2.2.0.25truefalse137 - Disclosure - Changes in Level 3 Instruments Measured on a Recurring Basis (Detail)truefalseIn Millionsfalse1falsefalseUSDfalsefalse1/1/2011 - 3/31/2011
USD ($)
USD ($) / shares
$eol_PE10216---1110-Q0006_STD_90_20110331_0http://www.sec.gov/CIK0001090727duration2011-01-01T00:00:002011-03-31T00:00:00iso4217_USDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170sharesStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instanceshares0pureStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepure0iso4217_USD_per_sharesDividehttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso4217http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instanceshares0PersonStandardhttp://www.ups.com/20110331Personups0CreditFacilityStandardhttp://www.ups.com/20110331CreditFacilityups0USDUSD$2true0us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationLineItemsus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringLine items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.falsefalse3false0us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetValueus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetruefalsefalseperiodstartlabel1truefalsefalse405000000405falsetruefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis element represents an asset measured at fair value using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) which is required for reconciliation purposes of beginning and ending balances.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 157
-Paragraph 32
-Subparagraph c
falsefalse4false0us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetTransfersNetus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1falsefalsefalse00 falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis element represents [net] transfers in to and out of assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis using unobservable inputs (Level 3) which have taken place during the period.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 157
-Paragraph 32
-Subparagraph c(3)
falsefalse5true0us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationAbstractus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalse6false0us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetGainLossIncludedInEarningsus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1truefalsefalse-13000000-13falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis element represents total gains or losses for the period (realized and unrealized), arising from assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis using unobservable inputs (Level 3), which are included in earnings or resulted in a change in net asset value.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 157
-Paragraph 32
-Subparagraph c(1)
falsefalse7false0us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetGainLossIncludedInOtherComprehensiveIncomeus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1falsefalsefalse00 falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis element represents total gains or losses for the period (realized and unrealized), arising from assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis using unobservable inputs (Level 3), which are included in other comprehensive income (a separate component of shareholders' equity.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 157
-Paragraph 32
-Subparagraph c(1)
falsefalse8false0ups_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetPurchasesupsfalsedebitdurationFair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Purchasesfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1falsefalsefalse00 falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryFair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, PurchasesNo authoritative reference available.falsefalse9false0ups_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetSalesupsfalsecreditdurationFair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Salesfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetruenegated1truefalsefalse-138000000-138falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryFair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, SalesNo authoritative reference available.falsefalse10false0us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetValueus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetruefalseperiodendlabel1truefalsefalse254000000254falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis element represents an asset measured at fair value using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) which is required for reconciliation purposes of beginning and ending balances.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 157
-Paragraph 32
-Subparagraph c
falsefalse11false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.ups.com/taxonomy/role/disclosurechangesinlevel3instrumentsmeasuredonarecurringbasis1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByAssetTypeAxis} : Marketable securities
1/1/2011 - 3/31/2011
USD ($)
$eol_PE10216---1110-Q0006_STD_90_20110331_0_403669x420126http://www.sec.gov/CIK0001090727duration2011-01-01T00:00:002011-03-31T00:00:00falsefalseMarketable securitiesus-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByAssetTypeAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldiups_MarketableSecuritiesMemberus-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByAssetTypeAxisexplicitMemberiso4217_USDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse12true0us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationLineItemsus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringLine items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.falsefalse13false0us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetValueus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetruefalsefalseperiodstartlabel1truefalsefalse138000000138falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis element represents an asset measured at fair value using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) which is required for reconciliation purposes of beginning and ending balances.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 157
-Paragraph 32
-Subparagraph c
falsefalse14false0us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetTransfersNetus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1falsefalsefalse00 falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis element represents [net] transfers in to and out of assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis using unobservable inputs (Level 3) which have taken place during the period.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 157
-Paragraph 32
-Subparagraph c(3)
falsefalse15true0us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationAbstractus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalse16false0us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetGainLossIncludedInOtherComprehensiveIncomeus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1falsefalsefalse00 falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis element represents total gains or losses for the period (realized and unrealized), arising from assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis using unobservable inputs (Level 3), which are included in other comprehensive income (a separate component of shareholders' equity.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 157
-Paragraph 32
-Subparagraph c(1)
falsefalse17false0ups_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetPurchasesupsfalsedebitdurationFair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Purchasesfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1falsefalsefalse00 falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryFair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, PurchasesNo authoritative reference available.falsefalse18false0ups_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetSalesupsfalsecreditdurationFair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Salesfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetruenegated1truefalsefalse-138000000-138falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryFair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, SalesNo authoritative reference available.falsefalse19false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.ups.com/taxonomy/role/disclosurechangesinlevel3instrumentsmeasuredonarecurringbasis1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByAssetTypeAxis} : Other Long-term Investments
1/1/2011 - 3/31/2011
USD ($)
$eol_PE10216---1110-Q0006_STD_90_20110331_0_403669x408291http://www.sec.gov/CIK0001090727duration2011-01-01T00:00:002011-03-31T00:00:00falsefalseOther Long-term Investmentsus-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByAssetTypeAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_OtherLongTermInvestmentsMemberus-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByAssetTypeAxisexplicitMemberiso4217_USDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse20true0us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationLineItemsus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringLine items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.falsefalse21false0us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetValueus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetruefalsefalseperiodstartlabel1truefalsefalse267000000267falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis element represents an asset measured at fair value using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) which is required for reconciliation purposes of beginning and ending balances.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 157
-Paragraph 32
-Subparagraph c
falsefalse22false0us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetTransfersNetus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1falsefalsefalse00 falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis element represents [net] transfers in to and out of assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis using unobservable inputs (Level 3) which have taken place during the period.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 157
-Paragraph 32
-Subparagraph c(3)
falsefalse23true0us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationAbstractus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalse24false0us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetGainLossIncludedInEarningsus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1truefalsefalse-13000000-13falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis element represents total gains or losses for the period (realized and unrealized), arising from assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis using unobservable inputs (Level 3), which are included in earnings or resulted in a change in net asset value.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 157
-Paragraph 32
-Subparagraph c(1)
falsefalse25false0us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetGainLossIncludedInOtherComprehensiveIncomeus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1falsefalsefalse00 falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis element represents total gains or losses for the period (realized and unrealized), arising from assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis using unobservable inputs (Level 3), which are included in other comprehensive income (a separate component of shareholders' equity.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 157
-Paragraph 32
-Subparagraph c(1)
falsefalse26false0ups_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetPurchasesupsfalsedebitdurationFair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Purchasesfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1falsefalsefalse00 falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryFair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, PurchasesNo authoritative reference available.falsefalse27false0us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetValueus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetruefalseperiodendlabel1truefalsefalse254000000254falsetruefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis element represents an asset measured at fair value using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) which is required for reconciliation purposes of beginning and ending balances.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 157
-Paragraph 32
-Subparagraph c
falsefalse126Changes in Level 3 Instruments Measured on a Recurring Basis (Detail) (USD $)MillionsUnKnownUnKnownUnKnownfalsetrue