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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 L86jixxeu8MQdJRq6/e+CxckY5dsk6OMHRMxBak/0UHcDDo4WjysmxdoxGIyWRBT
 689FnhSul8TewoXK/Fizzw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001260895-04-000001.txt : 20040621
<SEC-HEADER>0001260895-04-000001.hdr.sgml : 20040621
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040621182451
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001260895-04-000001
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040618
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040621

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:			WITTS GRAEME
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001260895

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-09409
		FILM NUMBER:		04873322

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		L HERMITAGE LES VARINES
		STREET 2:		ST SAVIOUR JERSEY
		CITY:			COUNTRY CHANNEL ISLANDS
		STATE:			X0
		ZIP:			00000
		BUSINESS PHONE:		441534888519

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		L HERMITAGE LES VARINES
		STREET 2:		ST SAVIOUR JERSEY
		CITY:			COUNTRY CHANNEL ISLANDS
		STATE:			X0
		ZIP:			00000
</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>2004-06-18</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

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

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001260895</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>WITTS GRAEME</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O SUITE 1790-400 BURRARD STREET</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>VANCOUVER,</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>A1</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>V6C 3A6</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription>BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA</rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Shares of Beneficial Interest</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-06-18</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>J</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>5000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>5000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <remarks>Mr. Witts was granted 5,000 restricted shares of beneficial interest by Mercer International Inc. (&quot;Mercer&quot;) in connection with his role as an independent trustee of Mercer.  These shares vest and become non-forfeitable on June 18, 2005, unless a change in control of Mercer occurs prior to such date, in which case such shares vest immediately upon the occurence of such change in control.</remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Graeme A. Witts</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-06-18</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

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