Amazon.com (AMZN) 10-Q 25 Oct 13 2013 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Oct. 11, 2013
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Document Period End Date	30-Sep-13
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2013
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Trading Symbol	AMZN
Entity Registrant Name	AMAZON COM INC
Entity Central Index Key	1018724
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-19
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		457,733,620

Consolidated_Statements_Of_Cas

Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD	$3,704	$2,335	$8,084	$5,269	$2,980	$2,823
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income (loss)	-41	-274	34	-137	132	40
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash from operating activities:
Depreciation of property and equipment, including internal-use software and website development, and other amortization	834	554	2,291	1,497	2,953	1,856
Stock-based compensation	281	217	808	597	1,043	756
Other operating expense (income), net	11	40	74	118	110	161
Losses (gains) on sales of marketable securities, net	1	-4	1	-8	0	-8
Other expense (income), net	5	157	115	153	214	137
Deferred income taxes	11	-36	-47	-117	-195	-50
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation	0	-66	0	-190	-239	-191
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Inventories	-586	-647	-80	-25	-1,054	-1,285
Accounts receivable, net and other	-125	-416	393	164	-632	-913
Accounts payable	947	1,223	-3,240	-2,856	1,686	1,828
Accrued expenses and other	-72	96	-853	-373	558	703
Additions to unearned revenue	672	472	1,872	1,251	2,417	1,609
Amortization of previously unearned revenue	-550	-373	-1,471	-975	-2,016	-1,275
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	1,388	943	-103	-901	4,977	3,368
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Purchases of property and equipment, including internal-use software and website development	-1,038	-716	-2,565	-1,759	-4,589	-2,310
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired, and other	-1	-37	-252	-711	-287	-759
Sales and maturities of marketable securities and other investments	494	742	1,791	3,731	2,296	4,643
Purchases of marketable securities and other investments	-518	-358	-2,406	-1,774	-3,934	-3,556
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	-1,063	-369	-3,432	-513	-6,514	-1,982
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation	0	66	0	190	239	191
Common stock repurchased	0	0	0	-960	0	-1,237
Proceeds from long-term debt and other	25	109	132	300	3,189	343
Repayments of long-term debt, capital lease, and finance lease obligations	-255	-144	-728	-437	-858	-537
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	-230	31	-596	-907	2,570	-1,240
Foreign-currency effect on cash and cash equivalents	73	40	-81	32	-141	11
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	168	645	-4,212	-2,289	892	157
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD	3,872	2,980	3,872	2,980	3,872	2,980
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
Cash paid for interest on long-term debt	8	7	60	21	70	25
Cash paid for income taxes (net of refunds)	23	21	143	60	195	75
Assets Held under Capital Leases
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
Property and equipment acquired	526	207	1,313	564	1,552	751
Assets Held under Build-To-Suit Leases
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
Property and equipment acquired	$269	$14	$663	$46	$647	$85

Consolidated_Statements_Of_Ope

Consolidated Statements Of Operations (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Net product sales	$13,808	$11,546	$39,831	$33,586
Net services sales	3,284	2,260	9,034	6,239
Total net sales	17,092	13,806	48,865	39,825
Operating expenses
Cost of sales	12,366	10,319	35,375	29,834
Fulfillment	2,034	1,510	5,667	4,161
Marketing	694	540	2,001	1,557
Technology and content	1,734	1,192	4,703	3,219
General and administrative	278	230	810	662
Other operating expense (income), net	11	43	74	121
Total operating expenses	17,117	13,834	48,630	39,554
Income (loss) from operations	-25	-28	235	271
Interest income	9	10	28	32
Interest expense	-36	-22	-102	-65
Other income (expense), net	9	18	-107	-31
Total non-operating income (expense)	-18	6	-181	-64
Income (loss) before income taxes	-43	-22	54	207
Benefit (provision) for income taxes	12	-83	18	-234
Equity-method investment activity, net of tax	-10	-169	-38	-110
Net income (loss)	($41)	($274)	$34	($137)
Basic earnings per share (in usd per share)	($0.09)	($0.60)	$0.08	($0.30)
Diluted earnings per share (in usd per share)	($0.09)	($0.60)	$0.07	($0.30)
Weighted average shares used in computation of earnings per share:
Basic (in shares)	457	452	456	452
Diluted (in shares)	457	452	464	452

Consolidated_Statements_Of_Ope1

Consolidated Statements Of Operations (Parenthetical) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Fulfillment
Stock-based compensation	$70	$56	$213	$149
Marketing
Stock-based compensation	23	16	63	43
Technology and content
Stock-based compensation	154	112	428	310
General and administrative
Stock-based compensation	$34	$33	$104	$95

Consolidated_Statements_Of_Com

Consolidated Statements Of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Net income (loss)	($41)	($274)	$34	($137)
Other comprehensive income:
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax of $(1), $4, $(14), and $(17)	111	30	41	16
Net change in unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities:
Unrealized gains (losses), net of tax of $(1), $(1), $3, and $(4)	1	5	-8	11
Reclassification adjustment for losses (gains) included in “Other income (expense), net,” net of tax effect of $0, $1, $(1) and $2	1	-3	0	-7
Net unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities	2	2	-8	4
Total other comprehensive income	113	32	33	20
Comprehensive income (loss)	$72	($242)	$67	($117)

Consolidated_Statements_Of_Com1

Consolidated Statements Of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Parenthetical) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Foreign currency translation adjustments, tax	($1)	$4	($14)	($17)
Unrealized gains (losses), tax	-1	-1	3	-4
Reclassification adjustment for losses (gains) included in other income (expense), net, tax	$0	$1	($1)	$2

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$3,872	$8,084
Marketable securities	3,817	3,364
Inventories	6,068	6,031
Accounts receivable, net and other	3,057	3,364
Deferred tax assets	520	453
Total current assets	17,334	21,296
Property and equipment, net	9,991	7,060
Deferred tax assets	128	123
Goodwill	2,635	2,552
Other assets	1,773	1,524
Total assets	31,861	32,555
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	10,037	13,318
Accrued expenses and other	6,098	5,684
Total current liabilities	16,135	19,002
Long-term debt	3,043	3,084
Other long-term liabilities	3,596	2,277
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders’ equity:
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value: Authorized shares - 500 Issued and outstanding shares - none	0	0
Common stock, $0.01 par value: Authorized shares - 5,000 Issued shares - 481 and 478 Outstanding shares - 458 and 454	5	5
Treasury stock, at cost	-1,837	-1,837
Additional paid-in capital	9,175	8,347
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-206	-239
Retained earnings	1,950	1,916
Total stockholders’ equity	9,087	8,192
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$31,861	$32,555

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Preferred stock, par value (in usd per share)	$0.01	$0.01
Preferred stock, Authorized shares	500,000,000	500,000,000
Preferred stock, Issued shares	0	0
Preferred stock, Outstanding shares	0	0
Common stock, par value (in usd per share)	$0.01	$0.01
Common stock, Authorized shares	5,000,000,000	5,000,000,000
Common stock, Issued shares	481,000,000	478,000,000
Common stock, Outstanding shares	458,000,000	454,000,000

