-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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 bI2GM+r1q1ifUOvUn/6WcA==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001258686-03-000003.txt : 20030911
<SEC-HEADER>0001258686-03-000003.hdr.sgml : 20030911
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20030911154708
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001258686-03-000003
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20030910
FILED AS OF DATE:		20030911

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			MERCER INTERNATIONAL INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000075659
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	PAPER MILLS [2621]
		IRS NUMBER:				916087550
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			WA
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		14900 INTERURBAN AVENUE SOUTH
		STREET 2:		SUITE 282
		CITY:			SEATTLE
		STATE:			WA
		ZIP:			98168
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2066744639

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		14900 INTERURBAN AVENUE SOUTH
		STREET 2:		SUITE 282
		CITY:			SEATTLE
		STATE:			WA
		ZIP:			98168

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	ASIAMERICA EQUITIES LTD
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19920109

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	PACIFIC WEST REALTY TRUST
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19860219

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			GANDOSSI DAVID M
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001258686

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-09409
		FILM NUMBER:		03891996

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		SUITE 1620 400 BURRARD ST
		CITY:			VANCOUVER BRITISH COLUMBIA
		STATE:			A1
		ZIP:			00000
		BUSINESS PHONE:		6046835767

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		SUITE 1620 400 BURRARD ST
		CITY:			VANCOUVER BRITISH COLUMBIA
		STATE:			A1
		ZIP:			00000
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>

<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2003-09-10</periodOfReport>


    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000075659</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>MERCER INTERNATIONAL INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>Mercs</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001258686</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>GANDOSSI DAVID M</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O SUITE 282</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>14900 INTERURBAN AVE. SOUTH</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>SEATTLE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>WA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>98168</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>CFO and Secretary</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>

        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock Options</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>0</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2003-09-10</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>J</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>100000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>5.65</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2003-09-10</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2013-09-10</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Shares</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>100000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>100000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>

    </derivativeTable>


    <remarks>Mr. Gandossi was granted stock options to acquire up to 100,000 shares of Mercer International Inc. on September 10, 2003 (the &quot;Date of Grant&quot;).  The options are exercisable as to one-third on the Date of Grant, and one-third on each of the first and second anniversaries thereof.</remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ David M. Gandossi</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2003-09-11</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

</ownershipDocument>

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