The global e-commerce packaging market reached $78.4 billion in 2025 and is projected to continue expanding through 2031, according to new research from Smithers, as online retail growth, sustainability demands and changing packaging formats reshape the sector.
According to Smithers, a market research and consulting firm focused on packaging, paper and materials industries, the market is forecast to grow at a 4.8% compound annual growth rate over the period, with corrugated boxes remaining the dominant format but gradually losing share as companies use right-sizing to reduce overall shipment volumes. Flexible packaging is expected to be the strongest growth category over the same stretch.
The findings, outlined in Smithers’ new report, The Future of E-commerce Packaging to 2031, point to a market that is still expanding in value even as packaging users look for ways to cut material use and improve shipping efficiency. The brochure says regulatory pressure and consumer demand are pushing the industry toward more efficient, lower-impact solutions across all regions.
Corrugated boxes held a 79.9% market share in 2025, according to the brochure, underscoring how central they remain to global e-commerce distribution even as alternative formats gain ground. Smithers said flexible packaging is set to outpace other formats on the strength of what it described as efficiency and sustainability credentials.
“The e-commerce packaging landscape is seeing a strategic shift where flexible packaging is replacing traditional corrugated board for specific product categories,” author Windsor Holden said in the report. “This migration is driven by a need to balance shipping efficiency, cost reduction, and sustainability targets.”
The report points to a broader shift in how packaging is being deployed across e-commerce supply chains, with companies balancing material use, shipping efficiency and regulatory compliance as they adjust formats and sourcing strategies.
Smithers said regulatory pressure and consumer expectations are pushing packaging toward lower-impact solutions, while cost considerations and supply chain constraints remain key factors shaping how quickly those changes can be implemented across different markets.
Data in the report shows global e-commerce packaging sales rising steadily from 2021 through 2031, reflecting continued growth in online retail activity even as packaging formats evolve over time.
The study examines demand across multiple end-use sectors, including food and drink, personal care, electrical goods and clothing, alongside packaging types such as corrugated boxes, flexible packaging, protective mailers and other protective materials, highlighting how requirements differ depending on product category and distribution needs.