Accounting_Policies

Accounting Policies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Accounting Policies	Accounting Policies
	Unaudited Interim Financial Information
	We have prepared the accompanying consolidated financial statements pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) for interim financial reporting. These consolidated financial statements are unaudited and, in our opinion, include all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments and accruals necessary for a fair presentation of our consolidated balance sheets, operating results, and cash flows for the periods presented. Operating results for the periods presented are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for 2013 due to seasonal and other factors. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) have been omitted in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC. These consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes in Item 8 of Part II, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data,” of our 2012 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
	Principles of Consolidation
	The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Amazon.com, Inc., its wholly-owned subsidiaries, and those entities in which we have a variable interest and of which we are the primary beneficiary (collectively, the “Company”). Intercompany balances and transactions between consolidated entities are eliminated.
	Use of Estimates
	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosures of contingent liabilities in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Estimates are used for, but not limited to, determining the selling price of products and services in multiple element revenue arrangements and determining the lives of these elements, incentive discount offers, sales returns, vendor funding, stock-based compensation, income taxes, valuation and impairment of investments, inventory valuation and inventory purchase commitments, collectability of receivables, valuation of acquired intangibles and goodwill, depreciable lives of property and equipment, internally-developed software, acquisition purchase price allocations, investments in equity interests, and contingencies. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates.
	Earnings per Share
	Basic earnings per share is calculated using our weighted-average outstanding common shares. Diluted earnings per share is calculated using our weighted-average outstanding common shares including the dilutive effect of stock awards as determined under the treasury stock method. In periods when we recognize a net loss, we exclude the impact of outstanding stock awards from the diluted loss per share calculation as their inclusion would have an antidilutive effect.
	The following table shows the calculation of diluted shares (in millions):
		Three Months Ended		Nine Months Ended
		September 30,		September 30,
		2013	2012	2013	2012
	Shares used in computation of basic earnings per share	457	452	456	452
	Total dilutive effect of outstanding stock awards	—	—	8	—
	Shares used in computation of diluted earnings per share	457	452	464	452
	Equity-method investments
	Equity investments are accounted for using the equity method of accounting if the investment gives us the ability to exercise significant influence, but not control, over an investee. The total of our investments in equity-method investees, including identifiable intangible assets, deferred tax liabilities, and goodwill, is included within “Other assets” on our consolidated balance sheets. Our share of the earnings or losses as reported by equity-method investees, amortization of the related intangible assets, and related gains or losses, if any, are classified as “Equity-method investment activity, net of tax” on our consolidated statements of operations. Our share of the net income or loss of our equity-method investees includes operating and non-operating gains and charges, which can have a significant impact on our reported equity-method investment activity and the carrying value of those investments. In the event that net losses of the investee reduce our equity-method investment carrying amount to zero, additional net losses may be recorded if other investments in the investee, not accounted for under the equity method, are at-risk even if we have not committed to provide financial support to the investee. We regularly evaluate these investments, which are not carried at fair value, for other-than-temporary impairment. We also consider whether our equity-method investments generate sufficient cash flows from their operating or financing activities to meet their obligations and repay their liabilities when they come due.
	We record purchases, including incremental purchases, of shares in equity-method investees at cost. Reductions in our ownership percentage of an investee, including through dilution, are generally valued at fair value, with the difference between fair value and our recorded cost reflected as a gain or loss in our equity-method investment activity. In the event we no longer have the ability to exercise significant influence over an equity-method investee, we would discontinue accounting for the investment under the equity method.

Cash_Cash_Equivalents_and_Mark

Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Marketable Securities	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]
Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Marketable Securities	Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Marketable Securities
	As of September 30, 2013, and December 31, 2012, our cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities primarily consisted of cash, U.S. and foreign government and agency securities, AAA-rated money market funds, and other investment grade securities. Cash equivalents and marketable securities are recorded at fair value. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. To increase the comparability of fair value measures, the following hierarchy prioritizes the inputs to valuation methodologies used to measure fair value:
	Level 1—Valuations based on quoted prices for identical assets and liabilities in active markets.
	Level 2—Valuations based on observable inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1, such as quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets and liabilities in markets that are not active, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data.
	Level 3—Valuations based on unobservable inputs reflecting our own assumptions, consistent with reasonably available assumptions made by other market participants. These valuations require significant judgment.
	We measure the fair value of money market funds and equity securities based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. All other financial instruments were valued either based on recent trades of securities in inactive markets or based on quoted market prices of similar instruments and other significant inputs derived from or corroborated by observable market data. We did not hold any cash, cash equivalents, or marketable securities categorized as Level 3 as of September 30, 2013 or December 31, 2012.
	The following table summarizes, by major security type, our cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis and are categorized using the fair value hierarchy (in millions):
		September 30, 2013										December 31, 2012
		Cost or		Gross		Gross			Total			Total
		Amortized		Unrealized		Unrealized			Estimated			Estimated
		Cost		Gains		Losses			Fair Value			Fair Value
	Cash	$	2,392	$	—	$	—		$	2,392		$	2,595
	Level 1 securities:
	Money market funds	1,760		—		—			1,760			5,561
	Equity securities	3		—		—			3			2
	Level 2 securities:
	Foreign government and agency securities	761		3		(1		)	763			772
	U.S. government and agency securities	2,245		2		(2		)	2,245			1,810
	Corporate debt securities	708		3		(1		)	710			725
	Asset-backed securities	66		—		—			66			49
	Other fixed income securities	40		—		—			40			33
		$	7,975	$	8	$	(4	)	$	7,979		$	11,547
	Less: Restricted cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities (1)								(290		)	(99		)
	Total cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities								$	7,689		$	11,448
	___________________
	-1	We are required to pledge or otherwise restrict a portion of our cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities as collateral for standby and trade letters of credit, guarantees, debt, and real estate lease agreements. We classify cash and marketable securities with use restrictions of less than twelve months as “Accounts receivable, net and other” and of twelve months or longer as non-current “Other assets” on our consolidated balance sheets. See “Note 3 — Commitments and Contingencies.”
	The following table summarizes the contractual maturities of our cash equivalent and marketable fixed-income securities as of September 30, 2013 (in millions):
		Amortized		Estimated
		Cost		Fair Value
	Due within one year	$	2,901	$	2,902
	Due after one year through five years	2,258		2,262
	Due after five years through ten years	151		150
	Due after ten years	270		270
		$	5,580	$	5,584
	Actual maturities may differ from the contractual maturities because borrowers may have certain prepayment conditions.

