Consolidated Statement of Operations - USD ($) shares in Millions, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015
Net Sales	$ 5,110	$ 5,517
Costs and Expenses
Cost of products sold	3,611	3,844
Selling and administrative expenses	376	406
Depreciation, amortization and cost of timber harvested	284	323
Distribution expenses	320	357
Taxes other than payroll and income taxes	41	44
Restructuring and other charges	1	0
Net (gains) losses on sales and impairments of businesses	37	0
Interest expense, net	123	137
Earnings (Loss) From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes and Equity Earnings	317	406
Income tax provision (benefit)	41	130
Equity earnings (loss), net of taxes	63	35
Earnings (Loss) From Continuing Operations	339	311
Discontinued operations, net of taxes	(5)	0
Net Earnings (Loss)	334	311
Less: Net earnings (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	(2)
Net Earnings (Loss) Attributable to International Paper Company	$ 334	$ 313
Basic Earnings (Loss) Per Share Attributable to International Paper Company Common Shareholders
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations	$ 0.82	$ 0.74
Discontinued operations, net of taxes	(0.01)	0.00
Net earnings (loss)	0.81	0.74
Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Share Attributable to International Paper Company Common Shareholders
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations	0.82	0.74
Discontinued operations, net of taxes	(0.01)	0.00
Net earnings (loss)	$ 0.81	$ 0.74
Average Shares of Common Stock Outstanding - assuming dilution	414.0	423.7
Cash Dividends Per Common Share	$ 0.4400	$ 0.4000
Amounts Attributable to International Paper Company Common Shareholders
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations	$ 339	$ 313
Discontinued operations, net of taxes	(5)	0
Net Earnings (Loss) Attributable to International Paper Company	$ 334	$ 313