Derivatives And Hedging Activities (Narrative) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional amount of interest rate cash flow hedge derivatives	$ 99
Aggregate gain on the termination of interest rate swap agreements	13
Notional amount of foreign currency derivatives not designated as hedges related to net monetary assets and liabilities of foreign subsidiaries		60
Net unrealized gain on foreign currency derivatives designated as cash flow hedges	0.8
Settled On Maturity [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional amount of interest rate fair value hedge derivatives	50
Settled Prior To Maturity [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional amount of interest rate fair value hedge derivatives	195
Fair Value Hedges [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional amount of interest rate fair value hedge derivatives		$ 245

Amount as of the balance sheet date of the unamortized adjustment to the carrying value of an interest-bearing hedged item made under an effective fair value hedge that is amortized upon discontinuation of the fair value hedge.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 133

-Paragraph 24

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 815

-SubTopic 25

-Section 35

-Paragraph 9

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6439857&loc=d3e75592-113984

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DeferredGainLossOnDiscontinuationOfFairValueHedge
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Aggregate notional amount of all interest rate derivatives designated as hedging instruments in cash flow hedges. Notional amount refers to the monetary amount specified in the interest rate derivative contract.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 815

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1B

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6935481&loc=SL5580258-113959

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Notional Amount

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6519104

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 815

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1A

-Subparagraph (d)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6935481&loc=SL5579245-113959

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_NotionalAmountOfInterestRateCashFlowHedgeDerivatives
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Aggregate notional amount of all interest rate derivatives designated as hedging instruments in fair value hedges. Notional amount refers to the monetary amount specified in the interest rate derivative contract.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_NotionalAmountOfInterestRateFairValueHedgeDerivatives
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of unrealized gain related to the increase in fair value of foreign currency exchange rate derivatives designated as cash flow hedging instruments. Recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income to the extent that the cash flow hedge is determined to be effective.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 133

-Paragraph 45

-Subparagraph b(1)

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 815

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 4C

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6935481&loc=SL5624171-113959

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_UnrealizedGainOnForeignCurrencyDerivativesBeforeTax
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Notional Amount Of Foreign Currency Derivatives Not Designated As Hedges Related To Net Monetary Assets And Liabilities Of Foreign Subsidiaries

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	uvv_NotionalAmountOfForeignCurrencyDerivativesNotDesignatedAsHedgesRelatedToNetMonetaryAssetsAndLiabilitiesOfForeignSubsidiaries
Namespace Prefix:	uvv_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant