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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001104659-09-067030.txt : 20091125
<SEC-HEADER>0001104659-09-067030.hdr.sgml : 20091125
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20091125113344
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001104659-09-067030
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20091123
FILED AS OF DATE:		20091125
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20091125

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Lepere Ferdinand V
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001325588

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-51368
		FILM NUMBER:		091206898

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		612 EAST GRASSY SPRAIN ROAD
		CITY:			YONKERS
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10710

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			TBS INTERNATIONAL LTD
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001065648
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	DEEP SEA FOREIGN TRANSPORTATION OF FREIGHT [4412]
		IRS NUMBER:				980225954
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		COMMERCE BLDG
		STREET 2:		CHANCERY LANE
		CITY:			HAMILTON BERMUDA
		STATE:			D0
		ZIP:			00000
		BUSINESS PHONE:		4412959230

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		COMMERCE BLDG
		STREET 2:		CHANCERY LANE
		CITY:			HAMILTON BERMUDA
		STATE:			D0
		ZIP:			00000

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	TBS SHIPPING INTERNATIONAL LTD
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19980709
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>a4.xml
<DESCRIPTION>4
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2009-11-23</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001065648</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>TBS INTERNATIONAL LTD</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>TBSI</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001325588</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Lepere Ferdinand V</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>612 EAST GRASSY SPRAIN ROAD</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>YONKERS</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>10710</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Exec Vice President and CFO</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Class A Common Shares, par value $0.01 per share</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2009-11-23</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>25000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>8.3018</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>52000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">The price reported in Column 4 is a weighted average price.  These shares were sold in multiple transactions at prices ranging from $8.26 to $8.42, inclusive.  The reporting person undertakes to provide to TBS International Ltd., any security holder of TBS International Ltd. or the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission, upon request, full information regarding the number of shares sold at each separate price within the ranges set forth in this footnote.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Ferdinand V. Lepere</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2009-11-25</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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