Employee Benefit Plans - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Oct. 02, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Oct. 02, 2011
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Contribution to defined benefit retirement and retiree health and life insurance plans			$ 64,080	$ 123,691
Retiree Health and Life Insurance Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Contribution to defined benefit retirement and retiree health and life insurance plans			55,160	115,123
Projected contributions to retirement plan	8,200		8,200
Sonoco Investment and Retirement Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Contribution to defined benefit retirement and retiree health and life insurance plans			8,920	8,568
Companies expense related to the plan	$ 2,692	$ 2,489	$ 7,637	$ 7,026