Commitments and Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Nov. 30, 2012
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Line Items]
Additional income tax payment potential	$ 69.3

Value of potential additional income tax payments due to field examinations with taxing authorities.

No definition available.

Name:	jbl_AdditionalIncomeTaxPaymentDue
Namespace Prefix:	jbl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant