<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<ownershipDocument>
    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>
  <periodOfReport>2003-09-25</periodOfReport>
  <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>
    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000914478</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>SAMSONITE CORP/FL</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>samc.ob</issuerTradingSymbol>
  </issuer>
  <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001199194</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>MATTON MARC</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O SAMSONITE CORPORATION</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>11200 E. 45TH AVENUE</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>DENVER</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CO</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>80239-3018</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
      <isDirector>0</isDirector>
      <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
      <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
      <isOther>0</isOther>
      <officerTitle>President and Managing Directo</officerTitle>
    </reportingOwnerRelationship>
  </reportingOwner>
  <derivativeTable>
    <derivativeTransaction>
      <securityTitle>
        <value>2003 Convertible Preferred Stock</value>
      </securityTitle>
      <conversionOrExercisePrice>
        <value>0.42</value>
        <footnoteId id="F2"/>
        <footnoteId id="F3"/>
      </conversionOrExercisePrice>
      <transactionDate>
        <value>2003-09-25</value>
      </transactionDate>
      <transactionCoding>
        <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
        <transactionCode>P</transactionCode>
        <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
      </transactionCoding>
      <transactionTimeliness>
        <value></value>
      </transactionTimeliness>
      <transactionAmounts>
        <transactionShares>
          <value>119</value>
          <footnoteId id="F2"/>
        </transactionShares>
        <transactionPricePerShare>
          <value>1013.3333</value>
        </transactionPricePerShare>
        <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
          <value>A</value>
        </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
      </transactionAmounts>
      <exerciseDate>
        <footnoteId id="F1"/>
      </exerciseDate>
      <expirationDate>
        <footnoteId id="F1"/>
      </expirationDate>
      <underlyingSecurity>
        <underlyingSecurityTitle>
          <value>Common Stock</value>
        </underlyingSecurityTitle>
        <underlyingSecurityShares>
          <value>287111</value>
          <footnoteId id="F2"/>
          <footnoteId id="F3"/>
        </underlyingSecurityShares>
      </underlyingSecurity>
      <postTransactionAmounts>
        <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
          <value>119</value>
        </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
      </postTransactionAmounts>
      <ownershipNature>
        <directOrIndirectOwnership>
          <value>D</value>
        </directOrIndirectOwnership>
      </ownershipNature>
    </derivativeTransaction>
  </derivativeTable>
  <footnotes>
    <footnote id="F1">Shares of 2003 Convertible Preferred Stock are convertible into shares of common stock from the date of issuance and any time thereafter.</footnote>
    <footnote id="F2">The Reporting Person is the beneficial owner of 119 shares of 2003 Convertible Preferred Stock. The number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the 2003 Convertible Preferred Stock will be equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (i) the sum of the Liquidation Value plus all accrued but unpaid dividends thereon by (y) the Conversion Price then in effect. "Liquidation Value" and "Conversion Price" have the meanings set forth in the Certificate of Designation of the Powers, Preferences and Relative, Participating, Optional and Other Special Rights of 2003 Convertible Preferred Stock and Qualifications, Limitations and Restrictions Thereof (the "Certificate of Designation").</footnote>
    <footnote id="F3">The number of shares is based upon the Liquidation Value of the shares of 2003 Convertible Preferred Stock and the conversion price of $0.42. The Conversion Price and the number of shares issuable upon conversion of the Preferred Stock will be subject to adjustment upon the occurrence of certain events as set forth in the Certificate of Designation.</footnote>
  </footnotes>
  <ownerSignature>
    <signatureName>/s/ Janet C. Egan by power of attorney</signatureName>
    <signatureDate>2003-09-25</signatureDate>
  </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

