Without question, one of the biggest concerns you should have when shipping your goods – whether that be internationally or domestically – is making sure they arrive safely at their destination. The last thing any business wants is for their products to be damaged in transit.
When products are returned because they are damaged and faulty, there is usually one common cause – the shipping company didn’t use the right dunnage. Even the tiniest of scratches or chips can result in increased costs for a business. In fact, around 30% of items purchased online are returned because they arrived damaged or faulty.
With this in mind, it’s extremely important to understand how to protect your goods whilst they are in transit. Preventing transit damage starts with choosing the right packaging materials to protect products.
In this article, we will discuss what dunnage is, the different types and why it’s so valuable for your business.
What Is Dunnage?
A number of years ago, you may not have heard of the word ‘dunnage’. Today, dunnage is a common term used throughout the shipping industry.
Simply put, dunnage encompasses various types of packaging components placed around goods during the shipping and handling process – be it bubble wrap, foam, kraft paper, air pillows, corrugated paper, or even wood planks. Essentially, dunnage is any packaging material that keeps products in place whilst in transit.
When used in conjunction with a suitably sized box, dunnage tends to be more effective. For example, if you’re shipping a small item, it’s wise not to use a large box. As long as you have enough space around the item for void fill, the item should stay put.
Singed, Sealed, Delivered: The Importance of Dunnage To Shippers
There are several benefits for both customers and suppliers when using dunnage:
1. Preventing damage
Unsurprisingly, one of the main reasons that suppliers use dunnage is to protect valuable and fragile items. For example, if goods are not handled correctly, dunnage helps to reduce the risk of serious damage.
2. Reduces Impact
Let’s face it, packages can go through a lot during transit. Without dunnage, fragile items will be left to roll around. If goods crash into each other, this can lead to shock and vibration. As a result, items may crack or break.
The good news is that dunnage can be used for shock absorption, reducing the potential risk of unnecessary damage to shipments.
3. Protecting Goods From Excess Moisture
Moisture damage can be a real problem, particularly when products are being transported via cargo ships. Having said that, the main moisture threat isn’t necessarily rainwater or ocean water, it’s moisture in the air. The presence of moisture in the cargo can lead to mould, corrosion and other types of wear and tear. Such damage usually occurs when changes in the temperature convert moisture into liquid.
If you’re shipping electronics or food, dunnage can be extremely valuable. For example, dunnage can act as a shield against excess water. That way, there’s no need to worry about food spoiling or electronics malfunctioning.
Similarly, dunnage can help protect other porous items, such as books. At best, excess moisture will seep into pages and cause the edges to warp slightly. At worst, moisture damage will ruin the books completely. Simply wrapping items in bubble wrap could be the difference between products arriving in good condition and shipments being rejected.
4. Allows For Easy Handling Of Heavy Goods
Wooden dunnage helps to evenly distribute the weight of heavy items, such as sofas and desks. This is much easier to handle and carry these items during transportation.
Of course, not every product will require the same amount of dunnage. Generally, items made from fragile materials, such as glass, marble and porcelain will require more dunnage.
The Different Types Of Dunnage
There are many different types of dunnage used for shipping and handling products.
The 3 Primary Dunnage Types
There are the three primary dunnage types:
1. Multi-material Dunnage
Multi-material dunnage refers to packaging solutions constructed using a combination of materials, such as cardboard, plastic, foam and wood.
2. Kit Packs
Kit packs are perfect for organising components for a specific application, as operators can quickly assemble items with ease.
3. Custom Dunnage
Custom Dunnage refers to packaging materials that are completely modified to meet your unique requirements. For example, you may wish to add foam pads to the bottom of a package for extra shock absorption.
When outsourcing logistics to a 3LP, it’s a good idea to ask them about the custom dunnage options they can provide to make sure your products are fully protected.
The 8 Examples of Dunnage Packaging
1. Bubble Wrap
Bubble wrap is one of the most common materials used to ship fragile items. The great thing about bubble wrap is that it’s quite lightweight. When it comes to shipping, every kilogram matters. So, if you want to protect your goods without increasing the overall weight of your shipments too much, bubble wrap may be a good option for you.
More than that, bubble wrap is extremely malleable and can be reused until the bubbles have popped. This makes bubble wrap quite a cost-effective option. However, it isn’t always the most environmentally friendly option.
2. Air Pillows
Air pillows are usually used to separate items in containers and keep them from crashing into each other. They can also be used to fill voids and prevent items from sliding around during transit. Although, it’s worth noting that air pillows are not ideal for protecting heavier items.
3. Kraft Paper
Kraft paper is produced from chemical pulp and is stuffed in shipping containers to fill empty spaces. There are several benefits to using kraft paper. Chief among these is that it’s ideal for moisture and contamination protection. On top of this, kraft paper is reusable and cheap.
However, the main pitfall of kraft paper is that it doesn’t provide a great deal of physical protection.
4. Foam
Foam dunnage is perfect for lining small shipping containers, especially those containing fragile or sharp items. However, foam is prone to tearing or breaking, which makes it quite difficult to reuse.
5. Solid plastics
This is the most common type of dunnage used in industrial shipping. The reason for this is that solid plastics offer a greater degree of protection and stability for goods.
Nonetheless, this option comes at a cost as solid plastic tends to be heavier than other types of dunnage and can take up more space in shipping containers. This increase in volume and weight will likely result in higher shipping costs.
6. Wood
Wood is usually used to create barriers between items and partitions between containers. While wood is slightly heavier than other dunnage materials, it is great for protecting heavy haulage. Plus, it can be used for a long time, as it’s resilient and hard-wearing. This makes it the perfect material for preventing transit damage.
7. Corrugated Paper
Corrugated paper provides sustainable options for packaging, as it can support various weights and acts as a shield against moisture. So, it makes sense that this material is a firm favourite amongst suppliers.
8. Steel
Steel is usually used to protect high-value goods. Plus, steel is a great option if you’re shipping items of various weights and sizes, as it can protect heavier items from damaging lighter ones.
The Bottom Line: Dunnage Across Different Industries
Whether you’re a large freight forwarder shipping full containers or a small eCommerce store, dunnage is an extremely important part of your shipping and handling process. Without the right dunnage, products may get damaged during the shipping and handling process. As a result, customer returns will likely increase.
More than that, it’s important to choose the right dunnage for your business. You’ll need to take into consideration the type of product, how much it weighs and the cost. Whilst heavier dunnage may provide more protection, it may not be the best choice for goods. After all, the heavier the dunnage, the higher your shipping costs will be.
Looking to prevent transit damage? We at Breakwells are one of the UK’s leading haulage and logistics experts. With over 50 years of experience offering high-quality order fulfilment at affordable prices, we can help you find a dunnage solution that not only protects your products but also pays for itself. Get in touch today to find out how we can help.