Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS - Additional Information (Detail)

v2.4.1.9
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2015
Dec. 31, 2014
Employees
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]    
Number of employees under a national master agreement and various supplemental agreements with local unions affiliated with Teamsters   270,000ups_NumberOfEmployeesUnderNationalMasterAgreementAndVariousSupplementalAgreementsWithLocalUnionsAffiliatedWithTeamsters
Majority of ground mechanics not employed under agreements   3,100ups_GroundmechanicsemployedunderIAMagreements
Number of pilots under a collective bargaining agreement with the Independent Pilots Association   2,600ups_NumberofpilotsunderacollectivebargainingagreementwiththeIndependentPilotsAssociation
Defined Benefit Pension Plan    
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]    
Amount contributed to company- sponsored benefit plans $ 20us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanContributionsByEmployer
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
 
Estimated future employer contributions to defined benefit plan, current fiscal year 1.1  
Defined Benefit Postretirement Medical Benefit Plan    
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]    
Amount contributed to company- sponsored benefit plans 27us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanContributionsByEmployer
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_UnitedStatesPostretirementBenefitPlansOfUSEntityDefinedBenefitMember
 
Estimated future employer contributions to defined benefit plan, current fiscal year 77  
Defined Benefit Plan, Recognized Net Gain (Loss) Due to Settlements and Curtailments 0us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanRecognizedNetGainLossDueToSettlementsAndCurtailments1
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_UnitedStatesPostretirementBenefitPlansOfUSEntityDefinedBenefitMember
 
Multiemployer Plans, Pension [Member]    
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]    
Multiemployer Plans, Withdrawal Obligation, Present Value 876ups_MultiemployerPlansWithdrawalObligationPresentValue
/ us-gaap_MultiemployerPlanTypeAxis
= us-gaap_MultiemployerPlansPensionMember
878ups_MultiemployerPlansWithdrawalObligationPresentValue
/ us-gaap_MultiemployerPlanTypeAxis
= us-gaap_MultiemployerPlansPensionMember
Multi-employer Plans, Withdrawal Obligation, Fair Value Disclosure $ 930ups_MultiemployerPlansWithdrawalObligationFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_MultiemployerPlanTypeAxis
= us-gaap_MultiemployerPlansPensionMember
913ups_MultiemployerPlansWithdrawalObligationFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_MultiemployerPlanTypeAxis
= us-gaap_MultiemployerPlansPensionMember