United Parcel Service, Inc. Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified			9 Months Ended				3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011 Person CreditFacility	Dec. 31, 2010 Person	Sep. 30, 2011 Pension Plans, Defined Benefit	Sep. 30, 2011 Pension Plans, Defined Benefit IBT Accelerated Contribution	Sep. 30, 2011 Pension Plans, Defined Benefit IBT Accelerated Contribution Required After 2011	Sep. 30, 2011 Pension Plans, Defined Benefit Accelerated Contribution Required After 2011	Mar. 31, 2011 Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Defined Benefit	Sep. 30, 2011 Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Defined Benefit	Sep. 30, 2011 International Pension Benefits	Sep. 30, 2011 U.S. Postretirement Medical Benefits
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Amount contributed to company-sponsored benefit plans			$ 1,307	$ 1,200	$ 440	$ 60		$ 90
Early Retiree Reinsurance Program included in contribution to postretirement medical benefit plans							12
Amount expect to contribute over the remainder of the year to the benefit plans									$ 6	$ 25
Number of employees under a national master agreement and various supplemental agreements with local unions affiliated with Teamsters		250,000
Number of pilots under a collective bargaining agreement with the Independent Pilots Association	2,800
Majority of ground mechanics not employed under agreements	3,300