Supplemental Balance Sheet Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Other assets:
Long-term investments	$ 288,963	$ 311,417
Other	20,403	14,502
Contract costs	26,048	20,420
Other	65,042	50,820
Total	400,456	397,159
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities:
Accounts payable	282,125	280,936
Reserve account deposits	591,118	574,777
Customer deposits	115,889	125,574
Employee related liabilities	219,995	208,840
Other	175,681	158,000
Total	1,384,808	1,348,127
Other noncurrent liabilities:
Pension liability	214,742	276,563
Postretirement medical benefits	147,972	149,463
Other	37,804	36,262
Total	$ 400,518	$ 462,288

Other Asset, Liability Related to Pension Plan Assets

No definition available.

Name:	pbi_OtherAssetLiabilityRelatedToPensionPlanAssets
Namespace Prefix:	pbi_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Sum of the carrying values as of the balance sheet date of obligations incurred through that date and due within one year (or the operating cycle, if longer), including liabilities incurred (and for which invoices have typically been received) and payable to vendors for goods and services received, taxes, interest, rent and utilities, accrued salaries and bonuses, payroll taxes and fringe benefits.