DEBT Footnote	6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2017
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Debt [Note Text Block]	NOTE 14 - DEBT In June 2016, International Paper entered into a commercial paper program with a borrowing capacity of $750 million. Under the terms of the program, individual maturities may vary, but not exceed one year from the date of issue. Interest bearing notes may be issued either as fixed or floating rate notes. As of June 30, 2017, the company had $240 million of borrowings outstanding under the program. At June 30, 2017, the fair value of International Paper’s $11.2 billion of debt was approximately $12.4 billion. The fair value of the Company’s long-term debt is estimated based on the quoted market prices for the same or similar issues. International Paper’s long-term debt is classified as Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy, which is further defined in Note 14 in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016. Maintaining an investment-grade credit rating is an important element of International Paper’s financing strategy. At June 30, 2017, the Company held long-term credit ratings of BBB (stable outlook) and Baa2 (stable outlook) by S&P and Moody’s, respectively. Subsequent to June 30, 2017, International Paper priced $1.0 billion of 4.35% senior unsecured notes with a maturity date in 2048. We expect the sale of this debt to close on or about August 9, 2017. The proceeds from this debt issuance, together with a combination of available cash and other borrowings, will be used to make a voluntary pension contribution in the aggregate amount of $1.25 billion by September 15, 2017. In addition, International Paper borrowed approximately $350 million under the commercial paper program. The proceeds from this borrowing, along with cash on hand, were used to pay the amount owed under the Kleen Products LLC et al. v. International Paper Co. et al. (N.D.Ill.) settlement agreement discussed in Note 12.

NOTE 14 - DEBT

In June 2016, International Paper entered into a commercial paper program with a borrowing capacity of $750 million. Under the terms of the program, individual maturities may vary, but not exceed one year from the date of issue. Interest bearing notes may be issued either as fixed or floating rate notes. As of June 30, 2017, the company had $240 million of borrowings outstanding under the program.

At June 30, 2017, the fair value of International Paper’s $11.2 billion of debt was approximately $12.4 billion. The fair value of the Company’s long-term debt is estimated based on the quoted market prices for the same or similar issues. International Paper’s long-term debt is classified as Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy, which is further defined in Note 14 in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.

Maintaining an investment-grade credit rating is an important element of International Paper’s financing strategy. At June 30, 2017, the Company held long-term credit ratings of BBB (stable outlook) and Baa2 (stable outlook) by S&P and Moody’s, respectively.

Subsequent to June 30, 2017, International Paper priced $1.0 billion of 4.35% senior unsecured notes with a maturity date in 2048. We expect the sale of this debt to close on or about August 9, 2017. The proceeds from this debt issuance, together with a combination of available cash and other borrowings, will be used to make a voluntary pension contribution in the aggregate amount of $1.25 billion by September 15, 2017. In addition, International Paper borrowed approximately $350 million under the commercial paper program. The proceeds from this borrowing, along with cash on hand, were used to pay the amount owed under the Kleen Products LLC et al. v. International Paper Co. et al. (N.D.Ill.) settlement agreement discussed in Note 12.