Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

INCOME TAXES - Additional Information (Detail)

v2.4.1.9
INCOME TAXES - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
 3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Jun. 30, 2014
Income Taxes [Line Items]          
Effective income tax rate   34.60%us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateContinuingOperations 34.50%us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateContinuingOperations 17.10%us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateContinuingOperations  
Income Tax Expense   $ 1,605us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit $ 2,302us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit $ 167us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit  
Income tax holiday, decrease of non-U.S. tax expense   21ups_IncomeTaxHolidayIncomeTaxBenefits 20ups_IncomeTaxHolidayIncomeTaxBenefits    
Change in valuation allowance   (43)us-gaap_ValuationAllowanceDeferredTaxAssetChangeInAmount 31us-gaap_ValuationAllowanceDeferredTaxAssetChangeInAmount 15us-gaap_ValuationAllowanceDeferredTaxAssetChangeInAmount  
Non-U.S. loss carryforwards 586us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsOperatingLossCarryforwardsForeign 586us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsOperatingLossCarryforwardsForeign      
Undistributed earnings of non-U.S. subsidiaries 4,683us-gaap_DeferredTaxLiabilitiesUndistributedForeignEarnings 4,683us-gaap_DeferredTaxLiabilitiesUndistributedForeignEarnings      
Gross unrecognized tax benefits that would impact effective tax rate, if recognized 166us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsThatWouldImpactEffectiveTaxRate 166us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsThatWouldImpactEffectiveTaxRate 185us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsThatWouldImpactEffectiveTaxRate 224us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsThatWouldImpactEffectiveTaxRate  
Gross recognized tax benefits outstanding refund claims for prior tax years 54us-gaap_IncomeTaxesReceivableNoncurrent 54us-gaap_IncomeTaxesReceivableNoncurrent 281us-gaap_IncomeTaxesReceivableNoncurrent 280us-gaap_IncomeTaxesReceivableNoncurrent  
Income Tax Receivable for Interest 4ups_IncomeTaxesInterestReceivable 4ups_IncomeTaxesInterestReceivable 25ups_IncomeTaxesInterestReceivable 23ups_IncomeTaxesInterestReceivable  
Income Tax Examination, Liability (Refund) Adjustment from Settlement with Taxing Authority         145us-gaap_IncomeTaxExaminationLiabilityRefundAdjustmentFromSettlementWithTaxingAuthority
Proceeds from Income Tax Refunds $ 26us-gaap_ProceedsFromIncomeTaxRefunds        
Maximum          
Income Taxes [Line Items]          
Operating loss carryforwards, expiration year   2034      
Minimum          
Income Taxes [Line Items]          
Tax credit carryforward expiration period   3 years