Objective The Drop characteristics of nonlinear packaging system were studied under the C-flute corrugated paperboard in the transport process, the dynamical model of the system was developed, and the numerical results of the dynamical equations were obtained. Methods According to item response acceleration is less than the allowable value and the amount of material to minimize the two principles, the optimization design of cushioning packaging and obtain the optimal solution. Results It is shown that this method is better than the maximum acceleration-static stress curves that need more test and data in designing cushioning packaging. Conclusion The results lead to some insights into design of cushioning packaging.