Why Is Dunnage Important in Shipping?

Your reputation is everything as a business owner. However, faulty products can damage your credibility and deter customers from your organisation. It can also cost you a fortune in product repairs and replacements.

In 2023, almost 50% of Australians who shopped online had issues with their delivery. One of the biggest problems is receiving damaged goods. Extreme weather, material handling errors and rough terrain can all cause these damages.

While you can’t control the conditions in shipping, you can protect your cargo and business. One way to do that is with dunnage.

What Is Dunnage?

Dunnage consists of wood, plastic, metal, and paper materials used to protect goods when shipped. These materials fill the gaps between cargo or goods in trucks, ships and other modes of transport. 

They prevent items from moving, falling and breaking in transit. Dunnage also forms a protective barrier around various goods to protect them from moisture damage and contamination. Common types of dunnage are:

• Soft: Soft dunnage includes flexible materials like bubble wrap for transporting small and light goods.
• Solid: Solid dunnage is a more rigid and durable material like high-density polyethene or steel. This dunnage is used to transport high-value and heavy goods.
• Paper-based: This dunnage type includes paper-based variants like cardboard and corrugated paper. It’s used to fill gaps, separate goods and transport light goods.
• Custom: Custom dunnage is specialised packaging designed to fit products with custom dimensions.

Which Industries Use Dunnage?

Dunnage is an unknown term, but it’s vital to many businesses. Industries that use dunnage are:

• Manufacturing
• Construction
• Freight and logistics
• Food and beverage
• Furniture
• Chemicals
• Aerospace
• Textiles and apparel
• Pharmaceuticals.

Why Use Dunnage for Goods Shipping?

In transit, various weather and route conditions can affect the delivery process. Rough terrain and extreme weather can damage goods. Dunnage provides secure and durable packaging solutions. Here are more benefits of dunnage:

1. Damage Protection

One of the most significant benefits of dunnage is protecting goods from damage. Products or items can break, dent, and be exposed to the elements in transit. Dunnage can separate goods in transit, fill gaps between products, and stabilise loads. It also insulates items and prevents breakage in impact.

2. Moisture Prevention

Moisture from rain, frost, and extreme humidity can seep into transportation and damage cargo like furniture, electronics, clothing, and other delicate items. Items shipped by sea can be especially prone to this damage during long commutes. Dunnage, like plastic and foam materials, insulates goods and repels moisture.

3. Safe Handling

While damages happen in shipping, they also occur while on and offloading products. Material handling accidents can cost industries millions in damages and repairs. To prevent these scenarios, industries pack and secure items in hardwood pallets. This dunnage can be quickly and safely offloaded with a forklift, preventing mishandling errors.

4. Shock Absorption

Another benefit of dunnage is shock absorption. Whether by road or sea, goods can be prone to damage from vibration, jolts, and collisions. These movements can affect fragile glass and other lightweight goods. Dunnage materials like foam absorb impact from sudden and forceful movements and protect items from damage.

5. Contamination Prevention

Shipping perishable items like food and beverages requires extra care. These products can be prone to contamination, so food and beverage industries use bubble wrap and high-density plastic in transit. 

These dunnage solutions cushion fragile food and beverage goods from damage like dents and punctures. They are also compact and breathable, allowing good airflow to keep products fresh and prevent pollutants from contaminating them.

6. Enhanced Efficiency 

The more shipments businesses require, the higher the overheads. Dunnage helps industries optimise their cargo for more efficient shipping. Packaging items in compact materials frees up space on board for more goods. Businesses can then limit the number of shipments and make their process more efficient and cost-effective.

7. Minimised Profit Loss

One of the biggest challenges in shipping is the amount of money industries lose due to damaged goods. When third-party suppliers and customers receive faulty or damaged goods, they will likely return them and request a refund. 

These repairs and replacements can cost industries a lot. Using dunnage ensures a higher chance of goods arriving in good condition and minimises returns and replacements.

Types of Dunnage Materials

Wood, plastic, metal, foam and paper are common types of dunnage. These materials have different uses in shipping.

Wood

Wood is a popular dunnage type used for protecting goods in shipping. Industries also use wood to divide cargo and create a barrier around items when loading and unloading. It’s often an economical and eco-friendly option for large cargo quantities. Here are some types of wood dunnage:

• Woodchip: Woodchip is a soft dunnage for filling spaces and protecting lightweight and fragile goods. It doesn’t conduct heat and can absorb moisture in harsh weather. Wood chips are also affordable and recyclable.
• Pallets: Pallets are a solid dunnage type used for load stability, separating item parts, weight distribution, and loading and unloading. They come in different types, including plastic, hardwood and heat-treated options, making them versatile for different shipping needs. Pallets can also be custom-made to fit and protect cargo in specific sizes.

