Interest rate swap agreements maturity period

No definition available.

Name:	iff_InterestRateSwapAgreementsMaturityPeriod
Namespace Prefix:	iff_
Data Type:	us-types:durationStringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The number of forward currency contracts that matured during the period.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	iff_NumberOfForwardCurrencyContractsThatMaturedDuringPeriod
Namespace Prefix:	iff_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The number of interest rate swaps entered into during the period.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	iff_NumberOfInterestRateSwapAgreements
Namespace Prefix:	iff_
Data Type:	xbrli:positiveIntegerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The estimated net amount of existing gains or losses on cash flow hedges at the reporting date expected to be reclassified to earnings within the next 12 months.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 815

-SubTopic 30

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (c)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7668309&loc=d3e80748-113994

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 133

-Paragraph 45

-Subparagraph b(2)

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_CashFlowHedgeGainLossToBeReclassifiedWithinTwelveMonths
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The net gain (loss) recognized in earnings during the reporting period representing the amount of the cash flow hedges' ineffectiveness.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 815

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 4C

-Subparagraph (d)(1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7476318&loc=SL5624171-113959

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 133

-Paragraph 45

-Subparagraph b(1)

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_GainLossOnCashFlowHedgeIneffectivenessNet
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Maximum length of time over which the entity is hedging its exposure to the variability in future cash flows for forecasted transactions, excluding those forecasted transactions related to the payment of variable interest on existing financial instruments, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_MaximumLengthOfTimeHedgedInCashFlowHedge1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Financial Instruments - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Number of interest rate swap agreements			2
Maturity period of interest rate swap agreements	3 years			3 years
Gain (Loss) on Cash Flow Hedge Ineffectiveness, Net	$ 0	$ 0		$ 0	$ 0
Derivative gains included in AOCI				$ 2.5
Currency swap [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative instrument maturity period (years)				10 years
Forward currency contracts [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Number of multiple forward currency contracts matured				4