-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
 MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen
 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 VOUdsn5DcwKfkWaY9MAv41Y/tuumWYq4qs8yUc2LD1pHv2qv/KaXWr53bOyn9RdM
 SxF6NJEKLBSGHioPnXTy4Q==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000091767-04-000006.txt : 20040107
<SEC-HEADER>0000091767-04-000006.hdr.sgml : 20040107
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040107163523
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000091767-04-000006
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040105
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040107

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			COKER CHARLES W
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001189911

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-00516
		FILM NUMBER:		04513417

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		SONOCO PRODUCTS COMPANY
		STREET 2:		NORTH SECOND ST
		CITY:			HARTSVILLE
		STATE:			SC
		ZIP:			29550

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>
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    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType><periodOfReport>2004-01-05</periodOfReport>
    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000091767</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>SONOCO PRODUCTS CO</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>SON</issuerTradingSymbol></issuer><reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001189911</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>COKER CHARLES W</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>ONE NORTH SECOND STREET</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>HARTSVILLE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>SC</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>29550</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
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gSecurityTitle><underlyingSecurityShares><value>72996</value></underlyingSecurityShares></underlyingSecurity><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>0</value></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value/></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></derivativeTransaction></derivativeTable><footnotes/><remarks/><ownerSignature><signatureName>By: George S. Hartley - Power of Attorney  For: Charles W. Coker</signatureName><signatureDate>2004-01-07</signatureDate></ownerSignature></ownershipDocument>

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</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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