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies	Commitments and Contingencies
	Commitments
	We have entered into non-cancellable operating, capital, and financing leases for equipment and office, fulfillment center, and data center facilities. Rental expense under operating lease agreements was $197 million and $146 million for Q3 2013 and Q3 2012, and $545 million and $390 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012.
	The following summarizes our principal contractual commitments, excluding open orders for purchases that support normal operations, as of September 30, 2013 (in millions):
		Three Months Ended December 31,		Year Ended December 31,
		2013		2014		2015		2016		2017		Thereafter		Total
	Operating and capital commitments:
	Debt principal and interest	$	156	$	633	$	867	$	43	$	1,043	$	1,407	$	4,149
	Capital leases, including interest	214		779		710		225		56		115		2,099
	Financing lease obligations, including interest	8		40		41		42		43		470		644
	Operating leases	186		649		595		552		493		2,424		4,899
	Unconditional purchase obligations (1)	32		477		291		63		35		49		947
	Other commitments (2) (3)	267		360		245		151		117		1,242		2,382
	Total commitments	$	863	$	2,938	$	2,749	$	1,076	$	1,787	$	5,707	$	15,120
	___________________
	-1	Includes unconditional purchase obligations related to agreements to acquire and license digital video content that represent long-term liabilities or that are not reflected on the consolidated balance sheets.
	-2	Includes the estimated timing and amounts of payments for rent and tenant improvements associated with build-to-suit lease arrangements that have not been placed in service.
	-3	Excludes $336 million of tax contingencies for which we cannot make a reasonably reliable estimate of the amount and period of payment, if any.
	Pledged Securities
	As of September 30, 2013, and December 31, 2012, we have pledged or otherwise restricted $290 million and $99 million of our cash and marketable securities as collateral for standby and trade letters of credit, guarantees, debt related to our international operations, and real estate leases.
	Legal Proceedings
	The Company is involved from time to time in claims, proceedings, and litigation, including the matters described in Item 8 of Part II, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data — Note 8 — Commitments and Contingencies — Legal Proceedings” of our 2012 Annual Report on Form 10-K and in Item 1 of Part I, “Financial Statements — Note 3 — Commitments and Contingencies — Legal Proceedings” of our Quarterly Reports on Forms 10-Q for the Periods Ended March 31, 2013, and June 30, 2013, as supplemented by the following:
	In December 2009, Nazomi Communications, Inc. filed a complaint against Amazon.com, Inc. for patent infringement in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas. The complaint alleges, among other things, that the processor core in Kindle devices infringes two patents owned by Nazomi purporting to cover “Java virtual machine hardware for RISC and CISC processors” and “Java hardware accelerator using microcode engine” (U.S. Patent Nos. 7,080,362 and 7,225,436) and seeks monetary damages, injunctive relief, costs, and attorneys’ fees. In October 2010, the case was transferred to the United States District Court for the Northern District of California. In January 2012, Nazomi added Amazon.com, Inc. to a second lawsuit that alleges, among other things, that certain Kindle devices infringe a patent owned by Nazomi purporting to cover a “Constant Pool Reference Resolution Method” (U.S. Patent No. 6,338,160) and also seeks monetary damages, injunctive relief, costs, and attorneys’ fees. In June 2013, the court granted summary judgment of noninfringement on the ‘362 and ‘436 patents.  In August 2013, the court granted summary judgment of noninfringement on the ‘160 patent.  The plaintiff is appealing both rulings to the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.  We continue to dispute the allegations of wrongdoing and intend to vigorously defend ourselves in this matter.
	In July 2010, Positive Technologies Inc. filed a complaint against Amazon.com, Inc. for patent infringement in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas. The complaint alleges, among other things, that certain of our products, including Kindle devices, infringe three patents owned by the plaintiff purporting to cover a “DC Integrating Display Driver Employing Pixel Status Memories” (U.S. Patent Nos. 5,444,457, 5,627,558, and 5,831,588) and seeks monetary damages, injunctive relief, costs, and attorneys’ fees. In April 2011, the case was transferred to the United States District Court for the Northern District of California. In August 2013, we entered into a settlement of the litigation that included, among other things, a payment to the plaintiff.  The settlement was not material to either the current or future years.
	In April 2011, Walker Digital LLC filed several complaints against Amazon.com, Inc. for patent infringement in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware. The complaints allege that we infringe several of the plaintiff’s U.S. patents by, among other things, providing “cross benefits” to customers through our promotions (U.S. Patent Nos. 7,831,470 and 7,827,056), using a customer’s identified original product to offer a substitute product (U.S. Patent No. 7,236,942), using our product recommendations and personalization features to offer complementary products together (U.S. Patent Nos. 6,601,036 and 6,138,105), enabling customers to subscribe to a delivery schedule for products they routinely use at reduced prices (U.S. Patent No. 5,970,470), and offering personalized advertising based on customers’ preferences identified using a data pattern (U.S. Patent No. 7,933,893). Another complaint, filed in the same court in October 2011, alleges that we infringe plaintiff’s U.S. Patent No. 8,041,711 by offering personalized advertising based on customer preferences that associate data with resource locators. Another complaint, filed in the same court in February 2012, alleges that we infringe plaintiff’s U.S. Patent No. 8,112,359 by using product information received from customers to identify and offer substitute products using a manufacturer database. In January 2013, the plaintiff filed another complaint in the same court alleging that we infringe U.S. Patent No. 6,381,582 by allowing customers to make local payments for products ordered online. All of the complaints seek monetary damages, interest, injunctive relief, costs, and attorneys’ fees. In March 2013, the complaints asserting U.S. Patent Nos. 7,236,942 and 7,933,893 were voluntarily dismissed with prejudice. In April 2013, the case asserting U.S. Patent No. 8,041,711 was stayed pending final resolution of the reexamination of that patent. In June 2013, the court granted defendants’ motions to dismiss the complaints asserting U.S. Patent Nos. 7,831,470, 7,827,056, and 8,112,359 for lack of standing. In July 2013, we filed motions seeking entry of a final judgment dismissing those claims with prejudice and for attorneys' fees, and plaintiff filed notices of appeal from the June 2013 order granting the motions to dismiss. We dispute the remaining allegations of wrongdoing and intend to vigorously defend ourselves in these matters.
	In July 2011, GPNE Corp. filed a complaint against Amazon.com, Inc. for patent infringement in the United States District Court for the District of Hawaii. The complaint alleges, among other things, that certain aspects of our technology, including Kindle devices, infringe three patents owned by the plaintiff purporting to cover a “Network Communication System Wherein a Node Obtains Resources for Transmitting Data by Transmitting Two Reservation Requests” (U.S. Patent No. 7,555,267), a “Communication System Wherein a Clocking Signal from a Controller, a Request from a Node, Acknowledgement of the Request, and Data Transferred from the Node are all Provided on Different Frequencies, Enabling Simultaneous Transmission of these Signals” (U.S. Patent No. 7,570,954) and a “Network Communication System with an Alignment Signal to Allow a Controller to Provide Messages to Nodes and Transmission of the Messages over Four Independent Frequencies” (U.S. Patent No. 7,792,492) and seeks monetary damages, interest, costs, and attorneys’ fees. In June 2012, the case was transferred to the United States District Court for the Northern District of California. In September 2013, we entered into a settlement of the litigation that included, among other things, a payment to the plaintiff.  The settlement was not material to either the current or future years.
	In July 2012, Technology Properties Limited, Phoenix Digital Solutions LLC, and Patriot Scientific Corporation filed complaints against Amazon.com, Inc. for patent infringement in the United States International Trade Commission ("ITC") and in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California.  The complaints allege, among other things, that using certain Kindle devices in combination with certain peripheral devices infringes U.S. Patent No. 5,809,336, entitled “High Performance Microprocessor Having Variable Speed System Clock.”  The ITC complaint seeks an exclusion order preventing the importation of certain Kindle devices into the United States.  The district court complaint asserts infringement of two additional patents—U.S. Patent Nos. 5,440,749 and 5,530,890, both entitled “High Performance, Low Cost Microprocessor Architecture”—and seeks an unspecified amount of damages, enhanced damages, attorneys’ fees, interest, and an injunction.  In a November 2012 letter to the Company plaintiff alleged specifically that, if we are found to infringe the patents-in-suit and the patents are found to be valid (both of which we dispute), Amazon and its affiliates should pay damages of approximately $42 million, subject to enhancement, plus $17 million in prejudgment interest. In September 2013, the ITC issued an Initial Determination of non-infringement. We dispute the allegations of wrongdoing and intend to vigorously defend ourselves in this matter.
	In May 2013, the Trustees of Boston University filed a complaint against Amazon.com, Inc. aka Amazon.com Auctions, Inc. in the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts. The complaint alleges, among other things, that certain light-emitting diodes in certain Kindle devices infringe U.S. Patent No. 5,686,738, entitled “Highly Insulating Monocrystalline Gallium Nitride Thin Films.” The complaint seeks an unspecified amount of damages, interest, and an injunction. We dispute the allegations of wrongdoing and intend to vigorously defend ourselves in this matter.
	In July 2013, Telebuyer, LLC filed a complaint against Amazon.com, Inc., Amazon Web Services LLC, and VADATA, Inc. in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia. The complaint alleges, among other things, that certain features used on our retail website—including high resolution video and still images, user-indicated areas of interest, targeted follow-up communications, vendor proposals, on-line chat, Gold Box and Lightning Deals, and vendor ratings—infringe seven U.S. Patents: Nos. 6,323,894, 7,835,508, 7,835,509, 7,839,984, 8,059,796, and 8,098,272, all entitled “Commercial Product Routing System With Video Vending Capability,” and 8,315,364, entitled “Commercial Product Routing System With Mobile Wireless And Video Vending Capability.” The complaint seeks an unspecified amount of damages, interest, and injunctive relief. In September 2013, the case was transferred to the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington. We dispute the allegations of wrongdoing and intend to vigorously defend ourselves in this matter.
	In August 2013, Cellular Communications Equipment, LLC filed a complaint against Amazon.com, Inc. in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas. The complaint alleges, among other things, that certain Kindle devices infringe U.S. Patent Nos. 6,819,923 entitled "Method For Communication Of Neighbor Cell Information"; 7,215,962 entitled "Method For An Intersystem Connection Handover"; 7,941,174 "Method For Multicode Transmission By A Subscriber Station"; and 8,055,820 entitled "Apparatus, System, And Method For Designating A Buffer Status Reporting Format Based On Detected Pre-Selected Buffer Conditions." The complaint seeks an unspecified amount of damages and interest.  We dispute the allegations of wrongdoing and intend to vigorously defend ourselves in this matter.
	In August 2013, Advanced Escreens, LLC filed a complaint against Amazon.com, Inc., in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware. The complaint alleges, among other things, that the screens used in Kindle devices infringe U.S. Patent No. 6,525,866, entitled "Electrophoretic Displays, Display Fluids For Use Therein, And Methods Of Displaying Images." The complaint seeks an unspecified amount of damages, interest, injunctive relief, and attorneys’ fees. We dispute the allegations of wrongdoing and intend to vigorously defend ourselves in this matter.
	In August 2013, Voltstar Technologies, Inc. f/k/a Horizon Technologies, Inc. filed a complaint against Amazon.com, Inc. in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. The complaint alleges, among other things, that a USB electrical charger sold for use with Kindle devices infringes U.S. Design Patent No. D5 87,192, entitled "Electrical Charger." The complaint seeks an unspecified amount of damages and costs. We dispute the allegations of wrongdoing and intend to vigorously defend ourselves in this matter.
	Beginning in August 2013, a number of complaints were filed alleging, among other things, that Amazon.com, Inc. and several of its subsidiaries failed to compensate hourly workers for time spent waiting in security lines and otherwise violated federal and state wage and hour statutes and common law.  In August 2013, Busk v. Integrity Staffing Solutions, Inc. and Amazon.com, Inc. was filed in the United States District Court for the District of Nevada, and Vance v. Amazon.com, Inc., Zappos.com Inc., another affiliate of Amazon.com, Inc., and Kelly Services, Inc. was filed in the United States District Court for the Western District of Kentucky.  In September 2013, Allison v. Amazon.com, Inc. and Integrity Staffing Solutions, Inc. was filed in the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington, and Johnson v. Amazon.com, Inc. and an affiliate of Amazon.com, Inc. was filed in the United States District Court for the Western District of Kentucky.  In October 2013, Davis v. Amazon.com, Inc., an affiliate of Amazon.com, Inc., and Integrity Staffing Solutions, Inc. was filed in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee. The plaintiffs variously purport to represent a nationwide class of certain current and former employees under the Fair Labor Standards Act and/or state-law-based subclasses for certain current and former employees in states including Arizona, California, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Kentucky, and Nevada, and one complaint asserts nationwide breach of contract and unjust enrichment claims. The complaints seek an unspecified amount of damages, interest, injunctive relief, and attorneys’ fees.  We have been named in several other similar cases. We dispute the allegations of wrongdoing and intend to vigorously defend ourselves in these matters.
	In September 2013, Personalized Media Communications, LLC filed a complaint against Amazon.com, Inc. and Amazon Web Services, LLC in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware.  The complaint alleges, among other things, that the use of certain Kindle devices, Kindle apps, and/or Amazon.com, Inc.’s website to purchase and receive electronic media infringes nine U.S. Patents:  Nos. 5,887,243, 7,801,304, 7,805,749, 7,940,931, 7,769,170, 7,864,956, 7,827,587, 8,046,791, and 7,883,252, all entitled “Signal Processing Apparatus and Methods.” The complaint also alleges, among other things, that CloudFront, S3, and EC2 web services infringe three of those patents, Nos. 7,801,304, 7,864,956, and 7,827,587.  The complaint seeks an unspecified amount of damages, interest, and injunctive relief.  We dispute the allegations of wrongdoing and intend to vigorously defend ourselves in this matter.
	We cannot predict the impact (if any) that any of the matters described above or in our 2012 Annual Report on Form 10-K or Forms 10-Q for the Periods Ended March 31, 2013, and June 30, 2013, may have on our business, results of operations, financial position, or cash flows. Because of the inherent uncertainties of such matters, including the early stage and lack of specific damage claims in many of them, we cannot estimate the range of possible losses from them (except as otherwise indicated).
	See also “Note 7 — Income Taxes.”

