The Ultimate Guide to Dunnage: Protecting Your eCommerce Orders

Introduction: Understanding the Importance of Dunnage

In the world of eCommerce, delivering products safely to customers is crucial for business success. However, with the rise in online shopping and home deliveries, the number of damaged packages is also increasing. In fact, last year saw a 19% increase in damaged packages in the U.S. alone, and experts predict this trend will continue.

This is where dunnage comes into play. While it might not be a term you hear often in eCommerce discussions, understanding and properly utilizing dunnage can save your business significant time, money, and reputation.

What Is Dunnage?

Dunnage refers to the protective materials placed inside packages and parcels to safeguard the contents against damage during transit. For instance, when you receive a bottle of perfume cushioned by packing peanuts, those peanuts are the dunnage. They prevent the bottle from breaking or getting damaged due to bumps, drops, or collisions with other items in the parcel.

The Crucial Role of Dunnage in eCommerce

While some might view dunnage as an unnecessary addition of weight, space, and cost, it's actually an essential component of any eCommerce packaging strategy. Here's why:

1. Damage Protection

The primary function of dunnage is to protect your products. It reduces and cushions the movement of items inside the package, preventing them from colliding with each other or the sides of the container.

2. Shock Absorption

During transit, packages often face rough handling. They might be thrown into delivery trucks, sent down chutes, or stacked under heavier boxes. Dunnage materials absorb these external impacts, minimizing the risk of damage to your products.

3. Moisture Absorption

Some dunnage materials can absorb moisture that would otherwise damage non-waterproof goods. This is particularly important for items like paper products, electronics, or edible goods.

4. Theft Prevention

Certain types of dunnage can act as a deterrent to theft. Anti-tamper dunnage makes it difficult for potential thieves to quickly open packages and steal products.

5. Air Circulation

Loose-fill dunnage allows for air circulation within the package. This is crucial for products like clothing or food items that need to remain fresh and odor-free.

6. Weight Distribution

Dunnage helps distribute weight evenly within a package, making it more stable and easier to handle. This is particularly important for packages containing multiple items.

By fulfilling these functions, dunnage protects your products, safeguards your revenue, and maintains your reputation by minimizing damaged deliveries and product returns.

Types of Dunnage for eCommerce Orders

There's a wide variety of dunnage materials available, each with its own set of advantages and considerations. Let's explore some of the most common types used in eCommerce:

1. Air Pillows

Air pillows are plastic pillows filled with air. They're excellent for providing cushioning around and between products, holding them in place and protecting against damage.

Benefits:

• Lightweight
• Excellent cushioning properties

Considerations:

• Often not recyclable

2. Kraft Paper

Kraft paper is a recyclable material commonly used to fill space inside packages and reduce internal damage from product collisions. Despite its simplicity, kraft paper is surprisingly strong due to the removal of most of the lining within the wood.

Benefits:

• Eco-friendly
• Strong
• Cost-effective

Considerations:

• Doesn't protect against water damage
• May not provide adequate protection for fragile items like glass

3. Corrugated Paper

Another recyclable form of dunnage, corrugated paper can protect a variety of product weights.

Benefits:

• Eco-friendly
• Good cushioning properties
• Strong
• Offers some moisture protection

Considerations:

• May be more expensive than kraft paper

4. Bubble Wrap

Perhaps the most recognizable form of dunnage, bubble wrap provides excellent cushioning and shock absorption, especially for fragile items like glassware and china.

Benefits:

• Lightweight
• Flexible
• Excellent shock absorption

Considerations:

• Not always recyclable
• Can be bulky

5. Foam

Foam sheets are commonly used to pad fragile electronic items such as TVs, computer monitors, and tablets. Some foam products come purpose-made to fit specific products exactly.

Benefits:

• Thin
• Lightweight
• Flexible

Considerations:

• Often non-recyclable
• May not protect against severe damage

6. Foam Nuts

Also known as packing peanuts, foam popcorn, or packing noodles, these are loose-fill dunnage that fills gaps between the product and the packaging to provide comprehensive protection.

