-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 CwGhtm50cGfcQG+gjQRiGTLcqo/eFuVGM3j7eRU1VMoEoKA+33gybt25BEx8x2id
 b1b4xkNugIPaH/D7r2AOSw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001127602-10-014727.txt : 20100518
<SEC-HEADER>0001127602-10-014727.hdr.sgml : 20100518
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20100518171626
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001127602-10-014727
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20100518
FILED AS OF DATE:		20100518
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20100518

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			SMITHBURG WILLIAM D
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001190304

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-23876
		FILM NUMBER:		10843403

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		50 LA SALLE STREET
		CITY:			CHICAGO
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60675

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			SMURFIT STONE CONTAINER CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000919226
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	PAPERBOARD MILLS [2631]
		IRS NUMBER:				431531401
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		150 NORTH MICHIGAN AVENUE
		CITY:			CHICAGO
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60601
		BUSINESS PHONE:		3123466600

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		150 NORTH MICHIGAN AVENUE
		CITY:			CHICAGO
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60601

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	JEFFERSON SMURFIT CORP /DE/
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19941205

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	SIBV MS HOLDINGS INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19940222
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>form4.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2010-05-18</periodOfReport>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000919226</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>SMURFIT STONE CONTAINER CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>SSCC</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001190304</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>SMITHBURG WILLIAM D</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>6 CITYPLACE DRIVE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>CREVE COEUR</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>MO</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>63141</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2010-05-18</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <deemedExecutionDate>
                <value>2010-05-18</value>
            </deemedExecutionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness></transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>3992</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>.171</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>6500</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2010-05-18</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <deemedExecutionDate>
                <value>2010-05-18</value>
            </deemedExecutionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness></transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>6500</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>.185</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>0</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes></footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Craig A. Hunt, attorney-in-fact</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2010-05-18</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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