EquityMethod_Investments

Equity-Method Investments	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]
Equity-Method Investments	Equity-Method Investments
	LivingSocial’s summarized condensed financial information, as provided to us by LivingSocial, is as follows (in millions):
		Nine Months Ended
		September 30,
		2013			2012
	Statement of Operations:
	Revenue	$	384		$	387
	Operating expense	494			653
	Impairment charge	—			501
	Operating loss	(110		)	(767		)
	Net loss (1)	$	(107	)	$	(516	)
	___________________
	-1	The difference between the operating loss and net loss for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 is primarily due to non-operating, non-cash gains on previously held equity positions in companies that LivingSocial acquired during Q1 2012.
	As of September 30, 2013, the book value of our equity-method investment in LivingSocial was $15 million. Additionally, in Q1 2013 we made a $56 million investment in LivingSocial that we have recorded as a cost method investment, bringing our total investment in LivingSocial to approximately 31% of voting stock.

LongTerm_Debt

Long-Term Debt	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Long-Term Debt	Long-Term Debt
	In November 2012, we issued $3.0 billion of unsecured senior notes in three tranches as described in the table below (collectively, the “Notes”). As of September 30, 2013, and December 31, 2012, the unamortized discount on the Notes was $24 million and $27 million. We also have other long-term debt with a carrying amount, including the current portion, of $747 million and $691 million at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012. The face value of our total long-term debt obligations is as follows (in millions):
		30-Sep-13			31-Dec-12
	0.65% Notes due on November 27, 2015	$	750		$	750
	1.20% Notes due on November 29, 2017	1,000			1,000
	2.50% Notes due on November 29, 2022	1,250			1,250
	Other long-term debt	747			691
	Total debt	3,747			3,691
	Less current portion of long-term debt	(680		)	(579		)
	Face value of long-term debt	$	3,067		$	3,112
	The effective interest rates of the 2015, 2017, and 2022 Notes were 0.84%, 1.38%, and 2.66%. Interest on the Notes is payable semi-annually in arrears in May and November. We may redeem the Notes at any time in whole, or from time to time, in part at specified redemption prices. We are not subject to any financial covenants under the Notes. We used the net proceeds from the issuance of the Notes for general corporate purposes. The estimated fair value of the Notes was approximately $2.9 billion and $3.0 billion at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, which is based on quoted prices for our publicly-traded debt as of that date.
	The other debt, including the current portion, had a weighted average interest rate of 6.3% and 6.4% at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012. We used the net proceeds from the issuance of the debt to fund certain international operations. The estimated fair value of the other long-term debt, which is based on Level 2 inputs, approximated its carrying value at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012.

