An IPv6 packet processing method and apparatus where a first routing device obtains an IPv6 packet, and sends the IPv6 packet to a next-hop routing device. The IPv6 packet includes an IPv6 extension header that includes preceding general indication information, where the preceding general indication information includes first information, and where the first information is used to indicate to process the IPv6 packet only on a data plane of a routing device and not to send the IPv6 packet to a CPU.