v2.4.0.6

Valuation and Qualifying Accounts (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified | 12 Months Ended
--- | ---
Dec. 31, 2011 | Dec. 31, 2010 | Dec. 31, 2009
Allowances for doubtful accounts |  |  |
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves |  |  |
Balance at beginning of period | $ 300 | $ 350 | $ 291
Charged to costs and expenses | 62 | 58 | 75
Charged to other accounts | (23) | 3 | 84
Deductions from reserves | (92) | (111) | (100)
Balance at end of period | 247 | 300 | 350
Allowance for secured advances to suppliers |  |  |
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves |  |  |
Balance at beginning of period | 87 | 75 | 37
Charged to costs and expenses | 6 | 17 | 21
Charged to other accounts | (9) | 3 | 17
Deductions from reserves | (11) | (8) |
Balance at end of period | 73 | 87 | 75
Allowances for recoverable taxes |  |  |
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves |  |  |
Balance at beginning of period | 118 | 164 | 104
Charged to costs and expenses | 14 | 20 | 34
Charged to other accounts | (6) | (20) | 31
Deductions from reserves | (28) | (46) | (5)
Balance at end of period | 98 | 118 | 164
Portion of deductions from reserves relating to sale of fertilizer nutrients assets |  | 39 |
Income tax valuation allowance |  |  |
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves |  |  |
Balance at beginning of period | 245 | 116 | 94
Charged to costs and expenses | (11) | 128 | 50
Charged to other accounts | (47) | 1 | 5
Deductions from reserves |  |  | (33)
Balance at end of period | $ 187 | $ 245 | $ 116

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- Definition Total of the deductions, relating to the sale of assets, in a given period to allowances and reserves, the valuation and qualifying accounts that are either netted against the cost of an asset (in order to value it at its carrying value) or that reflect a liability established to represent expected future costs, representing receivables written off as uncollectible and portions of the reserves utilized, respectively. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Details
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- Definition Total of allowances and reserves, the valuation and qualifying accounts that are either netted against the cost of an asset (in order to value it at its carrying value) or that reflect a liability established to represent expected future costs. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 09 -Article 12 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 235 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 4 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6881521&loc=d3e24092-122690 + Details
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- Definition Total of allowances and reserves, the valuation and qualifying accounts that are either netted against the cost of an asset (in order to value it at its carrying value) or that reflect a liability established to represent expected future costs, charged to costs and expenses. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 09 -Article 12 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 235 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 4 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6881521&loc=d3e24092-122690 + Details
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- Definition Total of allowances and reserves, the valuation and qualifying accounts that are either netted against the cost of an asset (in order to value it at its carrying value) or that reflect a liability established to represent expected future costs, charged to accounts other than costs and expenses in a given period. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 09 -Article 12 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 235 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 4 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6881521&loc=d3e24092-122690 + Details
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- Definition Total of the deductions in a given period to allowances and reserves, the valuation and qualifying accounts that are either netted against the cost of an asset (in order to value it at its carrying value) or that reflect a liability established to represent expected future costs, representing receivables written off as uncollectible and portions of the reserves utilized, respectively. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 09 -Article 12 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 235 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 4 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6881521&loc=d3e24092-122690 + Details
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