Reportable Segments and Reconciliation to Consolidated Net Income (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended																12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012		Sep. 30, 2012		Jun. 30, 2012		Mar. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011		Sep. 30, 2011		Jun. 30, 2011		Mar. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 17,431	[1]	$ 10,876	[1]	$ 9,913	[1]	$ 9,857	[1]	$ 21,268	[1]	$ 13,806	[1]	$ 12,834	[1]	$ 13,185	[1]	$ 61,093		$ 48,077		$ 34,204
Segment operating expenses																	59,425	[2]	46,504	[2]	32,268	[2]
Stock-based compensation																	(833)		(557)		(424)
Other operating income (expense), net																	(159)	[3]	(154)	[3]	(106)	[3]
Income from operations																	676		862		1,406
Total non-operating income (expense)																	(132)		72		91
Provision for income taxes	(86)	[1]	(67)	[1]	(49)	[1]	(89)	[1]	(194)	[1]	(83)	[1]	(109)	[1]	(43)	[1]	(428)		(291)		(352)
Equity-method investment activity, net of tax																	(155)		(12)		7
Net income (loss)	177	[1]	63	[1]	191	[1]	201	[1]	97	[1]	(274)	[1]	7	[1]	130	[1]	(39)		631		1,152
North America
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales																	34,813		26,705		18,707
Segment operating expenses																	33,221	[2]	25,772	[2]	17,752	[2]
International
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales																	26,280		21,372		15,497
Segment operating expenses																	26,204	[2]	20,732	[2]	14,516	[2]
Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Income from operations																	1,668		1,573		1,936
Operating Segments | North America
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Income from operations																	1,592		933		955
Operating Segments | International
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Income from operations																	$ 76		$ 640		$ 981

[1] The sum of quarterly amounts, including per share amounts, may not equal amounts reported for year-to-date periods. This is due to the effects of rounding and changes in the number of weighted-average shares outstanding for each period.

[2] Represents operating expenses, excluding stock-based compensation and "Other operating expense (income), net," which are not allocated to segments.

[3] Includes stock-based compensation as follows: Fulfillment $ 212 $ 133 $ 90 Marketing 61 39 27 Technology and content 434 292 223 General and administrative 126 93 84