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INDUSTRY SEGMENT INFORMATION (Note)
 3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2021
Segment Reporting [Abstract]  
Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block]
International Paper’s business segments, Industrial Packaging, Global Cellulose Fibers and Printing Papers, are consistent with the internal structure used to manage these businesses. All segments are differentiated on a common product, common customer basis consistent with the business segmentation generally used in the Forest Products industry.

Business segment operating profits are used by International Paper's management to measure the earnings performance of its businesses. Management believes that this measure allows a better understanding of trends in costs, operating efficiencies, prices and volumes. Business segment operating profits are defined as earnings (loss) before income taxes and equity earnings, but including the impact of noncontrolling interests, excluding interest expense, net, corporate items, net, corporate net special items, business net special items and non-operating pension expense.

Net sales by business segment for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 were as follows: 

 Three Months Ended
March 31,
In millions20212020
Industrial Packaging$3,953 $3,819 
Global Cellulose Fibers581 568 
Printing Papers781 908 
Corporate and Intersegment Sales48 57 
Net Sales$5,363 $5,352 
Operating profit (loss) by business segment for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 were as follows: 

 Three Months Ended
March 31,
In millions20212020
Industrial Packaging$447 $470 
Global Cellulose Fibers(82)(54)
Printing Papers80 96 
Business Segment Operating Profits$445 $512 
Earnings (loss) before income taxes and equity earnings$399 $(16)
Interest expense, net92 117 
Noncontrolling interests adjustment(1)— 
Corporate expenses, net25 32 
Corporate net special items(31)33 
Business net special items14 352 
Non-operating pension expense (income)(53)(6)
Business Segment Operating Profits$445 $512