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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001127602-09-000131.txt : 20090102
<SEC-HEADER>0001127602-09-000131.hdr.sgml : 20090101
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20090102145841
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001127602-09-000131
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20090102
FILED AS OF DATE:		20090102
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20090102

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Roberts Carol L
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001341790

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-03157
		FILM NUMBER:		09501334

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		(901) 541-8396

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		400 ATLANTIC STREET
		CITY:			STAMFORD
		STATE:			CT
		ZIP:			06921

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			INTERNATIONAL PAPER CO /NEW/
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000051434
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	PAPER MILLS [2621]
		IRS NUMBER:				130872805
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			NY
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		6400 POPLAR AVENUE
		CITY:			MEMPHIS
		STATE:			TN
		ZIP:			38197
		BUSINESS PHONE:		901-419-7000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		6400 POPLAR AVENUE
		CITY:			MEMPHIS
		STATE:			TN
		ZIP:			38197

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	INTERNATIONAL PAPER & POWER CORP
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19710527
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>form4.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2009-01-02</periodOfReport>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000051434</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>INTERNATIONAL PAPER CO /NEW/</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>IP</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001341790</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Roberts Carol L</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O INTERNATIONAL PAPER COMPANY</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>6400 POPLAR AVENUE</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>MEMPHIS</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>TN</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>38197</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <officerTitle>Senior Vice President</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2009-01-02</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness></transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>41100</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>196776</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>2554</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>By Ssp</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Performance-based restricted stock acquired pursuant to a grant under the issuer's 2009 Performance Share Plan (&quot;PSP&quot;).  PSP shares are earned over a three-year performance period based on pre-established performance objectives.  Any difference between shares granted and shares earned at the end of the performance period will be reported upon payout in 2012.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Share numbers are rounded.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">Represents shares of International Paper common stock held through the International Paper Salaried Savings Plan (SSP).  This information is based on a plan statement as of November 30, 2008.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Erin E. Raccah, Attorney-in-Fact for Carol L. Roberts</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2009-01-02</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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