Stockholders_Equity

Stockholders' Equity	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Equity [Abstract]
Stockholders' Equity	Stockholders’ Equity
	Stock Repurchase Activity
	In January 2010, our Board of Directors authorized the Company to repurchase up to $2.0 billion of our common stock with no fixed expiration. We have $763 million remaining under the $2.0 billion repurchase program.
	Stock Award Activity
	Common shares outstanding plus shares underlying outstanding stock awards totaled 475 million as of September 30, 2013, and 470 million as of December 31, 2012. These totals include all vested and unvested stock awards outstanding, including those awards we estimate will be forfeited. The following table summarizes our restricted stock unit activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 (in millions):
		Number of Units		Weighted Average
				Grant-Date
				Fair Value
	Outstanding as of December 31, 2012	15.4		$	184
	Units granted	6.1		269
	Units vested	(3.1	)	154
	Units forfeited	(1.5	)	204
	Outstanding as of September 30, 2013	16.9		$	218
	Scheduled vesting for outstanding restricted stock units as of September 30, 2013, is as follows (in millions):
		Three Months Ended December 31,		Year Ended December 31,
		2013		2014		2015	2016	2017	Thereafter	Total
	Scheduled vesting—restricted stock units	1.5		5.4		5.6	2.9	1.2	0.3	16.9
	As of September 30, 2013, there was $1.7 billion of net unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested stock-based compensation arrangements. This compensation is recognized on an accelerated basis with approximately half of the compensation expected to be expensed in the next twelve months, and has a weighted average recognition period of 1.2 years.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	Income Taxes
	Our tax provision or benefit from income taxes for interim periods is determined using an estimate of our annual effective tax rate, adjusted for discrete items, if any, that are taken into account in the relevant period. Each quarter we update our estimate of the annual effective tax rate, and if our estimated tax rate changes, we make a cumulative adjustment.
	Our quarterly tax provision, and our quarterly estimate of our annual effective tax rate, is subject to significant variation due to several factors, including variability in accurately predicting our pre-tax and taxable income and loss and the mix of jurisdictions to which they relate, changes in how we do business, acquisitions (including integrations) and investments, audit developments, foreign currency gains (losses), changes in law, regulations, and administrative practices, and relative changes of expenses or losses for which tax benefits are not recognized. Additionally, our effective tax rate can be more or less volatile based on the amount of pre-tax income. For example, the impact of discrete items and non-deductible expenses on our effective tax rate is greater when our pre-tax income is lower.
	In 2013, our effective tax rate will be significantly affected by the favorable impact of earnings in lower tax rate jurisdictions and the adverse effect of losses incurred in certain foreign jurisdictions for which we may not realize a tax benefit. Income earned in lower tax jurisdictions is primarily related to our European operations, which are headquartered in Luxembourg. Losses incurred in foreign jurisdictions for which we may not realize a tax benefit reduce our pre-tax income without a corresponding reduction in our tax expense, and therefore increase our effective tax rate.
	The year to date tax benefit as of September 30, 2013 includes $54 million of discrete tax benefits primarily resulting from the retroactive reinstatement of the federal research and development credit that was enacted in January 2013.
	Cash paid for income taxes (net of refunds) was $23 million and $21 million in Q3 2013 and Q3 2012, and $143 million and $60 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012.
	As of September 30, 2013, and December 31, 2012, tax contingencies were $336 million and $294 million. We expect the total amount of tax contingencies will grow in 2013. In addition, changes in state, federal, and foreign tax laws may increase our tax contingencies. The timing of the resolution of income tax examinations is highly uncertain, and the amounts ultimately paid, if any, upon resolution of the issues raised by the taxing authorities may differ from the amounts accrued. It is reasonably possible that within the next 12 months we will receive additional assessments by various tax authorities or possibly reach resolution of income tax examinations in one or more jurisdictions. These assessments or settlements may or may not result in changes to our contingencies related to positions on prior years’ tax filings.
	We are under examination, or may be subject to examination, by the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) for the calendar year 2005 or thereafter. These examinations may lead to ordinary course adjustments or proposed adjustments to our taxes or our net operating losses. As previously disclosed, we have received Notices of Proposed Adjustment from the IRS for the 2005 and 2006 calendar years relating to transfer pricing with our foreign subsidiaries. The IRS is seeking to increase our U.S. taxable income by an amount that would result in additional federal tax over a seven year period beginning in 2005, totaling approximately $1.5 billion, subject to interest. To date, we have not resolved this matter administratively and, in December 2012, we petitioned the U.S. Tax Court to resolve the matter. We continue to disagree with these IRS positions and intend to vigorously contest them.
	Certain of our subsidiaries are under examination or investigation or may be subject to examination or investigation by the French Tax Administration (“FTA”) for calendar year 2006 or thereafter. These examinations may lead to ordinary course adjustments or proposed adjustments to our taxes. While we have not yet received a final assessment from the FTA, in September 2012, we received proposed tax assessment notices for calendar years 2006 through 2010 relating to the allocation of income between foreign jurisdictions. The notices propose additional French tax of approximately $250 million, including interest and penalties through the date of the assessment. We disagree with the proposed assessment and intend to vigorously contest it. We plan to pursue all available administrative remedies at the FTA, and if we are not able to resolve this matter with the FTA, we plan to pursue judicial remedies. We are also subject to taxation in various states and other foreign jurisdictions including China, Germany, Japan, Luxembourg, and the United Kingdom. We are under or may be subject to audit or examination and additional assessments by these particular tax authorities for the calendar year 2003 and thereafter.

Segment_Information

Segment Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segment Information	Segment Information
	We have organized our operations into two principal segments: North America and International. We present our segment information along the same lines that our Chief Executive Officer reviews our operating results in assessing performance and allocating resources.
	We allocate to segment results the operating expenses “Fulfillment,” “Marketing,” “Technology and content,” and “General and administrative,” but exclude from our allocations the portions of these expense lines attributable to stock-based compensation. We do not allocate the line item “Other operating expense (income), net” to our segment operating results. A majority of our costs for “Technology and content” are incurred in the United States and most of these costs are allocated to our North America segment. There are no internal revenue transactions between our reporting segments.
	Information on reportable segments and reconciliation to consolidated net income (loss) is as follows (in millions):
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 30,						September 30,
		2013			2012			2013			2012
	North America
	Net sales	$	10,301		$	7,884		$	29,186		$	22,638
	Segment operating expenses (1)	10,006			7,593			28,024			21,655
	Segment operating income	$	295		$	291		$	1,162		$	983
	International
	Net sales	$	6,791		$	5,922		$	19,679		$	17,187
	Segment operating expenses (1)	6,819			5,981			19,724			17,181
	Segment operating income (loss)	$	(28	)	$	(59	)	$	(45	)	$	6
	Consolidated
	Net sales	$	17,092		$	13,806		$	48,865		$	39,825
	Segment operating expenses (1)	16,825			13,574			47,748			38,836
	Segment operating income	267			232			1,117			989
	Stock-based compensation	(281		)	(217		)	(808		)	(597		)
	Other operating income (expense), net	(11		)	(43		)	(74		)	(121		)
	Income (loss) from operations	(25		)	(28		)	235			271
	Total non-operating income (expense)	(18		)	6			(181		)	(64		)
	Benefit (provision) for income taxes	12			(83		)	18			(234		)
	Equity-method investment activity, net of tax	(10		)	(169		)	(38		)	(110		)
	Net income (loss)	$	(41	)	$	(274	)	$	34		$	(137	)
	___________________
	-1	Represents operating expenses, excluding stock-based compensation and “Other operating expense (income), net,” which are not allocated to segments.
	Net sales of similar products and services were as follows (in millions):
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 30,						September 30,
		2013			2012			2013			2012
	Net Sales:
	Media	$	5,033		$	4,600		$	14,488		$	13,427
	Electronics and other general merchandise	11,048			8,558			31,677			24,695
	Other (1)	1,011			648			2,700			1,703
		$	17,092		$	13,806		$	48,865		$	39,825
	___________________
	-1	Includes sales from non-retail activities, such as Amazon Web Services (“AWS”), advertising services, and our co-branded credit card agreements.

