EQUITY Phantom (Details) - $ / shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015
Equity [Line Items]
Common stock dividends, per share	$ 0.4400	$ 0.4000
Total International Paper Shareholders' Equity [Member]
Equity [Line Items]
Common stock dividends, per share	0.4400	0.4000
Noncontrolling Interests [Member]
Equity [Line Items]
Common stock dividends, per share	$ 0.4400	$ 0.4000