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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001232702-05-000004.txt : 20050909
<SEC-HEADER>0001232702-05-000004.hdr.sgml : 20050909
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20050909164118
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001232702-05-000004
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20050907
FILED AS OF DATE:		20050909
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20050909

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			EXPEDITORS INTERNATIONAL OF WASHINGTON INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000746515
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	ARRANGEMENT OF TRANSPORTATION OF FREIGHT & CARGO [4731]
		IRS NUMBER:				911069248
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			WA
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1015 THIRD AVENUE 12TH FLOOR
		CITY:			SEATTLE
		STATE:			WA
		ZIP:			98104
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2066743400

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1015 THIRD AVENUE 12TH FLOOR
		CITY:			SEATTLE
		STATE:			WA
		ZIP:			98104

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			CASEY JAMES J
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001232702

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-13468
		FILM NUMBER:		051078155

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1015 THIRD AVENUE 12TH FLOOR
		CITY:			SEATTLE
		STATE:			WA
		ZIP:			98104
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>c0001232702d20050909f4f.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
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    <periodOfReport>2005-09-07</periodOfReport>

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        <issuerName>EXPEDITORS INTERNATIONAL OF WASHINGTON INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>EXPD</issuerTradingSymbol>
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            <rptOwnerName>CASEY JAMES J</rptOwnerName>
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            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>SEATTLE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>WA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>98104</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
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            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
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            <otherText></otherText>
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                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>54.78</value>
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                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
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            <transactionTimeliness>
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            <transactionAmounts>
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                <transactionPricePerShare>
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                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
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                <transactionPricePerShare>
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                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
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            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
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                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
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                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
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            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
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                    <value>34</value>
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                    <value>D</value>
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                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock Options (Right to buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>7.3</value>
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            <transactionDate>
                <value>2005-09-07</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <deemedExecutionDate></deemedExecutionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
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                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
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                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
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            <exerciseDate>
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            <expirationDate>
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            <underlyingSecurity>
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            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
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                <natureOfOwnership>
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        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes></footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>James J Casey</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2005-09-09</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
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</SEC-DOCUMENT>
-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----