2.2.0.25falsefalse1095 - Disclosure - Deferred Tax Liabilities and Assets (Detail)truefalseIn Millionsfalse1falsefalseUSDfalsefalse12/31/2010 USD ($) USD ($) / shares $eol_PE10216---1010-K0013_STD_0_20101231_0http://www.sec.gov/CIK0001090727instant2010-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00iso4217_USDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170iso4217_USD_per_sharesDividehttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso4217http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instanceshares0sharesStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instanceshares0PersonStandardhttp://www.ups.com/20101231Personups0CreditFacilityStandardhttp://www.ups.com/20101231CreditFacilityups0pureStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/20 03/instancepure0USDUSD$2falsefalseUSDfalsefalse12/31/2009 USD ($) $eol_PE10216---1010-K0013_STD_0_20091231_0http://www.sec.gov/CIK0001090727instant2009-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00iso4217_USDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170sharesStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instanceshares0pureStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepure0USDUSD$4true0ups_ScheduleOfDeferredIncomeTaxAssetsAndLiabilitiesLineItemsupsfalsenadurationSchedule of Deferred Income Tax Assets and Liabilities [Line Items]falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringSchedule of Deferred Income Tax Assets and Liabilities [Line Items]falsefalse5false0us-gaap_DeferredTaxLiabilitiesPropertyPlantAndEquipmentus-gaaptruecreditinstantNo definition available.falsefals efalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1truefalsefalse33350000003335falsetruefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse31410000003141falsetruefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe amount as of the balance sheet date of the estimated future tax effects attributable to the difference between the tax basis of capital assets and the basis of capital assets computed in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. The difference in basis, attributable to different capitalization of costs, depreciation, or amortization methodologies, will increase fu ture taxable income when such basis difference is realized. Capital assets include but are not limited to assets such as land, real estate, leasehold improvements, machinery and equipment and furniture and fixtures.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 109 -Paragraph 43 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 109 -Paragraph 11 -Subparagraph d, e, f falsefalse6false0us-gaap_DeferredTaxLiabilitiesGoodwillAndIntangibleAssetsus-gaaptruecreditinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1truefalsefalse853000000853falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse791000000791falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetary< /Unit>xbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe cumulative amount of the estimated future tax effects attributable to the difference between the tax basis of goodwill and intangible assets and the basis of goodwill and intangible assets computed in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. The difference in basis, whether due to amortization or other reasons, will increase future taxable income when such difference reverses.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 109 -Paragraph 43 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 109 -Paragraph 11 -Subparagraph d falsefalse7false0us-gaap_DeferredTaxLiabilitiesOtherus-gaaptruecreditinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1truefalsefalse562000000562falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse401000000401falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe cumulative amount of the estimated future tax effects attributable to other temporary differences not otherwise specified in this taxonomy that were expensed for tax purposes but capitalized in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles, or which were recognized as revenue under GAAP but not for tax purposes, which will reverse in future periods.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 109 -Paragraph 43 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 109 -Paragraph 11 -Subparagraph a, d, e falsefalse8false0ups_DeferredTaxLiabilitiesGrossupsfalsecreditinstantDeferred Tax Liabilities, Grossfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetotallabel1truefalse false47500000004750falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse43330000004333falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryDeferred Tax Liabilities, GrossNo authoritative reference available.truefalse9false0us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsTaxDeferredExpenseCompensationAndBenefitsPostretirementBenefitsus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition 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enable the deduction to be taken.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 109 -Paragraph 43 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 109 -Paragraph 11 -Subparagraph b falsefalse13false0us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsTaxDeferredExpenseCompensationAndBenefitsCompensatedAbsencesus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1true falsefalse191000000191falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse186000000186falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe tax effect as of the balance sheet date of the amount of the estimated future tax deductions arising from vacation and other compensated absence costs (such as sick days, personal days), which can only be deducted for tax purposes when actual costs are incurred, and which can only be realized if sufficient tax-basis income is generated in future periods to enable the deduction to be taken.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 109 -Paragraph 43 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 109 -Paragraph 11 -Subparagraph b falsefalse14false0us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsTaxDeferredExpenseCompensationAndBenefitsShareBasedCompensationCostus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1true falsefalse242000000242falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse244000000244falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe tax effect as of the balance sheet date of the amount of the estimated future tax deductions arising from share-based compensation costs, which can only be deducted for tax purposes when actual costs are incurred, and which can only be realized if sufficient tax-basis income is generated in future periods to enable the deduction to be taken.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 109 -Paragraph 43 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 109 -Paragraph 11 -Subparagraph b falsefalse15false0us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsOtherus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1truefalsefalse568000000568falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse589000000589falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetary< ElementDataType>xbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe tax effect as of the balance sheet date of the amount of estimated future tax deductions arising from other temporary differences not otherwise specified in the taxonomy.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 109 -Paragraph 43 falsefalse16false0us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsGrossus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetotallabel1truefalsefalse 38150000003815falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse39140000003914falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe sum of the tax effects as of the balance sheet date of the amounts of all future tax deductions arising from temporary differences between tax basis and generally accepted accounting principles basis recognition of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, which can only be deducted for tax purposes when permitted under enacted tax laws ( before the valuation allowance, if any, to reduce such sum amount to net realizable value). Includes any tax benefit realized in deferred tax assets for significant impacts of tax planning strategies.