Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Millions		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Net Earnings (Loss)		$ 395	$ 309	$ 684	$ 683
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax:
Change in cumulative foreign currency translation adjustment		100	3	234	373
Net gains/losses on cash flow hedging derivatives:
Net gains (losses) arising during the period		1	5	9	(5)
Reclassification adjustment for (gains) losses included in net earnings (loss)		(2)	(3)	(6)	(7)
Total Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	[1]	158	24	414	251
Comprehensive Income (Loss)		553	333	1,098	934
Net (earnings) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests		0	3	0	3
Other comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests		1	(1)	(1)	(1)
Comprehensive Income (Loss) Attributable to International Paper Company		554	335	1,097	936
U.S. Plans
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax:
Amortization of pension and post-retirement prior service costs and net loss:		59	72	176	471
Pension and postretirement liability adjustments:		0	(53)	0	(598)
Foreign Plan [Member]
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax:
Pension and postretirement liability adjustments:		$ 0	$ 0	$ 1	$ 17

[1] All amounts are net of tax.