INDUSTRY SEGMENT INFORMATION Operating Profit by Industry Segment Footnotes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Impairment of long-lived assets to be disposed of	$ (37)	$ 0
Restructuring and other charges	1	$ 0
Net gain on sale of Carolina Coated Bristols brand and the Riegelwood mill conversion costs [member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Restructuring and other charges	9
IP Asia Packaging [Member] \| Disposal Group, Held-for-sale, Not Discontinued Operations [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Impairment of long-lived assets to be disposed of	$ 37

The aggregate amount of write-downs for impairments recognized during the period for long-lived assets held for abandonment, exchange or sale.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 360
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 15
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=51824106&loc=d3e2611-110228

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 28
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=56944662&loc=d3e3602-108585

Name:	us-gaap_ImpairmentOfLongLivedAssetsToBeDisposedOf
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration