Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Statement of Income and Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income - Pitney Bowes Inc.	$ 445,163	$ 617,480	$ 292,379
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
Foreign currency translations	(2,702)	(53,569)	(15,685)
Net unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges, net of tax of $429, $1,278 and $837, respectively	661	2,007	1,293
Net unrealized loss on investment securities, net of tax of $81, $1,855 and $505, respectively	126	2,948	790
Adjustments to pension and postretirement plans, net of tax (benefit)/expense of $(38,934), $(93,251) and $(17,183), respectively	(70,232)	(173,699)	(28,710)
Amortization of pension and postretirement costs, net of tax of $28,701, $19,601 and $16,028, respectively	52,579	34,474	28,298
Other comprehensive loss	(19,568)	(187,839)	(14,014)
Comprehensive income - Pitney Bowes Inc.	425,595	429,641	278,365
Preferred stock dividends of subsidiaries attributable to noncontrolling interests	(18,376)	(18,375)	(18,324)
Total comprehensive income	$ 443,971	$ 448,016	$ 296,689