Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS - Additional Information (Detail)

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EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011
Dec. 31, 2010
Dec. 31, 2009
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]      
Health care cost trends, initial annual rate increase 8.00%    
Health care cost trends, an ultimate trend rate 5.00%    
Expected year when ultimate trend rate to be reached 2018    
Accumulated benefit obligation for pension plans $ 23,307 $ 20,241  
Employer contributions 1,436 3,240 924
Fair value of plan assets 22,837 20,325  
Other Investments | Comingled Stock Funds
      
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]      
Fair value of plan assets 3,895 3,766  
Other Investments | Private Equity and Real Estate
      
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]      
Fair value of plan assets 2,302 2,098  
Redemption notice period, lower limit 12 years    
Redemption notice period, upper limit 18 years    
Unfunded Commitments, Private Equity and Real Estate Funds 701    
Other Investments | Private Equity and Real Estate | Minimum
      
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]      
Remaining investment period 3    
Other Investments | Private Equity and Real Estate | Maximum
      
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]      
Remaining investment period 6    
Other Investments | Hedge Funds
      
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]      
Fair value of plan assets 2,743 2,023  
Redemption notice period, lower limit 2 months    
Redemption notice period, upper limit 3 months    
Equity Securities | Class A common stock
      
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]      
Equity securities, UPS Class A shares of common stock amounts   346  
Equity securities, UPS Class A shares of common stock percentage of total plan assets   1.70%  
U.S. Postretirement Medical Benefits
      
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]      
Fair value of plan assets 174 233 298
U.S. Postretirement Medical Benefits | Minimum
      
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]      
Postretirement medical plans service minimum eligibility year 10 years    
Postretirement medical plans service minimum eligibility age 55    
Employee Defined Contribution Plans
      
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]      
Contributions charged to expense 80 4 21
Defined Contribution Money Purchase Plans
      
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]      
Contributions charged to expense 76 78 80
Pension Benefits
      
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]      
Decrease in projected benefit obligation due to each basis point increase in discount rate 39    
Employer contributions 14 14  
Postretirement Medical Benefits
      
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]      
Decrease in projected benefit obligation due to each basis point increase in discount rate 4    
Employer contributions 108 94  
International Pension Benefits
      
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]      
Fair value of plan assets $ 613 $ 561 $ 481
Asset allocations for the plans, Equity securities 55.00%    
Asset allocations for the plans, Debt securities 35.00%    
Asset allocations for the plans, other 10.00%