Objective To study the changes in the molecular structure of the biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP) films after UV laser etching, and to analyze the effects of laser etching on the film structure and packaging performance such as oxygen permeability, moisture and mechanical properties, targeted for better applications in food packaging. Methods The surface morphology of the film and the changes in the internal molecular structure at different etching depth were studied by laser scanning microscopy, infrared spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy. Results The unchanged infrared spectra excluded the generation of a new non-polar bond, while appearance of the fluorescence characteristic peak at 1613 cm-1 in Raman spectroscopy indicated the occurrence of C＝C double bond. Laser etching process could improve the oxygen permeability and water vapor permeability of the film, and the performance was improved with the increasing etching depth. The oxygen permeability of the film was greater in the forward direction than in the reverse direction, while it was the opposite for the water vapor permeability. The mechanical performance of the film was decreased, when the etching line direction was perpendicular to the stretching direction, the decrement was larger as compared to the value measured when the tensile direction was parallel to the etching line direction. Conclusion When UV laser pretreated films are used for packaging design, the direction of the film and the etching line should be considered.