What’s Shipping Dunnage?

Shipping dunnage is a less known term among people who use courier services. And while it may seem like some technical jargon, we use it daily when mailing parcels.

Dunnage are various types of materials that assist in protecting goods during shipping. You want to use protective equipment when transporting goods to maintain their quality. Packaging material such as burble wrappings, planks, fillers, and plastic fibers work as dunnage.

Protecting a shipment is a priority for all people who use courier services. Mechanical damages during transport and handling may compromise the quality of the product in the package.

Senders can use any of the many forms of dunnage to assist in cushioning the contents of a container.

Different types of protective matter help in preventing losses due to shipping damage. If a good is fragile, it may require more protective matter than a sturdy package. Protective packaging that is durable and absorbs shock works best.

The Benefits of Using Shipping Dunnage

Protecting a shipment and ensuring timely arrival are two targets every shipper strives to attain. Appropriate dunnage can help you in many ways. Here are the main benefits of shipping dunnage.

•  Shock protection.

Protective packaging ensures that any bumps and shock do not affect the goods in a parcel. That way, all fragile products reach their destinations safely.

•  Protection from moisture.

A parcel may exposed to humidity or rain during transport. Proper dunnage ensures that goods arrive dry and free of moisture.

• Prevention of physical damage.

Different types of dunnage assist in providing a physical barrier that prevents the damaging of goods.

The Various forms of Dunnage For Your Shipping Activities.

Dunnage is a sure way to protect cargo during transportation. Senders can choose from the different types of protective items when sending packages.

Here are the 9 main types of dunnage you should consider using next time you ship products.

1. Wood.

Wood is a form of dunnage people rarely use. During the transport of parcels, you can use wood either beneath or between goods to keep them in place. That way, products are secured by a wood barrier that prevents movement and damage.

It is also the easiest to find and the most inexpensive approach. And lastly, wood is environmentally friendly. Wood dunnage works best with sturdy goods that do not suffer damage easily.

2. Solid plastics.

Plastic dunnage is an expensive type of dunnage. Regardless, most industries find it the most convenient way to ship highly valued goods.  Solid plastics are best for food since they do not rust.

Racks of different weight, capacities and shapes are available to help serve different transit needs. Choose an appropriate rack, depending on the type of good you’d like to mail. Plastics serves as the barrier protecting assets within a package.

3. Bubble wrap.

Bubble wrap is a transparent plastic material with protruding bubbles that contain air. Bubble, like hemispheres on a flat sheet, can act as dunnage. These air bubbles act as shock absorbers that cushion any pressure on the cargo.

One of the best features of bubble wrap is its recyclability. You can make it several times as long as the air bubbles are intact. Finally, it is a cheap form of shipping dunnage and a way to protect your shipment.

4. Kraft paper.

Kraft paper is another industry standard. It secures goods during transportation by reducing movements and absorbing shock. Kraft papers fill the gaps between the cargo and the container.

 Kraft paper is beneficial and environmentally friendly. It is possible to reuse, making them a cheap option. It is easy to use, too, because you only need to stuff the paper into the package.

5. Steel.

Steel is a rather costly type of dunnage. It usually serves to protect expensive cargo from damage. However, steel can work as dunnage for various forms of freight.

On top of that, it can help in protecting heavy shipments from damaging the lighter ones. One of its drawbacks, however, is that it cannot serve as dunnage for fragile goods.

6. Foam.

Foam is a highly effective type of protection for sensitive products, electrical devices, and therapeutic tools. Foam dunnage reduces breakages as it safely secures an item during transit.  It is a cheaper way to keep your cargo intact.

Foam dunnage comes in different forms depending on the nature of your shipment. And apart from protecting your cargo, it also allows for quicker visual checks and identification. That means space utilization is much more effective if you use foam.

7. Air pillows.

Air pillows are air-filled bags that fill the gaps between shipments. Such airbags work well with large shipments. They also help protect goods on transit by reducing movements.

It is advisable to use this form of dunnage because it is an economical approach. A single air pillow can support and protect several packages of the same kind. Airbags are easy to use as you only need to inflate and fit them within the spaces between packages.

8. Corrugated paper.

Corrugated paper is a type of shipping dunnage common among many companies and firms. These papers can carry items of various weights, can be customized to fit any space.

Corrugated papers can vary in size and thickness depending on the amount of protection that a cargo requires. The corrugated paper also keeps moisture away from goods. Most industries forechoose this type of dunnage because it's easy for printing options and to recycle.

9. Custom dunnage solutions.

Custom solutions involve coming up with protective material suit your specific cargo. Such dunnage works best for fragile commodities that require unique and careful packaging.

Custom dunnage may involve two or more different forms of dunnage. Extra materials ensure additional protection for your commodities.

Winding-up

Dunnage is an essential component in any shipment. It protects all commodities from shock, moisture, and damage. Small firms, large companies, as well as individuals use these protective materials when moving items.

Businesses strive to protect items so that they arrive safely to their destination. Any damages to products often result in product returns. Firms encounter many costs due to damaged parcels, when all that can be avoided using shipping dunnage.

Identify the nature of the good, and its dunnage requirements before shipping. That way, it is possible to find the best dunnage for your needs.