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

Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Roll-forward of Common Stock, Additional Paid-in Capital, and Retained Earnings Accounts (Detail)

Roll-forward of Common Stock, Additional Paid-in Capital, and Retained Earnings Accounts (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Stockholders Equity Note [Roll Forward]
Common stock purchases	(6.8)	(6.8)
Balance at beginning of period	$ 2,141us-gaap_StockholdersEquity
Net income	1,026us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss	911us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss
Common stock purchases	(687)	(659)
Balance at end of period	1,829us-gaap_StockholdersEquity
Class A common stock
Stockholders Equity Note [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	201	212
Common stock purchases	(1.0)	(1.0)
Stock award plans	2	2
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Share-based Compensation, Net of Forfeitures	0	0
Common stock issuances	1	1
Conversions of Class A to Class B common stock	(2)	(3)
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Conversion of Convertible Securities	0	0
Balance at end of period	201	211
Balance at beginning of period	2	2
Common stock issuances	0	0
Common stock purchases	0	0
Balance at end of period	2	2
Class B common stock
Stockholders Equity Note [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	705	712
Common stock purchases	(6.0)	(6.0)
Conversions of Class A to Class B common stock	(2)	(3)
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Conversion of Convertible Securities	0	0
Balance at end of period	701	709
Balance at beginning of period	7	7
Common stock purchases	0	0
Balance at end of period	7	7
Additional Paid-in Capital
Stockholders Equity Note [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	0	0
Stock award plans	124	97
Common stock issuances	101	78
Option premiums received (paid)	(99)	(1)
Common stock purchases	(126)	(176)
Balance at end of period	0	0
Retained Earnings
Stockholders Equity Note [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	5,726	6,925
Net income	1,026	911
Dividends ($0.57 and $0.52 per share)	(683)	(626)
Common stock purchases	(561)	(483)
Balance at end of period	5,508	6,727
Common stock, cash paid for dividends, per share	$ 0.73	$ 0.67
Options Held [Member]
Stockholders Equity Note [Roll Forward]
Option premiums received (paid)	$ (99)	$ (1)