Condensed Combining Financial Information (Condensed Combining Statement Of Cash Flows) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Net cash provided by/(used for) operating activities	$ (117)	$ (134)
Capital expenditures	(214)	(273)
Insurance proceeds	33	0
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	3	25
Other, net	(27)	0
Net cash used for investing activities	(205)	(248)
Proceeds from long-term debt	49	1,421
Payments of long-term debt	(45)	(1,047)
Net change in revolving credit facility and short-term debt	470	342
Debt issue costs	0	(17)
Common stock issued	(7)	(9)
Common stock repurchased	(207)	(212)
Purchase of noncontrolling interests		116
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests	(50)	(60)
Other	(6)	11
Net cash provided by financing activities	218	399
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	2	(1)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	(102)	16
Cash and cash equivalents at January 1	342	463
Cash and cash equivalents at September 30	240	479
Crown European Holdings SA [Member]
Net cash provided by/(used for) operating activities	(117)	(134)
Capital expenditures	(214)	(273)
Intercompany investing activities		0
Insurance proceeds	33
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	3	25
Other, net	(27)
Net cash used for investing activities	(205)	(248)
Proceeds from long-term debt	49	1,421
Payments of long-term debt	(45)	(1,047)
Net change in revolving credit facility and short-term debt	470	342
Net change in long-term intercompany balances		0
Debt issue costs	0	(17)
Common stock issued	(7)	(9)
Common stock repurchased	(207)	(212)
Dividends paid
Purchase of noncontrolling interests		(48)
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests	(50)	(60)
Other	(6)	11
Net cash provided by financing activities	218	399
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	2	(1)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	(102)	16
Cash and cash equivalents at January 1	342	463
Cash and cash equivalents at September 30	240	479
Crown European Holdings SA [Member] | Parent [Member]
Net cash provided by/(used for) operating activities	11	5
Capital expenditures
Intercompany investing activities
Insurance proceeds
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment
Other, net
Net cash used for investing activities
Proceeds from long-term debt
Payments of long-term debt
Net change in revolving credit facility and short-term debt
Net change in long-term intercompany balances	189	198
Debt issue costs
Common stock issued	(7)	(9)
Common stock repurchased	(207)	(212)
Dividends paid
Purchase of noncontrolling interests
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests
Other
Net cash provided by financing activities	(11)	(5)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at January 1
Cash and cash equivalents at September 30
Crown European Holdings SA [Member] | Issuer [Member]
Net cash provided by/(used for) operating activities	(47)	(38)
Capital expenditures
Intercompany investing activities	35	6
Insurance proceeds
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment
Other, net
Net cash used for investing activities	35	6
Proceeds from long-term debt		385
Payments of long-term debt		(277)
Net change in revolving credit facility and short-term debt	7	53
Net change in long-term intercompany balances	(3)	(129)
Debt issue costs	0	(3)
Common stock issued
Common stock repurchased
Dividends paid
Purchase of noncontrolling interests
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests
Other	8	3
Net cash provided by financing activities	12	32
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at January 1
Cash and cash equivalents at September 30
Crown European Holdings SA [Member] | Guarantors [Member]
Net cash provided by/(used for) operating activities	(21)	(72)
Capital expenditures	(43)	(62)
Intercompany investing activities	71	247
Insurance proceeds
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	3	25
Other, net
Net cash used for investing activities	31	210
Proceeds from long-term debt		900
Payments of long-term debt		(747)
Net change in revolving credit facility and short-term debt	294	246
Net change in long-term intercompany balances	(256)	(503)
Debt issue costs	0	(14)
Common stock issued
Common stock repurchased
Dividends paid	(34)
Purchase of noncontrolling interests		(37)
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests
Other	(14)	8
Net cash provided by financing activities	(10)	(147)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
Net change in cash and cash equivalents		(9)
Cash and cash equivalents at January 1	54	65
Cash and cash equivalents at September 30	54	56
Crown European Holdings SA [Member] | Non-Guarantors [Member]
Net cash provided by/(used for) operating activities	(60)	(29)
Capital expenditures	(171)	(211)
Intercompany investing activities		(180)
Insurance proceeds	33
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment
Other, net	(27)
Net cash used for investing activities	(165)	(391)
Proceeds from long-term debt	49	136
Payments of long-term debt	(45)	(23)
Net change in revolving credit facility and short-term debt	169	43
Net change in long-term intercompany balances	70	434
Debt issue costs	0
Common stock issued
Common stock repurchased
Dividends paid	(72)	(73)
Purchase of noncontrolling interests		(11)
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests	(50)	(60)
Other
Net cash provided by financing activities	121	446
