-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
 MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen
 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 WYguTglOQSP5M9yMze/3oP4rOvJdRzlipqFjwazqncs5WXkYKNZsh5DQ/7hRXuNA
 RArU0nTgs2u+t7eaYhVJnQ==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001263995-04-000003.txt : 20040616
<SEC-HEADER>0001263995-04-000003.hdr.sgml : 20040616
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040616150648
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001263995-04-000003
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040615
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040616

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			HELMAN ROBERT A
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001189586

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-26091
		FILM NUMBER:		04866174

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		50 S. LS SALLE ST.
		CITY:			CHICAGO
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60675

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			TC PIPELINES LP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001075607
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	NATURAL GAS TRANSMISSION [4922]
		IRS NUMBER:				522135448
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		110 TURNPIKE ROAD SUITE 203
		CITY:			WESTBOROUGH
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			01581
		BUSINESS PHONE:		5088717046

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		110 TURNPIKE RD
		STREET 2:		SUITE 203
		CITY:			WESTBOROUGH
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			01581
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-06-15</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001075607</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>TC PIPELINES LP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>TCLP</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001189586</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>HELMAN ROBERT A</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>4950 S. CHICAGO BEACH DRIVE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>APT. 20-A</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>CHICAGO</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>IL</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>60615</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common units representing limited partnership interests</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-06-15</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>116</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>34.2</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>11207</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Maryse C. St. Laurent, Attorney for Robert A. Helman</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-06-16</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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