CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jul. 01, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013	Jul. 01, 2012
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 1,226,256	$ 1,202,359	$ 2,405,469	$ 2,414,729
Cost of sales	1,003,692	985,817	1,977,189	1,981,326
Gross profit	222,564	216,542	428,280	433,403
Selling, general and administrative expenses	121,848	118,554	241,859	241,360
Restructuring/Asset impairment charges	8,678	9,396	12,967	24,608
Income before interest and income taxes	92,038	88,592	173,454	167,435
Interest expense	15,136	16,205	30,281	32,471
Interest income	729	957	1,606	1,802
Income before income taxes	77,631	73,344	144,779	136,766
Provision for income taxes	26,409	25,905	47,661	47,802
Income before equity in earnings of affiliates	51,222	47,439	97,118	88,964
Equity in earnings of affiliates, net of tax	3,824	3,912	5,721	5,299
Net income	55,046	51,351	102,839	94,263
Net loss/(income) attributable to noncontrolling interests	(58)	(28)	288	128
Net income attributable to Sonoco	$ 54,988	$ 51,323	$ 103,127	$ 94,391
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic	102,640	101,812	102,461	101,672
Diluted	102,977	102,569	102,988	102,563
Net income attributable to Sonoco:
Basic	$ 0.54	$ 0.50	$ 1.01	$ 0.93
Diluted	$ 0.53	$ 0.50	$ 1.00	$ 0.92
Cash dividends	$ 0.31	$ 0.30	$ 0.61	$ 0.59