US packaging paper shipments rise 2% in September, printing grades fall 9%

US shipments of packaging and special packaging paper rose 2% year on year in September 2026, while printing and writing paper shipments fell 9%, according to the American Forest & Paper Association. Packaging paper shipments were up 4% in the first nine months of 2026, and unbleached packaging paper capacity utilisation reached 90.9% in September. Packaging paper imports rose almost 10% over the nine months, with unbleached bag, sack and multiwall imports up 24.2% and shipments of those grades from Canada up almost 30%.

Why this mattersPackaging paper demand holds while printing grades shrink, and 90.9% unbleached utilisation alongside rising Canadian imports adds competitive pressure on US domestic producers.

• US packaging and special packaging paper shipments rose 2% year on year in September 2026.
• Packaging paper shipments in the first nine months of 2026 were 4% above the same period of 2025.
• Unbleached packaging paper capacity utilisation was 90.9% in September 2026.
• Printing and writing paper shipments fell 9% year on year in September, with inventories down 6% from August.
• US packaging paper imports rose almost 10% in the first nine months of 2026.
• Imports of unbleached bag, sack and multiwall paper rose 24.2%, with shipments from Canada up almost 30%.

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