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	2	(1)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	(102)	25
Cash and cash equivalents at January 1	288	398
Cash and cash equivalents at September 30	186	423
Crown European Holdings SA [Member] | Eliminations [Member]
Net cash provided by/(used for) operating activities
Capital expenditures
Intercompany investing activities	(106)	(73)
Insurance proceeds
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment
Other, net
Net cash used for investing activities	(106)	(73)
Proceeds from long-term debt
Payments of long-term debt
Net change in revolving credit facility and short-term debt
Net change in long-term intercompany balances
Debt issue costs
Common stock issued
Common stock repurchased
Dividends paid	106	73
Purchase of noncontrolling interests
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests
Other
Net cash provided by financing activities	106	73
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at January 1
Cash and cash equivalents at September 30
Crown Cork Seal Company Inc [Member]
Net cash provided by/(used for) operating activities	(117)	(134)
Capital expenditures	(214)	(273)
Intercompany investing activities		0
Insurance proceeds	33
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	3	25
Other, net	(27)
Net cash used for investing activities	(205)	(248)
Proceeds from long-term debt	49	1,421
Payments of long-term debt	(45)	(1,047)
Net change in revolving credit facility and short-term debt	470	342
Net change in long-term intercompany balances		0
Debt issue costs		(17)
Common stock issued	(7)	(9)
Common stock repurchased	(207)	(212)
Dividends paid		0
Purchase of noncontrolling interests		(48)
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests	(50)	(60)
Other	(6)	11
Net cash provided by financing activities	218	399
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	2	(1)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	(102)	16
Cash and cash equivalents at January 1	342	463
Cash and cash equivalents at September 30	240	479
Crown Cork Seal Company Inc [Member] | Parent [Member]
Net cash provided by/(used for) operating activities	11	5
Capital expenditures
Intercompany investing activities
Insurance proceeds
Other, net
Net cash used for investing activities
Proceeds from long-term debt
Payments of long-term debt
Net change in revolving credit facility and short-term debt
Net change in long-term intercompany balances	189	198
Debt issue costs
Common stock issued	(7)	(9)
Common stock repurchased	(207)	(212)
Dividends paid
Purchase of noncontrolling interests		0
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests
Other
Net cash provided by financing activities	(11)	(5)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at January 1
Cash and cash equivalents at September 30
Crown Cork Seal Company Inc [Member] | Issuer [Member]
Net cash provided by/(used for) operating activities	(157)	(54)
Capital expenditures
Intercompany investing activities	57	36
Insurance proceeds
Other, net
Net cash used for investing activities	57	36
Proceeds from long-term debt
Payments of long-term debt
Net change in revolving credit facility and short-term debt
Net change in long-term intercompany balances	100	55
Debt issue costs
Common stock issued
Common stock repurchased
Dividends paid
Purchase of noncontrolling interests		(37)
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests
Other
Net cash provided by financing activities	100	18
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at January 1
Cash and cash equivalents at September 30
Crown Cork Seal Company Inc [Member] | Non-Guarantors [Member]
Net cash provided by/(used for) operating activities	29	(85)
Capital expenditures	(214)	(273)
Intercompany investing activities
Insurance proceeds	33
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	3	25
Other, net	(27)
Net cash used for investing activities	(205)	(248)
Proceeds from long-term debt	49	1,421
Payments of long-term debt	(45)	(1,047)
Net change in revolving credit facility and short-term debt	470	342
Net change in long-term intercompany balances	(289)	(253)
Debt issue costs		(17)
Common stock issued
Common stock repurchased
Dividends paid	(57)	(36)
Purchase of noncontrolling interests		(11)
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests	(50)	(60)
Other	(6)	11
Net cash provided by financing activities	72	350
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	2	(1)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	(102)	16
Cash and cash equivalents at January 1	342	463
Cash and cash equivalents at September 30	240	479
Crown Cork Seal Company Inc [Member] | Eliminations [Member]
Net cash provided by/(used for) operating activities
Capital expenditures
Intercompany investing activities	(57)	(36)
Insurance proceeds
Other, net
Net cash used for investing activities	(57)	(36)
Proceeds from long-term debt
Payments of long-term debt
Net change in revolving credit facility and short-term debt
Net change in long-term intercompany balances
Debt issue costs
Common stock issued
Common stock repurchased
Dividends paid	57	36
Purchase of noncontrolling interests
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests
Other
Net cash provided by financing activities	57	36
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at January 1
Cash and cash equivalents at September 30
Crown Americas, LLC, Crown Americas Capital Corp. And Crown Americas Capital Corp. II [Member]
