EQUITY Phantom (Details) - $ / shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Equity [Line Items]
Common stock dividends, per share	$ 1.32	$ 1.20
Total International Paper Shareholders' Equity [Member]
Equity [Line Items]
Common stock dividends, per share	1.32	1.20
Noncontrolling Interests [Member]
Equity [Line Items]
Common stock dividends, per share	$ 1.32	$ 1.20