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Employee Benefit Plans - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) | 3 Months Ended
--- | ---
Mar. 31, 2019 | Apr. 01, 2018
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] |  |
Contributions | $ 2,780,000 | $ 4,573,000
Expected contributions for remainder of fiscal year | 13,500,000 |
Settlement losses recognized | 1,322,000 |
Pension Plan |  |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] |  |
Settlement losses recognized | 1,322,000 | 0
Pension Plan | Sonoco Retirement Contribution |  |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] |  |
Contributions | 14,573,000 | 14,151,000
Expected contributions for remainder of fiscal year | 0 |
Recognized expense related to the plan | $ 6,267,000 | $ 4,032,000
Pension Plan | United States | Sonoco Retirement Contribution |  |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] |  |
Employer matching contribution, percent of employees' gross pay | 4.00% |
Employer matching contribution, percent of employees' gross pay in excess of social security | 4.00% |

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