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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 UmYVaKqKx9ZunEPH+nKj9WgVsD8VI2D6L8lKLYrFyXlhGQm+34slTbtnVYV1XFhd
 aB0SJxhQtBfBbS9X2KxuTQ==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000091767-03-000115.txt : 20031003
<SEC-HEADER>0000091767-03-000115.hdr.sgml : 20031003
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20031003141546
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000091767-03-000115
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20031001
FILED AS OF DATE:		20031003

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			MULLIN JOHN H III
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001195422

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-00516
		FILM NUMBER:		03927442

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		PO BOX 1551
		CITY:			FALEIGH
		STATE:			NC
		ZIP:			27602

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			SONOCO PRODUCTS CO
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000091767
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	PAPERBOARD CONTAINERS & BOXES [2650]
		IRS NUMBER:				570248420
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			SC
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		NORTH SECOND ST
		STREET 2:		P O BOX 160
		CITY:			HARTSVILLE
		STATE:			SC
		ZIP:			29551-0160
		BUSINESS PHONE:		8033837000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		N. SECOND STREET
		CITY:			HARTSVILLE
		STATE:			SC
		ZIP:			29550
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>
    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType><periodOfReport>2003-10-01</periodOfReport>
    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000091767</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>SONOCO PRODUCTS CO</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>SON</issuerTradingSymbol></issuer><reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001195422</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>MULLIN JOHN H III</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>ONE NORTH SECOND STREET</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>HARTSVILLE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>SC</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>29550</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
<isDirector>1</isDirector><isOfficer>0</isOfficer><isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner><isOther>0</isOther></reportingOwnerRelationship></reportingOwner><derivativeTable><derivativeTransaction><securityTitle><value>Phantom Stock Units</value></securityTitle><conversionOrExercisePrice><footnoteId id="F1"/></conversionOrExercisePrice><transactionDate><value>2003-10-01</value></transactionDate><transactionCoding><transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType><transactionCode>A</transactionCode><equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved></transactionCoding><transactionAmounts><transactionShares><value>837.5</value></transactionShares><transactionPricePerShare><value>22.09</value></transactionPricePerShare><transactionAcquiredDisposedCode><value>A</value></transactionAcquiredDisposedCode></transactionAmounts><exerciseDate><footnoteId id="F2"/></exerciseDate><expirationDate><footnoteId id="F2"/></expirationDate><underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitle><value>Common Stock</value></underlyingSecurityTitle><underl
yingSecurityShares><value>837.5</value></underlyingSecurityShares></underlyingSecurity><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>2729</value></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value/></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></derivativeTransaction></derivativeTable><footnotes><footnote id="F1">1-for-1</footnote><footnote id="F2">The phantom stock units were accrued under the Sonoco Products Company directors' deferred compensation plan and are to be settled in cash upon the reporting person's retirement.</footnote></footnotes><remarks/><ownerSignature><signatureName>George S. Hartley - Power of Attorney         For:  John H. Mullin, III</signatureName><signatureDate>2003-10-03</signatureDate></ownerSignature></ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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