-----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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 UpJ45xzmJfVgcvdQGmu1Cw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001104659-03-024395.txt : 20031031
<SEC-HEADER>0001104659-03-024395.hdr.sgml : 20031031
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20031031191156
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001104659-03-024395
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20031030
FILED AS OF DATE:		20031031

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			STECKO PAUL T
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001239789

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-15399
		FILM NUMBER:		03971199

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		TENNECO AUTOMOTIVE
		STREET 2:		500 NORTH FIELD DRIVE
		CITY:			LAKE FOREST
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60045

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			PACKAGING CORP OF AMERICA
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000075677
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	PAPERBOARD CONTAINERS & BOXES [2650]
		IRS NUMBER:				364277050
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1900 W FIELD CT
		CITY:			LAKE FOREST
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60045
		BUSINESS PHONE:		8474823000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1900 W FIELD CT
		CITY:			LAKE FOREST
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60045
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>a4.xml
<DESCRIPTION>4
<TEXT>
<XML>
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  <periodOfReport>2003-10-30</periodOfReport>
  <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>
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        <issuerName>PACKAGING CORP OF AMERICA</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>PKG</issuerTradingSymbol>
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            <rptOwnerCik>0001239789</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>STECKO PAUL T</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O PACKAGING CORPORATION OF AMERICA</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>1900 WEST FIELD COURT</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>LAKE FOREST</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>IL</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>60045</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
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            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
      <isDirector>1</isDirector>
      <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
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      <isOther>0</isOther>
      <officerTitle>Chairman/Chief Exec Officer</officerTitle>
    </reportingOwnerRelationship>
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      <transactionDate>
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        <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
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      <transactionTimeliness>
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      </transactionTimeliness>
      <transactionAmounts>
        <transactionShares>
          <value>900</value>
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        <transactionPricePerShare>
          <value>19.55</value>
        </transactionPricePerShare>
        <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
          <value>D</value>
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      </transactionAmounts>
      <postTransactionAmounts>
        <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
          <value>78000</value>
        </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
      </postTransactionAmounts>
      <ownershipNature>
        <directOrIndirectOwnership>
          <value>D</value>
        </directOrIndirectOwnership>
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    </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    <nonDerivativeTransaction>
      <securityTitle>
        <value>Common Stock</value>
      </securityTitle>
      <transactionDate>
        <value>2003-10-30</value>
      </transactionDate>
      <transactionCoding>
        <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
        <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
        <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
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      <transactionTimeliness>
        <value></value>
      </transactionTimeliness>
      <transactionAmounts>
        <transactionShares>
          <value>1700</value>
        </transactionShares>
        <transactionPricePerShare>
          <value>19.51</value>
        </transactionPricePerShare>
        <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
          <value>D</value>
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      </transactionAmounts>
      <postTransactionAmounts>
        <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
          <value>76300</value>
        </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
      </postTransactionAmounts>
      <ownershipNature>
        <directOrIndirectOwnership>
          <value>D</value>
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    <nonDerivativeTransaction>
      <securityTitle>
        <value>Common Stock</value>
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      <transactionDate>
        <value>2003-10-30</value>
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      <transactionCoding>
        <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
        <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
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      <transactionTimeliness>
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        <transactionPricePerShare>
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      <transactionTimeliness>
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        <transactionPricePerShare>
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        <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
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        <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
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        <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
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        <value></value>
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        <transactionPricePerShare>
          <value>19.36</value>
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        <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
          <value>D</value>
        </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
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        <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
          <value>59800</value>
        </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
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        <directOrIndirectOwnership>
          <value>D</value>
        </directOrIndirectOwnership>
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    </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    <nonDerivativeTransaction>
      <securityTitle>
        <value>Common Stock</value>
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        <value>Common Stock</value>
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        <value>2003-10-30</value>
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        <value></value>
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          <value>19.89</value>
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          <value>D</value>
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          <value>58000</value>
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        <directOrIndirectOwnership>
          <value>D</value>
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  </nonDerivativeTable>
  <ownerSignature>
    <signatureName>Paul T. Stecko</signatureName>
    <signatureDate>2003-10-31</signatureDate>
  </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

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-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----