Accounting_Policies_Policies

Accounting Policies (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Unaudited Interim Financial Information	Unaudited Interim Financial Information
	We have prepared the accompanying consolidated financial statements pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) for interim financial reporting. These consolidated financial statements are unaudited and, in our opinion, include all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments and accruals necessary for a fair presentation of our consolidated balance sheets, operating results, and cash flows for the periods presented. Operating results for the periods presented are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for 2013 due to seasonal and other factors. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) have been omitted in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC. These consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes in Item 8 of Part II, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data,” of our 2012 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Principles of Consolidation	Principles of Consolidation
	The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Amazon.com, Inc., its wholly-owned subsidiaries, and those entities in which we have a variable interest and of which we are the primary beneficiary (collectively, the “Company”). Intercompany balances and transactions between consolidated entities are eliminated.
Use of Estimates	Use of Estimates
	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosures of contingent liabilities in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Estimates are used for, but not limited to, determining the selling price of products and services in multiple element revenue arrangements and determining the lives of these elements, incentive discount offers, sales returns, vendor funding, stock-based compensation, income taxes, valuation and impairment of investments, inventory valuation and inventory purchase commitments, collectability of receivables, valuation of acquired intangibles and goodwill, depreciable lives of property and equipment, internally-developed software, acquisition purchase price allocations, investments in equity interests, and contingencies. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates.
Earnings per Share	Earnings per Share
	Basic earnings per share is calculated using our weighted-average outstanding common shares. Diluted earnings per share is calculated using our weighted-average outstanding common shares including the dilutive effect of stock awards as determined under the treasury stock method. In periods when we recognize a net loss, we exclude the impact of outstanding stock awards from the diluted loss per share calculation as their inclusion would have an antidilutive effect.
Equity-method investments	Equity-method investments
	Equity investments are accounted for using the equity method of accounting if the investment gives us the ability to exercise significant influence, but not control, over an investee. The total of our investments in equity-method investees, including identifiable intangible assets, deferred tax liabilities, and goodwill, is included within “Other assets” on our consolidated balance sheets. Our share of the earnings or losses as reported by equity-method investees, amortization of the related intangible assets, and related gains or losses, if any, are classified as “Equity-method investment activity, net of tax” on our consolidated statements of operations. Our share of the net income or loss of our equity-method investees includes operating and non-operating gains and charges, which can have a significant impact on our reported equity-method investment activity and the carrying value of those investments. In the event that net losses of the investee reduce our equity-method investment carrying amount to zero, additional net losses may be recorded if other investments in the investee, not accounted for under the equity method, are at-risk even if we have not committed to provide financial support to the investee. We regularly evaluate these investments, which are not carried at fair value, for other-than-temporary impairment. We also consider whether our equity-method investments generate sufficient cash flows from their operating or financing activities to meet their obligations and repay their liabilities when they come due.
	We record purchases, including incremental purchases, of shares in equity-method investees at cost. Reductions in our ownership percentage of an investee, including through dilution, are generally valued at fair value, with the difference between fair value and our recorded cost reflected as a gain or loss in our equity-method investment activity. In the event we no longer have the ability to exercise significant influence over an equity-method investee, we would discontinue accounting for the investment under the equity method.

Accounting_Policies_Tables

Accounting Policies (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Schedule of Weighted Average Number of Shares	The following table shows the calculation of diluted shares (in millions):
		Three Months Ended		Nine Months Ended
		September 30,		September 30,
		2013	2012	2013	2012
	Shares used in computation of basic earnings per share	457	452	456	452
	Total dilutive effect of outstanding stock awards	—	—	8	—
	Shares used in computation of diluted earnings per share	457	452	464	452

Cash_Cash_Equivalents_and_Mark1

Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Marketable Securities (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]
Fair Value by Balance Sheet Grouping	The following table summarizes, by major security type, our cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis and are categorized using the fair value hierarchy (in millions):
		September 30, 2013										December 31, 2012
		Cost or		Gross		Gross			Total			Total
		Amortized		Unrealized		Unrealized			Estimated			Estimated
		Cost		Gains		Losses			Fair Value			Fair Value
	Cash	$	2,392	$	—	$	—		$	2,392		$	2,595
	Level 1 securities:
	Money market funds	1,760		—		—			1,760			5,561
	Equity securities	3		—		—			3			2
	Level 2 securities:
	Foreign government and agency securities	761		3		(1		)	763			772
	U.S. government and agency securities	2,245		2		(2		)	2,245			1,810
	Corporate debt securities	708		3		(1		)	710			725
	Asset-backed securities	66		—		—			66			49
	Other fixed income securities	40		—		—			40			33
		$	7,975	$	8	$	(4	)	$	7,979		$	11,547
	Less: Restricted cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities (1)								(290		)	(99		)
	Total cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities								$	7,689		$	11,448
	___________________
	-1	We are required to pledge or otherwise restrict a portion of our cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities as collateral for standby and trade letters of credit, guarantees, debt, and real estate lease agreements. We classify cash and marketable securities with use restrictions of less than twelve months as “Accounts receivable, net and other” and of twelve months or longer as non-current “Other assets” on our consolidated balance sheets. See “Note 3 — Commitments and Contingencies.”
Investments Classified by Contractual Maturity Date	The following table summarizes the contractual maturities of our cash equivalent and marketable fixed-income securities as of September 30, 2013 (in millions):
		Amortized		Estimated
		Cost		Fair Value
	Due within one year	$	2,901	$	2,902
	Due after one year through five years	2,258		2,262
	Due after five years through ten years	151		150
	Due after ten years	270		270
		$	5,580	$	5,584

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments Disclosure	The following summarizes our principal contractual commitments, excluding open orders for purchases that support normal operations, as of September 30, 2013 (in millions):
		Three Months Ended December 31,		Year Ended December 31,
		2013		2014		2015		2016		2017		Thereafter		Total
	Operating and capital commitments:
	Debt principal and interest	$	156	$	633	$	867	$	43	$	1,043	$	1,407	$	4,149
	Capital leases, including interest	214		779		710		225		56		115		2,099
	Financing lease obligations, including interest	8		40		41		42		43		470		644
	Operating leases	186		649		595		552		493		2,424		4,899
	Unconditional purchase obligations (1)	32		477		291		63		35		49		947
	Other commitments (2) (3)	267		360		245		151		117		1,242		2,382
	Total commitments	$	863	$	2,938	$	2,749	$	1,076	$	1,787	$	5,707	$	15,120
	___________________
	-1	Includes unconditional purchase obligations related to agreements to acquire and license digital video content that represent long-term liabilities or that are not reflected on the consolidated balance sheets.
	-2	Includes the estimated timing and amounts of payments for rent and tenant improvements associated with build-to-suit lease arrangements that have not been placed in service.
	-3	Excludes $336 million of tax contingencies for which we cannot make a reasonably reliable estimate of the amount and period of payment, if any.

EquityMethod_Investments_Table

Equity-Method Investments (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]
Equity Method Investments Summarized Financial Information	LivingSocial’s summarized condensed financial information, as provided to us by LivingSocial, is as follows (in millions):
		Nine Months Ended
		September 30,
		2013			2012
	Statement of Operations:
	Revenue	$	384		$	387
	Operating expense	494			653
	Impairment charge	—			501
	Operating loss	(110		)	(767		)
	Net loss (1)	$	(107	)	$	(516	)
	___________________
	-1	The difference between the operating loss and net loss for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 is primarily due to non-operating, non-cash gains on previously held equity positions in companies that LivingSocial acquired during Q1 2012.

LongTerm_Debt_Tables

Long-Term Debt (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Long-Term Debt Obligations	The face value of our total long-term debt obligations is as follows (in millions):
		30-Sep-13			31-Dec-12
	0.65% Notes due on November 27, 2015	$	750		$	750
	1.20% Notes due on November 29, 2017	1,000			1,000
	2.50% Notes due on November 29, 2022	1,250			1,250
	Other long-term debt	747			691
	Total debt	3,747			3,691
	Less current portion of long-term debt	(680		)	(579		)
	Face value of long-term debt	$	3,067		$	3,112

Stockholders_Equity_Tables

Stockholders' Equity (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Equity [Abstract]
Nonvested Restricted Stock Units Activity	The following table summarizes our restricted stock unit activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 (in millions):
		Number of Units		Weighted Average
				Grant-Date
				Fair Value
	Outstanding as of December 31, 2012	15.4		$	184
	Units granted	6.1		269
	Units vested	(3.1	)	154
	Units forfeited	(1.5	)	204
	Outstanding as of September 30, 2013	16.9		$	218
Nonvested Share Activity	Scheduled vesting for outstanding restricted stock units as of September 30, 2013, is as follows (in millions):
		Three Months Ended December 31,		Year Ended December 31,
		2013		2014		2015	2016	2017	Thereafter	Total
	Scheduled vesting—restricted stock units	1.5		5.4		5.6	2.9	1.2	0.3	16.9

