Which inventory category would likely include packaging materials?

The correct categorization of packaging materials falls under the "Supplies" inventory category. This classification is appropriate because packaging materials are typically considered operational supplies that support the production and distribution processes but are not directly utilized in the manufacturing of the final products themselves.

Specifically, raw materials pertain to the primary components that are transformed into finished goods during production. Work in progress includes items that are in the middle of the manufacturing process, meaning they haven’t been completed yet. Finished goods comprise products that are fully manufactured, ready for sale or distribution. Packaging materials, while essential, do not fit these categories since they are not core inputs to the product itself but rather ancillary materials that facilitate the marketing and protection of the finished goods. Thus, supplies, which include miscellaneous items used in the operation of a business, is the most fitting category for packaging materials.