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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 KyTLJbPINdecw6LrC2ESa8SPObtuEUNPye+zx18dB9ibNU5yVY41lcfRijUj8cxL
 CZN9+RvOi57L0Zxp/LHcCA==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000022701-03-000009.txt : 20031016
<SEC-HEADER>0000022701-03-000009.hdr.sgml : 20031016
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20031016181821
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000022701-03-000009
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20031002
FILED AS OF DATE:		20031016

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			BRAUN CHARLES A
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001190951

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-31588
		FILM NUMBER:		03944605

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		510 2ND STREET E
		CITY:			HECTOR
		STATE:			MN
		ZIP:			55342

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000022701
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	TELEPHONE & TELEGRAPH APPARATUS [3661]
		IRS NUMBER:				410957999
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			MN
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		213 S MAIN ST
		CITY:			HECTOR
		STATE:			MN
		ZIP:			55342
		BUSINESS PHONE:		3208486231

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		213 MAIN STREET
		STREET 2:		P O BOX 777
		CITY:			HECTOR
		STATE:			MN
		ZIP:			55342
</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>2003-10-02</periodOfReport>


    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000022701</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>JCS</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001190951</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>BRAUN CHARLES A</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>510 2ND STREET E</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>HECTOR</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>MN</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>55342</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Controller</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>

        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2003-10-02</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>J</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>395</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>5.44</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>33207</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>

    </nonDerivativeTable>


    <remarks>Acquisition transaction under Employee Stock Purchase Plan.</remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Charles A. Braun</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2003-10-16</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

</ownershipDocument>

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