X0201 4 2003-11-12 0 0000909832 COSTCO WHOLESALE CORP /NEW COST 0001184948 SINEGAL JAMES D C/O COSTCO WHOLESALE CORP. 999 LAKE DRIVE ISAQUAH WA 98027 1 1 0 0 President and CEO Common Stock 2003-11-12 4 C 0 218073 D 3728402 D Prepaid Variable Share Forward 2003-11-12 4 C 0 218073 D 2003-11-12 2003-11-12 Common Stock 218073 0 D The reporting person entered into a pre-paid variable share forward contract on June 11, 2002 relating to 218,073 shares of Costco Wholesale Corporation common stock. In exchange for cash in the amount of $7,235,662.14, the reporting person agreed to deliver 218,073 shares of Common Stock on November 12, 2003 (or on an earlier date if the contract is terminated early) if the price of Common Stock on that day is less than $40.12. On November 12, 2003, the reporting person delivered 218,073 shares of Common Stock in settlement of the contract. James D. Sinegal 2003-11-12