Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Common Shares	Retained Earnings	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income/(Loss)	Non-controlling Interest
Beginning balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2014		126,773,097
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2014	$ 1,575,151	$ 702,598	$ 790,697	$ (4,825)	$ 86,681
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	43,941		46,165		(2,224)
Dividends ($1.00 per share)	(124,943)		(124,943)
Issuance of shares under incentive stock plans, (in shares)		205,219
Issuance of shares under incentive stock plans	2,117	$ 2,117
Stock-based compensation	4,484	4,484
Tax deficiency on stock-based compensation	(250)	$ (250)
Repurchase of common shares, (in shares)		(4,208,099)
Repurchase of common shares	(100,122)	$ (122)	(100,000)
Actuarial change and amortization of pension and postretirement plan liabilities	2,933			2,933
Adjustments to Rayonier Advanced Materials	841		841
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(32,451)			(21,567)	(10,884)
Cash flow hedges	(9,961)			(10,044)	83
Ending balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2015		122,770,217
Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2015	1,361,740	$ 708,827	612,760	(33,503)	73,656
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	217,770		211,972		5,798
Dividends ($1.00 per share)	(123,155)		(123,155)
Issuance of shares under incentive stock plans, (in shares)		179,743
Issuance of shares under incentive stock plans	1,576	$ 1,576
Stock-based compensation	5,136	$ 5,136
Repurchase of common shares, (in shares)		(45,592)
Repurchase of common shares	(868)	$ (178)	(690)
Actuarial change and amortization of pension and postretirement plan liabilities	5,533			5,533
Foreign currency translation adjustment	6,322			2,780	3,542
Cash flow hedges	22,822			22,608	214
Recapitalization of New Zealand Joint Venture	0	(5,398)		3,438	1,960
Recapitalization costs	(124)	$ (96)			(28)
Ending balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2016		122,904,368
Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2016	1,496,752	$ 709,867	700,887	856	85,142
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Cumulative-effect adjustment due to adoption of ASU No. 2016-16 | Accounting Standards Update 2016-16	(14,365)
Net income	35,083
Beginning balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2016		122,904,368
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2016	1,496,752	$ 709,867	700,887	856	85,142
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	161,579		148,842		12,737
Dividends ($1.00 per share)	(127,986)		(127,986)
Issuance of shares under incentive stock plans, (in shares)		322,314
Issuance of shares under incentive stock plans	4,751	$ 4,751
Stock-based compensation	5,396	$ 5,396
Repurchase of common shares, (in shares)		(5,906)
Repurchase of common shares	(176)	$ (176)	0
Actuarial change and amortization of pension and postretirement plan liabilities	(208)			(208)
Foreign currency translation adjustment	9,114			7,416	1,698
Cash flow hedges	5,693			5,353	340
Issuance of shares under equity offering, net of costs (in shares)		5,750,000
Issuance of shares under equity offering, net of costs	152,390	$ 152,390
Ending balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2017		128,970,776
Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2017	$ 1,692,940	$ 872,228	707,378	$ 13,417	$ 99,917
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Cumulative-effect adjustment due to adoption of ASU No. 2016-16 | Accounting Standards Update 2016-16			$ (14,365)