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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 E19du2bm6eNEB9ynSSum0kvwYz9rc56uonkR5V4lQw6z9MkAOB6BMcNvAZgesq5r
 P/2/QVH0sQ1J4BAzEcMAmw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000950159-05-000438.txt : 20050415
<SEC-HEADER>0000950159-05-000438.hdr.sgml : 20050415
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20050415100349
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000950159-05-000438
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20050413
FILED AS OF DATE:		20050415
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20050415

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			COMMERCE BANCORP INC /NJ/
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000715096
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	NATIONAL COMMERCIAL BANKS [6021]
		IRS NUMBER:				222433468
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			NJ
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		COMMERCE ATRIUM
		STREET 2:		1701 RTE 70 E
		CITY:			CHERRY HILL
		STATE:			NJ
		ZIP:			08034-5400
		BUSINESS PHONE:		8567519000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1701 ROUTE 70 EAST
		CITY:			CHERRY HILL
		STATE:			NJ
		ZIP:			08034-5400

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			NORCROSS GEORGE E III
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001116528

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-12069
		FILM NUMBER:		05752312

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		8564897050

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1087 SPRINGDALE RD
		CITY:			CHERRY HILL
		STATE:			NJ
		ZIP:			08003
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>norcross4_ex.xml
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2005-04-13</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000715096</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>COMMERCE BANCORP INC /NJ/</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>CBH</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001116528</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>NORCROSS GEORGE E III</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>COMMERCE INSURANCE SERVICES</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>COMMERCE ATRIUM, 1701 ROUTE 70 EAST</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>CHERRY HILL</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NJ</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>08034</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Chairman &amp; CEO of Subsidiary</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Call Option (right to buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>30.00</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2005-04-13</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>P</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>2000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>6.21</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2005-04-13</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2007-01-20</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>200000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>2000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>Grantor Trust for Minor Children</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>George E. Norcross, III</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2005-04-15</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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