Allocation of Goodwill by Reportable Segment (Detail) $ in Millions  | 
3 Months Ended | 
|---|---|
| 
 Mar. 31, 2018  
USD ($) 
 | |
| Goodwill [Roll Forward] | |
| Beginning balance | $ 3,872 | 
| Acquired | 0 | 
| Currency / Other | 21 | 
| Ending balance | 3,893 | 
| U.S. Domestic Package | |
| Goodwill [Roll Forward] | |
| Beginning balance | 715 | 
| Acquired | 0 | 
| Currency / Other | 0 | 
| Ending balance | 715 | 
| International Package | |
| Goodwill [Roll Forward] | |
| Beginning balance | 435 | 
| Acquired | 0 | 
| Currency / Other | 3 | 
| Ending balance | 438 | 
| Supply Chain & Freight | |
| Goodwill [Roll Forward] | |
| Beginning balance | 2,722 | 
| Acquired | 0 | 
| Currency / Other | 18 | 
| Ending balance | $ 2,740 | 
| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Amount after accumulated impairment loss of an asset representing future economic benefits arising from other assets acquired in a business combination that are not individually identified and separately recognized. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef 
  | 
| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Amount of increase in asset representing future economic benefits arising from other assets acquired in a business combination that are not individually identified and separately recognized resulting from a business combination. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef 
  | 
| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Amount of foreign currency translation gain (loss) which increases (decreases) an asset representing future economic benefits from other assets acquired in a business combination that are not individually identified and separately recognized. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef 
  | 
| X | ||||||||||
- Definition A roll forward is a reconciliation of a concept from the beginning of a period to the end of a period. No definition available. 
  | 
| X | ||||||||||
- Details 
  | 
| X | ||||||||||
- Details 
  | 
| X | ||||||||||
- Details 
  |