Plastic

Plastic is a flexible and durable dunnage material that absorbs shock, repels moisture and protects packaging. Industries can choose between hard and soft plastic dunnage to suit their needs.

• Solid plastic: Solid plastic, like high-density polyethylene (HDPE), is a rigid material used to protect high-value or valuable shipments. It can be moulded into different shapes to fit custom packaging and cargo. While solid plastic is more expensive, it is abrasion-resistant, preventing extensive damage and saving industries money on repairs.
• Bubble wrap: Bubble wrap is a common and affordable soft plastic for fragile goods like glass and electronics. Industries may require multiple layers to protect items, but bubble wrap is reusable when in good condition.
• Air pillows: Another lightweight packaging material for protecting goods is air pillows. This plastic dunnage is made from soft and non-abrasive plastic or polymer. It cushions items and repels impact and damage. Air pillows can separate cargo, preventing them from scratching against each other.
• Plastic foil: Plastic foil or film is a soft plastic type used to cover and protect small and lightweight products in transit.

Steel

Steel is a solid dunnage for heavy, high-value goods like machinery and automotive parts. Industries also use steel to distribute weight and stabilise heavy loads from falling onto more miniature goods.

Paper

Paper dunnage is versatile and comes in different types:

• Cardboard: Cardboard is a flexible dunnage for protecting goods. It’s also recyclable and reusable, which is a cost-effective option. Businesses can use whole or shredded cardboard for their shipping needs.
• Corrugated paper: Corrugated paper is made of different paper layers. It’s often used in the pallet under-hang or space between the pallet and product to stabilise items and prevent movement. This paper type is lightweight, affordable and reliable for filling different packaging containers and bins. It’s a popular solution for protecting less heavy and smaller automobile and hardware parts.
• Kraft paper: Kraft paper is an elastic paperboard for wrapping and packaging heavier goods. It is porous and tear-resistant, suitable for different environments.

Foam

Foam or styrofoam is a lightweight and affordable dunnage used to pad or cushion packaging with sharp or fragile items like medical equipment and electronics. Foam wrapping materials include:

• Packing peanuts: Packing peanuts or foam balls are loose-filling materials that create a barrier between goods and packaging. While foam balls are less eco-friendly, they offer excellent impact and damage resistance.
• Moulded styrofoam: Moulded styrofoam is a custom dunnage for different-sized goods. This foam covering fits snugly on goods, absorbs impact, and repels moisture. Electronic industries use this material to package and protect unique-shaped items like headphones and computer equipment.

Are Pallets Considered Dunnage?

Pallets are custom dunnages to stabilise loads and create a protective barrier around goods. Freight industries use hardwood or softwood pallets to lift loads and prevent cargo from scraping against surfaces. Pallets also provide safe handling solutions during shipment loading and unloading.

Businesses can choose from different pallet types, including recycled options, offering eco-friendly and cost-effective dunnage.

Why Should You Use Pallets as Dunnage?

Pallets are a rigid and versatile dunnage that provides structural support and protects goods.

1. Safe handling: Pallets can improve goods handling, ensuring fewer accidents and faster loading and unloading.
2. Weight distribution: When stacking products, pallets provide stability and weight distribution, preventing movement and damage.
3. Airflow: Lifting products off the ground can improve airflow between products and their packaging, especially for electronics and perishables.
4. Load elevation: Pallets provide a barrier between goods and the surface, preventing dirt from accumulating and contaminating goods.
5. Customisable: Pallets can be customised to different sizes, fit snugly, and protect goods.

Get High-Quality Pallets for All Your Shipping Needs 

Whether shipping large, fragile, small or heavy goods, suitable protection is vital for ensuring your cargo arrives in excellent condition. That’s why pallets are a superb dunnage solution.

Cooperage Pallets & Boxes provides comprehensive pallet types, including standard, recycled, custom, heat-treated, plastic and Euro pallets. We manufacture our pallets to be long-lasting and reliable, ensuring quality packaging solutions.

We understand the importance of delivering your goods safely and on time and work closely with you to understand your unique requirements. 

Contact us online today to get a free quote.