Restructuring and Other Charges (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended						9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and other charges	$ 33	$ 21	$ 34	$ 49	$ (10)	$ 45	$ 88	$ 84
Restructuring and other charges, after tax	24	13	23	32	(7)	28
Early debt extinguishment costs
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and other charges	13	10	16			32
Restructuring and other charges, after tax	8	6	10			19
XPEDX restructuring
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and other charges	8	10	19	18	10	7
Restructuring and other charges, after tax	4	6	14	13	6	4
EMEA packaging restructuring
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and other charges	16						16
Restructuring and other charges, after tax	11
Other
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and other charges	(4)	1	(1)	1	1	6
Restructuring and other charges, after tax	1	1	(1)	0	0	5
Franklin, Virginia mill closure costs
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and other charges					(21)
Restructuring and other charges, after tax					(13)
AAPM Acquisition
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and other charges				16
Restructuring and other charges, after tax				10
Temple Inland Merger Agreement
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and other charges				8				8
Restructuring and other charges, after tax				5
Shorewood
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and other charges				6
Restructuring and other charges, after tax				$ 4