A packaging unit for packaging articles in boxes, including a mandrel, a movement device, a feeding device, a folding device, and an actuation device. The mandrel is configured to accommodate at least one of said articles inside it. The movement device is configured to move said mandrel along a movement trajectory at a desired movement speed. The feeding device is configured to feed at least one blank towards said mandrel along a feeding trajectory which intersects said movement trajectory. The folding device is intended to abut said blank and is configured to cooperate with said mandrel to fold said blank around said mandrel when said blank is positioned between said mandrel and said folding device to form one of said boxes. The actuation device is configured to displace said folding device along at least one folding stroke with an accompanying speed having at least one accompanying component with the same direction as the movement speed of the mandrel and modulus lower than the movement modulus in said folding stroke.