Segment_Information_Tables

Segment Information (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Schedule of Segment Reporting Information by Segment	Information on reportable segments and reconciliation to consolidated net income (loss) is as follows (in millions):
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 30,						September 30,
		2013			2012			2013			2012
	North America
	Net sales	$	10,301		$	7,884		$	29,186		$	22,638
	Segment operating expenses (1)	10,006			7,593			28,024			21,655
	Segment operating income	$	295		$	291		$	1,162		$	983
	International
	Net sales	$	6,791		$	5,922		$	19,679		$	17,187
	Segment operating expenses (1)	6,819			5,981			19,724			17,181
	Segment operating income (loss)	$	(28	)	$	(59	)	$	(45	)	$	6
	Consolidated
	Net sales	$	17,092		$	13,806		$	48,865		$	39,825
	Segment operating expenses (1)	16,825			13,574			47,748			38,836
	Segment operating income	267			232			1,117			989
	Stock-based compensation	(281		)	(217		)	(808		)	(597		)
	Other operating income (expense), net	(11		)	(43		)	(74		)	(121		)
	Income (loss) from operations	(25		)	(28		)	235			271
	Total non-operating income (expense)	(18		)	6			(181		)	(64		)
	Benefit (provision) for income taxes	12			(83		)	18			(234		)
	Equity-method investment activity, net of tax	(10		)	(169		)	(38		)	(110		)
	Net income (loss)	$	(41	)	$	(274	)	$	34		$	(137	)
	___________________
	-1	Represents operating expenses, excluding stock-based compensation and “Other operating expense (income), net,” which are not allocated to segments.
Revenue from External Customers by Products and Services	Net sales of similar products and services were as follows (in millions):
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 30,						September 30,
		2013			2012			2013			2012
	Net Sales:
	Media	$	5,033		$	4,600		$	14,488		$	13,427
	Electronics and other general merchandise	11,048			8,558			31,677			24,695
	Other (1)	1,011			648			2,700			1,703
		$	17,092		$	13,806		$	48,865		$	39,825
	___________________
	-1	Includes sales from non-retail activities, such as Amazon Web Services (“AWS”), advertising services, and our co-branded credit card agreements.

Accounting_Policies_Calculatio

Accounting Policies - Calculation of Diluted Shares (Detail)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Shares used in computation of basic earnings per share	457	452	456	452
Total dilutive effect of outstanding stock awards	0	0	8	0
Shares used in computation of diluted earnings per share	457	452	464	452

Cash_Cash_Equivalents_and_Mark2

Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Marketable Securities - Summary by Major Security Type Cash Cash Equivalents and Marketable Securities Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis and Categorized Using Fair Value Hierarchy (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities [Line Items]
Total Estimated Fair Value	$7,689		$11,448
Less: Restricted cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities	-290	[1]	-99	[1]
Cash
Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities [Line Items]
Cost or Amortized Cost	2,392
Gross Unrealized Gains	0
Gross Unrealized Losses	0
Total Estimated Fair Value	2,392		2,595
Cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities
Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities [Line Items]
Cost or Amortized Cost	7,975
Gross Unrealized Gains	8
Gross Unrealized Losses	-4
Total Estimated Fair Value	7,979		11,547
Level 1 Securities | Money market funds
Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities [Line Items]
Cost or Amortized Cost	1,760
Gross Unrealized Gains	0
Gross Unrealized Losses	0
Total Estimated Fair Value	1,760		5,561
Level 1 Securities | Equity securities
Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities [Line Items]
Cost or Amortized Cost	3
Gross Unrealized Gains	0
Gross Unrealized Losses	0
Total Estimated Fair Value	3		2
Level 2 Securities | Foreign government and agency securities
Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities [Line Items]
Cost or Amortized Cost	761
Gross Unrealized Gains	3
Gross Unrealized Losses	-1
Total Estimated Fair Value	763		772
Level 2 Securities | U.S. government and agency securities
Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities [Line Items]
Cost or Amortized Cost	2,245
Gross Unrealized Gains	2
Gross Unrealized Losses	-2
Total Estimated Fair Value	2,245		1,810
Level 2 Securities | Corporate debt securities
Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities [Line Items]
Cost or Amortized Cost	708
Gross Unrealized Gains	3
Gross Unrealized Losses	-1
Total Estimated Fair Value	710		725
Level 2 Securities | Asset-backed securities
Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities [Line Items]
Cost or Amortized Cost	66
Gross Unrealized Gains	0
Gross Unrealized Losses	0
Total Estimated Fair Value	66		49
Level 2 Securities | Other fixed income securities
Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities [Line Items]
Cost or Amortized Cost	40
Gross Unrealized Gains	0
Gross Unrealized Losses	0
Total Estimated Fair Value	$40		$33
[1]	We are required to pledge or otherwise restrict a portion of our cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities as collateral for standby and trade letters of credit, guarantees, debt, and real estate lease agreements. We classify cash and marketable securities with use restrictions of less than twelve months as “Accounts receivable, net and other” and of twelve months or longer as non-current “Other assets” on our consolidated balance sheets. See “Note 3 — Commitments and Contingencies.”

Cash_Cash_Equivalents_and_Mark3

Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Marketable Securities - Summary of Contractual Maturities of Cash Equivalent and Marketable Fixed Income Securities (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Investments Classified by Contractual Maturity Date [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	$5,580
Estimated Fair Value	5,584
Due within one year
Investments Classified by Contractual Maturity Date [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	2,901
Estimated Fair Value	2,902
Due after one year through five years
Investments Classified by Contractual Maturity Date [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	2,258
Estimated Fair Value	2,262
Due after five years through ten years
Investments Classified by Contractual Maturity Date [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	151
Estimated Fair Value	150
Due after ten years
Investments Classified by Contractual Maturity Date [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	270
Estimated Fair Value	$270

Commitments_and_Contingencies_1

Commitments and Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

In Millions, unless otherwise specified

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2009

Jul. 31, 2010

Jul. 31, 2011

Jul. 31, 2012

Jul. 31, 2012

Nazomi Communications, Inc.

Positive Technologies, Inc.

GPNE Corp.

Technology Properties Limited, Phoenix Digital Solutions LLC and Patriot Scientific Corporation

Prejudgment Interest

Patent

Patent

Patent

Patent

Technology Properties Limited, Phoenix Digital Solutions LLC and Patriot Scientific Corporation

Loss Contingencies [Line Items]

Rental expense under operating lease agreements

$197

$146

$545

$390

Tax contingencies

336

336

294

Pledged or otherwise restricted cash and marketable securities as collateral

290

[1]

290

[1]

99

[1]

Number of patents infringed

2

3

3

2

Plaintiff alleged damages to be paid

$42

$17

[1]

We are required to pledge or otherwise restrict a portion of our cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities as collateral for standby and trade letters of credit, guarantees, debt, and real estate lease agreements. We classify cash and marketable securities with use restrictions of less than twelve months as “Accounts receivable, net and other” and of twelve months or longer as non-current “Other assets” on our consolidated balance sheets. See “Note 3 — Commitments and Contingencies.”

