EQUITY (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Equity [Line Items]
Beginning balance			$ 6,636	$ 6,985
Issuance of stock for various plans, net			418	144
Repurchase of stock			(70)	(35)
Common stock dividends ($0.9000 per share in 2013 and $0.7875 per share in 2012)			(409)	(353)
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests by subsidiary			(1)	(4)
Noncontrolling interests of acquired entities			7	0
Acquisition of noncontrolling interests			0	(2)
Comprehensive income (loss)	600	415	961	610
Ending balance	7,542	7,345	7,542	7,345
Total International Paper Shareholders' Equity [Member]
Equity [Line Items]
Beginning balance			6,304	6,645
Issuance of stock for various plans, net			418	144
Repurchase of stock			(70)	(35)
Common stock dividends ($0.9000 per share in 2013 and $0.7875 per share in 2012)			(409)	(353)
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests by subsidiary			0	0
Noncontrolling interests of acquired entities			0	0
Acquisition of noncontrolling interests			0	0
Comprehensive income (loss)			987	605
Ending balance	7,230	7,006	7,230	7,006
Noncontrolling Interests [Member]
Equity [Line Items]
Beginning balance			332	340
Issuance of stock for various plans, net			0	0
Repurchase of stock			0	0
Common stock dividends ($0.9000 per share in 2013 and $0.7875 per share in 2012)			0	0
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests by subsidiary			(1)	(4)
Noncontrolling interests of acquired entities			7	0
Acquisition of noncontrolling interests			0	(2)
Comprehensive income (loss)			(26)	5
Ending balance	$ 312	$ 339	$ 312	$ 339