VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES AND PREFERRED SECURITIES OF SUBSIDIARIES Narrative (Details)
a in Thousands, $ in Millions
 1 Months Ended 3 Months Ended 9 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Oct. 31, 2007
USD ($)
a
Sep. 30, 2016
USD ($)
Sep. 30, 2015
USD ($)
Sep. 30, 2016
USD ($)
Sep. 30, 2015
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2006
USD ($)
a
Dec. 31, 2015
USD ($)
Sep. 30, 2012
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2007
USD ($)
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]                  
International Paper debt obligations held by the Entities   $ 10,900   $ 10,900          
Remainder of the borrowing included in long-term debt   10,823   $ 10,823     $ 8,844    
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date       Jan. 01, 2018          
Accretion income for amortization of purchase accounting adjustment, financial assets   5 $ 5 $ 14 $ 14        
Accretion expense for amortization of purchase accounting adjustment, financial liabiities   2 2 $ 5 $ 5        
Variable Interest Entity, Not Primary Beneficiary [Member]                  
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]                  
Class B interests held in entities in December 2006           $ 5,000      
Entities acquired International Paper debt obligations for cash           4,800      
International Paper debt obligations held by the Entities           $ 5,200      
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary [Member]                  
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]                  
Forestlands acreage sales | a           5,600      
Amount of consideration received           $ 4,800      
Letters of credit downgrade period of replacement       60 days          
Payments to Acquire Other Investments     $ 198            
Timber Note Maturity Date       Aug. 15, 2021          
Letters of credit issued that support Timber Notes           $ 4,800      
ip_Extension Loans requiring LC banks to maintain credit rating at or above a specified threshold   1,100   $ 1,100          
Notes receivable, fair value disclosure   4,860   4,860          
Long-term debt, fair value   4,400   4,400          
Deferred tax liabilities, other   1,400   1,400          
2015 Refinance Loans [Domain]                  
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]                  
Remainder of the borrowing included in long-term debt   4,200   $ 4,200          
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date       Dec. 11, 2020          
2007 Financing Entities [Member]                  
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]                  
Forestlands acreage sales | a 1,550                
Amount of consideration received $ 2,380                
Timber Note Maturity Date Dec. 31, 2027                
Letters of credit issued that support Timber Notes $ 2,380                
Fair value of notes receivable as of acquisition date               $ 2,090  
Notes receivable, fair value disclosure   2,150   $ 2,150          
2007 Financing Entities [Member]                  
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]                  
Letters of credit downgrade period of replacement       30 days          
Remainder of the borrowing included in long-term debt                 $ 2,140
Timber Note Maturity Date       Dec. 31, 2027          
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date Dec. 31, 2027                
Fair value of financial assets as of acquisition date                 $ 2,030
Long-term debt, fair value   2,020   $ 2,020          
Deferred tax liabilities, other   $ 840   $ 840