Impact on Consolidated Statement of Operations Due to Elimination of One Quarter Reporting Lag for Ilim (Detail) (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
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Equity earnings (loss)	$ 34	$ 0	$ 52	$ 117
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations	224	465	532	1,002
Net earnings (loss) attributable to International Paper Company	237	468	559	1,041
Basic earnings (loss) per share from continuing operations	$ 0.51	$ 1.08	$ 1.20	$ 2.30
Basic net earnings (loss) per share	$ 0.54	$ 1.08	$ 1.28	$ 2.41
Diluted earnings (loss) per share from continuing operations	$ 0.51	$ 1.08	$ 1.19	$ 2.27
Diluted net earnings (loss) per share	$ 0.54	$ 1.08	$ 1.27	$ 2.38
Equity Method Lag Adjustment
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Equity earnings (loss)		(50)		(43)
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations		(50)		(43)
Net earnings (loss) attributable to International Paper Company		$ (50)		$ (43)
Basic earnings (loss) per share from continuing operations		$ (0.12)		$ (0.10)
Basic net earnings (loss) per share		$ (0.12)		$ (0.10)
Diluted earnings (loss) per share from continuing operations		$ (0.11)		$ (0.10)
Diluted net earnings (loss) per share		$ (0.11)		$ (0.10)