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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 Gt89Q0lFSIFc6TEDsXz3Oku12j5um3e5IBQeIr9rtfNQ2/yghnLR+O4AG5TQxCPg
 PGfbF561z3BUYuj/s+lYwA==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000800459-08-000122.txt : 20081205
<SEC-HEADER>0000800459-08-000122.hdr.sgml : 20081205
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20081205114905
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000800459-08-000122
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20081203
FILED AS OF DATE:		20081205
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20081205

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			REISS KENNETH
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001257500

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-09764
		FILM NUMBER:		081231748

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		949-699-4002

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		26972 BURBANK
		STREET 2:		C/O THE WET SEAL, INC.
		CITY:			FOOTHILL RANCH
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			92610

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			HARMAN INTERNATIONAL INDUSTRIES INC /DE/
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000800459
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	HOUSEHOLD AUDIO & VIDEO EQUIPMENT [3651]
		IRS NUMBER:				112534306
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0630

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		400 ATLANTIC STREET
		STREET 2:		SUITE 1500
		CITY:			STAMFORD
		STATE:			CT
		ZIP:			06901
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2033283500

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		400 ATLANTIC STREET
		STREET 2:		SUITE 1500
		CITY:			STAMFORD
		STATE:			CT
		ZIP:			06901
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2008-12-03</periodOfReport>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000800459</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>HARMAN INTERNATIONAL INDUSTRIES INC /DE/</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>HAR</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001257500</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>REISS KENNETH</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O HARMAN INTERNATIONAL</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>400 ATLANTIC STREET, SUITE 1500</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>STAMFORD</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState></rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>06901</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Restricted Share Unit</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2008-12-03</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>8828</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>8828</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>8828</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Each restricted share unit represents a contingent right to receive one share of Harman's common stock.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Restricted share units vest 33% per year starting on December 3, 2009.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks></remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Cherie Curry as attorney in fact, for Kenneth Reiss</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2008-12-05</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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