Items]falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringStockholders Equity Note [Line Items]falsefalse14false0ups_CommonStockVotesPerShareupsfalsenadurationCommon Stock, Votes per sharefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1truefalsefalse1010falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:integerItemTypeintege rCommon Stock, Votes per shareNo authoritative reference available.falsefalse15false0us-gaap_CommonStockParOrStatedValuePerShareus-gaaptruenainstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1truefalsefalse0.010.01falsetruefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalse false3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseEPSus-types:perShareItemTypedecimalFace amount or stated value of common stock per share; generally not indicative of the fair market value per share.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 129 -Paragraph 4 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 30 -Article 5 falsetrue16false0us-gaap_CommonStockSharesAuthorizedus-gaaptruenainstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1truefalsefalse46000000004600000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefa lse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseSharesxbrli:sharesItemTypesharesThe maximum number of common shares permitted to be issued by an entity's charter and bylaws.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 30 -Article 5 falsefalse17false0us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodSharesus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefal sefalse-6000000-6000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse-10000000-10000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3true< /IsNumeric>falsefalse-11000000-11000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalseSharesxbrli:sharesItemTypesharesNumber of shares that have been repurchased during the period and have not been retired and are not held in treasury. Some state laws may govern the circumstances under which an entity may acquire its own stock and prescribe the accounting treatment therefore. This element is used when state law does not recognize treasury stock.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 29, 30 -Article 5 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB) -Number 12 -Paragraph 10 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 04 -Article 3 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 43 -Chapter 1 -Section B -Paragraph 11A falsefalse18false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.ups.com/taxonomy/role/disclosureshareownersequityadditionalinformation1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis} : Class B common stock 1/1/2010 - 12/31/2010 USD ($) $eol_PE10216---1010-K0013_STD_365_20101231_0_411810x401075http://www.sec.gov/CIK0001090727duration2010-01-01T00:00:002010-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseClass B common stockus-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_CommonClassBMemberus-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxisexplicitMemberVoteStandardhttp://www.ups.com/20101 231Voteups0sharesStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instanceshares0iso4217_USDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170iso4217_USD_per_sharesDividehttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso4217http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instances hares0USDUSD$8falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis} : Class B common stock 1/1/2009 - 12/31/2009 USD ($) $eol_PE10216---1010-K0013_STD_365_20091231_0_411810x401075http://www.sec.gov/CIK0001090727duration2009-01-01T00:00:002009-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseClass B common stockus-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_CommonClassBMemberus-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxisexplicitMembersharesStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/20 03/instanceshares0iso4217_USDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$9falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis} : Class B common stock 1/1/2008 - 12/31/2008 USD ($) $eol_PE10216---1010-K0013_STD_366_20081231_0_411810x401075http://www.sec.gov/CIK0001090727duration2008-01-01T00:00:002008-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseClass B common stockus-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_CommonClassBMemberus-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxisexplicitMembersharesStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/20 03/instanceshares0iso4217_USDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse19true0ups_StockholdersEquityNoteLineItemsupsfalsenadurationStockholders Equity Note [Line Items]falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringStockholders Equity Note [Line Items]falsefalse20false0ups_CommonStockVotesPerShareupsfalsenadurationCommon Stock, Votes per sharefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1truefalsefalse11falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:integerItemTypeinteger< /SimpleDataType>Common Stock, Votes per shareNo authoritative reference available.falsefalse21false0us-gaap_CommonStockParOrStatedValuePerShareus-gaaptruenainstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1truefalsefalse0.010.01falsetruefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseEPSus-types:perShareItemTypedecimalFace amount or stated value of common stock per share; generally not indicative of the fair market value per share.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 129 -Paragraph 4 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 30 -Article 5 falsetrue22false0us-gaap_CommonStockSharesAuthorizedus-gaaptruenainstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1truefalsefalse56000000005600000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefa lse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseSharesxbrli:sharesItemTypesharesThe maximum number of common shares permitted to be issued by an entity's charter and bylaws.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 30 -Article 5 falsefalse23false0us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodSharesus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefal sefalse-6000000-6000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse-1000000-1000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse-43000000-43000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalseSharesxbrli:sharesItemTypesharesNumber of shares that have been repurchased during the period and have not been retired and are not held in treasury. Some state laws may govern the circumstances under which an entity may acquire its own stock and prescribe the accounting treatment therefore. This element is used when state law does not recognize treasury stock.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 29, 30 -Article 5 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB) -Number 12 -Paragraph 10 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 04 -Article 3 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 43 -Chapter 1 -Section B -Paragraph 11A falsefalse322SHAREOWNERS' EQUITY - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)NoRoundingNoRoundingNoRoundingUnKnowntruetrue