Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

SUMMARY OF ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Additional Information (Detail)

v2.4.1.9
SUMMARY OF ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]      
Allowance for doubtful account $ 121us-gaap_AllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsReceivableCurrent $ 122us-gaap_AllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsReceivableCurrent  
Provision for doubtful accounts expense 143us-gaap_ProvisionForDoubtfulAccounts 129us-gaap_ProvisionForDoubtfulAccounts 155us-gaap_ProvisionForDoubtfulAccounts
Inventories 344us-gaap_InventoryNet 403us-gaap_InventoryNet  
Capitalized interest 11us-gaap_InterestCostsCapitalized 14us-gaap_InterestCostsCapitalized 18us-gaap_InterestCostsCapitalized
Net currency transaction gains and (losses), pre-tax $ 14us-gaap_ForeignCurrencyTransactionGainLossBeforeTax $ 76us-gaap_ForeignCurrencyTransactionGainLossBeforeTax $ 10us-gaap_ForeignCurrencyTransactionGainLossBeforeTax
Change in Assumptions for Pension Plans      
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]      
Net actuarial gains or losses in excess of market-related value of plan assets or the plans' projected benefit obligations 10.00%ups_MaximumPercentageOfActuarialGainOrLossInExcessOfGreaterOfProjectedBenefitObligationOrMarketRelatedValueOfPlanAssets
/ us-gaap_ChangeInAccountingEstimateByTypeAxis
= us-gaap_ChangeInAssumptionsForPensionPlansMember 		   
Minimum      
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]      
Employee share-based awards, Vesting Period 3 years    
Minimum | Other Intangible Assets      
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]      
Finite-lived intangible assets, estimated useful lives range, Minimum 1 year    
Minimum | Capitalized software      
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]      
Finite-lived intangible assets, estimated useful lives range, Minimum 5 years    
Minimum | Vehicles      
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]      
Property, plant and equipment, estimated useful lives range Minimum 3 years    
Minimum | Aircraft      
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]      
Property, plant and equipment, estimated useful lives range Minimum 12 years    
Minimum | Buildings      
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]      
Property, plant and equipment, estimated useful lives range Minimum 20 years    
Minimum | Plant Equipment      
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]      
Property, plant and equipment, estimated useful lives range Minimum 3 years    
Minimum | Technology equipment      
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]      
Property, plant and equipment, estimated useful lives range Minimum 3 years    
Maximum      
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]      
Employee share-based awards, Vesting Period 5 years    
Maximum | Other Intangible Assets      
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]      
Finite-lived intangible assets, estimated useful lives range, Minimum 22 years    
Maximum | Vehicles      
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]      
Property, plant and equipment, estimated useful lives range Minimum 15 years    
Maximum | Aircraft      
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]      
Property, plant and equipment, estimated useful lives range Minimum 30 years    
Maximum | Buildings      
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]      
Property, plant and equipment, estimated useful lives range Minimum 40 years    
Maximum | Plant Equipment      
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]      
Property, plant and equipment, estimated useful lives range Minimum 20 years    
Maximum | Technology equipment      
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]      
Property, plant and equipment, estimated useful lives range Minimum 5 years