<?xml version="1.0"?>

<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-01-01</periodOfReport>


    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000095301</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>SEQUA CORP /DE/</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>SQAA</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001268394</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>BARR EDWARD E</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O SEQUA CORPORATION</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>200 PARK AVENUE</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEW YORK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>10166</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>

        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Class A Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-01-01</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>753</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>49.75</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>753</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>

    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">These shares are issued to Mr. Barr pursuant to the Sequa Corporation Directors' Stock Compensation Plan (the &quot;Plan&quot;).  The shares are restricted from disposition or transfer in accordance with the provisions set forth in the Plan.</footnote>
    </footnotes>


    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Diane C. Bunt, as attorney-in-fact</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-01-05</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

</ownershipDocument>
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X0201
4
2004-01-01
0
0000095301
SEQUA CORP /DE/
SQAA
0001268394
BARR EDWARD E
C/O SEQUA CORPORATION
200 PARK AVENUE
NEW YORK
NY
10166
1
0
0
0
Class A Common Stock
2004-01-01
4
A
0
753
49.75
A
753
D
These shares are issued to Mr. Barr pursuant to the Sequa Corporation Directors' Stock Compensation Plan (the "Plan").  The shares are restricted from disposition or transfer in accordance with the provisions set forth in the Plan.
/s/ Diane C. Bunt, as attorney-in-fact
2004-01-05