Name:	us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsFairValueDisclosure
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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
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Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems
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Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
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Fair value portion of contractual obligation to pay money on demand or on fixed or determinable dates.

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_LoansPayableFairValueDisclosure
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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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Period Type:	instant

The fair value amount of long-term debt whether such amount is presented as a separate caption or as a parenthetical disclosure. Additionally, this element may be used in connection with the fair value disclosures required in the footnote disclosures to the financial statements. The element may be used in both the balance sheet and disclosure in the same submission.

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_LongTermDebtFairValue
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

Reflects the total carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of debt having initial terms less than one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(19)(a))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03(13))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03(a)(16)(a)(1))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910

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Period Type:	instant

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Name:	us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis=iff_SeniorNotesInTwoThousandSevenMember
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Name:	us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis=iff_SeniorNotesInTwoThousandThirteenMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
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Name:	us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis=iff_EuroSeniorNotes2016Member
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Data Type:	na
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Name:	us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis=iff_SeniorNotesInTwoThousandSeventeenMember
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