Benefits:

• Adaptable to various spaces
• Available in recyclable materials (such as cornstarch)

Considerations:

• Traditional foam nuts aren't recyclable
• Can be difficult to dispose of

7. Thermocol

Also known as polystyrene, thermocol is a heavy-duty dunnage used for large items such as fridges, washing machines, and TVs. It's often combined with foam padding for maximum protection.

Benefits:

• Sturdy and robust
• Ideal for larger products

Considerations:

• Not readily recyclable
• Difficult to dispose of

8. Wood

Wood is used as dunnage for bulky and expensive goods that require sturdier protection or compartmentalization.

Benefits:

• Can be custom-built to product dimensions
• High protection properties

Considerations:

• More costly than other dunnage materials

9. Plastics

Various plastic materials are used to protect a wide range of products - from clothing and makeup to toys and gadgets.

Benefits:

• Waterproof
• Customizable
• Sturdy

Considerations:

• Can be expensive
• Not always recyclable

Choosing the Right Dunnage for Your eCommerce Orders

Selecting the appropriate dunnage for your eCommerce orders involves considering several factors:

1. Product Type

Different products require different types of protection. For instance, a glass vase would need bubble wrap or foam padding to prevent breakage, while a t-shirt might only need simple plastic packaging to protect against moisture.

2. Package Contents

If you're shipping multiple items in one package, consider how they might interact during transit. For example, if you're sending a beer glass and a bottle of beer together, you might add air pillows to prevent them from damaging each other.

3. Packaging

The type of outer packaging you use will influence your dunnage choices. A fragile item sent in a plastic shipping bag will require more protective dunnage than the same item shipped in a sturdy box.

4. Delivery Journey

Consider the path your package will take from your warehouse to the customer's doorstep. Will it be left outside? Thrown down chutes? Stacked under other boxes? Or will it be handled with extreme care? The answers to these questions will help determine the level of protection needed.

5. Sustainability

If your company values sustainability and promotes itself as eco-conscious, prioritize dunnage materials that are easily recyclable and have minimal environmental impact.

Strategies for Reducing Dunnage Costs

While dunnage is crucial for protecting your products, it's also a hidden fulfillment cost that can quickly add up. Here are some strategies to help you reduce dunnage costs without compromising on protection:

1. Don't Compromise Protection for Cost

Remember, it can cost up to 17 times the original shipping cost to replace a damaged product. Always choose dunnage that offers adequate protection for your items, even if it's not the cheapest option.

2. Consider Dunnage Weight

Dunnage materials add extra weight to your packages, which can increase shipping costs. When calculating the cost of different dunnage materials, factor in how they will affect your overall shipping expenses, especially for lightweight products.

3. Be Mindful of Package Size

Using oversized packages for small products not only increases shipping costs due to unnecessary weight but also wastes dunnage. Keep at least three different sized packages in stock (small, medium, and large) and choose appropriate packaging for each product.

4. Consider an All-Inclusive eCommerce Fulfillment Service

eCommerce fulfillment services like FreightAmigo can manage your deliveries with all-inclusive fulfillment pricing. This means you'll know exactly how much you'll pay for your fulfillment, encompassing order, pick, pack, ship, and everything in between.

Conclusion: The Value of Proper Dunnage in eCommerce

While dunnage might not be the most exciting aspect of eCommerce, it plays a crucial role in customer satisfaction and your bottom line. By protecting your products during transit, proper dunnage helps you deliver an outstanding customer experience that extends beyond the buy button.

With damaged deliveries on the rise, investing time and thought into your dunnage strategy can help you avoid the costs, negative reviews, and time associated with replacing damaged products. Remember, the goal is not just to get products to your customers, but to get them there in pristine condition.

At FreightAmigo, we understand the importance of proper packaging and protection in the logistics process. Our Digital Logistics Platform is designed to help businesses optimize their shipping processes, including selecting the right packaging and dunnage for each product. By leveraging our expertise and technology, you can ensure your products reach your customers safely and efficiently, enhancing customer satisfaction and protecting your bottom line.

As the eCommerce landscape continues to evolve, so too will packaging and dunnage solutions. Stay informed about new materials and technologies, and don't be afraid to adapt your strategy as needed. Your commitment to delivering undamaged products will not go unnoticed by your customers, contributing to long-term loyalty and business growth.