What is Dunnage? Shipping Dunnage Types

To the uninitiated, dunnage may seem an obscure term, but to those in the shipping trenches, it’s a familiar and critical ally. At its core, dunnage represents the safety padding materials that play the role of guardians, ensuring the safe travel of goods from point A to B. From the common bubble wrap to the industrial grade solid plastics, dunnage assumes various forms, each with the single mission of securing items in the unpredictable and often hectic environment of transit.

Why Shippers Use Dunnage

Picture this – a package navigating its way through sorting facilities, trucks, ships, and an array of vehicles, subjected to environmental rigors that can test the resilience of even the sturdiest items. This is where dunnage steps into the spotlight, offering a trifecta of benefits that make it an indispensable component of the shipping arsenal.

Damage Protection: Dunnage, often inexpensive, becomes the unsung hero in safeguarding valuable, fragile, and loose items during their turbulent journey.

Moisture Protection: As products traverse diverse climates, the menace of moisture lurks. Dunnage, when wielded right, becomes the shield that protects valuable electronics and sensitive equipment from potential harm.

Shock Absorption: The journey is fraught with challenges – sliding, dropping, squeezing, collisions – and each poses a threat to the integrity of shipped items. Dunnage, strategically placed, transforms into a reliable shock absorber, the last line of defense against the perils of transit.

Shipping Dunnage Types

Understanding the diverse array of materials that can serve as dunnage is crucial for tailoring shipping solutions to the unique needs of various products. Here, we embark on a journey through the common types that form the backbone of secure shipping:

Solid Plastics: Reserved for high-value, industrial shipping, solid plastics emerge as the vanguard against potential damage, albeit at a higher cost.

Bubble Wrap: Versatile, reusable, and a stalwart defender of fragile items, bubble wrap finds its niche as a cushioning agent against impacts.

Wood: Crafting barriers between items, wood becomes the chosen ally for heavy goods that demand a robust shield.

Air Pillows: In the intricate dance of filling gaps and preventing unwanted shifts, air pillows emerge as a practical solution for securing loose spaces in packages.

Kraft Paper: In the realm of cost-effectiveness and eco-friendliness, crinkled kraft paper takes center stage, offering a versatile and reusable option.

Foam: Precision is the name of the game when it comes to padding electronics, medical equipment, and fragile items, making foam a go-to choice for impact protection.

Steel: When the stakes are high, and products tip the scales in weight, steel emerges as a premium option, ensuring the safety of heavier items at an elevated cost.

Corrugated Paper: Marrying technology with functionality, corrugated paper stands as a testament to versatility, moisture protection, and sustainability.

Custom Dunnage Solutions: Uniqueness demands bespoke solutions, and custom dunnage steps in to craft protection tailored to specific dimensions.

Shipping Dunnage Types Pivotal Role in E-Commerce: Safeguarding Shipments and Minimizing Returns

In the expansive domain of freight shippers, dunnage finds relevance within the sphere of e-commerce. Embracing an array of options such as bubble wrap, crinkle paper, air pillows, and recycled paper, the diverse range of dunnage becomes an essential component in delicately averting damage and reducing the likelihood of customer returns.