INDUSTRY SEGMENT INFORMATION Operating Profit by Industry Segment (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
 3 Months Ended 9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2016
Sep. 30, 2015
Sep. 30, 2016
Sep. 30, 2015
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]        
Operating profit $ 613 $ 579 $ 1,738 $ 1,878
Earnings (Loss) From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes and Equity Earnings 373 329 676 1,001
Interest expense, net (132) (141) (384) (422)
Equity earnings (loss), net of taxes 43 (13) 151 84
Ilim Holding [Member] | Reportable Subsegments [Member]        
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]        
Equity earnings (loss), net of taxes 46 (9) 154 97
Corporate and Intersegment Sales [Member]        
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]        
Interest expense, net 132 141 384 422
Noncontrolling interests/equity earnings adjustment [1] 1 6 1 10
Other Noninterest Expense 11 10 58 27
Restructuring and other charges 54 17 46 220
Non-operating pension expense 42 76 573 [2] 198
Industrial Packaging [Member]        
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]        
Operating profit 424 [3] 553 1,279 [3] 1,549
Printing Papers [Member]        
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]        
Operating profit 128 [4] 179 309 [4] 389
Consumer Packaging [Member]        
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]        
Operating profit $ 61 $ (153) [5] $ 150 [6] $ (60) [5]
[1] Operating profits for business segments include each segment's percentage share of the profits of subsidiaries included in that segment that are less than wholly owned. The pre-tax noncontrolling interest and equity earnings for these subsidiaries are adjusted here to present consolidated earnings before income taxes and equity earnings.
[2] Includes a charge of $439 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 for a settlement accounting charge associated with term-vested lump sum payments.
[3] Includes charges of $5 million and $70 million for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2016 for the impairment of the assets of our Asia corrugated packaging business in Asia and costs associated with the sale of the business.
[4] Includes charges of $7 million and $12 million for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2016 for costs associated with the announced agreement to purchase the Weyerhaeuser Pulp business.
[5] Includes a charge of $186 million for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2015 for asset write-offs associated with the sale of our 55% equity share in the IP-Sun JV, a net expense of $7 million and a net gain of $7 million for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2015 related to the sale of the Carolina Coated Bristols brand and costs associated with the Riegelwood mill conversion to 100% pulp production, and charges of $1 million and $2 million for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2015 for costs associated with the Coated Paperboard sheet plant closures.
[6] Includes a charge of $9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 for costs associated with the Riegelwood mill conversion to 100% pulp production.