Allocation of Goodwill by Reportable Segment (Detail) $ in Millions  | 
9 Months Ended | 
|---|---|
| 
 Sep. 30, 2019  
USD ($) 
 | |
| Goodwill [Roll Forward] | |
| Beginning balance | $ 3,811 | 
| Acquired | 5 | 
| Currency / Other | (33) | 
| Ending balance | 3,783 | 
| 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 | 417 | 
| Acquired | 2 | 
| Currency / Other | (7) | 
| Ending balance | 412 | 
| Supply Chain & Freight | |
| Goodwill [Roll Forward] | |
| Beginning balance | 2,679 | 
| Acquired | 3 | 
| Currency / Other | (26) | 
| Ending balance | $ 2,656 | 
| 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://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef 
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- 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://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef 
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- 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://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef 
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- 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. 
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