Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Millions		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Net Earnings (Loss)		$ 309	$ 210	$ 683	$ 739
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax:
Change in cumulative foreign currency translation adjustment		3	(562)	373	(955)
Net gains/losses on cash flow hedging derivatives:
Net gains (losses) arising during the period		5	(8)	(5)	(2)
Reclassification adjustment for (gains) losses included in net earnings (loss)		(3)	7	(7)	12
Total Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	[1]	24	(477)	251	(718)
Comprehensive Income (Loss)		333	(267)	934	21
Net (earnings) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests		3	10	3	21
Other comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests		(1)	5	(1)	6
Comprehensive Income (Loss) Attributable to International Paper Company		335	(252)	936	48
U.S. Plans
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax:
Amortization of pension and post-retirement prior service costs and net loss:		72	72	471	215
Pension and postretirement liability adjustments		(53)	14	(598)	14
Foreign Pension Plan, Defined Benefit [Member]
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax:
Pension and postretirement liability adjustments		$ 0	$ 0	$ 17	$ (2)

[1] All amounts are net of tax. Amounts in parentheses indicate debits to AOCI.