Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

SHAREOWNERS' EQUITY - Activity in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Detail)

v2.4.1.9
SHAREOWNERS' EQUITY - Activity in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Detail) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]      
Balance at beginning of year $ (460)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax $ (3,354)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax  
Translation adjustment (net of tax effect of $105, $(5), and $(9)) (331)us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationAdjustmentNetOfTax (260)us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationAdjustmentNetOfTax 294us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationAdjustmentNetOfTax
Current period changes in fair value (net of tax effect of $1, $(3), and $4) 1us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedHoldingGainLossOnSecuritiesArisingDuringPeriodNetOfTax (7)us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedHoldingGainLossOnSecuritiesArisingDuringPeriodNetOfTax 0us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedHoldingGainLossOnSecuritiesArisingDuringPeriodNetOfTax
Current period changes in fair value (net of tax effect of $133, $1 and $(25)) 280us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedGainLossOnDerivativesArisingDuringPeriodNetOfTax 67us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedGainLossOnDerivativesArisingDuringPeriodNetOfTax (82)us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedGainLossOnDerivativesArisingDuringPeriodNetOfTax
Balance at end of period (3,594)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax (460)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax (3,354)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax
Foreign currency translation gain (loss)      
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]      
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI, Realized upon Sale or Liquidation, Net of Tax 0us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationReclassificationAdjustmentFromAOCIRealizedUponSaleOrLiquidationNetOfTax
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Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]      
Balance at beginning of year (126)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax
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134us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax
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(160)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax
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Translation adjustment (net of tax effect of $105, $(5), and $(9)) (331)us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationAdjustmentNetOfTax
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(99)us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationAdjustmentNetOfTax
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= us-gaap_AccumulatedTranslationAdjustmentMember
294us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationAdjustmentNetOfTax
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= us-gaap_AccumulatedTranslationAdjustmentMember
Reclassification to earnings (net of tax effect of $0, $(2), and $(3))   (161)us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossReclassificationAdjustmentFromAOCIForSaleOfSecuritiesNetOfTax
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0us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossReclassificationAdjustmentFromAOCIForSaleOfSecuritiesNetOfTax
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Balance at end of period (457)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax
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(126)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax
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134us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax
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Unrealized gain (loss) on marketable securities, net of tax      
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]      
Balance at beginning of year (1)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
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6us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax
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6us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax
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Current period changes in fair value (net of tax effect of $1, $(3), and $4) 2us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedHoldingGainLossOnSecuritiesArisingDuringPeriodNetOfTax
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(4)us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedHoldingGainLossOnSecuritiesArisingDuringPeriodNetOfTax
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6us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedHoldingGainLossOnSecuritiesArisingDuringPeriodNetOfTax
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Reclassification to earnings (net of tax effect of $0, $(2), and $(3)) (1)us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossReclassificationAdjustmentFromAOCIForSaleOfSecuritiesNetOfTax
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= us-gaap_AccumulatedNetUnrealizedInvestmentGainLossMember
(3)us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossReclassificationAdjustmentFromAOCIForSaleOfSecuritiesNetOfTax
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= us-gaap_AccumulatedNetUnrealizedInvestmentGainLossMember
(6)us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossReclassificationAdjustmentFromAOCIForSaleOfSecuritiesNetOfTax
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Balance at end of period 0us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax
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(1)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax
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6us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax
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Unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges, net of tax      
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]      
Balance at beginning of year (219)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax
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= us-gaap_AccumulatedNetGainLossFromDesignatedOrQualifyingCashFlowHedgesMember
(286)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax
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= us-gaap_AccumulatedNetGainLossFromDesignatedOrQualifyingCashFlowHedgesMember
(204)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax
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Current period changes in fair value (net of tax effect of $133, $1 and $(25)) 220us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedGainLossOnDerivativesArisingDuringPeriodNetOfTax
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1us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedGainLossOnDerivativesArisingDuringPeriodNetOfTax
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(43)us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedGainLossOnDerivativesArisingDuringPeriodNetOfTax
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Reclassification to earnings (net of tax effect of $35, $39, and $(24)) 60us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossReclassificationAdjustmentFromAOCIOnDerivativesNetOfTax
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= us-gaap_AccumulatedNetGainLossFromDesignatedOrQualifyingCashFlowHedgesMember
66us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossReclassificationAdjustmentFromAOCIOnDerivativesNetOfTax
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(39)us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossReclassificationAdjustmentFromAOCIOnDerivativesNetOfTax
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Balance at end of period 61us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax
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(219)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax
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= us-gaap_AccumulatedNetGainLossFromDesignatedOrQualifyingCashFlowHedgesMember
(286)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax
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Unrecognized pension and postretirement benefit costs, net of tax      
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]      
Balance at beginning of year (114)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax
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(3,208)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax
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(2,745)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax
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Reclassification to earnings (net of tax effect of $870, $67, and $1,876) 1,462us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossReclassificationAdjustmentFromAOCIPensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansForNetGainLossNetOfTax
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111us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossReclassificationAdjustmentFromAOCIPensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansForNetGainLossNetOfTax
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3,135us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossReclassificationAdjustmentFromAOCIPensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansForNetGainLossNetOfTax
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Net actuarial gain (loss) and prior service cost resulting from remeasurements of plan assets and liabilities (net of tax effect of $(2,714), $1,786, and $(2,151)) (4,546)ups_OtherComprehensiveIncomeNetActuarialGainsLossesAndPriorServiceCostArisingDuringPeriodNetOfTax
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2,983ups_OtherComprehensiveIncomeNetActuarialGainsLossesAndPriorServiceCostArisingDuringPeriodNetOfTax
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(3,598)ups_OtherComprehensiveIncomeNetActuarialGainsLossesAndPriorServiceCostArisingDuringPeriodNetOfTax
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Balance at end of period (3,198)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax
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(114)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax
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(3,208)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax
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Net Income [Member] [Member] | Foreign currency translation gain (loss)      
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]      
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI, Realized upon Sale or Liquidation, Net of Tax 0us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationReclassificationAdjustmentFromAOCIRealizedUponSaleOrLiquidationNetOfTax
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= ups_NetIncomeMemberMember
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161us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationReclassificationAdjustmentFromAOCIRealizedUponSaleOrLiquidationNetOfTax
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= ups_NetIncomeMemberMember
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0us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationReclassificationAdjustmentFromAOCIRealizedUponSaleOrLiquidationNetOfTax
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Net Income [Member] [Member] | Unrealized gain (loss) on marketable securities, net of tax      
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]      
Reclassification to earnings (net of tax effect of $0, $(2), and $(3)) 1us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossReclassificationAdjustmentFromAOCIForSaleOfSecuritiesNetOfTax
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= us-gaap_AccumulatedNetUnrealizedInvestmentGainLossMember
3us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossReclassificationAdjustmentFromAOCIForSaleOfSecuritiesNetOfTax
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6us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossReclassificationAdjustmentFromAOCIForSaleOfSecuritiesNetOfTax
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Net Income [Member] [Member] | Unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges, net of tax      
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]      
Reclassification to earnings (net of tax effect of $35, $39, and $(24)) (60)us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossReclassificationAdjustmentFromAOCIOnDerivativesNetOfTax
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= ups_NetIncomeMemberMember
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(66)us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossReclassificationAdjustmentFromAOCIOnDerivativesNetOfTax
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= ups_NetIncomeMemberMember
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39us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossReclassificationAdjustmentFromAOCIOnDerivativesNetOfTax
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Net Income [Member] [Member] | Unrecognized pension and postretirement benefit costs, net of tax      
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]      
Reclassification to earnings (net of tax effect of $870, $67, and $1,876) $ (1,462)us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossReclassificationAdjustmentFromAOCIPensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansForNetGainLossNetOfTax
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$ (111)us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossReclassificationAdjustmentFromAOCIPensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansForNetGainLossNetOfTax
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$ (3,135)us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossReclassificationAdjustmentFromAOCIPensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansForNetGainLossNetOfTax
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