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 109 -Paragraph 43, 289 truefalse17false0us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsValuationAllowanceus-gaaptruecreditinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetruenegated1truefalsefalse-207000000-207falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse-237000000-237falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe sum of the portions of deferred tax assets as of the balance sheet date for which, based on the weight of available evidence, it is more likely than not will not be realized through future reductions of tax-based income.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 109 -Paragraph 17 -Subparagraph e Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 109 -Paragraph 43-49 falsefalse18false0us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsNetus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetotallabel1truefalsefalse36080000003608falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse36770000003677falsefalsefalsefalsefalse< Unit>Monetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe aggregate tax effects as of the balance sheet date of all future tax deductions arising from temporary differences between tax basis and generally accepted accounting principles basis recognition of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, which can only be deducted for tax purposes when permitted under enacted tax laws; net of deducting the allocated valuation allowance, if any, to reduce such amount to net realizable value.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 109 -Paragraph 43 truefalse19false0us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsLiabilitiesNetus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetruenegatedtotal1truefalsefalse11420000001142falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse656000000656falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMon etaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryFor entities that net deferred tax assets and tax liabilities, represents the unclassified net amount of deferred tax assets and liabilities as of the balance sheet date, which result from applying the applicable enacted tax rate to net temporary differences and carryforwards pertaining to assets or liabilities. A temporary difference is a difference between the tax basis of an asset or liability and its carrying amount in the financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles that will reverse in ensuing periods.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 109 -Paragraph 42, 43 truefalse20true0ups_DeferredTaxAssetAndLiabilitiesAmountsRecognizedInBalanceSheetAbstractupsfalsenadurationDeferred Tax Asset And Liabilities Amounts Recognized In Balance Sheet [Abstract]falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse 1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringDeferred Tax Asset And Liabilities Amounts Recognized In Balance Sheet [Abstract]falsefalse21false0us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsNetCurrentus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1truefalsefalse659000000659falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse585000000585falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe current portion of the aggregate tax effects as of the balance sheet date of all future tax deductions arising from temporary differences between tax basis and generally accepted accounting principles basis recognition of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, which can only be deducted for tax purposes when permitted under enacted tax laws; after deducting the allocated valuation allowance, if any, to reduce such amount to net realizable value. Deferred tax liabilities and assets shall be classified as current or noncurrent based on the classification of the related asset or liability for financial reporting. A deferred tax liability or asset that is not related to an asset or liability for financial reporting, including deferred tax assets related to carryforwards, shall be classified according to the expected reversal date of the temporary difference. An unrecognized tax benefit that is directly related to a position taken in a tax year that results in a net operating loss carryforward should be presented as a reduction of the related deferred tax asset.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 109 -Paragraph 41, 42, 43 falsefalse22false0us-gaap_DeferredTaxLiabilitiesCurrentus-gaaptruecreditinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1truefalsefals e2800000028falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse20000002falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrl i:monetaryItemTypemonetaryRepresents the current portion of deferred tax liabilities, which result from applying the applicable tax rate to net taxable temporary differences pertaining to each jurisdiction to which the entity is obligated to pay income tax. A current taxable temporary difference is a difference between the tax basis and the carrying amount of a current asset or liability in the financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. In a classified statement of financial position, an enterprise shall separate deferred tax liabilities and assets into a current amount and a noncurrent amount. Deferred tax liabilities and assets shall be classified as current or noncurrent based on the classification of the related asset or liability for financial reporting. A deferred tax liability or asset that is not related to an asset or liability for financial reporting, including deferred tax assets r elated to carryforwards, shall be classified according to the expected reversal date of the temporary difference.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 109 -Paragraph 41, 42, 43 falsefalse23false0us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsNetNoncurrentus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1truefalsefalse9700000097falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse5400000054falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe noncurrent portion as of the balance sheet date of the aggregate carrying amount of all future tax deductions arising from temporary differences between tax basis and generally accepted accounting principles basis recognition of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, which can only be deducted for tax purposes when permitted under enacted tax laws; after the valuation allowance, if any, to reduce such amount to net realizable value. Deferred tax liabilities and assets shall be classified as current or noncurrent based on the classification of the related asset or liability for financial reporting. A deferred tax liability or asset that is not related to an asset or liability for financial reporting, including deferred tax assets related to carryforwards, shall be classified according to the expected reversal date of the temporary difference.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 109 -Paragraph 41, 42, 43 falsefalse24false0us-gaap_DeferredTaxLiabilitiesNoncurrentus-gaaptruecreditinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse18700000001870falsetruefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse12930000001293falsetruefalsefalsefalse Monetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryRepresents the noncurrent portion of deferred tax liabilities, which result from applying the applicable tax rate to net taxable temporary differences pertaining to each jurisdiction to which the entity is obligated to pay income tax. A noncurrent taxable temporary difference is a difference between the tax basis and the carrying amount of a noncurrent asset or liability in the financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. In a classified statement of financial position, an enterprise shall separate deferred tax liabilities and assets into a current amount and a noncurrent amount. Deferred tax liabilities and assets shall be classified as current or noncurrent based on the classification of the related asset or liability for financial reporting. A deferred tax liability or asset that is n ot related to an asset or liability for financial reporting, including deferred tax assets related to carryforwards, shall be classified according to the expected reversal date of the temporary difference.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 109 -Paragraph 41, 42 falsefalse221Deferred Tax Liabilities and Assets (Detail) (USD $)MillionsUnKnownUnKnownUnKnownfalsetrue