NAICS 322212

Overview

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) is the federal standard for classifying business establishments so agencies can collect, analyze, and publish statistics on the U.S. economy. Developed by the Office of Management and Budget with Canada and Mexico, NAICS replaced SIC in 1997 and is maintained on a 5-year cycle; the current vintage is 2022. ¹

322212 covers establishments primarily engaged in converting purchased paperboard (except corrugated) into folding paperboard boxes, without manufacturing paper or paperboard. Official cross-references direct corrugated and solid fiber boxes to 322211, rigid “setup” paperboard boxes to 322213, nonfolding sanitary food containers to 322215, and paperboard production to 322130. This industry definition focuses on the converting process and the folding carton form (shipped flat, erected at use) rather than on papermaking activities. ²

See also on G2X:

• G2X — NAICS 322211
• G2X — NAICS 322213

What this NAICS covers

• Converting purchased, noncorrugated paperboard into folding cartons that ship flat and are erected for use. ²
• Operations such as die-cutting, scoring, and gluing integral to producing folding paperboard boxes. ²
• Production of folding cartons for a variety of end uses, where the primary activity is box converting rather than paper or paperboard making. ²
• Establishments that do not manufacture paper or paperboard but use converting equipment to form folding boxes. ²
• Folding sanitary cartons are included here; nonfolding sanitary containers are excluded. ²

Related NAICS and PSC codes

NAICS cross-references are per the Census NAICS manual. ²
PSC titles are per the GSA Product and Service Codes (PSC) Manual. ³

Type	Code	Descriptor
NAICS	322211	Corrugated and Solid Fiber Box Manufacturing
NAICS	322213	Setup Paperboard Box Manufacturing
NAICS	322130	Paperboard Mills
PSC	8115	Boxes, Cartons, and Crates

SBA small business size standard

For federal procurement set-aside eligibility, the SBA size standard for 322212 is 750 employees (effective March 17, 2023). ⁴

Key exclusions (per NAICS cross-references)

• Corrugated and solid fiber boxes are classified under 322211. ²
• Rigid “setup” paperboard boxes (not shipped flat) fall under 322213. ²
• Nonfolding sanitary food containers are in 322215. ²
• Paperboard manufacturing (including mills that both make and convert paperboard) is in 322130. ²

Frequently asked questions

• How is 322212 different from 322211?

  322212 covers converting noncorrugated paperboard into folding cartons that ship flat; 322211 covers corrugated and laminated solid fiber boxes, typically for shipping. The distinction hinges on materials (noncorrugated vs. corrugated/solid fiber) and the folding carton product form. ²

• Are printing and decorative finishing activities part of 322212?

  Not specified by official sources. The NAICS definition focuses on converting purchased paperboard into folding boxes without papermaking and does not enumerate ancillary printing or finishing steps. Agencies and firms should align to the primary activity when determining the correct NAICS. ²

• What small business size standard applies to 322212?

  The size standard is 750 employees per SBA’s Table of Small Business Size Standards effective March 17, 2023. Contracting officers assign NAICS to each solicitation; a firm’s eligibility is determined against the size standard for the assigned NAICS. ⁴

• Which PSCs commonly appear when buying folding cartons or related packaging?

  Product buys often map to Group 81 supply PSCs, notably 8115 (Boxes, Cartons, and Crates). Related supplies may fall under 8135 (Packaging and Packing Bulk Materials) or 8105 (Bags and Sacks), depending on the exact items procured. ³

Useful resources

• G2X — NAICS 322212 overview
• U.S. Census Bureau — NAICS description and cross-references for Paperboard Container Manufacturing industries (includes 322212). ²
• Census — NAICS Codes & Understanding Industry Classification Systems (NAICS purpose, structure, and 2022 vintage). ¹
• SBA — Table of Small Business Size Standards (NAICS-matched; includes 322212). ⁴

References

1. U.S. Census Bureau — Economic Census: NAICS Codes & Understanding Industry Classification Systems. https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/economic-census/year/2022/technical-documentation/code-lists/understanding-naics-redirect.html
2. U.S. Census Bureau — NAICS Sector 31–33 resource with official industry definitions and cross-references (includes 322212 Folding Paperboard Box Manufacturing). https://www.census.gov/naics/resources/archives/sect31-33.html
3. General Services Administration — Product and Service Codes (PSC) Manual, FY 2025 Edition (April 2025). https://www.acquisition.gov/sites/default/files/manual/PSC%20Manual%20April%202025.pdf
4. U.S. Small Business Administration — Table of Small Business Size Standards, effective March 17, 2023 (PDF). https://www.sba.gov/sites/default/files/2023-06/Table%20of%20Size%20Standards_Effective%20March%2017%2C%202023%20%282%29.pdf