Employee Benefit Plans (Details) (USD $) In Thousands	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
Jul. 03, 2011	Jun. 27, 2010	Jul. 03, 2011	Jun. 27, 2010
Defined Benefit Plan (Textuals) [Abstract]
Contribution to defined benefit retirement and retiree health and life insurance plans			$ 110,482	$ 14,038
Retirement Plans [Member]
Components of net periodic benefit cost
Service cost	5,014	5,466	10,117	10,704
Interest cost	17,522	17,913	35,355	35,147
Expected return on plan assets	(21,052)	(19,608)	(42,382)	(38,457)
Amortization of net transition obligation	118	111	237	216
Amortization of prior service cost (credit)	35	30	71	59
Amortization of net actuarial loss	5,828	8,679	11,769	17,011
Net periodic benefit cost	7,465	12,591	15,167	24,680
Defined Benefit Plan (Textuals) [Abstract]
Contribution to defined benefit retirement and retiree health and life insurance plans			101,914
Additional contributions to defined benefit retirement and retiree health and life insurance plans	31,000		31,000
U.S. Qualified Pension Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan (Textuals) [Abstract]
Contribution to defined benefit retirement and retiree health and life insurance plans			85,262
Retiree Health and Life Insurance Plans [Member]
Components of net periodic benefit cost
Service cost	298	299	602	585
Interest cost	421	606	851	1,186
Expected return on plan assets	(350)	(349)	(707)	(683)
Amortization of prior service cost (credit)	(1,950)	(2,583)	(3,942)	(5,052)
Amortization of net actuarial loss	345	596	697	1,165
Net periodic benefit cost	(1,236)	(1,431)	(2,499)	(2,799)
Sonoco Investment and Retirement Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan (Textuals) [Abstract]
Contribution to defined benefit retirement and retiree health and life insurance plans			8,568
Additional contributions to defined benefit retirement and retiree health and life insurance plans	0		0
SIRP expense	$ 2,501	$ 2,217	$ 4,537	$ 4,754

Defined Benefit Plan expense recognized,

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- Definition

Defined Benefit Plan Textuals Abstract.

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- Definition

The amounts in accumulated other comprehensive income related to gains and losses that are not recognized immediately and are expected to be recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost over the next fiscal year that follows the most recent annual statement of financial position presented.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 132R
-Paragraph 5
-Subparagraph s

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 158
-Paragraph 7
-Subparagraph d

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- Definition

The amounts in accumulated other comprehensive income related to prior service cost or credit expected to be recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost over the next fiscal year that follows the most recent annual statement of financial position presented.

+ References

+ Details

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- Definition

The amount of the transition obligation or asset recognized in net periodic benefit cost.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 132R
-Paragraph 5
-Subparagraph h

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- Definition

The employer's best estimate, as soon as it can be reasonably determined, of contributions expected to be paid to the plan during the next fiscal year beginning after the date of the latest statement of financial position. Estimated contributions may be presented in the aggregate combining (1) contributions required by funding regulations or laws, (2) discretionary contributions, and (3) noncash contributions.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 132R
-Paragraph 5
-Subparagraph g

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- Definition

An amount calculated as a basis for determining the extent of delayed recognition of the effects of changes in the fair value of assets. The expected return on plan assets is determined based on the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets and the market-related value of plan assets.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 106
-Paragraph 518

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 87
-Paragraph 264

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 132R
-Paragraph 5
-Subparagraph h

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- Definition

The increase in a defined benefit pension plan's projected benefit obligation or a defined benefit postretirement plan's accumulated postretirement benefit obligation due to the passage of time.

+ References

+ Details

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- Definition

The total amount of net periodic benefit cost for defined benefit plans for the period. Periodic benefit costs include the following components: service cost, interest cost, expected return on plan assets, gain or loss, prior service cost or credit, transition asset or obligation, and gain or loss due to settlements or curtailments).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 132R
-Paragraph 5
-Subparagraph h

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- Definition

The actuarial present value of benefits attributed by the pension benefit formula to services rendered by employees during the period. The portion of the expected postretirement benefit obligation attributed to employee service during the period. The service cost component is a portion of the benefit obligation and is unaffected by the funded status of the plan.

+ References

+ Details

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- Definition

The amount of cash or cash equivalents contributed during the reporting period by the entity to fund its pension plans and its non-pension postretirement benefit plans.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 95
-Paragraph 28

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