In the field of switching networks, a method, a device and a system for forwarding multicast packets are disclosed, which significantly reduce the requirement on the storage capacity of the switching network, thus implementing forwarding of a large number of multicast packets. The method includes: receiving a multicast packet, and a first forwarding identifier and a second forwarding identifier of the multicast packet; obtaining a destination line card corresponding to the multicast packet according to the first forwarding identifier; and forwarding the multicast packet and the second forwarding identifier to the destination line card. The method, device and system for forwarding multicast packets are applicable to situations where it is required to forward multicast packets in a single-level switching network or a multi-level switching network.