Product intelligence · HS 392310 · 2024 data

Plastics: boxes, cases, crates and similar articles for the conveyance or packing of goods

Global exports of plastics: boxes, cases, crates and similar articles for the conveyance or packing of goods totalled $14,760,769,779 in 2024, a +1.4% change from the previous year. Traded by 190 countries across 8,362 bilateral corridors, with demand from 200 importing markets. The long-term trend is stable.

Data: OECD BIMTS · Coverage: 19952024 · Updated: 2026-07-17

Global trade

$14.8B

+1.4% YoY

3Y / 5Y CAGR

+2.3%

5Y: +5.0%

Supply structure

Diversified

HHI 0.067

Volatility

Low

Score 1/100

1.

Market movement

In 2024, plastics: boxes, cases, crates and similar articles for the conveyance or packing of goods trade exhibited modest growth, with global flows reaching $14,760,769,779 and a three-year compound annual growth rate of +2.3% (five-year: +5.0%). The all-time peak of $14,760,769,779 was recorded in 2024.

Over the 30-year observation window (19952024), 83% of years recorded positive growth, indicating a predominantly expanding market. Trend momentum is steady (-0.5% acceleration).

The World Trade Flows Characterization classifies plastics: boxes, cases, crates and similar articles for the conveyance or packing of goods as "Two-way trade" in the unclassified price segment, providing additional context for market positioning and competitive dynamics.

2.

Supply & demand structure

The supply side is diversified (Herfindahl-Hirschman Index 0.067). The three largest exporters — United States ($2.1B), China ($2.0B), and Germany ($1.7B) — collectively dominate supply flows. The leading exporter has grown at +6.8% over the last three years.

On the demand side, importer concentration is diversified (HHI 0.046). The three largest import markets are United States ($2.0B), Mexico ($1.5B), and Germany ($960.5M). The largest importing market sources from 119 different supplying countries.

Estimated substitution elasticity: -7.40. Buyers are highly price-sensitive and can switch between suppliers relatively easily.

The dominant trade corridor is United States → Mexico at $1.3B, representing 86.8% of the importer's total demand.

3.

Risk profile & trade outlook

The volatility score for plastics: boxes, cases, crates and similar articles for the conveyance or packing of goods is 1 out of 100, classified as low. Trade flows are relatively stable compared to other HS6 products, suggesting mature supply chains and predictable demand.

For market entrants, modest but steady demand provides a reasonable entry window. The diversified supply landscape means many competitors but also multiple entry points and buyer relationships to target.

Data confidence is rated "High" based on reporting coverage and consistency across OECD member and partner countries.

Historical evidence

Annual trade value 19952024

Peak: $14,760,769,779 in 2024.

YearGlobal trade (USD)YoY growth
2015$10,469,862,822-6.2%
2016$10,740,204,952+2.6%
2017$10,841,171,157+0.9%
2018$11,895,875,443+9.7%
2019$11,577,392,611-2.7%
2020$11,356,751,753-1.9%
2021$13,782,048,542+21.4%
2022$14,572,812,046+5.7%
2023$14,552,474,747-0.1%
2024$14,760,769,779+1.4%

Top exporting countries

Ranked by export value of plastics: boxes, cases, crates and similar articles for the conveyance or packing of goods in 2024.

View all 190 exporters →

Top importing markets

Largest import destinations for plastics: boxes, cases, crates and similar articles for the conveyance or packing of goods.

View all 200 markets →

Leading trade corridors

Largest bilateral export flows for plastics: boxes, cases, crates and similar articles for the conveyance or packing of goods, ranked by value. Click any country to view its full profile.

#ExporterImporterValue 20243Y CAGR
1United StatesMexico$1.3B+9.4%
2MexicoUnited States$790.5M+12.7%
3United StatesCanada$442.7M+3.3%
4GermanySpain$340.9M+106.0%
5ChinaUnited States$325.6M-2.1%
6CanadaUnited States$254.1M-6.7%
7NetherlandsGermany$203.9M-4.4%
8TaiwanUnited States$196.4M-2.3%

Showing top 8 of 10 corridors with available data for 2024.

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Sources, definitions & methodology

Data source

OECD Bilateral International Merchandise Trade Statistics (BIMTS). Aggregated from 312M+ reported trade records across 200+ countries and 5,300+ HS6 product codes. Coverage: 19952024.

Key indicators

HHI (Herfindahl-Hirschman Index): market concentration, 0 = fully diversified, 1 = single player. CAGR: compound annual growth rate over a stated period. Volatility score: trade value variability, 0–100 scale.

How this page is made

All statistical content on this page is data-driven, composed programmatically from live OECD trade records. No generic AI-generated prose is used. Analytical paragraphs combine real data points with factual interpretation. This page was last refreshed on 2026-07-17.