Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Statement of Income and Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income - Pitney Bowes Inc.	$ 158,670	$ 86,304
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
Foreign currency translations	33,359	50,817
Net unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges, net of tax of $32 and $(28), respectively	49	(51)
Net unrealized loss on investment securities, net of tax of $(548) and $(80), respectively	(857)	(125)
Amortization of pension and postretirement costs, net of tax of $6,886 and $4,977, respectively	11,988	8,669
Other comprehensive income	44,539	59,310
Comprehensive income - Pitney Bowes Inc.	$ 203,209	$ 145,614