Commitments_and_Contingencies_2

Commitments and Contingencies - Principal Contractual Commitments Excluding Open Orders for Inventory Purchases That Support Normal Operations (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Operating leases
Three Months Ended December 31, 2013	$186
Year Ended December 31, 2014	649
Year Ended December 31, 2015	595
Year Ended December 31, 2016	552
Year Ended December 31, 2017	493
Thereafter	2,424
Total	4,899
Unconditional purchase obligations
Three Months Ended December 31, 2013	32	[1]
Year Ended December 31, 2014	477	[1]
Year Ended December 31, 2015	291	[1]
Year Ended December 31, 2016	63	[1]
Year Ended December 31, 2017	35	[1]
Thereafter	49	[1]
Total	947	[1]
Other commitments
Three Months Ended December 31, 2013	267	[2],[3]
Year Ended December 31, 2014	360	[2],[3]
Year Ended December 31, 2015	245	[2],[3]
Year Ended December 31, 2016	151	[2],[3]
Year Ended December 31, 2017	117	[2],[3]
Thereafter	1,242	[2],[3]
Total	2,382	[2],[3]
Long-term Purchase Commitments [Line Items]
Three Months Ended December 31, 2013	863
Year Ended December 31, 2014	2,938
Year Ended December 31, 2015	2,749
Year Ended December 31, 2016	1,076
Year Ended December 31, 2017	1,787
Thereafter	5,707
Total	15,120
Debt principal and interest
Long-term Purchase Commitments [Line Items]
Three Months Ended December 31, 2013	156
Year Ended December 31, 2014	633
Year Ended December 31, 2015	867
Year Ended December 31, 2016	43
Year Ended December 31, 2017	1,043
Thereafter	1,407
Total	4,149
Capital leases, including interest
Long-term Purchase Commitments [Line Items]
Three Months Ended December 31, 2013	214
Year Ended December 31, 2014	779
Year Ended December 31, 2015	710
Year Ended December 31, 2016	225
Year Ended December 31, 2017	56
Thereafter	115
Total	2,099
Financing lease obligations, including interest
Long-term Purchase Commitments [Line Items]
Three Months Ended December 31, 2013	8
Year Ended December 31, 2014	40
Year Ended December 31, 2015	41
Year Ended December 31, 2016	42
Year Ended December 31, 2017	43
Thereafter	470
Total	$644
[1]	Includes unconditional purchase obligations related to agreements to acquire and license digital video content that represent long-term liabilities or that are not reflected on the consolidated balance sheets.
[2]	Excludes $336 million of tax contingencies for which we cannot make a reasonably reliable estimate of the amount and period of payment, if any.
[3]	Includes the estimated timing and amounts of payments for rent and tenant improvements associated with build-to-suit lease arrangements that have not been placed in service.

EquityMethod_Investments_Summa

Equity-Method Investments - Summarized Condensed Financial Information of LivingSocial (Detail) (LivingSocial, USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012
LivingSocial
Statement of Operations:
Revenue	$384		$387
Operating expense	494		653
Impairment charge	0		501
Operating loss	-110		-767
Net loss	($107)	[1]	($516)	[1]
[1]	The difference between the operating loss and net loss for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 is primarily due to non-operating, non-cash gains on previously held equity positions in companies that LivingSocial acquired during Q1 2012.

Equity_Method_Investments_Addi

Equity Method Investments - Additional Information (Detail) (LivingSocial, USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013
LivingSocial
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity investment, book value		$15
Investment in Living Social	$56
Equity investment, ownership percentage		31.00%

LongTerm_Debt_Additional_Infor

Long-Term Debt - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Nov. 30, 2012
			tranch
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying amount of other long term debt including current portion	$747,000,000	$691,000,000
Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Face amount			3,000,000,000
Number of tranches of debt issued			3
Unamortized discount	24,000,000	27,000,000
Interest payment frequency	semi-annually in arrears in May and November
Total estimated fair value of notes	$2,900,000,000	$3,000,000,000
0.65% Notes due on November 27, 2015
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Effective interest yields	0.84%
1.20% Notes due on November 29, 2017
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Effective interest yields	1.38%
2.50% Notes due on November 29, 2022
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Effective interest yields	2.66%
Other Long Term Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, weighted average interest rate	6.30%	6.40%

LongTerm_Debt_LongTerm_Debt_Ob

Long-Term Debt - Long-Term Debt Obligations (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt	$3,747	$3,691
Other long-term debt	747	691
Less current portion of long-term debt	-680	-579
Face value of long-term debt	3,067	3,112
0.65% Notes due on November 27, 2015
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate	0.65%
Long-term debt	750	750
1.20% Notes due on November 29, 2017
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate	1.20%
Long-term debt	1,000	1,000
2.50% Notes due on November 29, 2022
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate	2.50%
Long-term debt	$1,250	$1,250

Stockholders_Equity_Additional

Stockholders Equity - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended		1 Months Ended
Share data in Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Jan. 31, 2010
			Share Repurchase Program, 2010
Stockholders Equity Note [Line Items]
Repurchase program authorized by Board of Directors			$2,000,000,000
Repurchase program authorized, remaining common stock			763,000,000
Common shares outstanding plus shares underlying outstanding stock awards, including all stock-based awards outstanding, including estimated forfeiture	475	470
Net unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested stock-based compensation arrangements	$1,700,000,000
Net unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested stock-based compensation arrangements, weighted average recognition period (in years)	1 year 2 months 24 days

Stockholders_Equity_Restricted

Stockholders' Equity - Restricted Stock Unit Activity (Detail) (Restricted Stock Units, USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013
Restricted Stock Units
Number of units
Beginning balance (in shares)	15.4
Units granted (in shares)	6.1
Units vested (in shares)	-3.1
Units forfeited (in shares)	-1.5
Ending balance (in shares)	16.9
Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value
Beginning balance (in usd per share)	$184
Units granted (in usd per share)	$269
Units vested (in usd per share)	$154
Units forfeited (in usd per share)	$204
Ending balance (in usd per share)	$218

Stockholders_Equity_Scheduled_

Stockholders' Equity - Scheduled Vesting for Outstanding Restricted Stock Units (Detail) (Restricted Stock Units)	Sep. 30, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Restricted Stock Units
Schedule of Vesting [Line Items]
Three Months Ended December 31, 2013	1.5
Year Ended December 31, 2014	5.4
Year Ended December 31, 2015	5.6
Year Ended December 31, 2016	2.9
Year Ended December 31, 2017	1.2
Thereafter	0.3
Total	16.9

Income_Taxes_Additional_Inform

Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Discrete tax benefits			$54
Cash taxes paid, net of refunds	23	21	143	60	195	75
Tax contingencies	336		336		336		294
Description of the status of the tax examination			We are under examination, or may be subject to examination, by the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) for the calendar year 2005 or thereafter.
Tax examination, additional tax expense including interest and penalties			1,500
France
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Tax examination, additional tax expense including interest and penalties			$250

Segment_Information_Additional

Segment Information - Additional Information (Detail)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
	Segment
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Number of segments	2

Segment_Information_Reportable

Segment Information - Reportable Segments and Reconciliation to Consolidated Net Income (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended				12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012		Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012		Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Segment Reporting Disclosure [Line Items]
Net sales	$17,092		$13,806		$48,865		$39,825
Segment operating expenses	17,117		13,834		48,630		39,554
Income (loss) from operations	-25		-28		235		271
Stock-based compensation	-281		-217		-808		-597		-1,043	-756
Other operating income (expense), net	-11		-43		-74		-121
Total non-operating income (expense)	-18		6		-181		-64
Benefit (provision) for income taxes	12		-83		18		-234
Equity-method investment activity, net of tax	-10		-169		-38		-110
Net income (loss)	-41		-274		34		-137		132	40
Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Disclosure [Line Items]
Net sales	17,092		13,806		48,865		39,825
Segment operating expenses	16,825	[1]	13,574	[1]	47,748	[1]	38,836	[1]
Income (loss) from operations	267		232		1,117		989
Operating Segments | North America
Segment Reporting Disclosure [Line Items]
Net sales	10,301		7,884		29,186		22,638
Segment operating expenses	10,006	[1]	7,593	[1]	28,024	[1]	21,655	[1]
Income (loss) from operations	295		291		1,162		983
Operating Segments | International
Segment Reporting Disclosure [Line Items]
Net sales	6,791		5,922		19,679		17,187
Segment operating expenses	6,819	[1]	5,981	[1]	19,724	[1]	17,181	[1]
Income (loss) from operations	($28)		($59)		($45)		$6
[1]	Represents operating expenses, excluding stock-based compensation and “Other operating expense (income), net,” which are not allocated to segments.

Segment_Information_Net_Sales_

Segment Information - Net Sales of Similar Products and Services (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012		Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales	$17,092		$13,806		$48,865		$39,825
Media
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales	5,033		4,600		14,488		13,427
Electronics and other general merchandise
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales	11,048		8,558		31,677		24,695
Other
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales	$1,011	[1]	$648	[1]	$2,700	[1]	$1,703	[1]
[1]	Includes sales from non-retail activities, such as Amazon Web Services (“AWS”), advertising services, and our co-branded credit card agreements.