Net cash provided by/(used for) operating activities	(117)	(134)
Capital expenditures	(214)	(273)
Insurance proceeds	33
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	3	25
Other, net	(27)
Net cash used for investing activities	(205)	(248)
Proceeds from long-term debt	49	1,421
Payments of long-term debt	(45)	(1,047)
Net change in revolving credit facility and short-term debt	470	342
Debt issue costs		(17)
Common stock issued	(7)	(9)
Common stock repurchased	(207)	(212)
Purchase of noncontrolling interests		(48)
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests	(50)	(60)
Other	(6)	11
Net cash provided by financing activities	218	399
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	2	(1)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	(102)	16
Cash and cash equivalents at January 1	342	463
Cash and cash equivalents at September 30	240	479
Crown Americas, LLC, Crown Americas Capital Corp. And Crown Americas Capital Corp. II [Member] | Parent [Member]
Net cash provided by/(used for) operating activities	11	5
Capital expenditures
Intercompany investing activities
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment
Other, net
Net cash used for investing activities
Proceeds from long-term debt
Payments of long-term debt
Net change in revolving credit facility and short-term debt
Net change in long-term intercompany balances	189	198
Common stock issued	(7)	(9)
Common stock repurchased	(207)	(212)
Dividends paid
Purchase of noncontrolling interests
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests
Other
Net cash provided by financing activities	(11)	(5)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at January 1
Cash and cash equivalents at September 30
Crown Americas, LLC, Crown Americas Capital Corp. And Crown Americas Capital Corp. II [Member] | Issuer [Member]
Net cash provided by/(used for) operating activities	(28)	(25)
Capital expenditures
Intercompany investing activities	10	11
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment
Other, net
Net cash used for investing activities	10	11
Proceeds from long-term debt		900
Payments of long-term debt		(746)
Net change in revolving credit facility and short-term debt	287	140
Net change in long-term intercompany balances	(272)	(273)
Common stock issued
Common stock repurchased
Dividends paid
Purchase of noncontrolling interests
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests
Other
Net cash provided by financing activities	15	7
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	(3)	(7)
Cash and cash equivalents at January 1	21	38
Cash and cash equivalents at September 30	18	31
Crown Americas, LLC, Crown Americas Capital Corp. And Crown Americas Capital Corp. II [Member] | Guarantors [Member]
Net cash provided by/(used for) operating activities	164	139
Capital expenditures	(21)	(27)
Intercompany investing activities	57	38
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	1
Other, net
Net cash used for investing activities	37	11
Proceeds from long-term debt
Payments of long-term debt		(1)
Net change in revolving credit facility and short-term debt
Net change in long-term intercompany balances	(201)	(112)
Common stock issued
Common stock repurchased
Dividends paid
Purchase of noncontrolling interests		(37)
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests
Other
Net cash provided by financing activities	(201)	(150)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at January 1	1	1
Cash and cash equivalents at September 30	1	1
Crown Americas, LLC, Crown Americas Capital Corp. And Crown Americas Capital Corp. II [Member] | Non-Guarantors [Member]
Net cash provided by/(used for) operating activities	(264)	(253)
Capital expenditures	(193)	(246)
Intercompany investing activities		24
Insurance proceeds	33
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	2	25
Other, net	(27)
Net cash used for investing activities	(185)	(197)
Proceeds from long-term debt	49	521
Payments of long-term debt	(45)	(300)
Net change in revolving credit facility and short-term debt	183	202
Net change in long-term intercompany balances	284	187
Common stock issued
Common stock repurchased
Dividends paid	(67)	(73)
Purchase of noncontrolling interests		(11)
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests	(50)	(60)
Other	(6)	11
Net cash provided by financing activities	348	474
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	2	(1)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	(99)	23
Cash and cash equivalents at January 1	320	424
Cash and cash equivalents at September 30	221	447
Crown Americas, LLC, Crown Americas Capital Corp. And Crown Americas Capital Corp. II [Member] | Eliminations [Member]
Net cash provided by/(used for) operating activities
Capital expenditures
Intercompany investing activities	(67)	(73)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment
Other, net
Net cash used for investing activities	(67)	(73)
Proceeds from long-term debt
Payments of long-term debt
Net change in revolving credit facility and short-term debt
Net change in long-term intercompany balances
Common stock issued
Common stock repurchased
Dividends paid	67	73
Purchase of noncontrolling interests
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests
Other
Net cash provided by financing activities	67	73
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at January 1
Cash and cash equivalents at September 30