Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

DEBT AND FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS - Carrying Value of Debt Obligations (Detail)

v2.4.1.9
DEBT AND FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS - Carrying Value of Debt Obligations (Detail) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
 12 Months Ended 1 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2001
May 31, 2007
Dec. 31, 2013
Apr. 01, 2014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]          
Document Fiscal Year Focus 2014        
Principal Amount $ 11,586us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount        
Long-term Debt 10,081us-gaap_LongTermDebt        
Total debt 10,787us-gaap_LongTermDebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations     10,872us-gaap_LongTermDebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations  
Less current maturities (923)us-gaap_LongTermDebtCurrent     (48)us-gaap_LongTermDebtCurrent  
Long-Term Debt 9,864us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent     10,824us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent  
8.375% debentures Due 2020          
Debt Instrument [Line Items]          
Debt instrument, stated interest rate percentage 8.375%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ups_Debentures8Point375PercentDue2020Member 		       
Maturity - Maximum Date Jan. 01, 2020        
8.375% debentures Due 2030          
Debt Instrument [Line Items]          
Debt instrument, stated interest rate percentage 8.375%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ups_Debentures8Point375PercentDue2030Member 		       
Maturity - Maximum Date Jan. 01, 2030        
5.50% Pound Sterling Notes          
Debt Instrument [Line Items]          
Maturity   Feb. 12, 2031      
5.13% Pound Sterling Notes          
Debt Instrument [Line Items]          
Maturity     Feb. 28, 2050    
Floating rate senior notes          
Debt Instrument [Line Items]          
Maturity - Minimum Date Jan. 01, 2049        
Maturity - Maximum Date Jan. 01, 2053        
Capital lease obligations          
Debt Instrument [Line Items]          
Maturity - Minimum Date Jan. 01, 2014        
Maturity - Maximum Date Jan. 01, 3004        
Facility notes and bonds          
Debt Instrument [Line Items]          
Maturity - Minimum Date Jan. 01, 2015        
Maturity - Maximum Date Jan. 01, 2036        
Other debt          
Debt Instrument [Line Items]          
Maturity - Minimum Date Jan. 01, 2014        
Maturity - Maximum Date Jan. 01, 2022        
Commercial paper          
Debt Instrument [Line Items]          
Principal Amount 772us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_CommercialPaperMember 		       
Long-term Debt 772us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_CommercialPaperMember 		    0us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_CommercialPaperMember 		 
Senior notes | 4.50% senior notes          
Debt Instrument [Line Items]          
Debt instrument, stated interest rate percentage 4.50%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ups_A450SeniorNotesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember 		       
Maturity - Maximum Date Jan. 01, 2013        
Senior notes | 3.875% senior notes          
Debt Instrument [Line Items]          
Principal Amount 1,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ups_A3875SeniorNotesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember 		      1,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ups_A3875SeniorNotesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
Debt instrument, stated interest rate percentage 3.875%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ups_A3875SeniorNotesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember 		      3.875%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ups_A3875SeniorNotesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
Maturity - Maximum Date Jan. 01, 2014        
Long-term Debt 0us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ups_A3875SeniorNotesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember 		    1,007us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ups_A3875SeniorNotesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember 		 
Senior notes | 1.125% senior notes          
Debt Instrument [Line Items]          
Principal Amount 375us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ups_A1125SeniornotesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember 		       
Debt instrument, stated interest rate percentage 1.125%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ups_A1125SeniornotesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember 		       
Maturity - Maximum Date Jan. 01, 2017        
Long-term Debt 370us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ups_A1125SeniornotesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember 		    367us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ups_A1125SeniornotesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember 		 
Senior notes | 5.50% senior notes          
Debt Instrument [Line Items]          
Principal Amount 750us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ups_A550SeniorNotesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember 		       
Debt instrument, stated interest rate percentage 5.50%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ups_A550SeniorNotesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember 		       
Maturity - Maximum Date Jan. 01, 2018        
Long-term Debt 802us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ups_A550SeniorNotesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember 		    821us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ups_A550SeniorNotesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember 		 
Senior notes | 5.125% senior notes          
Debt Instrument [Line Items]          
Principal Amount 1,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ups_A5125SeniorNotesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember 		       
Debt instrument, stated interest rate percentage 5.125%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ups_A5125SeniorNotesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember 		       
Maturity - Maximum Date Jan. 01, 2019        
Long-term Debt 1,076us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ups_A5125SeniorNotesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember 		    1,079us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ups_A5125SeniorNotesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember 		 
Senior notes | 3.125% senior notes          
Debt Instrument [Line Items]          
Principal Amount 1,500us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ups_A3125SeniorNotesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember 		       
Debt instrument, stated interest rate percentage 3.125%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ups_A3125SeniorNotesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember 		       
Maturity - Maximum Date Jan. 01, 2021        
Long-term Debt 1,617us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ups_A3125SeniorNotesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember 		    1,579us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ups_A3125SeniorNotesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember 		 
Senior notes | 2.45% senior notes          
Debt Instrument [Line Items]          
Principal Amount 1,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ups_A245SeniorNotesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember 		       
Debt instrument, stated interest rate percentage 2.45%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ups_A245SeniorNotesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember 		       
Maturity - Maximum Date Jan. 01, 2022        
Long-term Debt 977us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ups_A245SeniorNotesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember 		    913us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ups_A245SeniorNotesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember 		 
Senior notes | 6.20% senior notes          
Debt Instrument [Line Items]          
Principal Amount 1,500us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ups_A620SeniorNotesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember 		       
Debt instrument, stated interest rate percentage 6.20%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ups_A620SeniorNotesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember 		       
Maturity - Maximum Date Jan. 01, 2038        
Long-term Debt 1,481us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ups_A620SeniorNotesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember 		    1,481us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ups_A620SeniorNotesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember 		 
Senior notes | 4.875% senior notes          
Debt Instrument [Line Items]          
Principal Amount 500us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ups_A4875SeniorNotesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember 		       
Debt instrument, stated interest rate percentage 4.875%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ups_A4875SeniorNotesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember 		       
Maturity - Maximum Date Jan. 01, 2040        
Long-term Debt 489us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ups_A4875SeniorNotesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember 		    489us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ups_A4875SeniorNotesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember 		 
Senior notes | 3.625% senior notes          
Debt Instrument [Line Items]          
Principal Amount 375us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ups_A3625SeniorNotesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember 		       
Debt instrument, stated interest rate percentage 3.625%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ups_A3625SeniorNotesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember 		       
Maturity - Maximum Date Jan. 01, 2042        
Long-term Debt 367us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ups_A3625SeniorNotesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember 		    367us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ups_A3625SeniorNotesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember 		 
Senior notes | 8.375% debentures Due 2020          
Debt Instrument [Line Items]          
Principal Amount 424us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ups_Debentures8Point375PercentDue2020Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember 		       
Long-term Debt 480us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ups_Debentures8Point375PercentDue2020Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember 		    479us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ups_Debentures8Point375PercentDue2020Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember 		 
Senior notes | 8.375% debentures Due 2030          
Debt Instrument [Line Items]          
Principal Amount 276us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ups_Debentures8Point375PercentDue2030Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember 		       
Long-term Debt 283us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ups_Debentures8Point375PercentDue2030Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember 		    283us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ups_Debentures8Point375PercentDue2030Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember 		 
Senior notes | Floating rate senior notes          
Debt Instrument [Line Items]          
Principal Amount 463us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ups_FloatingRateSeniorNotesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember 		       
Long-term Debt 459us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ups_FloatingRateSeniorNotesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember 		    370us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ups_FloatingRateSeniorNotesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember 		 
Pound Sterling notes | 5.50% Pound Sterling Notes          
Debt Instrument [Line Items]          
Principal Amount 103us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ups_PoundSterlingNotes5Point5PercentMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= ups_PoundSterlingNotesMember 		       
Debt instrument, stated interest rate percentage 5.50%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ups_PoundSterlingNotes5Point5PercentMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= ups_PoundSterlingNotesMember 		       
Maturity - Maximum Date Jan. 01, 2031        
Long-term Debt 99us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ups_PoundSterlingNotes5Point5PercentMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= ups_PoundSterlingNotesMember 		    105us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ups_PoundSterlingNotes5Point5PercentMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= ups_PoundSterlingNotesMember 		 
Pound Sterling notes | 5.13% Pound Sterling Notes          
Debt Instrument [Line Items]          
Principal Amount 706us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ups_PoundSterlingNotes5Point125PercentMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= ups_PoundSterlingNotesMember 		       
Debt instrument, stated interest rate percentage 5.125%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ups_PoundSterlingNotes5Point125PercentMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= ups_PoundSterlingNotesMember 		       
Maturity - Maximum Date Jan. 01, 2050        
Long-term Debt 673us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ups_PoundSterlingNotes5Point125PercentMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= ups_PoundSterlingNotesMember 		    714us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ups_PoundSterlingNotes5Point125PercentMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= ups_PoundSterlingNotesMember 		 
Capital lease obligations          
Debt Instrument [Line Items]          
Principal Amount 505us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_CapitalLeaseObligationsMember 		       
Long-term Debt 505us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_CapitalLeaseObligationsMember 		    473us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_CapitalLeaseObligationsMember 		 
Facility notes and bonds          
Debt Instrument [Line Items]          
Principal Amount 320us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= ups_FacilityNotesAndBondsMember 		       
Long-term Debt 320us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= ups_FacilityNotesAndBondsMember 		    320us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= ups_FacilityNotesAndBondsMember 		 
Other debt          
Debt Instrument [Line Items]          
Principal Amount 17us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= ups_OtherDebtMember 		       
Long-term Debt $ 17us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= ups_OtherDebtMember 		    $ 25us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= ups_OtherDebtMember