RESTRUCTURING AND OTHER CHARGES (Narrative)(Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]
Restructuring and other charges	$ 25	$ 194	$ 24	$ 307	$ 499	$ 219	$ 830

Amount charged against earnings in the period for incurred and estimated costs, excluding asset retirement obligations, associated with exit from or disposal of business activities or restructurings pursuant to a program that is planned and controlled by management, and materially changes either the scope of a business undertaken by an entity, or the manner in which that business is conducted. Also includes expenses charged against earnings in the period of an event that is infrequent in occurrence or unusual in nature.

No definition available.

Name:	ip_RestructuringAndOtherRelatedCharges
Namespace Prefix:	ip_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration