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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
 MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen
 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 GgHyBILrKX6GUKe7HXn/yOG+fq24KHayt5TzQy1fcP0rEKX40PGTuogiLoqcvQH6
 I4sF9kUmVyvBG6vRg3nAbQ==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001209191-03-018074.txt : 20030820
<SEC-HEADER>0001209191-03-018074.hdr.sgml : 20030820
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20030820155432
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001209191-03-018074
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20030818
FILED AS OF DATE:		20030820

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			HOWARD JEFFREY G
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001214210

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-10653
		FILM NUMBER:		03858194

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2200 E. GOLF ROAD
		CITY:			DES PLAINES
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60016

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2200 E. GOLF ROAD
		CITY:			DES PLAINES
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60016

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			UNITED STATIONERS INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000355999
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	WHOLESALE-PAPER AND PAPER PRODUCTS [5110]
		IRS NUMBER:				363141189
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2200 E GOLF RD
		CITY:			DES PLAINES
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60016-1267
		BUSINESS PHONE:		8476995000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2200 E GOLF ROAD
		CITY:			DES PLAINES
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			600161267
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>doc4.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 4 SUBMISSION
<TEXT>
<XML>
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    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType><periodOfReport>2003-08-18</periodOfReport><notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>
    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000355999</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>UNITED STATIONERS INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>USTR</issuerTradingSymbol></issuer><reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001214210</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>HOWARD JEFFREY G</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O UNITED STATIONERS</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>2200 E. GOLF RD.</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>DES PLAINES</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>IL</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>60016</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
<isDirector>0</isDirector><isOfficer>1</isOfficer><isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner><isOther>0</isOther><officerTitle>Sr. VP NATL ACCOUNTS &amp; NEW BUS</officerTitle></reportingOwnerRelationship></reportingOwner><nonDerivativeTable><nonDerivativeTransaction><securityTitle><value>Common Stock, $0.10 par value</value></securityTitle><transactionDate><value>2003-08-18</value></transactionDate><transactionCoding><transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType><transactionCode>M</transactionCode><equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved></transactionCoding><transactionTimeliness><value></value></transactionTimeliness><transactionAmounts><transactionShares><value>2000</value></transactionShares><transactionPricePerShare><value>23.375</value></transactionPricePerShare><transactionAcquiredDisposedCode><value>A</value></transactionAcquiredDisposedCode></transactionAmounts><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>2232</value></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershi
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nsaction><nonDerivativeTransaction><securityTitle><value>Common Stock, $0.10 par value</value></securityTitle><transactionDate><value>2003-08-18</value></transactionDate><transactionCoding><transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType><transactionCode>M</transactionCode><equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved></transactionCoding><transactionTimeliness><value></value></transactionTimeliness><transactionAmounts><transactionShares><value>2100</value></transactionShares><transactionPricePerShare><value>22</value></transactionPricePerShare><transactionAcquiredDisposedCode><value>A</value></transactionAcquiredDisposedCode></transactionAmounts><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>8332</value></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership></ownershipNature></nonDerivativeTransaction><nonDerivativeTransaction><securityTitle><value>Common Stock, $0.10 par value</value></securityTitle><transact
ionDate><value>2003-08-18</value></transactionDate><transactionCoding><transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType><transactionCode>M</transactionCode><equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved></transactionCoding><transactionTimeliness><value></value></transactionTimeliness><transactionAmounts><transactionShares><value>8333</value></transactionShares><transactionPricePerShare><value>25.59</value></transactionPricePerShare><transactionAcquiredDisposedCode><value>A</value></transactionAcquiredDisposedCode></transactionAmounts><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>16665</value></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership></ownershipNature></nonDerivativeTransaction><nonDerivativeTransaction><securityTitle><value>Common Stock, $0.10 par value</value></securityTitle><transactionDate><value>2003-08-18</value></transactionDate><transactionCoding><transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType><
transactionCode>F</transactionCode><equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved></transactionCoding><transactionTimeliness><value></value></transactionTimeliness><transactionAmounts><transactionShares><value>1798</value></transactionShares><transactionPricePerShare><value>38.7</value></transactionPricePerShare><transactionAcquiredDisposedCode><value>D</value></transactionAcquiredDisposedCode></transactionAmounts><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>14867</value></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership></ownershipNature></nonDerivativeTransaction><nonDerivativeTransaction><securityTitle><value>Common Stock, $0.10 par value</value></securityTitle><transactionDate><value>2003-08-19</value></transactionDate><transactionCoding><transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType><transactionCode>S</transactionCode><equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved></transactionCoding><transactionTimelin
ess><value></value></transactionTimeliness><transactionAmounts><transactionShares><value>14635</value></transactionShares><transactionPricePerShare><value>39.9</value></transactionPricePerShare><transactionAcquiredDisposedCode><value>D</value></transactionAcquiredDisposedCode></transactionAmounts><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>232</value></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership></ownershipNature></nonDerivativeTransaction></nonDerivativeTable><derivativeTable><derivativeTransaction><securityTitle><value>Employee Stock Option (Right to Buy)</value></securityTitle><conversionOrExercisePrice><value>23.375</value></conversionOrExercisePrice><transactionDate><value>2003-08-18</value></transactionDate><transactionCoding><transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType><transactionCode>M</transactionCode><equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved></transactionCoding><transactionTimeli
ness><value></value></transactionTimeliness><transactionAmounts><transactionShares><value>2000</value></transactionShares><transactionPricePerShare><value>0</value></transactionPricePerShare><transactionAcquiredDisposedCode><value>D</value></transactionAcquiredDisposedCode></transactionAmounts><exerciseDate><value>2002-01-28</value><footnoteId id="F1" /></exerciseDate><expirationDate><value>2008-01-27</value></expirationDate><underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitle><value>Common Stock</value></underlyingSecurityTitle><underlyingSecurityShares><value>2000</value></underlyingSecurityShares></underlyingSecurity><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>0</value></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership></ownershipNature></derivativeTransaction><derivativeTransaction><securityTitle><value>Employee Stock Option (Right to Buy)</value></securityTitle><conversionOrExercisePrice><value>23
.375</value></conversionOrExercisePrice><transactionDate><value>2003-08-18</value></transactionDate><transactionCoding><transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType><transactionCode>M</transactionCode><equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved></transactionCoding><transactionTimeliness><value></value></transactionTimeliness><transactionAmounts><transactionShares><value>4000</value></transactionShares><transactionPricePerShare><value>0</value></transactionPricePerShare><transactionAcquiredDisposedCode><value>D</value></transactionAcquiredDisposedCode></transactionAmounts><exerciseDate><value>2002-02-10</value><footnoteId id="F2" /></exerciseDate><expirationDate><value>2009-02-10</value></expirationDate><underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitle><value>Common Stock</value></underlyingSecurityTitle><underlyingSecurityShares><value>4000</value></underlyingSecurityShares></underlyingSecurity><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>2000</value></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransact
ionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership></ownershipNature></derivativeTransaction><derivativeTransaction><securityTitle><value>Employee Stock Option (Right to Buy)</value></securityTitle><conversionOrExercisePrice><value>22</value></conversionOrExercisePrice><transactionDate><value>2003-08-18</value></transactionDate><transactionCoding><transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType><transactionCode>M</transactionCode><equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved></transactionCoding><transactionTimeliness><value></value></transactionTimeliness><transactionAmounts><transactionShares><value>2100</value></transactionShares><transactionPricePerShare><value>0</value></transactionPricePerShare><transactionAcquiredDisposedCode><value>D</value></transactionAcquiredDisposedCode></transactionAmounts><exerciseDate><value>2002-06-30</value><footnoteId id="F3" /></exerciseDate><expirationDate><value>2009-06-29</value></expirationDate><underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecuri
tyTitle><value>Common Stock</value></underlyingSecurityTitle><underlyingSecurityShares><value>2100</value></underlyingSecurityShares></underlyingSecurity><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>0</value></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership></ownershipNature></derivativeTransaction><derivativeTransaction><securityTitle><value>Employee Stock Option (Right to Buy)</value></securityTitle><conversionOrExercisePrice><value>25.59</value></conversionOrExercisePrice><transactionDate><value>2003-08-18</value></transactionDate><transactionCoding><transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType><transactionCode>M</transactionCode><equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved></transactionCoding><transactionTimeliness><value></value></transactionTimeliness><transactionAmounts><transactionShares><value>8333</value></transactionShares><transactionPricePerShare><value>0</value></transactionPricePerSha
re><transactionAcquiredDisposedCode><value>D</value></transactionAcquiredDisposedCode></transactionAmounts><exerciseDate><value>2003-07-31</value><footnoteId id="F4" /></exerciseDate><expirationDate><value>2012-07-31</value></expirationDate><underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitle><value>Common Stock</value></underlyingSecurityTitle><underlyingSecurityShares><value>8333</value></underlyingSecurityShares></underlyingSecurity><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>16667</value></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership></ownershipNature></derivativeTransaction></derivativeTable><footnotes><footnote id="F1">These options are a portion of an original grant, exercisable in two substantially equal annual installments beginning on January 28, 2002.</footnote><footnote id="F2">These options are a portion of an original grant, exercisable in three substantially equal installments beginn
ing on February 10, 2002.</footnote><footnote id="F3">These options are a portion of an original grant, and became exercisable in accordance with a vesting schedule and an acceleration, beginning on June 30, 2002.</footnote><footnote id="F4">These options are a portion of an original grant, exercisable in three substantially equal annual installments beginning on July 31, 2003.</footnote></footnotes><remarks></remarks><ownerSignature><signatureName>/s/ Deidra D. Gold
Deidra D. Gold Attorney-in-Fact for Jeffrey G. Howard</signatureName><signatureDate>2003-08-20</signatureDate></ownerSignature></ownershipDocument>

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</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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