EARNINGS PER SHARE ATTRIBUTABLE TO INTERNATIONAL PAPER COMPANY COMMON SHAREHOLDERS (Details) (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012		Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012
Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Line Items]
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations	$ 392		$ 223		$ 919		$ 524
Effect of dilutive securities (a)	0	[1]	0	[1]	0	[1]	0	[1]
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations - assuming dilution	$ 392		$ 223		$ 919		$ 524
Average common shares outstanding	445.9		435.1		444.1		434.7
Average common shares outstanding - assuming dilution	449.7		439.8		448.7		439.7
Basic earnings (loss) from continuing operations per common share	$ 0.88		$ 0.51		$ 2.07		$ 1.20
Diluted earnings (loss) from continuing operations per common share	$ 0.87		$ 0.51		$ 2.05		$ 1.19
Restricted Stock Performance Share Plan [Member]
Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Line Items]
Effect of dilutive securities (in shares)	3.6	[1]	4.7	[1]	4.3	[1]	5.0	[1]
Stock Options [Member]
Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Line Items]
Effect of dilutive securities (in shares)	0.2	[1],[2]	0	[1],[2]	0.3	[1],[2]	0	[1],[2]

[1] Securities are not included in the table in periods when antidilutive.

[2] Options to purchase 10.7 million shares for the three months ended September 30, 2012 and 9.4 million shares for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 were not included in the computation of diluted common shares outstanding because their exercise price exceeded the average market price of the Company’s common stock for each respective reporting period.