Consolidated Statement of Operations (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Net Sales	$ 7,026	$ 6,632	$ 20,758	$ 19,667
Costs and Expenses
Cost of products sold	5,140	4,793	15,394	14,298
Selling and administrative expenses	527	477	1,514	1,446
Depreciation, amortization and cost of timber harvested	383	335	1,111	1,011
Distribution expenses	403	352	1,198	1,053
Taxes other than payroll and income taxes	39	33	124	111
Restructuring and other charges	33	49	88	84
Net (gains) losses on sales and impairments of businesses	18	82	89	219
Interest expense, net	163	130	503	403
Earnings (Loss) From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes and Equity Earnings	320	381	737	1,042
Income tax provision (benefit)	130	(84)	257	157
Equity earnings (losses), net of taxes	34	0	52	117
Earnings (Loss) From Continuing Operations	224	465	532	1,002
Discontinued operations, net of taxes	14	0	35	49
Net Earnings (Loss)	238	465	567	1,051
Less: Net earnings (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	1	(3)	8	10
Net Earnings (Loss) Attributable to International Paper Company	237	468	559	1,041
Basic Earnings (Loss) Per Share Attributable to International Paper Company Common Shareholders
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations (usd per share)	$ 0.51	$ 1.08	$ 1.20	$ 2.30
Discontinued operations, net of taxes (usd per share)	$ 0.03	$ 0	$ 0.08	$ 0.11
Net earnings (loss) (usd per share)	$ 0.54	$ 1.08	$ 1.28	$ 2.41
Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Share Attributable to International Paper Company Common Shareholders
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations (usd per share)	$ 0.51	$ 1.08	$ 1.19	$ 2.27
Discontinued operations, net of taxes (usd per share)	$ 0.03	$ 0	$ 0.08	$ 0.11
Net earnings (loss) (usd per share)	$ 0.54	$ 1.08	$ 1.27	$ 2.38
Average Shares of Common Stock Outstanding - assuming dilution (shares)	439.8	435.2	439.7	436.7
Cash Dividends Per Common Share (usd per share)	$ 0.2625	$ 0.2625	$ 0.7875	$ 0.7125
Amounts Attributable to International Paper Company Common Shareholders
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations	223	468	524	992
Discontinued operations, net of taxes	14	0	35	49
Net Earnings (Loss) Attributable to International Paper Company	$ 237	$ 468	$ 559	$ 1,041

Total costs related to goods produced and sold during the reporting period; and the net amount of other income and expense amounts, the components of which are not separately disclosed on the income statement, resulting from ancillary business-related activities (that is, excluding major activities considered part of the normal operations of the business) also known as other nonoperating income (expense) recognized for the period. Such amounts may include: (a) dividends, (b) interest on securities, (c) net gains or losses on securities, (d) unusual costs, (e) gains or losses on foreign exchange transactions, and (f) miscellaneous other income and expense items.

No definition available.