XML 25 R47.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v2.4.1.9

Fair Value Measurement of Assets and Liabilities (Fair Value of Money Market Funds, Short and Long-Term Investments Classified as Available for Sale Securities) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified | Mar. 31, 2015 | Dec. 31, 2014
--- | --- | ---
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Cost | $ 331,063 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAmortizedCost |  | $ 346,677 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAmortizedCost |
Gross Unrealized Gains | 541 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedGainBeforeTax |  | 25 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedGainBeforeTax |
Gross Unrealized Losses | (145)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedLossBeforeTax | [1] | (603)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedLossBeforeTax | [1]
Estimated Fair Value | 331,459 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities |  | 346,099 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities |
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member] |  |  |  |
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Cost | 49,038 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAmortizedCost / us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis = us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsMember |  | 50,540 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAmortizedCost / us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis = us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsMember |
Gross Unrealized Gains | 5 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedGainBeforeTax / us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis = us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsMember |  | 2 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedGainBeforeTax / us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis = us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsMember |
Gross Unrealized Losses | (32)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedLossBeforeTax / us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis = us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsMember | [1] | (43)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedLossBeforeTax / us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis = us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsMember | [1]
Estimated Fair Value | 49,011 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities / us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis = us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsMember |  | 50,499 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities / us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis = us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsMember |
Short-Term Investments [Member] |  |  |  |
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Cost | 92,346 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAmortizedCost / us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis = us-gaap_ShortTermInvestmentsMember |  | 90,414 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAmortizedCost / us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis = us-gaap_ShortTermInvestmentsMember |
Gross Unrealized Gains | 12 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedGainBeforeTax / us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis = us-gaap_ShortTermInvestmentsMember |  | 1 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedGainBeforeTax / us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis = us-gaap_ShortTermInvestmentsMember |
Gross Unrealized Losses | (62)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedLossBeforeTax / us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis = us-gaap_ShortTermInvestmentsMember | [1] | (80)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedLossBeforeTax / us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis = us-gaap_ShortTermInvestmentsMember | [1]
Estimated Fair Value | 92,296 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities / us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis = us-gaap_ShortTermInvestmentsMember |  | 90,335 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities / us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis = us-gaap_ShortTermInvestmentsMember |
Long-Term Investments [Member] |  |  |  |
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Cost | 189,679 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAmortizedCost / us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis = meli_LongTermInvestmentsMember |  | 205,723 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAmortizedCost / us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis = meli_LongTermInvestmentsMember |
Gross Unrealized Gains | 524 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedGainBeforeTax / us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis = meli_LongTermInvestmentsMember |  | 22 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedGainBeforeTax / us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis = meli_LongTermInvestmentsMember |
Gross Unrealized Losses | (51)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedLossBeforeTax / us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis = meli_LongTermInvestmentsMember | [1] | (480)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedLossBeforeTax / us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis = meli_LongTermInvestmentsMember | [1]
Estimated Fair Value | 190,152 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities / us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis = meli_LongTermInvestmentsMember |  | 205,265 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities / us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis = meli_LongTermInvestmentsMember |
Money Market Funds [Member] | Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member] |  |  |  |
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Cost | 35,543 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAmortizedCost / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = us-gaap_MoneyMarketFundsMember / us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis = us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsMember |  | 37,531 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAmortizedCost / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = us-gaap_MoneyMarketFundsMember / us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis = us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsMember |
Gross Unrealized Gains | 5 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedGainBeforeTax / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = us-gaap_MoneyMarketFundsMember / us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis = us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsMember |  | 2 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedGainBeforeTax / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = us-gaap_MoneyMarketFundsMember / us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis = us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsMember |
Gross Unrealized Losses | (28)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedLossBeforeTax / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = us-gaap_MoneyMarketFundsMember / us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis = us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsMember | [1] | (38)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedLossBeforeTax / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = us-gaap_MoneyMarketFundsMember / us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis = us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsMember | [1]
Estimated Fair Value | 35,520 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = us-gaap_MoneyMarketFundsMember / us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis = us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsMember |  | 37,495 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = us-gaap_MoneyMarketFundsMember / us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis = us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsMember |
Sovereign Debt Securities [Member] | Short-Term Investments [Member] |  |  |  |
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Cost | 651 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAmortizedCost / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = us-gaap_SovereignDebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis = us-gaap_ShortTermInvestmentsMember |  | 4,726 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAmortizedCost / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = us-gaap_SovereignDebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis = us-gaap_ShortTermInvestmentsMember |
Gross Unrealized Losses | (1)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedLossBeforeTax / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = us-gaap_SovereignDebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis = us-gaap_ShortTermInvestmentsMember | [1] | (4)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedLossBeforeTax / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = us-gaap_SovereignDebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis = us-gaap_ShortTermInvestmentsMember | [1]
Estimated Fair Value | 650 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = us-gaap_SovereignDebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis = us-gaap_ShortTermInvestmentsMember |  | 4,722 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = us-gaap_SovereignDebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis = us-gaap_ShortTermInvestmentsMember |
Sovereign Debt Securities [Member] | Long-Term Investments [Member] |  |  |  |
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Cost | 43,339 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAmortizedCost / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = us-gaap_SovereignDebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis = meli_LongTermInvestmentsMember |  | 44,511 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAmortizedCost / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = us-gaap_SovereignDebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis = meli_LongTermInvestmentsMember |
Gross Unrealized Gains | 115 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedGainBeforeTax / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = us-gaap_SovereignDebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis = meli_LongTermInvestmentsMember |  |  |
Gross Unrealized Losses | (3)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedLossBeforeTax / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = us-gaap_SovereignDebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis = meli_LongTermInvestmentsMember | [1] | (83)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedLossBeforeTax / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = us-gaap_SovereignDebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis = meli_LongTermInvestmentsMember | [1]
Estimated Fair Value | 43,451 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = us-gaap_SovereignDebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis = meli_LongTermInvestmentsMember |  | 44,428 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = us-gaap_SovereignDebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis = meli_LongTermInvestmentsMember |
Corporate Debt Securities [Member] | Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member] |  |  |  |
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Cost | 13,495 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAmortizedCost / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis = us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsMember |  | 13,009 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAmortizedCost / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis = us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsMember |
Gross Unrealized Losses | (4)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedLossBeforeTax / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis = us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsMember | [1] | (5)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedLossBeforeTax / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis = us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsMember | [1]
Estimated Fair Value | 13,491 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis = us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsMember |  | 13,004 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis = us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsMember |
Corporate Debt Securities [Member] | Short-Term Investments [Member] |  |  |  |
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Cost | 83,884 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAmortizedCost / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis = us-gaap_ShortTermInvestmentsMember |  | 81,886 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAmortizedCost / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis = us-gaap_ShortTermInvestmentsMember |
Gross Unrealized Gains | 9 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedGainBeforeTax / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis = us-gaap_ShortTermInvestmentsMember |  |  |
Gross Unrealized Losses | (59)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedLossBeforeTax / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis = us-gaap_ShortTermInvestmentsMember | [1] | (75)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedLossBeforeTax / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis = us-gaap_ShortTermInvestmentsMember | [1]
Estimated Fair Value | 83,834 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis = us-gaap_ShortTermInvestmentsMember |  | 81,811 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis = us-gaap_ShortTermInvestmentsMember |
Corporate Debt Securities [Member] | Long-Term Investments [Member] |  |  |  |
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Cost | 142,837 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAmortizedCost / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis = meli_LongTermInvestmentsMember |  | 157,205 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAmortizedCost / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis = meli_LongTermInvestmentsMember |
Gross Unrealized Gains | 408 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedGainBeforeTax / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis = meli_LongTermInvestmentsMember |  | 22 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedGainBeforeTax / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis = meli_LongTermInvestmentsMember |
Gross Unrealized Losses | (48)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedLossBeforeTax / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis = meli_LongTermInvestmentsMember | [1] | (395)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedLossBeforeTax / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis = meli_LongTermInvestmentsMember | [1]
