-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 TKDUWEuhCDbsaz52ieGu9nUopJtbI0XkLNSIIq4eky9i2+5hubPxBkKJKAOgdxtd
 36G9+5a3W7cdRZ2+PrG1pQ==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001248085-03-000005.txt : 20031205
<SEC-HEADER>0001248085-03-000005.hdr.sgml : 20031205
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20031205152559
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001248085-03-000005
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20031203
FILED AS OF DATE:		20031205

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			BIO RAD LABORATORIES INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000012208
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	LABORATORY ANALYTICAL INSTRUMENTS [3826]
		IRS NUMBER:				941381833
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1000 ALFRED NOBEL DR
		CITY:			HERCULES
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			94547
		BUSINESS PHONE:		5107247000

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			SCHWARTZ DAVID
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000942587

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-07928
		FILM NUMBER:		031040280

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1000 ALFRED NOBEL DRIVE
		CITY:			HERCULES
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			94547
		BUSINESS PHONE:		5107416000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1000 ALFRED NOBEL DRIVE
		CITY:			HERCULES
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			94547
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>

<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2003-12-03</periodOfReport>


    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000012208</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>BIO RAD LABORATORIES INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>bio</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0000942587</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>SCHWARTZ DAVID</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>1000 ALFRED NOBEL DRIVE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>HERCULES</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>94547</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>

        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Bio-Rad Laboratories Class B Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2003-12-03</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <deemedExecutionDate>
                <value>2003-12-03</value>
            </deemedExecutionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>G</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>2400</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>52.2</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>108724</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>

        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Bio-Rad Laboratories Class A Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2003-12-03</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <deemedExecutionDate>
                <value>2003-12-03</value>
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            <transactionTimeliness>
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            <transactionAmounts>
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                    <value>400</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
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                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>3209983</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>

        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Bio-Rad Laboratories Class B Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>4060054</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>Limited Partnership</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>

        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Bio-Rad Laboratories Class B Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>41176</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>Partnership</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>

    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>

        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Incentive Stock Option</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>31.77</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2003-02-06</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2007-02-06</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Bio-Rad Laboratories Class B Common Stock</value>
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                <underlyingSecurityShares>
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            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
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            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
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        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Non-Qualified Stock Options</value>
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            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>28.88</value>
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            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2003-02-06</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2012-02-06</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Bio-Rad Laboratories Class B Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>54850</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>54850</value>
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            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>

        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Incentive Stock Option</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>39.6</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2004-02-05</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2008-02-05</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Bio-Rad Laboratories Class B Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>2777</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>2777</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>

        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Non-Qualified Stock Option</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>36</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2004-02-05</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2013-02-05</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Bio-Rad Laboratories Class B Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>7223</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>7223</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
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                    <value>D</value>
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        </derivativeHolding>

        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Non-Qualified Stock Option</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>12.96</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>1997-02-07</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2006-02-07</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Bio-Rad Laboratories Class B Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>65930</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>65930</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
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            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
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        </derivativeHolding>

        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Non-Qualified Stock Option</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>15.82</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>1998-02-05</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2007-02-05</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Bio-Rad Laboratories Class B Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>64744</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
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            <ownershipNature>
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                    <value>D</value>
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        </derivativeHolding>

        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Non-Qualified Stock Options</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>11.97</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>1999-02-11</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2008-02-11</value>
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            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
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                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>63862</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
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            <ownershipNature>
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        </derivativeHolding>

        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Non-Qualified Stock Options</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>9.5</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
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            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2004-02-03</value>
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            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
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                <underlyingSecurityShares>
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                </underlyingSecurityShares>
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        </derivativeHolding>

        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
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            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>11.31</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2001-02-02</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2010-02-02</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Bio-Rad Laboratories Class B Common Stock</value>
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                <underlyingSecurityShares>
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            <ownershipNature>
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        </derivativeHolding>

        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Non-Qualified Stock Options</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>11.94</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2001-09-19</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2008-02-11</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Bio-Rad Laboratories Class B Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>72500</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>72500</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
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            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>

        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Incentive Stock Options</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>12.44</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2001-02-02</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2005-02-02</value>
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            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Bio-Rad Laboratories Class B Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>8838</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
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            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>8838</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
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            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
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        </derivativeHolding>

        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Incentive Stock Options</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>10.45</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2000-02-03</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2004-02-03</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Bio-Rad Laboratories Class B Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>997</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>997</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>

    </derivativeTable>



    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>s/David Schwartz</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2003-12-05</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
