DEBT Footnote	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2017
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Debt [Note Text Block]	NOTE 14 - DEBT In June 2016, International Paper entered into a commercial paper program with a borrowing capacity of $750 million. Under the terms of the program, individual maturities may vary, but not exceed one year from the date of issue. Interest bearing notes may be issued either as fixed or floating rate notes. As of March 31, 2017, the company had $310 million of borrowings outstanding under the program. At March 31, 2017, the fair value of International Paper’s $11.3 billion of debt was approximately $12.0 billion. The fair value of the Company’s long-term debt is estimated based on the quoted market prices for the same or similar issues. International Paper’s long-term debt is classified as Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy, which is further defined in Note 14 in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016. Maintaining an investment-grade credit rating is an important element of International Paper’s financing strategy. At March 31, 2017, the Company held long-term credit ratings of BBB (stable outlook) and Baa2 (stable outlook) by S&P and Moody’s, respectively.

DEBT Footnote

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2017

NOTE 14 - DEBT

In June 2016, International Paper entered into a commercial paper program with a borrowing capacity of $750 million. Under the terms of the program, individual maturities may vary, but not exceed one year from the date of issue. Interest bearing notes may be issued either as fixed or floating rate notes. As of March 31, 2017, the company had $310 million of borrowings outstanding under the program.

At March 31, 2017, the fair value of International Paper’s $11.3 billion of debt was approximately $12.0 billion. The fair value of the Company’s long-term debt is estimated based on the quoted market prices for the same or similar issues. International Paper’s long-term debt is classified as Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy, which is further defined in Note 14 in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.

Maintaining an investment-grade credit rating is an important element of International Paper’s financing strategy. At March 31, 2017, the Company held long-term credit ratings of BBB (stable outlook) and Baa2 (stable outlook) by S&P and Moody’s, respectively.