Estimated Fair Value | 143,197 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis = meli_LongTermInvestmentsMember |  | 156,832 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis = meli_LongTermInvestmentsMember |
Certificates of Deposit [Member] | Short-Term Investments [Member] |  |  |  |
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Cost | 7,811 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAmortizedCost / us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAxis = us-gaap_CertificatesOfDepositMember / us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis = us-gaap_ShortTermInvestmentsMember |  | 3,802 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAmortizedCost / us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAxis = us-gaap_CertificatesOfDepositMember / us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis = us-gaap_ShortTermInvestmentsMember |
Gross Unrealized Gains | 3 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedGainBeforeTax / us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAxis = us-gaap_CertificatesOfDepositMember / us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis = us-gaap_ShortTermInvestmentsMember |  | 1 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedGainBeforeTax / us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAxis = us-gaap_CertificatesOfDepositMember / us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis = us-gaap_ShortTermInvestmentsMember |
Gross Unrealized Losses | (2)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedLossBeforeTax / us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAxis = us-gaap_CertificatesOfDepositMember / us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis = us-gaap_ShortTermInvestmentsMember | [1] | (1)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedLossBeforeTax / us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAxis = us-gaap_CertificatesOfDepositMember / us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis = us-gaap_ShortTermInvestmentsMember | [1]
Estimated Fair Value | 7,812 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities / us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAxis = us-gaap_CertificatesOfDepositMember / us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis = us-gaap_ShortTermInvestmentsMember |  | 3,802 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities / us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAxis = us-gaap_CertificatesOfDepositMember / us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis = us-gaap_ShortTermInvestmentsMember |
Certificates of Deposit [Member] | Long-Term Investments [Member] |  |  |  |
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Cost | 3,503 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAmortizedCost / us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAxis = us-gaap_CertificatesOfDepositMember / us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis = meli_LongTermInvestmentsMember |  | 4,007 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAmortizedCost / us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAxis = us-gaap_CertificatesOfDepositMember / us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis = meli_LongTermInvestmentsMember |
Gross Unrealized Gains | 1 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedGainBeforeTax / us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAxis = us-gaap_CertificatesOfDepositMember / us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis = meli_LongTermInvestmentsMember |  |  |
Gross Unrealized Losses |  |  | (2)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedLossBeforeTax / us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAxis = us-gaap_CertificatesOfDepositMember / us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis = meli_LongTermInvestmentsMember | [1]
Estimated Fair Value | $ 3,504 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities / us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAxis = us-gaap_CertificatesOfDepositMember / us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis = meli_LongTermInvestmentsMember |  | $ 4,005 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities / us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAxis = us-gaap_CertificatesOfDepositMember / us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis = meli_LongTermInvestmentsMember |
[1] | Unrealized losses from securities are primarily attributable to market price movements. Management does not believe any remaining unrealized losses represent other-than-temporary impairments based on the evaluation of available evidence including the credit rating of the investments, as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014.

X
- Definition Amount before tax of unrealized gain in accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI) on investments in debt securities classified as available-for-sale. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 320 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27724398&loc=d3e27161-111563 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedGainBeforeTax
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Amount before tax of unrealized loss in accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI) on investments in debt securities classified as available-for-sale. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 320 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27724398&loc=d3e27161-111563 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedLossBeforeTax
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition This item represents the cost of debt and equity securities, which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading, net of adjustments including accretion, amortization, collection of cash, previous other-than-temporary impairments recognized in earnings (less any cumulative-effect adjustments recognized, as defined), and fair value hedge accounting adjustments, if any. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.2) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAmortizedCost
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Amount of debt securities categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 320 -SubTopic 10 -Section 25 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=28360136&loc=d3e22054-111558 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 320 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (aa) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27724398&loc=d3e27161-111563 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 320 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6871852&loc=d3e26610-111562 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 942 -SubTopic 320 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (b)-(g) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6957658&loc=d3e62557-112803 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAxis=us-gaap_CertificatesOfDepositMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis=us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis=us-gaap_MoneyMarketFundsMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis=us-gaap_SovereignDebtSecuritiesMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis=meli_LongTermInvestmentsMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis=us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis=us-gaap_ShortTermInvestmentsMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |