<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2005-12-13</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000791449</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>HERBALIFE INTERNATIONAL INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>HLF</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001211590</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>DOMINIK DAVID</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>ONE EMBARCADERO CENTER</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>33RD FLOOR</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>SAN FRANCISCO</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>94111</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001311635</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Golden Gate Capital Management, L.L.C.</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>ONE EMBARCADERO CENTER</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>33RD FLOOR</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>SAN FRANCISCO</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>94111</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001311562</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Rogers Jesse</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>ONE EMBARCADERO CENTER</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>33RD FLOOR</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>SAN FRANCISCO</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>94111</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001311633</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>CCG Investments (BVI), L.P.</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>ONE EMBARCADERO CENTER</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>33RD FLOOR</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>SAN FRANCISCO</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>94111</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001311631</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>CCG Associates-AI, LLC</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>ONE EMBARCADERO CENTER</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>33RD FLOOR</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>SAN FRANCISCO</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>94111</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001311637</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>CCG CI, LLC</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>ONE EMBARCADERO CENTER</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>33RD FLOOR</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>SAN FRANCISCO</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>94111</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001311628</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>CCG AV, LLC-Series C</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>ONE EMBARCADERO CENTER</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>33RD FLOOR</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>SAN FRANCISCO</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>94111</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001311638</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>CCG AV, LLC-Series E</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>ONE EMBARCADERO CENTER</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>33RD FLOOR</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>SAN FRANCISCO</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>94111</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001311630</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>CCG Investment Fund-AI, LP</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>ONE EMBARCADERO CENTER</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>33RD FLOOR</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>SAN FRANCISCO</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>94111</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001311632</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>CCG Associates-QP, LLC</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>ONE EMBARCADERO CENTER</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>33RD FLOOR</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>SAN FRANCISCO</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>94111</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2005-12-13</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>4565311</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>30.50</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>10409411</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>See Footnote</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Consists of 3,986,380 shares directly owned and sold by CCG Investments (BVI), L.P., 200,392 shares directly owned and sold by CCG Associates-QP, LLC, 18,633 shares directly owned and sold by CCG Associates-AI, LLC, 53,404 shares directly owned and sold by CCG Investment Fund-AI, LP, 131,506 shares directly owned and sold by CCG AV, LLC-Series C, 106,812 shares directly owned and sold by CCG AV, LLC-Series E and 68,184 shares directly owned and sold by CCG CI, LLC.  Golden Gate Capital Management, L.L.C., as general partner or managing member of all the above entities, and Mr. David C. Dominik and Mr. Jesse T. Rogers, as principal Managing Members of Golden Gate Capital Management, L.L.C., share voting and dispositive power of the reported shares and may each be deemed to have shared beneficial ownership of the reported shares.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Consists of  9,089,388 shares directly owned by CCG Investments (BVI), L.P., 456,914 shares directly owned by CCG Associates-QP, LLC, 42,485 shares directly owned by CCG Associates-AI, LLC, 121,768 shares directly owned by CCG Investment Fund-AI, LP, 299,848 shares directly owned by CCG AV, LLC-Series C, 243,543 shares directly owned by CCG AV, LLC-Series E and 155,465 shares directly owned by CCG CI, LLC.  Golden Gate Capital Management, L.L.C., as general partner or managing member of all the above entities, and Mr. David C. Dominik and Mr. Jesse T. Rogers, as principal Managing Members of Golden Gate Capital Management, L.L.C., share voting and dispositive power of the reported shares and may each be deemed to share beneficial ownership of the reported shares.  Each of the reporting persons disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares owned of record by other reporting persons except to the extent of such reporting person's pecuniary interest therein.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Jesse T. Rogers</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2005-12-15</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ David C. Dominik</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2005-12-15</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Golden Gate Capital Management, L.L.C. By: /s/ Jesse T. Rogers, Managing Member</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2005-12-15</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>CCG Investments (BVI), L.P. By: Golden Gate Capital Management, L.L.C., General Partner By: /s/ Jesse T. Rogers Managing Member</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2005-12-15</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>CCG Associates-QP, LLC By: Golden Gate Capital Management, L.L.C., Managing Member By: /s/ Jesse T. Rogers Managing Member</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2005-12-15</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>CCG Associates-AI, LLC By: Golden Gate Capital Management, L.L.C., Managing Member By: /s/ Jesse T. Rogers Managing Member</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2005-12-15</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>CCG Investment Fund-AI, L.P. By: Golden Gate Capital Management, L.L.C., General Partner By: /s/ Jesse T. Rogers Managing Member</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2005-12-15</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>CCG AV, LLC - Series C By: Golden Gate Capital Management, L.L.C., Managing Member By: /s/ Jesse T. Rogers Managing Member</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2005-12-15</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>CCG AV, LLC-Series E By: Golden Gate Capital Management, L.L.C., Managing Member By: /s/ Jesse T. Rogers Managing Member</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2005-12-15</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>CCG CI, LLC By: Golden Gate Capital Management, L.L.C., Managing Member By: /s/ Jesse T. Rogers Managing Member</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2005-12-15</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
